Office manager pleads guilty to theft from Lawrence company

A former office manager for a Lawrence, Kan., property management company pleaded guilty Monday to embezzlement, acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

Candy A. Gunderson, 44, Lawrence, pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of stolen funds. In her plea, Gunderson admitted the crime took place from 2007 to 2015 while she was office manager for Garber Enterprises in Lawrence. She used various means to steal money from the company including:

• Depositing into her personal account checks made payable to Garber Enterprises.
• Issuing forged Garber Enterprises checks.
• Using company funds to pay bills for work performed on rental properties she owned.
• Using the company VISA card for personal expenses.
• Depositing cash belonging to the company into her personal accounts.
• Forging checks on Garber’s account to pay for personal phone bill.

Sentencing is set for Nov. 7. She faces a penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. At the sentencing hearing, the judge will determine the amount of the loss and the restitution.

Excessive heat warning continues today

An excessive heat warning continues today in Wyandotte County. (National Weather Service graphic)
An excessive heat warning continues today in Wyandotte County. (National Weather Service graphic)

An excessive heat warning remains in effect today in Wyandotte County, according to the National Weather Service.

The excessive heat warning continues through 7 p.m. July 22, the weather service said.

Today, expect temperatures to reach a high of 94, with a heat index as high as 102, according to the weather service. There will be a south wind of 5 to 10 mph. The humidity was 77 percent at 8 a.m.

High temperatures this week, combined with high relative humidity, will lead to oppressive conditions as the heat index exceeds the 110-degree mark by Thursday, the weather service said.

Hot temperatures will continue through Saturday with a modest cooldown expected toward the latter half of the weekend, according to the weather service.

River flood conditions will continue across the far northern areas of the region in response to heavy rainfall across southwest Iowa in recent days, the weather service said.

Flood warnings remain in effect along the Platte, Tarkio, Missouri and 102 rivers. The Missouri River at Kansas City is well below flood stage.

With the excessive heat warning, residents are urged to reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening, wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing, drink plenty of fluids and check on relatives and neighbors, according to the weather service. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles for any length of time, and this is especially true during hot weather, according to the weather service.

Tonight’s forecast is mostly clear with a low around 77, the weather service said, and a south wind of 6 to 9 mph.
Wednesday, it will be sunny with a high near 95 and a heat index as high as 105, according to the weather service. The wind will be south southwest 7 to 13 mph.

Wednesday night, expect a low of 78 and a south wind of 7 to 10 mph, the weather service said.

Thursday, it will be sunny and hot, with a high near 99, according to the weather service. A south southwest wind of 8 to 11 mph is in the forecast.

There are flood warnings in some parts of the region. Wyandotte County currently is not in the flood warning area. (National Weather Service graphic)
There are flood warnings in some parts of the region. Wyandotte County currently is not in the flood warning area. (National Weather Service graphic)

One person in critical condition after shooting

One victim is in critical condition and two others have non-life-threatening injuries after a shooting in the 2100 block of Silver Court.

A spokesman for the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department said that the shooting happened about 7:54 p.m. on Monday, July 18.

During a disturbance among a group of people in a parking lot at the location, gunshots were exchanged, police said. A woman in her 20s and two men in their 20s were injured by gunfire, according to police.

The person in critical condition is a male. All victims were taken to hospitals for treatment.

The Kansas City, Kan., Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS, police said.