Credit Card

Dear Editor, I would like to issue an alert. This is a business practice used by a company that, on many levels, is legitimate. The company is Capital One. It works this way: If you are a Capital One credit card holder you may receive an offer worded something like this: “Use these Visa checks for 12 or 18 months to get money for any purpose you choose at zero percent interest.” You will pay a 2 percent fee up front. Where the problem takes place is what happens next.

For many local gas station owners, the ease and convenience of taking credit cards for customer purchases is costing them thousands of dollars each month. They want to serve their customers, but at the same time, the businesses are struggling to stay competitive with gas prices while floating in a sea of credit card fees. Glen and Maxine Dotson, owners and operators of the Moreland BP and DJ Food Mart, have resorted to working overtime to keep their store running. They work 70 to 80 hours a week to finance the business and their own lives.

A resident of the Phoenix House Apartments was charged Wednesday with receiving stolen property and unauthorized use of a credit card after making purchases with stolen credit card numbers. Betty Stidham became involved in the nationwide scheme after meeting Nigerian Akeem Adeoti online. Adeoti claimed to be a bank CEO from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., named Kelvin Scott. Adeoti used Stidham to send merchandise and money grams outside of the country to support the efforts of terrorists.

Don't let this holiday season be memorable for the mountain of money you spend on gifts for family and friends, or the months it will take to get out from under this debt. To keep from spending too much money on holiday gifts, do a little planning before going shopping. Set a budget that will not put you in a tight squeeze financially. Make a prioritized list of the people for whom you want to buy gifts with an estimated dollar amount for each person. Then see if the total expenditure falls within your holiday shopping budget.

Should you be charged to charge? Should you have to spend a little bit more for the store to accept your payment? According to Visa, the answer to both questions is a resounding "no. " In May, The Advocate-Messenger published a story on the pinch that several local gas stations said they were feeling the pinch from fees charged by credit card companies. The stores spoke about a series of solutions, including charging a fee for credit card transactions and setting a minimum amount for purchases paid for with a credit card.

BOYLE   DISTRICT COURT Cases handled recently in Boyle District Court, listed by name, charge, fine and jail sentence, where applicable, include the following. Court costs also were assessed in most cases. Ages and addresses are listed if available.   Judge Jeff Dotson presiding Brian C. Montgomery, 23, Junction City, harboring a vicious animal, six days, credit for six days served; fourth-degree domestic assault, 30 days; second-degree unlawful imprisonment, 30 days, consecutively, credit for seven days served, remaining time probated two years.

Charged — Tiffany J. Carrington, 23, of 1121 Dale St., was charged Wednesday with forgery-second degree and fraudulent use of a credit card.

The driver of a tractor-trailer rig who alleged fled the scene of an collision that seriously injured an elderly Danville woman has been indicted on eight felony counts by a Boyle County grand jury. Michael Calligaro, 55, of Arlington, Texas, was indicted for leaving the scene of an accident, five counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, two counts of first-degree criminal mischief.  Golden Wilson, 80, suffered serious injuries to her head and face in the crash that occurred Dec. 17 on U.S. 127 Bypass near Lebanon Road when a semi truck rear-ended her vehicle.

Crime of the Week Authorities in Lexington are investigating a credit card duplication scheme in that city. On March 11, the victim was contacted by his credit card company about fraudulent charges. The victim still had his credit card, but suspects made a replica with the victim's information. Police obtained surveillance video of the suspects using the card, but have not been able to identify the suspects. Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 253-2020 or 877-970-2020.

The following cases were resolved in Clark District Court April 25 with Judge Brandy Oliver Brown presiding. - David J. Airth, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, third-degree assault, fourth-degree assault, sentence amended, 360 days, 276 days conditionally discharged, restitution. - Edward L. Duncan, alcohol intoxication, pleaded guilty, 14 days; second-degree fleeing or evading police, pleaded guilty, concurrent sentence; resisting arrest, dismissed; second-degree possession of a controlled substance, pleaded guilty, concurrent sentence; possession of marijuana, pleaded guilty, concurrent sentence.

The following people were booked into the Jessamine County Detention Center between April 30 and May 2, 2013, according to jail records: April 30 • Angie Cooper, 32, charged with probation violation, first-degree possession of a controlled substance, buying/possessing drug paraphernalia • Robert Grace, 67, charged with failure to appear • Steven L. Norvell, 29, on a warrant and charged with receiving stolen property, under $500...

A Jessamine County grand jury covened April 10 and returned the following results in open court that day: • Margaret Anderson, first-degree criminal mischief • David Blankenship, first-degree possession of a controlled substance • Joe Shannon Williams, felon in possession of a firearm, second-degree persistent felony offender • Brittney L. Blair, welfare fraud • Shelly M. Froman, theft by unlawful taking, under $10,000...

Many people have an annual spring cleaning routine which includes washing windows, cabinets and woodwork. This year, be sure to take time to also “spring clean” your financial records. Sort through your old financial paperwork and identify any that are old and can be shredded or thrown away. Remember, it's always a safe idea to shred any paperwork that contains any personal information, especially bank account, credit card or other financial information. Do you have old utility bills, credit card bills, ATM receipts or cancelled checks lying around the house?

Theft reported HARRODSBURG - Police are investigating a car and cell phone theft reported Wednesday. Chester Devine of Hildeen Drive told police he woke up Wednesday morning to find his 2005 Ford Focus and Straight Talk cell phone missing. According to a press release, Devine said the vehicle and cell phone were taken by a female friend of his.  Devine said the friend contacted him to say she was going to Danville. He told her to return his vehicle and phone. The woman has not returned with the car or phone.

BOYLE DISTRICT COURT Cases handled recently in Boyle District Court, listed by name, charge, fine and jail sentence, where applicable, include the following. Court costs also were assessed in most cases. Ages and addresses are listed if available. Judge Jeff Dotson presiding Brittany Burton, 24, Stanford, theft by deception less than $500, 20 days; two counts of contempt of court, first count given $100, second count given five days, consecutively, credit for six days served, remaining time probated one year, checks paid.

WINCHESTER POLICE Charged - Kathy A. Fountain, 63, was charged Monday with theft by deception. - Starla Renee Shields, 35, was charged Monday with theft by unlawful taking and unlawful transaction with a minor. Reports - At 4:58 p.m. Monday, officers took a report of a stolen wallet. The credit card was later used at 1605 Fortune Drive. - At 7:55 p.m. Monday, officers were called to Walmart concerning two suspected shoplifters. - At 9:04 p.m. Monday, officers were called to 308 Vaught Road concerning a breaking and entering complaint.

The driver of a tractor-trailer rig who alleged fled the scene of an collision that seriously injured an elderly Danville woman has been indicted on eight felony counts by a Boyle County grand jury. Michael Calligaro, 55, of Arlington, Texas, was indicted for leaving the scene of an accident, five counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, two counts of first-degree criminal mischief.  Golden Wilson, 80, suffered serious injuries to her head and face in the crash that occurred Dec. 17 on U.S. 127 Bypass near Lebanon Road when a semi truck rear-ended her vehicle.

Editor's note: Taken from the Danville 911 records, the Police Blotter represents a history of the initial calls and the information used by the dispatcher to send officers to investigate complaints. It is not necessarily an indication of what the officer found upon arrival at the scene, or of how police may have dealt with the complaint.   FEBRUARY 14   12 a.m., investigation at Madison Avenue residence. 12:23 a.m., report of a hit and run that occurred within the past hour at Wausau Paper-Bay West parking lot on Lebanon Road.