UN I V E R S I T Y ' D A I L Y K A N S A N Wednesday, Januarv 15. 1997 3A Trio goes on spending spree local businesses take action Nearly $3,000 spent at Riverfront Plaza with forged checks By Stephanie McDuff Kansan staff writer A recent string of forgeries could cause some local businesses to change their check policies. In 1 3/2 hours last Tuesday, one unidentified man and two unidentified women bought nearly $3,000 worth of merchandise from nine stores at the Riverfront Plaza Outlet Mall with more than a dozen forged checks. Lawrence police said. One of the stores hit by the forgeries was Leather Loft. Currently the business does not use a computerized check center to verify checking accounts. Now, the store plans to begin requiring clerks to call the bank to verify a check written for over $200, assistant manager Pam Dixon said. Dixson, who was working in the store at the time of the forgeries, said it was difficult to know what had happened right away. During the afternoon, two different people made purchases in the store at various times using different clerks to assist them. This gradual purchasing made the forgeries less noticeable. Sherree Stewart, assistant manager at Bugle Boy, was the first to discover the forged checks. She assisted one of the female suspects at the check-out counter. After copying down the woman's driver's license information and running it through a check center for approval, Stewart noticed the altered account number at the bottom of the check. As the suspect left the store, Stewart called the bank listed on the $153.93 check and was told that the account had been closed. Stewart then called for assistance from mall security. An officer and another Bugle Boy clerk approached the suspect and asked her to return the merchandise. Stewart said that when the suspect saw the police officers she quickly disappeared, leaving the clothes behind. The suspect said she was going to an ATM to get cash to pay for the purchases, but she never returned. Police have since been unable to determine the woman's whereabouts or that of the other 28-year-old female suspect involved in the string of forgeries. The 29-year-old male suspect, whose name has not been released, was arrested on forgery charges last Friday at an outlet mall in Odessa, Mo., Lawrence police said. Odessa police contacted the Lawrence Police Department after the arrest because of the similar descriptions of the individual in question. Stewart said despite the recent forgeries, the Bugle Boy Outlet Store will not be making any major policy changes. She said her store will continue to require a valid driver's license when accepting checks, and the clerks will use their electronic check system, geared to prevent such incidents as this one. However, these security measures are not foolproof, Stewart said, and clerks should be extra careful when accepting checks. "That just goes to show that check centers are not always enough," said Stewart. Watkins Memorial Health Center's expansion and renovation project is ahead of schedule and should be completed by the end of April, said Jim Strobl, director of student health services. By Emily Vrabac Kansan staff writer The project, which began in July 1995, involves a renovation of the original 60,000 square feet and the addition of 40,000 square feet to the north end of the building. "The Student Health Advisory Board wanted more exam rooms, so we are expanding from 13 to 43 rooms," he said. "This is basically one of the biggest doctors' offices in Eastern Kansas." Strobl said that the main purpose of the renovation was to provide more exam rooms and more privacy for students, as well as to make Watkins more accessible to people with handicaps. Watkins almost completed In addition to the new exam rooms, the expansion will include more nursing sta tions; medical practitioners offices, which are closer to exam rooms, and a new conference room called the Colorado Room. The new center also will have an expanded Dr. Raphil I. Canuteson Memorial Library for physician reference purposes. Each practitioner now has two exam rooms, which will help move patients through more efficiently. The James W. Gillespie Memorial Pharmacy has been expanded to include private patient counseling booths. "We emphasize counseling on new prescriptions," said Cathy Thrasher, pharmacist in charge of student health services. "We tell the patients how to take their medicine, answer questions and clarify the physician's instructions." Strobli said the lobby and check-in areas were also being changed to accommodate patient privacy. Check-in booths are soundproof and the line will be kept away from the booths for privacy. Strobl said student usage was one of the highest in the country for student health centers, so the renovation was a practical project. "Last semester, 80 percent of KU students used the health center at least once each," he said. "I think the reason our usage is higher is that we have some things other health centers don't," Strobl said. Board certified physicians are rare in student health centers, as are laboratory and X-ray facilities, all of which Watkins has, Strobl said. Watkins has a new low-radiation X-ray machine and the X-ray department soon will be connected to the exam room area so patients can go directly from the doctor to their X-rays done. Randall Rock, Watkins chief of staff, said the project is advantageous to everyone. Rock said he was glad the end of the construction was in sight. "It's an exciting time to be a part of planning and utilizing this space," he said. 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Facilitator: Eye Network Graduate Assistant Family Taylor Wear Resource Center Thursday, January 23, 1997 Pine Room, Kansas Union 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Emily Taylor Women's Association and founded in 1942 by Karen For more information, contact Eve Nelson at 804-3592 A WORLD-CLASS DANCE PARTY THURS. JAN. 16th WELCOME BACK PARTY $1 SPECIALS EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY 10:00 - 2:00 943 MASSACHUSETTS • LAWRENCE, KS. 913-842-1414 Available with non-profit agencies in Lawrence - Learn Leadership Skills - Explore Career Interests - Help others - Work with Community Leaders Pick up and return applications in Room 430 of the Kansas Union For more information call Kathryn at 864-4073 Deadline: January 28th at 5 pm Information Meetings January 15th & 23rd, location TBA Big Brothers Big Sisters ECKAN First Step House Sunflower State Games Possible Agencies: The Arc Douglas County District Court Presbyterian Manor And More... ---