SUMMARY: Gene Bicknell, a Branson entertainment mogul, filed a federal lawsuit accusing Richard Silanskas Jr., Larry Wilhite, and Stephen Hedrick of defrauding him of over \$60 million in a failed northeast Oklahoma theme park project. The 68-page suit alleges the defendants used psychological manipulation, impersonating “God” through daily devotional texts to coerce Bicknell, then 91, into investing heavily and surrendering majority ownership. Construction halted amid liens for unpaid bills. The defendants reportedly diverted funds to themselves and inflated credentials. Bicknell sold assets, including land and collectibles, to fund the project. The suit claims violations under the RICO Act for racketeering and fraud.

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SUMMARY: Yesterday saw the hottest temperatures so far this year, reaching 96°F at KCI and 99°F downtown Kansas City, marking the longest wait since 2010 to hit 95°F+. Today will be hot but slightly cooler with possible storms. Relief from the heat and humidity is expected as a cool air mass moves in, bringing highs in the 75-80°F range and lower humidity through the weekend. Record low overnight temperatures are possible early August due to this cool transition. Heavy localized rains remain a concern, but storm movement should help reduce flooding risks. This July has been notably wet and humid. Enjoy the upcoming cooler weather!

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The post Joe's Blog: Humidity departs, cool air arrives (WED-7/30) appeared first on fox4kc.com

SUMMARY: Return to the Land (RTTL), a whites-only private community expanding to Missouri, is facing controversy. Co-founder Peter Csere, formerly part of an Ecuador vegan community Fruit Haven, was involved in a violent incident with illegal miners, claiming self-defense amid accusations of stabbing and financial misuse. Csere left Ecuador in 2023, citing moral and governmental issues. RTTL requires criminal background checks and denies condoning violence. Local Springfield leaders and the NAACP strongly condemn RTTL’s segregationist stance, calling it divisive and contrary to values of inclusion and racial equality. Officials urge opposition to any efforts promoting racial segregation in the community.

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The post Co-founder of whites-only group speaks on previous homestead stabbing appeared first on www.ozarksfirst.com