Latest news with #Staten
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida man faces 20 years in prison for scamming customers out of $1.3M, leaving them with unfinished pools
Putting a pool in your backyard is a major decision — costing upwards of $100,000, according to HomeGuide — that inevitably involves disruption. But for Tampa Bay-area clients of Olympus Pools, the cost and disruption were far more than they bargained for. As WFLA News Channel 8 reports, hundreds were left with nothing but holes in their backyards and bank accounts, their money swindled by Olympus Pools' former owner James Staten. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) In May, he was sentenced to 20 years of prison followed by 30 years of probation — found guilty of 35 felony counts, including multiple counts of grand theft and contractor fraud. 'The sentence in this case is based on the fact that, out of all the testimony, you willfully ruined people's lives,' Judge Mary Handsel said during the sentencing. At the hearing, the prosecutor read victim impact statements to convey just how much damage Staten caused beyond unfinished pools, including this one: 'James Staten stole nearly $25,000 from us, leaving us with an unfinished pool and a shattered sense of security. Because of his actions we were forced to dip into our 401k to complete the work, setting back not just our retirement but also our daughter's college fund.' Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it In addition to his prison sentence, Staten must pay more than $1 million in restitution to be distributed to victims. He's also barred from owning a business or having any credit cards while he's on probation. At one time, Staten's business — Lutz, Florida-based Olympus Pools — claimed to be the largest pool builder in the state. But Staten shut down the company in July 2021 amid a slew of complaints and what Staten called 'constant negative media coverage.' Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation fined Staten $1.4 million and forced him to surrender his contracting licence. Later that same year, he and his wife filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. According to prosecutors, Staten collected money from clients despite knowing their pools were unlikely to be built. He used $1.3 million of his clients' money to fund his lifestyle. 'He was stealing money from a lot of us,' former Olympus client Toni Rosier told WFLA. In addition to receiving their fraction of the restitution funding, some former clients may qualify to receive a portion of their money back through the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund. However, the amount payable is capped and is unlikely to reimburse many clients for the full amount they lost. So, what steps can you take to prevent this from happening to you? Watch out for contractors who solicit door-to-door because they 'are in the area' or 'have materials left over from a previous job,' the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns. Get multiple quotes for your project and don't rush into a decision. Before making a final decision, verify the contractor's references — and call them. Many people ask for references from previous clients and then fail to call them. Also check Better Business Bureau reports. Confirm that your contractor is licensed and insured. You can check the license with local or state regulators and ask the contractor for proof of insurance. Also look for a contractor who's a member of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and ask if they provide a warranty or guarantee. Be vigilant of contractors who pressure you to commit, only accept cash, demand full payment upfront or want you to borrow from a lender they recommend. Also beware if they ask you to get the permits. Get estimates and contracts in writing. The contract should include a timeline, a detailed cost breakdown, procedures for managing changes to the project and steps for resolving disputes. If things go wrong, keep detailed written records of conversations and events. Set up a payment plan contingent on work milestones being completed and don't pay in full upfront. Monitor expenses throughout the project to make sure they align with the estimate and ask for a receipt as proof of full payment once the contract is completed and paid for. Once the project starts, watch out for subcontractors who contact you directly for payment, have frequent or excessive unexpected expenses and materials that are lower quality than what was agreed to in the estimate. Lack of activity at the job site is another red flag. It may seem time-consuming to assess potential contractors and keep on top of their work, but this extra work could end up saving a lot of heartache — and your savings. Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
USA Today
20-05-2025
- USA Today
Man dies after falling 30 feet through skylight at Utz Quality Foods factory
Man dies after falling 30 feet through skylight at Utz Quality Foods factory A subcontractor died after falling though a skylight at a Pennsylvania snack factory earlier this month, authorities say. Trever Staten, 34, was part of a crew that was setting up scaffolding to do work on the roof of Utz Quality Foods, a factory located in Hanover Borough on May 2, according to a press release from the York County Coroner's Office. Utz Quality Foods is an American snack food brand best known for producing potato chips, pretzels and other snacks. The company is headquartered in Hanover, Pennsylvania. "For an unknown reason, it appears that the decedent was on the roof and fell through a sky light, falling to a loading dock area below, approximately 30-34 feet," the agency said. Staten was transported to a local hospital but died as a result of his injuries. His death was ruled as accidental, with deputy coroner Michelle Rau reporting the cause of death as "blunt force injuries" due to a fall. Hanover Borough Police Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were investigating. Additional details about the circumstances leading up to Staten's death were not immediately available. Utz Quality Foods did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. Worker's 'greatest joy' was being with his children, online obituary says Staten, who lived in Harrisburg, was a father to four children, including biological sons Trever G. Staten, Jr. and Julius J. Staten. He was also a member of Carpenters & Joiners Union, Local 431. "He enjoyed fishing, going to the casino and cooking on the grill. Trever was a football coach for his son's youth league," according to details shared in an online obituary. His favorite past time was playing on his PlayStation 5, and his "greatest joy was spending time with his kids," the obituary reads. Funeral services for Staten were held May 12.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Dad's ‘Greatest Joy' Was Spending Time with His Kids. He Died After Falling Through Skylight at Chip Factory
A 34-year-old subcontractor died while installing scaffolding on the roof of an Utz factory in Hanover, Pa. on May 2 The young father, Trever Staten, fell 30 to 34 feet through a skylight and died of his injuries, the coroner's office said His funeral service was scheduled for May 12 A 34-year-old dad has died after falling over 30 feet through a skylight while working as a subcontractor at the Utz Chip factory. Trever Staten was working as a subcontractor and was helping set up scaffolding to fix the roof of Utz Quality Foods in Hanover, Penn., on Friday, May 2, when the fatal accident occurred, the York County Coroner's Office said in a statement. 'For an unknown reason, it appears that the decedent was on the roof and fell through a skylight, falling to a loading dock area below, approximately 30-34 feet,' the coroner's office said. Staten was transported to a local hospital but died of his injuries. The manner of death was ruled an accident, and the coroner's office said Staten died of blunt force injuries related to the fall. Both the Hanover Borough Police Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are investigating the incident, the coroner's office said. The agency had no further information to add when contacted by PEOPLE. Utz, the Hanover Borough Police Department and OSHA did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Staten was a loving father, according to his obituary. He is survived by two sons and two stepchildren, as well as a large extended family. The dad was a fan of fishing, grilling and playing PlayStation 5, but his kids were his main focus. 'Trever was a football coach for his son's youth league,' his obituary read. 'Trever's greatest joy was spending time with his kids.' His funeral service was scheduled for Monday, May 12. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘Very disturbing': Local man facing felony after caught on video abusing his pet dog
BEDFORD HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) — A 26-year-old man is facing a felony charge of cruelty to animals after he was caught on video physically abusing his dog. According to police and Bedford Municipal Court records, Devonta Staten appeared in court Friday and bond was set at $2,500. He is due back in front of a judge Wednesday. I-Team: Latest on money for road projects around Browns dome site 'The video is really difficult to watch,' said Bedford Heights Police Chief Michael Marotta. 'No animal should ever be treated like this. Very disturbing.' The incident happened May 7 at an apartment complex in Bedford Heights. On the video, Staten can be seen walking in the stairwell carrying the dog, he then throws her down on the floor. The dog tries to run a way but a few seconds later, Staten is seen dragging her and then throwing her against the wall. 'No animal regardless if they misbehave or made a mistake should be treated in that kind of fashion ,' the chief said. He added, police became aware of the incident after someone reviewing the video at the apartment complex called officers. The 2-year-old pit bull mix is named India. Police took her to a veterinarian and she is expected to make a full recovery.'Based on what happened she could have sustained very serious injuries,' said Assistant Police Chief Ken Hatcher Jr. 'It's more of a blessing than anything.' I-TEAM: Mother of fallen officer speaks out on Mother's Day India is now at the shelter and officials say she is doing well. Officers say it will be up to the court to determine if Staten will lose custody of India. Police said they hope India can be put up for adoption. 'We would like her to go to a loving home,' Marotta said. 'She was eating food out of our officers hands. She is very sweet. She deserves a home with someone that will care for her and take good care of her.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
What We Know About a Potential Ransom Canyon Season 2—And What to Watch in the Meantime
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After a 10-episode run blending romance, family drama, and Western grit, Ransom Canyon has left Netflix viewers wondering if the dust has truly settled. With unresolved cliffhangers, character departures, and deep emotional entanglements, questions about a possible second season remain at the forefront of fans' minds. Created by April Blair (All American, Wednesday), Ransom Canyon is based on Jodi Thomas's multi-book saga. The show centers on Quinn (Minka Kelly), a dance hall owner with ambitions beyond her Texas hometown, and Staten (Josh Duhamel), a grief-stricken rancher haunted by personal loss and buried truths. The story draws heavily on the dynamics of a small, tightly-knit town navigating change, legacy, and the ripple effects of long-held secrets. Why It Matters Since its debut on April 17, Ransom Canyon has steadily trended on Netflix's Top 10 chart, signaling strong viewer interest and buzz around the series. Its blend of rugged landscapes, emotional family drama, and romantic entanglements has drawn comparisons to other hits like Yellowstone and Virgin River. As viewers wrap up the 10-episode series, they are left wondering if the debut series will be getting a second season. Explaining the Ending of Ransom Canyon The first season of Ransom Canyon concludes with multiple emotional and narrative pivots. Quinn accepts a prestigious piano position in New York, aiming to pay off her debt and eventually return home while entrusting her dance hall to Ellie. Staten's investigation into his son's death uncovers that Sheriff Dan Brigman's wife, Margaret, was responsible for the crash, upending perceptions of the town's moral center. In a climactic confrontation, Quinn tells Staten, "All I ever wanted was you, and I think that all you want is your own pain," according to Netflix's Tudum. Near the end of the last episode, Ellie is prepared to marry Yancy, who is planning to take over Cap's ranch. But at the last moment, a woman walks into the dance hall asking for Yancy, saying she's his wife. Meanwhile, younger characters like Lauren, Lucas, and Reid resolve some of their tangled relationships, hinting at new beginnings for the next generation. Blair explained her goals for the finale in an interview with Tudum, saying, "My favorite feeling is when a show ends, and you don't want it to end, and you just want more." Will There Be a Season 2 of Ransom Canyon? Officially, Netflix has yet to greenlight a second season. However, according to Town & Country, there are positive signs. Both Duhamel and Kelly indicated excitement about where their characters could go, and Blair's comments suggest a strong creative desire to continue. "I don't know what they have planned—they've been in the writer's room now for a bit, so we'll see," Josh Duhamel told Town & Country. Minka Kelly also expressed interest in exploring her character's future: "I would love to explore the growth of Quinn and see what happens when she moves back to New York and chooses herself." There's also substantial source material to draw from. Jodi Thomas has written eight books in the Ransom Canyon series, along with two prequels, giving creators a deep well of narrative options. "I want it to feel unpredictable, raw, real, and interesting," Duhamel said about potential future episodes. Kelly emphasized the empowerment she envisions for Quinn: "No more help from anyone, but make her own way and find her own way! Raise her own money and make her own money to save the dance hall or whatever she decides to do in her future." What to Watch After Netflix's Ransom Canyon If the wait for a second season stretches out—or if it never materializes—several similar series can offer a satisfying interim experience. According to The Pioneer Woman, fans of Ransom Canyon might enjoy: Virgin River , which features small-town healing and romance set in California's mountains. , which features small-town healing and romance set in California's mountains. Sweet Magnolias , centered on the enduring bonds of lifelong friends in a Southern setting. , centered on the enduring bonds of lifelong friends in a Southern setting. Chesapeake Shores , which offers familial drama and coastal charm. , which offers familial drama and coastal charm. Hart of Dixie, a light-hearted Southern drama following a big-city doctor adapting to small-town life in Alabama. a light-hearted Southern drama following a big-city doctor adapting to small-town life in Alabama. Everwood , an early 2000s family drama about a widowed surgeon who moves his children to a small Colorado town for a fresh start. , an early 2000s family drama about a widowed surgeon who moves his children to a small Colorado town for a fresh start. Walker, a reboot starring Jared Padalecki as a widowed father and Texas Ranger returning home to reconnect with his children, balancing crime-solving with emotional family drama Each show captures the same themes of love, loyalty, healing, and hidden secrets, appealing to those drawn to Ransom Canyon's world of complicated characters and rugged backdrops. What People Are Saying Ransom Canyon series creator April Blair told Netlflix's Tudum: "It makes you feel warm and familiar, and you don't want to let go. That is how I hope people feel. It's how I feel about the show watching it." An X user named @JMorgynWhite posted on April 19: "Ransom Canyon is incredibly binge worthy but that cliff hanger ending was maddening.@netflix We NEED a season 2 for resolution and a lot more Yancy Gray ;) #RansomCanyon" A Reddit user named u/icypeach11 posted: "It wasn't perfect but I really enjoyed bingeing it and I hope it gets second season! Some shows need a season to really find their legs (seasons one of The Office or Buffy, anyone?) & I feel like this could be one of them. The ingredients are great and I'd love to see the execution improve as it goes on. Unfortunately in the age of streamers, shows aren't always given the chance to find their footing. I really hope Netflix renews this one." What's Next While Netflix has not yet made an announcement about a renewal, industry watchers and show insiders are optimistic. Given that the writer's room is reportedly active and the storylines are only beginning to unfold, a continuation could easily pick up where Season 1 left off, delving deeper into themes of redemption, love, and legacy.
