The "Queen of Mean!"

Helmsley Dog Gets $12 Million, but Real Estate Billionaire Leaves Nothing to 2 Grandchildren!

Leona Helmsley's dog will continue to live an opulent life, and then be buried alongside her in a mausoleum. But two of Helmsley's grandchildren got nothing from the late luxury hotelier and real estate billionaire's estate.

Helmsley left her beloved white Maltese, named Trouble, a $12 million trust fund, according to her will, which was made public Tuesday in surrogate court.

She also left millions for her brother, Alvin Rosenthal, who was named to care for Trouble in her absence, as well as two of four grandchildren from her late son Jay Panzirer -- so long as they visit their father's grave site once each calendar year.

Otherwise, she wrote, neither will get a penny of the $5 million she left for each.

Helmsley left nothing to two of Jay Panzirer's other children -- Craig and Meegan Panzirer -- for "reasons that are known to them," she wrote.

But no one made out better than Trouble, who once appeared in ads for the Helmsley Hotels, and lived up to her name by biting a housekeeper.
"I direct that when my dog, Trouble, dies, her remains shall be buried next to my remains in the Helmsley mausoleum," Helmsley wrote in her will.
The mausoleum, she ordered, must be "washed or steam-cleaned at least once a year." She left behind $3 million for the upkeep of her final resting place in Westchester County, where she is buried with her husband, Harry Helmsley.
She also left her chauffeur, Nicholas Celea, $100,000.

She ordered that cash from sales of the Helmsley's residences and belongings, reported to be worth billions, be sold and that the money be given to the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. Her longtime spokesman, Howard Rubenstein, had no comment.

Helmsley died earlier this month at her Connecticut home. She became known as a symbol of 1980s greed and earned the nickname "the Queen of Mean" after her 1988 indictment and subsequent conviction for tax evasion. One employee had quoted her as snarling, "Only the little people pay taxes."

"American Idol" Star in Town

It's been a busy week at the station. We had the group Shinedown in concert on Monday night. Tuesday it was Daughtry. Here's a picture with me and Chris Daughtry from the sound check Tuesday afternoon. It shocked America when we was not picked as the "American Idol" a couple seasons back. It went to Taylor Hicks. Who? Exactly!

Chris was a great guy. He has the same favorite band as me, Live. We talked for awhile about Live and the Daughtry show that I caught in Dallas a couple weeks back. They are going to be in Kansas City this weekend. He said that we oughta head up and check out the show again. We might. Kris hasn't seen them before. They are going to be in K.C. with Nickelback and Puddle of Mudd. That's the show I saw in Dallas. It was AWESOME!

Michael Vick Pleads Guilty.

I got this picture e-mailed to me from my sister-in-law (SISTER) Darla. It's pretty funny. It's poking fun at Michael Vick's stupidity. On a serious note, here's the latest with Michael Vick's situation.

Michael Vick apologized to the NFL and his Atlanta Falcons teammates Monday for "using bad judgment and making bad decisions" and vowed to redeem himself of charges in a dogfighting case.
Shortly before making his first public statements, the star quarterback pleaded guilty to a federal dogfighting charge and awaited a Dec. 10 sentencing date that likely will send him to prison.
"First I want to apologize for all the things that I've done and that I have allowed to happen," Vick said at a news conference following his appearance in U.S. District Court.
"I made a mistake in using bad judgment and making bad decisions," he said. "Dogfighting is a terrible thing."
He concluded by saying, "I offer my deepest apologies to everyone. And I will redeem myself. I have to."

Reality Show Star in Serious Condition.

I am a big "Reality T.V." fan. I like the show "Hogan Knows Best." It's the show about Wrestler Hulk Hogan and his family. Something bad happened to Hulk's son, Nick on Sunday night. Here's the official release:

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The son of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan was seriously injured in a car crash Sunday night, police said. A Toyota Supra driven by Nick Bollea was traveling at a high rate of speed at approximately 7:30 p.m., Clearwater Police spokesman Wayne Shelor said. Bollea, which is Hogan's real name, lost control and hit a raised median. The car flipped around, and the back end hit a palm tree. "The car was destroyed," Shelor said.

Bollea and an unidentified male passenger were extricated from the car by paramedics, Shelor said. Then they were airlifted to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. Their official conditions were not immediately available, but Shelor described the injuries of both men as serious.

The crash occurred on State Route 60, a main drag through downtown Clearwater. The road had to be shut down in both directions for several hours, Shelor said. Alcohol is not believed to have played a part in the crash. The crash seems to have been caused by excessive speed, Shelor said.

Ready For Kindergarten!

Zach had his "official" first day of school today. Here he is with his teacher, Ms. Stevens. He seemed to like it. I hope that he's not a class clown like his father was. That would not be good at all.

Back Home.

We got back to Wichita about 4 a.m. on Monday. Here's a picture that Scott took of me at Texas Stadium on Saturday night while the Broncos were warming up. Yes. That's sweat! It was nasty hot that night.

Congrats to Tami and Keith.

Congrats to my cousin Tami and her new husband, Keith. They were hitched Saturday night in Las Vegas. I was hoping to make it to the big event, but was unable to do so. My brother, mother, grandma, aunts, uncle cousin and other family and friends made it out there.
It is so weird to think of my little cousin Tami as a married woman now. I wish you both the best of luck and congrats on marriage!