MCPU VP Operations, reports that power should now be restored to all customers. High winds throughout the day caused multiple problems on the Distribution system. Customers are urged to contact the utility company at 262-5151 if power has not been restored. As always, your patience during this very windy day is greatly appreciated.
Allendale School Board Notes
At the November 2017 Allendale School Board meeting held Wednesday night at the main office of Allendale School, the board:
Approved the 2017 Tentative Tax Levy. The Board will adopt the levy at the December 2017 meeting.
Reviewed and approved the 2017 Interactive School Report Card.
Approved a resolution to adopt the Wabash County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Approved the purchase of an online student management system which will include Core Student Management (demographics, scheduling, attendance, grade reporting, etc.), Lunch Program, Discipline Program, and Health Records Program.
Approved the submission of a waiver of school code for non-resident children of full-time employees of Allendale CCSD 17 to be charged less than 110% of the per capita tuition charge. The waiver would be good for a five year period of time.
Authorized the Superintendent to proceed with public bids on the various Health/Life/Safety projects at the appropriate time.
Fight Leads To Domestic Battery Arrest
On 11/15/17 at 21:03 hrs. the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to 10418 N. 1250 Blvd. Mt. Carmel reference a verbal dispute. The complainant advised her neighbor was beating on her door yelling and screaming due to an ongoing verbal altercation. Once the deputy arrived it was found that the residents of 10418 N . 1250 Blvd. had been arguing on and off all day and into the evening. At one point the argument turned physical and the male had struck the female with a table. When the two exited the residence the door was inadvertently locked and they could not get back inside the residence.
The investigation resulted in the arrest of 48 year old Willard L. Lewis Jr., of Mt. Carmel. Lewis was charged with domestic battery and posted a $500 cash bond today to secure his release.
Expired plate leads officer to arrest Evansville man for Driving While Suspended
On November 16, 2017, at 9:14 a.m. Gibson County Sergeant Bruce Vanoven Stopped a Gold 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis for having an expired Indiana License plate. During a roadside investigation Sergeant Vanoven ran the driver 36 year old Jack Jackson of Evansville through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles and discovered that Mr. Jackson was driving on a suspended license. At that point Sergeant Vanoven placed Mr. Jackson into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Jackson was charged with Driving While Suspended-Prior. He remains in custody on a $650 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Woman Arrested For Harassing MCPD By Phone
On 11/16/2017, Mt. Carmel Police arrested 79 year old Margaret "Peggy" Kolb of Mt. Carmel after she continuously called Mt. Carmel Police Department. Kolb is accused of calling the Mt. Carmel Police Department at least 28 times in a short amount of time without having a valid complaint. Officers went to the home on two occasions to check on Kolb and when she didn’t need assistance they told her to only call if there was an emergency. Kolb continued to call the police department without an emergency. Police returned a third time and found Kolb to be on the telephone. Kolb stated she didn’t need assistance and that she didn't have an emergency. Kolb was subsequently arrested and transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was charged with harassment by telephone. Kolb is being held pending the posting of $150.00. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
WGH Shines On National Rural Health Day
In observance of National Rural Health Day 2017, The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) is proud to recognize the innovation, quality of care, and dedication of health professionals and volunteers in our communities. As part of this recognition, the Chartis Center for Rural Health/iVantage Health Analytics and the National Organization of State Office of Rural Health (NOSORH) have announced overall excellence rankings, reflecting top quartile performance among all rural hospitals in the nation. Thirty-two ICAHN member hospitals were recognized for excellence in either quality, outcomes and/or patient satisfaction.
“As we celebrate the power of rural on National Rural Health Day, it’s great to recognize these top performers who are excelling in managing risk, achieving higher quality, securing better outcomes, increasing patient satisfaction, or operating at a lower cost than their peers,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader of the Chartis Center for Rural Health. “These leaders serve as a benchmark for other rural facilities as they strive to achieve similar results and provide a blueprint for how to successfully run a hospital and serve their communities amidst today’s uncertainty and mounting pressures.”
Small, rural and critical access hospitals achieving the “Excellence in Quality” designation include Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Lincoln; Advocate Eureka Hospital, Eureka; Graham Hospital Association, Canton; Hopedale Medical Complex, Hopedale; Mason District Hospital, Havana; Mercy Harvard Hospital, Harvard; Paris Community Hospital, Paris; Taylorville Memorial Hospital, Taylorville; Valley West Community Hospital, Sandwich; and Wabash General Hospital, Mt. Carmel.
Small, rural and critical access hospitals achieving the “Excellence in Outcomes” designation include Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Lincoln; Advocate Eureka Hospital, Eureka; Carlinville Area Hospital, Carlinville; Hopedale Medical Complex, Hopedale; Memorial Hospital, Carthage; OSF Holy Family Medical Center, Monmouth; OSF Saint Paul Medical Center, Mendota; and Sarah D. Culbertson Memorial Hospital, Rushville.
Small, rural and critical access hospitals achieving the “Excellence in Outcomes” designation include Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Lincoln; Advocate Eureka Hospital, Eureka; Carlinville Area Hospital, Carlinville; Hopedale Medical Complex, Hopedale; Memorial Hospital, Carthage; OSF Holy Family Medical Center, Monmouth; OSF Saint Paul Medical Center, Mendota; and Sarah D. Culbertson Memorial Hospital, Rushville.
Small, rural and critical access hospitals achieving the “Excellence in Patient Satisfaction” designation include Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Lincoln; Advocate Eureka Hospital, Eureka; Carlinville Area Hospital, Carlinville; Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center, Hoopeston; Crawford Memorial Hospital, Robinson; Fayette County Hospital, Vandalia; Franklin Hospital, Benton; Genesis Medical Center, Aledo; Hammond Henry Hospital, Geneseo; Hillsboro Area Hospital, Hillsboro; Hopedale Medical Complex, Hopedale; Kirby Medical Center, Monticello; Mason District Hospital, Havana; Massac Memorial Hospital, Metropolis; Memorial Hospital, Carthage; OSF Holy Family Medical Center, Monmouth; OSF Saint Luke Medical Center, Kewanee; OSF Saint Paul Medical Center, Mendota; Paris Community Hospital, Paris; Rochelle Community Hospital, Rochelle; Salem Township Hospital, Salem; Sparta Community Hospital, Sparta; St. Francis Hospital, Litchfield; St. Joseph’s Hospital, Highland; St. Joseph’s Memorial Hospital, Murphysboro; Union County Hospital, Anna; Valley West Community Hospital, Sandwich; and Wabash General Hospital, Mt. Carmel.
Other small and rural Illinois hospitals recognized for “Excellence in Quality” were Greenville Regional Hospital, Greenville; Illinois Valley Community Hospital, Peru; Saint James Hospital, Pontiac; and St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Effingham.
Other small and rural Illinois hospitals recognized for “Excellence in Outcomes were CGH Medical Center, Sterling; Greenville Regional Hospital, Greenville; Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital, Dixon; McDonough District Hospital, Macomb; Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers; Saint James Hospital, Pontiac; and St. Joseph’s Hospital, Breese.
Other small and rural Illinois hospitals recognized for “Excellence in Patient Perspectives” were St. Joseph’s Hospital, Breese, and St. Margaret’s Hospital, Spring Valley. The rankings are determined each year using iVantage Health Analytics’ Hospital Strength INDEX®, the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. In partnership with NOSORH, iVantage Health Analytics has developed a data-driven program designed to identify excellence across a broad spectrum of indicators relevant to hospital performance and patient care. The Hospital Strength INDEX captures performance metrics for all rural and critical access hospitals. Leveraging data from public data sources, INDEX aggregates data from more than 50 individual metrics into three major categories and eight pillars to derive a single strength overall rating for each facility.
SIX MORE DEFENDANTS CHARGED IN INTERNATIONAL “TECH SUPPORT SCAM”
Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that federal fraud charges were filed this week against six additional individuals for their participation in an international “Tech Support Scam.” In a Tech Support Scam, the scammer attempts to convince the victim that he or she has a serious computer problem, and then tries to sell the victim unnecessary products and services.
The federal indictments returned on November 14, 2017, allege that all six individuals worked at a business in Boynton Beach, FL, known as Client Care Experts, LLC (“Client Care”). Client Care was formerly known as First Choice Tech Support, LLC (“First Choice”), and was formerly located in Pompano Beach, FL. With the cases filed this week, the number of former Client Care employees who have been charged with federal fraud violations now stands at fourteen – charges against the previous eight defendants were filed this spring.
According to the indictments, the conspiracy and scheme to defraud operated from approximately November 12, 2013, through at least June 29, 2016. During this period, Client Care/First Choice victimized over 40,000 people and defrauded these individuals out of more than $25,000,000. The victims were located in all fifty of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, several U.S. territories, all ten Canadian provinces, the United Kingdom, and several other foreign countries. At least fifty-seven victims of the scam were located in twenty-two counties within the Southern District of Illinois, with multiple victims in both St. Clair and Madison Counties.
According to the indictments, Client Care/First Choice purchased pop-up advertisements, which appeared without warning on the victims’ computer screens and locked up their browsers. These pop-ups falsely informed the victims that serious problems, such as viruses or malware, had been detected on their computers. The pop-ups also usually warned the victims that they were at serious risk of losing their data and informed them to call a toll-free number. When the victims called the numbers shown on their screens, they were connected to Client Care/First Choice salespersons.
The indictments further allege that the salespersons convinced the victims to allow them to have remote access to their computers. Once they accessed the victims’ computers, the indictments charge, the salespersons examined routine computer functions and processes and then tried to convince the victims that these functions and processes were evidence of problems. In addition, the salespersons also ran a system analyzer program on the victims’ computers. However, regardless of what this system analyzer showed, the salespersons allegedly still tried to convince the customers that their computers had serious problems. According to the indictment, the salespersons also concealed from the victims: (1) that they could make the pop-ups go away by unplugging or rebooting their computers; and (2) that Client Care/First Choice paid for the pop-up ads which had frozen their computer browsers.
The indictments allege that the salespersons usually charged the victims $250 for a computer system “tune up,” and then also sold them an anti-virus protection software for $400. The salespersons worked on commission.
The six additional individuals charged this week are: Cory Steven Bachman, 25, of Boynton Beach, FL; Tatum Elyse Espenshade, 26, of West Palm Beach, FL; Robert Thomas McCart, 32, of Boynton Beach, FL; Timothy James Miller, II, 27, of Schwenksville, PA; Jonathan Matthew Richardson, 27, of Lake Worth, FL; and Grant Clark Wasik, 35, of Boynton Beach, FL. According to the indictments, Bachman, Espenshade, and Miller all worked as salespersons. With regard to Richardson and McCart, the indictments allege that they both worked as Team Leaders, supervising groups of salespersons. Wasik is alleged to have been the Vice President of Client Care/First Choice. Arraignment hearings for all six of these defendants will be conducted later this month and in early December.
The eight individuals who were previously charged are: Joseph Ralph Aievoli, IV, 25, of Boynton Beach, FL; Andrew Douglas Broad, 26, of Boynton Beach, FL; Ryan Stocker Carr, 23, of Mount Laurel, NJ; Joshua Dennis Cortez, 37, of Lake Worth, FL; Nicholas James Davidson, 26, of Boynton Beach, FL; Patrick M. Dougherty, 35, of Boynton Beach, FL; Eric M. Iannaccone, 32, of Monroe Township, NJ; and Anthony Vincent Ludena, 29, of Boca Raton, FL. The indictments allege that Aievoli, Davidson, Dougherty, and Ludena worked as salespersons for Client Care/First Choice. It is alleged that both Broad and Cortez held the position of Director of Recruiting and Training. Carr is charged with working as a Team Leader. Iannaccone is alleged to have been the company’s Sales Manager.
Aievoli, Broad, Carr, Davidson, Dougherty, Iannaccone, and Ludena have all pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Cortez’s trial date has been set for January 23, 2017. Trial dates for Bachman, Espenshade, McCart, Miller, Richardson, and Wasik will be set in the near future.
All fourteen of the defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Under the SCAMS Act, because it is alleged that the crimes took place in connection with telemarketing, and victimized ten or more persons over the age of 55, the maximum penalty is 30 years of imprisonment. The defendants can also be ordered to serve up to five years of supervised release after any term of imprisonment, can be fined up to $250,000, and can be ordered to pay restitution to the victims.
These cases are part of an ongoing investigation by the St. Louis Field Office of the Chicago Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Scott A. Verseman, Ranley R. Killian, and Nathan D. Stump.
The Florida Attorney General’s Office is cooperating with the federal investigation. In addition, the Florida Attorney General’s Office brought a civil enforcement action against Client Care/First Choice for the purpose of ending the fraudulent activities at that business.
The Federal Trade Commission has also been working to shut down illegal tech support scams.
For more information about the FTC’s “Operation Tech Trap,” please go to https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2017/05/ftc-federal-state-internationalpartnersannounce-major-crackdown. An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant.
Under the law, that charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
How much will Thanksgiving cost this year?
Hoosiers will pay significantly more for their Thanksgiving meal this year, when comparing prices to 2016, according to Indiana Farm Bureau’s annual Thanksgiving market basket survey. The average cost for a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 this year, including 12 traditional food items, is $50.88 or approximately $5.08 per person.
The INFB Thanksgiving market basket survey was conducted by 37 volunteer shoppers across the state who collected prices on specific food items from one of their local grocery stores. Volunteer shoppers are asked to look for the best possible prices, without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or purchase deals.
While 2017 prices are approximately 9 percent higher than 2016’s market basket at $46.81, this year’s prices are only 1 percent higher than prices in 2015. Last year, prices saw a decrease of around 7 percent overall, making the 2016 market basket the lowest recorded since 2010. In 2013, 2014 and 2015, the prices showed a steady increase each year – 2017 prices trend similarly.
The market basket price of $50.88 includes a 16-pound turkey, the ingredients for stuffing and a pumpkin pie, sweet potatoes, rolls, peas, a carrot and celery veggie tray, whole milk, cranberries and miscellaneous baking items such as eggs, sugar and butter.
While some items on the holiday shopping list declined in cost, the main factor in the overall price increase was the 16-pound turkey, being the most expensive item on the list, which increased 15 percent, or just over $3, this year. Stuffing, pumpkin pie filling and the veggie tray also saw significant increases in price.
“Despite the modest increase in Indiana, consumers continue to see affordable prices for turkey this year, due to its large inventory across the country,” explained Isabella Chism, INFB’s second vice president and chair of the Women’s Leadership Committee. “Indiana has a lot to do with that, since our state ranks fourth in the nation in turkey production. Turkeys also consume about 15 percent of all soybean meal fed to livestock in Indiana, so they’re great for our state’s economy.”
The items that Indiana shoppers can expect to pay less for this year include rolls, peas, whipping cream and pie shells. The price for whole milk and cranberries remained relatively unchanged.
Mt. Carmel Man Charged With Domestic Battery
11/14/2017, Mt. Carmel Police arrested 37 year old Terry W. Beavers of Mt. Carmel after police were called to his residence in the 800 block of Mulberry Street. Beavers is accused of striking his girlfriend during an altercation at the residence. Beavers was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged with domestic battery. Beavers was held pending the posting of bond.
Indiana Residents Arrested In Mt. Carmel
The following individuals were arrested by the Mt. Carmel Police Department. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
11/14/2017, Mt. Carmel Police stopped a 2001 Chevrolet in the area of 5th and Walnut Street for a registration violation. The arresting officer made contact with the driver, Jessica F. Wilson, age 29, of Howard Brooke, Indiana. During the traffic stop it was discovered that Wilson was operating the motor vehicle on a suspended driver’s license. Wilson was arrested and transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was charged with driving suspended, driving with suspended registration, unlawful display of registration and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Wilson was held pending the posting of bond. The passenger in the vehicle was identified as 32 year old Braden K. Brewer of Howard Brooke, Indiana. Brewer was arrested after it was discovered that he was wanted on a warrant out of Effingham County and Clay County. Brewer was transported to the Wabash County Jail and held on the two warrants. Mt. Carmel Police were assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office.
