Indiana Free Press - Indiana By the People, For the People

Anderson Man Charged with Defrauding the Indiana Medicaid Program of Over $900,000

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 5 Jan 2009 21:18:45 -0800

Timothy M. Morrison, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, announced that Dennis Lennartz, 55, Anderson , Indiana , was charged with defrauding the Indiana Medicaid program, following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and The Indiana Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

The information alleges that beginning in April 2006, Dennis Lennartz, knowingly defrauded the Indiana Medicaid program of $964,852.59, by billing for services not actually rendered. In furtherance of his scheme, Lennartz concealed his involvement from Indiana Medicaid by billing under the provider number of another company.

"This case demonstrates the commitment of the Office of Inspector General working with our Federal and State law enforcement partners to protect our Nation's vulnerable Medicaid recipients," said Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge for the Chicago region of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General which covers the State of Indiana. "Defrauding the Medicaid program isn't fair to the taxpayers who deserve accountability," said Attorney General Steve Carter. "Even more tragically, though, it wastes money that would otherwise provide healthcare for those who can't afford to pay."

According to Assistant U. S. Attorney Bradley P. Shepard, who is prosecuting the case for the government, Lennartz faces a maximum possible prison sentence of 20 years and a maximum possible fine of $250,000. An initial hearing has been scheduled for January 20, 2009 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Indianapolis , Indiana .

The information is an allegation only, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at trial or by guilty plea.

New Detective Assigned to ISP Peru Post

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 5 Jan 2009 12:48:08 -0800

PERU, IN - Indiana State Police Superintendent Paul Whitesell, Ph.D., recently announced the reclassification of Trooper Bob Burgess to the position of detective. Detective Burgess is an eight year veteran of the Indiana State Police Department. He earned his assignment into the Criminal Investigation Division through written testing and a competitive interview process. Detective Burgess will work from the Indiana State Police Peru Post which is responsible for Wabash, Tipton, Cass, Howard, Miami, and Fulton Counties.

Detective Burgess is a Cass County native and a 1986 graduate of Lewis Cass High School. He holds an associates degree in conservation law enforcement from Vincennes University. Detective Burgess graduated from the Indiana State Police Academy in June of 2000 and was assigned to the Indiana State Police Peru Post, where he has worked road patrol in Cass and Miami Counties. Detective Burgess is a certified field training officer, emergency vehicle operation instructor and a member of the Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Enforcement Team.

Prior to his new assignment, Burgess was assigned to the Indiana State Police Methamphetamine Suppression Section, where he worked as the methamphetamine suppression officer for the Indiana State Police Peru Post. Burgess has also worked as the marijuana eradication officer for the Indiana State Police Peru Post.

Prior to joining the Indiana State Police, Burgess worked six years as an officer for the Logansport Police Department. He also served the Indiana State Excise Police Department for two and a half years.

Indianapolis Restriction Update

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 1 Jan 2009 23:09:36 -0800

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The following restrictions and road closures are current or upcoming for the Indianapolis metropolitan area. Many restrictions listed below are dependent upon favorable weather conditions.

NEW RESTRICTIONS

I-70 westbound, from Post Road to S.R. 9, will have the median shoulder closed for cable barrier installation. Inclement weather could postpone work.
Date: January 5 - January 9, 2009
Time: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

I-74, just west of S.R. 44 at Shelbyville, will be restricted to the right lane for bridge scouring. Inclement weather could postpone work.
Date: December 30, 2008 - January 15, 2009
Time: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

ACCELERATE 465 RESTRICTIONS

I-465 and U.S. 36/Rockville Road interchange will be restricted for interchange reconstruction. U.S. 36/Rockville Road will be restricted to two narrow lanes in each direction with short turn lanes while contractors rebuild the bridge in two phases. The old loop ramps will be temporarily closed and the traffic pattern will operate like a diamond interchange, with traffic signals on either end of the I-465 bridge.
Date: Monday, June 16, 2008 - Summer 2009
Time: Continuous

West 21st Street will be closed to replace the bridge over I-465. A posted detour follows High School Road, Vinewood Avenue, West 10th Street and Girls School Road.
Date: Monday, August 25 - Spring 2009
Time: Continuous

PREVIOUSLY REPORTED RESTRICTIONS

S.R. 13/Main Street in Fortville will be closed from Michigan Street to Church Street for the installation of water and sewer lines.
Date: Monday, November 17, 2008 - November 2009
Time: Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

S.R. 32, between U.S. 31 and Spring Mill Road in Westfield, will be shifted and will be restricted to narrow lanes while crews widen the road and install new sewer lines.
Date: Monday, September 29, 2008 - November 2009
Time: Continuous

Pendleton Pike (U.S. 36/S.R. 67), from I-465 to just east of Post Road, will be restricted to two narrow lanes in each direction with no dedicated turn lanes while crews widen the road and install new water and sewer lines.
Date: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - Fall 2009
Time: Continuous

S.R. 44, from I-74 to near SR 9 in Shelbyville, may be restricted as crews install pipes on either side of the road. At various worksites, traffic may be restricted to one lane in each direction on one side of the road.
Date: Monday, November 10, 2008 - Spring 2009
Time: Continuous

I-74, in both directions between the S.R. 44 and SR 9 exit at Shelbyville, may encounter intermittent lane closures for rip rap replacement and debris removal. Inclement weather could postpone work.
Date: December 4, 2008 - January 2, 2009
Time: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

S.R. 238/Greenfield Avenue at Olio Road may encounter lane closures for a Town of Fishers roundabout project. Detour follows Olio Road and 136th Street.
Date: Friday, October 10, 2008 - March 2009
Time: Continuous

S.R. 238, between Olio Road and Fortville, will be closed for utility relocation and road construction. A posted detour following I-69 and S.R. 13 adds about 3 miles for through traffic.
Date: Monday, March 31, 2008 - November 2009
Time: Continuous

S.R. 267, between I-65 and I-74 in Hendricks and Boone Counties, will encounter lane restrictions or closures for road widening and resurfacing projects.
Date: Monday, February 4, 2008 - June 2009
Time: Continuous

I-465, in both directions between U.S. 40/Washington Street and East 21st Street on the city's east side, may have the right lane closed for installation of new noise barriers.
Date: Monday, June 2, 2008 - Spring 2009
Time: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Hoosier 529 Savers Receive $215,000 in Free Money!

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:24:43 -0800

Additional savings provided through Upromise Rewards program

Indianapolis, IN – State Treasurer Richard Mourdock, Chairman of the Indiana Education Savings Authority (IESA), announced that Hoosier parents who have an Indiana CollegeChoice529 Savings Plan and Upromise Reward accounts received an additional $215,000 for their children’s college education.

“Hoosier parents participating in Indiana’s CollegeChoice plans with Upromise Rewards are realizing the financial benefits of saving for their children,” explained Treasurer Mourdock. “In these difficult financial times, it’s tough to save and we’re offering a way to receive “free money”. You can’t get a better deal than that!”

In September, the Indiana Education Savings Authority re-launched its CollegeChoice 529 savings program and introduced Upromise Investments as the plan administrator. Upromise rewards is a free service that lets you get back a portion of your qualified spending when you shop at thousands of participating retailers and restaurants. You can also have your Upromise rewards savings automatically transferred to your CollegeChoice 529 account when you link your accounts.

“Twelve-hundred Hoosiers received an average of $180 in their Indiana CollegeChoice 529 accounts. This was free money! All that was required of these account owners was to register their credit cards with Upromise.com and then continue living life like normal. Purchases made at the grocery store, the hardware store, and restaurants all served to help save money for college.”

Participants in either CollegeChoice Direct or the CollegeChoice Advisor plan are eligible to participate with Upromise Rewards.

Finally, Hoosier parents are still eligible to receive a tax credit of 20% up to $1,000 on their Indiana state taxes for contributions made to CollegeChoice 529 or CollegeChoice Advisor accounts.

For more information on the new CollegeChoice 529 Direct and CollegeChoice Advisor 529 Savings Plans, please visit www.collegechoiceplan.com.

State Police Increase Patrols over Holidays

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:01:38 -0800

PENDLETON, IN - The Indiana State Police would like to remind all motorists to do their part in making our highways safe during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. In 2007 there were nine fatalities over the Christmas holiday period. There were seven fatalities over the New Year period last year.

The Christmas counting period this year is from 6 p.m. December 24 to 6 a.m. December 29. The New Years period is from 6 p.m. December 31 to 6 a.m. January 5, 2009.

To help ensure the safety of all motorists during this holiday period, the Indiana State Police will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort). Operation C.A.R.E. is a federally funded program that will allow extra troopers to patrol area roadways over the upcoming holidays. Troopers will specifically look for drivers who speed, follow too closely, make unsafe lane changes, drive aggressively, and fail to buckle up or to properly restrain their children. In addition, CVED (Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division) units will be on patrol focusing on Commercial Motor Vehicle driver violations.

.Your Indiana State Police would like to offer the following safety tips:

1. Make sure you are well rested. A fatigued driver is a dangerous driver.

2. Avoid tailgating. Increase your distance between vehicles in bad weather.

3. Buckle-up.

4. Let family know your route of travel and have your cell phone charged.

Lt. Clint Bundy, Commander of the Pendleton Post, stated, “We want everyone to arrive alive and have a joyous and happy holiday.” “Our Troopers will do everything possible to make the roads safe, but we asked for the public’s help in following some of the above safety rules.”

New Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs Poster Released

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:24:15 -0800

Posters Identify Top Growing, High Wage Occupations

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Now more than ever education and training is vitally important in securing a high-wage job in an industry projected to grow in Indiana in the next few years. Computer software engineers, computer systems analysts and dental hygienists are among the top occupations projected to grow strongly from 2006 through 2016 as well as in the short term outlook (2008-2010), according to a new listing released today by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

The third installment of Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs – A listing of the jobs most “in demand” for the state of Indiana has been sent to education, workforce and economic development officials and posted in each of the department’s 26 WorkOne Centers and across the state.

“The message that can’t be emphasized enough is that education continues to pay,” said Teresa Voors, Commissioner of the Department of Workforce Development. “Most of these occupations require at the very least a two-year associate degree, with many others requiring a bachelor’s degree and/or professional degree.”

“We’re publishing and broadly distributing this information because we want to help our emerging and existing workers into the occupational areas that have the greatest potential for growth and better than average compensation,” she said.

According to the department, the top 10 hot jobs are:

Computer Software Engineers, Applications

Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts

Computer Systems Analysts

Dental Hygienists

Physical Therapists

Registered Nurses

Pharmacists

Postsecondary Teachers

Medical and Health Services Managers

Management Analysts

The listing names the top jobs, their projected growth, both in terms of numbers and percentage, the average wage, education requirements and the top skills required to be successful for each job.

The 50 jobs were selected based on growth factors from Indiana’s Occupational Projections – both in the long term (2006-2016) and in the short term (2008-2010), and wage information from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey produced by the department. To be selected for the list, a job had to be ranked in highly in all growth factors (numeric and percent growth as well as total job openings) in the long term and in the short term. This list was then limited to those jobs that had a higher average wage than the state’s median wage for all jobs $29,396 based on the 2007 Occupational Employment Statistics wage survey.

The department is sending the Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs poster to the state’s WorkOne Centers, workforce partners, colleges and universities, education partners, and other partners to help publicize the high growth occupations. The listing is also available on the department’s web site, www.in.gov/dwd.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development is charged with continually improving the Hoosier workforce by assisting companies to create new jobs and improve worker skills. The agency offers a variety of training and educational grants, partners with Indiana’s 26 WorkOne Centers, administers the unemployment insurance system, provides labor market information, assists employers with preparing workers for layoffs and closures and operates a statewide job placement service.

Plotner Charged with Four Felony Counts

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 4 Dec 2008 09:54:52 -0800

KOKOMO, IN - Recently, a criminal investigation by Indiana State Police Detective Mike Tarrh resulted in the arrest of Daniel Edward Plotner, 33, Greentown, IN. Howard County Sheriff’s Deputies served Plotner with a Howard Superior Court II arrest warrant charging him with four class D felony counts of theft; receiving stolen property. The warrant was served to Plotner at the Howard County Jail where he is currently being held with no bond.

On September 19, 2008, officers from the Indiana State Police and Miami County Sheriff’s Department responded to a shooting at 2625 West Miami County Road 1050 South that killed an 18-year-old Kokomo, IN man. During a search of the home, officers allegedly found firearms and ammunition that had been reported stolen from a Howard County residence. Further investigation, revealed a few days prior to the shooting, Plotner purportedly brought the stolen weapons and ammunition to the Miami County home.

Any questions about the shooting should be referred to the Miami County Prosecutor’s Office.

Hoosier Troops Trade Weapons for Family Time

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 23:36:42 -0800

By Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry
120th Public Affairs Detachment

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Over an ocean and above the woods more than 320 Hoosier troops with the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team arrived at the Indianapolis International Airport on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008. After clearance through customs and turning in what Soldiers call sensitive items - weapons and night vision goggles - to military policemen, it was onto Stout Field to visit friends and family for an hour.

"This is the best Thanksgiving ever," said Mark Filicsky, father of Spc. Jason Filicsky. "Because my son is back home," said his mother, Barb. "Safely," added his sister, Dawn. Jason of Cartersburg, Ind. is a driver with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 150th Field Artillery and served nine months in Iraq with approximately 3,400 other 76th Brigade Citizen-Soldiers.

"We had to get product from point A to point B," said Filicsky of his battery's mission overseas.

"Spoken like a true truck driver," said his father who drives trucks for a living.

As a driver with Battery A, Filicsky was part of security that helped the unit escort more than 13,000 foreign national drivers safely through check points and operating bases throughout northern Iraq.

The reception ceremony at Stout Field was a time for families and friends to celebrate their Soldier's Thanksgiving arrival on Hoosier soil.

Hundreds of friends and family members cheered and yelled when Patriot Guard Riders' motorcycles thundered outside the hangar. The riders had escorted the bus convoy from the airport to Stout Field.

Moments later a knock on an overhead door and cheering and yelling intensified, and the noise was even louder when the Soldiers entered the hangar. Family members jumped up and down, and held welcome home signs. A boy dressed in combat fatigues waved U.S. flags. And many other family members documented the Soldiers march with cameras and personal cell phones.

By the time the more than 320 Soldiers stopped, the noise was so loud that they couldn't hear command of "fall out."

Once they did it was a time for hugs, kisses, tears of joy, and just being together again. One Indianapolis Citizen-Soldier proposed to his girlfriend. She accepted. Another was inundated with questions from his daughters.

"Why aren't you wearing your contacts daddy?" asked Mercedes Gulley of her father, Spc. James Gulley.

"I wasn't allowed to wear contacts in the desert," said Gulley of Indianapolis and a fuel specialist with Company E, 113th Brigade Support Battalion. "Sand would get in my eyes and it would hurt," he explained.

"Can we go to Taco Bell?" asked Emily. "We'll see," said the father.

Taco or turkey meals with family will be delayed as the Soldiers will first complete briefings, screenings, and evaluations at Camp Atterbury. Still, many friends and family members were pleased.

"You know we have a lot to be thankful for today," said Barb. "Our boys are home safe."

Indiana National Guard Spc. James Gulley receives hugs from his daughters,
Emily, left, and Mercedes, right, at a Stout Field hangar in Indianapolis
Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008. Gulley, of Indianapolis and a fuel specialist with
Company E, 113th Brigade Support Battalion, returned to Hoosier soil along
with more than 320 Citizen-Soldiers with 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
after a nine-month deployment to Iraq. Indiana National Guard photo by Staff
Sgt. Jeff Lowry

100,000 Gallon Plus Water Users Should Register with State Soon

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 2 Dec 2008 07:19:57 -0800

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Facilities located in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin that have the capability to withdraw 100,000 gallons per day need to register with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources before Dec. 8, 2008, according to Indiana Farm Bureau.

Facilities can register after that, but they could be subject to the full requirements of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact, an agreement between the American states and Canadian provinces that border the Great Lakes to limit diversions of water from the basin. The compact, which takes effect on Dec. 8, was recently ratified by Congress and signed by President Bush.

The following Indiana counties are within the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin: Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, DeKalb, Allen, Wells and Adams.

One requirement of the compact is that each state and province must establish baseline water withdrawals and usage from the Great Lakes Basin. The baseline withdrawals will be used to exempt existing uses from new permitting requirements of the compact.

Indiana is relying upon the withdrawal registration program that is administered by the Indiana DNR to establish baseline usage. Currently, any facility with the capability (not actual usage) to withdraw 100,000 gallons per day is required to register with the state. If you have already registered or register by Dec. 8, your withdrawal will be grandfathered under the compact. For information on the registration program and to register, visit www.in.gov/dnr/water/8538.htm.

2008 Indiana ISTEP+ Results Indicate Slight Decrease in Scores

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 4 Dec 2008 07:45:26 -0800

State releases new ISTEP+ Parent Network to help families get involved

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The 2008 Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) results, released today by Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed, showed overall pass rates declined slightly compared to last year. Statewide 2008 pass rates across all grades tested were approximately 71 percent in English/language arts, 74 percent in math and 60 percent in science.

“Despite gains made by many local schools, the latest ISTEP+ results are disappointing from a state perspective,” Reed said. “Like an annual physical, ISTEP+ is our regular checkup of student learning. The results are in, but the true test is what will be done by parents, students and educators to turn these results around.”

English/language arts pass rates dropped by one percentage point at every grade level except 10th grade which remained the same as last year. Pass rates for math and science were mixed with changes ranging from a two-point gain to a two-point decline. All ISTEP+ information, including performance data for each corporation and school, is available online at www.doe.in.gov/istep.

Reed noted that the Indiana Department of Education has several complementary efforts underway to help local students, parents and educators identify and address areas of academic need, including the new ISTEP+ Parent Network launched today at www.doe.in.gov/istepparentnetwork.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS, PARENTS

ISTEP+ Parent Network: The ISTEP+ Parent Network is a new online resource that offers parents secure access to their student’s ISTEP+ scores. Accessible on demand throughout the year at www.doe.in.gov/istepparentnetwork, families can use the ISTEP+ Parent Network to quickly and easily review their student’s latest assessment results and connect to useful educational resources. Parents should contact their student’s school if they do not receive a letter containing their secure ISTEP+ Parent Network login information.

On Track Resource Guides: The state’s On Track mini-magazine series is designed to help parents stay connected and support student learning throughout the year. Distributed annually to families across Indiana, these guides highlight what students are expected to know and be able to do at each grade level, offer helpful learning tips and provide Web links to additional online resources. Visit www.doe.in.gov/publications to learn more.

SUPPORTING TEACHERS, SCHOOLS

Computer-based assessment tools: This past summer, teachers from more than 600 Indiana schools were trained to use new computer-based assessments provided by the state. These tools are designed to help teachers conduct quick mini-checkups of student comprehension throughout the school year so learning issues can be addressed as material is taught rather than waiting until the high-stakes ISTEP+ exams. Within two years, these voluntary tools will be available to every school corporation statewide.

Indiana schools that began using these tools on their own prior to the statewide rollout have said it takes about three to four years before the impact becomes apparent. While it is too soon to measure the statewide impact these new tools may have, some schools – such as Village Elementary in Fort Wayne – credit the tools for helping significantly boost their students’ ISTEP+ pass rates in recent years.

Core Standards: Since being adopted in 2000, Indiana’s K-12 Academic Standards have been consistently recognized as among the best in the country by state and national organizations. In fact, Indiana’s standards were ranked first in the nation by Education Weekly’s annual “Quality Counts” report. However, many Indiana teachers have expressed a need for a more manageable set of academic concepts that emphasize the “big ideas” across the curriculum. The Indiana Department of Education responded by developing Indiana’s Core Standards. The Core Standards highlight the essential skills so teachers can focus their efforts on ensuring students are prepared for the next grade level and higher-level content. Visit www.doe.in.gov/standards to learn more.

Differentiated Accountability: This year, Indiana was selected as one of six states to participate in the U.S. Department of Education’s Differentiated Accountability Program pilot. The new federal program allows the state greater flexibility in targeting assistance to underperforming schools based on their level of need. Indiana now provides struggling schools with more help sooner, such as hiring full-time literacy and math coaches, participating in the state’s reading and math academies, working with state support teams and training educators how to use the new computer-based assessment tools. Schools that still do not improve will face significant restructuring actions that include such steps as replacing the school principal or other staff, extending the school day or year, closing the school and reopening as a charter school or contracting with a private management company to run the school. Visit www.doe.in.gov/TitleI/differentiated_accountability.html to learn more.

“Each year we’re providing more and better information to educators and families while working to target limited resources where they can have the greatest impact,” Reed said. “Now it’s time for more communities to come together to produce truly meaningful and lasting progress.”