Attorney General Curtis Hill today announced that his office has participated in a major nationwide enforcement action against doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals for alleged participation in health care fraud schemes. The Office of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit played a key role in 12 criminal investigations that uncovered more than $200,000 in alleged Medicaid fraud, leading to charges against 14 individuals, including one in Jennings County and another in Johnson County.

These investigations are part of a nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. According to these federal agencies, this national effort is the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action.

In Jennings County, Catherine Feaster allegedly forged time-sheets and related documents with the name of her husband, as if he performed that work. Authorities say Feaster’s husband was actually incarcerated in the Jennings County Jail at the time the work was alleged to have been performed. She is facing felony charges of Medicaid Fraud and Forgery.

In Johnson County, R.N. Alicia Wenzel allegedly stole drugs from Johnson Memorial Hospital’s electronic dispensing machine, including hydromorphone, Ativan and morphine. Authorities say that Wenzel then made false records involving those controlled substances. She is facing multiple felony charges of Acquiring a Controlled Substance by Fraud or Deceit, Possession of a Narcotic Drug and Forgery.

The Bartholomew County Emergency Management Agency is warning about “oppressive heat and humidity” for our area this weekend. Officials say this weekend will bring “the most uncomfortable conditions of the summer so far,” beginning Friday and continuing through Sunday. Each day is forecast to have temperatures in the low to mid-90s and increased humidity levels that will raise the heat index above 100.

During this upcoming heat wave, you are encouraged to use caution if you must be outside for any length of time. Take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning. Drink plenty of water and never leave a child or a pet in a hot vehicle.

The Bartholomew County 4-H Fair kicks off next week, but preparations are well underway. This year’s edition of the fair runs from July 6th through the 14th. It officially kicks off at 5 p.m. on July 3rd when the midway opens as well. Midway rides are provided by Burton Brothers Amusements.

Grandstand events include truck and tractor pulls, demolition derby, monster trucks and three-quarter midget racing, among others.

For a complete list of fair events and activities, visit bartholomewcountyfair.com.

North Vernon Elementary will be celebrating a new playground Thursday afternoon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The ceremony begins at 5 p.m. at the school, located at 810 West Walnut Street, and you are invited.

The school received a grant of more than $70,000 for the equipment from the Culturelle Kids Playground Project and KaBOOM. Officials with the Jennings County School Corporation and North Vernon credited local residents for making the grant possible, noting that the recipients of these grants were decided by online voting in a national poll.

School personnel said they were happy to get the grant, noting that much of the equipment on the playground had been there since it first opened more than 40 years ago.

A new restaurant, event space and brewery is being planned for County Road 550S in Bartholomew County.

812 Farms LLC filed with the city of Columbus to operate the new facility at the 147-acre site of the former Oak Knoll Golf Course.

In filings with the city, the company says it will use existing buildings on the property and the applicants intend to utilize the hops that are currently grown on the property for the brewery. They are planning for a restaurant that will seat up to 60 people and an event space that could accommodate up to 150 people. Initially the facility would be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The Columbus Board of Zoning Appeals voted this week to allow conditional use of the property  at 1705 W. County Road 550 South in Wayne Township for the agri-business facility. While outside of city limits, it falls under the Columbus’ two-mile zoning jurisdiction.

While board members expressed some concerns about traffic flow in the area, the request was granted. The facility must still gain state approval.

The Bartholomew County Health Department is offering cholesterol screening. The screenings will be held the mornings of July 10th and July 24th at the department’s office at 2675 Foxpointe Drive, Suite B. Testing will cover total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL as well as Hemoglobin.

The cost for the Cholesterol screening is $15. The cost of the Hemoglobin is $2. Cash, debit, or credit card accepted. Participants must fast 12 hours prior to the Cholesterol screening. Fasting is not required for the Hemoglobin screening. Participants may schedule for both screenings.

For complete details and to schedule an appointment, call (812) 379-1555, Option 1, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a suspect in a hit-and-run that was caught on video. Sheriff Doug Cox says that on Sunday evening, a woman had her vehicle parked in front of her son’s home in the Walnut Woods subdivision when it was struck by someone riding a motorized scooter. A neighbor had video of the incident.

The video showed two people riding scooters in the area of 386 White Oak Lane just before 5:30 p.m. Police say one rider was a male driving a blue scooter and a female with long blond hair driving a black scooter. As the pair were riding around the cul-de-sac, video shows the female driving her scooter into the driver’s side of the parked car. The pair seemed to inspect the damage for several minutes before driving away.

If you have any information on either rider, you are asked to contact the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department Tip-Line at (317) 346-4654 and ask for Detective Jason Wools.

Video: http://bit.ly/2KhDeUf

North Vernon city officials continue their work addressing the city’s parks and pool situation. Earlier this year, the city council voted to support a request from the parks board to close the city pool. Officials noted numerous repairs that needed to be made to the pool and surrounding facilities to make it acceptable to open for the summer. Parks officials explained that the options facing the city as it relates to the pool included spending thousands of dollars for temporary repairs that would allow the facility to be open for a single summer, permanently closing the pool or completely redesigning and rebuilding the pool and surrounding area and buildings.

North Vernon is considering issuing bonds to cover the expense of these repairs. The city council approved an ordinance this week that would allow it to pledge funds out of a recently expanded Tax-Increment Financing District to cover the repayment of these bonds. City officials say the move gives them some latitude to cover anticipated expenses.

Work on proposals for the pool are ongoing.

Legal Aid is hosting a free legal clinic for Brown County residents on Tuesday, July 10th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Brown County Public Library in Nashville. These clinics are aimed at low-income residents.

Organizers say that these clinics utilize local attorneys to offer free legal advice to those who may be unable to afford legal help. Those who choose to take part in the clinic can expect to receive a 10 minute consultation to answer general questions, offer legal information, or to receive other limited assistance or advice. Organizers say that clients will be seen on a first come, first serve basis. There is no need to register in advance.

The Columbus Police Department is inviting the owner of 10 pounds of marijuana that was sent to an incorrect address to claim it. The department posted about the weed on Thursday. They estimate the street value to be $30,000. This incident follows a similar one several weeks ago where vials of THC were sent to an address in Columbus. When the resident saw the package, they contacted police.

If you do decide to try to claim the marijuana, CPD encourages you to bring your ID.