The LTCI reviewed processes, policies, and staffing, as well as the overall care provided to the Veterans who reside in our Community Living Centers (CLC). This is a rigorous review which involves document evaluation, as well as visual inspection and observation of actual care rendered to Veterans. This survey resulted in the recognition of high-quality care being provided, with only some minor recommendations. The LTCI is recommending the Chillicothe CLC Covid safety plan as a VA nationwide best practice. The CLC staff and those staff that provide ancillary support to the CLCs have worked extraordinarily hard to make this our best survey in the past 5 years.
Dr. Kathy Berger expressed gratitude for the staff’s commitment and hard work to achieve these survey results. “On behalf of the Veterans we serve at VA Chillicothe, we offer our most sincere thanks to our staff,” said Dr. Berger.
Veterans not enrolled in the VA healthcare system are encouraged to visit www.chillicothe.va.gov/enrollment.asp to register or call 740-772-7170 with questions.
Visit the Chillicothe VA webpage (www.va.gov/chillicothe) and follow us on facebook (facebook.com/ChillicotheVAMC) and twitter (@chillicothevamc).
Chillicothe area residents are being thanked for their support in helping The Church In Chillicothe to gather relief supplies to send to tornado survivors in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was also hit by a massive tornado that leveled communities throughout the Blue Grass State.
Minister Dan DeGarmo, who is also the owner operator of Double “D” Auction House located next to the church, was joined by several other individuals Wednesday morning as they were leaving on their journey to transport relief supplies.
(Dan DeGarmo details what they accomplished with local help, prior to transporting relief supplies to tornado victims)
“We have a 26-foot U-Haul truck and we are headed to the Hillview Heights Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The truck is 3/4 full of supplies, but with the room left over, before leaving Chillicothe we are getting totes to fill the rest of the U-Haul. Many people there have need of totes to carryout items from their storm damages homes.”
DeGarmo said the local giving was not just material items. “The financial donations has been $12,000 raised in Chillicothe.”
(The Church In Chillicothe sends cases of water for Kentucky Tornado Relief
DeGarmo said they hopes to arrive at the Kentucky church by 3:30pm, and have it unloaded by 5pm Wednesday.
In Pike County, Bode Lawn & Landscape at 876 Howard Road, Waverly is encouraging individuals to donate supplies that they can transport to Mayfield, Kentucky.
Owner Scott Michael Bode says- “I have been in business for 15 years, and I believe this is an opportunity for me to give back to a community that has a great need.” Bode is seeking non-perishable food items, laundrey and dish washing cleaning supplies along with toilet paper and paper towels.
Scott Michael Bode can be contacted at (740) 656-7747.
(Athens) – OHIO Chillicothe middle childhood education graduates recently participated in mock interviews with local educators and administrators to help hone their interview skills and prepare them for the job hunt, while learning what their local school districts are searching for in new teacher candidates.
Karen Corcoran, associate professor of instruction in the middle childhood education program and regional coordinator of professional internships in teaching, said many local school partners expressed interest in coming to campus to meet the teacher candidates.
“This has become a two-way street in terms of benefits,” Corcoran said. “Not only do the graduating teacher candidates get an opportunity to practice this important job search skill, but the local administrators get to practice interviewing and meet viable candidates for teaching positions in their school district. It is also one more opportunity for us as program coordinators in the education department to continue to cultivate the great relationships we have with our education partners who host our teacher candidates in clinical field opportunities, including the capstone internship.”
Corcoran also said the mock interview process has resulted in many job opportunities and hires over the years.
Patti Stiltner, a teacher at Zane Trace Elementary School, participated in the mock interview day and said her school was able to secure a candidate for an upcoming position.
“I felt the candidates did a good job of presenting themselves during the interviews,” Stiltner said. “Of course, they were nervous, but this experience helps them tremendously in getting prepared for a real interview. I am very happy to be part of yet another educational opportunity for these teacher candidates.”
Recent OHIO graduates and teacher candidates Chantel Landrum and Earl Johnson both participated in the mock interviews and said the experience was beneficial and worthwhile.
“It was helpful to ask them questions at the end of the interview to gain more knowledge about them and I also asked for feedback of how I did in the interview,” Landrum said. “Since these were mock interviews, I was able to reflect on the feedback for when I go into a real interview.”
Landrum is planning to substitute teach in her community until she secures a full-time teaching position.
“I spoke with multiple administrators and curriculum directors from many different districts,” Johnson, who is also seeking full-time employment, said. “Many were willing to not only give advice on the interviewing process but career advice as well.”
Following the mock interviews, students and visiting administrators had a catered lunch and a Q&A session.
(Jackson, Tennessee) — The Prospect League is announcing that Jackson, Tenn., has been added to the league for the 2023 season. Following a special City Council Meeting by Mayor Scott Conger, In The Big Inning, LLC has signed a use agreement with the City of Jackson.
A press conference will take place in late January to announce a “Name the Team” contest for the new Prospect League team. In The Big Inning will begin operation of the West Tennessee Baseball Stadium beginning January 1, 2022 attempting to book as many events as possible during the year.
“We could not be more excited or pleased with the relationships developing in Jackson”, stated In The Big Inning CEO and President, Dennis Bastien. Bastien and his wife Lisa, will own and operate the Prospect League team.
“My family has hoped for this day since we learned of the possible opportunity in Jackson after the contraction of MiLB. We are honored and humbled, proud and privileged, but most of all blessed to finally see this come to fruition,” added Bastien. “In our roles as Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, we have been a part of the growth of the Prospect League and watched the success of many of our members,” said Lisa Bastien, Vice President of In The Big Inning, LLC. “It is exciting to join in the ownership role and follow in their footsteps.”
Jackson, TN becomes the 17th city of the Prospect League with additional markets and scenarios being developed.
The blood supply in the United States has reached one of its lowest levels in recent years. Blood centers across the country are reporting less than a one-day’s supply of blood — a dangerously low level. If the nation’s blood supply does not stabilize soon, lifesaving blood may not be available for some patients when it is needed.
The current status of the U.S. blood supply is particularly concerning amid the holiday season and winter months — a time in which blood donations typically decrease due to travel, inclement weather and seasonal illnesses.
Blood components have a short shelf-life and the blood supply needs to be constantly replenished. Blood can take up to three days to be tested, processed and made available for patients, so it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives in an emergency. In the U.S., more than 16 million units of blood and blood products are transfused annually with more than 45,000 units needed daily.
Blood donations are needed now to avert the need to potentially postpone lifesaving treatments. Some hospitals have already been forced to alter treatment for some patients or cancel some patient surgeries due to blood supply challenges.
This year, as the country continues to confront the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, blood centers nationwide are facing additional challenges and unprecedented disruption in the form of a decline in donor turnout due to remote work, blood drive cancellations, schools and businesses limiting the number of individuals allowed onsite as a precautionary pandemic practice, and misinformation regarding donor eligibility after receiving an authorized COVID-19 vaccine.
AABB, America’s Blood Centers and the American Red Cross are joining together to urge eligible, healthy individuals to contact their local blood center and make an appointment today to donate blood today. We also ask local businesses to encourage their employees, including those working remotely, to find their local center and schedule an appointment to donate and give the gift of life this holiday season. Doing so is essential to maintaining the stability of the nation’s blood supply, which ensures life-saving medical treatments are available for patients.
The blood community relies on the generosity of blood donors to help save lives throughout the year. Please contact one of the following organizations to find a local blood collection site and to schedule an appointment to donate:
Blood donation remains a safe way that eligible individuals can help save lives throughout the holidays. Individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine currently authorized in the U.S., including those manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer, are able to donate blood and platelets as long as they are symptom-free and feeling well at the time of donation. Blood collection organizations continue to adapt their safety protocols to align with local, state and federal guidance to ensure the safest possible experience for all donors, staff and blood drive hosts.
(Columbus) – It’s fitting that Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month is December, a time of year when we are busy with shopping, cramming in personal commitments and sharing life moments on our social media pages, all while exposing ourselves to potential identity theft dangers.
In 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received 4.8 million identity theft and fraud reports, a 53 percent increase from 2019. It’s not surprising that identity theft is the top consumer fraud in the United States. What’s alarming is that 29% are repeat victims.
“Identity theft is the number one type of consumer fraud in the U.S.,” said Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce Sherry Maxfield. “We are wrapping up 2021 and so far, the Federal Trade Commission reports Ohio having more than 33,000 identity theft reports, with 16 percent of those directly related to credit card fraud. We continue to share helpful information with Ohioans in an effort to keep them safe from this type of fraud.”
With a significant increase in shopping throughout the holiday season, consumers are naturally more vulnerable to credit card fraud, particularly while shopping online.
Online shopping is not only easy, but it’s incredibly convenient. You can make purchases from your phone or computer anytime and in some cases from anywhere. But this convenience comes at a price, it potentially exposes you to fraud, and more importantly identity theft.
Tips to protect your personal and financial information from online scammers:
Know your vendor – Before providing any personal or financial information, make sure that you are interacting with a reputable, established vendor. Some attackers may try to trick you by creating malicious websites that appear to be legitimate, so you should verify the legitimacy before supplying any information.
Confirm the site’s security – Check the website security settings. If the site is secure, its URL (web address) should start with “https://” and include a lock icon on the purchase or shopping cart page. However, with scammers becoming more sophisticated, this should not be the only tip you rely on. It’s equally important to read a site’s Privacy Policy and understand what personal information is being requested and how it will be used. The most common location to find the Privacy Policy is in the footer of a website. The Privacy Policy is grouped with similar items such as Contact Us and Terms and Conditions. This ensures the policy is visible for any visitors who wish to see how their personal data will be used.
Be a smart credit card user – While not everyone likes to use credit cards, they do offer a level of fraud protection that you may not get when using debit cards. In fact, credit card providers will likely notice identity theft activity even before you do. With that said, credit card fraud still exists because consumers tend to value convenience over protection. When using a credit card, don’t allow the website to “remember” your card information. Decline website’s offers to keep your credit card information stored in their system. It may save time, but it’s risky in the long run. As evidence by recent years, data breaches are very common, and stored information could compromise your identity.
Utilize your card’s security features – Some credit cards are offering special features that give you additional levels of protection when you shop online. For example, some issuers provide virtual card numbers, which have a 16-digit number generated. Virtual card numbers provide privacy so purchases are more difficult to be tracked and targeted by advertisers or scammers, while protecting sensitive banking information, including the real debit, credit or charge card account number, expiration date, and security code. Additionally, many credit cards also let you set up account alerts, which can inform you if purchases are made that seem suspicious or are above a certain amount.
If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft or other cyber fraud activity you may contact:
FBI’s Cleveland Division at 216-522-1400 or report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
Credit Reporting Agencies – Contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies to place fraud alerts or freezes on your accounts. Also get copies of your credit reports, to be sure no one has already tried to get unauthorized credit accounts with your personal information. Confirm the credit reporting agency will alert the other two credit reporting agencies.
Financial Institutions – Contact the fraud department at your bank, credit card issuers, and any other places where you have accounts.
If you need assistance filing a complaint against a state-chartered bank, credit union, or consumer finance company, call the Division of Financial Institutions’ Office of Consumer Affairs at 866-278-0003.
(Columbus) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) Director Annette Chambers-Smith have announced that ODRC is moving forward with plans to renovate its former prison near Nelsonville.
The Hocking Correctional Unit, which has been closed since 2018, will be repurposed into a day-treatment facility for misdemeanor offenders and a female-only jail operated by the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office.
“This is an important investment for the criminal justice system in this region of the state,” said Governor DeWine. “This multi-functional facility will help ease the burden on area jails and offer important treatment opportunities to help those who have been jailed due to substance use disorders and mental health issues.”
ODRC received controlling board approval today to dedicate $12 million in capital funding for the project’s design and construction. Once complete, the jail and treatment facility will serve Hocking and other surrounding counties.
“We are extremely excited to assist with bringing much needed female beds to this region. The facility will also offer treatment services, helping local communities and families impacted by the opioid epidemic,” said Director Chambers-Smith. “This project wouldn’t have been possible without the passion and support of our local partners, including Judge Fred Moses and Sheriff Lanny North.”
The Hocking Correctional Unit was constructed in 1955 as a hospital for the treatment of tuberculosis patients. The facility was also used as a children’s center before becoming a prison in the early 1980s.
Project design work will begin this month, with construction starting later in 2022.
Today’s announcement is in addition to the recently announced $50 million in grants allocated to support local jail construction and renovations in Senate Bill 310 which was passed by the Ohio General Assembly and signed by Governor DeWine in December 2020. The Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail, as well as the county jails in Coshocton, Gallia, Harrison, Lawrence, and Scioto counties all received a portion of the funding.
The old Huntington High School Gym, which has served as the school’s middle school gym for the past three decades, has been renamed in honor of a Huntington Township favorite son.
The middle school gym was renamed in honor of the late Kermit Vickers, during a ceremony held December 13th.
Kermit Vickers graduated from Huntington High School in 1959. A lifelong Huntsmen, Coach Vickers began coaching basketball at Huntington in 1980.
Up until his untimely passing on January 23, 2021 Kermit Vickers dedicated his life to the boys basketball program at Huntington.
Serving under 11 different head coaches, and 6 athletic directors Kermit Vickers spent 41 seasons on the sideline for Huntington basketball.
34 of those seasons were spent at the Junior High level. And, so, on this night Monday December 13th 2021 the Huntington Local Schools Athletic Department, along with the Board of Education, and Administration hereby dedicate the middle school basketball gymnasium to be henceforth known as “Kermit Vickers Gymnasium.”
Please join us in thanking the family of Coach Kermit Vickers for joining us tonight as we present the plaque to be hung in the gym to let all visitors and spectators know KV’s legacy will live on
MORE DETAILS ABOUT KERMIT VICKERS: Inducted into the Huntington Local Schools Distinguished Athletic Service Award in 2003 (inaugural class).
Owner operator Custom Upholstery Shop designing interior for hot rods.
Played high school basketball for Hall of Famer George Barnes 1955-1959
Senior Year Ross County League Tournament Champions
Junior Year Ross County League Regular Season Champions
Soph Year 2nd Place Ross County League Regular Season
Frosh Year 2nd Place Ross County League Regular Season
70 wins in four years winningest class in HHS history
(Columbus) —State Senator Bob Peterson (R-Washington CH) has announced controlling board approval of $1 million for the construction of a new maintenance shop and boat storage facility at Paint Creek State Park in Highland County.
This project will construct a new maintenance shop and office space, consisting of five pull-through bays with heated shop space, an office, kitchenette and open meeting space. In addition, the project will include a new boat storage building for the Law Enforcement staff. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks and Watercraft has statewide construction and dredge operations crews that provide large scale maintenance and dredging services for all the state parks.
In addition, controlling board also approved $251,000 for the construction of a new Boater Education Center at the Lake White State Park in Pike County. This project replaces a previous facility that had been removed and will include the construction of a new 2,020 square foot park shelter with storage rooms, restrooms, patios, and a pavilion area. The work is expected to be completed by June 23, 2022.
“Well maintained parks contribute to an enhanced quality of life for area residents and help spur our local tourism industry,” said Peterson. “Ohio’s vibrant park system is one of the finest in the nation, thanks to important investments like these.”
(Chillicothe) – The holiday season is often a favorite time of year for those able to wrap themselves in its comfort, warmth and joy.
For those with more limited means, however, the season also brings with it the return of bitter cold temperatures that make the warmth enjoyed by so many very hard to come by.
The Adena Health Foundation, in conjunction with the physicians, advanced practice providers and other caregivers throughout Adena Health System, recognizes the need that exists in our schools and communities and for roughly the last dozen years have sought to do something about it through the Coats for Kids program. Recently, more than 1,000 coats purchased and then donated by Adena caregivers were delivered to school districts across the region that had identified students in need of a winter coat.
“I cannot even explain our need for this kind of stuff in our district,” said a guidance counselor at one of the schools where some of the coats were delivered. “Your staff is so appreciated for doing this outreach, I’m sure it’s a ton of work but it’s so needed. When students need coats, it’s a true need, and some of our population does without and we work extra hard just to feed them and get their basic needs covered. Thank you so much.”
In the lead-up to the holiday season, the Health Foundation asks for lists from several area schools of coat sizes and quantities needed for those facing the most difficult financial circumstances within their districts. Students supported by the program are identified by teachers, principals, bus drivers and others who may know of a family’s financial situation or notice that a child may not have proper clothing to ward off the cold.
The Health Foundation then asks Health System employees interested in participating to purchase at least one new coat for students on the list. The coats are collected, prepared and then delivered to the individual school districts for distribution.
They are welcomed with excitement. Megan Miller, a Caregiver Relationship Analyst with Adena, noted that a staff member at Chillicothe Primary School told her, “Coat day is the best day of the year” while another person assisting in the distribution at the school suggested it may be better than Christmas for some. At Piketon High School, Miller added, a parent had called just that morning asking about the coats, while some staff members in Waverly were surprised at the amount of coats piled in the van.
“All in all, it was a wonderful morning filled with tons of smiles,” Miller said, a sentiment shared by several who helped with the deliveries.
Some of the stories of students shared with Adena from past program years clearly show the difference a warm coat can have on a child.
Take, for instance, one little girl who was so excited to receive her coat that she said she would sleep in it, thus allowing her brother to use the blanket that night. Or the response of a 16-year-old girl who cried when receiving her coat, saying nobody had ever bought her anything that nice. Or another instance in which children wore their new coats at recess in unseasonably warm weather because they were so excited to receive them.
Adena’s original participation in the coat drive started as a community project for Nurses Week under the oversight of Sharon Wills and involved slightly less than 300 coats. Over the years, the Health Foundation has expanded its outreach to an increasing number of area schools to the point that following this year’s coat drive, it is estimated that more than 13,000 children will have received coats from Health System employees since the program’s inception.
“It is a project I have done or been a part of for more years than I can remember and one of the most rewarding projects I do,” said Robin Berno, Health Foundation Director of Major Giving. “Giving these kids hope and showing them the love of strangers warms my heart.
“I have had our own caregivers tell me they give and buy coats because they or their children were once recipients of a coat or coats and they want to give back. I always say these kids will pay it forward one day and, when I hear stories like that, I know we are doing the right thing.”
Coats for Kids marks just one of many contributions made by the Adena Health Foundation in its commitment to improve the quality of life in the communities it serves. In addition to receiving contributions from generous donors in the community, funding to meet those needs is also provided by Adena Health System employees during an annual caregiver fundraising campaign conducted every spring. Funds from that campaign not only help in the community, but also provide additional resources to enhance patient care and meet emergency needs of Health System caregivers.
Adena Health System employees and the Adena Health Foundation are happy to provide their warm embrace to students who will benefit from this year’s Coats for Kids campaign, and wish everyone a cozy and joyous holiday season.
For more on how you can help the Adena Health Foundation, email foundation@adena.org or call 740-779-7528.
