Indiana State Police warn of ongoing "Child Safety Kit" Facebook scam

**UPDATE**

 

WARNING: Since ISP-Fort Wayne first posted this Child Safety Kit Scam Alert last week (see original release content below), the Fort Wayne Post has received two more complaints of this active scam here in Fort Wayne. Facebook consumers are warned NOT to provide any personal information to the associated #ChildSafetyKit Facebook link.

The latest complaints have advised that *after providing the requested personal information to the link, a follow-up phone call from an unknown phone number was received. An unidentified female scheduled an in home visit to go over the services offered. Two unidentified well dressed adult males showed up to the complainant's house, and then attempted to sell an "insurance policy" as part of the Child Safety Kit service.

These scammers are trying to gain your trust and confidence by falsely claiming to be associated with the Indiana State Police, and that is a lie. They want access to your personal identity and financial information, and to gain voluntary entry into your home- possibly with the intent to commit further crime. -DO NOT ALLOW THESE SCAMMERS INTO YOUR HOME!

Again, the Indiana State Police is warning Hoosiers to always take the necessary precautions to protect yourself, your family, and your property:

• Always beware of any online solicitations requesting personal information.

• Always protect your identity, social security number, credit card and bank account information.

• Never provide any personal information to unknown online source, including your name/address/phone number.

• Never allow strangers access into your home.

If you have been threatened or victimized by this scam, especially if you have allowed these individuals access into your home, please report this activity to either your local law enforcement agency or your nearest Indiana State Police Post.

Original Release:

(Ft. Wayne, IN)- The Indiana State Police Fort Wayne Post recently received a complaint from a local resident advising of what appears to be an ongoing scam solicited via Facebook. This scam involves the offering of a “Child Safety Kit” by clicking on a link provided in the Facebook post.

Our local resident stated that the provided link to receive the “Child Safety Kit” asks the requestor to submit personal information, to include: name, address, and phone number, information which is then followed up by a phone call wherein the scammer requests to set up an in-home visit to further the transaction.

She reports having received two phone calls from two very persistent males requesting to come to her home and be allowed to load an App onto her phone as part of their “Child Safety Kit” service. She stated the callers were very persistent on setting up an appointment, and they falsely claimed they work directly with the Indiana State Police. She was never provided with name or a company name.

This scam has apparently been ongoing for quite some time, and was even reported on by the Louisville based WDRB news channel back in December 2019, wherein an Evansville, Indiana women was victimized (follow the link below for their full reporting).

https://www.wdrb.com/news/indiana-woman-requests-child-safety-id-kit-via-facebook-gets-frightening-visit/article_0f898fbe-1dec-11ea-a5a8-8fba54f2fd1f.html

The Indiana State Police would remind all Hoosiers that scam artists are pervasive across the internet and all social media platforms.  Scammer’s methods and tactics are primarily intrusive to your personal and financial information, but as noted in this instance, they may often resort to invading your personal space as well.  Luckily this resident was on the alert and did not fall prey to these scammers tactics.

This complaint reported to the State Police is full of red flags, and luckily this local resident did not fall prey to these scammers tactics.  You can protect yourself by:

• ALWAYS consider any unsolicited internet/social media transaction with a “Buyer Beware”

• NEVER provided personal or financial information to an unknown source, whether it be on the internet, by email, or by phone.

• NEVER invite or allow a stranger into your home, especially an unsolicited sales person- thieves commonly use this as a way to case your home for future burglary.

• Don’t be INTIMIDATED by a scammer’s pervasiveness. Delete the internet conversation or just hang up the phone when something doesn’t feel right.

• If you feel you have been victimized by a scammer, suspicious or threatening activity should be reported to your local law enforcement immediately.

Regional Superintendents Survey: Teachers Harder Than Ever To Find

Illinois schools were plagued with teacher shortages in 2020 due to new state-mandated personnel requirements and a general hesitance by educators to re-enter classrooms.

The Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools released its fifth-annual Illinois Educator Shortage Study, showing the COVID-19 pandemic had thrown many districts’ educational plans into tailspins.

Most notably, the survey found 938 teaching positions are either unfilled or filled with someone not qualified for the position, affecting nearly one-in-five of the districts that responded. Staffing shortages had become so severe that more than 250 classes were canceled and 200 were moved online because school administrators could not find educators willing to teach them.

“Districts were trying to meet the needs of physical distancing,” said Mark Klaisner, IARSS President and Executive Director of the West40 ISC west of Chicago. “But five vacancies in a school of 100 kids and you would have to shut the whole school down.”

Many teachers’ unions across Illinois coalesced around demands for safe working conditions that would minimize potential COVID-19 exposure. In Chicago, CPS had installed expensive new air filtration systems and other sanitation processes but the teachers union remained in a standoff with the city for weeks after, threatening to strike. Klaisner said some other teacher unions proved instrumental in working with new teachers to ensure they were prepared to teach in an unconventional environment.

COVID-19 distancing requirements and teachers conducting class remotely due to fears of infection led to a broad need for additional staff, the report said. The administrators referred to them as non-certified staff, health monitors, or “paraprofessionals” that would mainly interact with students in the classroom and elsewhere at school in absence of teaching staff. Others just referred to the expanded staff as substitute teachers or “full-time subs.”

Klausner said these positions were expensive and hard to find since many substitute teachers are retired educators who didn’t want to be back in the classroom risking exposure.

“Forty percent of them tried to add additional [paraprofessionals] to keep a form of education and learning going during this global pandemic,” he said. “We also found that a third of the districts said that they had a real hard time finding them.”

Those polled were allowed to comment anonymously, most often remarking about how many teachers were leaving, retiring or were taking weeks off at a time due to COVID-19 concerns.

“We have had to add almost $600K in additional teachers and long-term substitutes to handle scheduling requirements brought on by COVID,” one superintendent from Northeastern Illinois said.

“Our staffing issues relate more to covering staff members approved for remote work accommodations or leaves and not resignations or retirements,” said another.

Many superintendents expect the coming school year to be worse.

WCHD Administrator: Spots Open For Next Week's COVID Clinic

If you’re looking to get the COVID-19 vaccine, a clinic scheduled for next week might be your next opportunity. Wabash County Health Department administrator Judy Wissel told county commissioners Monday that anyone 18 to 64 years old with a pre-existing condition can call for an appointment. As of Monday, she said there are plenty of appointments available for next week’s clinic.

And the list of pre-existing conditions was recently expanded by IDPH to include those who smoke and anyone with a physical, mental, or developmental disability in the age group. Other pre-existing conditions include obesity, pregnancy, pulmonary disease, a heart condition including hypertension, and cancer among others.

Wissel told the county board that 3,500 individuals in Wabash and Edwards counties have been administrated by the health department and that number does not include vaccines that Wabash General Hospital gave to its’ employees.

She again praised the leadership of Parkview Christian Church for allowing the mass vaccination clinics to be held there. A clinic was held Tuesday in Albion trying to catch more workers at Fram that might not have received the vaccine yet. Wissel said her office is trying to hold two clinics a week depending on vaccine inventory. Typically, first dose clinics are held early in the week with the second dose clinics taking place later in the week.

You can call the health department at 263-3873 to schedule your vaccine.

During February, there were just 48 positive cases in Wabash County with one additional death.

City Council Poised To Approve New Water Treatment Plant After Final Hearing

Mt. Carmel residents got one final chance last night to get more details on the proposed new water plant planned to be built on the site of the current facility. Terry Boyer of Donohue and Nick Knapp of 3 Eye Design were on hand to explain the nuts and bolts of the $10.4 million project. Boyer said there will be a variety of benefits of the new plant when it opens in 2023….

The current water plant on South Mulberry Street was built in 1936, expanded in 1954, and modified in 1996. Boyer outlined earthquake damage to the plant that he said would make it cost prohibitive to repair and bring up to current quake codes. Boyer said the city will be able to take advantage of historically low interest rates that could be as little as 1.01% to finance the project.

Previously, the city council had approved new user fees that will be tacked on to all water bills starting next month to pay for the new plant.  Water commissioner Justin Dulgar said those funds will be set aside to be used exclusively for the new plant… 

Formal approval of the new plant is expected to come at the next council meeting on Monday. But even with that approval, Boyer said the city still has the opportunity to back out of the current project up until the loan documents are signed, sometime later this year.

Only a couple of residents attended last night’s hearing, which was the second one held in the last two weeks.  

Nick Knapp of Three i Design makes a point during last night’s hearing on the new Mt. Carmel water treatment plant while commissioners Chandler Madden (L) and Justin Dulgar (R( look on.

WSJD File Photo: 1/11/21. Water Commissioner Justin Dulgar unveils new user fees that will begin appearing on all water bills starting this month.

Pritzker Administration Faces Deadline Today In Case Over Restaurant Restrictions

Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration has a Wednesday deadline to start turning over documents justifying why it ordered restaurants to limit their operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Attorney Greg Earl, with Myers, Earl and Nelson P.C., represents Geneva-based FoxFire restaurant, which sued the governor last fall.

“FoxFire is continuing this fight because what happens if another strain, that’s what we’ve heard of, another strain from Europe or South Africa hits and the governor decides to put in another 30-day window,” Earl said.

The governor has already issued 12 months of executive orders related to the pandemic. His most recent order issued Feb. 5 expires March 7.

Earl said his client is taking this case all the way to the state supreme court because the governor’s powers of issuing consecutive 30-day executive orders need to be clear.

“Any common person out there on the street, you hear 30 days, it means 30 days,” Earl said. “So only in the legal profession can you can you kind of extrapolate that 30 days means 365 days when we’re approaching a year of executive orders from Governor Pritzker on this coronavirus when it’s not novel.”

While FoxFire’s narrow case is on appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court, Earl said Sangamon County Judge Raylene Grischow last month denied the state’s motion to strike discovery in another case and ordered the Pritzker administration to provide justification for his orders or face sanctions like covering FoxFire’s legal fees.

“FoxFire’s Motion to Compel is Granted,” Grishow wrote in a Feb. 17 order. “The state shall … begin producing reasonably responsive information and documents on a rolling basis.”

“The court reserves ruling on FoxFire’s request for fees relating to its Motion to Compel,” Grishow said.

Covering legal fees is minimal compared to the governor continuing to stonewall the courts, Earl said.

“Generally speaking, [the Pritzker administration] is wasting more time by not complying, and spending more taxpayer dollars by not complying with the judge’s order because we keep having to go back to court on these, in my opinion, baseless motions, when discovery is acceptable and proper and two judges have said that,” Earl said.

All other cases challenging the governor’s power consolidated in Sangamon County have withdrawn, but FoxFire remains, Earl said.

The Illinois Attorney General's office provided a copy of the judge's order but declined to comment on a pending case.

Grishow set March 30 for a hearing in the case via Zoom video conference.

Morning Accident in Carlisle Sends One to Hospital

Sullivan County - March 3, 2021, at approximately 6:45 a.m., officers from the Indiana State Police and Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department responded to a single vehicle crash on State Road 58 near County Road 275 West.

The preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Polly Blackburn revealed that Layla M. Knotts, age 16, of Carlisle, Indiana, was driving a 2016 Chevy Equinox on State Road 58, traveling westbound near County Road 275 West.   Knotts for an unknown reason lost control of her vehicle, leaving the roadway and traveling into an empty field.  Knotts’ vehicle became airborne and rolled several times before coming to a rest on its side, almost 40 yards from the roadway.  Knotts was ejected from the vehicle.  

Due to the severity of the injuries received, Knotts was taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, by Lifeline.  

Senior Trooper Tim Rader of the Putnamville Post will be conducting a full reconstruction of the accident.  

Assisting:  Troopers Brad Miller and Spencer Brooks of the Putnamville Post, Sullivan County Deputies, Carlisle Volunteer Township Fire Department, Carlisle Ambulance and Recovery Plus Wrecker Service.  

Nominations Accepted for ISBE “Teacher of the Year” and Awards for “Those Who Excel”

TEUTOPOLIS…State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) is encouraging people to nominate their favorite teacher to be honored as the Illinois Teacher of the Year for 2022. Sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education(ISBE)Nominations are due by April 23 and completed applications by May 21. Other recognitions include “Early Childhood Teacher of the Year,” “Bilingual Teacher of the Year,” “Special Education Teacher of the Year,” “Outstanding Early Career Educator of the Year,” and “Those Who Excel Awards” for Educational Service Personnel, Community Volunteer, Administrator, Student Support Personnel, and Team.

“We have many wonderful teachers and dedicated education personnel in our schools and this is an opportunity for us to nominate them for one of these recognitions,” said Rep. Adam Niemerg. “This past year has been exceptionally challenging with remote learning and rotating schedules for students and I’m proud of the teachers in our area who have stepped up their efforts and are helping to get kids back in the classroom full time with a return to extracurricular activities and sports that our children need for positive learning and development.”

The Illinois State Board of Education has sponsored the Illinois Teacher of the Year program since 1970 recognizing the best of the teaching profession in Illinois. All public and non-public preK-12 educators in Illinois with more than five years of teaching experience are eligible.

The top nominees from eight regions are designated as Regional Teachers of the Year; the Illinois Teacher of the Year is selected from those regional winners. The Outstanding Early Career Educator award is presented to the top teacher in Illinois with one to four years of teaching experience. Remaining nominees are awarded on two levels: Meritorious Service and Special Recognition.

To be considered for Teacher of the Year, individuals must go through a two-stage process: Nomination and Application. Once the nomination form is completed and submitted, pending approval, an email will be sent to the nominee containing the link to the 2022 Illinois Teacher of the Year application. Application packets that do not meet all requirements will not be processed. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, April 23, 2021, 11:59 p.m. (CDT).

A candidate for 2022 Illinois Teacher of the Year MUST:

· Have completed a minimum of 5 full years of teaching at the end of this school year;

· Teach in an Illinois school district during this 2020-21 school year more than 50% of the school day;

· Intend to hold a teaching position in an Illinois School district during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years.

A candidate for Teacher of the Year SHOULD demonstrate:

· A willingness to advocate for students and teachers;

· Active collaboration within the professional learning community and with parents and families;

· Exceptional dedication, knowledge, and skill in any state-approved or accredited school, pre-kindergarten through grade 12;

· Inspiration to students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn;

· A high level of respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues; and

· Leadership and innovation in and outside of the classroom that embody lifelong learning.

Teacher of the Year (isbe.net) Illinois State Board of Education Submission Manager (submittable.com)

ISP ARREST THREE TEENS FOR AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT IN PULASKI COUNTY

Ullin, IL – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) – Zone 7 is conducting an investigation into an allegation of criminal sexual assault which occurred on February 21, 2021.

On February 21, 2021, the Mounds Police Department requested the assistance of the ISP DCI to investigate an allegation of criminal sexual assault of a 13-year-old female by three juvenile males in Mounds, Illinois.  The ages of the three juvenile males are 15, 17, and 17.

On February 24, 2021, as a result of a thorough investigation, ISP agents were able to secure an arrest warrant from the Pulaski County State’s Attorney’s Office for Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault for each of the three (3) juvenile suspects.  All three suspects were taken into custody without incident. No additional information is available to be released at this time.

Avian cholera detected in wild waterfowl in Gibson County

Wildlife officials have confirmed the presence of avian cholera in geese in Gibson County in southwest Indiana.

Avian cholera, which poses minimal risk to humans and the commercial poultry industry, is common among North American waterfowl. This is the second time the disease has been documented in wild birds in Indiana. Diagnostic testing was conducted at the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center (usgs.gov).

Avian cholera is highly contagious among wild birds, especially waterfowl. It is caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida and is unrelated to avian influenza.

About 176 snow geese have been found dead in Gibson County since the beginning of January. Tens of thousands of waterfowl spend winter in that part of the state, so the incidence of disease appears to be relatively low.

The DNR, together with federal and private partners, has increased surveillance of waterfowl populations throughout the state and is monitoring the mortality event in Gibson County.

Avian cholera is not expected to have a significant effect on overall waterfowl populations but could result in dead geese being found in small areas. Avian cholera spreads through bird-to-bird contact, birds ingesting food and water containing the bacteria, and birds scavenging infected carcasses.

Infected birds die quickly but people might see diseased geese exhibiting lethargy and abnormal behavior.

To help prevent the spread of avian cholera, waterfowl hunters in southwest Indiana should consider cleaning and disinfecting their gear, including waders and decoys, using warm, soapy water.

Waterfowl hunters should also use gloves when cleaning birds they harvest, avoid eating, drinking, or smoking while cleaning harvested birds, and thoroughly wash their hands afterward.

Animals known or suspected to be ill should not be consumed. Anyone who sees sick or dead wildlife in Indiana is encouraged to report it to the DNR using the online reporting application at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife.

Allendale Students Celebrate Dr. Seuss Day

On Tuesday, March 2nd for Dr. Seuss Day, third and fourth grade students at Allendale School were read a Dr. Seuss book by the administrative team. Mr. Bowser, Superintendent/Principal read the book "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back". Mrs. Brogan, Assistant Principal, read the book "My Many Colored Days". Students at Allendale School in the elementary school have been enjoying activities all week long relating to Dr. Seuss.