Following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use, Meadow View Health and Rehabilitation, a proud member of American Senior Communities (ASC), has begun administration of the COVID-19 vaccine and is partnering with CVS and their long-term care pharmacy, Omnicare, who bring their expertise in serving seniors. 

“We are thankful to all who worked to bring the vaccine safely to us,” said Administrator Joe Cox. 

The vaccine is being offered free of charge to all residents and staff in two doses, given 28 days apart.

“Our goal is to have 100% of our residents and staff vaccinated,”said Cox. “We have aggressively provided education and counseling to ensure compliance.”

As part of ASC’s awareness campaign to achieve victory over COVID through vaccination, named “Gimme a V!,” ASC will launch a new series of commercials in January.

The series aims to educate the public by combatting the most common fears surrounding the vaccine.

The commercials are fronted by Quinn Buckner, NCAA & NBA Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist, Civic leader, Sportscaster, the voice of the Indiana Pacers, and American Senior Communities team member.

Meadow View Health and Rehabilitation continues to be in close contact with local, state, and federal health authorities, following their guidance, mandates, and reporting requirements.

“The residents and families we serve are our highest priority, and while this vaccine brings new hope and heightened optimism in the fight against COVID-19, we will continue to provide high-quality care with compassion to those entrusted to us with an overabundance of public health and infection control precautions,” said Cox. 

On Thursday, January 14th, Indiana State Police troopers from the Bloomington District concluded a lengthy investigation into reports of child solicitation.

The investigation culminated in the arrest of five people, who were residing in four different counties across the state, on charges of Child Solicitation, a Level 4 Felony.

The investigation began in early December when Trp. Robert Whyte received information from a concerned citizen in Lawrence County.

It was reported that multiple adult males had allegedly solicited an individual, who they believed to be a 15-year-old girl, to commit sexual acts with them.

Trp. Whyte launched five separate investigations and worked closely with the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office throughout the investigation.

The detailed investigations included numerous search warrants and analysis of electronic communications between the suspects and victim. 

Once the investigations were completed, they were reviewed by the Lawrence County Prosecutor Samuel C Arp III, Deputy Prosecutor Allison Chopra, and then submitted to the Lawrence County Superior Court 1 were The Honorable John Plummer III determined that probable cause existed for the arrest of the five suspects and arrest warrants were issued for each. In addition, search warrants for the residences and electronic devices of the suspects were also issued.

On Thursday evening, Indiana State Police Sgt. Greg Day and the Bloomington District A.C.E.S. (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section), along with ISP troopers assigned to Lawrence County, and members of the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office successfully served the five arrest and search warrants simultaneously across the area. 

The evidence seized during these search warrants are being analyzed for the possibility of other offenses. 

All five suspects were arrested without incident and incarcerated at the Lawrence County Jail. Additional charges are also possible as the investigation concludes.

The arrested suspects are:

1. Roger Keith, 58 years old from Coal City was arrested for Child Solicitation, a Level 4 Felony. He is being held at Lawrence County Jail
2. Thomas Pinnick, 25 years old from Mitchell was arrested for Child Solicitation, a Level 4 Felony. He is being held at the Lawrence County Jail
3. Brandon Dipasquale, 35 years old from Bloomington was arrested for Child Solicitation, a Level 4 Felony. He is being held at the Lawrence County Jail
4. Travis Henry, 47 years old from Bloomington was arrested for Child Solicitation, a Level 4 Felony. He is being held at the Lawrence County Jail
5. James Wheeler, 24 years old from Paoli was arrested for Child Solicitation, a Level 4 Felony. He is being held at the Lawrence County Jail

When asked about the investigation, Sgt. Day stated, “I commend not only the teamwork and cooperation to successfully serve five warrants at the same time in four counties but also Trp. Whyte for his tireless hard work on these investigations.”

Day continued, “Without a doubt, this investigation has saved young girls in our community from becoming victims to such alleged predators.”  

Sgt. Day reminds all parents that these dangers are ever-present and a real threat to our vulnerable youth.

He encourages parents to monitor closely the types of Apps and the communications that their children are taking part of on social media.

Earlier this week a Jackson, Michigan man was arrested for dealing heroin after a traffic stop in Jackson County.

The investigation began when Senior Trooper Randel Miller conducted a traffic stop on a 2021 Kia passenger car traveling southbound on I-65 just north of Seymour, Indiana.

While speaking to the driver, S/Trp. Miller became suspicious that criminal activity was taking place. 

A subsequent search of the vehicle and driver resulted in approximately 90 grams of heroin and marijuana being located and seized.

The driver, Jamaal Hunt, 38, Michigan was arrested for Dealing a Narcotic Drug over 28 grams, Level 2 Felony, Possession of a Narcotic Drug over 28 grams, Level 3 Felony, and Possession of Marijuana, Class C Misdemeanor.

Hunt was transported to the Jackson County Jail where he was being held pending an initial appearance in the Jackson County Circuit Court. 

S/Trp. Miller was assisted at the scene by Master Trooper Jason Hankins, Indiana State Police-Versailles.

The investigation determined that the heroin was being transported from Michigan to Florida and had an estimated street value of just under $10,000.