Transcript

1.29.26 · Springfield Sun

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Speaker 1: We now turn to the Springfield Sun to bring you
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news from in and around Washington County. Your reader today
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is Amy Jones, Timmany. We begin with the addition dated Wednesday,
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January twenty eighth, twenty twenty six. As a reminder, RADIOI
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is a reading service intended for people who are blind
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or have other disabilities that make it difficult to read
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printed material. Topping off our headlines today, ARC reaches twenty
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eight million dollars settlement with Department of Justice. Settlement pending
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following Medicaid fraud investigation staff report January twenty first, twenty
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twenty six. Updated January twenty fourth, twenty twenty six. Addiction
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Recovery Care, once the largest for profit drug treatment company
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in Kentucky, has agreed to a settlement of nearly twenty
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eight million dollars with the Department of Justice for alleged
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Medicaid frauds, according to a new separate federal lawsuit filed
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against the company. A draft of the settlement between the
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DOJ and ARC was included in a lawsuit filed against
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the company January twelfth in the Southern District of New
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York by Angelica Capital Trust, a Bahamanian company. With a
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trust organized under doubleware law, Angelica Capital Trust, issuing ARC
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for eight million dollars in tax credits for the treatment
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provider received. ARC has been under investigation by the FBI
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for fraud for more than a year. The DOJ's settlement
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alleges that ARC quote new or recklessly disregarded end of
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quote Medicaid billion instructions, and submitted quote false claims for
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peer to peer services the company provided the clients between
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twenty eighteen and twenty twenty one, resulting in ARC receiving
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payments QUOTE to which they were not entitled. The suit
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also alleges the company inappropriately build for services led by
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staff who were not appropriately credentialed or licensed. Of the
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twenty eight million dollars ARC owes part of the settlement,
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roughly sixteen million dollars is restitution. According to an article
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in the Lexington Herald Beater, by sharing a draft of
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the settlement, which has otherwise not been made public, Angelica
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Quote violated the confidentiality provisions of its non disclosure agreement
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with ARC, Tim Robinson, ARC's founder, said in the January
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twentieth filing. Robinson requested the document be put under seal.
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The Department of Justice has not publicly confirmed the settlement.
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Court records show ARC signed an agreement with Angelica Trust
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on November twelve to get credits that allowed the treatment
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company to remain in operation until a sale of most
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of ARC's assets was finalized. After that sale to sm
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Health Corporation fell through in late December, ARC did not
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return the eight million dollars it was given in tax credits.
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Transcripts of correspondent show Angelica tried repeatedly to recover that money,
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getting no results. Angelica sued to recoup that money. Robinson
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said in the January twenty filing that the eight million
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dollars in tax credits Angelica gave his company was needed
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to keep ARC open and to fulfill quote quote multiple
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debt obligations. Robinson promised to return the money once a
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second attempt to sell the company as finalized at the
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end of January. That sale has not been yet made public. Quote.
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ARC has a pending financial transaction that is expected to
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close around the end of January twenty twenty six or
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shortly thereafter. That will include the payment of multiple obligations,
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including any obligations owed to Angelica to Capital Trust, including
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any interest, Robinson said in a January twentieth sworn statement,
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ARC has threatened that if it was not able to
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close a new deal, it would be forced to declare bankruptcy,
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and in December thirtieth, email included in the lawsuit, Jessica Burke,
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ARC's head or lead legal counsel, told Angelica that ARC
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was within thirty days of another acquisition. Quote. While I
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acknowledge that Angelica Capital Trust is not a party to
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the sales transaction, Angelica Capital Trust does have a vested
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interest in the closing occurring as planned in the next
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few weeks, Burke wrote, let me be clear that if
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the planned closing does not occur, ARC will be forced
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to seek deutter protection and or reorganization. Such an action
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is not in the best interest of ARC and is
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not in the best interest of Angelica Capital Trust. In
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the lawsuit, Angelica wrote, quote, at this point, it was
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clear that ar VC was playing a show game of
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some sort. Quote. It is impossible for ARC to comply
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with the rest request for the immediate reimbursement, Robinson wrote
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in his filing. Quote as of January thirteenth, twenty twenty six,
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there was a total of three million eight hundred seventeen thousand,
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one hundred seventy one dollars in three cents in all
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of the bank accounts for ARC and its subsidiaries. He
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said ARC continues to pay only those operating expenses absolutely
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necessary to continue operations. That includes cost for food for patients,
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medications and lab supplies, and utilities for facilities. Paying the
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eight million dollars would halt payments for day to day operations,
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and ARC cannot simply cease operations. Meanwhile, the DOJ has
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allowed ARC to continue building Medicaid, which make up a
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eighty two percent of ARC's clients. In August twenty twenty four,
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the FBI announced it was investigating the company for fraud.
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Medicaid reimbursement rate cuts followed soon thereafter, significantly limiting ARC's
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ability to bill at the level it had previously. Since
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coming under investigation, ARC has closed all but sixteen of
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its original forty treatment centers, laid off hundreds of employees,
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and displaced or relocated dozens of clients. In other news,
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Washington County Judge executives celebrated for his service at LTAD
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Annual or LTADD Annual meeting. Timothy Gray's recipient of Palmer A.
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Pete Peterson Memorial Award by j R. Klient. January twenty eighth,
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twenty twenty six, Washington County Judge Executive Tim Graves was
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awarded the Palmer A. Peterson Memorial Award by the Lincoln
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Trail Area Development District, or LTADD. Every year since nineteen
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seventy eight, LTADD has honored one of its board members
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who best exemplifies the spirit of regionalism and dedicated public service.
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For his visionary leadership, his dedication to disaster preparedness, and
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his lifetime of service to Kentucky, ltadg named Graves as
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the recipient of the Palmer A. Peterson Memorial Award, considered
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the district's highest honor. The award is presented annually to
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a member of the LTADD Board of Directors to recognize
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leadership qualities in a personal commitment to regional efforts that
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extend beyond the scope of official board duties or activities. Quote.
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We are grateful to have a leader of Judge Graves's
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caliber or on our board working for our neighbors across
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our eight county region, said Daniel London, LTAD Executive. LTADD
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Executive Director, Judge Graves has gone above and beyond his
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duties in service to our region through his active participation
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and leadership with LTADD, not to mention his willingness to
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enthusiastically step up and lead the effort to re establish
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our Hazard Mitigation Council. Judge Graves, who has served as
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Washington County Judge Executive since twenty nineteen, was selected for
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his tireless advocacy for both his local community and the
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eight county Lincoln Trail region. Most recently, Graves step forward
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to serve as chairman of the region's re established Hazard's
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Mitigation Council in May twenty twenty four. Quote, Judge Graves
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is consistently at the front lines advocating for his county
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in the entire LTADD, said Leslie Ashlock, LTDD LTADD Community
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Development Specialist. His leadership of the Hazard Mitigation Council reflects
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the region's shared commitment to collaboration, proactive planning, and long
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term resilience. In addition to his role on the Hazards
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Mitigation Council, Judge Graves holds positions on several other LTADD bodies,
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including the LTADD Executive Committee, Budget Committee, Regional Transportation and
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Highway Safety Committee and Water Management Planning Council. He also
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serves as chairman of the Revolving Loan Fund Committee. He
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always seeks opportunities to better serve the people of Washington County,
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said Krystal Levy LTADD Community and Regional Economic Development or
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CRIED Division Director. He is a genuine and dedicated public
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servant and a man of action whose leadership is defined
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by commitment, integrity, and results. Named in honor of the
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late Palmer Pete Peterson, an outstanding member of the Lincoln
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Trail add staff from nineteen seventy four until his death
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in nineteen seventy eight, the award was established to pay
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tribute to his distinguished public service. It is open to
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any ltad D board member who has served a minimum
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of three years and has demonstrated active involvement in civic, community,
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or business organizations. Graves is the forty eighth recipient of
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the award. Quote. In looking at accomplishments of the past
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recipients of this award, I am deeply honored to be
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named among them, said Judge Graves in accepting the award.
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In joining the ltad D Board in twenty nineteen, I
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was impressed with the opportunities it has provided me to
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better serve not only my constituents in Washington County, but
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are in higher region, and I left at the chance
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to take advantage of what I could. To be honored
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for just trying to better serve our region is something
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I will cherish. Each year, a committee of past winners
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selects the recipient of the Palmer AP Peterson Memorial Award.
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To be eligible, a Lincoln Trail Area Development District Board
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member must meet criteria to includes serving on the board
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for at least three years and not receiving this award
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within the last five years, attending the least at least
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sixty six percent of all LTADD board functions, demonstrates a
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strong commitment to regionalism through voluntary contributions that go beyond
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official board duties, and must be a respected leader distinguished
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by their public service and active involvement in civic, community,
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or business organizations. The award is open to both elected
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officials and citizen members who embody the spirit of dedicated
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public service quote as our incoming board Chairman, Judge Graves,
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serves our executive board and often takes on added duties
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to better serve our region through his work with ltadd
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London said, his selection to the Executive Board and for
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this award is indicative of the respect his peers have
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for his leadership. A lifelong farmer in the beef, cattle
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and crop industry, Graves is a former president of the
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Cattleman's Association and spent years raising and showing some mental
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beef cattle across the country. His professional background includes owning
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and managing Graves Construction, Incorporated, which he provided the residential
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and commercial building services throughout Central Kentucky or where he
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provided that I should say, as well as serving as
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a field associate for the Kentucky Beef Network. In this capacity,
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he traveled the state to provide strategic guidance to fellow
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farmers on advancing their own operations. Beyond his executive duties,
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Graves is deeply involved in regional governance, serving on the
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boards of Springfield, Washington County Economics Development, the Washington County
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Health Department, and the Central Kentucky Community Acting Council. Graves
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lives on his family farm in Washington County with his
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wife of thirty four years, Laurie. They have three children
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and five grandchildren. And other news. Fiscal Court approves PACE
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Agreement for the Potter Jane Distillery by Jenna George January
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twenty eighth, twenty twenty six. With the entrance of the
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Potter Jane Distillery to the county, the Fiscal Court had
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some decisions to make with the Property Access Clean Energy
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PACE Financing Agreement, which goes hand in hand with the
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Energy Project Assessment District or EPD. As these agreements were
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brought up, the Court realized there were some gaps in
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their knowledge on these topics. After getting a small rundown
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on details including the county not having payment liability and
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finding out other surrounding counties have confided in this agreement,
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the Court decided they could make a decision. Though including
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their new found knowledge, Magistrate Steve Devine still had a
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few questions with voting for something that technically doesn't involve
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the court. Even though there were still some questions on
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the surface and unsure thoughts, the Court voted to accept
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and therefore approve the PACE Agreement for the financing of
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the Potter Jane Distillery. Finishing touches were placed on the
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Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA plans last week with
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Hayden Brothers Road and other projects to begin as soon
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as contractors arrived. The meeting soon began to wrap up,
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with the pace agreement taking up most of the time.
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Yet there was a notable number coming from the Sheriff's
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office for twenty twenty five. During During twenty twenty five,
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the Sheriff's Office maintained a study one hundred percent retention
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for employment and have hopes to see the same number
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reappear at the end of this year. At nine am
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on February ninth, twenty twenty six, the next Fiscal Court
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meeting will be held. Severe blood shortage Red Cross supplies
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supply falls thirty five percent. Donors urged to make an
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appointment to give blood and plateless amid growing flu winter
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weather impact. Paxton Media Group. January twenty eighth, twenty twenty six,
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The American Bread Cross reports a severe blood shortage in
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Kentucky as requests from hospitals exceed the available supply, leading
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to about a thirty five percent draw down of blood
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products the last month. Individuals are urged to give now
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so patients don't face delays to life saving care. The
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agency says the shortage reportedly is especially serious for platelets
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and types O A negative and B negative blood. High
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fleel activity may be sidelining donors flowing efforts to rebuild
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the national blood supply. Without immediate action, patients who count
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on transfusion face serious risk. The Red Cross announcement set
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an upcoming blood donation opportunity locally is at the Springfield
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Baptist Church on Monday, February ninth, twenty twenty six. Appointments
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can be set to give blood or platelets by using
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the Blood donor app visiting Red Cross blood dot Org,
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or calling one eight hundred Red Cross that's one eight
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hundred seven three three two seven six seven. As a
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thank you to donors, he will now automatically be entered
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into a chance to win a trip for two to
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the Super Bowl X. All who come to give between
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January twenty sixth and February twenty eighth will receive a
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twenty dollars E gift card to a merchant of choice.
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Pedestrian hit in downtown crosswalk by Jane Ridcline January twenty eighth,
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twenty twenty six A pedestrian was hit at the intersection
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of Maine and Cross Main Streets on Wednesday, January and
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I'm sorry the date is not printed in this edition.
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According to a report by the Springfield Police Department, a
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male pedestrian was crossing west to east at the crosswalk
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with a green light at south cross Main Street when
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a Nissan road driven by Pamela Spaulding made a left
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turn from Main Street and struck the victim and the crosswalks.
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Spalding told the investigating officer she did not see the
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pedestrian at the time the vehicle's passenger front area struck
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the victim. The victim was evaluated by Washington County AMS
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on scene, but declined transport despite complaints of pain in
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his right hand and right hip. Officer Scott Maddingly was
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the investigating officer. Comer secures one million dollars in funding
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for Springfield Industrial Park waterline improvements by J. R. Klein,
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January twenty eight to twenty twenty six. Last week, Congressman
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James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, announced that the Consolidated
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Appropriations Act twenty twenty six their Hr. Seven to one
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four eight, recently passed by Congress, includes one million dollars
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in federal funding to support rapid growth related to the
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new industrial park in Springfield, Kentucky. This funding bill now
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advances to the US Senate for consideration. Congressman Comber led
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efforts in Congress to secure funding for critical waterline improvements
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at the Springfield Industry Park, supporting continue growth and ensuring
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reliable access to clean water for the City of Springfield
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and communities throughout Washington County. Quote. I am proud to
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serve the City of Springfield and its efforts to modernize
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essential waterline infrastructure, strengthening service for liability, safeguarding public health,
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and fostering long term economic growth for the region. I
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will continue working in Congress to support Washington County and
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strengthen critical infrastructure across Kentucky's first Congressional district, said Congressman Comber. Quote.
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Congressman James Comer's leadership and securing a one million dollar
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community project funding request is making a direct investment in
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Springfield's economy future, said Springfield Water and Sewer Commission General
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Manager Darren Thompson. Quote. The funding will allow the Springfield
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Water and Sewer Commission to complete critical infrastructure upgrades at
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the Clearview Commerce Center Industrial Park, a key driver of
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business growth and job creation by expanding water capacity through
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construction of a new booster pump station. This project will
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strengthen service for existing employers and open the door for
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continued development. We are grateful for Congressman Comber's strong advocacy
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and partnership and delivering an investment that will support economic
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opportunity in our community for years to come. End of quote.
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This funding for the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission will
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support rapid growth for the community's industrial park. Providing clean
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water and sufficient water pressure to these industries while also
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having the capabilities to attract additional business to the area
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is key to supporting local economic growth and employment. As
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part of the project, a constant pressure booster pump station
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will be constructed inside of the industrial park, which will
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sustain pressure to meet growing demands in a rural area
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primed for economic growth. Commander Academy teacher selected as district
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wide nominee for Kentucky Rural Education Teacher of the Year Award.
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January twenty eighth, twenty twenty six. Washington County Commander Academy
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teacher Tiffany Ballard has been selected as the district wide
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nominee for the Kentucky Rural Education Teacher of the Year,
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an honor that recognizes her selection to represent Washington County
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school in the statewide selection process sponsored by the Kentucky
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Rural Education Association and Eastern Kentucky University. The award recognizes
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an edge who demonstrates exceptional dedication, innovation, and impact in
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a rural school and community. Ballard is a two thousand
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graduate of Pike County Central High School. She received a
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Bachelor of Arts and History and Sociology from Morehead State
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University in two thousand and five. She later earned a
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Master of Arts and Teacher Leader from the University of
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the Cumberlands in twenty twenty five, and is currently working
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toward obtaining an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership, also
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from UC. Ballard has been employed in Washington County schools
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for the past five and a half years, first as
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a secretary for the Special Education Department, before taking on
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the role of head teacher a Commander Academy, the district's
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alternative school, three years ago. Quote. I pursued the role
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as teacher at Commander Academy to work with students who
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need higher supports, said Ballard. I saw an opportunity to
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teach with compassion, foster relationships, and meets students where they
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are emotionally and academically. The best parts of my job
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are the kids and the relationships I have built with them.
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Seeing our students we engaged, confident, and happy to be
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at school is extremely rewarding. Ballard said that she was
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humble to learn that she had been nominated for the award.
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It makes me feel appreciated when some days I feel
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like I'm not making a difference. It reaffirms my desire
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to continue the work with our students, and I am
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deeply grateful to work in a district that believes in
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its students and supports educators. I am also so thankful
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to work alongside a dedicated principal and instructional assistance that
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are committed to the growth of our students. Quote Missus
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Ballard leaves Commander Academy with heart, consistency, and an unwavering
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belief in our students, said Commander Academy Principal Chad Willis.
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She creates a safe, structured environment where she students feel
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valued and understood, often for the first time in their
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educational journey. Her ability to build trust set clear expectations
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and celebrate growth, no matter how small, has transformed our
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program and the lives of the students we serve. I
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am thrilled that she is on our team and she
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is more than deserving to represent Washington County for this
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award nomination. Missus Ballard brings a thoughtful, student first approach
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to her work every day, said Director of Special Education
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and Director of Student and Staff Supports Amanda Maattingly. She
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understands that success looks different for every learner and designs
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supports that help students re engage, build confidence, and see
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a pass forward. Her leadership a Commander Academy reflects a
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deep commitment to helping students overcome challenges and achieve meaningful,
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lasting growth. Quote. Missus Ballard has worked hiratively to ensure
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that every student, regardless of past challenges and current situation,
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has the opportunity to succeed says w C as Superintendent,
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Doctor Robin Conchoran, Missus Vallor never gives up on a student.
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She individualizes instruction, motivates learners, and consistently teaches them to
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see life with the glass half full mindset. She has
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secured co ops, internships and employment opportunities, while also providing
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meaningful life experiences through tours of local businesses and industries
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to build career pipelines. She loves her students like her
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own and sets high expectations for herself and those she serves,
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making a lasting difference in her school and community. The
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Kentucky Rural Education Teacher of the Year will be selected
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from nominees representing school districts across the state. Community College
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launches sonography degree program by Paston Media Group. January twenty eighth,
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twenty twenty six, Somerset Community College announced the creation of
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a new program on diagnostic medical sonography, which is referred
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to as one of the fastest growing healthcare careers in
26:21
the nation. The college plans to offer an Associate of
26:24
Applied Science degree in general sonography. For more information or
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to apply, contact Randall Hammock at six O six four
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five one six seven seven four or Randall dot Hammock
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at KCTCS dot E DU. And turning to some obituaries
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from the area, Martha Ann Wilson Hayden ninety five, a
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former resident of Lincoln Park Road Spremefield, passed away on Saturday,
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January seventeenth, twenty twenty six at Trayton Oak Towers in Louisville.
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A prayer service was held on Tuesday, January twenty seventh
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at Hale Poland Robinson Funeral Home. Contributions are suggested to
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Saint Dominic School or Mary Mills Wilson Benevolent Fund at
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Markey Cancer Center, eight hundred South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky
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four five three six. Harold Franklin Grigsby, eighty one, of Springfield,
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passed away on Monday, January nineteenth at three forty pm
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at the Fledge A Memorial Hospital in Bardstown. A native
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of Washington County, he was born in March twenty eighth,
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nineteen forty four, to the late Fred Russell and Lula
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Francis Chester. Gridsby. Funeral services were held on January the
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twenty second. This concludes excerpts from recent editions of The
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Springfield Sun. Your reader has been Amy Jones, Timmany On
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behalf of everyone here at radio. I thank you for listening,
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Keep on listening and have a great day.