Aug. 10th, “Frank Sinatra” (Jim Stoner) will take the stage, tell stories, and sing songs–and then introduce his longtime partners in Hysterics, Dean Martin (Tim Boysel) and “Sammy Davis Junior” (Scott Johnson)!
The audience will be treated to a true “trip to Vegas” as these three will, sing, laugh and relive memories-
This Special Event is sponsored by the Woodward Opera House, in conjunction with our regular partners, North Main Cafe, The Grand Hotel, Living on the Edge, Mount Vernon Players, Ramser Arboretum and Good Impressions Printing. Thanks to all of our patrons, and thank you Woodward Opera House for being a feature sponsor of this event!
Donations accepted at the door ($10 per person suggested.)
Justice Department Advances Proposed Rule to Strengthen Web and Mobile App Access for People with Disabilities
The Justice Department sent to the Federal Register for publication a notice of proposed rulemaking under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that aims to improve web and mobile applications (apps) access for people with disabilities and clarify how public entities – primarily state and local governments – can meet their existing ADA obligations as many of their activities shift online.
Across the United States, people routinely rely on web and mobile apps to access a variety of vital public programs and services like employment and educational resources, voting information, health and emergency services, parking, and transit schedules. The proposed rule is particularly significant in the wake of the pandemic, as public entities have significantly increased the scope of essential services and programs offered through the web and mobile apps. It is critical for these technologies to be accessible for people with disabilities.
“This marks the first time in the history of the Americans with Disabilities Act that the Justice Department has issued a proposed rule on website accessibility,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This proposed rule seeks to ensure that Americans with disabilities have equal access to the websites and apps that connect them to essential services provided by state and local governments.”
“This proposed rule, which is the culmination of years of work and collaboration, is a historic moment for the Justice Department,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “It will help enshrine the right of Americans with disabilities to access critical information needed to lead safe, productive, and prosperous lives.”
“This proposed rule marks a significant milestone in the Justice Department’s efforts to advance accessibility in the digital sphere,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This groundbreaking moment makes clear our commitment to eradicating the barriers faced by people with disabilities and affording equal access to online government programs and services that people around the country depend on every day. We will continue to use every tool available to ensure that people with disabilities are provided full access to the digital town square.”
As state and local governments continue to move more of their programs and activities online – from applying for permits to checking the status of service requests, registering vehicles, and paying taxes and fees – ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to these same services is essential. When websites and mobile apps are not accessible, they can be difficult or even impossible for people with disabilities to use. This can block people with disabilities from readily accessing important government services and programs that others can quickly and easily obtain online.
The Department is eager to hear from the public and get input from relevant stakeholders on the regulatory proposal set forth in our forthcoming proposed rule. The proposed rule will soon be available for review on the Federal Register’s website at www.federalregister.gov
. A fact sheet that provides information about the proposed rule will soon be available on www.ada.gov. The Department invites the public to submit their comments on the proposed rule once it is published. The comment period will be open for 60 days from the date the proposed rule is published. Public comments can be submitted on www.regulations.gov
For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit the Department’s website. For more information on the ADA, please call the Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit the ADA website.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A federal grand jury has indicted a Reynoldsburg man for threatening a reproductive health services facility.
Court documents allege that Mohamed Farah Waes, 33, made telephone threats to a clinic operated by Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio. He was indicted on July 11 and arrested today.
According to the indictment, on July 5, 2022, Waes allegedly called the clinic and threatened to burn down the facility and everyone inside it.
The indictment charges Waes with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which makes it a federal crime to threaten the use of force to intimidate anyone receiving or providing reproductive health services. He is also charged with making threatening statements through interstate communications, a crime punishable by up to five years in prison, and threatening to unlawfully damage and destroy a building by means of fire and explosive, which is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
“Threatening the life of anyone who seeks any type of health service is a heinous act that is unacceptable in a civilized society,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker. “People must handle their disagreements with services provided by clinics in a more civil way than using the threat of force or any kind of intimidation.”
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio, and FBI Special Agent in Charge J. William Rivers for the Cincinnati Field Office announced the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Rausch for the Southern District of Ohio and Trial Attorney Daniel Grunert of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney urges religious leaders to remain vigilant against attacks on places of worship & their congregants
CINCINNATI – Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, is urging religious leaders to watch for signs of extremism and learn how to report violent threats or incidents against places of worship and their members.
Parker and members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies recently met with church, mosque, temple and synagogue leaders in Columbus and Cincinnati to discuss best practices for protecting places of worship and their congregants, and how federal and state laws are used to prosecute people who threaten or damage those institutions and engage in other acts of religious violence.
“We want to assist the communities we serve by providing information about best practices for preventing targeted violence and guidance for how houses of worship can protect themselves against acts of vandalism and arson,” Parker told the assembled religious leaders.
Parker was joined at the outreach events by J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cincinnati Division, Darryck Dean with the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service, and investigators with the U.S. Secret Service at both meetings. Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers and Anthony Pierson with the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, as well as intelligence officers with the police departments in Cincinnati and Columbus participated.
If you have information about a possible threat to a place of worship or believe you are a victim of or a witness to a hate crime, you can contact your local law enforcement agency, call the FBI at 1-800-CALL FBI- or submit a tip to tips@fbi.gov. You can also report these or any other potential civil rights violations directly to the U.S. Attorney’s Office using a referral form available at the office’s main website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh, or by leaving a voicemail on our Civil Rights Tip Line at 513-684-2055.
“I will continue to meet with groups concerned about hate-motivated attacks and am dedicated to providing faith-based leaders and congregations with resources like threat assessments and safety plans to help protect our places of sanctuary and blessedness from unjust and unprovoked attacks,” said Parker.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is praising the Federal Communications Commission for imposing a record-breaking $299,997,000 fine against a multiplayer robocall enterprise, marking a notable victory in the collaborative battle against such illegal operations.
“This substantial penalty sends an unequivocal message: Those seeking to exploit and deceive will face severe consequences,” Yost said. “I commend the FCC for its unwavering commitment to this pivotal cause and for standing alongside my office and other states in this unyielding campaign.”
Yost’s lawsuit under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which targeted several entities and individuals associated with the robocall enterprise, in tandem with the FCC’s efforts, has led to an unprecedented 99% reduction in fraudulent auto warranty robocalls according to the FCC.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol joined forces with members of the 6-State Trooper Project to enforce and raise awareness about the Move Over law. The high-visibility campaign ran from July 16 through July 22 and included the Indiana State Police, Kentucky State Police, Michigan State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, West Virginia State Police, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
During the initiative, Ohio troopers issued 690 Move Over citations and educated motorists about the state’s Move Over law. Troopers from the six partnering states issued 1,064 Move Over citations in total.
Ohio law requires all drivers to move over to an adjacent lane when approaching any vehicle with flashing or rotating lights parked on the roadside. If moving over is not possible due to traffic or weather conditions, or because a second lane does not exist, motorists should slow down and proceed with caution. A version of the Move Over law exists in all 50 states.
The 6-State Trooper Project is a multi-state law enforcement partnership aimed at providing combined and coordinated law enforcement and security services in the areas of highway safety, criminal patrol, and information sharing.
The Ohio results can be found here and the combined results can be found here.
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD), an advocate for community safety and law enforcement excellence, is thrilled to announce its inaugural Law Enforcement Scholarship Program offered through Buckeye Career Center. This program is designed to recognize and support individuals pursuing a career in law enforcement, fostering the development of the next generation of public safety leaders.
The Law Enforcement Scholarship Program aims to address the critical need for well-qualified and dedicated professionals in law enforcement by providing financial assistance to deserving students. Through this initiative, MWCD seeks to contribute to the advancement of public safety practices and ensure that communities continue to be protected by highly skilled and compassionate law enforcement officers.
Scholarship Details:
The MWCD is partnering with the Buckeye Career Center Friends of Adult Education Foundation to financially assist adult students in Buckeye Career Center’s Ohio Peace Office Training Academy (OPOTA). Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:
Application to Buckeye Career Center’s Full-Time OPOTA program and enrollment requirements;
Register with Buckeye Career Center’s Student Services;
Scholarship funds shall be used for tuition and/or fees for the OPOTA at Buckeye Career Center, up to and including the full cost of the program;
Recipient(s) must exhaust other sources of scholarships or grants before being eligible to receive funds from the MWCD Law Enforcement Scholarship.
Applications for the scholarship must be submitted by August 30, 2023.
“We are delighted to launch the Law Enforcement Scholarship Program, as it aligns perfectly with our mission to promote excellence in law enforcement and foster stronger community ties,” said Craig Butler, MWCD executive director. “By investing in the education of promising students, we hope to encourage their pursuit of a rewarding career in law enforcement and contribute to a safer and more secure society for all.”
Once students complete their required OPOTA training, they are eligible to pursue a career in law enforcement, which includes the possibility of becoming a MWCD Ranger. MWCD Rangers are vital in ensuring the safety of over 5 million visitors who choose MWCD’s parks, marinas, lakes, and campgrounds as their recreation destination each year. Rangers also oversee the safety of MWCD’s 1204 cottage sites.
For more information about the MWCD Law Enforcement Scholarship Program and how to apply, please visit mwcd.org/LEScholarship or contact Megan Zimmerman at Buckeye Career center at (330) 308-5720 or mzimmerman@buckeyecareercenter.org.
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About Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
The MWCD, a political subdivision of the state, was organized in 1933 to develop and implement a plan to reduce flooding and conserve water for beneficial public uses in the Muskingum River Watershed, the largest wholly contained watershed in Ohio. Since their construction, the 16 reservoirs and dams in the MWCD region have been credited for saving over $10 billion worth of potential property damage from flooding, according to the federal government, as well as providing popular recreational opportunities that bolster the region’s economy garnering more than 5 million visitors annually. A significant portion of the reservoirs are managed by the MWCD and the dams are managed for flood-risk management by the federal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). For more information about the MWCD, visit www.mwcd.org and follow the MWCD on Facebook and Twitter.
Cleveland, Ohio – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and Ashtabula Police Department (APD), with the assistance of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), are trying to solve the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Donnell White Jr. White was reported as an endangered runaway to APD on August 10th, 1991. At the time of his disappearance, White was 14 years old and living in the 900 block of W. 38th Street, Ashtabula, OH. There is conflicting information as to when he was last seen, however one of the last confirmed sightings was on a basketball court near his house several days before he was reported missing.
In 2020, detectives with APD renewed efforts to locate Donnell and enlisted the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Missing Child Unit. Since that time, investigators have followed up on leads and conducted interviews with witnesses from across the country. Donnell was primarily raised on the east side of Cleveland, in or around Warrensville Heights and North Randall, but was staying with his grandmother in Ashtabula at the time he went missing.
One of the challenges facing investigators is finding a good picture of Donnell. The photo published at the time of his disappearance was from several years earlier. Investigators are being told it’s not the best likeness of him, however no one has provided police with a more accurate photo. His picture, along with an age progressed photo created by NCMEC, were distributed in hopes of developing leads.
“Cold cases have unique challenges, but present unique opportunities. Unfortunately, endangered runaways weren’t investigated in 1991 as they are today. Records are difficult to find, potential witnesses may have moved or even passed away. On the other hand, we have people talking to investigators now who weren’t willing in 1991 and that has helped ignite life into the case” says U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott.
The U.S. Marshals are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that helps solve the mystery of Donnell’s disappearance. Tipsters can remain anonymous and are being asked to call the below listed numbers.
U.S. Marshals Senior Inspector Bill Boldin stated, “We’ve identified the people closest to Donnell at the time he went missing. We are encouraging them to come forward and speak up. This child deserves to have his story told and we will not stop until that happens.”
Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous. Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland
U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, Federal Communications Commission and Other Federal and State Law Enforcement Agencies Announce Results of Nationwide Initiative to Curtail Illegal Telemarketing Operations
The Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced today a crackdown on telemarketing operations responsible for billions of illegal calls to U.S. consumers. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and other law enforcement partners, including attorneys general from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, joined the announcement.
Today’s announcement caps approximately a year of enforcement actions taken by federal and state agencies to combat the scourge of illegal telemarketing, including robocalls and scam calls. In the last year, the department has pursued approximately 90 cases against illegal telemarketing operations and those who facilitate those illegal calls. This initiative, “Operation Stop Scam Calls,” targets telemarketers, including those who use telephone calls to commit fraud, as well as those who facilitate illegal telephone calls. Enforcement actions targeted lead generators who deceptively collect consumers’ telephone numbers and then provide those telephone numbers to robocallers and others (falsely representing that these consumers have consented to receive calls), as well as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers who facilitate tens of billions of illegal robocalls every year. Significant actions also were taken against individuals and entities who unjustly profited by facilitating the movement of money from scam call victims to fraudsters.
“Illegal telephone calls interrupt cherished time with family and friends and, when they are used to commit fraud, can be financially and emotionally devastating,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Arun G. Rao of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Consumer Protection Branch, who appeared at a press conference in Chicago announcing the initiative. “The department and its partners are committed to pursuing those who make and facilitate these calls.”
“Today, government agencies at all levels are united in fighting the scourge of illegal telemarketing. We are taking action against those who trick people into phony consent to receive these calls and those who make it easy and cheap to place these calls,” said Director Samuel Levine of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The FTC and its law enforcement partners will not rest in the fight against illegal telemarketing.”
“The FCC is committed to using every tool at its disposal to crack down on illegal robocalls and protect the US communications network,” said Chief Loyaan Egal of the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau. “We, alongside our partners, will not let up in tracking, prosecuting, and penalizing the bad actors in this space and protecting consumers.”
Cases brought by the department targeted both foreign and domestic telemarketing operations. These cases ranged from actions targeting fraudsters who directly contacted victims to actions targeting those who provided scam call operators with the means to perpetrate their schemes. The department’s actions contributed to the collective actions, over 180, taken by the federal and state partners participating in Operation Stop Scam Calls.
The department’s Consumer Protection Branch brought nine civil actions in partnership with the FTC, which collectively alleged conduct involving billions of robocalls. Four of these cases involved lawsuits against VoIP providers that transmitted illegal phone calls. Some of these calls were scams arising from foreign call centers, such as calls by fraudsters pretending to be government agencies or impersonating e-commerce companies. Defendants, as alleged in the government’s complaints, continued to transmit illegal calls even after being warned that those calls were scam pitches. These cases also included a resolution with multinational payment processing company Nexway, arising from a lawsuit that alleged that the company processed credit card payments for India-based Tech Live Connect and other foreign clients that committed telemarketing fraud via tech support scams.
Cases brought by the department also involved criminal charges against those alleged to have made illegal phone calls or facilitated such calls. Many of these cases involved foreign fraud operations that victimized older adults. The department prosecuted perpetrators of various lottery fraud schemes, in which consumers were falsely told they had won a large prize but must first pay money to receive that prize.
In three separate matters brought by the Consumer Protection Branch, three individuals were extradited from Jamaica. Two have since pleaded guilty.
The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section secured a nearly 133-month sentence in a Costa Rica-based lottery scheme.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona secured a 160-month sentence for a leader of an international fraud ring who distributed lead lists containing the personal information of thousands of victims.
Additional lottery fraud-related criminal matters include those brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Connecticut, the Eastern District of California, the Eastern District of New York, the District of South Carolina, the District of Nebraska, the Northern District of Florida, and the Northern District of Ohio.
The Justice Department and its partners urge consumers to be on the lookout for illegal calls, to take steps to minimize the number of illegal calls received, and to report any scam calls to law enforcement.
Callers may pressure you to send money by trying to scare you. They may pretend to be someone you know who is in trouble, a government agency, or a major company. These are fraudsters. Hang up.
Don’t trust your caller ID. It can be faked.
If you answer the telephone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, it’s potentially a robocall trying to sell you something. It is probably illegal and likely a scam.
Only call a telephone number you know is real.
Make sure your number is on the Do Not Call Registry and consider using your telephone’s call blocking options or getting a call blocking app or service.
For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. To review a list of common transnational elder fraud scams, many facilitated by telephone calls, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch/transnational-elder-fraud-strike-force.
To learn more about the department’s elder fraud efforts, visit www.justice.gov/elderjustice. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.
For more information on unwanted calls, including steps people can take to avoid robocall scams and to hear examples of illegal calls, visit www.ftc.gov/calls
, which is also available in Spanish at www.ftc.gov/llamadas
.
Some of the cases referenced in today’s announcement are charges, which are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Cincinnati man pleads guilty to illegally accessing email, social media accounts of hundreds of women to obtain sexually explicit photos
CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to accessing the email and social media accounts of hundreds of women to search for sexually explicit photos of them.
Dwayne Curry, 34, admitted he identified women through the internet, television and in person and then intentionally sought to access their email and Snapchat accounts.
Curry used cryptocurrency to purchase passwords through various dark websites that sell stolen user account information.
The defendant then accessed the women’s Snapchat accounts to view and save their private photos.
In total, Curry unlawfully accessed at least 48 women’s Snapchat accounts and more than 300 email accounts. Some of the identified victims included a woman he met in person in Cincinnati, and two women he saw on television. The women resided in Tennessee and Pennsylvania.
Curry was charged by bill of information in May 2023.
Unauthorized access of a computer is a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the guilty plea entered today before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is representing the United States in this case, which was investigated by FBI Knoxville and Cincinnati, the Knoxville (TN) Cyber Task Force and the University of Tennessee Police Department.
Joe Lyons •
August 8, 2023
SINATRA & FRIENDS MadCap Living History Night
Justice Department Advances Proposed Rule to Strengthen Web and Mobile App Access for People with Disabilities
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A federal grand jury has indicted a Reynoldsburg man for threatening a reproductive health services facility.
U.S. Attorney urges religious leaders to remain vigilant against attacks on places of worship & their congregants
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is praising the Federal Communications Commission for imposing a record-breaking $299,997,000 fine against a multiplayer robocall enterprise, marking a notable victory in the collaborative battle against such illegal operations.
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD), an advocate for community safety and law enforcement excellence, is thrilled to announce its inaugural Law Enforcement Scholarship Program offered through Buckeye Career Center. This program is designed to recognize and support individuals pursuing a career in law enforcement, fostering the development of the next generation of public safety leaders.
