Former Post Office Manager sentenced to over 3 years in Federal Prison for Mail Theft and Bank Fraud Conspiracy
James Lancaster, 42, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to 40 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and mail theft. A co-conspirator, Jordan McPhearson, of Blue Island, Illinois was sentenced in 2022 to 42 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
According to court documents, James Lancaster was employed as the Manager of Customer Service at the New Augusta Post Office in Indianapolis, Indiana. Between May 11, 2020, and June 23, 2021, Lancaster used his position at the Post Office to steal checks from the mail. Lancaster gave the stolen checks to Jordan McPhearson, sometimes receiving cash in exchange. McPhearson fraudulently negotiated the stolen checks, depositing them into an account belonging to someone other than the intended payee. Occasionally, McPhearson provide stolen checks to an additional co-conspirator, Lavaris Yarbrough, who fraudulently negotiated them.
Throughout the course of the conspiracy, Lancaster stole more than 270 pieces of U.S. mail from the New Augusta Post Office. This mail contained checks from more than 50 different local businesses, including a non-profit dedicated to cancer research. In total, the value of the stolen checks was approximately $1.7 million.
The final defendant, Lavaris Yarbrough will be sentenced in late September.
Baby Orangutan born at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo
Tara, a 28-year-old orangutan welcomed a healthy little boy on Wednesday, August 16 at 11:13 pm.
“We are overjoyed to welcome another baby orangutan at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. This marks our third orangutan birth and the second male orangutan since 2006,” said Dr. Kami Fox, Director of Animal Health & Conservation. “Tara and baby are doing well, and we are happy to see them bonding behind the scenes.”
When keepers observed Tara pacing late Wednesday in her off-exhibit bedroom, they suspected she was in labor and arrived at the zoo to monitor the birth. Tara’s labor lasted a few hours, and she delivered her baby unassisted. Immediately following the delivery, Tara began cleaning her infant and placed it in her nest – a pile of wood wool and blankets – where she sleeps at night. The baby was first observed nursing within 90 minutes.
No name has yet been chosen for the baby. While baby and Tara bond behind the scenes, in the upcoming weeks and months, the orangutan habitat will undergo a great deal of baby proofing to create a safe space for the little one to grow. Zoo guests can expect to see bales of straw covering the floor, lower hanging vines, and may notice not all the orangutans out in their exhibit, as introductions and family bonding time happen behind the scenes.
Zoo fans can watch for baby photos on the Zoo’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages in the coming weeks.
Bloomington adds WIFI service to 2 additional City Parks
The City of Bloomington has announced the addition of public Wi-Fi in two more City parks with work currently underway in two more. Funded through the City’s share of the Federal Covid Stimulus, known as the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the Wi-Fi in Parks project is part of the City’s 2020 Digital Equity Strategic Plan, which aims to reduce digital inequities in Bloomington. Among other recommendations like expanding digital equity grants, staffing, and securing high-speed fiber-based internet service citywide, the Digital Equity Strategic Plan calls for the City to evaluate strategically expanding Wi-Fi at City facilities such as public parks.
The first round of parks activated as part of the City’s Digital Equity program included Peoples Park, 501 E. Kirkwood Ave. and the Waldron, Hill & Buskirk Park, 331 S. Washington St. This second round of digital equity Wi-Fi deployments includes Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park, 812 W. 9th St. and Crestmont Park, 1100 N. Illinois St.
Wi-Fi services are now available at Butler Park and the playground area of Crestmont Park at speeds up to 100 Megabits per second (Mbps). In addition to a new playground and two picnic shelters, Butler Park includes a paved connector trail to the nearby B-Line Trail, as well as the Butler Park Community Gardens and a fenced ballfield. Crestmont Park is the home of the city’s first 18-hole disc golf course, established in 2000 by the Bloomington Disc Golf Club. Wi-Fi service at Crestmont Park is available primarily in the playground area.
The City Information & Technology Services (ITS) Department is planning a third round of public Wi-Fi placement at Seminary Park, 100 W. 2nd St. and at Bryan Park, starting at the Bryan Park Pool area. New LED lighting and pre-installed conduit within Seminary Park allows for the placement of Wi-Fi access points to serve this area. Work at Seminary and Bryan Parks has already begun and is expected to be completed in Fall 2023 and offer service at or above 100 Mbps.
City’s Commission on the Status of Children and Youth call for 2023 SWAGGER nominations
The City of Bloomington is seeking nominations for the 2023 SWAGGER (Students Who Act Generously, Grow, and Earn Respect) Awards. Effective nominees have taken action that enhances the lives of those around them through generous acts, personal growth, and the promotion of respect. The Commission on the Status of Children and Youth (CSCY) seeks nominations from educators, neighbors, friends, relatives, and clergy of students who live or attend school within the Monroe County Community School Corporation area.
Nominations will be accepted through Monday, September 18th, and are available at bloomington.in.gov/cscy. Youth nominees fall into four school-age grade groups: K-3, 4-6, 7-8, and 9-12. A ceremony will take place to honor winners as well as all nominees, families, and nominators at City Hall on Friday, October 6th from 6-7pm.
The mission of the City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Children and Youth is to promote connections in the community that empower, enhance, and nurture children and youth.
This Week in Hoosier History
1949 – Shelley Long was born in Fort Wayne.Long is an American actress, singer, and comedian. For her role as Diane Chambers on the hit sitcom Cheers, she received five Emmy nominations, winning in 1983 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. She also won two Golden Globe Awards for the role. Long reprised her role as Diane Chambers in three episodes of the spin-off Frasier, for which she received an additional guest star Emmy nomination. In 2009, she began playing the recurring role of DeDe Pritchett on the ABC comedy series Modern Family
