IU Health Jay earns stroke honor

The American Heart Association recently awarded IU Health Jay with one of its Get With The Guidelines – Stroke quality achievement honors.

The hospital received the Get With The Guidelines ® - Stroke Silver Plus quality achievement award. It recognizes commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines.

“IU Health Jay is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Marci Pittenger, IU Health Jay clinical nurse quality coordinator, in a press release. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in our community can experience longer, healthier lives.”

Project approved

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently approved NextEra Energy’s waiver request to restart the Duane Arnold nuclear facility in Iowa.

NextEra, which owns and operates Bluff Point Wind Energy Center in Jay and Randolph counties, shut down the plant in 2020 because of economic challenges, Utility Dive reported. It had planned to use the facility’s interconnection for solar farms.

The plant could be operational as soon as the fourth quarter of 2028.

Joins staff

First Bank of Berne has hired Joe McFarren as its new human resources manager.

McFarren has 20 years of experience in human resources leadership. He is a graduate of Ball State University and is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration and management.

“As we continue to grow, it’s important to have great people strategies in place to ensure our close-knit culture remains customer-driven and community-focused,” said First Bank of Berne president and CEO Kent Liechty in a press release. “Joe’s deep commitment to developing people and to fostering an invaluable part in our future success.”

Contract approved

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 700 recently approved a new three-year contract with Kroger.

The contract covers about 8,000 union members at 68 stores in central Indiana. It includes increasing top pay by $2.75 over the course of the agreement, adding full health care coverage for spouses and increasing premium pay.

“By sticking together in solidarity, our members were able to secure a contract that not only raises their pay, but also protects health benefits and more,” said UFCW Local 700 president Tracy Bartak in a press release. “This is a huge win for all our members in Central Indiana locations.”

Discussions plan

Registration is open for the annual conference of the American Society of Agricultural Consultants.

The conference will be held Nov. 2 through 4 at Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis North. It will feature speakers on each day, with Margy Eckelkamp of Farm Journal’s Top Producer brand moderating a “What I wish I knew then/What I know now” panel discussion.

For more information, or to register, visit agconsultants.org.

Courses scheduled

Indiana Chamber of Commerce has several safety opportunities coming up.

A two-day Safety Leadership Principles course will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 23 and 24. It will cover skills including worksite analysis, accident investigation and decision-making in safety.

There will also be a Competent Person Certification course from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 2 and 3. It will cover identifying fall hazards, designing solutions and other factors.

A forklift “train the trainer” course is set for 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 13. Attendees will learn how to effectively train their staff on safe and compliant forklift operations.

Each of the courses will be held at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Conference Center in Indianapolis.

Adding items

McDonald’s is adding new menu items beginning Wednesday.

The fast food chain is introducing a new Special Edition Gold Sauce, which has a North Carolina-style BBQ sauce base. The sauce will be used on new McCrispy Sandwiches that will also be offered with bacon, pickles, lettuce and tomato.

Offering services

CVS Health has announced the expansion of its MinuteClinic virtual mental health services.

Talk therapy appointments will be available seven days a week, with scheduling available at MinuteClinic.com or the CVS Health app. Referrals will not be required.

“By combining the physical footprint and trusted brands of CVS Health and MinuteClinic with our own workforce of highly trained mental health providers, we’re helping to close the gaps in care that many people face, whether due to provider shortages, stigma or scheduling barriers,” said CVS Health vice president and chief psychiatric officer Taft Parsons III in a press release.

Holding drive

Menards stores are serving as drop sites for local humane organizations.

Stores will accept donations from now through the end of September. Items needed include pet food, treats, feeders, collars, beds, storage containers and other items. Collection boxes will be near the doors of participating locations.

Taking part in the drive are Menards stores in Muncie and Richmond in Indiana and Celina in Ohio.

Expanding in El Salvador

Walmart of Mexico and Central America held a groundbreaking for Walmart Santa Tecla in El Salvador last week.

The company plans to invest more than $250 million in the Central American country in the next five years. It will open new stores, remodel existing ones and upgrade distribution centers.

“We believe in El Salvador, which is why we’re making this investment announcement that will boost the economy, create direct jobs, and expand commercial relationships with local suppliers, including agricultural producers and small manufacturing businesses,” said Walmart Central America CEO Cristina Ronski in a press release. “There is great potential and much to be done.”

Comcast partnering

Comcast NBCUniversal and Amazon recently announced new and extended agreements to expand partnerships involving Prime Video, Peacock, Fire TV and Xfinity X1.

Among the new offerings will be that Prime Video customers will have access to Peacock Premium Plus as a channel subscription. The companies renewed agreements that provide access to Peacock on Fire TV and other crossover offerings.

“Millions of Amazon customers can continue to enjoy NBCUniversal’s popular shows, films, and live events on Peacock via Fire TV or through Prime Video Subscriptions, or buying or renting on Prime Video, while also accessing Amazon’s premier entertainment on Xfinity X1 — ensuring they can watch what they love, wherever and however they choose,” said Mike Cavanagh, president of Comcast Corporation, in a press release.

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