VCJC News & Notes 6/6/25

 

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center

News and Notes

Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful!

Reminders

1. Shabbos
   

   
   
   Shabbos information is, as always, available on our website, both in the information sidebar and the events calendar.
   Here are the times you need:  
   Shabbos Candles Friday 6/6/25 @ 8:06 pm
   Shabbos morning services at 8:40 am.  Please join the services if you can do so safely. 
   Shabbos Ends Saturday 6/7/25 @ 9:10 pm
   If you require an aliyah or would like to lead services, read from the torah or haftorah please speak to one of the gabbaim.
    

2. Save the date

   Next Blood Drive has been scheduled for

   July 27, 2025, from 9:30 - 2:00 PM

   Please plan on participating.

Our mailing address is:

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center

3880 Sedgwick Ave

Bronx, NY 10463

DEC Announces New State Record Fallfish

 

Second Record-Breaking Fish Caught Within 10 Days

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that a second fish species made the record books just 10 days after a channel catfish record was broken. Alex Pidhorodeckyj of Peekskill, NY, reeled in a 4 lb. 1 oz. fallfish from the St. Lawrence River near Massena while jigging for walleye and pike. Pidhorodeckyj’s catch broke the previous fallfish record caught in 2009 by half a pound.  

“A second New York State record broken in a matter of days is exciting news for our fisheries and our state,” said Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “DEC congratulates Alex Pidhorodeckyj on this record catch and advises anglers there are even more records waiting just below the water’s surface. With summer right around the corner, I encourage New Yorkers to get outside and experience how fun fishing can be across our abundant lakes, rivers, and streams.”   

Fallfish are the largest native minnow species in New York State and are commonly found in medium-sized streams to large, warmwater rivers. Not often sought after by anglers, fallfish are usually caught while targeting other species, such as smallmouth bass or trout. Fallfish have a reputation for putting up a good fight when caught.  

Pidhorodeckyj submitted details of his winning catch as part of DEC's newly revamped Angler Achievement Awards Program, which tracks state record fish and recognizes anglers who catch any of the 40 eligible fish species that meet or exceed the minimum qualifying lengths established for that species. Through this program, anglers can enter freshwater fish that meet specific qualifying criteria and receive official recognition of their catch along with a species-specific sticker commemorating their achievement.

The program’s three categories are: Angler Award; Youth Angler Award; and State Record. As part of the program revamp, anglers can now submit entries for qualifying catches from the convenience of their smart phone through an online entry form. For official program rules, eligible species, and associated minimum qualifying lengths, visit the Angler Achievement Awards webpage.

The program further supports Governor Kathy Hochul's “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative that promotes physical and mental health by helping encourage New York’s children and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, and enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings. Anglers are encouraged to check out the Tackle Box feature in DEC’s HuntFishNY app that provides one-stop-shopping for information on access sites, stocking, regulations and more.

Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to $3.8 Million Durable Medical Equipment Fraud Scheme

 

A Louisiana man pleaded guilty in connection with a five-year scheme to submit millions of dollars in fraudulent claims to Medicare for expensive and medically unnecessary medical equipment.

According to court documents, Michael L. Riggins, 62, of West Monroe, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud for his role in a durable medical equipment (DME) scheme. Riggins was the owner of Bluewater Healthcare (Bluewater), a DME supply company in West Monroe. From 2018 to 2023, Riggins paid for doctors’ orders for medically unnecessary DME and tricked doctors into signing DME orders and certificates of medical necessity in order to bill for it. Despite receiving hundreds of complaints regarding the fraudulent orders, Riggins submitted over $3.8 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for supplying the DME and was reimbursed over $1.8 million.

Riggins is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 2 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook for the Western District of Louisiana; and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.

HHS-OIG is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Samantha Usher and Kelly Z. Walters of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin McCoy for the Western District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.