Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center's safety grade dropped from an ‘A' to a ‘C,' per new report

The spring 2024
Center in Lebanon, dropped from an 'A' to a 'C.'
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On infections, it found DHMC performed worse than average when it came to rates of sepsis infection after surgery and C. difficile infection. The hospital also lost points on issues related to surgery, such as surgical wounds splitting open, blood leakage, kidney injury after surgery, and accidental cuts and tears.
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Michael S. Calderwood, the chief quality officer at DHMC, said Dartmouth Health has robust quality and safety standards to ensure that patients experience the highest-quality care.
'Voluntary data submissions to groups like Leapfrog are nuanced and don't always capture the full picture of safety ratings,' he said in an email. He added that in the latest Leapfrog report DHMC maintained or improved performance in all areas except four.
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Calderwood said the hospital has made improvements on managing infections since the 2023-2024 data reflected in
the latest Leapfrog report.
He said a hospital task force has worked on infections caused by catheters, "
The Leapfrog safety report found DHMC was also below average on handwashing. But Calderwood said the report's methodology relies heavily on automated hand hygiene data, which he said is unreliable and lacks the opportunity for 'in-the-moment' education. These automated systems include technology like
Calderwood said DHMC is using direct observation instead of the automated system, but that has impacted the Leapfrog methodology for data collection.
'Recognizing that we have already driven significant improvement in a number of the key areas identified in the Leapfrog survey and beyond, we see our Spring 2025 score as an opportunity to focus on areas for improvement,' he said.
The New Hampshire hospitals that received the highest safety grade include Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, Exeter Hospital, Portsmouth Regional Hospital, and St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua.
Both Catholic Medical Center and Cheshire Medical Center received a 'D' grade, the lowest safety grade assigned to any hospital in the state.
A spokesperson for Cheshire Medical Center said the hospital has chosen not to participate in the Leapfrog survey and that the grade does not accurately reflect the safety and quality of care provided to patients.
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'Cheshire has been notified from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' annual Preview Report that it will be awarded four stars, up from three stars last year,' the spokesperson said.
Facing serious financial problems, Catholic Medical Center was
CMC was the subject of a
'CMC did not participate in the Leapfrog survey prior to joining HCA Healthcare earlier this year, which means the current grade is based on limited historical information,' a spokesperson for the hospital said in a statement.
'HCA Healthcare has a strong and continuous commitment to measuring quality and safety in patient care,' the statement said. 'We are actively integrating our comprehensive quality and safety programs at CMC.'
On the latest safety report for other HCA-owned hospitals, Parkland Medical Center received a 'B,' while Frisbie Memorial Hospital received a 'C.'
Compared to the other New England states, New Hampshire was in the middle of the pack in terms of
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Amanda Gokee can be reached at

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Yahoo

09-06-2025

• Yahoo

Acurx Pharmaceuticals Announces Presentation of Results from Leiden University Medical Center Public-Private Partnership for Its DNA pol IIIC Inhibitors at the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Scientific Conference

Results are from Acurx's ongoing scientific collaboration with Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) partially under a grant from Health Holland to further study the mechanism of action of DNA pol IIIC inhibitors LUMC highlighted Acurx's new class of promising antimicrobials, ibezapolstat and related analogues Novel chemotype specifically targeting gram-positive bacteria through an unexploited target Ibezapolstat ready to enter pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials for C. difficile Infection (CDI), with no cross resistance reported to date Ibezapolstat has previously been granted FDA QIDP and Fast-Track Designations and has received SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprise) designation by the EMA STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACXP) ("Acurx" or the "Company") is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of small molecule antibiotics for difficult-to-treat bacterial infections. Its lead antibiotic candidate, ibezapolstat (IBZ), is ready to advance to international pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials for treatment of patients with C. difficile infection (CDI). The Company today announced that a presentation of a poster and an oral presentation regarding Acurx's overall DNA pol IIIC inhibitor platform was presented at a scientific conference on May 21 by Mia Urem, PhD, from Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands entitled: "A Unique Inhibitor Conformation Selectively Targets the DNA Polymerase PolC of Gram-Positive Priority Pathogens". This scientific conference is sponsored by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology and is the premier venue for the newest research and technological trends in molecular "machines" inside the human body that ensure DNA replication and expression of genes to create proteins that make up a cell. The distinctive non-planar conformation of ACX-801 and IBZ, together with high conservation of the induced binding pocket in PolC, suggests that this is a general mechanism for this class of inhibitor and is conserved in Gram-positive bacteria. According to Dr. Wiep Klaas Smits, Associate Professor/Principal Investigator, Leiden University Medical Center: "Our findings with regards to the structural biology of DNA pol IIIC in complex with inhibitors have important implications for the development of this novel class of antibiotics to treat high priority, multi-drug resistant, gram-positive infections." Acurx's Executive Chairman, Bob DeLuccia, stated: "This research outcome provides a deeper understanding of the mechanism of action and selectivity of ibezapolstat in the gut. These data will guide the rational design of new compounds with improved inhibitory activity and drug-like characteristics that will be crucial in addressing the pandemic of antimicrobial resistance." POSTER AND PRESENTATION ARE ON ACURX WEBSITE About the Federation of American Societies for Experimental BiologySince its inception 20 years ago, this conference has been the premier venue for the newest research and technological trends that aid in studying the molecular "machines" inside the human body. These biological elements ensure faithful DNA replication and expression of genes to create the many proteins that make up a cell. The Machines on Genes scientific conference covers all aspects that govern the central building blocks of life, DNA replication, transcription, and translation, as well as activities that impact these processes such as DNA repair, DNA editing, and RNA editing. There is special emphasis on how they work, how they interact with one another, and how they may be used as diagnostic tools or as targets for novel therapies. About Leiden University Medical CenterAntimicrobial resistant microorganisms are a major threat to global health and pose a significant economic burden. Increasing resistance to multiple agents and resistance to so called last-resort antibiotics underscore the necessity to develop therapeutics that have a novel mode of action. DNA replication is a process that can be successfully targeted by small molecules. Ibezapolstat, an inhibitor of the replicative DNA polymerase pol IIIC from Gram-positive bacteria identified by screening library of dGTP analogues, has shown promising results for the treatment of Clostridioides difficile Infection in a recent Phase 2a clinical trial, but the molecular basis of selective inhibition is not fully characterized as no structural information is available on pol IIIC proteins from pathogens. Ongoing research project will determine the structure of pol IIIC from the multidrug-resistant organisms methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE) and/or penicillin resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP) in the absence and presence of lead compounds. These results will reveal the structural space of inhibitor-binding and guide the rational design of inhibitors with optimal pharmacological properties and organism-specificity that will be demonstrated by in vitro polymerase inhibition assays and in vivo minimal inhibitory concentration determination. Leiden University was the first university to be established in the Netherlands. Its motto is praesidium libertatis – bastion of freedom. The University wishes to create an increasingly attractive and challenging working climate for top academics and young researchers that is guided by quality and excellence. Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) research aims to meet the highest international standards of quality and academic integrity. LUMC promotes excellent research through greater collaboration, both disciplinary and interdisciplinary; stronger positioning and greater scope for top talent; and better supervision and more support for young researchers. The presented research was performed in part as a public-private partnership that includes the Dutch Top Sector Life Sciences and Health ('Topconsortium voor Kennis en Innovatie' or 'TKI' Life Sciences and Health) and is represented by Stichting Life Sciences Health – TKI (aka, Health~Holland). This foundation is tasked by the Dutch government to promote and stimulate public-private partnerships (PPPs) to undertake R&D projects in the life sciences. To promote such partnerships, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy has allocated certain funds to Stichting LSH-TKI, to grant allowances to projects under the TKI-programme Life Sciences & Health. Stichting LSH-TKI has designated the Board of Directors of LUMC as delegated grantor for the PPP allowance allocated to the LUMC. Together with Acurx Pharmaceuticals the PPP has led to the research project entitled "Bad bugs, new drugs: elucidation of the structure of DNA polymerase C of multidrug resistant bacteria in complex with novel classes of antimicrobials." The collaboration project was co-funded by the PPS Allowance made available by Health~Holland, Top Sector Life Sciences & Health, to stimulate public-private partnerships. Acurx previously announced that it had received positive regulatory guidance from the EMA during its Scientific Advice Procedure which confirmed that the clinical, non-clinical and CMC (Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls) information package submitted to EMA supports advancement of the ibezapolstat Phase 3 program and if the Phase 3 program is successful, supports the submission of a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for regulatory approval in Europe. The information package submitted to EMA by the Company to which agreement has been reached with EMA included details on Acurx's two planned international Phase 3 clinical trials, 1:1 randomized (designed as non-inferiority vs vancomycin), primary and secondary endpoints, sample size, statistical analysis plan and the overall registration safety database. With mutually consistent feedback from both EMA and FDA, Acurx is well positioned to commence our international Phase 3 registration program. The primary efficacy analysis will be performed using a Modified Intent-To-Treat (mITT) population. This will result in an estimated 450 subjects in the mITT population, randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either ibezapolstat or standard- of-care vancomycin, enrolled into the initial Phase 3 trial. The trial design not only allows determination of ibezapolstat's ability to achieve Clinical Cure of CDI as measured 2 days after 10 days of oral treatment, but also includes assessment of ibezapolstat's potential effect on reduction of CDI recurrence in the target population. In the event non-inferiority of ibezapolstat to vancomycin is demonstrated, further analysis will be conducted to test for superiority. About the Ibezapolstat Phase 2 Clinical TrialThe completed multicenter, open-label single-arm segment (Phase 2a) study was followed by a double-blind, randomized, active-controlled, non-inferiority, segment (Phase 2b) at 28 US clinical trial sites which together comprise the Phase 2 clinical trial. This Phase 2 clinical trial was designed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of ibezapolstat in the treatment of CDI including pharmacokinetics and microbiome changes from baseline. from study centers in the United States. In the Phase 2a trial segment,10 patients with diarrhea caused by C. difficile were treated with ibezapolstat 450 mg orally, twice daily for 10 days. All patients were followed for recurrence for 28± 2 days. Per protocol, after 10 patients of the projected 20 Phase 2a patients completed treatment (100% cured infection at End of Treatment (10 of 10). In the Phase 2b trial segment, 32 patients with CDI were enrolled and randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either ibezapolstat 450 mg every 12 hours or vancomycin 125 mg orally every 6 hours, in each case, for 10 days and followed for 28 ± 2 days following the end of treatment for recurrence of CDI. The two treatments were identical in appearance, dosing times, and number of capsules administered to maintain the blind. In the Phase 2b trial, the Clinical Cure rate in patients with CDI was 96% (25 out of 26 patients), based on 10 out of 10 patients (100%) in Phase 2a in the Modified Intent to Treat Population, plus 15 out of 16 (94%) patients in Phase 2b in the Per Protocol Population, who experienced Clinical Cure during treatment with ibezapolstat. Notably, in the combined Phase 2 trial, 100% (25 of 25) ibezapolstat-treated patients ) who had Clinical Cure at EOT) (End of Treatment) remained cured through one month after EOT, as compared to 86% (12 of 14) for the vancomycin patient group. Ibezapolstat was well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events assessed by the blinded investigator to be drug- related. The Company is confident that based on the pooled Phase 2 ibezapolstat Clinical Cure rate of 96%, Sustained Clinical Cure Rate of 100% and the historical vancomycin Clinical Cure Rate range of 70% to 92% and a Sustained Clinical Cure historical range of 42% to 74%, we will demonstrate non-inferiority of ibezapolstat to vancomycin in Phase 3 trials, in accordance with the applicable FDA Guidance for Industry (October 2022), with favorable differentiation in both Clinical Cure and Sustained Clinical Cure. In the Phase 2 clinical trial (both trial segments), the Company also evaluated pharmacokinetics (PK) and microbiome changes and test for anti-recurrence microbiome properties, including the change from baseline in alpha diversity and bacterial abundance, especially overgrowth of healthy gut microbiota Actinobacteria and Firmicute phylum species during and after therapy. Phase 2a data demonstrated complete eradication of colonic C. difficile by day three of treatment with ibezapolstat as well as the observed overgrowth of healthy gut microbiota, Actinobacteria and Firmicute phyla species, during and after therapy. Very importantly, emerging data show an increased concentration of secondary bile acids during and following ibezapolstat therapy which is known to correlate with colonization resistance against C. difficile. A decrease in primary bile acids and the favorable increase in the ratio of secondary-to-primary bile acids suggest that ibezapolstat may reduce the likelihood of CDI recurrence when compared to vancomycin. The company also reported positive extended clinical cure (ECC) data for ibezapolstat (IBZ), its lead antibiotic candidate, from the Company's recently completed Phase 2b clinical trial in patients with CDI. This exploratory endpoint showed that 5 of 5 IBZ patients followed for up to three months following Clinical Cure experienced no recurrence of infection. Furthermore, ibezapolstat-treated patients showed lower concentrations of fecal primary bile acids, and higher beneficial ratio of secondary to primary bile acids than vancomycin-treated patients. About IbezapolstatIbezapolstat is the Company's lead antibiotic candidate planning to advance to international Phase 3 clinical trials to treat patients with C. difficile infection. Ibezapolstat is a novel, orally administered antibiotic, being developed as a Gram-Positive Selective Spectrum (GPSS®) antibacterial. It is the first of a new class of DNA polymerase IIIC inhibitors under development by Acurx to treat bacterial infections. Ibezapolstat's unique spectrum of activity, which includes C. difficile but spares other Firmicutes and the important Actinobacteria phyla, appears to contribute to the maintenance of a healthy gut microbiome. In June 2018, ibezapolstat was designated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) for the treatment of patients with CDI and will be eligible to benefit from the incentives for the development of new antibiotics established under the Generating New Antibiotic Incentives Now (GAIN) Act. In 2019, FDA granted "Fast Track" designation to ibezapolstat for the treatment of patients with CDI. The CDC has designated C. difficile as an urgent threat highlighting the need for new antibiotics to treat CDI. About Clostridioides difficile InfectionAccording to the 2017 Update (published February 2018) of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for C. difficile Infection by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and Society or Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), CDI remains a significant medical problem in hospitals, in long-term care facilities and in the community. C. difficile is one of the most common causes of health care- associated infections in U.S. hospitals (Lessa, 2015, NEJM). Recent estimates suggest C. difficile approaches 500,000 infections annually in the U.S. and is associated with approximately 20,000 deaths annually. (Guh, 2020, NEJM. Based on internal estimates, the recurrence rate for the antibiotics currently used to treat CDI is between 20% and 40% among approximately 150,000 patients treated. We believe the annual incidence of CDI in the U.S. approaches 600,000 infections and a mortality rate of approximately 9.3%. About the Microbiome in C. difficile Infection and Bile Acid MetabolismC. difficile can be a normal component of the healthy gut microbiome, but when the microbiome is thrown out of balance, the C. difficile can thrive and cause an infection. After colonization with C. difficile, the organism produces and releases the main virulence factors, the two large clostridial toxins A (TcdA) and B (TcdB). (Kachrimanidou, Microorganisms 2020.) TcdA and TcdB are exotoxins that bind to human intestinal epithelial cells and are responsible for inflammation, fluid and mucous secretion, as well as damage to the intestinal mucosa. Bile acids perform many functional roles in the GI tract, with one of the most important being maintenance of a healthy microbiome by inhibiting C. difficile growth. Primary bile acids, which are secreted by the liver into the intestines, promote germination of C. difficile spores and thereby increase the risk of recurrent CDI after successful treatment of an initial episode. On the other hand, secondary bile acids, which are produced by normal gut microbiota through metabolism of primary bile acids, do not induce C. difficile sporulation and therefore protect against recurrent disease. Since ibezapolstat treatment leads to minimal disruption of the gut microbiome, bacterial production of secondary bile acids continues which may contribute to an anti-recurrence effect. Beneficial effects of bile acids include a decrease in primary bile acids and an increase in secondary bile acids in patients with CDI, which was observed in the Company's Ph2a trial results and previously reported (Garey, CID, 2022). In the Ph2b trial, ibezapolstat-treated patients showed lower concentrations of fecal primary bile acids, and higher beneficial ratio of secondary to primary bile acids than vancomycin-treated patients. About Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a new class of small molecule antibiotics for difficult-to-treat bacterial infections. The Company's approach is to develop antibiotic candidates with a Gram-positive selective spectrum (GPSS®) that blocks the active site of the Gram-positive specific bacterial enzyme DNA polymerase IIIC (pol IIIC), inhibiting DNA replication and leading to Gram-positive bacterial cell death. Its R&D pipeline includes antibiotic product candidates that target Gram-positive bacteria, including Clostridioides difficile, methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE), drug- resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (DRSP) and B. anthracis (anthrax; a Bioterrorism Category A Threat-Level pathogen). Acurx's lead product candidate, ibezapolstat, for the treatment of C. difficile Infection is Phase 3 ready with plans in progress to begin international clinical trials next year. The Company's preclinical pipeline includes development of an oral product candidate for treatment of ABSSSI (Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections), upon which a development program for treatment of inhaled anthrax is being planned in parallel. To learn more about Acurx Pharmaceuticals and its product pipeline, please visit Forward-Looking StatementsAny statements in this press release about our future expectations, plans and prospects, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, prospects, plans and objectives, and other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: whether ibezapolstat will benefit from the QIDP designation; whether ibezapolstat will advance through the clinical trial process on a timely basis; whether the results of the clinical trials of ibezapolstat will warrant the submission of applications for marketing approval, and if so, whether ibezapolstat will receive approval from the FDA or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies where approval is sought; whether, if ibezapolstat obtains approval, it will be successfully distributed and marketed; and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in the Company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward- looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Acurx disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements, except as may be required by law. Investor Contact: Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; David P. Luci, President & CEO Tel: 917-533-1469; Email: davidluci@ View original content: SOURCE Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Yahoo

01-06-2025

• Yahoo

Huntsville Hospital releases statement following ‘F' grade on Leapfrog Hospital Safety report

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Huntsville Hospital released a statement following a Leapfrog Hospital Safety report grade that said the hospital received an 'F.' You can read the full statement from Huntsville Hospital below. The Leapfrog survey is not an accurate measure of patient safety at HuntsvilleHospital. The hospital did not complete this voluntary 353-page survey, yet Leapfrogchose to publish a rating with incomplete information. This process is unfair to thethousands of dedicated clinicians working around the clock to care for the community andrespond to emergencies anytime they are called. Huntsville Hospital is consistently ranked by US News as the second-best hospital inAlabama ( The hospital is fullyaccredited by the Joint Commission, the gold standard for hospital quality and safety,holding hospitals accountable for over 250 standards measured in person by a sevenperson survey team. Forbes considers HH one of the best employers in Alabamaand Newsweek named HH one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Women. HH'scardiac surgery programs was recognized by Healthgrades as one of America's 50 bestprograms seven years in a row. HH is a certified stroke center and accredited by theAmerican College of Surgeon's Commission on Cancer. Blue Cross and Blue Shieldrecognizes HH for distinction in cardiac care, spine surgery, bariatric surgery, andmaternity care. Every employee and physician in the HH Health System completesmandatory training in patient safety and high reliability. HH excels in most quality ratingsand scores poorly in a Leapfrog survey that it does not complete. Huntsville Hospital takes care of the sickest patients in north Alabama and southernTennessee. Mortality ratings referenced in the Leapfrog survey fail to account for theseverity of illness managed by hospitals that accept transfers of patients needing thehighest level of care. To ensure we are providing these patients the best possible care,Huntsville Hospital dedicates significant resources to specialty specific clinical databasesincluding the Society of Thoracic Surgery, American College of Cardiology NCDR Registry,Vermont Oxford neonatology database, National Surgical Quality Improvement Program,National Trauma database, and Cancer Registry. The perception of this matter is not lost on us. Going forward, Huntsville Hospital andMadison Hospital will add the significant resources that are required to complete a surveyof Leapfrog's scope. While we would rather have these staff members taking care ofpatients, and we recognize that Leapfrog may not be the best indicator of hospital quality,allowing an organization to suggest we do not prioritize patient safety is an afront todedicated care givers and first responders working around the clock to make Huntsville abetter place to live. Huntsville Hospital This statement comes after an independent, nonprofit organization, The Leapfrog Group, released its first of two yearly grade reports and both Huntsville Hospital and Madison Hospital received an F. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Chicago Tribune

23-05-2025

• Chicago Tribune

Community news: Hospitals in Hinsdale, La Grange lauded for patient care

For the 24th consecutive grading period, the UChicago Medicine AdventHealth hospitals in La Grange and Hinsdale have received an A safety grade from The Leapfrog Group, which ranks hospitals in the nation based on preventing things that harm patients. The national nonprofit watchdog Leapfrog assigns grades from A to F to general hospitals 'based on more than 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as the systems that hospitals have implemented to prevent patient harm,' a news release notes. The latest grades came out in the spring 2025 edition of Leapfrog's semiannual Hospital Safety Grade report. Dr. Monica Reed, president and chief executive officer of UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, praised the medical teams at the hospitals. 'With their expertise, dedication and compassion, they drive our efforts to provide the highest-quality whole-person care, focusing not only on patients' physical health, but also on their mental and spiritual well-being,' she shared in the release. The 79th annual La Grange Pet Parade steps off at 9:30 a.m. and continues until 11:30 a.m. May 31 at Cossitt Avenue and La Grand Road. This year's theme is 'One Sweet Day.' Fiona K will be the junior grand marshall, chosen from her entry in the coloring contest judged by the La Grange Art League, which will honor her with an art show. Six floats will be chosen to receive trophies; judging is at 9 a.m. in the line-up area. Points are given for theme, effort and homemade elements. Registration still is available for individuals, small groups and families until noon May 30. The pet and owner costume contests include prizes. Youths compete for an Apple iPad and $200 and $100 Amazon gift cards. Adults can win a pet parade swag bag, T-shirt and hate or T-shirt. Groups/families will vie for an Apple iPad and $200and $100 in Aurelio's Pizza gift certificates. Register online at The parade attracts thousands of spectators and participants every year and costs up to $100,000 to present, which includes payment for some of the acts that perform. The Darien Garden Club's National Garden Week Program features Leslie Goddard portraying Lady Bird Johnson at 6:30 p.m. June 2 at Indian Prairie Public library, 401 Plainfield Road, Darien. Attendees can learn more about the late first lady's passion work as an advocate for the environment and her passion for wildflowers during this poignant, humorous portrayal by Goddard, an actress and historian. Socializing starts at 6:30 with the presentation from 7 to 8 p.m. This program is available in person or online; registration is required in person at the library or online at A man is calling himself 'Fateful 56' after winning $1 million on a $10 Jumbo Bucks scratch-off Illinois Lottery Ticket he bought at a Shell gas station in River Grove earlier this month, giving himself the nickname because the winning number on the ticket was 56 and his wife is 56 years old. 'I actually picked the ticket because I saw the name 'Bucks' on it. I'm a hunter, and I thought it was a hunting-themed ticket – turns out I was wrong,' the winner shared, via a news release. He was at the gas station to buy his wife a soda and impulsively decided to buy a few scratch-off tickets. 'When I scratched the ticket at home and realized I won a million dollars, I was in total shock – but my wife was even more stunned,' he noted in the release. 'I had to scan the ticket on my app to prove it, and even then, she still thought I was playing a prank on her.' The gas station earns $10,000 for selling the ticket. So far this year, 25 scratch-off tickets worth $1 million or more have been won by Illinois Lottery players Menagerie and Tabulae students at Lyons Township High School in La Grange won awards earlier this month at the Journalism Education Association's convention in Seattle. Earning four superior awards for Meagerie, the literary magazine, and Tabulae, the yearbook, ties the most in a single convention in program history. The 2024 Menagerie also earned a fourth place Best in Show trophy. Superior marks went to yearbook editor-in-chief Erin Higney for yearbook copy/caption: academics; literary magazine editor-in-chief Will Madigan for literary magazine: layout; Patrick Smith, yearbook copy/caption: sports; and Keira Geraghty for yearbook layout: theme. Awards for excellent and honorable mention also went to both publications. In celebration of the acquisition of its first permanent home, Bam Theatre hosts a ribbon-cutting block party from 4 to 7 p.m. May 30 at 520 N. Cass Ave., Westmont. Bam Theatre, founded in 2001 by Artistic Director Melanie Lamoureaux, is an educational theater organization based in the western suburbs of Chicago. It engages nearly 3,000 students every year. The new 15,000-square-foot building will host productions, private instruction and group classes as well as being a gathering place for students, families and artists. The community celebration is free and open to all ages. Food and a cash bar will be available, as well as outdoor activities and games. Guided tours will be offered. Information is at