Today, a Jennings County resident and former sheriff’s deputy was arrested on numerous fraud-related charges after a six-month investigation by detectives with the Indiana State Police-Special Investigations Section.

The investigation by Detectives Craig Starr and Tony Guinn began in early 2020 when allegations of Insurance Fraud, Official Misconduct, and Forgery were made against James C. Gholson, age 35, Elizabethtown, Indiana.

During the investigation, detectives determined that Gholson reported a theft of oxygen equipment from his residence in February 2018.  Gholson, who owned an oxygen supply business, reported the theft to the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office.  Gholson then filed insurance claims with his business insurance company as well as his homeowners insurance company.  He was paid over $100,000 by one company and over $87,000 from the other company on the same claim.

In April 2019, Gholson again claimed that he had oxygen equipment stolen from his residence.  He again filed claims with two separate insurance companies.  He was paid over $56,000 from one company and over $10,000 from the other company.  The investigation also determined that Gholson provided the insurance companies with false invoices showing that he possessed the equipment that had been stolen.  Gholson then manufactured a false police report showing that he had reported the theft to the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office.

In November 2019, Gholson again attempted to file an insurance claim with his homeowners insurance company claiming that he had a trailer with two mowers stolen from his residence.  Gholson provided the insurance company with a false invoice showing he had previously purchased the equipment.  He also provided the insurance company with a false title for the trailer.  He again provided a fraudulent police report from the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office.  The insurance company denied the claim after uncovering evidence of fraud.

A senior prosecutor was assigned to review and file the case.  As a result of the investigation, a Jennings County Circuit Court Warrant was issued yesterday for James C. Gholson on charges of Insurance Fraud, Level 6 Felony (3 counts), Official Misconduct, Level 6 Felony (2 counts), and Forgery, Level 6 Felony (2 counts).        

Gholson was arrested without incident today and booked into the Jennings County Jail.  He will soon face an initial appearance in the Jennings County Circuit Court.

Gholson was a reserve deputy with the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office from November 2017 to February 2020.  He was a full time deputy from February 2020 until he resigned in June 2020 when the investigation began.

The Jennings County Sheriff’s Office fully cooperated with the investigation and was crucial in providing Indiana State Police Detectives with information during the course of the investigation.

Washington County will be moving to a “Red” status on Wednesday, Dec. 2 according to the Washington County Health Department. 

What does that mean? 

First off, it means that all students in all three schools will be moving to all virtual education beginning Wednesday, Dec. 2 

Other restrictions imposed by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb are:

• Social gatherings of any kind, inside or outside, are limited to 25 people.
• Special, seasonal or commercial events planned for more than 25 people require the approval of a safety plan by the local health department. Events are not advised to be held. College and pro sports are included.
• Attendance at winter indoor K-12 extracurricular and co-curricular activities including IHSAA sports is limited to participants, support personnel, and parents/guardians.
• Local officials may consider limiting hours for the operation of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants.
• Community recreational sports leagues and tournaments may continue with participants, required personnel, and parents/guardians only.
• Senior care activities suspended.
• Hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other congregate settings may impose visitation limits.
• Common areas and break rooms should be closed.

Holcomb ended Stage 5 of Indiana’s Back on Track plan about three weeks ago and replaced it with an executive order effective November 15 with requirements being established based on a county’s status in the color-coded metrics map.

Businesses will remain open, but operators and patrons must meet certain requirements when a county is in orange or red status.

Going forward, signage stating face coverings must be worn is required at public and employee entrances. Only people wearing face coverings should be admitted.

Furthermore, all customers in restaurants, bars, and nightclubs must be spaced six feet apart.

Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Alcohol & Tobacco Commission, with local partners, will continue to check businesses for occupancy, social distancing and face-covering requirements.

Governor Holcomb said churches and religious gatherings will remain exempt from restrictions.

According to the local health department, they feel Washington County could remain at the “Red” level for two weeks before changing. 

This is the first time Washington County has been in the “Red.” It has been “Orange” for several weeks, having been in the “Yellow” since early in the fall. 

When local schools returned to in-person education in August, Washington County (and other counties) numbers began to rise.

In August, Washington County had 148 new cases of Covid-19 compared to the previous months:

• March – 19 cases
• April – 25 cases
• May – 8 cases
• June – 12 cases
• July – 13 cases

In September, the numbers dipped a bit to 47 in the month. 

In October, there were 155 total cases and the numbers rose to 432 in November (for a total of 865), which has helped raise the county in the state’s color classification map. 

All Washington County students are moving to online learning for the foreseeable future after a new mandate from the county health officer.

According to the Washington County Health Department, Health Officer Dr. Jeff Morgan has ordered that all students move to online learning beginning Wednesday, Dec. 2.

The health department notified local schools of advance information from the Indiana State Department of Health that the county will be listed as “Red” when the state updates its Covid-19 map on Wednesday. 

Washington County has had 432 cases of Covid-19 in November for a total of 865 cases overall. There have been seven Covid-19 related deaths – four of which came in November. 

The state has a 7-day positivity rate of 11 percent. Washington County’s 7-day positivity rate (as of this morning) was 14.7 percent.

Gov. Eric Holcomb signed an executive order today extending Indiana’s public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic until at least Dec. 31.

Morgan instructed in a letter two weeks ago that he would close schools to in-person education if Washington County turned “Red.” Read original letter – morgan 

A new email came at 8:44a Tuesday morning to local administrators and reads:

“We have received notice from the State that we are going “red” starting tomorrow morning 12/2.   Dr. Morgan has stated that all schools, all grade levels will go to virtual learning starting tomorrow.  At this time, sport[s] teams can still come to practice, and parents/guardians and siblings can still attend the scheduled games.  If this changes, I will notify you all immediately.  We will remain in the “red” for at least 2 weeks before we could possibly return to “orange” or lower.”

Morgan issued a letter notice two weeks ago that moved middle and high school students at all three schools to hybrid and virtual learning. 

After Thanksgiving Break, Eastern, Salem and West Washington returned with elementary students going to school in-person and middle and high school students attending some days with other days at home. 

 According to Salem Schools Superintendent Jon Acton, “Dr. Morgan has granted some flexibility to allow high school and middle school athletics to continue during this time using attendance and safety guidelines previously established.”

Acton said while Washington County is under a “Red” classification, the walking track would be closed. 

He said there would be an update on Friday, Dec. 4 for the pickup and delivery of student meals. 

East Washington Schools Superintendent Dennis Stockdale said school buses would begin meal delivery service to students on Monday, Dec. 7 and continue through Friday, Dec. 18. 

“This service is available for any child under the age of 18,” he said. 

A form will be posted online (WSLM will update this story with the link here). The form should be submitted by Friday, Dec. 4 at noon in order to receive meals during this period. 

No additional information has been released from West Washington at the time of this update. 

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor MAC Construction plans to close Utica Sellersburg Road between Maplehurst Drive and Brown Forman Road in Clark County on Monday, Nov. 30, weather permitting.

Under the closure, crews will install pipes as construction continues on the most recent segment of the Heavy Haul Transportation Corridor that began last fall. Utica Sellersburg Road is expected to reopen the morning of Dec. 4. 

The new $14.5 million, two-lane roadway is designed to heavy haul standards to withstand vehicle weights up to 134,000 pounds and will provide a continuous route for heavy haul vehicles between River Ridge Commerce Center and the Port of Indiana at Jeffersonville once complete.

Milestone Contractors plans to move U.S. 50 traffic to its winter configuration next week between Agrico Lane and U.S. 31 in Seymour. Work began in April on the $15 million pavement reconstruction contract.

All traffic was moved to the westbound side of U.S. 50 in August. Shifting traffic to this pattern will allow the Indiana Department of Transportation to safely and effectively perform snow and ice removal duties during the winter months.

Tuesday, December 1 – U.S. 50 EB
On Tuesday, U.S. 50 EB traffic will move back to the eastbound side of U.S. 50 and the two cloverleaf ramps on the south side of the roadway will reopen to traffic (I-65 SB to U.S. 50 EB and U.S. 50 EB to I-65 NB).

Wednesday, December 2 – U.S. 50 WB
On Wednesday, westbound U.S. 50 will move to its winter configuration. From Agrico Lane to Sandy Creek Drive, traffic will be split between existing barrier wall. One lane will travel west on U.S. 50 to the right of the barrier wall (the original outside lane) with access to the full shoulder. This lane will provide access to businesses on the north side of U.S. 50, with exits to U.S. 50 WB only. The second lane will travel west on U.S. 50 to the left of the barrier wall. From Sandy Creek Drive to U.S. 31, westbound traffic will move back to its original pattern.

All ramps to and from I-65 are scheduled to open by end of the day on Wednesday. Temporary signals will also be removed for winter. Turn lanes will be available along U.S. 50 at the following locations: Myers Street, Starbucks/Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Sandy Creek Drive, Steven’s Way and U.S. 31.

Work will resume on the pavement reconstruction project in the spring. Intersection improvements at U.S. 31 and bridge painting are also included in the contract. Two travel lanes in each direction are expected to be maintained for the duration of the project. The intermediate contract completion date is October 31, 2021, with activity continuing through June 2022.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Patching work will close a portion of the I-65 SB on-ramp and the right travel lane of I-65 SB at the S.R. 46 interchange (Exit 68) in Columbus on Wednesday, Dec. 2.

Crews are expected to be on-site from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to complete repairs. Work will take place on Thursday, Dec. 3, if needed due to inclement weather.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution, and drive distraction-free in and near work zones. All work is weather dependent.