It’s deer season, and while deer hunting is a favorite pastime for
many of us in Washington County, deer-related crashes are unfortunately also a common activity in our

rural community. This time of year, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department stays busy with deer-vehicle collisions.

Last year in the State of Indiana there were over 16,000 accidents involving deer. Out of those accidents,
347 involved injuries and there were five fatalities.

Nearly 50% of all vehicle crashes involving deer occur between October and December. According to State Farm Insurance, the odds of an Indiana driver hitting a deer are one in 142.

As your Sheriff, I want to pass along some safety tips put out by the Indiana State Police to hopefully help avoid deer-vehicle collisions.

Wear your seatbelt. While this tip is essential all the time, the heightened risk of crashes in deer season calls for extra vigilance. Please make sure the driver and all passengers buckle
up.

Be cautious while driving during dusk or dawn hours. Deer are most active at dawn and dusk, especially during the mating season, which is in full swing from October through
December.

Please remember though that deer can appear at any time.
Pay attention to deer crossing signs. Be alert and observe your surroundings for any signs of deer while on the road. Deer are abundant in forested areas, so it’s important to drive
cautiously even if you are no longer in a deer-crossing zone.

Stay alert if you spot a deer. Deer tend to travel in packs so if you see one deer, slow down and proceed with caution, be prepared for more to follow.

If you see a deer, slow down, tap your brakes to warn others, or flash your lights and sound your horn to warn other motorists. It will alert other motorists to the hazard and give everyone an opportunity to slow down.

Take precautions when driving at n ight. If there is no oncoming traffic, turn on your bright lights. You’ll not only be able to see clearer, but you’ll have a greater chance of spotting a deer from a distance and allow you to react accordingly.

Don’t swerve to avoid hitting a deer. Do not swerve to avoid a deer collision. By swerving you put yourself at risk for a worse collision with another motorist or running off the roadway.

Brake firmly and stay in your lane.

Report the deer-vehicle collision. If a driver hits a deer, it is important to remain calm and do not touch it or approach it. Drivers should remain in the vehicle, make sure everyone is
safe and call the police to obtain a crash report for the insurance company.

Motorists are required to report any crash with at least $1,000 in property damage or if someone is injured.

I am committed to the safety and security of the people of Washington County.

I know we are all familiar with deer in our rural community, and sometimes that familiarity causes us to be less cautious.

I hope we will all take this opportunity to remind ourselves of the risks of deer-vehicle collisions and take these sensible steps to decrease accidents and injuries this season.

Matthew Whitmire, director of Attorney General Curtis Hill’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), was elected Oct. 19 to serve as president of the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units (NAMFCU).

Whitmire has worked for the Office of the Attorney General since 2011 and has been MFCU director since 2013, overseeing hundreds of investigations into fraud and patient abuse/neglect among Medicaid providers. Previously, Whitmire worked as a deputy prosecutor in Marion County.

“Matt has done an excellent job leading the MFCU team here in Indiana,” Attorney General Hill said. “I know he will do equally outstanding work leading the national organization.”

Founded in 1978, NAMFCU “has played a pivotal role in providing the MFCUs with a national presence,” the organization’s website notes. “This unique Association has enabled the Units to deter some of the largest and most insidious health care provider frauds, recover program dollars, punish corrupt practitioners, and prosecute those who abuse or neglect nursing home residents.”

All 53 federally certified MFCUs are NAMFCU members, and each MFCU is represented by its director.

Whitmire aspires to help advance the mission of MFCUs nationwide during unprecedented times.

“Despite the challenges faced by all units in 2020, our national association will not be deterred from pursuing our goals,” Whitmire said. “We will continue to offer education to the 53 Medicaid Fraud Control Units, promote legislative proposals to help the states in their missions, and provide a space for multistate case resolution. In my role as president, I will work to ensure the association pivots in this time of change and challenge to meet our goals.”

A graduate of Wabash College and the University of Dayton School of Law, Whitmire resides with his family in Indianapolis.

The Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives 75% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a federal grant. The remaining 25% is funded by the State of Indiana.

NAMFCU is housed at the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) in Washington D.C.

A 57-year-old Vincennes man was arrested last night on multiple drug charges.

Arrested and Charged was David Kolb, 57, 9040 US 41, Vincennes, IN

1. Dealing Methamphetamine, Class 2 Felony
2. Dealing in a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance, Class 3 Felony
3. Possession of Syringes, Class 6 Felony
4. Possession of Methamphetamine, Class 3 Felony
5. Dealing Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor
6. Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor
7. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor

Last night at approximately 8:00, Trooper Vennekotter and Trooper Hurley responded to a residence located at 9040 US 41 near Vincennes to investigate a tip regarding illegal drug activity.

When troopers approached the residence, they detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the residence.

Troopers identified the tenant as Kolb.

During a search warrant of Kolb’s residence, officers located approximately 24 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana, multiple pills, 13 syringes, drug paraphernalia, and over $500 in cash.

Kolb was arrested and taken to the Knox County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.

Investigating Officers: Trooper Vennekotter and Trooper Hurley, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officer: Trooper Brock Buchanan, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Knox County Sheriff’s Office

Indiana set a daily high of newly reported cases of COVID-19 Thursday as the number of hospitalizations and new infections across the state continued to spike.

The 3,649 new infections reported by the Indiana State Department of Health on Thursday marked the first time Indiana has recorded more than 3,000 positive cases of the virus in one day.

The department’s daily update of its coronavirus dashboard showed 1,733 Hoosiers are currently hospitalized with the coronavirus, the highest since early April. Of those, 509 are in intensive care, which is the most since May 6.

Such hospitalizations have grown by more than 72% since Sept. 22 — the day before Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb announced his decision to lift nearly all of Indiana’s restrictions while extending the statewide mask mandate.

More than 70% of Indiana’s ICU beds are also in use, according to the health department, leaving 565 beds available as of Thursday. Now, more of Indiana’s ICU beds are filled than at any other point in the pandemic so far.

Indiana’s seven-day rolling average for newly confirmed cases also rose to 2,511. That is the highest level the state has seen during the pandemic and nearly triple the seven-day rolling average of 858 newly confirmed cases the agency reported on Sept. 22.

Indiana’s 33 newly recorded COVID-19 deaths raised the state’s pandemic death toll to 4,260, including confirmed and presumed coronavirus infections.

To date, more than 1.6 million people have been tested for COVID-19 in Indiana, and a total of 172,730 Hoosiers are known to have had the virus.

Locally, the WSLM listening area added 182 new cases as follows:

Lawrence County

8941 (93 New) Tests,1042 Cases, 38 Deaths 22 New Cases 

11.5 percent positivity rate

Jackson County

9534  (67 New) Tests, 1254 Cases, 20 deaths (1 new)  – 20 new cases 

10.2 percent positivity rate

Jennings County

4593 (26 New) Tests, 402 Cases, 13  deaths, 6 new cases 

2.1 percent positivity rate

Orange County

4051 (33 New) Tests, 436 Cases, 25 deaths – 5 new cases 

5.8  percent positivity rate

Washington County

4538 (45 New) Tests, 414 Cases, 3 deaths, 16 new cases 

5.9 percent  positivity rate

Scott County

6211 (64 New) Tests, 579 Cases, 16 deaths  –  10 new cases

5.3 percent positivity rate

Clark County

28797 (285 New) Tests, 3188 Cases, 65 deaths  – 61 new cases 

8.5 percent positivity rate

Floyd County

18,709 (157 New) Tests, 1933 Cases, 69 deaths (1 new), 28 new cases 

5.1 percent positivity rate

Harrison County

8940 (55 New) Tests, 835 Cases, 24 deaths, 11 new cases 

4.9 percent positivity rate

Crawford County

2207 (11 New)  Tests, 169 Cases, 1 deaths – 3 new cases 

5.1 percent positivity rate

Last week, Trooper Dustin Zehnder was promoted to sergeant by Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter.

Prior to joining the Indiana State Police (ISP), Trooper Zehnder was a 2005 graduate of New Albany High-School and later attended Indiana University-Southeast. 

Dustin joined the Indiana National Guard in 2005, where he currently holds the rank of First Sergeant and serves as the Headquarters Battery First Sergeant for the 1-163rd Field Artillery Battalion based in Evansville, Indiana. 

Dustin also served a combat tour in Iraq in 2008. 

Trooper Zehnder graduated from the 72nd ISP Recruit Academy in December of 2012 and was initially assigned to the Toll Road Post before transferring to Sellersburg in 2014.  Dustin was named Trooper of the District and also received the DUI Life Award in 2016. 

Sergeant Zehnder will serve as one of five squad sergeants assigned to the Sellersburg Post and currently resides in Floyd County with his wife Ashley and son Hank.  Please join us in congratulating Sergeant Zehnder on his promotion.  

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb said yesterday during his weekly address that members of the Indiana National Guard are set to deploy to long-term care facilities across the state beginning November 2.

The deployments are part of a statewide response to what health officials are calling a “troubling” increase in coronavirus case numbers and positivity rates.

Governor Holcomb said Wednesday afternoon the state is seeing the coronavirus spread in virtually every community at every level.

He said 69% of hospitalizations are of people that are 60 years and older, and more specifically, 47% of hospitalizations consist of individuals that are age 70 and over.

This comes after the state reached its highest total for hospitalizations on Tuesday. Over 1,6700 people were hospitalized for COVID-19.

Indiana National Guard Brigadier General Dale Lyles explained guardsmen are being deployed to prevent further infection in Hoosier communities.

General Lyles said guardsmen will arrive at 133 long-term care facilities beginning November 2, and will broaden support over the following three weeks.

Dr. Kristina Box who has returned from quarantining, said in addition to the increase in hospitalizations, the state is seeing a steady number of Hoosiers who are dying from COVID-19.

Dr. Box explains that 56% of COVID-19 deaths are those who are treated in long-term care facilities.

In an effort to limit and lower the number of Hoosiers who are dying in long-term care facilities, the governor is deploying the Indiana National Guard to help assist those working in long-term care facilities.

General Lyles from the Indiana National Guard broke down the deployment timeline:

• On Nov. 2, 399 Indiana National Guardsmen will be working in 133 long-term care facilities around the state.
• On Nov. 9, 750 Guardsmen will be working in 250 long-term care facilities around the state.
• By mid-November, 1,350 Guardsmen will be working in 534 long-term care facilities.

Training for the guardsmen is provided by professional staff beginning this week to teach infectious control measures and prepare the guardsmen for the weeks ahead.

Guardsmen will be tested during training as well as weekly when deployed.

In addition to the Indiana National Guard being deployed, over two million N95 masks and other PPE will the sent to long-term care facilities.

As of Tuesday, Dr. Box said that about 50% of the PPE and masks have been sent to the facilities.

The state is reaching out to the healthcare reserve workforce to supplement long-term care resources.

Currently, the state plans to hire about 50 clinical staff. Any licensed professional who might be interested in volunteering is asked to visit the Indiana State Department of Health website.

Yesterday, the Indiana State Police Bloomington District ACES (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section) and Drug Enforcement Detectives continued an on-going investigation into locating Demetrious Coleman, 36 of Evansville.

Coleman was wanted on several Lawrence County warrants for Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 3 Felony), two counts of Carrying a Handgun without a License with a Prior Conviction (Level 5 Felonies), Possession of a Legend Drug (Level 6 Felony), and Possession of Marijuana (B Misdemeanor).

Troopers found that Coleman had been evading arrest by moving around several cities and towns in southern Indiana.

The investigation revealed that Coleman was in Lawrence County and ISP Troopers were able to determine that Coleman was staying at a residence in the 300 block of Heltonville Road.

The investigation also showed that Coleman was allegedly dealing methamphetamine while in Bedford.

A Lawrence County Search Warrant was granted for the residence.

Indiana State Police Sgt. Greg Day, DES Detectives, Troopers Chance Humphrey and Cody Brown, Bedford Police Officers Chase Hamilton and Toby Gerkin and Officer Shaun Cabral of the Lawrence County Highway Interdiction Team executed the search warrant in the early morning hours of Tuesday, October 27^th.

Upon entry into the residence, several individuals were encountered.

Coleman was reportedly found destroying suspected methamphetamine in the home’s bathroom, while a resident of the home, Austin R. Perry, 35, attempted to run out the back door.

Perry was quickly apprehended and the search resulted in the discovery of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and marijuana.

Coleman was arrested for his warrants, along with new offenses of Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony) and Obstruction of Justice (Level 6 Felony).

Perry was arrested for Maintaining a Common Nuisance (Level 6 Felony) and Possession of Under 3 Grams of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony). 

Both were incarcerated at the Lawrence County Jail. The other visitors at the residence were not arrested.

It’s that time of year when kids are looking forward to dressing up in their favorite costumes and spending time with family and friends trick-or-treating! 

Although everyone loves to get lots of candy and have fun, the most important thing is health and safety while trick-or-treating and making sure everyone gets home safely!

Listed below are some safety tips that the Indiana State Police Jasper Post would like to provide.

1)      Know what the dates and times are in your community for trick-or-treating.

2)      Make sure that you have a flashlight, glow stick, or reflective material on the costume so that you can be seen at all times.

3)      Always trick-or-treat with an adult or use the buddy system when approaching a house, and please practice social distancing by remaining at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you.

4)      Please walk on the sidewalks and not in the roadway and make sure that you look both directions before crossing the roadway.

5)      Only go trick-or-treating at houses where the front porch light is on.

6)      Never enter the house of a stranger and preferably only trick-or-treat at homes that you are familiar to you.

7)      If a trick-or-treater gets separated from others, have them stay where they are and ask an adult for help. 

8)      Have an adult inspect the candy before it is eaten. 

9)     If you’re not actively participating in trick-or-treating and are out driving, we ask that you please slow down and drive with caution.

10)  Please follow your local health department and CDC guidelines for personal protective measures. A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask.  Everyone is encouraged to make your cloth mask part of the costume!             

The Jasper State Police Post hopes that these few safety tips help you enjoy your night out with friends and family while trick-or-treating!