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Lawrence County Independent News
THE SHAKEOUT IN DISTRICT 65: WHY A SLEEPY RURAL RACE IS SUDDENLY INDIANA'S MOST VOLATILE ELECTION
For decades, the only election that truly mattered in South Central Indiana happened during the Republican primaries. But this November, House District 65—a conservative stronghold covering Lawrence and parts of Orange, Jackson, and Washington counties—is facing a political earthquake. Incumbent Republican Chris May is fighting off a fierce, highly organized Independent challenge from Sean Steele, a 30-year public school teacher with deep Republican family roots who is running on a populist, pr
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Sheriff Greg Day Confronts Lawrence County Council Over Stalled Deputy Pay and Broken Budget Agreements
Warning that severe deputy pay deficiencies have left road coverage dangerously compromised and county taxpayers exposed to escalating liability, Lawrence County Sheriff Greg Day delivered an exhaustive, prepared address to the Lawrence County Council on Tuesday night, September 22, 2026. Addressing council members during his regular department report, Day detailed broken commitments made during the 2027 budget cycle, refuted claims that the county lacks sufficient revenue, and insisted that th
THE SHAKEOUT IN DISTRICT 65: WHY A SLEEPY RURAL RACE IS SUDDENLY INDIANA'S MOST VOLATILE ELECTION
For decades, the only election that truly mattered in South Central Indiana happened during the Republican primaries. But this November, House District 65—a conservative stronghold covering Lawrence and parts of Orange, Jackson, and Washington counties—is facing a political earthquake. Incumbent Republican Chris May is fighting off a fierce, highly organized Independent challenge from Sean Steele, a 30-year public school teacher with deep Republican family roots who is running on a populist, pr
Police Log 09/22/2026
Bedford Police Department & Lawrence County Sheriff's Department Public Safety Log: September 21 – 22, 2026 All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Arrests & Citations * Adam Dion Henderson (30), Bedford: Arrested by Bedford Police at 10th St & Lincoln Ave on Sept. 21 at 2:22 PM for Expired License Plates. * Mark Harold Bunch (46), Bedford: Arrested by Bedford Police on Sept. 21 at 9:31 PM. Charged with Public Order - Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Trespass
Police Log 09/21/2026
Bedford Police Department & Lawrence County Sheriff's Department Public Safety Log: September 19 – 21, 2026 All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Arrests & Citations * Nichole A. Whitner (41), Bedford: Arrested by Bedford Police at Walmart (3200 John Williams Blvd) on Sept. 20 at 7:25 PM. Charged with Possession of Marijuana/Hashish, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Paraphernalia. Incident Highlights * Drug Arrest at Walmart: B
Police Log 09/19/2026
Bedford Police Department & Lawrence County Sheriff's Department Public Safety Log: September 18 – 19, 2026 All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Arrests & Citations * Harvey J. Jenkins (60): Arrested by Bedford Police at T St & Mitchell Rd on Sept. 18 at 5:59 PM. Charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (OWI) and OWI with Endangerment. * Kayla Renee Terrell (30): Arrested by Bedford Police at Walmart (3200 John Williams Blvd) on Sept. 18 at 7
⚖️ BEDFORD WOMAN SENTENCED TO PRISON AFTER TERMINATION FROM PROBLEM-SOLVING COURT ⚖️
📍 BEDFORD, IN — A multi-case prosecution against 25-year-old Jaiden M. Curren has concluded in Lawrence Superior Court II. On September 17, 2026, Judge Robert R. Cline formally revoked Curren’s placement in the court's Problem-Solving Court (PSCII) program, sentencing her to executed incarceration across both felony and misdemeanor dockets. Curren, whose date of birth is listed as October 23, 2000, was represented by defense attorney Daniel Adam Dixon. Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sarah
🏛️Gibson Sentenced to State Prison Following Probation Revocation in Methamphetamine Dealing Case 🏛️
📍 BEDFORD, IN — A long-running felony narcotics case dating back to 2019 has concluded with a return to prison for 48-year-old Gary L. Gibson. On September 16, 2026, Lawrence Superior Court 1 Judge John M. Plummer III revoked Gibson’s suspended sentence and ordered him committed to the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) to serve out his remaining time behind bars. Gibson’s probation was formally terminated as unsuccessful following his admission to allegations outlined in a Petition to Re
Police Log 09/18/2026
Bedford Police Department & Lawrence County Sheriff's Department Public Safety Log: September 17 – 18, 2026 All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Arrests & Citations * Brandon Lee Jones Teague (26), Bedford: Arrested by Bedford Police at 16th St & N St on Sept. 17 at 11:13 AM. Charged with Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of Marijuana/Hashish, and Driving While Suspended (Infraction). (Note: Also logged for Domestic Battery on warrant/case service
Police Log 09/17/2026
Bedford Police Department & Lawrence County Sheriff's Department Public Safety Log: September 16 – 17, 2026 All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Arrests & Citations * Amanda Michelle Parry (39), Bedford: Cited by Bedford Police at 16th St & Edgewood Dr on Sept. 16 at 8:13 AM for Expired License Plates. * Chelsay Elizabeth Linton (37), Bedford: Arrested by Bedford Police on SR 37 NB & Dixie Hwy on Sept. 16 at 9:17 AM for Driving While Suspended (Prior S
FBI Highlights 105-Year Sentence in Child Exploitation Case
The FBI Indianapolis Field Office officially highlighted the successful prosecution of Bernardo Revelez Tapia, who was sentenced to 105 years in state prison late last month in Lawrence Superior Court II. The FBI noted Tapia’s travel from California to Indiana to target and sexually assault children, emphasizing the extensive joint investigation between local, state, and federal agencies—including the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Lawrence County Prosecutor's Office, Indiana State Police, and
ICE Operation Nets Over 400 Arrests Across Indiana, Sparking Safety Claims and Local Economic Fallout
INDIANAPOLIS — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials confirmed Wednesday that a multi-day sweep titled “Operation Safe Community – Indiana” resulted in 426 total arrests across the state between August 30 and September 3. According to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations acting Assistant Director Patricia Hyde, the targeted operation highlighted inter-agency collaboration. “This operation underscores the fact that when law enforcement agencies cooperate, the American peopl