Local News
Local News
Bedford and Lawrence County Local News
Oolitic Town Councilman Resigns, Citing Government Overreach and Department Micromanagement
The institutional strain on Lawrence County local government has spread to Oolitic. Councilman Johnny Bob Dillon officially read his resignation letter at the July 13th council meeting, publicly releasing his statement highlighting deep fractures within the town's governing body. In a candid, scathing assessment of the council’s current direction, Dillon detailed exactly why he can no longer remain a part of the board. Key Takeaways from the Resignation Statement: 🛑 Micromanagement Over Trus
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Bedford Man Caught After High-Speed Chase Near School and Narrow Escapes
The multi-day manhunt for 26-year-old Cody Joe Stannard of Bedford has ended after he was tracked down and booked into the Lawrence County Jail Thursday evening. Stannard was wanted after initiating a chaotic foot and vehicle pursuit earlier in the week that endangered multiple city neighborhoods. The Initial Incident & School Zone Flight The incident began around 2:53 p.m. on Monday, July 13, 2026, when a Bedford police officer spotted Stannard—who had an active arrest warrant—near 16th and
Oolitic Town Councilman Resigns, Citing Government Overreach and Department Micromanagement
The institutional strain on Lawrence County local government has spread to Oolitic. Councilman Johnny Bob Dillon officially read his resignation letter at the July 13th council meeting, publicly releasing his statement highlighting deep fractures within the town's governing body. In a candid, scathing assessment of the council’s current direction, Dillon detailed exactly why he can no longer remain a part of the board. Key Takeaways from the Resignation Statement: 🛑 Micromanagement Over Trus
Bedford Man Jailed for Battery on Law Enforcement After Allegedly Slapping Officer in Face During Disturbance
A Bedford man with a staggering blood alcohol content was booked into the Lawrence County Jail after he allegedly slapped a police officer in the face during a neighborhood disturbance check. Jobe Sergent, 26, was arrested on the evening of Thursday, July 2, 2026, by the Mitchell Police Department. The Neighborhood Disturbance Call At approximately 8:17 p.m., Mitchell police officers were dispatched to the 400 block of Dale Street following reports of a highly belligerent male throwing objec
Bedford Man Jailed After Allegedly Breaking Into Ex-Girlfriend's Home, Stealing Dog, and Headbutting Officer
A Bedford man faces multiple felony charges after he allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend's residence to steal her dog and later headbutted a police officer during a high-risk parking lot arrest. Spencer Douglas Tanner, 25, was arrested on Friday, July 3, 2026, by the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department. The Break-In and Stolen Dog The investigation began when a female resident arrived at the sheriff's department to file a theft complaint. She reported that sometime during the previous ni
THE TICKING CLOCK: A Sinking Ship and Shattered Morale Across Lawrence County
The tips are flooding into our inbox, and the devastating reality of the county's health insurance change is hitting a boiling point. Let’s be completely clear: this is a full-blown crisis hitting every single frontline employee who keeps Lawrence County running. From the highway garage and jail staff to courthouse clerks and emergency dispatchers, morale across our county workforce has plummeted to an all-time low. The dedicated people we rely on every day are feeling completely abandoned by l
Mitchell Woman Facing Felony Charges After Allegedly Shoving Hospital Staff to Force Her Way into ER
A Mitchell woman was arrested early Monday morning after she allegedly tried to storm the emergency department at IU Health Bedford and physically assaulted a hospital staff member who blocked her path. Lorene Deanne Honeycutt, 45, was taken into custody on June 29, 2026, by the Indiana University Health Department of Public Safety. The Restricted Patient The incident began around 3:00 a.m. inside the emergency department at IU Health Bedford, located at 2900 West 16th Street. Honeycutt's ne
Jeep Chase Through Trailer Park Yards Leads to Felony OWI Arrest Following Hit-and-Run at Jay-C Plus
A Tennessee man faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after he allegedly caused a hit-and-run accident at a local supermarket, fled from a traffic stop, and drove a yellow Jeep through residential yards in a trailer park while heavily intoxicated. Robert Wilson, 48, of Bedford, was arrested Tuesday afternoon, June 30, 2026, by the Bedford Police Department. The Parking Lot Hit-and-Run At approximately 4:11 p.m., Bedford police officers were dispatched to the Jay-C Plus at 2631 16th S
DEPARTMENT UPDATE: Leadership Changes at Bedford PD
Significant personnel changes are taking place at the top of the Bedford Police Department this week. Colonel Joe DeWees is retiring after more than 38 years of service to the City of Bedford. Major Brian Turpen is also concluding nearly 37 years of service to the community. Both officers are transitioning into new roles as School Resource Officers with North Lawrence Community Schools, where they will continue to serve the local school district. Additionally, the board has officially promoted
NEW INDIANA LAWS TAKING EFFECT TOMORROW (JULY 1ST)!
A lot of new rules are hitting the books tomorrow, and we want to make sure you are up to speed on what’s changing. 🚠VAPES & TOBACCO * School Zones: Vape shops can’t open within 2/3 of a mile from a school (older shops already open are grandfathered in). * Under 21: It’s now a ticketable offense for anyone under 21 to purchase or possess a vape. * Getting ID'd: Store clerks must now ID anyone buying tobacco or vapes who looks under 40. * Banned Vapes: Foreign-made vapes not approved by t
The Lawrence County Workforce Crisis – Frozen Wages, Cut Support, and a 30-Day Insurance Scramble
Over the last 72 hours, multiple Lawrence County employees from various departments have securely reached out to us. Their combined accounts reveal a severe, ongoing financial and administrative crisis inside our local government. Under the umbrella of "budget issues," county leadership has enacted a series of drastic changes that are directly impacting the livelihoods of the front-line workers who keep our county operational. Here is what is happening behind closed doors: 🔴 The 30-Day Insura