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Bedford and Lawrence County Local News
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Loogootee Woman Arrested in Bedford After Allegedly Entering Home, Claiming She Thought She Was in Washington

A Loogootee woman faces felony and misdemeanor charges in Bedford after residents reported her attempting to break into a vehicle and entering a home uninvited. When confronted by law enforcement, the woman was severely disoriented, testing positive for methamphetamine possession and claiming she believed she was in a different county. Kacrissa Jo Salmon, 34, was arrested on the evening of June 22, 2026, by the Bedford Police Department. Erratic Behavior on 33rd Street At approximately 7:28
By Lawrence County Independent News •

Mitchell Man Jailed for Intimidation After Alleged Death Threats Over 30-Year-Old Rumor

A Mitchell man faces a criminal charge of intimidation after he reportedly sent a series of terrifying messages threatening to kill his wife and another man over an alleged infidelity rumor dating back three decades. John E. Porter, 61, was arrested on Wednesday evening, June 17, 2026, by the Mitchell Police Department. The Facebook Messages and Out-of-County Search The investigation began at approximately 5:40 p.m. when Porter's wife arrived at the Mitchell Police station to report active t

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Loogootee Woman Arrested in Bedford After Allegedly Entering Home, Claiming She Thought She Was in Washington

A Loogootee woman faces felony and misdemeanor charges in Bedford after residents reported her attempting to break into a vehicle and entering a home uninvited. When confronted by law enforcement, the woman was severely disoriented, testing positive for methamphetamine possession and claiming she believed she was in a different county. Kacrissa Jo Salmon, 34, was arrested on the evening of June 22, 2026, by the Bedford Police Department. Erratic Behavior on 33rd Street At approximately 7:28

Mitchell Man Jailed for Intimidation After Alleged Death Threats Over 30-Year-Old Rumor

A Mitchell man faces a criminal charge of intimidation after he reportedly sent a series of terrifying messages threatening to kill his wife and another man over an alleged infidelity rumor dating back three decades. John E. Porter, 61, was arrested on Wednesday evening, June 17, 2026, by the Mitchell Police Department. The Facebook Messages and Out-of-County Search The investigation began at approximately 5:40 p.m. when Porter's wife arrived at the Mitchell Police station to report active t

WATCHDOG SPOTLIGHT: Active Leadership on the Road with Lawrence County Sheriff Greg Day

WATCHDOG SPOTLIGHT & DEEP DIVE: The Hands-On Leadership of Lawrence County Sheriff Greg Day When evaluating the effectiveness of our local law enforcement, it is easy to focus entirely on the final arrest reports or court dockets. But true leadership in law enforcement isn't just about managing from behind a desk—it’s about being out in the community, side-by-side with the deputies who patrol our roads every single day. Today, we want to take a moment to recognize Lawrence County Sheriff Greg
WATCHDOG SPOTLIGHT: Active Leadership on the Road with Lawrence County Sheriff Greg Day

WEATHER PREPAREDNESS & COMMUNITY QUESTION

During the severe weather that moved through Lawrence County last night, a follower reached out to us with an observation from downtown Bedford. Around 10:20 PM, as the storms were in the near by area, they noted courthouse staff and officials—along with a family dog—arriving at the Lawrence County Circuit Court, opening the doors, and turning on the lights. While it is entirely possible staff were there after hours to secure the facility, check on infrastructure, or protect public records from

Orleans Man Faces Child Molesting Charges Following State Police Investigation

An Orleans, Indiana man has been charged with child molesting and dissemination of matter harmful to a minor following an investigation by the Indiana State Police. Dakota M. Stidham, 23, faces a Level 1 felony count of child molesting and a Level 6 felony count of disseminating harmful matter to a minor in Lawrence Superior Court. A Level 1 felony in Indiana carries a sentencing range of 20 to 40 years. According to a probable cause affidavit signed August 27, 2025 by Indiana State Police Tro

Three-Hour Walmart Surveillance Ends in Theft and Felony Drug Arrest for Bedford Woman

A Bedford woman with a history of theft convictions is back behind bars after Walmart asset protection associates tracked her through the store for three hours, ultimately uncovering a cache of stolen merchandise and various controlled substances. Talia N. Blake, 44, of Bedford, was taken into custody Tuesday morning by the Bedford Police Department on multiple preliminary felony and misdemeanor charges. The Three-Hour Surveillance According to the official probable cause affidavit filed by

Mitchell Couple Facing Multiple Felony Neglect Charges After Search Warrant Uncovers Severe Living Conditions

Reported: June 17, 2026 A Mitchell husband and wife are facing multiple criminal counts—including three level 6 felonies for neglect—following a Mitchell Police Department investigation that began with a juvenile drug complaint and ended with the discovery of extreme living conditions inside a local residence. Mary Andrews, 46, and Michael Andrews, 53, both of Mitchell, have been charged following a search warrant executed at their Dale Street home by local authorities. The Initial Investiga

Debt Dispute Escalates to Daylight Armed Robbery inside Vehicle in Bedford Retail Parking Lot

A Bedford parking lot turned into the scene of a high-stakes felony confrontation Tuesday evening when a local man allegedly forced his way into a parked vehicle, drew a weapon, and threatened to violently assault a driver over an unpaid debt. Matthew Kelley, 47, of Bedford, is now facing a high-level Level 3 Felony robbery charge following a swift police response that tracked him from the scene of the crime directly into the grocery aisles of the neighboring Walmart. The Ambush at the Dollar

Out-of-County Driver on Probation Facing OWI Charges After Wrong-Way Incident on State Road 37

An out-of-town man is facing drunk driving charges in Lawrence County after local deputies intercepted a white pickup truck traveling the wrong way on State Road 37 during the early morning hours. Kohlten A. French, 23, of Cromwell, Indiana, was arrested by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department following multiple frantic calls from motorists reporting a truck driving head-on into southbound traffic. The Wrong-Way Report and Traffic Stop According to the official probable cause affidavit f

Tunnelton Woman Facing Multiple Charges After Erratic Driving, Reversing Near Patrol Car on State Road 37

Reported: June 16, 2026 A Tunnelton woman is facing a string of criminal allegations—including operating while intoxicated and resisting law enforcement—following a high-risk traffic stop that unfolded on State Road 37. Michele Spotts, 57, was taken into custody by the Bedford Police Department following an erratic driving complaint that quickly escalated across multiple city intersections. The Near-Miss and Reverse at the Light According to the official probable cause affidavit filed by Be

AGREED RESOLUTION: Orange County Domestic Violence Case Involving Wife of Former Lawrence County Judge Enters Pretrial Diversion

An out-of-county felony domestic violence case involving a prominent Lawrence County political figure’s family has reached an agreed resolution in the Orange County court system. Candy Robbins, 65, of Bedford—wife of retired Lawrence County Superior Court Judge Michael Robbins—has entered into a formal Pretrial Diversion Agreement to resolve multiple criminal counts stemming from a December 2025 arrest. Because of the clear judicial conflict of interest that would arise from her ties within th
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