Local News
Local News
Bedford and Lawrence County Local News
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 fMore Stories
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 DollarOut-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 fTunnelton 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 BeAGREED 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⚖️ Lawrence County Infraction Report: May 28 – June 11, 2026
* 🔹 Scott E Strange: Speeding 🚗💨 * 🔹 Zachary L Schofield: Speeding 🚗💨 * 🔹 Jedediah R Smith: Speeding -- Exceeding Maximum 55 MPH 🚗💨 * 🔹 Kasey L Reynolds: Speeding 🚗💨 * 🔹 Summer L Vergiels: Holding or Using a Telecommunications Device While Operating 📱🚫🚗 * 🔹 Travis A Whitehead: Fishing with More than Three Poles 🎣🛶🚫 June 10, 2026 * 🔹 Carissa J Sinnett: Speeding -- > 60 MPH on non-Interstate 4-lane Hwy 🚓💨 * 🔹 Caleb A Luna: Speeding -- Exceeding Maximum 55 MPH 🚗💨
INVESTIGATION: Bedford Man Found Dead Outside Downtown Bloomington Business
Authorities in Monroe County have released the identity of a Lawrence County man who was tragically found deceased on a downtown sidewalk early Wednesday morning. Raymond Stewart, 51, of Bedford, was identified by Monroe County Coroner Jeff Hall on Thursday after his immediate family was formally notified of his passing. The Discovery on Walnut Street The incident began on the morning of Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at approximately 8:45 a.m.. A caller contacted emergency dispatchers to reportTraffic Stop Uncovers Methamphetamine Haul West of Bedford
Two individuals are facing high-level felony charges following a Wednesday evening traffic stop that took more than a pound of methamphetamine off local streets. According to an official statement released by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, the incident began on June 10th at approximately 6:15 p.m. when Deputy Gus Hogan pulled over a vehicle along State Road 450, west of Bedford. The Traffic Stop and K9 Alert The driver of the vehicle was identified as Crystal L. Travis, 47, of Bed