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Patricia Kay (Jackson) Spurgeon, 80, of Salem

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Patricia Kay (Jackson) Spurgeon, 80, of Salem, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 2:56 p.m. at Baptist Health Floyd in New Albany, Indiana. She was born March 17, 1946, in Salem, Indiana to the late Haywood Jackson and Marcella (Robert) McKnight. Patricia retired from the Department of Child Services in Crawford County. Earlier in her career, she also worked for Kimball in Borden, Indiana.

Patricia had a soft heart for all animals and cared deeply for them throughout her life. Her compassion and kindness will be remembered by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her children, Robert (Heather) Applegate and Justin (Theresa) Applegate; grandchildren, Blair Stoess, Phillip Applegate, Hunter Stoess, Blake Applegate and William Workman. She is also survived by her siblings, Larry W. Burnett and Michael (Barbara) Burnett.

She was preceded in death by her father, Haywood Jackson and mother, Marcella (Robert) McKnight; daughter, Donna Lynn Applegate: her grandson, Shawn Applegate and granddaughter, Etta Conley.

Patricia chose cremation and a Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Washington County Humane Society / Salem Animal Shelter

204 W. Joseph Street, Salem, Indiana 47167.

https://humanesocietysalemin.org

Arrangements by Dawalt Funeral Home.

Gloria Melvina Smedley, age 94, of Salem

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Gloria Melvina Smedley, age 94, of Salem, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at her residence. Born May 2, 1932, in Salem, she was the daughter of the late Ivan and Margaret (Oliver) Roberts.

Melvina was a stay-at-home mom for 18 years before entering the work force. She then worked a variety of jobs locally in Salem before ending her work career with 33 years of service at Salem Head Start.

Melvina was honored with Citizen of the year during her service at Salem Headstart.

She is survived by her two daughters: Dawn Lee and Lori (Jason) Gilstrap; one brother: David (Linda) Roberts; one sister: Nancy Roberts; along with 7 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren with the seventh on the way.

Melvina is preceded in death by her parents: Ivan and Margaret; her soul mate and beloved husband Milo Madison Smedley, whom she married on August 5, 1950; two sons: Bart and Matt Smedley; and two sisters: Mary Kennedy and Anna Lee Roberts.

A Celebration of Life for Melvina will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Salem Senior Center.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Hosparus Health Southern Indiana, along with her special nurse, for the compassionate care and support provided to Melvina and her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salem Senior Center.

Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home was entrusted with funeral care.

www.hughestaylor.net

Roberta Baldwin, age 74 of Salem

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Roberta Baldwin, age 74 of Salem, Indiana passed away Friday, August 14, 2026, in Salem Crossing.

Born March 4, 1952 in Rushville, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Ernest Gabe and Imogene (Flannery) Hankins.

Roberta married Lonnie E. Baldwin, who passed away March 6, 2019.

Survivors include: Son: Ernie Williams of Greenville, Indiana; Daughter:
Theresa Payline of North Carolina; Brother: Gerry (Vickie) Hankins of Connersville, Indiana; Aunt: Joan Schocke of Salem, 3 grandchildren: Heather Tincher MaCgowan, Johnathan and Bradley Tincher.

She was preceded in death by: 1 son: Robert Williams Jr., 1 sister, Sue Ann Hankins, 1 brother, Frank Hankins and several aunts and uncles.

There will be a Graveside Service at 10:30 am on Friday 8/28/2026 at Crown Hill Cemetery Pavilion. Arrangements by Dawalt Funeral Home.

Memorial Contributions to:
Washington County Humane Society / Salem Animal Shelter
204 W. Joseph Street
Salem, Indiana 47167
https://humanesocietysalemin.org/

Judy Diane Burris, 74, of Pekin

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Judy Diane Burris, 74, of Pekin, Indiana, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2026.

Judy was born January 4, 1952, in Seymour, Indiana, to Elbert “Nick” Root and Beulah Root. She was a hardworking woman who loved her family deeply. She enjoyed reading, loved her cat Missy, and was always willing to lend a hand to the people she cared about.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents; her longtime love, Tom Dudley; her sons, John Burris Jr. and Trevor Burris; and her siblings, Jerry Root and Karen Lashbrooks.

She is survived by her children, Greg Burris and Tonya Marshall (Seth); her siblings, Marie Henry, Brenda Root, Mike Root, Roger Root, Phyllis Lackey, and Phillip Haney; her grandchildren, Trevor Gilstrap (Autumn), Rebecca Gray (Thomas), Gregory Burris, Elisabeth Burris, Alexander Burris, and Myles Marshall; and her great-grandchildren, Harmony, Rosa, and Eustace.

Judy often reflected on how blessed she was to have watched her children and grandchildren grow and to have met her great-grandchildren. Her family was her greatest joy.

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home, 323 IN-60, New Pekin, IN 47165. Family and friends may visit from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., with the memorial service beginning at 6:00 p.m., with Brent Donoho speaking.

Judy was deeply loved, and her family will carry her memory with them always.

Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home was entrusted with funeral care.

www.hughestayor.net

Richard Lee Hoyt, age 79, of Salem

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Richard Lee Hoyt, age 79, of Salem, passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at IU Health Bloomington Hospital. Born September 23, 1946, in San Diego, California, he was the son of the late Charles R. and Shirley (Voyles) Hoyt.

On November 28, 1969, he married Carolyn (Glasgow) Hoyt, who survives.

Richard proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. Upon leaving the Air Force, he worked for TWA at the Louisville International Airport.

He served the community for many years volunteering for The Washington County Food Bank. He was a member of the Washington County Foundation and the United Methodist Church, where he served on various committees in Salem. A 30-year career in grocery retail with Jay C Stores was an important part of Richard’s working life. His commitment to serving others continued through his membership in the Ascension St. Vincent Hospital Auxiliary, Methodist Men, and Friends of the Library.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Hoyt; two children: Tiffany Hoyt-Smith (Nick Smith) and Tamarya Hoyt (Scott Johnson); and four grandchildren: Collin Smith, Caden Smith, Connor Johnson, and Caroline Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles R. and Shirley Hoyt.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Salem United Methodist Church with Valarie Foughty-Killion and Neil Kenyon officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, September 4, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home – Salem Chapel and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Foundation or Salem UMC.

Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home was entrusted with funeral care.

www.hughestaylor.net

Former Jackson County Deputy Arrested for Improperly Using Flock System

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Today, a former Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy was arrested on charges related to him improperly accessing license plate reader (Flock) data over an eight-month period.

On August 14, 2026, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department contacted the Indiana State Police after an internal audit of their department’s Flock camera access revealed the improper use of the system by Deputy Skylar Thompson.

The audit revealed that Thompson, age 31, allegedly searched the same registration plate number over 2,000 times between December 2025 and August 2026 through his Flock account access.  Detectives with the Indiana State Police-Sellersburg Post immediately began an investigation into the allegations. 

The findings of the investigation were then presented to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.  As a result, Thompson was charged with one count of Official Misconduct, Level 6 Felony and one count of Fraud, Class A Misdemeanor.  He was arrested today on those charges and will soon face an initial appearance in the Jackson County Circuit Court.

Thompson is no longer employed with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

State Police Stats for August 2026

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The Enforcement Bureau of the Indiana State Police oversees the traffic enforcement efforts of the Troopers assigned to the 14 State Police Districts throughout Indiana.  Among their primary missions is helping to provide safe environments on our roadways for everyone.

As a result of strategic enforcement efforts, Troopers throughout Indiana documented the following statistics for August 2026.

Traffic Stops – 32,050

  • 14,790 traffic citations
  • 25,272 traffic warnings
  • 333 drunk driving arrests
  • 1,393 criminal arrests (traffic related)
  • 862 criminal arrests (non-traffic related)
  • 1,276 seatbelt citations
  • 211 distracted driving citations

Crashes Investigated – 1,344

  • Personal injury crashes – 206
  • Fatal crashes – 5

Troopers often happen upon or are dispatched to assist with disabled vehicles. These calls include flat tires, mechanical issues, vehicles stuck or are out of fuel. During the month of August, Troopers assisted 2,534 motorists on Indiana roadways.

As part of Governor Braun’s public safety platform, the Indiana State Police will continue utilizing various methods in enforcing Indiana’s traffic laws with the primary goal of voluntary compliance with these laws.  These may include aviation assets, dedicated patrols, wolf pack patrols, motorcycle patrols, unmarked patrol vehicles and marked Mustangs.

The overall goal is to drive down the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities.  It’s not about writing tickets; it’s about saving lives.

Community members are always encouraged to report suspicious and/or illegal activity on our roadways to law enforcement by calling 911.

Washington County Inmate Roster – 9-6-26

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Mugshot of HACKER, JOSEPH
HACKER, JOSEPH
Booking #:
65731
Booking Date:
09-06-2026 – 4:37 am
Charges:
Possession of methamphetamine
Obstruction of justice
Maintaining a common nuisance
Dealing in methamphetamine
Possession of marijuana hash oil hashish or salvia
Mugshot of TUSSEY, CESHA
TUSSEY, CESHA
Booking #:
65730
Booking Date:
09-06-2026 – 4:32 am
Charges:
Violation of Probation
Possession of methamphetamine
Possession of paraphernalia

Mugshot of BAUGHMAN, JESSIE
BAUGHMAN, JESSIE
Booking #:
65729
Booking Date:
09-04-2026 – 5:31 am
Charges:
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person
Possession of marijuana hash oil hashish or salvia
Possession of methamphetamine
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
Possession or use of legend drug or precursor
Mugshot of REED, BYRON
REED, BYRON
Booking #:
65728
Booking Date:
09-03-2026 – 1:43 pm
Charges:
Violation of Probation

Mugshot of SANDERS, SEAN
SANDERS, SEAN
Booking #:
65725
Booking Date:
09-01-2026 – 8:43 pm
Charges:
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person
Operating a vehicle with an alcohol equivalent to at least .15 gram of alcohol
Operating a vehicle with a controlled substance in the person’s body
Mugshot of LYNCH, THOMAS
LYNCH, THOMAS
Booking #:
65723
Booking Date:
09-01-2026 – 12:53 pm
Charges:
Violation of Probation

Lawrence County Inmate Roster – 9-6-26

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Clark County Inmate Roster – 9-1-26

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Jail Roster 08-31-26