Area News

Don’t forget to roll back your clocks this weekend! Daylight Saving time ends 2 a.m. Sunday!

BODY DISCOVERED AT CORDELL HULL LAKE Law enforcement authorities are conducting a death investigation after the body of a Macon County woman was discovered at Cordell Hull Lake Tuesday morning. The woman was identified as Mary Dotson, 45, Red Boiling Springs, who had been reported missing in Macon County hours earlier. Dotson’s vehicle was spotted…

3 FOUND IN STOLEN VEHICLE Two people face theft of property and other charges after being discovered on Beasleys Bend Road in a stolen vehicle. The investigation began when Deputy Nathan Williams stopped a red Pontiac Vibe around 50 Beasleys Bend Road after the driver abruptly pulled into a residence. According to Deputy Williams’ offense…

OVER HALF OF VOTERS EXPECTED TO EARLY VOTE The number of residents voting early in the November 6 election is expected to eclipse the three thousand mark this week. Through Saturday, 2,657 residents had voted early in the election. Since early voting began on October 17, during full day sessions, anywhere from 208 to 370…

NEW PUBLIC DEFENDER FOR 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT The Fifteenth Judicial District, which includes Smith County, has a new public defender. Public Defender Comer Donnell, who held the position, retired effective November 1. On Tuesday of last week, Governor Bill Haslam announced the appointment of Assistant Public Defender Shelley Thompson Gardner, a Lebanon resident, as his…

2 LBS OF MARIJUANA FOUND A sheriff’s department deputy located approximately two pounds of marijuana and multiple pills in a vehicle after responding to a reported suspicious vehicle call, Thursday morning. Sheriff’s department Sgt. Jimmy Gregory was dispatched to the area of Sonterra Lane off Ben Gentry Lane where he discovered a 2014 blue Ford…

HALLOWEEN EVENTS For those looking to celebrate Halloween there are plenty of options for both children and adults this year. Public trick-or-treating: •The Smith County Library will be hosting its Halloween Trick-or-Treat on the Square, October 25. Children should be in costume and ready to go at 10 a.m. Trick-or-treaters will visit business in the…

TRIAL DATE SET IN TRIBBLE LANE SHOOTING CASE A trial date has been set for a man accused of firing at law enforcement officers after allegedly shooting his wife. Stacey Lee Nash, 55, Grant, was initially charged with one count of criminal attempt to commit first degree murder in November of 2017. During a special…

NEW FIRE STATION IN GORDONSVILLE The Gordonsville Fire Department ushered in a new era with the recent completion of a new three bay fire hall. In addition to room for three fire trucks, the new fire hall has a spacious meeting area, restrooms and kitchen. The new state-of-the-art fire station is located on the opposite…

JUDGE DENIES HOMICIDE SUSPECT’S REQUEST A judge has denied a double homicide suspect’s request to move to Florida. In August, Criminal Court Judge Brody Kane set bond for David Ortiz Bibian, 53, Difficult, at $120,000. Shortly afterward Bibian posted bond and was released from the county jail. Represented by Carthage Attorney Brandon Bellar, Bibian appeared…