Area News

TRAIL DATE SET FOR MAN CHARGE WITH SECRET PHOTOGRAPHY OF MINORS A trial date has been set for a Murfreesboro gym instructor charged with photographing female minors in various stages of undress. A 12-count indictment was issued by the county’s grand jury in April of this year against Andrew Wayne Halford, 32. A trial date…

MAN FOUND GUILTY OF DRUG OFFENSES SENTENCED A man found guilty of various drug-related charges in an April trial has been sentenced. DeKalb County resident Steve Mabe Jr. received a 23 year sentence handed down by Judge Brody Kane in criminal court last week. In addition to drug charges, Mabe originally faced charges for allegedly…

TWO ARRESTED AFTER SEARCH Two people face charges following the search of a residence located in the one hundred block of Hartsville Pike. Sheriff’s department officers went to what was described as a wooden, outside building located on the south west side of the property. According to an offense report filed by Sgt. Junior Fields,…

TRUSTEE LEE ANN WILLIAMS RECOGNIZED A local office holder has been recognized for her service. The Tennessee City and County Trustee’s Association (TCTA) honored Lee Ann Williams with the distinct Legacy Award. This honor is new to the statewide association, recognizing a division trustee for their exemplary service to the state of Tennessee, to the…

COUNTY GETS $50,000 GRANT Smith County is one of 54 Tennessee counties which has received funding through the state’s ThreeStar grant program. The county will receive $50,000 through the program. The $50,000 was the highest amount of funds awarded to any county. Funding awarded to counties ranged from a high of $50,000 to a low…

DOUBLE MURDER CASE RESOLVED A more than three year old double murder case has been resolved. In a plea agreement, David Ortiz Bibian, 56, formerly of the Difficult area, pled guilty to two counts of facilitation of first degree murder and received a 30 year sentence, according to Fifteenth Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson.…

SALES TAX HOLIDAY THIS WEEKEND (Teachers report back to school on Monday, August 2. Students report back to school on Wednesday, August 4.) State Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) and Representative Terri Lynn Weaver (R-Lancaster) are encouraging citizens to take advantage of Tennessee’s new and traditional sales tax holidays which are set to begin at 12:01…

AUGUST CARTHAGE MARKET-FEST CANCELED The Carthage Market-Fest scheduled for next month has been canceled. The event was set for August 7, however extensive work is being done at the city’s walking track where the event takes place. Two more Market-Fests are scheduled for this year, Saturday, September 18 and Saturday, October 23.

STUDENTS/TEACHERS RETURN NEXT WEEK FOR NEW SCHOOL YEAR Students head back to school next week for what officials anticipate or at least hope will be a somewhat “normal” school year. Teachers report back from summer break on Monday for an administrative day. Meanwhile, students report back to school from summer break for a half-day session…