Area News

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT CHARGES TWICE IN 1 DAY An Elmwood man was arrested twice in one day for aggravated assault, last week. According to law enforcement authorities, the man, identified as Shawn Allen Smith, 38, was arrested in the morning hours on Monday, February 8, by the sheriff’s department in the Elmwood community and was released…

 THREE SMITH COUNTIANS VICTIMS OF WRECKS IN SEVEN DAYS This year is off to a tragic start on roadways. Three separate accidents in three counties claimed the lives of three Smith County residents over a seven day period which spanned from February 1 to February 7. The latest accident claimed the life of a Rome…

PLEASANT SHADE RESIDENT VICTIM OF ACCIDENT A Pleasant Shade resident was the victim of a single vehicle wreck in Macon County, last week. Li Li Donnell, a resident of the Dickerson Hollow, passed away at 12:55 p.m., Wednesday, February 3. The wreck occurred on Old Bottom Road not far from the Smith County line. READ…

DRUG PROBE NETS ON IN ROME A man who was discovered with three ounces of methamphetamine faces multiple charges. Daniel Ray Thomason, 44, Lebanon, has been charged with driving on revoked license, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and driving while in possession of methamphetamine. Thomason allegedly agreed to sell an undercover officer three…

CARTHAGE RESIDENTS ASKED NOT TO PARK ON SIDE STREETS City To Mail Residents Letter With Laws Carthage residents will be receiving a courtesy letter from city hall addressing regulations for parking on side streets. The letter is prompted by the city council’s discussion concerning a possible reduction in speed limits on side streets which evolved…

FORMER SHERIFF RETIRES A decades old law enforcement career has likely come to a close. A retirement ceremony honoring former sheriff and South Carthage police officer Johnny Bane was hosted by Smith County Middle School, Friday. As an officer with the South Carthage Police Department—among other duties—for the past several years Bane has directed school…

TRAFFIC STOP NETS 84 GRAMS OF METH, CHARGES A sheriff’s department deputy located 84 grams of methamphetamine which a male subject says he had “just purchased” prior to being stopped on Alexandria Highway. According to an offense report filed by K-9 officer Sgt. Ridge Long, the man charged in connection with the methamphetamine admitted to…

SO. CARTHAGE MURDER CASE MAKING WAY THROUGH COURT An almost two year old South Carthage murder case continues to make its way through criminal court. In April of 2019, a man was discovered beaten to death inside a former tobacco warehouse located on Hunter Avenue behind Rackley Roofing. Discovered by a relative, the victim was…

SUSPECT, CHARGED IN BATHROOM CAMERA INCIDENT, IN COURT A man who faces charges for photographing minor females dressing in a bathroom at an athletic venue located in the Tanglewood community made his initial court appearance, Wednesday. Andrew Wayne Halford, 32, Murfreesboro, is charged by the Smith County Sheriff’s Department with three counts of unlawful photographing…