Area News

18-year-old Carthage resident was the victim of a two-vehicle accident An 18-year-old Carthage resident was the victim of a two-vehicle accident, Monday night on Highway 70/Lebanon Highway. The victim was identified as Jonathan Tyree, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP). Two people traveling in a second vehicle were also injured in the accident. Injured…

COVID CASES IN SCHOOLS DOWN SOME As students and school staff reported back to school from the Christmas and New Year’s break, the number of COVID-19 cases were down. However, Director of Schools Barry Smith, warned school board members during their January meeting last Tuesday night the number COVID cases was on the rise. Last…

RESCUE SQUAD DISPATCHED TO LAKE FOR MEDICAL ASSIST The county rescue squad was deployed to the Sullivans Bend area to aid a man who fell ill while on recreational outing on the Cordell Hull Lake. The man was on an Island in the Cordell Hull Lake by himself when he became in dire need of…

HEROIN, METH LOCATED; TWO PEOPLE CHARGED The sheriff’s department has charged two people after an investigation led to the discovery of a large amount of heroin and methamphetamine. The two people charged were planning to meet up and “party” at a local motel when law enforcement officers made the arrest. K-9 officer Sgt. Junior Fields,…

SUSPECT FACES MULTIPLE CHARGES FOR PHOTOGRAPHING MINOR IN BATHROOM An investigation into a Murfreesboro man for allegedly secretly photographing minors inside a bathroom at a cheerleading and athletic venue continues this week. Andrew Wayne Halford, 32, was charged by the Smith County Sheriff’s Department with three counts of unlawful photographing of a minor and especially…

TWO CHARGED IN BRUSH CREEK DRUG ARREST Sheriff’s department officers located a number of illegal drugs following the search of a residence near the Brush Creek area. Officers went to a Northfield Lane residence on January 6. According to an offense report filed by K-9 officer Sgt. Junior Fields, two ounces of marijuana, two grams…

 ARRESTS MADE IN BUY/BUST OPERATION The sheriff’s department’s K-9 units made two arrests during a “buy bust” operation. The operation began when a man agreed to deliver an ounce of methamphetamine for $600 to an undercover officer. The drug deal was to take place in the parking area at the Smith County Welcome Center (Buffalo…

CAGES BEND HOUSE DESTROYED BY FIRE Fire destroyed a house in the Cages Bend community, Thursday morning. The fire was reported around 10:32 a.m. at 60 Murrah Lane. The single story, vinyl sided house was fully involved when discovered. Riddleton/Dixon Springs and Central District fire departments were dispatched to the fire. The house and its…

SECOND DEGREE MURDER CHARGE FILED Second degree murder charges have been filed against a man who allegedly provided illegal drugs to an individual who was discovered at a Pleasant Shade Highway residence. Bailey Alexander Underwood, 24, Lebanon, has been indicted on two counts of second degree murder. Underwood is charged in connection with the death…

CARTHAGE COUNCIL PLANS TO DISCUSS SPEED LIMITS The Carthage City Council will be reviewing speed limits throughout the city in the coming weeks. During the council’s January meeting Thursday night, the issue surfaced as a new business item presented by Mayor Sarah Marie Smith as a “request from residents to change the speed limit on…