Area News

SCHOOLS’ COMPUTER SYSTEM HIT BY RANSOMWARE FBI CALLED IN TO INVESTIGATE CYBER CRIME School officials say no sensitive information was compromised when the county school’s computer system was hit by ransomeware over the summer break. Meanwhile, as teachers and students report back from summer vacation this week, school officials aren’t anticipating any major problems with…

TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO DRUG CHARGES A traffic stop made by a sheriff’s department deputy led to drug charges. River Wayne McLemore, 20, Pleasant Shade was charged with manufacture/delivery/sale of a controlled substance and felony possession of drug paraphernalia on July 15. According to an offense report filed by Sgt. Junior Fields, the officer stopped…

SCHOOL BOARD GIVE DIRECTOR HIGH RATINGS Director of Schools Barry Smith continues to receive high job performance ratings from school board members. Despite three new school board members being elected last year, the director’s overall job performance rating continues to be “excellent”. In the latest review, the director scored 91 percent. A score of 81…

CARTHAGE, GORDONSVILLE, SO. CARTHAGE – NO CITY PROPERTY TAX HIKE Property tax rates for the three cities and county have been finalized for 2019. With budgets approved, the property tax rates in the county’s three cities remain unchanged from last year. This is good news for residents who live in the three towns. Residents who…

STUDENTS REPORT BACK TO SCHOOL NEXT WEEK Students will be reporting back to school from summer break for a half day session next week to begin the 2019-2020 school year. A half-day session will be on Friday, August 2. The first full day for students is Tuesday, August 6. Teachers report back for in-service training…

ROADBLOCKS AT CARTHAGE INTERSECTION TEMPORARILY HALTED The Carthage City Council has taken action to temporarily halt fund-raising roadblocks at an intersection on the west end of town because of safety issues. Concerns have been raised about the safety of children being in the roadway at the intersection of Highway 25 (Dixon Springs Highway) and Industrial…

SALE TAX HOLIDAY THIS WEEKEND One of the most popular shopping weekends of the year will take place this week. The annual sales tax holiday will take place from Friday, July 26 through Sunday, July 28. During the holiday period, shoppers can save nearly 10 percent on more than 150 different items, including clothing, school supplies…

SOME NON-PROFIT DONATIONS CUT BY COUNTY Funding for several non-profit organizations was either eliminated or reduced with the county’s budget crisis. Cuts came during the commission’s July meeting held Monday night, July 8, when the 2019-2020 fiscal year budget was approved and the property tax rate set at $2.73. During this year’s budget discussions, some…

SITE OF TRAGIC CRASH MARKED A new historical marker has been erected commemorating the tragic train wreck at the railroad track intersection with Highway 141 near Stewart’s Bend. Ten members of the Bennett family were killed in the accident which occurred in April 1949. All of the individuals killed in the accident lived in the…

MURDER SUSPECTS IN COURT Two suspects charged with first degree murder in the death of a South Carthage man have entered not guilty pleas. Appearing before Judge John Wootten, Kenneth S. McDonald, 46, White House, entered a not guilty plea, on Monday (July 1). McDonald is represented by Lebanon attorney Frank Lannon. McDonald and two…