Area News

‘OPERATION SPRING BREAK’ ARRESTS CONTINUE Law enforcement authorities are in the process of locating approximately 45 people who face illegal drug sales and other charges in connection with the Fifteenth Judicial District Drug Task Force’s Operation Spring Break. Charges stem from an undercover investigation which was has been ongoing for about a year and was…

CHARGES AFTER SUSPECT PASSES OUT IN RESTAURANT A man, who reportedly passed out at a Carthage restaurant, faces illegal drug sales charges. Jordan J. Pickerell, 24, Carthage, is charged with manufacture/delivery/sale of a schedule IV drug by Carthage Police The investigation began when Detective Tommy Profitt and patrolman Jordan Martin were dispatched to McDonalds where…

SM CO BOE DISCUSS ‘HIRE LOCAL FIRST’ POLICY School officials are debating adoption of a policy placing an emphasis on giving locals priority in filling vacant teaching positions within the school system. If established, the new policy would give local teachers a preference in filling a position without being discriminatory to those outside the school…

SCHS TOP TEN Matthew Thomas Davis is valedictorian and Tristan Nicole Nixon is salutatorian of the 2019 graduating class of Smith County High School. Matthew Thomas Davis is the son of Mark and Bobbie Davis and the grandson of Linda Stilwell and the late Joe Stilwell; Ray Swicegood; and Ralph and Nancy Davis. Throughout his…

SHERIFF SUFFERS HEART ATTACK Sheriff Steve Hopper is back at work this week after suffering a heart attack over the weekend. Sheriff Steve Hopper said he began experiencing discomfort in his chest Friday afternoon and went to the emergency room at Riverview Regional Medical Center. After being checked by medical personnel, it was determined the…

BREAKING NEWS: APRIL INDICTMENTS By Eddie West / Staff Writer The grand jury met for its April session, Monday (April 2). The following indictments were returned: Gary T. Woodard, 60, Elmwood—possession of firearm during the commission of a felony, unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of a schedule VI drug marijuana, manufacture…

THP DISCOVERS MAN PASSED OUT IN VEHICLE ON I-40 A man was discovered naked and passed out in a vehicle on Interstate 40 by a Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Trooper. The discovery was made by Trooper Christopher Meness on March 16 at the 263 mile marker. The man was discovered in the cab of a…

SHERIFF’S DEPT. CANINE UNIT DEPLOYED A traffic stop by a sheriff’s department canine unit on Turkey Creek Highway resulted in charges being filed against a Carthage man. Sheriff’s department Sgt. Junior Fields stopped a car for a violation of registration law and speeding on Turkey Creek Highway on March 16. The vehicle was clocked traveling…

RESCUE SQUAD ROADBLOCK SATURDAY The Smith County Rescue Squad will be holding their annual road block fundraiser on Saturday, April 6 in Carthage, South Carthage and Gordonsville. The roadblock will begin at 8:00 a.m. and continue until approximately 12:00 noon. The funds collected will assist the Squad in their day-to-day operations. The entirely volunteer squad…

PROBE INTO PIPELINE EXPLOSION CONTINUES Well over three months after a natural gas pipeline explosion rocked the Pleasant Shade community, an investigation into the cause of the incident continues. While the investigation remains ongoing, an initial report of the incident has been filed with the Pipelines & Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA), a federal agency…