Man Still Hospitalized in Critical Condition One Week After His Car Hits and Kills Horse on Highway 70

December 1, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A week ago a Smithville man was seriously injured after his car struck and killed a horse on Highway 70 at Snow Hill. 20 year old Jose Torres remains in critical condition at Vanderbilt Hospital.

According to Trooper Chris Meness of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Torres was traveling west going down Snow Hill in a 2020 Ford Fusion last Tuesday night around 9:30 p.m. when he came upon a horse standing in the roadway. Although Torres hit his brakes trying to avoid a collision the car struck the horse causing the animal to crash through the windshield seriously injuring Torres. The car then crossed the eastbound lanes of Highway 70 and went across Driver Lane before hitting a guard rail and coming to a stop.

Torres was airlifted from near the scene and flown to Vanderbilt Hospital.

According to authorities, there were three horses in the road at the time of the crash which caused a separate accident at the same time and place.

THP Lieutenant Billy Prater reported that 32 year old Alexandra Hancock of Smithville was traveling east on Highway 70 in a 2001 Chevy Tahoe when she hit a horse which was standing in the road. Hancock told the officer that she tried to avoid hitting the horse but was unable to do so. After impact, Hancock pulled to the shoulder of the road to wait for law enforcement officers to arrive. Hancock was not injured.

December 1, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A Sparta man was found with methamphetamine during a recent traffic stop by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.

46 year old Marty Eugene Lance of Sparta is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver and driving on a revoked/suspended license. He was further cited for improper passing. He is under a $75,000 bond and his court date is December 10.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on November 24 a detective pulled over a white 1995 Ford F-350 dually truck on Nashville Highway for passing a vehicle on a double yellow line. Lance, the driver, has a revoked license. After he consented to a search of his truck, the detective found a magnetic box under the bed of the truck which contained three baggies of a crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine. The baggies weighed 0.28 ounces, 0.43 ounces, and 1.03 ounces. Along with the narcotics were digital scales. Lance’s driver license was revoked on March 25, 1992 due to several DUIs and other offenses.

A total of $121 in cash and Lance’s truck were seized in the investigation.

42 year old James Frederick Summers of Rock Island is charged with theft of property and burglary. His bond is $9,500 and he will be in court December 10.

Sheriff Ray said that on June 30 Summers broke into a white 1994 Jeep on Midway Road and took a Sony Explode radio, a chrome/orange 300 watt amp, 2-12 inch kicker subs in a box, and a black DOT motorcycle helmet. Total value of the stolen items is $500.

67 year old Matthew Edwin Riihimaa of Captain’s Point Road, Silver Point is charged with domestic assault and violation of an order of protection. His bond totals $8,000 and he will make a court appearance on the charges December 10 & 17.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 27 a deputy responded to a 911 domestic assault call from a residence on Captain’s Point Road. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Rhiihimaa and the victim and learned through a further investigation that Rhiihimaa had assaulted the woman by forcibly grabbing her left arm and pushing her down on the couch all the while verbally threatening her. The couple had been in a domestic relationship and he was determined to have been the primary aggressor. A records check through central dispatch revealed that the victim in this case had an active order of protection against Rhiihimaa and that he was in violation of the order by coming to the woman’s home and assaulting her.

Two days later, on November 29 a deputy was called back to the woman’s home due to an unwanted guest. Upon arrival the officer found Rhiihimaa asleep in an upstairs bedroom and he was there in violation of the order of protection.

48 year old Candida Faye Davidson of Eagle Creek Road, Smithville is charged with a violation of a no contact order. Her bond is $2,500 and she will be in court December 10.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 25 a deputy was called to a residence on Frosty Point Road, Dowelltown due to reports of a woman possibly being assaulted. Upon arrival the officer found Davidson and another woman and he learned through central dispatch that Davidson was under a Wilson County no contact order to keep away from this woman. Davidson was placed under arrest.

40 year old Donald Glen Bain of Ferrell Road, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court December 3.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 23 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Ferrell Road due to an unwanted guest. Upon arrival he spoke with Bain who said that he and his sister had gotten into an argument over a gun. The deputy then went to a separate residence on Ferrell Road and spoke to the woman who said that she had gone to Bain’s home because he had previously been screaming at her over the phone. During the encounter between the two, the woman said that Bain pushed her and that she pushed back. Bain then hit her. The woman had a cut to her forehead and her left eye was swollen.

19 year old Dylan Cripps of Cubbins Road, Dowelltown is cited for simple possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 25 an officer spotted Cripps traveling 60 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour speed zone. He pulled over the vehicle and spoke with Cripps who surrendered a blunt that contained marijuana.

November 30, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville Christmas Parade is this Saturday, December 5 starting at 4 p.m. on South Congress Boulevard near the New Life Connection Center. The lineup begins at 3 p.m.

Christmas on the Square will follow the parade.

The parade is organized each year by the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department.

Chief Charlie Parker said the line up will be a little different this year.

“We will line up at the New Life Connection Center on South Congress Boulevard and they have agreed to let us use their parking lot to give people more room to social distance on South Congress Boulevard in front of the County Complex and Food Lion on both sides of the road”.

“No registration fee is required and you don’t have to call ahead. Just show up at 3 p.m. and we will put you in line,” said Chief Parker.

“The horses and vintage cars will line up on West Bryant Street as in the past and we will put them in the parade at the light (West Bryant/South Congress Intersection). We will not permit four wheelers in the parade but side-by-sides may enter with licensed drivers”.

“ The parade will travel down Congress Boulevard but this year it will turn onto East Main Street at the traffic right by the post office into the public square instead of Don Cantrell Street due to the police department building construction. The parade will then make its way around the courthouse,” added Chief Parker.

Parade participants may throw candy to the crowd but we are asking people to social distance as much as possible, to stay with your family or small groups, and to wear masks, especially in crowded areas,” he said.

Santa will be available at city hall after the parade at around 5 p.m.

Chamber Director Suzanne Williams says, “Everyone involved in the Christmas on the Square event wants to make this special night as safe as possible. We encourage everyone to wear face masks. The Chamber will be providing FREE ‘Keeping DeKalb County Safe’ face masks to all attendees. Look for us on the courthouse lawn.”

Here are the latest updates.

* Magical “Live” Windows – Many of our downtown business/office windows will have “live” scenes in their beautifully, decorated windows from 5 to 6 PM. YOU CAN VOTE for your favorite “Live” Display Window. Just take a picture and post your favorite on the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber Facebook Page. The live display window with the “Most Likes” will get points added to the judges’ tally sheet. Chamber Director Suzanne Williams and Smithville Mayor Josh Miller will be presenting 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places along with a “Chamber Choice” award for the “Live Window” contest. Mayor Miller is personally donating $250 to the top winning store’s favorite charity.

*Christmas Shopping at our Fabulous Downtown Stores – It’s the perfect night to work on that Christmas list! There will be lots of specials and extended hours making it a great night to pick out wonderful and unique gifts! Make sure you have picked up a FREE face mask provided by the Chamber to help keep yourself and others safe.

* Smithville City Hall – Festive outdoor Christmas lights on the outside with cookies to eat and decorations to see on the inside. For safety precautions, folks will enter the City Hall building through the Smithville Police Department entrance on the south side of the building and exit through the front main entrance. Going one direction will help people to maintain social distancing and no face-to-face contact.

* Chamber FREE Outdoor Drive-In Movie – “Its a Wonderful Life” will be showing beginning around 7 PM. The drive-in will be located on Church Street close to Smithville First Baptist Church. Bring your own popcorn and snacks. People will be there to show you where to park.

* DeKalb Courthouse – Due to safety concerns, the courthouse will not be open this year. Large Christmas trees will be decorated on both sides of the exterior of the courthouse. You will be able to view the beautifully decorated interior trees, as well, through the glass.

*Justin-Potter Library – The library elves will be set up outside and handing out pre-bagged crafts for children to make at home.

*Smithville Electric – The lights will be shining bright at Evins Park’s Open-Air Stage beautifully decorated by Smithville Electric employees.

*DeKalb Animal Shelter Pet Photos with Santa – Beginning at 5 PM for a $10 donation, you can have your pet’s photo made with Santa. The location is 301 N. Public Square at the office of Attorney Gayla Hendrix.

We hope everyone can attend this year’s Smithville Parade at 4 PM and stay for the enjoyable and heartwarming Christmas on the Square event at 5 PM!

TN Department of Health Event Guidelines to reduce the spread of Covid-19:
Before you attend this event:

•If you are sick, please stay home. If anyone in your group is feeling sick, they should stay home.

•If you have been exposed to or have had direct contact with anyone with Covid-19 within the last 14 days, please stay home.

When attending this event:

•Please wear a mask at all times.
•Keep 6 feet distance from others, even outdoors.
•Do not eat or drink without washing or sanitizing your hands, especially if you have touched door handles or other common surfaces.

After attending this event, please monitor your health over the next 2 weeks. Symptoms often take 5-14 days to appear. Please have a safe and healthy December!

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