Smithville Police Cite Store Clerks for Illegal Sales of Beer, Cigarettes, or Vape Products to a Minor

January 18, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Clerks at seven local stores have been cited for selling beer, or cigarettes, or vape products to a minor as a result of an undercover investigation conducted recently by the Smithville Police Department.

Kimberly Rhea of Moses Discount Tobacco, Vape, and Beer on Walmart Drive, Yolanda Ruiz of Mercado Chabelita on East Broad Street, Linda Oliver of Sunoco on East Broad Street,, Brandy Jackson of Smithville Discount Wine & Spirits on East Broad Street, Shelia Herron of Jewel’s Market on South Congress Boulevard, Caroline Michaels of Save-A-Lot on South Congress Boulevard, and Diab Barham of Mid-TN Vapor Stop of East Broad Street were each cited for sale of either beer, tobacco, or vape to a person under the legal age to make the purchase. They are scheduled for a court appearance on January 26.

Police Chief Mark Collins said the investigation was conducted using an undercover minor agent to make the purchases. The action was taken based on recent public complaints.

“During the last few days, the Smithville Police Department did an undercover operation targeting establishments here in town that sold beer, cigarettes, and vapes. We have had complaints from parents and concerned citizens that some of these stores were selling to people underage. During this investigation we targeted nearly every store in town that sold beer or tobacco to the public and seven buys were made to an undercover informant. In some cases, the clerks even asked for an ID and still sold it. None of the other stores we went to sold to our undercover agent and I want to commend them for that,” said Chief Collins.

“When someone does something right, I like to brag on them and in this case, I have written out a statement to the people who did not make the illegal sale that says the following: In the past few days the Smithville Police Department has conducted undercover beer and cigarette buys within the city limits of Smithville. During this operation we found that your business was in compliance with all state laws in regard to the sale of beer and or cigarettes to minors. I want to thank you for being a responsible vendor and doing your part in keeping beer and tobacco out of the hands of our juveniles. I signed this and the mayor signed it also,” said Chief Collins.

Aside from the citations against their clerks, store owners licensed to sell alcohol by the Smithville Beer Board or Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission where these violations occurred may have to answer to those licensing authorities for the actions of their clerks.

The City of Smithville adopted a new beer ordinance in October which includes a Responsible Vendors Program that is voluntary but requires participating vendors to comply with employee training requirements. In exchange for complying with the program, certified vendors receive reduced punishments for any illegal sales to minors. Once certified, participating vendors are not subject to permit revocation or suspension upon an initial violation. Instead, they are subject to only a civil penalty not exceeding $1,000 per offense of sale to a minor or other offense. Permanent revocation will not be allowable absent two violations within a 12-month period under state law. Nonparticipating vendors face higher civil penalties. A noncompliant vendor guilty of sale to a minor is subject to suspension or revocation or a civil penalty not to exceed $2,500. These discrepancies in punishment provide a major incentive for retail vendors to become certified.

January 18, 2023
By:

A Little Free Library has been established in memory of Brenda Smith Hooper by her four grandsons.

Nana Brenda, as she was affectionately known, passed away recently but will always be remembered as the loving and caring grandmother to Aiden and Emmett, and Owen and Landon Hooper. Brenda was always eager to spend time with her grandchildren, and her love for them was evident in everything she did. Brenda’s passing leaves a void in their hearts, but the memories of all the love she had will live on forever. No doubt, they will grow up to be bookworms just like her.

The Little Free Library movement began in 2009 when Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin built a model of a one room schoolhouse as a tribute to his mother, a former teacher who loved reading. He filled it with books and put it on a post in his front yard. Neighbors and friends loved the idea and asked for their own “Little Libraries” so Todd built several more and gave them away. The movement quickly gained popularity and today there are over 100,000 Little Free Libraries in over 90 countries around the world. The goal of the Little Free Library movement is to promote literacy and a love of reading by making books accessible to everyone in a community. The libraries are typically small, freestanding boxes that contain a selection of books that are available for anyone to take or leave a book.

Brenda was a huge lover of reading and she spent 18 years on the Justin Potter Library Board. She was always striving to promote literacy in her community. The library is a way for people to continue sharing Brenda’s love of books and is open for anyone to take or leave a book. It’s a beautiful tribute to Brenda, who was an avid reader herself and is surely missed by her family and friends.

The Little Free Library is located on the southwest corner of Ann S. and Joe L. Evins Park, diagonal from Justin Potter Library. This library was approved by the Joe L. Evins Foundation.

January 17, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The Upperman Bees held off the DeKalb County Tigers 67 to 53 in a district basketball battle Tuesday night at Baxter while the Lady Tigers were dealt a 61 to 25 loss at the hands of the Lady Bees.

The Tigers drop to 10-9 on the season as the Lady Tigers slip to 10-10. Both DCHS teams are 2-4 in the district.

Upperman held an 18 to 10 advantage over the Tigers after the 1st period and led 30 to 19 by halftime. The Bees were up 46 to 32 after the 3rd period and went onto win 67 to 53.

Conner Close scored 17 followed by Zack Birmingham and Robert Wheeler each with 10. Elishah Ramos had 7 points, Alex Antoniak 4, Stetson Agee and Seth Fuson each with 2 and Ean Jones 1.

In the girls game Upperman led 15 to 14 after the 1st period but expanded their lead to 43 to 21 by halftime and held the Lady Tigers to only four points in the second half. The Upperman lead was 53 to 22 after the 3rd period and the Lady Bees went onto claim a 61 to 25 victory.

Ella VanVranken scored 19, Avery Agee 4 and Madison Martin and Chloe VanVranken each with 1.

The Bees improve to 13-4, 4-2 and the Lady Bees are now 19-3, 4-2.

DeKalb County will host Stone Memorial Friday night in Smithville. In the last meeting on December 9, the Tigers lost to the Panthers 81 to 47 but the Lady Tigers won 57 to 55 at Stone Memorial.

The Panthers are now 16-3, 6-0 and the Lady Panthers are 7-15, 0-6.

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