Woodbury Man Charged with Burglary and Theft at DeKalb West School

September 17, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

A 33 year old Woodbury man is charged with burglary and theft at DeKalb West School last week and taking items worth $16.50.

Robert Anthony Taylor is under a $6,500 bond and his court date is September 27.

According to the warrant, Taylor admitted to entering the school on Monday, September 10 and taking a bag of chips, sport drink, T-shirt, and $5.00. The total value of the items taken came to $16.50

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Seagate Crystal Reports REPOR.pdf

September 17, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

One of Smithville’s most popular restaurants is closing.

Karen Carpenter, owner and operator of Sundance Restaurant and Catering, has decided to retire after being in business for 34 years.

“I have been trying to sell for a few years and although I have had interest nobody has bought (the business) and I am getting older and weary. It’s just time for me to quit,” said Carpenter.

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The business began in 1984 in the Town and Country Shopping Center (what is now the county complex) but relocated to downtown three years later.

“After the move I expanded my service to offer a larger dining area to serve more food. I decided to be open on Friday and Saturday nights and to offer things that were not available at the time. At that time there were no Mexican or Chinese restaurants so I served some Mexican and Chinese food. I still serve a little bit of that but not as much as I used to. At that time you couldn’t buy a prime rib or ribeye steak dinner here and I did that. Of course I made my homemade desserts and still do,” said Carpenter.

Although the variety of homemade menu offerings at Sundance has kept patrons returning for more over the years, Carpenter said she is perhaps best known for her hickory smoked chicken and the Karen salad.

“The hickory smoked chicken has been a standard of our restaurant. Something else that became very popular as well is our Karen salad which has smoked chicken on it. I started out just making it for myself but I put it on the menu one day and pretty soon I had to start making the chicken just to put it on the Karen salad. It’s been very popular,” said Carpenter.

Karen said her plans in retirement are to spend more time with her family, travel, be more involved with church activities, and maybe author a cook book.

“I like to travel. I am involved in my church and the activities there. My grandchildren and my son are living in Virginia and my daughter lives near Chattanooga. I want to spend more time with them but I don’t want to leave Smithville. I really love it here. I have also had many requests to write a cook book so that is on my to do list,” Carpenter continued.

Karen said she appreciates all her customers and employees and will miss them.

“Thank you Smithville. It’s been a wonderful 34 years. I’ll miss you,”she concluded.

September 17, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Two women were treated and released from Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital after a two car crash Monday afternoon on Highway 70 west of Sligo Bridge.

Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said 41 year old Rachel Acker of Sparta was traveling west in a 2000 Buick Century when she lost control while negotiating a curve causing the car to rotate and cross the center line into the path of an eastbound 2012 Ford Fiesta driven by 23 year old Breanna Tarpley of Auburntown. The impact forced the Buick into the eastbound ditch.

Both women were transported by DeKalb EMS to the hospital. Acker was cited for failure to exercise due care and for not updating her driver license after moving to Tennessee from Michigan.

Meanwhile, one woman was also treated and released in a Sunday night wreck on Highway 70 east of Sligo bridge.

Trooper Sean Tramel said 69 year old Jo Ann Joanzusin of Baxter was traveling west in a 2004 Hyundai Sonata when she lost control on a curve, went off the highway, and struck a rock bluff. She was transported by DeKalb EMS to Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital where she was treated and released.

Members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department and DeKalb Sheriff’s Department also responded to both wrecks.