Forty-two arrested for bird fighting in Herkimer County

A six-month investigation by the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit in Utica and the New York State Office of the Attorney General, with assistance from the Herkimer County District Attorney’s Office, into an illegal bird-fighting operation at a barn located in the Town of Frankfort, Herkimer County, resulted in the arrest of several individuals following the execution of search warrants on Saturday, June 17, 2017.

Seized as a result of this search at a barn at Mr. P’s Landscaping, 2308 Higby Rd, Frankfort, was approximately 55 game birds commonly used for bird fighting, and over $68,000 in US currency. Investigators also seized approximately 3 ounces of heroin from a vehicle parked at this location. A subsequent search of an adjacent barn resulted in the discovery of a game bird breeding and training (more…)

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Many years ago it was a bank, but currently, the building next to the judicial center on the Murfreesboro Square is being used as an office to house the District Attorney and staff. In the 1920’s, the Murfreesboro Bank and Trust Company built the bank on the north side of the public square.

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Nancy Elizabeth King Smotherman, age 84, of Murfreesboro, TN, died Tuesday, May 30, 2017.

A native of Bedford County, TN, she was preceded in death by her parents, F.Z. King Sr. and Clatie Elizabeth Neal King; husband, Edgar Hunter Smotherman; daughter, Kimberly Dawn Smotherman; brother, Garland King; and sister, Dorothy Jean Sudberry.

Funeral services will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Tony Woodall will officiate. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

Mrs. Smotherman is survived by her children, Eddie Smotherman of Murfreesboro, Edgar Hunter Smotherman Jr. of Bell Buckle, TN, William Bruce Smotherman of Murfreesboro, and Patricia Robinson of Bell Buckle; grandchildren, Brad Smotherman and his wife Casey, and Stephanie Smotherman all of Murfreesboro; great-grandchildren, Jack and Marabeth; numerous step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren; brothers, F.Z. King Jr. and his wife Connie of Shelbyville, TN and Ernest King of Unionville, TN; along with many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Smotherman attended World Outreach Church. She was retired from General Electric. Mrs. Smotherman enjoyed flowers and mowing grass. She will be greatly missed by her family.

Visitation will be Thursday from 12 p.m. until the service time at 2 p.m. all at Woodfin Memorial Chapel.

An online guestbook is available at www.woodfinchapel.com, 615-893-5151.

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What all do you know about the city of Murfreesboro, Tennessee? I used to live in that city for almost 6 years. I lived on Greenland Drive, Highland Drive and over on the middle Tennessee State University campus. I also lived on Oak Street in a house. My first place in Murfreesboro, Tennessee that I lived was Nicks Hall at the University campus. Are you going to school there, going to move and work there or are you vacationing there?

At one point, it was one of the fastest growing cities in the state of Tennessee. And I’m sure that hasn’t changed much. It is not very far from Nashville at all. There are other smaller cities nearby, too, such as Smyrna and Lavergne. I lived in Murfreesboro the entire time, but I also worked in Smyrna and in Nashville at one point, too. The last apartment I had in Murfreesboro was at the University Terrace apartment complex.

One of my favorite haunts was the Stones. River Mall on Old Fort Parkway. I also used to work at the Steak and Shake over there. Cracker Barrel was another one of my employers in Murphysboro, Tennessee. I only attended school there for two semesters, and then I ended up transferring to Texas State later on. I did however attend Middle Tennessee State University online from Texas for 2 more semesters before transferring my credits.

Stones River Battlefield is one of the popular historical attractions in the city. My friend, who was still in high school, went to Oakland High School in Murfreesboro. Again, it is a straight shot to Nashville for many more attractions and all the nightlife there. One of the things that makes Murfreesboro so unique is it is a metropolis and still a very rustic and rural area at the same time.

On Saturday afternoon, a celebration of World Turtle Day was hosted at Barfield Crescent Park by Outdoor Murfreesboro, the outdoor programs division of Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation. The festivities were intended to inform citizens of Rutherford County about the ecosystem they live in and to specifically address problems facing the local population of box turtles, as the species, Terrapene carolina , is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as threatened with a conservation status of "vulnerable."

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Devin Bond, 16, has been missing since March 31. (Source: Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office)

MURFREESBORO, TN (WSMV) –

The search continues for a 16-year-old from Murfreesboro who disappeared on March 31.

According to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, investigators have learned that Devin Bond planned on running away and packed his clothes.

Detective Will Pinson said he learned from Bond’s friend that he expressed interest in "living as a homeless person."

Bond’s mother was sleeping when he left his house on Armor Place. His father was at work.

Bond’s mother said he took a drawstring backpack with a red and gray North Face jacket, a gray and white Nike hoodie and khaki pants with him.

While police said they do not believe foul play was involved in Bond’s disappearance, they are still working to find him.

Sheriff’s deputies and detectives, along with volunteers, searched on foot for several days after Bond went missing.

Police said they have received dozens of tips about the whereabouts of the Riverdale High School student.

Anyone with information about Bond’s whereabouts is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 615-898-7770.

Copyright 2017 WSMV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.

At Nashville school, reading overcomes challenges of language

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One person was shot multiple times in the courtyard at an apartment complex at 920 Greenland Drive in Murfreesboro. (Photo: Murfreesboro Police Department)

MURFREESBORO, TN (WSMV) –

One person was killed on Thursday after being shot multiple times in a courtyard at the Student Quarters apartment complex on Greenland Drive near the MTSU campus, Murfreesboro police said.

Police spokesman Sgt. Kyle Evans said in an email that officers responded to reports of a shooting outside the 100 building in the courtyard area at 920 Greenland Drive.

The shooting victim was taken to St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital.

Evans tweeted about 4:12 p.m. that the victim had died.

Police said witnesses described the suspect as a black male standing about 6-foot tall with a thin build and short hair. Witnesses said the suspect was wearing khaki pants, a white shirt and a black coat.

If you have information about this crime, call Crime Stopper at 615-893-STOP (7867).

Copyright 2017 WSMV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.

Mother of teenage murder suspect speaks out

A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Hollywood, FL. Woodfin Memorial Chapel in Murfreesboro, TN, is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Roach was born on Jan. 6, 1952, in Litchfield, to Victor and Mary (Lee) Roach. He married Denise, and she preceded him in death. He later married Gloria, and she survives.

He was a proud Air Force veteran who served his country as an honorable discharge in Vietnam, as well as accomplished retired postmaster.

Mr. Roach was best known for his love of his wife, children and grandchildren, John Wayne westerns, his sense of humor, fast cars, and all things Americana.

In addition to his second wife, he is survived by two daughters, Melissa and Meghan; son-in-law, Robert; stepdaughters, Dawn and Laura; three grandsons, Zachary, Myles and Zane; stepgrandchildren, Caroline and Thomas; two sisters, Barbara and Kimberly; three brothers, Butch, Paul and Timmy; as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

In addition to his first wife of 34 years and mother to his daughters, he was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, David.

Relocating to a different state can be incredibly stressful. One way to minimize some of the stress is to rent a great apartment in the area – somewhere you can really call home. Unfortunately, finding an amazing property in Murfreesboro, TN, that falls within your budget can sometimes be a challenge. What’s more, if you opt to rent an apartment in a large building block, you often have to pay monthly maintenance fees on top of your monthly rent.

If you have a detailed specification regarding the type of rental property you are seeking, contacting a reputable real estate agent in the city is perhaps the best way to find your next dream home. Real estate agents are often informed of rental properties well in advance of the public, so by contacting an agent you trust, you could get exclusive access to some real hidden gems in the Murfreesboro rental properties marketplace. In general, it is best to avoid basement apartments and ground floor flats. This is because such properties are susceptible to mold problems and they are not very secure.

Another way to find good rental properties in the area is to purchase the local weekly newspaper. Many landlords don’t advertise vacancies online or out-of-state because they are looking for tenants who are currently in the local area. Unfortunately, this can disadvantage those who are moving to the city from an out-of-state location. Thanks to the web, you might not have to buy a physical copy of a local publication; instead, you just need to know the name of the local weekly newspaper so you can visit their official website and check out the property section. That said, it’s important to make sure that you personally visit any apartment you intend to rent before signing a contract.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation responded to Murfreesboro late Wednesday afternoon after a Rutherford County Sherriff’s Office deputy shot and injured 54-year-old Jeffery Underhill.

According to TBI Public Information Officer Susan Niland, the shooting occurred around 3 p.m. in a driveway on Springs Road after a “physical altercation” between Underhill and the deputy.

Middle TN media: TBI Special Agents are responding to an officer-involved shooting, 500 block Double Springs Rd, Rutherford Co.

— Susan Niland (@TBISusanNiland) April 12, 2017

OIS involved a deputy with the Rutherford County sheriff’s office, who was not injured.

— Susan Niland (@TBISusanNiland) April 12, 2017

Underhill was transported to Vanderbilt University where his condition is unknown, while the deputy suffered “mild injuries,” according to Niland.

Neither the TBI nor Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office have released the identity of the Deputy or released whether or not the victim was armed.

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment on the shooting.

For more news, follow us at www.mtsusidelines.com, on Facebook at MTSU Sidelines and on Twitter at @Sidelines_News.

To contact News Editor Brinley Hineman, email newseditor@mtsusidelines.com.