News
DeKalb Local Option Sales Tax Collections for August better than July
September 22, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
DeKalb County’s local option sales tax collections for August were up from July and significantly better than August 2023 when the sales tax holiday was in place on groceries.
According to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, DeKalb County took in $236,526 in local option sales taxes for August 2024, up from $206,432 in July. Collections for August 2023 were $106,885.
Local option sales tax collections in August were also up in two of the four municipalities in the county compared to July.
In Smithville, August 2024 collections were at $420,810, up from $407,834 in July.
Alexandria ‘s collections went from $30,662 in July down to $26,314 in August
In Dowelltown, collections were $3,567 in August, up from $3,215 in July.
Liberty’s collections went down from $27,373 in July to $17,113 in August
Net collections of local option sales taxes for the county and cities combined in August were at $704,332 compared to $647,918 in July.
August collections reflect the previous month’s activity.
A Day On the Farm
September 22, 2024
By: Leigh Fuson
Over 200 DeKalb County third graders, their teachers, and some family members traveled to Herndon Farms last Wednesday for Farm Bureau’s annual Farm Day. While on the field trip, students got to see first-hand where their food and clothing comes from, along with the work that goes into producing it. Precious natural resources were also featured. Students experienced livestock animals, crops, machinery, wildlife, forestry, and more. Students used all their senses to experience life on the farm. From touching animals and shelling corn to tasting butter they made from cream, it was a great learning tool. They even saw how technology affects today’s agriculture through electricity and internet. Most kids are now several generations removed from the farm. This experience helps them realize that food doesn’t just appear in the grocery store. They can learn from and ask questions directly to farmers and ag industry leaders.
Farm Bureaus across the state sponsor Farm Day for their respected counties. What makes DeKalb County’s so special is that it is held on a real, working farm. Students take a hayride tour in addition to all the learning stations. A special thanks goes to the Herndon family for hosting this event each year. In addition, thanks goes to the following supporters and volunteers: DeKalb Young Farmers and Ranchers, DeKalb 4-H and FFA, USDA Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, DeKalb Soil and Water Conservation District, TN Forestry Dept., DeKalb County UT/TSU Extension, TN Wildlife Resources Agency, DeKalb County Fire Dept., DTC, Caney Fork Electric, Edgar Evins State Park, Army Corps of Engineers, DeKalb/Rutherford Farmers Co-op, Tisdale Dairy Farm, Middle TN Natural Gas Project Hometown Help, Prichard Foods, and numerous other individual volunteers. The day would not be possible without each of you. Thanks also goes to DeKalb County Schools and staff for allowing students to participate in this wonderful tradition.
Homeless Camp Charges Brought Against Two for Criminal Trespassing and Aggravated Criminal Littering
September 22, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
Smithville Police have made two arrests for criminal trespassing and aggravated criminal littering for setting up a homeless camp on private property and refusing to leave.
38-year-old Memory Staggs of Smithville and 29-year-old Earnest Dodd, Jr. are each charged in the case. Chief Mark Collins said that on September 9 officers were summoned to wooded property on Bright Hill Road due to a large homeless camp on the property without the owner’s consent. Police advised Staggs and Dodd to clean up and vacate the property within four days or they would be charged with criminal trespassing. Police returned four days later and found Staggs and Dodd still there and no effort had been made to clean up the property. Staggs and Dodd were placed under arrest due to the shear amount of garbage still on the property. Bond for each was set at $7,500 and their court date is September 26.
52 year old Leslie Ann Haley of Peeler Hill Road, Smithville is charged with indecent exposure and public intoxication. Chief Collins said that on September 7 police received a call of an unwanted guest at 600 East Broad Street. Upon arrival officers found Haley to be very unsteady on her feet and her speech was slurred. She smelled of alcohol and admitted to having been drinking. While speaking with the police, Haley pulled up her shirt exposing herself to the public. Bond was set at $5,000.
43-year-old Kurtis Lee Hanson of Evergreen Lane, Smithville is charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest. Chief Collins said that on September 4 police received a call of an intoxicated person on Evergreen Lane. Upon arrival officers confronted Hanson in the driveway of a residence. His speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. He smelled of alcohol and admitted to having been drinking. Hanson became belligerent and refused to cooperate with officers when told to turn around and place his hands behind his back. Hanson was subsequently taken to the ground and placed in custody. His bond was set at $5,500.
40-year-old Shaun Jermaine Soloman of North Carolina is charged with simple possession. According to Chief Collins, officers responded to a traffic accident at Dollar Tree and confronted Soloman who smelled of marijuana. A subsequent search was conducted and a small bag of a green leafy substance was found on him believed to be marijuana.
40 year old Jackie Marie Goff of Four Seasons Road is charged with possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Goff was also cited for driving in the wrong lane and for driving while in possession of meth. Chief Collins said that during a traffic stop, Goff, the driver was found in possession of 7.95 grams of a clear crystal substance which tested positive for methamphetamine. A clear glass pipe was also recovered which was covered with a crystal like substance. Her bond was set at $52,000.
49-year-old Darrell Crook of Smithville is charged with domestic assault. Chief Collins said that on September 3 police responded to a residence at 3rd Street due to a domestic incident in progress. Upon arrival officers found that Crook had gotten into an argument with his mother over her medication that became physical. Physical evidence was found indicating an assault on the victim. Crook was placed into custody. Bond was set at $3,500.
65-year-old Ricky Tramel of Smithville is charged with theft. According to Chief Collins, police responded to a local car dealership on September 3 in reference to a stolen vehicle. Upon arrival, officers reviewed video from the business and identified Tramel as a suspect. He was later stopped on Short Mountain Highway in the stolen vehicle and taken into custody. Bond was set at $8,000.
42-year-old Daniel Jose of McMinnville is charged with driving under the influence and cited for financial responsibility and driving on roadways laned for traffic. Chief Collins said that on September 4 an officer pulled over a vehicle on West Broad Street for failing to maintain its lane of travel. As the officer confronted the driver, Jose he noticed his speech to be slurred and Jose smelled of alcohol. Jose submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He was taken into custody. Bond was set at $2,500.
32-year-old Dustin Summers of Smithville is charged with public intoxication, possession of a schedule II drug, possession of a handgun while under the influence, tampering with evidence and violation of an order of protection.
According to Chief Collins, police were dispatched to College Street on September 4 where a man was observed entering several vehicles. Upon arrival, police confronted a man matching the description and while speaking with him, Summers, they detected signs of impairment. During a routine pat down search for weapons, officers found a loaded Glock.48 caliber pistol in Summers’ waistband. Also within reach was an AR-15 rifle in the passenger seat. During a further investigation, police discovered that Summers had an active order of protection prohibiting him from being in possession of any firearms. While police were on the scene, Summers tried to throw away a black bag that contained a baggie of an off-white residue which field tested positive for Fentanyl. Summers was placed in custody. His bond was set at $29,500.
21-year-old Lance Heatherly of Smithville is charged with domestic assault and resisting arrest. Chief Collins said that on September 14 police responded to Estes Street due to a domestic incident in progress. Upon arrival, officers found physical evidence of an assault and determined that Heatherly was the primary aggressor. When told he was being placed under arrest, Heatherly said he was not going to jail and physically resisted being handcuffed. Bond was set at $8,500.
