Man Caught Driving a Stolen Truck After Law Enforcement Pursuit

February 7, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A man caught driving a stolen truck after a law enforcement pursuit last week will be in court next week on several charges.

23-year-old Jesse Glenn Ferrell of Walker Drive, Smithville is under a $56,000 bond on charges of evading arrest by a motor vehicle, tampering with evidence, reckless endangerment, and driving on a revoked license. He was further cited for possession of a Schedule VI drug (Marijuana) and possession of drug paraphernalia. His court date is February 16.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on January 30 a deputy spotted a 1994 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Ferrell that he knew had been reported stolen from a local car dealer. As the deputy activated his blue lights and sirens, Ferrell sped up trying to evade arrest and at times crossed over onto the wrong side of the road at a high rate of speed almost hitting oncoming vehicles. During the pursuit, which began on Short Mountain Road in DeKalb County and ended in Cannon County, the officer observed Ferrell throwing things out of the truck window. The deputy later recovered those items which included two plastic containers with a white residue believed to be narcotics. After taking Ferrell into custody, officers learned that his driver license was revoked due to a May 2020 DUI in Alabama. Ferrell was also found to be in possession of 0.37 grams of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana and a marijuana grinder.

A man who tried to avoid being arrested by hiding in a neighbor’s boat under a tarpaulin has a date with the judge.

36 year old Kenny Waymon Dyal of Floyd Drive, Smithville is charged with evading arrest. His bond is $6,000 and he will be in court February 9.

Sheriff Ray said that on January 25 as a deputy was trying to serve a warrant on him, Dyal came out of his home and ran to a neighbor’s residence, although he was repeatedly warned by the officer to stop. Dyal tried to evade arrest by hiding in a boat under a tarpaulin.

35 year old Joshua Lynne Batey of Parkway Drive, Smithville is charged with sale and delivery of a schedule VI drug (marijuana). His bond is $7,500 and he will make a court appearance February 16.

Sheriff Ray said that on January 25 detectives went to Batey’s home to assist others with a probation search of Batey. Inside the bathroom of the master bedroom, the detectives found two clear jars containing five baggies of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana which weighed a total of 4.65 ounces along with a marijuana grinder which was in the bathroom.

49 year old David Stewart Harris of Possum Hollow Road, Dowelltown is charged with burglary and theft of property. His bond totals $6,500 and he will be in court February 9.

Sheriff Ray said that on January 19 Harris broke into a storage unit on Nashville Highway and stole two air conditioners and several children toys with a total value of $770. Harris later turned in the stolen items to law enforcement officers.

54-year-old William Andy Cantrell of Adcock Cemetery Road is charged with driving on a revoked/suspended license.  He was further cited for simple possession of schedule II (methamphetamine) & VI (marijuana) drugs. His bond is $3,500 and he will make a court appearance on February 16. Sheriff Ray said that on January 31 a deputy spotted Cantrell operating a motor vehicle. Knowing Cantrell’s license were revoked the officer stopped him and confirmed his record of the offense through central dispatch and the National Crime Information Center.  Cantrell also gave the deputy consent to search the vehicle and found were 0.47 grams of a crystal-like substance in a pill bottle along with 7.04 grams of a green leafy substance.

Cantrell was arrested again three days later on February 3 for driving on a revoked license. His bond on that charge is $5,000 and he will be in court February 16. Sheriff Ray said that a deputy was traveling on Jacobs Pillar Road when he saw Cantrell driving a gray Ford vehicle. Knowing that Cantrell’s license were revoked the officer stopped him and confirmed through central dispatch and the National Crime Information Center that his license was revoked.

41-year-old Tommy Jerome Bates of Foster Road, Smithville is charged with misuse of the 911 phone system and resisting arrest. His bond totals $6,000 and he will make a court appearance February 9.

Sheriff Ray said that Bates called central dispatch by dialing 911 on January 30 to report that he had a problem, but he actually did not have an emergency. Bates continued to call 911 up to seven times even after being warned that he could be charged criminally for the offense if it continued. While trying to serve the warrant, officers entered Bates’ home and ordered him to put his hands behind his back. When he resisted, Bates was forcibly handcuffed and placed in custody.

40-year-old Carlos Edward Stiff of Nashville Highway, Dowelltown is charged with a 2nd offense of driving under the influence. His bond is $6,000 and he will make a court appearance February 16.

Sheriff Ray said that on February 5 a deputy was summoned to the Dollar General Store on Cookeville Highway where a man was passed out in a vehicle. Upon arrival the officer found the man, Stiff passed out in the driver’s seat. After he was awakened, Stiff was asked to submit to field sobriety tasks. He complied but performed poorly. Stiff, who was convicted of a 2022 DUI in Putman County, smelled of alcohol and was unaware of his whereabouts.

February 7, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Should DeKalb County adopt a property tax freeze for eligible senior citizens?

County Mayor Matt Adcock wants to make that happen and will propose that the county commission adopt a resolution authorizing it at the next regular monthly meeting on February 27.

“I want to give senior citizens that are at the poverty level the opportunity to keep paying the property tax rate they are paying now because I know going forward DeKalb County is growing and we have talked about building a school and a jail so with that possibly forthcoming I wanted to do something to ease the property tax burden on senior citizens with fixed incomes even if we have to increase the property tax rate at some point in the future,” County Mayor Adcock told WJLE.

In November 2006, Tennessee voters approved an amendment to Article II, Section 28 of the Tennessee Constitution giving the General Assembly the authority by general law to authorize counties and/or municipalities to implement a local option property tax freeze for taxpayers 65 years of age or older.

In its 2007 session, the 105th General Assembly enacted the Property Tax Freeze Act which establishes the tax freeze and authorizes the legislative body of any county and/or municipality to adopt the property tax freeze program. The Act became effective on July 1, 2007.

Under the program, homeowners qualifying for the program would have the property taxes on their principal residence (up to five acres) frozen at a base tax amount, which is the amount of taxes owed in the year they first qualify for the program. Thereafter, as long as the owner continues to qualify for the program, the amount of property taxes owed for that property generally would not change, even if there is a property tax rate increase or county-wide reappraisal.

In order to qualify, the homeowner must file an application annually and must:

·Own their principal place of residence in a participating county and/or city

·Be 65 years of age or older by the end of the year in which the application is filed

·Have an income from all sources that does not exceed the county income limit established for that tax year which for DeKalb County is $33,460 for tax year 2023.

In counties or municipalities participating in the Tax Freeze Program, an application may be made annually to the County Trustee or city collecting official.

The state Comptroller’s Office will calculate the income limit for each county annually using a formula outlined in state law.

Situations, where the base tax amount would change for a homeowner, are:

·When improvements are made to the property resulting in an increase in its value

·When the homeowner sells their home and purchases another residence

The tax freeze is available only on the principal place of residence of the qualifying homeowner located in a participating county or city.

February 7, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Building permit fees are going up in the City of Smithville.

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the Aldermen adopted on first reading an ordinance to amend the current schedule of permit fees for building, mechanical, and plumbing upon the recommendation of the city’s building codes inspector Lewis Bryant.

Currently, building permits are calculated based on $80 per square foot cost for a single-family dwelling. Under this ordinance, the fee would increase to $120 per square foot cost. For example, the cost of a building permit for a 1,953 square foot structure would increase from the current fee of $694.10 to $951.50.

Mechanical permits currently include a $30 base fee for the first $1,000 and $3 for each additional thousand dollars. The new base fee would go to $50 for the first $1,000 and $5 for each additional thousand dollars.

The cost of a plumbing permit currently includes a $20 base fee plus $3.50 per fixture. The new plumbing permit would consist of a $40 base fee plus $5.00 per fixture.

According to the ordinance amendment, the final building permit valuation shall be set by the building official and may be adjusted upon current data provided by the International Code Council where applicable.

The ordinance amendment also establishes a $100 fee for consultation or inspection not otherwise covered by a building, mechanical, or plumbing permit.

Second and final reading of the ordinance will be scheduled at the next meeting of the Mayor and Aldermen following a public hearing in March.

In other business, Mayor Josh Miller announced that Travis Holland has been hired to work at the sewer plant. He will have to be employed for a year before he can earn his certification for the position. The aldermen voted to approve the hiring of Holland.

Meanwhile, the aldermen approved the re-appointment of Renee Steff and Bert Driver to the Smithville Industrial Development Board. Their terms are for two years.

The aldermen also adopted on first reading an ordinance to rezone the Carol Buchanan property from R-1 residential to C-1 commercial located at State Route 56 and Jennings Lane near the Smithville Church of the Nazarene. The action was taken upon the recommendation of the Smithville Planning Commission. Second and final reading action on the rezoning ordinance will be scheduled following a public hearing at the next meeting in March.

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