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Public Responds to Plea for Pledges to Replace Stolen Bronze Stars from Veterans Monument

June 5, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

More than $1,400 in pledges have been made to replace six bronze stars stolen off the veteran’s memorial monument at Green Brook Park last fall.

Joyce Poss championed the cause and announced the fundraising effort last Monday during the Memorial Day program at the county complex and through a local news story on WJLE. Within two days, Poss said the public had responded with pledges totaling $1,475. The cost of the project was expected to be between $1,200 and $1,500.

Pledges and donations are still being sought.

Poss said if more money is collected than needed to replace the bronze stars then the extra money will likely be used to repair and clean the monument and to add to it names of other fallen soldiers from DeKalb County including US Army Sergeant Shannon D. Taylor who was killed in the line of duty while serving in Iraq in 2005 and US Army PFC Billy Gene Anderson who died while serving in Afghanistan in 2010. A fence with barbed wire will also be placed around the monument with a locked gate to hopefully prevent another theft.

“I need names of those wishing to make a pledge and the amount you are willing to pledge. The city will take care of getting the bronze stars ordered. All I need at this time is input and help getting this done. Any amount you can give will be appreciated,” said Poss.

Call 615-597-5164 and leave a message including your name and telephone number and Joyce will return your call.

An off duty city employee discovered the theft last September.

According to City Public Works Director Kevin Robinson, the employee was in the park and noticed that the stars were missing from the monument. Its not known exactly when the theft occurred. City officials believe whoever committed the theft used a pry bar to remove the stars .

The monument and two cannons, once located on the grounds of the former VFW Howard Gill Post 7623 on the Sparta Highway, were relocated to Green Brook Park after the Post was closed three years ago. The six sided monument stands in tribute to those from DeKalb County who lost their lives during the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Iraqi Freedom.

Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins said the Police Department is seeking tips from the public. If you have information that may help solve the crime contact Crime Stoppers at 615-464-6199.




Murphy Charged with Committing Burglary and Theft at Same Home Twice

June 4, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

A Smithville man has been arrested after allegedly breaking into and stealing from the same home twice.

21 year old Tyler Wayne Murphy of Dearman Street, Smithville is charged with two counts of aggravated burglary, theft of property under $500, and theft of property under $1,000. His bond is $15,000 and his court date is June 28.

Seagate Crystal Reports – REPOR_5.pdf (2.05 MB)

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Monday, May 21 Murphy allegedly broke into a home on Whorton Springs Road and stole a Springfield XD 40 caliber pistol valued at $500, two Springfield XD clips valued at $60, and a 20 gauge Mossberg Maverick shotgun valued at $200. The total value of the stolen items is $760.

Five days later on Saturday, May 26 Murphy allegedly broke into the same home again and stole a Bulldog holster valued at $31, nine millimeter federal ammunition valued at $15, and 40 caliber federal ammunition valued at $21. The total value of the stolen items is $67. The detectives investigating the case recovered the guns and some of the ammo and holster.

44 year old Darrell Luis Salinas of V.L. Wilson Loop, Smithville was arrested on Wednesday, May 30 after being served with a grand jury sealed indictment charging him with selling drugs. He is indicted for sale and delivery of a schedule II drug, possession for resale (2 counts), and violation of a drug free school zone (3 counts). His bond is $75,000 and he will be arraigned in criminal court June 19.

45 year old Billie Jo Morris of Foster Road, Smithville is cited for simple possession of schedule VI and II drugs. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, May 19 a deputy was called to Neal Drive on a trespassing complaint and upon arrival found Morris on the property. A subsequent consent search of her purse turned up 0.3 grams of methamphetamine and 1.8 grams of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana. Her court date is June 14.

18 year old Riley Cade Sexton of McMinnville Highway, Smithville is cited for simple possession/casual exchange. According to Sheriff Ray, a deputy was dispatched to County House Road on Monday, May 28 due to cars blocking the roadway. Upon arrival the officer spotted a white Nissan car in the roadway. The officer stopped and spoke with the driver, Sexton. After receiving consent to search the vehicle, the deputy found a Swisher Sweets container which held a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana. Sexton’s court date is June 28.

31 year old Tamara Michelle Dodson of Obie Adcock Road, Smithville and 51 year old Scott Green Pedigo of Page Lane, Smithville were arrested on Thursday, May 31.

Both are charged with the possession, manufacture, sale, or delivery of methamphetamine. Pedigo is also charged with driving under the influence and was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of the implied consent law. His bond is $5,000. Dodson was further cited for possession of a schedule V drug (Lyrica). Dodson is under a $3,500 bond. Both will make a court appearance on June 28.

Sheriff Ray said that deputies were called to a market on McMinnville Highway where the driver of a Toyota 4Runner parked at the gas pumps was observed passed out. A passenger was also in the vehicle.

Upon arrival the deputy found the driver, Pedigo slumped over onto the passenger side of the vehicle. After waking Pedigo, the officer asked him to submit to field sobriety tasks but he could not complete them due to his condition and a pelvic injury. Pedigo refused to give blood in violation of the implied consent law. Before conducting a pat down search, the deputy asked Pedigo if he had any drugs or paraphernalia on him and Pedigo produced a small baggie containing a crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine which weighed one gram. Pedigo also handed over a glass pipe he had in his left front pocket. Pedigo was then placed under arrest.

While speaking with Pedigo’s passenger, Dodson the other officer noticed that she was holding in her right hand a small baggie containing a white crystal like substance. The officer retrieved the baggie and the contents field tested positive for methamphetamine. She too was taken into custody.

41 year old Brian Bronson Roberts of Hopewell Road, Silver Point is charged with public intoxication; resisting stop, frisk , halt, arrest, or search; and vandalism under $1,000. His bond totals $7,000 and his court date is June 14.

Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, May 26 a deputy was dispatched to Midway Road due to complaints of a man dressed in a white shirt and blue jeans who was lurking behind homes in the area. Upon arrival the officer found the man, Roberts near Midway Road. The deputy observed Roberts fall into a ditch several times as he was unsteady on his feet. While being placed under arrest, Roberts resisted by trying to pull himself away from the officer. Roberts had to be taken to the ground.

Five days later on Thursday, May 31, Roberts broke a sprinkler head off the fire sprinkler system while being housed in the jail annex holding cell which flooded the cell and a portion of the booking room.

33 year old Christy Jean Martin of Frosty Point, Dowelltown is charged with an accident resulting in damage (hit and run). She was arrested on Thursday, May 31. Martin’s bond is $2,500 and her court date is June 14. Sheriff Ray said that on March 2 a deputy was dispatched to New Home Road due to a hit and run accident. Upon arrival the officer spoke with the victim who reported traveling down New Home Road when another automobile sideswiped her vehicle. According to the victim, the driver responsible for the accident, Martin got out of her vehicle and she (victim) recognized her. Martin then got back into her automobile and left the scene.

18 year old Jacob Randall Stacy of Cordell Hull Circle, Carthage is charged with assault. He is under a $3,000 bond and his court date is July 5. Sheriff Ray said that on April 11 while incarcerated at the jail, Stacy assaulted another inmate, hitting him on the head and face with his fist causing multiple bruises and abrasions. The assault was captured on the jail’s video surveillance system.

45 year old Regina Carol Valdez of Holmes Creek Road, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $3,500 and the court date is June 28. Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, June 3 a deputy responded to a residence on Holmes Creek Road due to a physical domestic in progress. Upon arrival the officer spoke with a man who reported that he and his wife, Valdez had been in an argument which became physical when she hit him on his left arm causing redness and scratch marks. Valdez was placed under arrest.

36 year old Joseph William Knuff of Alexandria is charged with a fifth offense of driving on a revoked license. He was further cited for driving on roadways laned for travel. His bond is $5,000 and his court date is June 28. Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, June 3 a deputy stopped a white Ford pickup for failing to maintain its lane of travel twice on Highway 70 west in Alexandria. The officer stopped the truck and spoke with the driver, Knuff. A check of his license through central dispatch revealed them to be revoked for a DUI in Wilson County from April 12, 2012 to April 12, 2013 with no reinstatement. Knuff also has three prior driving on revoked charges in Wilson County along with one DRL charge in Smith County with no reinstatements.




Sandra Wall to Succeed Her Father on SES Board

June 4, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Sandra Wall has been named to the Smithville Electric System Board of Directors.

She will succeed her father, the late John Robert Nixon as a member of the board. He passed away in April.

During Monday night’s monthly city council meeting, Mayor Jimmy Poss recommended that Wall be appointed to fill the remaining three years of Nixon’s unexpired term. The aldermen gave their approval. Mayor Poss said seven persons expressed an interest in the position but he did not disclose the names.

Mr. Nixon, a founding member of the Smithville Electric System Board of Directors, was reappointed to a new four year term last July.

Nixon had been a member of the SES board since it was established in 1969 and served until his death. He had been the only chairman of the board until he stepped down from that role last year.

Smithville Electric System paid tribute to Nixon by naming the new sub-station on College Street after him. The dedication was held last October.

Original members of the SES board in 1969 along with Nixon were Dr. W.E.Vanatta, John Bill Evins, Bill Maffett, and Clarence Braswell.

Members of the board today in addition to Wall are Walter Burton, Hilton Conger, Tony Hagen, and Mayor Jimmy Poss.




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