DCHS mourning the death of former Band Director Tracy Luna

November 21, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County High School is mourning the death of its beloved former Band Director.

Tracy Monroe Luna passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at the age of 48 after a 17 month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born on February 14, 1973, he grew up in Waynesboro, TN and was a 1991 graduate of Wayne County High School. He first attended college at Tennessee Technological University (TTU) where he played with the worldwide known TN Tech Tuba Ensemble (TTTE) directed by Mr. Winston Morris. He received his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Tennessee at Martin where he met his wife, Laura. Tracy spent his early career as a band director at Frank Hughes School in Clifton, TN, Lewis County High School in Hohenwald, TN, and Wayne County High School in Waynesboro, TN. The family returned to Cookeville in 2008 in order for Tracy to complete a master’s degree at TTU and work again with Mr. Morris. Tracy also attended Ball State in Muncie, IN working on another advanced degree. In 2015 after working as an adjunct for Nashville State in Cookeville, he took the position of high school band director at DeKalb County High School in Smithville, TN which he held until his cancer diagnosis in July 2020.

In addition to his band work, Tracy directed several church choirs over the years including most recently Washington Avenue Baptist Church in Cookeville and First Baptist Church in Smithville. Tracy was well enough to direct the Easter program at FBC in Smithville in April 2021. The balance of being a high school band director and a church choir director was often difficult, but Tracy very much enjoyed serving in this way to share his faith in Christ. Throughout his cancer journey, Tracy’s faith remained secure, and he found comfort in the hymns of his youth along with the power of the modern worship songs.

When the family moved to Cookeville, Tracy was finally able to be in a location where he could indulge his greatest joy – playing his tuba. While finishing his masters, he once again played with the TTTE. He is a charter member of the Southern Stars Symphonic Brass in Crossville, TN. He played with the Cookeville Community Band for several seasons and has played with the Nashville Wind Ensemble. His younger son, Victor, is taking up the mantle of low brass performance as a music major playing in the TTTE.

Like many of his generation in rural TN, Tracy grew up watching WGN-TV on cable including Chicago Cubs games in the afternoon after school. He was an avid Cubs fan, collected baseball cards for several years, was able to see at least one game in Wrigley Field, watched the Cubs actually finally win the World Series in 2016, and very much enjoyed the attention his Cubs gear would bring anywhere we traveled. Tracy will also be long remembered for his ability to rattle off a series of good “Dad jokes” (a.k.a bad puns) and as a master of deadpan humor often leaving you wondering if he was joking or not!

Tracy was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Janie Luna, and his oldest brother, Danny Ray Jones. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Laura, his sons, Benjamin (22) and Victor (18), and his older brother, Paul David (PD) Jones, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Tracy’s influence and impact as a band director, coworker, and friend reaches far beyond the walls of the classroom. Fellow musicians and especially tuba players are connected to Tracy from all parts of the world. Even if they never met in person, they connected through their love of music and performance. So many individuals have reached out to the family to share how much Tracy influenced and encouraged them at different points in their life. Tracy’s older son, Benjamin, noted that this quote from “It’s A Wonderful Life” really seems to fit: “Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”

Two events are being planned to honor Tracy’s life. The first event is a memorial service to be held December 30, 2021 at Washington Avenue Baptist Church. The service will start at 3pm with the family receiving friends starting at 1pm. Bro. Mark Gaw from WABC and Bro. Chad Ramsey from FBC-Smithville will officiate. Tracy chose cremation, and later there will be a private burial service for the family. The second event is a Celebration of Life & Music concert currently planned for February 19, 2022 where all of the music groups that were so important in Tracy’s life will be represented. Specific details will be shared at a later date.

The family would like to express special thanks to the staff at TN Oncology, Sarah Cannon Drug Development Unit, Cookeville Regional Medical Center 6th North, and Kindred Hospice – particularly Mr. Garrett Hawkins – for the care and support given to Tracy throughout this time.

In lieu of flowers for the memorial service, the family asks you to support one or more of these organizations but especially the scholarship fund:

DeKalb County High School – Tracy M. Luna Memorial Scholarship Fund. This scholarship will be for a graduate of DCHS planning on majoring in music or music education or was a band member. Please send your donations to:

DeKalb County High School
ATTN: Tracy M. Luna Scholarship Fund
1130 West Broad Street
Smithville, TN 37166

You may contact Mrs. Jenny Norris, Assistant Principal at DCHS for any additional information needed.

Southern Stars Symphonic Brass Band – Tracy was a charter member of this group, and it was one of his greatest joys to play with them. Contribution’s support keeping this group financially viable and also supporting instrumental music in Cumberland County. Please send donations to:
Southern Stars Symphonic Brass

Attn: Dwight Wages
361 Rotherham Drive
Crossville, TN 38558

You may also support this organization by attending their concerts throughout the year.
Cookeville Community Band – Tracy and his band director pals all play in this group. They offer terrific concerts in Dogwood Park all summer long. Contribution’s support keeping this group financially viable and providing free concerts to the Cookeville area community. Please send donations to:

Cookeville Community Band
P.O. Box 194
Cookeville, TN 38503-0194

December 28, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A visit from the governor and state education commissioner, a murder trial, a change of principals at DCHS, and the opening of a new police department headquarters, were among the top local headlines during 2021.

In part 2 of this week’s series, WJLE reviews the leading local news stories of 2021

*Governor Bill Lee and his wife Maria were in Smithville Friday evening, July 2 to pay a visit to the Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree and to join in the celebration of the festival’s golden anniversary. It was part of the governor’s three county tour Friday to commemorate Tennessee’s 225 years of statehood. During his remarks during the opening ceremony, Governor Lee commended the Fiddlers Jamboree on its 50-year history and also spoke of the state’s 225th birthday observance before presenting an award on behalf of the Jamboree to festival President and Coordinator Sam Stout for his dedication in keeping the Jamboree tradition alive for future generations. The Governor also presented an award on behalf of the Jamboree to Jack Barton, a former Fiddlers Jamboree President and Coordinator for his years of dedicated service. Sixth District Congressman John Rose also praised the Fiddlers Jamboree reaching this 50-year milestone and presented Stout a framed copy of his remarks on the floor of the US House of Representatives made part of the Congressional Record. Multi-GRAMMY nominated duo Dailey & Vincent, stars of the Grand Ole Opry, wowed a huge Fiddlers Jamboree crowd with an entertaining concert on Saturday, July 3 after each of them were presented prestigious honors. Jamie Dailey received the Fiddlers’ Jamboree’s 2021 Blue Blaze Award which is designed to honor an individual or group that keeps the embers of bluegrass music burning for future generations. The Blue Blaze Panel Committee for the Jamboree voted unanimously for Dailey’s nomination for the 2021 award citing his long-running contributions to bluegrass music. Darrin Vincent, who received the Jamboree’s Blue Blaze Award in 2014, was celebrated by the State of Tennessee with an unveiling of his “Tennessee Music Pathways” marker which has been placed on the square in Smithville. Vincent’s wife, children, mother and other family members joined him on stage for the unveiling.

*The City of Smithville and the DeKalb Coalition for Humane Treatment of Animals were at odds for much of 2021 fighting for control of the animal shelter and those differences eventually led to a legal battle in Chancery Court before being settled in August. In March, the Smithville Aldermen voted to terminate the city’s 99-year lease with the coalition giving the city total control of the operation. The mayor and aldermen claimed that the non-profit 501c3 group, which since 2017 has contracted with the city to manage and oversee the facility, had breached its agreement. City officials contended that the city’s own employees who worked there were actually managing the day-to-day operation of the shelter and not the Coalition itself. The coalition insisted that it had control over the shelter. In a separate move, the aldermen voted to resume allowing the shelter to accept animals from outside the city but within the county. Something the coalition had been fighting for since the aldermen issued the ban during a special meeting on October 29, 2020. However, the city would still not allow employees of the shelter to venture outside the city to pick up animals in the county due to city liability concerns. By terminating the coalition’s lease, city officials thought they were free to work out a deal directly with the county mayor and county commissioners to address remaining animal shelter issues. Later in March, Chancellor Ronald Thurman granted the coalition a temporary restraining order pending a hearing in Chancery Court to keep the city from taking over the shelter operation. The petition was filed by the coalition’s attorney Sarah Cripps. The two sides eventually went back to the bargaining table over the summer and settled their differences. An amended agreement to the original lease was drawn up and approved by all the parties clarifying more fully the original contract’s intent and purpose as well as the specific duties and obligations of the coalition and the city. While the city will have no control over the operation of the shelter under the amended lease and contract it will have some obligations to the coalition. The city will contribute (pay) to the coalition a base annual sum of $100,000 for the first full year in quarterly installments but the overall payment will increase by $1,000 per year for the next fifteen years. By the year 2037, the city will be paying $115,000 per year to the coalition. The city’s lease payment deal with the coalition may be revisited but not reduced after the first fifteen years. Other terms and conditions also apply. After approval of the new deal by both sides, the court case was dismissed.

*A Liberty man tried Wednesday, November 16 in DeKalb County Criminal Court for second degree murder in the fatal shooting of his stepson on Halloween night two years ago was instead convicted of voluntary manslaughter, a Class C felony but a lesser crime. 51-year-old Albert Wayne Fisher, Jr. is facing a possible prison sentence of from 3-6 years as a range one offender in the death of 37-year-old Tyler Durden. The shooting occurred outside the Fisher residence on Eckles Heights in Liberty on October 31, 2019. The range of punishment for second degree murder, a Class A felony is 15-25 years had Fisher been convicted of that crime. Because of a Halloween disguise he was wearing at the time, the Fishers didn’t recognize Durden until he removed his mask after being shot and called out “Mom I have been hit”. It took the jury of eight men and four women about an hour and fifteen minutes to reach the verdict after a six-hour trial that featured six witnesses for the state and Fisher himself, who testified claiming his motive for the shooting was in self-defense. After the verdict, Judge Wesley Bray granted a motion by state prosecutors that Fisher’s bond be revoked and that he be sent to the county jail, pending the outcome of a sentencing hearing scheduled for January 11, 2022.

*Four months after an investigation into what caused a fish kill in Hickman Creek at Alexandria, the US Environmental Protection Agency wrapped up its response activities there in December concluding that “the source of the impaired conditions was a seepage of contaminated groundwater coming from the bank” but that “recent water samples show that the water quality of the groundwater flowing into the creek has significantly improved”. The EPA released a public notice on the findings Friday but may have left some questions in the minds of the public yet unanswered. Although the investigation evaluated infrastructure near the creek and a drainage line at a nearby manufacturing facility, the EPA did not identify that as the reason for the problem in the public notice nor specify the substance that caused the contamination. A concerned citizen apparently made the discovery of the dead fish in the creek on Monday, August 9 and reported it to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency who then contacted the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. What EPA contractors found was an unknown substance seeping into the creek, believed to have contributed to the kill of around 3,500 fish, which was coming from the creek bank behind the Alexandria Senior Citizens Center. A staging area was established there with a sump well which was dug to catch and contain the substance before any more of it could get into the creek. The dingy, dark liquid substance is being pumped into five above ground mobile FRAC storage tanks at the site to be shipped off for testing.

*Penny Schwinn, the Tennessee Commissioner of Education, visited Northside Elementary School on Friday, April 16. Schwinn walked the halls and observed firsthand the learning environment of students here. She even joined in with students on bongos during a music class. Commissioner Schwinn was welcomed by Director of Schools Patrick Cripps along with Northside Elementary School Principal Karen Knowles, Assistant NES Principal Beth Pafford, and members of the central office staff including Supervisors of Instruction Dr. Kathy Bryant and Michelle Burklow and Federal Programs Supervisor Dr. Danielle Collins. “I am thrilled to be here. It’s been a wonderful visit. I want to make sure I am able to see what is actually happening in schools and talk to principals, teachers, superintendents and students to learn how we can better serve them,” said Commissioner Schwinn.

*Brittney Gulley was named the 2021 DeKalb County School District Teacher of the Year. Gulley, a chemistry and ACT prep teacher at DeKalb County High School. Gulley got a surprise visit to her classroom Apri 13l for the “John Isabell Memorial Award” presentation by Director of Schools Patrick Cripps, DCHS Principal Randy Jennings, DCHS Assistant Principal Jenny Norris, and Supervisors of Instruction Michelle Burklow and Dr. Kathy Bryant. As part of the honor, Gulley also received a school bell award, a floral arrangement, and a certificate granting her a day off from school. “I have wanted to be a teacher for a long time and it’s an honor to know that my colleagues think that much of me to have nominated and voted for me. It’s an exciting moment in my life. I love what I do every day and I love these kids. I also love the fact that I got to go to college and come back and be a part of the education system that gave so much to me when I was here,” said Gulley. In her sixth year as a teacher, Gulley was among five local educators who were recognized for being chosen by peers as “Teacher of the Year” at their schools. The others were second grade teacher Janet Trapp at Smithville Elementary School; eighth grade ELA (English Language Arts) teacher Galen Brown at DeKalb Middle School; Allison Collier, a third grade ELA and ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher at Northside Elementary School; and Martha Damron, a seventh-grade math and science teacher at DeKalb West School.

*A good crowd turned out Sunday afternoon, October 17 to take a tour of the new Smithville Police Department building during an open house hosted by city leaders and police officers. The 12,000 square foot facility (including sally port) officially opened for business weeks later after the arrival of new furnishings and some other finishing touches. Mayor Josh Miller said these new police department has been needed for a long time and is something of which the city can be proud. “I see the need because the town is growing so much. A lot of people have moved in and I think the town will continue to grow. This building will serve its purpose and meet the needs of the community for many years,” he said. Police Chief Mark Collins said he and his fellow officers could not be more happy with what the city has done for them and the community in building this new facility. “I want to thank the Mayor and Aldermen and former aldermen who approved this project along with the people who built it and everybody involved. For us this facility will be a new world. We will now have plenty of room, better security, and state of the art modern conveniences. We are extremely proud of it and it is something the citizens of Smithville can take pride in. It’s a reflection of what the city thinks of us and the job we’re doing,” said Chief Collins.The facility has a total roofed area of 12,800 square feet which includes a 1,400 square foot drive through sally port for bringing in prisoners securely. It encompasses a front lobby with bullet proof glass and wall panels, records clerk office, hallways, closet space, four holding cells, armory, conference and training rooms, offices for the chief, captain, detectives, and other officers, rooms for records, investigations, filing reports, conducting interviews, locker room, electrical room, and evidence vaults, restrooms, and break room.

*Construction began in June on the Highway 70 project from Liberty to Alexandria after the Tennessee Department of Transportation awarded a bid to Twin K. Contractors, Inc. at $30,875,122 which included the grading, drainage, construction of retaining walls and paving on US 70 (State Route 26) from near State Route 53 at Alexandria to near State Route 96 at Liberty. The project is 4.1 miles long and the completion date is on or before June 30, 2024.

*Two new members joined the county commission in 2021. During the regular monthly meeting on January 25, Shaee Flatt of Alexandria was appointed by the commission to fill the unexpired term of First District Commissioner Dennis Slager who resigned in November 2020. Flatt edged out Tom Chandler by a vote of 7 to 6 for the position. A third candidate, Waylon Kyle received no support from the commission. Flatt is a former Mt. Juliet resident and former managing editor of the Chronicle of Mt Juliet. He now serves as a special education teacher and football coach at Mt Juliet High School. Flatt and his wife and children have lived in Alexandria for more than three years. Meanwhile local pharmacist Susannah Cripps Daughtry was appointed by the commission Monday night, April 26 to fill the remaining sixteen months of Third District Commissioner Bobby Johnson’s unexpired term which ends August 31, 2022. Johnson resigned his position in March. Daughtry, who received eight votes to get the appointment, was one of three persons seeking to fill the vacancy. The others were former Third District Commissioner Jack Barton; and Anthony Scott.

*Justin Branum claimed the Grand Champion Fiddling Title at the 50th edition of the Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree and Crafts Festival. The Murfreesboro resident, who also won the Junior Fiddling contest here Saturday night, July 3 beat out the Senior Fiddling Champion Gail Johnson of Lavergne in the showdown for the Berry C. Williams Memorial Award. Branum was the Grand Champion Fiddler of the 2020 Virtual Jamboree. This was the 10th year in a row (not counting last year’s virtual jamboree) that a Junior Fiddler has beaten the Senior Fiddler for the Grand Championship of the Festival. Meanwhile an Elkton, Kentucky boy won the top Jamboree award as the best fiddler in the National Championship for Country Musician Beginners. Noah Goebel took the coveted James G. “Bobo” Driver Memorial Award, named for the man who started the children’s competition during the 1980’s as part of the annual Fiddler’s Jamboree and Crafts Festival. Members of Mr. Driver’s family presented the award to Goebel.

*Hundreds of runners participated in the 23rd annual Fiddler 5K and One Mile Fun Run on July 3. The overall winner was David Pautienus who ran the course in 17:07 seconds. Meanwhile Cari Pautienus won the race among females. She ran the course in 21:46 seconds.

*After more than 35 years as an insurance agent for State Farm Jackie Smith retired February 28. “I just felt like it was a good time to get out and do some other things while my health and my husband’s health are still pretty good,” said Smith. Both Jackie and her husband Wade Smith were born and raised in DeKalb County, and they have two grown sons, Chris and Brandon. Before her career in the insurance business, Jackie spent 14 years as an educator in the DeKalb County School System. On Monday, March 1. Mallory Sullivan Pfingstler took over from Smith as the new State Farm Insurance agent in Smithville and the office location moved from the public square to 126 West Main Street.
*DeKalb County Farm Bureau announced the retirement of two long time employees in December. Agency Manager Bart Lay and Customer Service Representative Gloria Pinegar stepped down after a combined 81 years of service to the Farm Bureau. Lay was a 36-year veteran with the company including 21 years in Smithville and Pinegar is completed 45 years of service here.

*Two local dental practices announced big changes in June. Longtime dentist Dr. Cliff Duke, who had been in practice since 1979, announced his retirement completing 42 years of service to this community while Dr. Mitch Tatum of DeKalb Dental Center welcomed Dr. Duke’s patients as well as a new dentist to his practice, Dr. Alex Hayes. “After 42 years providing dental services to the best people on earth, I am announcing my retirement,” said Dr. Duke in a joint appearance with Dr. Tatum and Dr. Hayes. Although Dr. Duke’s office on South Congress Boulevard has closed, he made arrangements with Dr. Tatum to care for his patients going forward.

*Two long time county public officials announced in June that they would not be seeking re-election in 2022. Jeff McMillen, he longest serving DeKalb County public official in history, announced his retirement plans in June bringing to an end his nine-term 36-year tenure as Register of Deeds. “I have considered it for some time, but I think it’s time for me to retire and to pass the torch on to someone else. I am very humbled to have been able to stay here for 36 years and will be thankful until the day I die to the people of DeKalb County for what they have allowed me to do. The people have been wonderful to me. Folks from both sides of the aisle,” said McMillen. Meanwhile after almost 24 years serving as DeKalb County’s General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge, Bratten Cook, II has announced that he will be leaving office when his term ends August 31, 2022. “The voters of DeKalb County have honored me three different times with election, but like the old saying goes “every dog has its day” and mine has come,” said Judge Cook. Although he will be stepping down from the bench next year, Judge Cook stresses that he is not retiring as an attorney.

*DeKalb Telephone Cooperative, Inc. d/b/a DTC Communications board of directors appointed Kathy Pugh in January to fill the unexpired term of her late husband, Roy Pugh, continuing her husband’s dedication and commitment to the members and DTC Communications. She joined the 10-member board responsible for overseeing the cooperative, serving the Auburntown exchange. Kathy Pugh retired in 2012 from State Farm’s regional office after 43 1/2 years. Roy Pugh passed away in December, having served DTC for 37 years. In September during the annual meeting of DTC Communications, CEO Chris Townson, on behalf of the Board of Directors, paid tribute to Mr. Pugh and presented a to Mrs. Pugh which read “In loving memory of Roy Nelson Pugh who served as director of DeKalb Telephone Cooperative Incorporated from 1983 until 2020. Roy left a legacy of dedication to family, friends, community, and this cooperative. He truly made a difference in the lives of those he served,”

*DeKalb County High School saw a change in administration in 2021 as both DCHS principal Randy Jennings and Assistant Principal David Gash stepped down from their positions at the end of the school year. Jennings, a veteran educator of 26 years, said while he had enjoyed his four years as head of the high school, the time had come to turn the reigns over to someone else. “I have prayed a lot about it and the Lord has given me a lot of indication that it’s time for me to move on and do something a little different. DCHS needs somebody who can go forward and be 100% invested in DCHS. I don’t think I am the right person for the job any longer,” said Jennings. Although he is leaving DCHS, Jennings later went to work for the Smith County School District. Gash, who had devoted his career to working with youth in the DeKalb County School System, first as guidance counselor and in more recent years as assistant high school principal, said while it had been a great experience. “It’s time to move on and let someone else come in who may be younger with a little more energy,” he said.

*In June, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps announced that he had filled the vacancies at DCHS. After 27 years as an educator in four different counties, Bruce Curtis came home to work for the school district where it all began for him. Starting July 1, Curtis officially became the next principal at DeKalb County High School. Although it was a coming home for him career wise, Curtis had actually never left DeKalb County as a resident. He was born and raised here and educated in the local school system. But for 21 years Curtis had worked for the Metro Nashville Public Schools, including the last 11 years as Director of Discipline, making the weekday 130-mile round trip from Smithville to Davidson County. While he had enjoyed his job, Curtis longed for a chance to work closer to home and for him that opportunity came after Randy Jennings stepped down as Principal at DeKalb County High School. Curtis applied and was interviewed for the job and later got the call from Director of Schools Patrick Cripps naming him principal. Director Cripps also didn’t have to look far to find a successor to Assistant DCHS Principal David Gash. Thomas Cagle, DCHS History teacher and assistant football coach, officially stepped into the position July 1. “I am very excited to get started and go to work in this new role. I feel really good about that and am looking forward to it,” said Cagle. For the last five years, Cagle had been a member of the faculty at DCHS. “I started in 2016. I have taught US History, contemporary issues, AP US History, and recently the dual credit US History that we have now. I had also been an assistant football coach serving the last three years as defensive coordinator,” said Cagle.

*The 147 members of the DCHS Class of 2021 graduated in May completing their high school years by receiving diplomas for which they had worked so hard. Three members of the class were singled out for special recognition during the commencement. This year’s White Rose Awards went to Jasper Kleparek and Carly Vance and the Citizenship Award was presented to Levi Driver.

December 27, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Fire and water related deaths, traffic fatalities, the rising number of COVID deaths, swift water rescues, a major apartment fire in Smithville that left several families homeless, a legal tug of war between the City of Smithville and the DeKalb Animal Coalition, a visit by Governor Bill Lee to the Fiddlers Jamboree, an investigation into the source of a fish kill in Hickman Creek at Alexandria, and a jury trial conviction of a man who shot and killed his stepson on Halloween in 2019 were among the top news stories of the year for 2021 in DeKalb County.

In part 1 of a series this week, WJLE begins a review of the top local news stories of 2021.

2021 was full of ups and downs in the fight against the coronavirus locally and across the nation-a year in which vaccines first became available to the general public, but also a year in which variants caused spikes in infections, hospitalizations and deaths. While vaccines were first approved and administered last December, they were mostly reserved for use by health care workers and first responders. For months, the vaccines were only available to those people and others who were elderly. As time progressed, the age limit declined, and vaccines were made available to larger groups of people. Although more businesses, schools, sporting events, the courts, etc. began to reopen the public was repeatedly warned and, in some cases, mandated to keep wearing masks and to take all the available vaccines and boosters against the alpha, delta, and now the omicron variants. Like counties across the state and nation, COVID has taken its toll in DeKalb County. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, DeKalb County’s COVID death count grew from 33 on January 1, 2021, to 81 by December 23, 2021 (dating back to March 2020) while the number of hospitalizations went from 39 to 115 during the same period. The CDC data tracker also shows that only 39.2% of the DeKalb County population has been fully vaccinated through December 23, 2021.

*18-year-old DeKalb County High School senior Cassie Maxwell lost her life in a two-car crash Monday, April 5 on Highway 70 between Dowelltown and Liberty. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Maxwell was traveling east on US 70 in a 2018 Hyundai Elantra and as she negotiated a right curve Maxwell crossed into the continuous turn lane, entered into the oncoming traffic lane and struck head-on a 2021 Nissan Rogue driven by 24-year-old Carly Newby of Rock Island. Newby was injured and transported to the hospital. The crash occurred at around 7:13 a.m. Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts. Maxwell was remembered during the May 14 commencement at DeKalb County High School. As she began her address, Valedictorian and Class President Carly Vance called for a moment of silence in honor of Maxwell and during the program there was one vacant chair with only a framed photo of Cassie in the place where she would have sat among her classmates on the football field. And during the awarding of diplomas, black and gold balloons were released when Cassie’s name was called. Principal Randy Jennings also paid tribute to Maxwell during his remarks to the class.

*One week after Cassie Maxwell’s death, another head-on crash claimed a life. 42-year-old Thomas Higginbotham of Silver Point died after being flown by helicopter ambulance to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville Monday afternoon, April 12. Trooper Brandon Johnson of the THP said Higginbotham was north on Highway 56 near Silver Point in a 1990 Ford Ranger as 39-year-old Eric D. Fish, driving a 2015 Chevy Traverse, was heading south. According to Trooper Johnson, Fish crossed into the path of Higginbotham and the crash occurred as both drivers swerved trying to avoid a collision. Fish and his wife and son, 40-year-old Janet Fish and 20-year-old Derek Fish were all injured. Trooper Johnson said Mrs. Fish was airlifted by helicopter ambulance to Skyline Medical Center while Mr. Fish and his son were transported by DeKalb EMS to Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department’s extrication and rescue team responded with backup support from the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department. A Putnam County firefighter/paramedic, who was passing by stopped to help render assistance.

*Three people, including a Smithville man, died after being involved in a Rutherford County crash Thursday, April 29. 22-year-old Zachary Tyler Parsley passed away Friday, April 30 at Vanderbilt Hospital. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Parsley was a passenger of a 2012 Ford Escape driven by 19-year-old Sebastien Tarin of Manchester who was traveling east on Interstate 24. The THP reports that Tarin’s vehicle drove off the interstate and into the median before traveling through the grassy divide and into the Westbound Lane of traffic around 11 a.m. near the 95-mile marker west of the Shelbyville/Beech Grove exit. Once in the oncoming lane, the small SUV driven by Tarin collided head-on with a 2015 Nissan Frontier pickup truck driven by 65-year-old Stanley Peterson of Beechgrove. All three persons were wearing their seatbelts but were trapped and extricated by Rutherford fire. Both Tarin and Peterson were killed in the crash.

*19-year-old Savannah Buckley of Cookeville lost her life in a fiery wreck Monday, May 3 on Highway 70 at Liberty. Trooper Chris Delong of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said Buckley was traveling east in a 2000 Ford Ranger when she lost control in a curve and crossed into the path of a westbound 2005 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 31-year-old Ryan Robinson of Sparta. Buckley’s truck caught fire after impact. She died at the scene. Robinson suffered minor injuries and was taken by DeKalb EMS to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital where he was treated and released. Trooper Delong said the highway was wet from the rain and may have contributed to the crash. He was assisted at the scene by THP Captain Wesley Stafford, Lieutenant Dewaine Jennings, and Trooper Brent Collier. Members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department rendered assistance and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and TDOT employees helped with traffic control. The Liberty station extinguished the fire and the Main Station performed extrication on Buckley’s truck in order for her body to be removed. After learning of the crash involving Buckley, State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver contacted the Tennessee Department of Transportation urging the Commissioner to fix the drainage problem immediately in the “kill zone” on Highway 70 at Liberty where this and other fatal crashes have occurred in recent years due to hydroplaning. TDOT sent a maintenance crew to the area within a few days to improve the cross-slope of Highway 70.

*A 20-year-old U.S. Marine from Smithville was struck and killed Monday, December 6 while he assisted a driver in a disabled vehicle on Interstate 5 near where he was stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California. Lance Cpl. Alberto Lucio was a 2019 graduate of DeKalb County High School. According to the Los Angeles Times, Lucio, who served in the Marines as a military policeman, stopped after a Ford Edge crashed in the southbound lanes near Las Pulgas Road about 3:20 a.m. Monday, December 6. The vehicle was in the traffic lanes without its lights on, according to the California Highway Patrol and San Diego County medical examiner’s office. As Lucio assisted the driver and a passenger, a box truck crashed into him and the disabled SUV, the CHP said. Lucio died at the scene.

*43-year-old Edward Layne Lemmons died in a fire at his home at 5056 Jacobs Pillar Road on December 7. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The investigation is ongoing by TBI fire investigators and the Sheriff’s Department. Lemmons was reportedly upstairs when the fire started, and he couldn’t escape. Central dispatch received the fire call at around 8 p.m. County firefighters, DeKalb EMS, and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department rushed to the scene. The home was extensively damaged. Sheriff Ray said TBI fire investigators were contacted as is customary especially when there is a fire fatality. In addition to DeKalb EMS, TBI, and Sheriff’s Department, members of the Blue Springs, Short Mountain Highway, Belk, Cookeville Highway, Main Station, and Liberty Stations of the DeKalb County Fire Department responded along with the county medical examiner. County Fire Chief Donny Green said a special thanks goes to neighbors in the community who assisted by bringing in heavy equipment used in the recovery effort. Lemmons’ body was sent to Nashville for an autopsy.

*60-year-old Shelia Dowell, who suffered severe burns in an early morning fire Sunday, March 21 at her 319 Jackson Street residence died on Tuesday, March 23 at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. The fire started in Dowell’s side of the duplex of the Smithville Housing Authority and spread to an adjoining dwelling at 321 Jackson Street at 4:41 a.m. Dowell was helped from the residence during the fire by neighbors and bystanders and transported to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital by DeKalb EMS. She was later airlifted by helicopter to Vanderbilt Hospital. Two dogs inside the Dowell residence perished in the blaze. Both dwellings were destroyed in the fire. A man, woman, and child at the 321-address escaped unharmed and firefighters were able to rescue their cat. The cause of the fire was undetermined at the time.

*38-year-old Jason Tallent died in a mobile home fire Wednesday morning, July 14 at 1383 Dale Ridge Road. He was employed by the City of Smithville and owner of In the Flesh photography. The cause of death has been not released but authorities did not suspect foul play. The DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department was summoned by 911 at 6:08 a.m. reporting a fully involved structure fire there. Members of the Liberty, Cookeville Highway, and Main Stations responded along with the Sheriff’s Office and DeKalb EMS. Upon arrival firefighters found the mobile home fully in flames and learned that someone might still be inside. After extinguishing the blaze, firefighters discovered the remains of a body. TBI was contacted to assist the Sheriff’s Department in the investigation. The cause of the fire was not determined at the time.

*Several families were left homeless after a fire swept through and destroyed much of Towne’s Edge Village Apartments on Kendra Drive in Smithville Sunday, July 4. All the residents there at the time were safely evacuated. One source said the fire might have started from a grill, but authorities have had not determined the cause at the time. The 20-unit apartment complex consists of buildings housing 10 units on either side of the parking lot. The fire started in one of the units and spread to others adjoining it destroying eight dwellings and heavily damaging two others. Families lost most or all belongings in the fire. Although they were still livable, several units on the other side of the parking lot received damage from the intense heat which melted siding on the exterior of the building.

*36-year-old Stephen Kyle Anderson of Spring Hill, who had just celebrated a birthday, lost his life in a lake accident on Center Hill Lake Saturday, May 22. DeKalb Central Dispatch (911) received the call at 2:36 p.m. Sheriff Patrick Ray said that Anderson, his wife, and two other couples were on the lake celebrating Anderson’s birthday which was on Friday, May 21. Tragedy struck after Anderson decided to climb a rock bluff to jump off into the lake. While attempting to climb the bluff, the rocks Anderson were holding onto gave way and Anderson fell and rolled down the bluff hitting several rocks along the way before plunging into the water. TWRA was summoned and brought in an Aquatic Robot device from Chattanooga. With the robot, officers were able to locate Anderson’s body at a depth of approximately 165 feet. After the body was recovered the medical examiner ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death. DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department Officers were assisted by other agencies including the TWRA, members from the Smithville/DeKalb County Rescue Squad, and Rangers from the US Corps of Engineers.

*31-year-old Porsche Lynn Cantrell of Cedar Street Liberty lost her life in Smith Fork Creek at Liberty on Wednesday afternoon, July 21. The body was recovered from the creek underneath the bridge on Highway 70 and sent to the State Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy. In a statement, Sheriff Patrick Ray said at the time that” On July 21 at 5:34 p.m. central dispatch received a call about a female who drowned. The female and two other people were swimming in the creek under the bridge. The location of the incident was the bridge at the intersection of Highway 70 and Liberty to Dismal Road. The Smithville/DeKalb Rescue Squad was summoned to the scene to assist law-enforcement by getting the body to the top of the hill. The body was sent to the State Medical Examiner ‘s office for an autopsy. DeKalb EMS and members of the DeKalb County Medical Examiners were also on the scene,” said Sheriff Ray.

*An intense situation unfolded on Sligo Bridge early Thursday morning, September 9 as a suicidal man threatened to jump. Highway 70 at the bridge was closed for two and a half hours as officers tried to talk the man out of it. He was later safely taken into custody and transported to the hospital for a mental evaluation. The name of the man was not disclosed. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department issued the following media release: “Today September the 9th, 2021 the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department received a call of a possible suicidal male wanting to jump off the bridge at 4:32 A.M. After officers arrived on scene at 4:39 A.M. they came into contact with a middle-aged male standing on the bridge. As officers attempted to talk to the individual, he became very irritated and emotional and stepped up onto the ledge of the bridge. Officers notified TWRA, and the DeKalb Rescue Squad to be on standby under the bridge and in the area as a precaution. This caused Sparta Highway to be shut down for approximately two and a half hours. Several THP officers were also on scene and helped officers of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department take the male individual safely into custody. The male individual was transported to the DeKalb ER for a mental evaluation. We would like to thank TDOT, TWRA, The DeKalb Rescue Squad, Central Dispatch, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol for their assistance in this incident”.

*For the second time within five days in February swift creek waters swept a vehicle off Odom Page Road (Preston-Vickers Road) at Liberty. It happened in the exact same place Sunday afternoon, February 28 where an Amazon commercial van was washed off the road the previous Tuesday, February 23 This time five people, including a 16-month-old child, were trapped in their truck until help arrived. According to Trooper Brent Collier of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 29-year-old James Sellars of Hendersonville, who later told authorities he and his passengers were out on a Sunday sightseeing trip, was traveling south on the Odom Page Road (Preston-Vickers Road) in a 2014 Dodge 1500 Ram pickup truck when he tried unsuccessfully to cross where the road was submerged in swift water. The truck was swept into the creek with Sellars and his passengers inside including 29-year-old Stormy Creasy of Hendersonville, 61-year-old Charles Patrick of Smithville, and 63-year-old Margaret Humphrey of Smithville, along with the 16-month-old boy. “All five occupants, including the child were safely rescued with the help of swift water rescue teams from Lebanon Fire and Rescue/Wilson County Emergency Management, the Putnam County Rescue Squad, Smith County Rescue Squad, DeKalb Telephone Cooperative (bucket truck), and Caney Fork Electric Cooperative (bucket truck). Multiple agencies and partners with specialized training and equipment made this a successful rescue,” said DeKalb County Fire Chief Donny Green. No one was injured but Sellars was charged with driving on a suspended license. On Tuesday, February 23 the driver of a 2019 Ford Amazon commercial transport van escaped injury as his vehicle was nearly carried away by swift creek waters on Odom Page Road (Preston-Vickers Road) at Liberty. According to Trooper Jonathan Burke of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 25-year-old Clarence J. Stewart of Lebanon was traveling south on Odom Page Road (Preston-Vickers Road) attempting to cross the road that was submerged in swift moving water when he was swept off the road to the left and came to a final rest in the stream just off the roadway. In addition to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Engine 65 of the DeKalb County Fire Department Liberty Station, County Rescue, EMS, and Sheriff’s Department helped provide for a quick and safe rescue without injury. In March, the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad got some financial help it needed from the county to organize a Swift Water Rescue Task Force. During its regular monthly meeting, the county commission voted unanimously to appropriate $18,000 from the general fund balance as an extra contribution to the Rescue Squad to train and equip up to fifteen volunteers for the task force. That comes to a little less than $1,200 per person. The task force, to be led by the Rescue Squad, will also include volunteers from the DeKalb County, Smithville and Alexandria Volunteer Fire Departments and possibly local law enforcement officers and others who would be specially trained and equipped for swift water rescues.

*The Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad had a busy weekend March 27-28, participating in three water rescues and a rope rescue. Captain Dusty Johnson said the first call came on Saturday, March 27 at 5:09 p.m. after a woman fell down the side of a steep hill near the lake on Aaron Webb Road off Potts Camp Road in the Jefferson Community. According to Johnson the woman was with others clearing a wooded area behind a residence when she lost her footing and slid down the hill. A tree stopped her slide, but she could not get back up the hill without help. “We launched our boat on the lake at the end of Potts Camp Road, docked below the hill, and used ropes to climb the hill to gain access to her. EMS paramedics arrived at the top of the hill and walked around the bluff to meet us. We placed the woman in a stokes basket and lowered her down below the hill to our boat. We placed her in our boat, went back to the ramp, and then transported her by vehicle to the ambulance. EMS then took her to Ascension Saint Thomas River Park Hospital in McMinnville,” said Captain Johnson. Later that night the rescue squad was summoned to 602 Possum Hollow Road near Dry Creek where three adults and three children were trapped at their home due to rising water. Captain Johnson said the call came in at 10:45 p.m. “One place in the road was washed completely out down to the tile. It was so flooded that it kept us from being able to drive to the residence. We had to walk probably two miles to get there and cross several areas where swift water was crossing the road. We finally got there and helped the people get to a neighbor’s house across the road but higher on the hill where they would be safer,” said Captain Johnson. The Rescue Squad was again summoned at 1:45 a.m. Sunday morning, March 28 to 787 East Main Street, Dowelltown where a man and his dog were trapped in their home by rising flood waters. “We got a call from a man who said water was rising near his home and he and his dog needed help getting out. We got nearly to his house when another wave of storms moved in. Because the water was getting so deep, we called Wilson County to come and help us so they sent four people including two from Watertown. After we got the man and his dog out of the house someone from Murfreesboro came to pick them up,” said Captain Johnson. Another call came in Sunday afternoon, March 28 at 1:38 p.m.at the Alexandria to Dismal Road bridge where a motorist stalled after trying to drive through a flooded area but before the Rescue Squad arrived bystanders came upon the scene and got the woman out of her car to safety.

*A February ice storm downed trees and utility lines creating widespread power outages in DeKalb and surrounding counties. “We have about 75% of our customers in DeKalb County without power right now,” Caney Fork general manager Bill Rogers said Monday afternoon, February 16. CFEC crews worked for several days to get power fully restored in the region.

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