The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of the 2018 “Project Welcome Mat” in time for the Fiddler’s Jamboree and Crafts Festival July 6 & 7.

This year’s winners are as follows:

*People’s Choice – Webb’s Pharmacy, Gifts, & Soda Fountain, “Two Scoops and You’re in Heaven, Welcome to Jamboree 47”

*Most Original -Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, “Get Those Fiddles Revvin To Jamboree 47”

*Best Worded- Wilson Bank and Trust, “Pick a Seat and Watch the Show, Off to the Jamboree We Go!”

“We want to thank all the businesses that participated in the 17th Annual Chamber of Commerce “Jamboree Project Welcome Mat” contest and for using your message signs to welcome Jamboree visitors. The signs were all so great, and we have received so many positive comments. It’s vitally important to make sure that our Jamboree visitors know how appreciated and important they are, so mission accomplished,” said Suzanne Williams, Executive Director of the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce

“We had a record-breaking number of entries this year. The votes were so close, I had to recount several times to be sure. Again, we are so grateful to all who entered the contest,” said Williams.

A man responsible for the theft of a vehicle from a car lot, a radio from another automobile, a license tag, and several items from Wal-mart appeared in criminal court for sentencing Tuesday.

41 year old Benjamin Roberto Garcia entered a plea by criminal information to burglary of an automobile and theft over $2,500. He received a two year sentence for the burglary and four years for the theft to run concurrently for a total of four years. He will be on TDOC probation. Garcia must make restitution of $1,100 to one victim and $750 to another. He was given jail credit of 99 days.

According to Smithville Police, a report was filed on February 19 that someone had broken into an automobile at Davis Auto and stolen a radio causing damage to the vehicle. The following day another report was filed of someone having taken a 1994 Dodge Dakota from Auto Hut after breaking the lock and entering the gate of the car lot. During the investigation and after viewing surveillance video, police identified Garcia as a person of interest. After recovering the truck taken from Auto Hut, police checked the license plate on it through Central Dispatch and learned that the plate was stolen. Garcia found himself in more trouble after he was spotted on Sunday, March 11 shoplifting a pair of ear buds and a rugged speaker from Wal-mart. He was taken into custody on Tuesday, March 13.

Two men charged in a burglary and theft investigation were sentenced in DeKalb County Criminal Court Tuesday.

Judge Gary McKenzie presided.

47 year old Royce Virgel Ashford, Jr. entered a plea by criminal information to one count of burglary and received a four year sentence on TDOC probation. He must make restitution of $7,000 to the victim jointly and severally with his co-defendant, 53 year old Aubrey Lee Kilgore. Ashford was given jail credit of 94 days.

Meanwhile, Kilgore entered a plea by criminal information to burglary other than a habitation and driving under the influence (enhanced DUI punishment). Kilgore received a four year sentence for the burglary and 11 months and 29 days for the DUI to run concurrently for a total of four years. He must serve 48 hours and then be on supervised probation. Kilgore must pay a fine of $350, attend DUI school, undergo an alcohol and drug assessment, and he will lose his driver license for one year. Kilgore must also make restitution of $7,000 jointly and severally with his co-defendant Ashford. He was given jail credit of seven days.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Thursday, March 15 Ashford and Kilgore broke into a building on Highway 70 west near Alexandria and stole items worth $25,900. They were later found in possession of some of the property taken. Vandalism damage to the building was estimated at $900.

The case was investigated by a Sheriff’s Department Detective.