County Commission Revises Public Comment Policy at Meetings

November 28, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The county commission has changed its policy on when the public may make comments at monthly meetings and committee meetings of the commission.

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the commission voted to reverse a procedure which had been in place since rules were established three years ago for how business is to be conducted at meetings.

Going forward, the public comment period will be held at the beginning of monthly county commission meetings (usually on the 4th Monday night each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Mike Foster Multipurpose Center of the County Complex) instead of at the end of the meetings, which has been the procedure. The public comment period will commence after the initial roll call and prior to action on adoption of the agenda. Each person wishing to address the commission will have three minutes to make public comment. The public will also be given an opportunity to address the county commission at the end of what are referred to as “committee meetings of the whole” which are usually held in the History room of the county complex at 6 p.m. on the Thursday nights prior to the Monday night monthly meetings.

“This change will allow people to comment on what they have heard at the monthly Thursday night workshops (at committee of the whole meetings) and be better prepared to make comments at the monthly commission meetings before we take any votes,” said County Commissioner Tom Chandler who made the motion for the change in policy. It was adopted unanimously by the eleven commissioners in attendance.

Meanwhile a public comment period, as also approved by the commission, will be afforded at the end of any other county committee meeting held during the month as recommended by County Commissioner Greg Matthews and included as an amendment by Chandler in his motion. Up until now, no time for public comment has been specified at other committee meetings such as budget, purchasing, public works, etc. In each case the person wishing to speak at any commission or committee meeting must give their name and either the district or address where they reside in the county.

DeKalb County is in search of a new Veteran’s Service Officer. Bill Rutherford, who has held the position for almost two and a half years has tendered his resignation effective immediately because of health reasons. County Mayor Matt Adcock said a successor has not yet been found to replace Rutherford. During Monday night’s meeting, the county commission acknowledged Rutherford’s resignation.

“We really enjoyed working with Bill. He is a wonderful asset to the county, and he has done a lot for our veterans. I really appreciate Bill and everything he has done,” said County Mayor Adcock.

Meanwhile, County Mayor Adcock said Trevor Glover has resigned as a member of the county commission’s audit committee due to a job conflict. The commission appointed Tom Janney to replace Glover on the audit committee. Janney has been on the audit committee before.

In other business, the commission approved the county justice committee’s recommendation to contract with the Trainor company as architect for design purposes of a proposed judicial center or jail and Bell Construction as the management company should the county move forward.

November 28, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Nine DCHS Football players have earned 2023 All-Region honors.

The local award winners are as follows:

Most Outstanding Linebacker- #9 Ari White- DeKalb County

Most Outstanding Running Back- #15 Malachi Trapp- DeKalb County

Most Outstanding Returner -#1 Ryon Lyons- DeKalb County

1st Team – #55 Wil Farris, #11 Ty Webb, #18 Briz Trapp

2nd Team – #2 Jordan Parker, #66 Chris Pulley, #4 Andrew Dakas

The DCHS Tigers closed the book on their 2023 football season Friday night, November 3 falling to the Red Bank Lions 30 to 0 on the road in the 1st round of the TSSAA Class 4A Play-offs.

November 28, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A local man charged in a July fatal shooting is among 30 people who were indicted Monday by the new term of the DeKalb County Grand Jury.

39-year-old Jarrett Manning is under indictment for 2nd degree murder in the death of 56-year-old Thomas Dwayne Thomason. The shooting occurred on Saturday, July 22 outside a residence on Kings Court Circle in the Midway Community.

Manning and all others indicted Monday will appear soon for arraignment in DeKalb County Criminal Court. A total of 23 were named in regular indictments along with seven in sealed indictments.

As for the Manning case, Brian Williams, Chief Deputy of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department said at the time of the incident that Thomason suffered a gunshot wound outside in front of his home and died after being transported by DeKalb EMS from the scene to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital. The shooting was reported to Central Dispatch at 2:12 a.m. (July 22) and a deputy was on the scene within minutes.

Manning, of Ferrell Road, who was also on the scene at the time of the officer’s arrival, was believed to have been responsible for the shooting and was charged that day with second degree murder.

Chief Deputy Williams said a handgun, believed to have been used in the shooting, was recovered. No motive was publicly disclosed by investigators.

In a prepared statement, Chief Deputy Williams said at the time that” On July 22 at 2:12 a.m. central dispatch received a call of shots fired at Kings Court Circle in Smithville. A deputy arrived within three minutes and noticed a man laying outside on the ground with a gunshot wound. Also, there was the suspect (Manning) who was detained at the time. EMS arrived and transported the victim to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital where he succumbed to the wound”.

Assisting Sheriff Patrick Ray, detectives and deputies of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department with the investigation were the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, an Investigator of the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s General’s Office, and Assistant DA Greg Strong. The Smithville Police Department helped secure the scene.

Other indictments returned by the Grand Jury Monday and the defendants are as follows.

Jessica Jo Bates: theft-shoplifting and resisting arrest.

Tommye Lou Bell: possession of a schedule II drug (para-Fluorofentanyl with intent to sell/deliver, possession of a schedule II drug (Fentanyl) with intent to sell/deliver, simple possession of a schedule II drug (Morphine), simple possession of a schedule IV drug (Diazepam), and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Savannah Elizabeth Mae Derrick: possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) with intent to sell/deliver over 26 grams and possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) with intent to sell/deliver over 0.5 grams.

Patsy Lynn Estes: possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) with intent to sell/deliver over 0.5 grams (2 counts), possession of a schedule II drug (cocaine) with intent to sell/deliver under 0.5 grams, possession of a schedule II drug (Fentanyl), possession of a schedule II drug (ANPP), aggravated burglary, and introduction of contraband into a penal facility.

Guadalupe Franz Aguilar-Estrada: statutory rape.

Warren Brandon Glasby: possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) with intent to sell/deliver over 26 grams, possession of a schedule II drug ANPP with intent to sell/deliver (2 counts), unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, aggravated assault (2 counts), tampering with evidence, possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony, evading arrest with a vehicle, and reckless endangerment.

Scott Cory Harris: aggravated assault and assault.

Eric James Cox and Howard Robert Mayo, Jr.: possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) with intent to sell/deliver under and over 0.5 grams (separate counts) and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

Angel Anne Mager, Christopher Brian Mager, Rebecca Ann Yount (also known as Rebecca Ann Van Dyne) and Jesse Eugene Van Dyne: aggravated child abuse and aggravated assault.

Jarrett Lee Manning: 2nd degree murder

Ashley Nicole Mingle: theft of property over $1,000.

Randall Keith Mullins: aggravated assault (3 counts), possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony, and possession of a handgun while under the influence.

Alex Wayne Murphy: child abuse and neglect (under 8) (2 counts) and driving under the influence.

Justin Clay Penuel: theft of property over $1,000, theft of property under $1,000 (shoplifting), and Vandalism over $1,000.

Laura Carol Ratliff: driving under the influence and DUI per se.

Matthew James Savage: driving under the influence and DUI per se.

Andy Dale Shelton: aggravated assault (2 counts), vandalism under $1,000, and possession of a prohibited weapon-brass knuckles.

Rachel Lynn Spurlock: driving under the influence and DUI per se.

Dustin Allen Sullivan: aggravated assault, vandalism over $1,000, resisting arrest, and public intoxication.

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