
News
January 6, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
State Representative Michael Hale has introduced a bill which would allow local schools and public charter schools to display the Ten Commandments on school property.
Hale is the sponsor of HB0047 which was filed last month. Under the bill, schools will be able to display the Ten Commandments, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Constitution of Tennessee, the Bill of Rights, or other “historically significant documents.”
The bill allows schools to place the display in a “prominent location” in each school building to “educate students on the historical significance and common cultural heritage the documents have on the principles of the LEA or public charter school, this state, or the United States of America.”
Schools will have access to printed versions to be made available -if not already available- to them free of charge and each school will decide the size and placement of the display.
Representative Hale’s bill states as follows:
Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 20, is amended by adding the following as a new section:
(a) Local boards of education and governing bodies of public charter schools, as defined in § 49-13-104, may allow schools in the LEA and public charter schools to display the Ten Commandments, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Constitution of Tennessee, the Bill of Rights, a resolution honoring the history of a school in the LEA or the public charter school, or other historically significant documents in a prominent location in each school building in order to educate students on the historical significance and common cultural heritage the documents have on the principles of the LEA or public charter school, this state, or the United States of America.
(b) LEAs and public charter schools are encouraged to display the historical documents using wall posters or other hard copy, printed versions that are made available to the LEAs or public charter schools free of charge.
(c) Each local board of education and each governing body of a public charter school shall determine the size and placement of the display authorized in subsection (a).
(d) As used in subsection (a), “prominent location” means a school entryway, cafeteria, or common area where students are likely to see the display. SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
Mayor and Aldermen Commend Award Winning Police Officer and Promote Longtime Firefighter to Deputy Chief
January 6, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen Monday night recognized Smithville Police Officer Nik Agee for having received an Impaired Driving Enforcement award from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO).
Officer Agee, who earned the honor for his dedication in keeping impaired drivers off the roadways, was presented the THSO award on December 12 at the Cumberland Law Enforcement Liaisons Holiday Network Meeting in Cookeville.
During Monday night’s meeting, Mayor Josh Miller commended Officer Agee.
“On behalf of the City of Smithville, mayor and board of aldermen we would like to recognize and congratulate you on receiving the Tennessee Highway Safety Office Impaired Driving Enforcement Award for District VI December 12, 2024. The commitment and dedication you have displayed exemplifies your exceptional work ethics. You have strived to make a difference for the citizens of Smithville and on this day, January 6 2025 you are hereby formally recognized and commended for distinguished service,” said Mayor Miller.
“He is a fine officer and a compliment to our department. Ever since he got here he has gone to work and done a good job,” said Police Chief Mark Collins.
THSO recognizes law enforcement from different agencies who may have saved a life through their extraordinary efforts to reduce alcohol and drug-impaired driving.
The Smithville Police Department is proud of Officer Agee for demonstrating proactive policing and his dedication to traffic safety.
Meanwhile, the aldermen approved Fire Chief Charlie Parker’s request to promote Assistant Chief Jeff Wright to the rank of Deputy Chief.
“Jeff is currently serving as assistant chief on the department. He has been a member for 39 years and is well qualified for this deputy chief position. The main reason for this is that it gives him full authority in my absence.” said Chief Parker.
The aldermen also approved the current roster of firefighters, most of them volunteer, who are serving the city fire department in 2025.
“Each year in January we get an approved roster from the city council as to our current membership. We are at an all-time high right now of members including several new firefighters this past year. I hope we continue to grow,” said Chief Parker
Smithville Police Charge Knife Wielding Man with Aggravated Assault
January 6, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
A man wielding a knife in a threatening manner was recently arrested by Smithville Police
64-year-old Bobby Moore of Smithville is charged with aggravated assault.
Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins said that on December 27 police were called to Holmes Creek Road due to a disturbance involving a man armed with a weapon. Upon arrival, officers spoke with family members and neighbors and learned that Moore had been drinking before getting into a verbal argument that turned physical. During the episode, Moore allegedly produced a knife and used it to make a slashing motion toward the victim, slicing through two layers of clothing near the stomach. Moore, who allegedly admitted to using the knife during the incident, was placed in custody. His bond was set at $17,500 and he will be in court January 9.
52-year-old Jason Holder of Murfreesboro was arrested December 18 on out of county warrants and cited for speeding, driving on a revoked license, violation of financial responsibility, and an unregistered vehicle.
Chief Collins said that an officer stopped a vehicle on Allens Ferry Road for speeding and upon conducting a warrants check, he learned that the driver, Holder had active warrants against him from Rutherford County. Holder was placed in custody and issued several traffic citations.
44-year-old Nathan Wilbert of Smithville is charged with vandalism. Chief Collins said that on December 18 police were summoned to Smithville Laundromat due to vandalism. Upon arrival officers found a glass door shattered and after reviewing a video surveillance recording identified Wilbert as a suspect. The owner of the property reported nothing missing. Wilbert had already left the premises by the time police arrived, but he was taken into custody a short time later. Bond for Wilbert is $8,500 and his court date is January 16.
57-year-old Roger Weiker of Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. Chief Collins said that on December 19 police were called to Miller Road due to a single car accident. After arrival officers spoke with the driver, Weiker and found him very unsteady on his feet and he smelled of alcohol. Weiker admitted to having consumed alcohol, but he refused to submit to field sobriety tasks. He was placed in custody. Weiker’s bond was set $1,500 and his court date is January 9.
39-year-old Crystal Bashaw of Smithville is charged with domestic assault. According to Chief Collins, police responded to a domestic in progress complaint on East Broad Street December 19 and spoke with two people including Bashaw. Officers found physical evidence of an assault and determined that Bashaw had been the primary aggressor. She was placed in custody. Bond was set at $3,500 and her court date is January 9.
26-year-old Dakota Vance of Smithville is charged with domestic assault, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a schedule II drug, and driving on a suspended license. Chief Collins said that on December 30 police were summoned to Mapco Express due to a domestic. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the complainant and reviewed video from a camera, finding evidence of an assault. Police determined that Vance was the primary aggressor, but he had already left by the time they had arrived. Vance later returned to Mapco Express and was placed in custody. His bond is $16,000 and he will be in court January 9.
48-year-old Tiffany Hendrixson of Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. Chief Collins said that on January 2 police were called to DeKalb Middle School due to a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival officers found a white Impala with the engine running and the gear in the reverse position. Hendrixson was allegedly inside the vehicle passed out with her foot on the brake. Police put the car in park and woke Hendrixson. They observed several indicators of impairment such as confusion, slurred speech, and erratic behavior. Hendrixson submitted to but performed poorly on all sobriety tasks. She was placed in custody. Her bond was set at $2,500 and she will be in court January 16.
