Courthouse Arsonist Loses Appeal to Overturn Conviction and Woman Dies in Bizarre August Motorcycle Crash Part of Local News Review in 2022

December 29, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

An unsuccessful effort by a convicted courthouse arsonist to win an appeal to overturn his conviction and a bizarre fatal motorcycle crash in which a Nashville area woman was thrown over the side of Center Hill Dam into the lake were just two of the many news stories that made headlines during the second half of 2022 in DeKalb County and lead off WJLE’s Part-3 of the Year in Review.

The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals upheld the conviction of courthouse arsonist Gary Wayne Ponder. The 12-page opinion of the court, delivered on Wednesday, August 10 by Judge Robert Wedemeyer, affirmed the trial court’s judgment “after a thorough review of the record and relevant authorities” in the case against Ponder, who was convicted in July, 2019 of aggravated arson for setting fire in a DeKalb County Courthouse vestibule recycling bin on June 14, 2016, causing more than $100,000 in damage to the building. The 59-year-old Ponder is serving a 23-year prison sentence in the Morgan County Correctional Complex. Through the District Public Defender’s office, Ponder filed an appeal, arguing that the evidence was insufficient to support the conviction, that the trial court erred when it denied a motion for a change of venue, and that the trial court erred when it sentenced Ponder. In the appeal, Ponder claimed that he should have been granted a motion for a change of venue because his trial actually took place in the same courthouse building where the fire occurred and that this may have had an influence on the jury that tried him. The appellate court saw it differently. “We conclude that the trial court properly sentenced the Defendant (Ponder). The trial court considered the relevant principles and sentenced the Defendant to a within range sentence. Based on the evidence at trial and the Defendant’s criminal history provided in the presentence report, the sentence imposed was not excessive, and the trial court did not abuse its discretion. Accordingly, we conclude that the Defendant is not entitled to relief as to this issue. In conclusion, after a thorough review of the record and relevant authorities, we affirm the trial court’s judgment,” stated the appellate court in its opinion as delivered by Judge Wedemeyer.

A woman died Saturday, August 13 after she was thrown from her motorcycle during a crash and over the side of Center Hill Dam plunging several feet into the lake. E-911 received the call and paged out first responders at 4:26 p.m. According to the crash investigation by Trooper Dylan Palmer of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 28-year-old Brooke Murphy of Antioch, TN. was traveling south on Dale Ridge/Wolf Creek Road navigating a curve to the right trying to cross the dam when she struck a northbound GMC truck, driven by 41-year-old Tom Baird of Nashville. After impact, the motorcycle hit the dam’s concrete barrier. Murphy was thrown across the handlebars and over the side of the dam into the lake below. The motorcycle came to a final rest in the northbound lane facing south. The truck pulled to a stop outside of the roadway in a parking lot facing south. Murphy was reportedly removed from the water and brought by boat to a ramp near the dam where DeKalb EMS and members of the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad had arrived, but she was unresponsive although efforts were made to resuscitate. Members of the DeKalb County Fire Department, Sheriff’s Department, TWRA and US Army Corps of Engineers Officials were also on the scene.

DeKalb West School earned the distinction of being a “Reward School” for high levels of performance and or improvement under Tennessee’s school accountability system. The Tennessee Department of Education in September announced the schools and district designations for 2021-22. “The Reward school status for DeKalb West School is a credit to the students as well as the faculty and staff for the work they have done. They have met and gone above the standards the state has set forth. They have worked hard and done a really good job,” said Director of Schools Patrick Cripps. Schools are recognized as a Reward school when they demonstrate high levels of performance and/or improvement by meeting their annual measurable objectives across performance indicators and student groups, and the Reward school distinction places significant emphasis on improvement from the prior school year. From the 2020-21 TCAP administration, a significant number of schools saw improvement and increased participation in this year’s assessments to qualify for the distinction.

The following is a monthly review of local news highlights from July to September 2022:

JULY
Two hundred seventy participated in the 24th annual Fiddler 5K and One Mile Fun Run July 2. The overall winner was 17-year-old Matthew Sinclair of Carthage who ran the course in 19:17 seconds. Meanwhile 16-year-old Ella VanVranken of Silver Point won the race among females. She ran the course in 20:11seconds. One-Mile Fun Run (age 12 and younger) winners: TOP MALE: 7-year-old Silas Richardson of Cookeville at 8:02 seconds. TOP FEMALE: 9-year-old Anna Swafford of Bell Buckle at 7:44 seconds. Funds raised will support Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County.

For the first time a local square dancing team claimed a Fiddlers Jamboree Championship. Smithville Select, led by Mary Ann Puckett, was crowned winner of the Youth Square Dancing Competition Friday night, July 1 at the 51st Annual Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree and Crafts Festival. Before dancing their way to the title, Smithville Select had to make it to the finals and emerged from a field of six teams during the preliminaries Friday afternoon as one of the top three contenders. Taking second place in the Youth Square Dancing competition was Jackson Hollow of Franklin and Third place went to Steppin’ Time of Dickson.

A Normandy Tennessee boy earned the top Jamboree award, July 2 as the best fiddler in the National Championship for Country Musician Beginners. Finley Reed won 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 Reed including Mickey and Jimmy Driver, sons of Bobo, and Adam Driver, his grandson. Meanwhile Reagan Brown of Springfield was named winner of the Nolan Turner Memorial Entertainer of the Year award. The honor is presented to the best overall instrumental entertainer among winners in the dobro guitar, mandolin, five string banjo, and flat top guitar competition.

13-year-old Noah Goebel claimed the Grand Champion Fiddling Title at the 51st edition of the Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree and Crafts Festival. The Elkton, Kentucky resident, who also won the Junior Fiddling contest Saturday night, July 2 beat out the Senior Fiddling Champion Heather Brown Currie of Springfield in the showdown for the Berry C. Williams Memorial Award. Currie claimed the Grand Champion Fiddling Title in 1999 and 2001. As the 2022 Grand Fiddle Off Champion, Goebel will be invited by the Grand Ole Opry to play a ‘fiddle tune’ for the Opry square dancers’ LIVE performance during a selected show TBA. Only last year, Goebel competed as a child in the Fiddlers Jamboree’s National Championship for Country Musician Beginners and won the Beginners Fiddling Title. This is the 11th year in a row (not counting the 2020 virtual jamboree) that a Junior Fiddler has beaten the Senior Fiddler for the Grand Championship of the Festival.

The Mount Rushmore of Smithville! Founders of the Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree and Crafts Festival were honored with a special tribute commissioned by family of the late James G. “Bobo” Driver. Members of the Driver family gathered on stage of the Fiddlers Jamboree Saturday afternoon, July 2 for the public unveiling of a bronze casting marker as a lasting memorial to Congressman Joe L. Evins and his friends and colleagues Berry C. Williams and James G. “Bobo” Driver, who established the festival in 1972. The marker will be placed on the grounds of the courthouse.

Citizens of DeKalb County now have another option of renewing vehicle registrations. “We have purchased and installed an Outdoor Kiosk for tag renewals,” said County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss who showed off the new machine for the first time in July with David Casaday (BIS Sales Representative) and Jacob Rosin (BIS Field Tech) of Business Information System. The Kiosk is located outside the front door of the County Complex near the County Clerk’s Office. “This purchase was made available with Federal Covid restricted monies already received and approved for this particular function. Again, the initial purchase of $26,000.00 did not require any budget increase or new money. It was federally approved Covid money used for this purchase. However, after the first year, there is a $5,000 annual fee for maintenance and replacement of parts or the entire Kiosk for a lifetime. The $5,000 maintenance fee will be debited from available state earmarked fees established for County Clerks, requiring no new money from our county,” said Poss. “I want to offer our citizens every option of convenience in renewing their vehicle registrations. We now complete vehicle renewals in office, over the phone and through online services already available. Unlike online, mail or phone, the outdoor Kiosk allows individuals the opportunity to choose the time, pay no mail fee and no delay in receiving their renewal paper registration and renewal sticker,” Poss continued. “The card convenience fee is charged but it’s no different from card use in office, by phone or online.” This Kiosk is weather-resistant, built to withstand environmental factors, including extreme temperatures and direct sunlight. It is also sealed to prevent the intrusion of water, smoke and dust. Durable and secure, it is designed to discourage and prevent tampering with a dual-stage powder coat for long lasting durability,” said Poss.

A 4th of July fire destroyed a home in Alexandria. Although no one was injured the residents there lost all belongings in the blaze. Alexandria Fire Chief John Partridge issued the following statement about the fire. “Alexandria Fire was called to a structure fire the night of July 4th around 10:00 pm in the 600 block of East Main Street in Alexandria. Responders arrived on the scene to find the home heavily involved in fire with a partial roof collapse. The homeowner and all occupants made it out safely after they heard popping they believed to be fireworks but instead discovered a large amount of fire in the garage area of the home. The fire quickly moved to the remaining portions of the home which forced firefighters to attack it from the outside due to extreme heat and the danger of collapse. DeKalb County Fire also responded with additional firefighters and apparatus to fight this large fire. DeKalb County Fire Department’s Rehab Team and DeKalb EMS also responded to provide aid to firefighters working in the high temperatures that nighttime brought little relief to. Cooling fans and cold towels were used to cool firefighters working exhaustively to bring the fire under control,” said Chief Partridge.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps announced Friday, July 8 that DeKalb Middle School has a new principal and assistant principal. Caleb Shehane took over from former DMS Principal Lacey Foutch, who served in that role for three years, while Angela Johnson succeeded Anita Puckett as Assistant Principal. Both Foutch and Puckett were reassigned. Shehane, a Warren County native with ties to DeKalb County, lives in the Short Mountain area with his wife Heather Cantrell Shehane and they have two children, ages 6 and 4 years old. For the last 12 years, Shehane has been a 6th grade math teacher at Centertown Elementary School in Warren County. This is his first job in administration. Johnson, the new Assistant Principal, is well known to the staff and most students at DeKalb Middle School. She had been an educator there for 6 years including the first 3 as a Science teacher and the last 3 years as a Response to Intervention (RTI) instructor supporting students in their reading abilities and as an English Language Arts (ELA) coordinator. Before joining the staff at DMS Johnson served six years as a second-grade teacher at Smithville Elementary School and before that she was an educational assistant in the school district for 4 ½ years. Angela and her husband Bobby Johnson have three children, Ian and twins Garrett and Isabella along with a grandchild, Waylon who turned 3 years old in August.

2022 DeKalb County Fair Royalty: Fairest of the Fair- 18-year-old Addison Jean Puckett, daughter of Jimmy and Anita Puckett of Smithville; Junior Fair Princess Allyson Roxanne Fuller, the 16-year-old daughter of Anthony and Amanda Fuller of Smithville; Miss Fair Queen-21-year-old Carly Breana Tipton of Smithville; Little Mister-5 year old Keaton Sawyer Hale son of Bobby Lee and Ciara Hale of Alexandria; Little Miss- 6 year old Kendyl Reign Atnip daughter of Brooke Hutchings and Cody and Kimberly Atnip of Liberty; Miss Princess- Addison Paige Curtis of Smithville, the 9-year-old daughter of Heather Page and John Curtis; Mrs. Fair Queen- 47-year-old Amy Clare Lockhart of Smithville; Senior Fair Queen- 66-year-old Jeanette Adcock Mabe of Smithville; Miss Sweetheart- Charley Loren Prichard of Liberty, the 10-year-old daughter of Andy and Chrissy Prichard.

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber held a Ribbon Cutting ceremony at the DeKalb County Agriculture Building Wednesday, July 13 during the DeKalb County Fair to celebrate the new interior projects. With the support of the DeKalb County Mayor’s office, the Chamber applied for and was awarded a $50,000 Three Star Grant to create a commercial kitchen and 2 meeting/classroom spaces for the new agriculture building. According to Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, “Jeff McMillen oversaw all the construction. I can’t say thank you enough for all the time and energy Jeff spent on getting everything done in such a timely manner.” Williams continued. “We believe the economic impact of this project will be significant. These additions will provide a generous space to hold diverse events, trainings, sales, auctions, meetings, programs, and more all throughout the year.” Plans are for this multi-purpose ag building to be utilized in numerous ways including DeKalb Cattle Association events, equipment auctions, school functions, concerts and other entertainment-type events, culinary classes, 4-H development programs, cattle and horse sales, Senior Center events and programs, Community Events, Birthday Parties/Family Reunion type events, trainings, and various uses during the DeKalb County Fair.

A morning crash Friday, July 15 involving an SUV and dump truck claimed the life of 79-year-old Gordon Walter of Smithville. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Walter was north on Allens Ferry Road in a Toyota 4Runner SUV when he pulled into the path of a southbound 388 Peterbilt dump truck while trying to make a left turn onto Holmes Creek Road near the Little League ballpark. The dump truck was driven by 40-year-old Terrance Martin of Smithville. He was driving for T Bird Trucking. The crash report states that Walter’s automobile hit the truck in the southbound lane at an angle. After impact the SUV traveled south for several feet before coming to a final rest roadside left facing north. The dump truck traveled several feet southbound crossing the center line before running off roadside left where it overturned and then came to final rest outside the roadway facing east. According to the report, Walter was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. Martin did have on his seatbelt and was not hurt.

A new coaching team is now in place to lead the DeKalb County High School boys basketball program. Joey Agee, Assistant DeKalb West School Principal and former DeKalb Middle School boys coach, took over from John Sanders, who resigned as head coach of the Tigers for an assistant coaching position at Trousdale County while Cody Randolph will join Coach Agee as his assistant coach. Randolph is coming over to DCHS from DeKalb Middle School where he had served as the Saints boys basketball coach for the last eight years. Randolph succeeds former Assistant Tiger Basketball Coach Logan Vance who has taken a job as teacher and basketball coach at Smith County Middle School. Both Coaches Agee and Randolph will teach wellness and physical education at DCHS. The announcement was made July 15 by DCHS Principal Bruce Curtis. Former DMS Saints Assistant Coach Ethan Vanhook took over the head Saints coaching duties.

A 33-year-old Sparta man accused of seriously injuring a 4-year-old child two years ago resulting in a bone fracture was sentenced in DeKalb County Criminal Court Monday, July 18. Charles David Woody entered a plea to aggravated child abuse and received a sentence of 15 years to serve in the Tennessee Department of Correction. He was given jail credit from June 22, 2020 to July 18, 2022. On May 9th, 2020 the indictment alleges that Woody did unlawfully, knowingly, and other than by accidental means, inflict injury upon a 4-year-old child resulting in serious bodily injury, : to wit: bone fracture thereby committing the offense of aggravated child abuse.

DeKalb County landowners saw no increase in their property tax rate last fall. During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, July 25 the county commission adopted the tax rate and consolidated budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year as recommended by the budget committee. The county property tax rate remained the same at $1.7308 per $100 of assessed value. The new consolidated budget included pay raises for county employees and others along with teachers and school support staff as well as an allocation of funding for bonuses and various projects from the county’s $3.98 million share of federal American Rescue Plan Act funding. The county received authorization to draw down $1.9 million of the total ARP funding last summer for the 2021-22 fiscal year and the rest was down this fiscal year (2022-23).

A midnight fire Friday, July 22 gutted a home under renovation downtown Smithville. The home, owned by Mitch Hodge, was located on West Webb Street near the public square. Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker said the fire was reported to E911 dispatchers at 11:40 p.m. by a passerby who spotted smoke coming from the home which was unoccupied at the time. The Smithville Fire Department sprang into action accompanied by officers with the Smithville Police Department, and DeKalb EMS. A crew from Smithville Electric System also responded to cut power to the house. When firefighters arrived, flames were coming out of the windows of the home and the blaze had spread to the second floor and attic. Firefighters worked to contain the fire, keeping it from spreading to other areas. The house and all of its contents were thought to be a total loss. Chief Parker said it appears the fire started in a front room on the first floor of the home but the cause has not been determined. No one was injured.

AUGUST
A man accused of aggravated statutory rape who led Smithville Police on a pursuit in September, 2021 before crashing his vehicle was sentenced in DeKalb County Criminal Court Monday, August 1. 27-year-old Tyler Shawn Fowler entered a plea to aggravated statutory rape and received a three-year sentence to serve at least 30% before his release eligibility date. He was given jail credit from September 6, 2021 to August 1, 2022. His name will be on the state’s sexual offender registry. Tyler was wanted for the aggravated statutory rape of a 15-year-old. The indictment alleges that Fowler unlawfully and intentionally or knowingly sexually penetrated the teen between the dates of April and September 2021.

A 70-year-old Cookeville man lost his life in a pickup truck crash Thursday afternoon, August 4 on Highway 56 near Center Hill Lake. Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said Phillip Smith was traveling north in a 2016 Nissan Frontier when he ran off the left side of the road and struck a rock bluff head on. Smith died at the scene. Members of the DeKalb County Fire Department, Sheriff’s Department, and DeKalb EMS all responded along with other members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

DeKalb West School has a new Assistant Principal at the helm following Joey Agee’s transfer to Head Men’s Basketball Coach at D.C.H.S. DeKalb County native Seth Willoughby was selected to fill the vacancy. Schools Director Patrick Cripps said DWS Principal Sabrina Farler made the hiring recommendation after interviewing several candidates. A 2010 graduate of D.C.H.S., Willoughby majored in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Tennessee Tech University. A product of the DeKalb County Schools, Willoughby attended Smithville Elementary School, Northside Elementary School the first year it opened, DeKalb Middle School and finally to D.C.H.S.

A suspected drug dealer was busted by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department in August after a search of his home yielded a variety of drugs, weapons, a vehicle with an altered VIN number, and a large amount of cash. 39-year-old Nathan Joe Trapp of Magness Road, Smithville was charged with possession of Suboxone, Alprazolam, and Clonazepam with intent to sell or deliver; and possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver over 300 grams; unlawful possession of a weapon; possession of drug paraphernalia; violation of an order of protection; and alteration of a VIN number. Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Friday, August 12, a detective and other members of the Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at Trapp’s residence and found 650 grams of a crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine, two whole orange pills and broken pills believed to be Suboxone, two Alprazolam bars, five Clonazepam pills, numerous scales, baggies, and other drug paraphernalia along with two loaded Taurus 9 mm handguns, a loaded DB 5.56 caliber AR-15, and $30,750 in cash. In addition to the money, investigators seized from Trapp a 2003 Nissan Murano and a 2002 Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle. They also discovered that the VIN number had been removed from the dash, door jams, and frame of a black Chevy Silverado truck on the premises.

The DeKalb County Democratic Party has a new leader. Liberty area farmer Jonathan Bradley was named in August by the local Democratic Executive Committee as Chairman of the party. He succeeds Billie Ann Tubbs-Trigueros who resigned as Chairman. A native of Georgia, Bradley and his wife Heather moved to Nashville in 1998 and then relocated to DeKalb County in 2014 where they started Quarter Spring Farm on a 64-acre homestead on Davis Hollow Road in the Liberty and Dowelltown area.

A man who stole a 2006 Dodge Ram pickup truck belonging to the City of Smithville Fire Department last year was sentenced Monday, August 22 in DeKalb County Criminal Court. 44-year-old Mark Beall entered a plea to theft over $10,000 and received a three-year sentence to serve. He was given jail credit from March 23, 2021 to August 22, 2022. On March 23, 2021, Beall drove off in the truck which was parked at the fire station downtown. Beall was later pulled over in the truck and arrested in McMinnville. The truck was easy to spot as it was decaled “Smithville Fire Rescue” on both sides. Equipment was mounted on the pickup, and it had $2,000 worth of extrication tools in the back of the truck.

Three men found locally with fake credit cards along with $30,000 worth of stolen checks out of Kentucky were arrested in August by Smithville Police as part of a multi-state and federal investigation into crimes including mail theft and armed robbery. 25-year-old Anthony Marquall Love of McMinnville and formerly of Flint, Michigan, 19-year-old Rodney Ray Lee Sheridan Jr. of Columbus, Ohio, and 18-year-old Raymond Anton Walker also of Columbus, Ohio were charged locally with two counts of criminal simulation and theft over $10,000 (possession of stolen mail). The suspects were also persons of interest in at least one-armed robbery of a US Postal delivery employee in Kentucky which enabled the perpetrators to commit the mail thefts. According to Chief Collins, the trio tried unsuccessfully Saturday night, August 20 to use a fake credit card to purchase merchandise from both the local Walmart and Dollar General Store on South Congress Boulevard. A similar scam was successfully carried out by others in May at Walmart in Smithville where $9,000 worth of merchandise was stolen. No arrests have been made in that incident. At the time of their arrests Saturday night, the trio had in their rented car 132 checks from account holders made out to businesses and others in Louisville, Kentucky from mail thought to have been stolen from post office boxes there. Investigators believe the suspects rifled through the mail looking for the checks and intended to put money from those checks into a bank account through an online mobile deposit transaction before withdrawing the cash once it was in the bank. Chief Collins said investigators believe this scam is part of an organized group originating in Michigan where one of these men is from but that scams of this type are occurring all over the country. Pending the outcome of the state and federal investigations, these three men may face additional charges elsewhere.

The 2022 DeKalb Saints Homecoming Queen Brylee Kirby was crowned Thursday night, August 25 during a program held prior to the game with Smith County at the DCHS football field in which the Saints lost. Kirby, an 8th grader at DeKalb Middle School, is the daughter of Chad and Shelia Kirby of Smithville. The Homecoming Court were Jordyn Allison Agee- DMS 7th grade attendant, daughter of Joey and Casey Agee; Khloe Elizabeth Grandstaff-DMS 7th grade attendant, daughter of Tyler and Shawna Grandstaff; Kaylee Brooke Kent-DMS 8th grade attendant, daughter of Kevin and Beth Kent; Lillie Grace Young-DMS 8th grade attendant, daughter of Michael and Crystal Young; Miah Johnson-DWS 8th grade attendant, daughter of Kelsey and Brandon Pyles and Bobby and Cindy Johnson; and Sophie Desimone- DWS 7th grade attendant, daughter of Dusty and Rachel Desimone.

SEPTEMBER
The City of Smithville added a third full time paid firefighter to the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department in September. The aldermen voted to hire Glenn Lattimore upon the recommendation of Chief Charlie Parker. Lattimore had been a volunteer member of the department for 14 years. His budgeted salary is $35,131 plus benefits. Chief Parker said Lattimore was one of two candidates for the new position and recommended after a review process. Chief Parker was the first member of the department hired as a full-time city firefighter in 2012. Dalton Roberts was added as the second city paid firefighter in 2020.

DeKalb Countians remembered 9/11 turning out for a special local tribute 21 years after the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil. The auditorium at the Mike Foster Multi-Purpose Center was almost full as people came to honor those whose lives were lost that day in New York, Washington D.C. and in Pennsylvania as well as the first responders and military servicemen and women who serve our community and nation. Country star Aaron Tippin and his wife and son, Thea and Tom were featured on the song “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly” which he debuted at the first local 9/11 memorial one week after the tragedy 21 years ago before a huge crowd on the steps of the courthouse. Tippin returned to perform the same song at another local remembrance 10 years later downtown. The Sunday program also featured another great talent, Cody Purvis who performed two patriotic songs, “Boots on the Ground” and Daryl Worley’s “Have You Forgotten”. At the conclusion of the program, first responders were summoned to the stage for recognition and a group photo.

DeKalb Telephone Cooperative (dba) DTC Communications is being awarded over $15.6 million in a TNECD grant for the expansion of internet access serving parts of DeKalb and Cannon counties. The total comes to $15,627,524.71. The award was included in an announcement made in September by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) Commissioner Stuart McWhorter that the state will fund $446,770,282 in grants for the expansion of internet access across the state of Tennessee. In total, the broadband infrastructure grants will provide broadband access to more than 150,000 unserved homes and businesses across 58 counties. “People are moving to Tennessee from across the nation in record numbers, and we have an obligation to prepare our state for continued growth,” said Governor Lee. “Our strategic investments in broadband infrastructure will ensure our rural communities are connected and have every opportunity to thrive, and I thank the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group for managing dollars effectively to serve Tennesseans.” Grantees will provide approximately $331 million in matching funds to complete these projects for a combined investment of $778 million in new broadband infrastructure projects across the state. These projects must be completed within three years.

A DeKalb County Landfill employee, 54-year-old Mark Randall (Truck) Robinson of Dry Creek Road, Smithville was terminated and charged with theft and fraudulent use of a debit card in September for allegedly using a county government fuel card for personal use. The theft allegedly occurred multiple times from June 21, 2021 to September 11, 2022 totaling almost $3,000. The case was investigated by the Smithville Police Department. According to the arrest warrant, “Mark Robinson did use the DeKalb County Government gas card to fill his personal vehicle with gasoline. Mr. Robinson was employed by the DeKalb County landfill. Mr Robinson used the card multiple times. The first offense was on June 21, 2021 to the last offense September 11, 2022. The total amount of gasoline taken was $2,962.66. Mr. Robinson did not have consent to use the gas card for personal use. This offense did occur in Smithville,” the warrant stated.

The DeKalb County High School Golf Team concluded their season in September. In the Division I AA Region 4 Tournament, held at the Golden Eagle Golf Course in Cookeville, Alison Poss shot an 84 to finish tied for 8th out of 24 golfers. Brayden Summers shot an 81 to finish tied for 19th out of 40 golfers. “Brayden is a junior and I really think he has a good chance to qualify for state next year if he keeps improving. Alison is a sophomore and has a good chance to go to state in her next two years. They are just awesome to work with,” said Coach John Pryor. In October, the DeKalb County High School Golf Team had their banquet. The boys team finished the season 7-22 and the girls finished 11-12. The “Most Improved” player was awarded to Ayden Sprague, Bradley Hale took home the “Top Newcomer” award, Brayden Summers was the Boys’ MVP and Alison Poss was the Girls’ MVP.

Charges were filed in September against three Greenbrook Park graffiti vandals for committing the offense and a similar crime at a local church. According to Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins, the same trio who spray painted graffiti on the amphitheater and playground equipment at Greenbrook Park were accused of having done the same thing on the same night at the Bethlehem Community Church on Dry Creek Road. 19-year-old Daisy Morales and 19-year-old Alex Diaz Vidal were each charged in this case with vandalism under $1,000. As with the Greenbrook Park episode, a juvenile was involved at the church and will be charged in a juvenile petition. In the offense report, a member of the Bethlehem Community Church told police that sometime between 5 p.m. on Monday, September 19 and 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 20 someone spray painted graffiti on the exterior walls of the church. The investigation led to the same three who had entered the property of Greenbrook Park after hours the same night as the church incident. For the Greenbrook Park offenses, Morales and Vidal were each charged with vandalism over $1,000 and burglary along with the juvenile. Both Morales and Vidal have been released on their own recognizance. In December Morales and Vidal each entered a plea in DeKalb County Criminal Court by criminal information to the charge of vandalism over $1,000 and were given supervised probation for two years under a judicial diversion agreement. Restitution if any must also be paid

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District awarded a $91,250,000 contract to American Bridge Company for the Center Hill Dam Spillway Gates Replacement Project. Replacement is needed because a Spillway Radial Gate Evaluation Design Document Report in 2016 revealed the eight spillway tainter gates are subject to overstress due to trunnion friction issues. Trunnion friction is the force generated around the trunnion pin during a gate lifting operation. It is caused by the bearing of the trunnion pin against the gates’ trunnion hub and bushing, which is the rotating point of the gate. In addition, the gates and lifting equipment have been in operation since the dam was completed for full beneficial use in 1948. The scope of this contract include fabrication of eight new spillway tainter gates; removal of existing gates and lifting machinery equipment required to operate the gates; and installation of the new gates and lifting machinery equipment.

The 1972 DCHS Tiger Football Team gathered for their 50th anniversary reunion Friday, September 30 for a Dutch treat pre-game meal before attending the DCHS homecoming game against Livingston Academy. The 1972 team finished its season on the field at 6-4 but actually was credited with another win to go 7-3 after one of the opponents on the schedule that year, Brentwood had to forfeit. The 1972 Tigers defeated Woodbury 28-12, Baxter 8-6, Montgomery Central 44-8, Gainesboro 42-0, Monterey 6-0, and Grundy County 16-6. The Tigers lost to Huntland 20-0, Brentwood 33-0, Gordonsville 8-0, and Watertown 26-6. The 1972 Tigers were led by head coach Wayne Cantrell and assistants John Eaton and Donnie Elledge.

DeKalb County Senior Citizens celebrated after the age 60 and older A-team won the district chair volleyball championship Monday, September 26 at the 2022 Senior Olympics at Fair Park Senior Citizens Center in Cumberland County. The local team (age 60 and older) won the overall trophy going undefeated in 13 games of competition which featured 14 other teams from Cumberland, Fentress, and Putnam Counties. The local team also won the Gold medal in their age group. There was even more cause for celebration as the DeKalb County 60 plus B- team captured the overall Bronze Medal while the 70 and older team won the overall Silver Medal. Both the age 70 plus and 80 plus age teams from DeKalb County also won the Gold Medal in their respective age groups.

DeKalb County High School students paraded their “Tiger Pride” from one end of town to the other Friday afternoon, September 30 on the last day of Homecoming Spirit Week. The Tiger football team’s homecoming opponent was the Livingston Academy Wildcats and the floats in the parade had a Tiger versus Wildcats theme. The parade featured Homecoming Queen Reese Williams and her attendants, Deanna Agee, Carlee West, Hannah Trapp, Sadie Moore, and Caroline Crook, the DCHS Fighting Tiger Band, the football team, cheerleaders, Mr and Miss DCHS Colby Barnes and Morgan Walker, class and club floats, other high school athletes, lots of decorated cars and trucks, emergency vehicles, among others. The event concluded with a pep rally on the square led by DCHS Football cheerleaders. The Tigers won their homecoming football game 48-0.

December 29, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The DCHS Lady Tigers dropped both of their games in the Renasant Bank Christmas Tournament this week at Maryville losing to McMinn Central 83 to 36 on Tuesday and to Lafayette Kentucky 67 to 59 on Wednesday.

The Lady Tigers (8-6) and the Tigers (8-4) will resume regular season play on Tuesday, January 3 at Livingston Academy.

In the game against McMinn Central, the Lady Tigers trailed 27 to 14 after the 1st period, 48 to 25 at halftime, and 72 to 34 after the 3rd period before falling 83 to 36.

Ella VanVranken scored 16 followed by Chloe VanVranken 7, Dare Collins 5, and Camryn Branin, Madison Martin, Avery Agee, and Tess Barton each with 2.

Against Lafayette, Kentucky, the Lady Tigers were down 13 to 8 after the 1st period, 33 to 28 at halftime, and 49 to 44 after the 3rd period before losing 67 to 59.

Ella VanVranken scored 25 followed by Avery Agee 14, Chloe VanVranken 9, Tess Barton and Camryn Branin each with 4 and Dare Collins 3.

JANUARY
Tue, 1/3-6:00pm-Livingston Academy-Away • District
Fri, 1/6-6:00pm-Macon County- Away • District
Sat, 1/7-3:00pm-Warren County- Away • Non-District
Tue, 1/10-6:00pm-Watertown-Away • Non-District
Fri, 1/13-6:00pm-Cumberland County-Home • District
Tue, 1/17-6:00pm-Upperman-Away • District
Fri, 1/20-6:00pm-Stone Memorial-Home • District
Tue, 1/24-6:00pm-White County-Away • District
Fri, 1/27-6:00pm-Livingston Academy-Home • District
Mon, 1/30-6:00pm-Smith County-Home • Non-District
Tue, 1/31-6:00pm-Macon County-Home • District
FEBRUARY
Tue, 2/7-6:00pm-Cumberland County-Away • District
Fri, 2/10-6:00pm-Upperman-Home • District
Game times listed are the start of the Lady Tigers game. Tigers games to follow.

December 28, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A man indicted for first degree murder in the hammer beating death of his girlfriend in September tragically ranked among the top crime stories of the year in DeKalb County and is the leading story in Part-2 of WJLE’s Year in Review-2022.

35-year-old Simon Rodriguez Martinez, who allegedly beat his girlfriend to death with a hammer at their Smithville home early Wednesday morning, September 21 was charged with first degree murder and remains in jail under a $2 million bond in the death of 39-year-old Yuri Guerra. In October, a preliminary hearing was held in DeKalb County General Sessions Court. The only witness to testify during the hearing was TBI special agent Brandon Davenport, who was summoned to the scene the morning of the killing. He was questioned by Assistant District Attorney General Greg Strong and Assistant Public Defender Allison West about what the investigation revealed. Martinez, who apparently doesn’t speak English, sat quietly in the courtroom near the assistant public defender who represented him and an interpreter who was translating for him during Davenport’s testimony. Davenport said he questioned Martinez after the killing, and he admitted getting into a domestic dispute with Guerra over allegations of infidelity. According to Davenport, Martinez claims to have pushed Guerra down during the struggle and that she grabbed the hammer and struck him with it. Martinez claims he then took the hammer away from Guerra and struck her once. Davenport said Martinez’s version of the story is not supported by the evidence in that the condition of Guerra’s body shows multiple blows to her head. After the killing, Martinez allegedly admitted to taking a shower and throwing away his bloody clothes. Three children were present in the home at the time of the killing and the oldest, a 14-year-old witnessed the attack and gave a statement to investigators. Martinez was indicted for the crime by the Grand Jury in November.

A 15-year-old boy was charged in a juvenile petition in April accusing him of being responsible for a fire in December 2021 which claimed the life of his father. Alex Lemons was taken into custody Thursday evening, April 7 at the sheriff’s department and named in a juvenile petition for aggravated arson and first-degree murder in the death of 43-year-old Edward Lemons. The fire occurred at Lemons’ home at 5056 Jacobs Pillar Road. Lemons made his first juvenile court appearance Monday, April 11 but Judge Bratten Cook, II issued a gag order preventing the parties from discussing the case outside of court. Although Sheriff Patrick Ray did not release the boy’s name on advice of the District Attorney General’s Office, the local media confirmed it independently. The teen was a student at DeKalb County High School. “Today we took out petitions on a 15-year-old male. The petition is for first degree murder and aggravated arson,” said Sheriff Ray. “On or about December 7, 2021, this juvenile did knowingly and intentionally set a residential fire located at 5056 Jacobs Pillar Road, Smithville which resulted in the death of his father, Edward Lemons,” said Sheriff Ray, reading from the petition. “He was picked up Thursday, April 7 and we had a transport order that was signed by Juvenile Court Judge Bratten Cook, II. The boy was being housed in Cookeville at the detention center pending the Monday, April 11 hearing,” added Sheriff Ray. “We believe he intentionally set the fire with an accelerant. We, along with the Fire Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, gathered numerous items of evidence at the scene that were sent off to crime labs and those things supported our case. Accelerant detecting dogs deployed at the scene were also helpful during the fire investigation,” added Sheriff Ray. Sheriff Ray would not speculate on a motive for the fire. The case was later resolved in court, but the result was not made public.

After spending 27 years in prison for the 1995 kidnapping and brutal killing of two people in DeKalb County, 54-year-old Chris Tatrow wanted to be a free man in 2022 but any hopes he had of gaining release on parole anytime soon were dashed after his parole hearing  in April. At the conclusion of the session, hearing officer Roberta Kustoff, a Parole Board member, cast her vote to decline parole for Tatrow due to the seriousness of the offense. “The file will go to other parole board members who will independently review and vote until there are enough concurring votes to reach a final decision. In Tatrow’s case, there needs to be four concurring votes by board members before a final decision is reached. Generally, it takes approximately a couple of weeks to finalize,” said Dustin Krugel, Communications Director for the Tennessee Board of Parole. The final decision by the board came down days later denying Tatrow’s petition for release. The parole hearing for Tatrow, who is serving a life sentence for first degree murder in the killings of John Harry and Roger Zammit, was held at the Northwest Correctional Complex (NWCX) in Lake County at Tiptonville, Tennessee where Tatrow is incarcerated. Tatrow has spent half of his life behind bars because of the crimes. This was Tatrow’s second appearance before members of the Tennessee Board of Parole. His first was in October 2019. District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway and Zammit’s sister spoke out against parole for Tatrow during the hearing. John Allen Harry and Roger Dale Zammit were both murdered on January 29, 1995 in DeKalb County. The trial was held in Cumberland County. Harry and Zammit  were kidnapped, held against their will, beaten and tortured over a 3 day period. After their deaths the bodies were dumped in Center Hill Lake

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department is seeking your help in locating 31-year-old Brittany Ann Miller who has been missing since Monday, July 4. According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, Miller was last seen on July 4th around 4:00 p.m. at her home on Hurricane Ridge Road, Smithville. At the time she was reportedly wearing a black tee shirt possibly saying “DCHS Tigers”, black shorts knee length, and black tennis shoes with black “no show” socks. A white woman, Miller is 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. Her eyes are blue and she has dark brown shoulder length hair. She also wears black frame glasses and has a tattoo of “Adam” across her forearm and “Tyler” on her right ankle. Search efforts were conducted in July by ground, air, and on the lake but to no avail. An investigator of the District Attorney General’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation also assisted in the case. If you have seen Miller since July 4th or have any information of her whereabouts, please notify DeKalb Central Dispatch at 615-215-3000 or the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department Crime Tip Line at 615-464-6400. Miller has been listed with the National Crime Information Center as a missing person.

A man who barricaded himself inside a Dowelltown home after allegedly shooting another man there later surrendered and was taken into custody Wednesday evening, April 13 after a brief standoff with law enforcement officers. The victim’s wounds were believed to be non-life threatening. 55-year-old Lorenzo Hernandez of West Main Street, Dowelltown was charged with aggravated assault. Sheriff Patrick Ray explained how the incident unfolded in the following statement. “On Wednesday April 13 at 6:31 p.m. while on patrol in Dowelltown, a deputy was flagged down due to a man being shot. Officers placed the wounded victim in a patrol vehicle to get him to a safe location to meet Emergency Medical Services. Other officers arrived on the scene and set up a perimeter around the residence where the shooter had barricaded himself inside of. After a short period of time, Sheriff Department Detectives were able to get the man to surrender and walk out of the residence where he was taken into custody without further incident. Through an investigation into the shooting, it was determined that the suspect, Hernandez had shot another male in the arm after a disagreement between the two at a residence in Dowelltown. The victim’s injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening. An investigator with the District Attorney General’s Office was summoned to the scene to assist in the investigation. Members of the Alexandria Police Department and Constable Mark Milam also responded to the scene to assist the Sheriff’s Department,” said Sheriff Ray. The warrant against Hernandez for aggravated assault alleges that Hernandez did knowingly shoot someone with the intent to cause serious bodily injury. The name of the victim was not released.

The following is a monthly review of local news highlights from April to June 2022:

APRIL
A pedestrian was airlifted Sunday night, April 3 after being struck by a motorist in the 1000 block of Short Mountain Highway. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 24-year-old Carlos Alejandro Rueda Dehza of Smithville was walking in the right lane of the roadway when he was hit by a southbound 2018 Kia Optima, driven by 28-year-old Jody Lattimore of Smithville. After impact, Lattimore’s vehicle came to a final rest in the roadway facing north and Lattimore notified emergency responders. The pedestrian was tended to by emergency personnel before being transported by Air Evacuation. Lattimore, a county firefighter, was reportedly responding non-emergency in his private vehicle to a landing zone in the Blue Springs community at the time of the accident.

The 2022 DeKalb County School District Teacher of the Year is Amanda Mullinax, a librarian and media specialist at DeKalb West School. Mullinax got a surprise visit to her classroom Tuesday, April 12 for the “John Isabell Memorial Award” presentation by Director of Schools Patrick Cripps, DeKalb West School Principal Sabrina Farler, Assistant Principal Joey Agee, Supervisor of Instruction Michelle Burklow and Federal Programs Supervisor Dr. Danielle Collins. As part of the honor, Mullinax also received a school bell award, a floral arrangement, dinner gift card, and a certificate granting her a day off from school. “I am very honored, overwhelmed, and blessed to be acknowledged for what I put into my job because of my students. I love what I do, and I love my students. I try to do the best for them each and every day and I think that is all anybody could be asked to do,” said Mullinax. “Each year we select a Teacher of the Year from each school, but the “John Isabell Memorial Award” is for the whole district. Ms. Mullinax exemplifies what a teacher is. She loves her students, and they love her. She also has knowledge of the curriculum content and how to get that information across to her students. Ms. Mullinax is not only regarded highly by her students but by her peers as well,” said Director of Schools Patrick Cripps. Mullinax, who is in her 21st year as a career teacher, was among five local educators who were recognized Tuesday, April 12 for being chosen by peers as “Teacher of the Year” at their schools. The others were Kindergarten teacher Cristy Spears at Smithville Elementary School; 5th grade math and science teacher Sarah Storey at Northside Elementary School; Teresa Jones, a seventh-grade math teacher at DeKalb Middle School; and Gary Caplinger, a CTE residential and commercial construction teacher at DeKalb County High School. In addition to the visit to Mullinax, Director Cripps and school administrators paid a call on the other four teachers at their schools Tuesday, April 12 to present their school level “Teacher of the Year awards.

The body of a man was found floating face down in Center Hill Lake on Wednesday, April 6 at the Johnson’s Chapel Recreation area only a few feet from the boat ramp in about 3-4 feet of water. In a statement, Sheriff Patrick Ray said “As per the autopsy, the body in the lake has been identified as 37-year-old William Houghtaling Jr of Baxter. He was reported missing out of Cookeville City by the Cookeville Police Department in March 2022. The evening when the body was found, I contacted the District Attorney General’s Office and requested the assistance of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation due to a possible multi-county case. (Putnam and DeKalb). District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway requested the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to assist the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department with the case. No other information was available,” said Sheriff Ray. According to the Sheriff, the body was nude except for the pair of socks he was wearing, and identification was found tucked in one of the socks which matched that of Houghtaling. The discovery was made by a fisherman. “A man came to the area to check the lake to see if it (lake level) was up because he was going to go fishing when he noticed something near the boat ramp. At first, he thought it was an animal but as he got a closer look, he found it to be a human body. Because of the poor phone service in that area, the man went to the top of the hill to call 911 which did a transfer to White County and then the White County 911 center transferred it to DeKalb County,” added Sheriff Ray. Houghtaling’s 2013 Chevy Malibu was recovered from the lake at the Cookeville Boat Dock ramp in DeKalb County on Tuesday, April 19.

It truly was a Good Friday, April 15 for the DCHS Class of 2022. During a three-hour WJLE radiothon which was also LIVE streamed on the DCHS 2022 Project Graduation facebook page, the community rallied in support of the class with pledges and donations totaling a record breaking $12, 785 for the 2022 Project Graduation event which was held following the graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 13. The fundraiser not only exceeded the goal of $10,000 but broke the previous Project Graduation radiothon record of $11,609 in 2020. Project Graduation is a safe, fun event for the graduates as they wrap up their school year.

With graduation just around the corner, DCHS Class of 2022 Salutatorian and Tigerette softball sensation Jacey Hatfield is a happy camper. In less than a month, she will be receiving her diploma after a fulfilling high school career which obviously is something to celebrate, but Hatfield is equally excited about what the future has in store for her. During a brief signing event Thursday, April 21 Jacey’s family, friends, teammates and coaches gathered around her in the DCHS gym as she made her commitment to Cumberland University at Lebanon where she will further her education and play softball for the Phoenix. Daughter of Jeremy and Jennifer Hatfield, Jacey said her plans are to study pre-medicine and one day become a pediatric nurse.

A Sunday fire, April 24 destroyed a two-story residence at 1095 Lakeview Drive at Lakeview Mountain Estates and spread to about 13 acres of woodland coming dangerously close to other structures in the area. DeKalb County Fire Chief Donny Green said firefighters were dispatched to the residence of Anthony W. Mickle, Jr and Ronda Mickle. No one was home at the time. In a prepared statement, Chief Green said “Sunday at 11:37 a.m., DeKalb Fire was dispatched to a structure fire on Lakeview Drive. Upon arrival, the structure was fully involved and had spread into a steep wooded area. The homeowners were not home”. “Firefighters worked quickly to gain control of the fire and protect other nearby threatened structures and the Tennessee Department of Forestry was called in to assist with the wildland fire”. “The two-story home, contents, and two dogs were lost in the fire. The American Red Cross Chapter was also dispatched to assist the owners with their immediate needs. Approximately 13 acres of woodland burned, and four other structures were threatened”.

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber is excited to share the news coming from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. Commissioner Bob Rolfe has announced that Alexandria is one of 10 Tennessee communities selected to participate in the eighth round of the Tennessee Downtowns program. The Chamber made application on behalf of Alexandria. The Tennessee Downtowns program helps local communities revitalize traditional commercial districts, enhance community livability, spur job creation and maintain the historic character of downtown districts. The two-year program coaches selected communities and their steering committees through the steps of launching effective renewal efforts. Tennessee Downtowns includes community training in the Main Street America program and a $15,000 grant for a downtown improvement project. The Tennessee Downtowns Steering Committee Members for Alexandria are Matt Boss – chair, Judy Sandlin, Pat Parkerson, Phillip Holmes, and Ria Baker. Suzanne Williams will also be working with this group.

MAY

*A Thursday afternoon fire , May 5 destroyed the home of Roger Tramel at 702 Cill Street as well as a garage on property behind the home off Charity Lane belonging to Danny Adams. The call came in around 4:15 p.m. No one was injured. Contents of both the house and garage were lost along with a dog. Canopies and vehicles on the properties including a pontoon boat were either threatened, damaged or destroyed. Heavy black smoke from the fire could be seen rising into the sky for miles and neighbors reported hearing an explosion believed to be from a couple of propane tanks which ignited during the fire. The Smithville Fire Department arrived on the scene and also deployed the ladder truck to help fight the blaze. Members of the local chapter of the American Red Cross came to assist with immediate needs of the fire victims.

*More than $1.2 million dollars in scholarships were awarded to members of the Class of 2022 at DeKalb County High School during Tuesday’s Senior Awards night program, May 10.

*Three seniors at DeKalb County High School, Jasmine Bilbrey, MacKenzie Sprague, and Natalie Snipes became college graduates in May. The trio earned an Associate degree in Science from Motlow State Community College, and walked the line Monday evening, May 9 in a Motlow ceremony at MTSU in Murfreesboro, four days before their graduation at DCHS Friday night, May 13.

*Eight DCHS Tigerettes earned All-District Softball honors for the 2022 season. Named to the All-District team from DeKalb County were Morgan Walker, Bryna Pelham, Emma Martin, Jacey Hatfield, and Aniston Farler. Hatfield was named Defensive Player of the Year. Kora Kilgore and Raylie Cowan made the All-Freshman Team. Bri Murphy was selected to the All-District Tournament Team. The Tigerettes wrapped up their season Wednesday, May 11 with a 2-1 loss to Upperman in the District Softball Tournament at Sparta. They finished the year at 19-12 overall and 8-4 in district play.

*The 165 members of the Class of 2022 at DCHS assembled for the last time Friday night, May 13 on the occasion of their commencement looking back with fondness on their years together and with the hope and promise of a bright future. Three members of the class were singled out for special recognition during the commencement. This year’s White Rose Awards went to Isaac Knowles and Faith Betancourt and the Citizenship Award was presented to Isaiah Harrington. Awards were also presented to the Valedictorian Isabella France and the Salutatorian Jacey Hatfield.

* DCHS high jumper , Ally Beneke, became a State Champion on May 26th at the TSSAA-DI AAA track meet. The junior jumped a height of 5 feet 6 inches to claim the title! Beneke had the number one seed going into the competition of 5 feet 7 inches, which she jumped earlier in season.Ella VanVranken represented DeKalb in the 1600 meter run. She finished 11th overall with a time of 5:25.

*The D.C.H.S. Band took center stage Saturday night (May 7) at the high school, but this time it wasn’t to perform. It was the annual awards banquet to recognize students who gave it their all in performance and leadership over the past school year. Director Don Whitt handed the top award, the John Phillip Sousa Award, to Senior Savanna Warren. She also received a trophy for Leadership Low Brass and Senior Low Brass Player.

*Based on overall high marks given by the Board of Education in a recent performance evaluation, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps was awarded a one-year contract extension. During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, May 23 the Board voted 6-0 to grant the extension. Those voting in favor were Chairman Shaun Tubbs, Vice Chairman Jim Beshearse, and fellow members Danny Parkerson, Kate Miller, Alan Hayes and Jamie Cripps. Jason Miller was absent. Cripps’ annual salary will remain at $98,000 but he will be entitled to the same salary raises that the Board shall grant to all licensed employees going forward. Cripps’ contract was to run through June 30, 2023, but with the one-year extension, he will now serve as Director at least through June 30, 2024. Cripps has been Director since July, 2015. Results of the Board of Education’s annual performance evaluation of Director Cripps show he is meeting “most” expectations of the board. Cripps’ overall average score is 4.40 out of a possible 6 score.

*Less than a week after stepping down as the DCHS Tigerette Softball Coach, Danny Fish tendered his resignation as physical education teacher and Lady Tiger basketball Coach at DeKalb County High School and was named head basketball coach of the Warren County Pioneers. In his six years as head coach of the Lady Tiger basketball program, Coach Fish compiled an overall record of 90-89 with Regional Tournament appearances in 2016, 2017, and 2018 including a final 8 finish in the Class AA State Tournament. In 2018 the Lady Tigers were 2018 Region runners-up Sectionals Champions. As softball coach, Fish oversaw a program that had three State tournament appearances, six district championships, five regional championships, and an overall record of 108-63.

JUNE
*Danielle Tyson Horton is making history at DeKalb County High School by becoming the first female head coach of the Tigerette Softball program. DCHS Principal Bruce Curtis made the formal announcement Wednesday, June 1 that Horton would be succeeding Coach Danny Fish as Tigerette Softball Coach. Horton, a 2014 graduate of DCHS, is only the third head coach in Tigerette Softball history following in the footsteps of legendary Coaches Danny Bond and Danny Fish, both of whom she played for as a Tigerette during her high school years. This past year Horton served as an assistant to Coach Fish. Horton and her husband Davey are the parents of a two year old daughter, Amelia and the family lives in Smithville.

*The splash pad opened at Green Brook Park on Friday, June 3. The mayor and aldermen, joined by other city officials, the Chamber of Commerce, parents, and kids hosted a ribbon cutting. “It’s a very exciting day for Smithville. I want to thank the city council for funding this project. I think this will be a great asset and something good for the kids to have to enjoy for years to come. I also want to thank our public works department. They have put a lot of time into this project especially Public Works Director Kevin Robinson and City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson. We did not use an architect with this, so we saved money and there was a lot of time put into this by our administration going over plans. We are proud of it,” said Mayor Josh Miller. A groundbreaking was held in March for the new 2,400 square foot splashpad. The mayor, aldermen, and other city officials and friends were on hand for that occasion including Jason Stewart and Adam Walton of Recreational Concepts of Cookeville, the company that built the splashpad.

*The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen Monday night, June 6 during their regular monthly meeting adopted on first reading a budget ordinance for the 2022-23 fiscal year which included an 11% pay raise for all city employees. The city property tax rate will remain at 0.7523 cents per $100 of assessed value which is expected to generate $1,350,000. Water and sewer rates, which went up by 2% last year, will increase by 4% this year. The new rates for city water customers will be $7.70 per thousand gallons of usage. Rates for customers outside the city limits will be $11.55 per thousand. City sewer customers will pay $7.17 per thousand. Tap fees are also being increased. In addition to the employee raises, the mayor’s pay is being increased from $1,000 to $2,000 per month ($24,000 per year). Pay for each of the five city aldermen will also be doubled from $50 to $100 per meeting (regular and special meetings) and will include workshop meetings (up to $2,400 per year total budgeted for each member). The new budget also includes the addition of a third paid firefighter (budgeted salary $35,131 plus benefits); making the part-time airport manager position full time (budgeted salary $40,000 plus benefits), increasing the salary of the golf pro shop/pool manager to ($36,000 plus benefits),increasing the 25 volunteer firefighters pay from $25 to $35 per call (total budget $70,000); purchasing a small garbage truck ($115,000), two police cars and related equipment ($82,000), a new roof for the city hall building ($100,000); two new heat and air units for the city hall building ($42,000); the refurbishment of the playground and benches at Green Brook Park ($48,000); tire changer and balancer for the public works department ($15,000); fire department portable radios, new air bags and controller, pickup truck, and site work training (total $61,000). Funds are also included for street paving ($335,000 including $250,000 grant); $699,012 in an obstruction clearing grant for the airport; Fixed asset water and sewer department additions: meter reading software ($12,000), tube settlers ($30,000), and replacement of sewer lines ($703,000 using half of the Federal American Rescue Plan Act Grant Funding). Through a longstanding agreement, the City of Smithville, DeKalb County Government, and the DeKalb School District, share in the annual cost of paying two traffic control officers in the school zones mornings and afternoons (during the school year) at Northside Elementary School and at DeKalb Middle School/DCHS. The positions are filled by two constables who each earn $17 per hour up to 440 hours per year. Subject to final approval of the funding bodies, the city, county, and school district this year are budgeting an increase in their share of the cost to bring the constables up to $20 per hour for this service. The city’s annual contribution the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad is increasing from $2,000 to $3,000 with passage of this budget. General Fund Debt Service for the new police department building is projected to be $172,550 for the year including $100,000 in principal payments and $72,550 in interest on long-term debt.

*Nine people were indicted in a special session of the DeKalb County Grand Jury on Wednesday, June 8 charging them with conspiracy to sell and deliver more than 300 grams of methamphetamine following an eight month long undercover investigation started by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department into a major local drug trafficking operation. The TBI and other agencies later joined the sheriff’s department in the probe from February to October 2021 called “Operation Ice Pick” in which drug buys were made through confidential informants. Those indicted were 48-year-old Charles Edward White, Jr. of 295 Johnson’s Chapel Road, Sparta, charged with two counts of Meth 300 grams or more – conspiracy, 25 counts Meth – Mfg, Deliver, Sale, Possession with Intent.; 51-year-old Shawn David Troglen of Charlie Dickerson Road, Sparta, charged with two counts Meth 300 grams or more – conspiracy; 34 year old Tiffany Jeanette Ford of South Carter Street, Sparta, charged with two counts of Meth 300 grams or more – conspiracy; 32-year-old Tara R. Treadway, Smithville, charged with two counts of Meth 300 grams or more – conspiracy; 43-year-old Amy L. Hall of New Hope Road, Alexandria, charged with two counts of Meth 300 grams or more – conspiracy; 52-year-old Eva Louise Dover of Cookeville Highway, Smithville, charged with two counts of Meth 300 grams or more – conspiracy; 31-year-old Paige Lynn Simmons of Summer View Lane, McMinnville, charged with two counts of Meth 300 grams or more – conspiracy; 30-year-old Phillip Joe Potter of Roy Webb Road, McMinnville, charged with two counts of Meth 300 grams or more – conspiracy; and 36-year-old Robert H. Murdock of Killen, Alabama, charged with two counts of Meth 300 grams or more – conspiracy.

*DeKalb County High School has a new girls basketball coach. Meet Brandy Alley. The announcement was made Friday, June 10 by DCHS Principal Bruce Curtis. The 25-year-old Alley, a native and resident of Crossville, will succeed Coach Danny Fish who announced his resignation in May to take the boys basketball head coaching job at Warren County High School. Although she had served as a travel ball coach and an assistant to head basketball coaches at White County, Cumberland County, and Stone Memorial spanning the last five years, this is her first head varsity basketball coaching job. In addition to her role as assistant, Alley also headed up or was involved in the freshman and junior varsity girls basketball programs during her time at those schools and was head girls volleyball coach for one year at Cumberland County High School. Coach Alley becomes the fourth female head basketball coach all time in the history of DeKalb County High School behind Helen Lee, Holly White, and Amy Tobitt. In the classroom, Coach Alley will be an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and when there is an opening, Principal Curtis said she will be moved into a biology and physical science teaching position.

*Tennessee Education Commissioner Dr. Penny Schwinn visited Smithville Elementary School on Friday, June 10 as a part of the ‘Accelerating TN 2022 Tour.’ The initiative spans 50 school districts in three weeks to highlight summer learning opportunities in different school systems. As the Commissioner and those who accompanied her stepped off the bus, she was greeted by Director of Schools Patrick Cripps, members of the central office staff, SES Principal Summer Cantrell and teachers at the school. State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver was also there. These summer programs stem from the Tennessee Learning Loss Remediation and Student Acceleration Act and Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement Act, which is the first update in over 30 years to the way the state funds public education. “The tour is going well,” said Commissioner Schwinn. “We are able to talk to students, teachers, and district leaders about the great work they are doing in the public schools in our state and frankly it’s an opportunity to celebrate the great work of our schools. We talk about a lot of things that are wrong but there is so much more that’s right and you get to see that on tours like this,” she said. “I am hearing a lot of really strong excitement about early reading on the tour. There’s a lot of focus there. People are loving summer school and wanting that funding to continue because they are seeing great results. We are seeing some kind of stress around getting scores back and what that means but I am feeling very optimistic about achievement and what we will see in our state tests. I am also seeing a lot of relief to get back to normal. A lot of folks say it feels like we are back to who we are and what we know how to do, and we can do our jobs and see great results with our kids,” she continued. During her visit to Smithville Elementary School, Commissioner Schwinn went into classrooms and sat with children as they were doing their summer schoolwork.

*Sixth-grade student Anderson Fortner from Smithville, son of Joe and Misty Fortner, was honored for his ingenuity at the seventh annual Raytheon Technologies Invention Convention U.S. Nationals, powered by The Henry Ford. This student was among over 68 award-winning K-12 inventors from across the nation who were celebrated at the awards ceremony held on June 3. Fortner earned the Manufacturing and Tools Industry Award and Cooley Patent Application Award for his invention of the Tire Lock. “The Tire Lock is a mechanism that will hold your lawnmower or four-wheeler stationary on a trailer during transportation.” Invention Convention Worldwide is a global K-12 invention education curricular program mapped to national and state educational standards that teaches students problem-identification, problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and creativity skills. The program helps young inventors build lifelong confidence in their invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship abilities.

*Head coach Mark McEntire has hired former Blue Raider Payne Denman of Smithville as the next assistant coach for Middle Tennessee men’s golf. “One of the things we were looking for was that our players wanted a good player,” McEntire said of the search for a new assistant. “And we found one. He’s got really good ties to the Grove, really good ties to Stones River, and all of our alumni. I think he’s going to do a really good job for us.” Denman played for MT from 2012-2015 after transferring from Florida, making his mark on the program record book. His career scoring average of 74.04 was 2.21 strokes above par, the 12th -best mark in Blue Raider history. He finished with 26 rounds of par or better, tied for 15th in the career rankings. As a Blue Raider, Denman finished first or second on the team in scoring average in each of his three seasons. He finished in the top 15 of nine tournaments, including a seventh-place finish at the 2015 Conference USA Championship. His collegiate accomplishments include 2013 Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors and leading a team bid to the 2014 NCAA Columbia Regional. After a stint in the professional ranks, Denman currently holds amateur status as a player. His return to MT marks his first foray into coaching.

*Alexis Grace Atnip was crowned the 2022 Miss Jamboree in the age 17-20 category Saturday, June 18th at the county complex auditorium. Atnip, the 19-year-old daughter of Veronica and Gary Johnson of Smithville was also awarded for Prettiest Hair and Eyes.

* Another coaching change at DeKalb County High School. John Sanders, who for the last four seasons had been head coach of the DCHS Tiger Basketball program announced his resignation as coach and Physical Education Teacher. Sanders stepped down to become an assistant to Head Boys Basketball Coach Ryan Sleeper at Trousdale County High School. A native of Smith County, Coach Sanders came to DeKalb County in 2018 after having served as an assistant boys’ basketball coach at Murfreesboro Oakland High School. He and his wife Kristen Oldham Sanders still reside in Carthage. They are the parents of two children, 3-year-old Quinn and Jo Lynn who will be 1 year old in November. In his four seasons at DCHS from 2018-22, Coach Sanders compiled an overall record of 36-73 and 17-37 in the district according to Coach T. Meanwhile Tiger Assistant Basketball Coach Logan Vance also resigned. He took a job as teacher and basketball coach at Smith County Middle School.

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