(UPDATED) Second Body Found in Ruins of Overnight Two-Story Log Home Fire

September 13, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Investigators have found remains of a second body today only hours after the first body was discovered amid the ruins of a two-story log home at 566 River Watch Trace in the River Watch Community of DeKalb County which caught fire and burned to the ground early this morning.

According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, the condition of the bodies, because of the fire, left investigators unable to identify them. He said the remains have been sent to the medical examiner’s office in Nashville for possible identification through dental records. The origin of the fire and the cause of the deaths have also not been determined.

Because two vehicles were parked at the residence when firefighters arrived this morning, Sheriff Ray said investigators feared more than one body might be found inside the burned-out home.

“After the fire we found the first body,” said Sheriff Ray. “We later had to get some equipment to remove more rubbish and that’s when we found the other body,” he said.

Although the investigation is not complete, Sheriff Ray said no foul play is suspected at this time.

The Fire Investigation Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department have led the investigation.

Central dispatch received the call at 2:36 a.m. DeKalb County Fire Chief Donny Green said county firefighters arrived and found the structure fully involved in flames.

“911 got a call from a neighbor that had discovered that the house was fully involved and when firefighters got there, we found the second floor of the house had already collapsed. One vehicle there was already on fire and fully involved and another automobile had caught fire. We were able to put out the fire in the second car and we saved a detached garage that was next door,” said Chief Green.

Members of the Johnson’s Chapel Station, Midway Station, Four Seasons Station, Short Mountain Highway Station, and the two tanker trucks of the DeKalb County Fire Department were on the scene along with our fire department rehab unit, DeKalb EMS, and Sheriff’s Department in addition to the TBI’s Fire Investigation Division”, Chief Green added.

September 12, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

After a 34-year association with the City of Smithville, Janice Plemmons-Jackson is stepping down as its Certified Municipal Financial Officer.

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, she was presented an award from Mayor Josh Miller on behalf of himself and the Aldermen in recognition of her three decades of service.

In presenting the award, Mayor Miller read the message imprinted on it.

“There are not enough words to express the appreciation for your 30 plus years of dedicated service to the City of Smithville. You went far above and beyond the duties as a CMFO. Not only were you an employee, but you were also a friend to us all. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the City of Smithville.”

“It has been a pleasure and an honor to have worked with all of you. We have spent a lot of time together through the years and I have loved that you all have worked together and have had the best ideas for what is good for the city and that has made my job easy, and I appreciate that. I couldn’t have done this with just anybody, but you have been great to work with and I thank you very much”, said Plemmons-Jackson.

Although she will continue in her role until the end of the month, Monday night was her last official meeting with the Mayor and Aldermen.

“This is her last meeting tonight,” said Mayor Miller. “I really can’t say enough good things about her. When I came on the city council in 2013, I got to know Janice and have gotten to know her better since I have been the mayor. I hadn’t always agreed with her on everything, but I definitely value her opinion. Before we usually do a project, I will at least go to her and get her opinion financially on that and we have done a lot of projects in the last few years and done well. I thank the board for that as well as Janice. Cash flow has gone up and I credit Janice and the board for that. Ben Guffey will be taking Janice’s place, and I am proud of what he is already doing,” said Mayor Miller

While she is stepping down as the city’s CMFO, Janice said she will continue her own full time CPA practice, Plemmons-Jackson & Cabinas PLLC in Crossville where she resides and be available for some occasional consultation to the city on a limited basis if needed.

WJLE will feature Plemmons-Jackson in a more indepth story about her career in a later post.

In other business, the aldermen approved three rezoning requests, budget amendments, and reappointed Walter Burton to a new four term on the Smithville Electric System Board of Directors. The vote on Burton was 4-1. Alderman Danny Washer voted no.

Second and final reading action was taken following a public hearing on an ordinance to rezone property located on Miller Road near Foster Road from R-1 (Low Density Residential) to R-2 (High Density Residential).

The Smithville Planning Commission met on August 14 and voted to recommend approval of the rezoning request to the Mayor and Aldermen.

Plans are to develop residential housing on the property.

The aldermen also adopted on second and final reading following a public hearing another rezoning ordinance. This property (two parcels) is located on Short Mountain Highway near Bill Page Ball Park. The owner wants the site rezoned from R-1 (Low Density Residential) to C-1 (Commercial) for the intended purpose of a laundry mat.

The planning commission also recently voted to recommend the rezoning of this property.

The aldermen further adopted on second and final reading following a public hearing an ordinance as recommended by the city planning commission to rezone 600 & 602 Estes Street belonging to Dan Boyd from R-1 (low density) to R-2 (high density) residential.

In other business, the aldermen approved on second and final reading a budget amendment ordinance to make corrections from earlier calculations for municipal revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30,2024 and for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022 and ending June 30, 2023.

At the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Miller took a moment to remember 9/11.

“It is September 11 and we know that 22 years ago the world was in chaos. There was a lot of devastation. We honor the ones who put their lives in danger for us, our police officers, firemen, paramedics, EMS, 911 communications, there are just so many people that do so much for us and we are grateful to them. Of course, today we also remember the lives of the almost 3,000 who were lost,” said Mayor Miller.

September 11, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Three people were arrested in a drug bust by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department last week.

20-year-old Ja’merrin Jameze Turner of Lebanon, 27-year-old Zachary Jacob Poss of the Loop Circle, and 25-year-old Courtney Brooke Shrum of the Loop Circle are each charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver. Each is under a $10,000 bond and their court date is September 21.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on September 7 a detective and other members of the sheriff’s department executed a search warrant at 200 the Loop Circle, Smithville. During the search, officers found 23 white pills believed to be Gabapentin, a small amount of a green leafy substance thought to be marijuana, numerous baggies, and other baggies with a crystal-like substance and powder residue, scales, pipes, syringes, and other drug paraphernalia.

21-year-old Jordan Lee Golden of Old West Point Road is charged with criminal simulation and theft of property. His bond is $8,500 and his court date is September 12.

Sheriff Ray said that on August 7, Golden took a Glock model 22-.40 caliber handgun valued at $700 from a location on Old West Point Road without the owner’s consent. On the same day and location, Golden passed 7 counterfeit $100 bills for a total of $700 to the owner of the stolen gun to purchase it. Golden was arrested on September 1.

34-year-old Jonathan Paul Bynum of Smithville Highway, Silver Point is charged with vandalism, aggravated burglary, and theft of property. His bond is $20,000 and he will be in court September 21.

Sheriff Ray said that on August 30 Bynum broke into a home by forcing open the back door causing damage. Once inside the home, Bynum took a purse and left. He also damaged at 2007 Saab convertible by breaking out the windshield, damaging the gear shift, and backing the vehicle into a tree.

56-year-old Buddy Gene Williams of Academy Avenue, Alexandria is charged with violation of an order of protection. He is under a $5,000 bond.

Sheriff Ray said that on August 31 Williams called the workplace of a woman who he was ordered to keep away from. Williams allegedly called the business and asked to speak to someone in the produce department where the victim worked. She picked up the phone and discovered that Williams was on the line. Williams continued talking to the victim for several minutes after he realized it was her.

38-year-old Mark Emory Johnson of South College Street, Smithville is charged with burglary and theft of property. His bond is $1,500 and he will make a court appearance September 14.

Sheriff Ray said that on September 4 Johnson broke into an outbuilding on Page Drive, Smithville and stole a welder valued at $243.

44-year-old Ricky Allen Ashford II of East Main Street, Liberty is charged with driving on a suspended license. He is under a $1,500 bond and his court date is September 21.

Sheriff Ray said that on September 7 a deputy spotted Ashford driving on Midway Road knowing that Ashford’s license was suspended. The officer pulled over the vehicle and confirmed through central dispatch that Ashford’s driver license was suspended. He had been cited the previous day for the same offense by the Smithville Police Department.

41-year-old Jennifer Kaylene Carter of Wolf Creek Road is charged with DUI and violation of the implied consent law. Her court date is September 28, and her bond is $3,500.

Sheriff Ray said that on September 9 a deputy was summoned to Cookeville Highway due to a report of a reckless driver. Upon arrival the officer spotted a White Toyota Tacoma and noticed that the automobile failed to maintain its lane of travel. He pulled over the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Carter whose speech was slurred, and her eyes were watery. Both Carter and her vehicle smelled of alcohol. She submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks, and she refused to give a blood sample for chemical testing.

54-year-old Shawn Christian Barr of Calhoun Street, Smithville is charged with theft of property. His bond is $8,000 and he will be in court September 28.

Sheriff Ray said that on July 6 Barr went to Toad Road and stole a 16-foot dove tail trailer valued at $4,000.

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