(UPDATED) School Bus Loaded with 32 Students Involved in Minor Accident Friday Afternoon

February 4, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A DeKalb County School bus loaded with 32 students was involved in a traffic accident after school Friday afternoon at the intersection of South Congress Boulevard and Bryant Street near Walgreens.

No one was injured in the mishap.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 38-year-old Brandi O’Conner was driving a 2013 Bluebird bus (#39) turning left (southbound) from East Bryant Street onto State Route 56 (South Congress Boulevard). As O’Conner made the left turn, the bus struck the front end of a 2018 Nissan Altima, driven by 53-year-old Kelli Bullard who had been traveling northbound on State Route 56 (South Congress Boulevard) when stopping at the four-way intersection of East Bryant Street. Both vehicles remained in the roadway upon the THP’s arrival. Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident.

The students were later transferred to another bus to be taken home. Although the bus received minor damage, it will be taken out of service until it is re-inspected.

February 4, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Should a juvenile charged in a serious crime such as first-degree murder automatically be transferred to the criminal court for prosecution as an adult?

State Representative Michael Hale is sponsoring a bill in the Tennessee General Assembly called “Ed’s Law” that would change the statute in Tennessee to make that happen. Under the bill, the law would require a juvenile accused of certain criminal offenses to be transferred from juvenile court to criminal court to be tried as an adult if the juvenile court finds probable cause that the juvenile committed the act.

The bill is named in memory of Edward Lemons who lost his life in a fire at his DeKalb County home in December, 2021. Lemons’ 15-year-old son Alex was named in a juvenile petition last April charging him with the delinquent act of aggravated arson and first-degree murder in the death of his father. The case was later adjudicated in juvenile court but because of a gag order put down by the judge, the outcome was not made public.

“I named the bill in tribute to Ed,” said Representative Hale. “I just felt as I think the general public has felt based on responses I have had back, that maybe the (Lemons’) case should have been handled differently especially because of the seriousness of it and feeling that a juvenile will basically be free at 21 for the seriousness of a first-degree murder case,” he added.

According to State Representative Hale, the proposed new law would change the role district attorneys play in the process of transferring a juvenile case to criminal court.

“Many times, the DA can decide whether or not a transfer hearing is held and if they decide not to then that case is handled in juvenile court and then the offenders are sentenced as a juvenile regardless of what the offense is or how serious it is. Basically, this would remove these transfer hearings from the DA being able to decide on serious offenses such as first-degree murder. I think in these violent serious crimes, it shouldn’t be in the hands of a local DA to make that decision. The case should be presented in criminal court to decide what the punishment or sentence should be after the defense and prosecution have presented their case,” said Representative Hale.

Although he came up with the idea for Ed’s Law, Hale said the Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton had been thinking along the same lines. “The speaker called me after I had filed the bill and asked me what I was trying to do. He said I have something similar. His remark was this is a serious thing across the state we have to fix so even the Speaker is involved in getting this changed,” said Hale.

The Ed’s Law legislation is being sponsored in the State Senate by Senator Janice Bowling of Tullahoma who also represents DeKalb County.

February 3, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Open air ice skating is returning to downtown Smithville next weekend just ahead of Valentine’s Day giving you an opportunity to take your honey for a spin on the ice!

The second ever “Skate with a Date” will be held Friday, February 10 from 1-8 p.m. and Saturday, February 11 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on the north side of the public square. This year’s event is sponsored by FirstBank.

“We are honored to be able to sponsor this event. I know it was a big success last year and a lot of folks had a really good time there,” said Casey Midgett of FirstBank. “We are really excited to get open air ice skating back in Smithville. Its something we don’t see often but it’s a neat experience for everybody who participates,” said Midgett.

There is no cost to skate, but donations will be accepted to benefit the DCHS Cross Country, Golf, and Tennis Teams, members of which will be manning the skating rink and handing out hot chocolate and popcorn.

The same business from last year called “Party on Air Event and Party Rentals” of Kentucky will be providing the 32’ x 40’ portable self-lubricating polymer ice skating rink which will be set up on the north side of the public square.

Although the event is being advertised as “Skate with a Date” it is actually for everyone whether you want to bring a date or not. All you have to do is show up because the skates will be provided by the company. Skate sizes will range from 9.5 toddler to 13 adults. Just show up, strap on some skates and take off.

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