Legendary Former DCHS Basketball Coach Harold Luna Has Died

December 28, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Legendary former high school basketball coach Harold Luna passed away Monday at NHC Healthcare Center in Smithville at the age of 85.

Luna coached both boys and girls at DeKalb County High School from 1964-69, then began coaching the boys program only until 1984. His total record was 516-179.

Mr. Luna was born on December 1, 1937 to his parents, the late Brackett & Era Barnes Luna. Also preceding him in death is his wife, Lynda Luna & a sister, Ponzell Usery. Mr. Luna, or “Coach Luna” as he was affectionally known, was a teacher, member of the Retired Teachers Association, TSSAA Coaches Association & the New Union The Baptist Church.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 2pm from the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Visitation with the Luna family will be on Wednesday, from 1:00pm until 7:00pm and on Thursday, from 9:00am until the service time at 2:00pm. Bro. Keith Sims and Gary McBride will officiate and burial will be in New Union Cemetery.

Survivors include 2 Sons, Rocky (Julie) Luna of Omaha, NE & Bradley “Buck” Luna of Smithville, TN. 8 Grandchildren, Courtney (Chris) Blanchard of Manchester, TN, Alexis Krehbiel, Lindsay Krehbiel, Luke Krehbiel, Abby Krehbiel, Dylan Luna, Natalie Krehbiel & Ainsley Krehbiel all of Omaha, NE.3 Great Grandchildren, Delaney, Lorelai & Rheagan Blanchard all of Manchester, TN. 1 Sister, Mary Louise Wright of Smithville, TN.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

In February, 2015 DCHS paid tribute to a few of its basketball legends presenting the former players and Coach Luna with banners that hang in the school gymnasium. The ceremony was held between the Tigers and Lady Tigers game against Cannon County on February 5th, 2015.

Along with Coach Luna, former DeKalb Basketball Tigerette Betty Carol Fite, and Lady Tigers’ Mary Ann Puckett and Cynthia Woodward were recognized along with former Tigers Danny Foutch and Kevin James. Fite could not attend the ceremony.

The honorees stepped onto the court alongside banners held by current DCHS basketball players that featured their name and jersey number. DCHS basketball announcer Chris Vance then cited their high school career accomplishments. Coach Luna’s banner bore his overall 516-179 win-loss record.

Each player was met with applause from the night’s crowd, but Coach Luna received the most enthusiastic reception. The standing ovation brought the former coach to tears.

December 27, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A woman perished in a fire at her Smithville residence this morning (Tuesday) at 201 Hayes Street

Dead is 37-year-old Brittany Schemmer.

According to Detective Brandon Donnell of the Smithville Police Department, city workers spotted the fire as they were passing by and reported it at 10:23 a.m.

“The Smithville Fire Department arrived on the scene quickly and found smoke billowing through the roof and all through the house,” said Detective Donnell.

“We saw no vehicle parked at the residence but while talking to neighbors we learned that a woman lived there but had no car. We were also informed that the woman’s 6-year-old daughter lived with her but that the child was at her grandparents at the time,” Detective Donnell continued.

Fire Chief Charlie Parker said as fire fighters were battling the blaze, they were also looking for the woman and found her body in a master bathroom. She apparently succumbed to smoke inhalation. A cat and dog also perished in the fire.

According to Chief Parker, the fire is believed to have started in the kitchen, but the exact cause has not been determined. No foul play is suspected. The house was gutted by the fire. The structure and all belongings were lost.

In addition to the Smithville Fire Department and Smithville City Police, DeKalb EMS and city workers were also on the scene.

December 27, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A local red wave politically for Republicans, a man indicted for first degree murder in the fatal hammer beating of his girlfriend, a teen arrested for aggravated arson and first degree murder in the death of his father, other headlining crimes and court decisions, fatal crashes, the loss of life in bizarre lake episodes, missing persons, destructive fires, floods, winter storms, COVID, school coaching and principal changes, and even a super bowl championship for a local pee wee Junior Pro football team were among the top news stories of the year for 2022 in DeKalb County but there were many more.

In part 1 of a series this week, WJLE begins a review of the top local news stories of 2022 in no particular order.

For the first time in DeKalb County history Republicans now hold all elected county-wide offices. In the General Election Thursday, August 4 Republicans swept all county wide races and won a majority of the seats on the county commission.

Matt Adcock, a former Republican County Commissioner in the 6th district, was elected DeKalb County Mayor defeating Democrat Mike Foster, a former three term County Mayor who served from 2002 to 2014 before being defeated by Tim Stribling in the Democratic Primary that year and again four years later in a primary rematch. Foster unseated Stribling in yet another primary battle between the two in May. Adcock won the Republican nomination for County Mayor on Tuesday, May 3 defeating two opponents, 5th District County Commissioner Anita Puckett and former County Commissioner Bradley Hendrix.

Republican Daniel Seber became the next Register of Deeds succeeding 36-year veteran Jeff McMillen, who chose not to seek a 10th term. Seber defeated Democrat Shelby Reeder in the August General Election.

Brandon Cox, a Republican, was elected General Sessions Court Judge, defeating Democrat Tecia Puckett Pryor. Cox took over from 24-year three term Judge Bratten Cook, II who elected not to run again this year. Both Cox and Pryor won their respective party primaries on Tuesday, May 3. Cox captured the GOP nomination defeating Mingy Ball while Pryor claimed the Democratic nomination with a victory over Margie Rigsby Miller.

Republican Incumbent Road Supervisor Danny Hale won re-election in August beating Democrat Wayne Shehane.

Other GOP incumbents winning unopposed in August were Sheriff Patrick Ray, County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss; Trustee Sean Driver; and Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin. The other Republican County Office holder is Assessor of Property Shannon Cantrell, who is not up for re-election until 2024.

In the May Republican Primary, Sheriff Ray defeated challenger Keneth Whitehead.

13-year veteran Circuit Court Judge Amy Hollars of Livingston lost her bid for re-election to Republican William T. “Will” Ridley of Crossville in the August General Election. In the seven counties combined that make up the 13th Judicial District including DeKalb, Judge Hollars, as Circuit Court Judge in Part 1 of the district lost to Ridley and he defeated her in DeKalb County. The six other judicial candidates in the 13th district, all Republicans, won their elections unopposed.

In the May Republican Primary, political newcomer Caroline Knight of Crossville ousted Incumbent scandal plagued Judge Jonathan Young of Cookeville for the office of Circuit Court Judge Part II in the 13th Judicial District which includes DeKalb and six other counties. Knight carried every county in the district and was unopposed in the August General Election. The term is for eight years.

The 14 member DeKalb County Commission is now made up of nine new members and overall eight seats are held by Republicans compared to four by Democrats and two by Independents.

In the General Election Thursday, August 4 three incumbents were defeated including Democrat Julie Young in the 1st district, Democrat Janice Fish Stewart in the 4th district, and Republican Bruce Malone in the 7th district. Two others were unseated in the May 3 Primaries including Incumbents Jenny Trapp, a Democrat in the 3rd district and Jerry Adcock , a Republican in the 5th District. In August two new members were elected from the 1st district including Republican Tom Chandler and Independent Daniel D. Cripps. The 2nd district incumbent commissioners Sabrina Farler, a Republican and Myron Rhody, a Democrat were re-elected. Third district incumbent Democratic Commissioner Susannah Cripps Daughtry was elected to her first full term along with Independent candidate Tony Luna. The 4th district voters chose Republicans Tony “Cully” Culwell and Greg Matthews. The 5th district is now represented by GOP commissioners Larry Green and Glynn Merriman. Democratic 6th district incumbent Commissioner Jeff Barnes, the longest serving current member at 20 years, was re-elected along with Republican Justin Adcock. Seventh district incumbent Beth Pafford, a Democrat, was re-elected along with Republican Timothy Brian Reynolds.

The Board of Education has one new member. Eric Ervin, a Republican, succeeded Kate Miller on the school board from the 4th district. Miller chose not to seek re-election. Ervin won the seat in the DeKalb County General Election Thursday, August 4 beating two other opponents, Dr. Scott Little, a Democrat, and Independent Tony Poss. Meanwhile Seventh district member Shaun Tubbs, an Independent defeated Republican Ryan Mollinet. The other three incumbents up for re-election were unopposed including 1st district member Danny Parkerson, who ran as an Independent; Republican Alan Hayes in the 2nd district and 3rd district Republican Jim Beshearse.

40th District State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver lost the GOP Primary on Thursday, August 4 to Smithville businessman Michael Hale who secured the Republican nomination for the office in a decisive win over the 14-year veteran state lawmaker. Weaver was defeated district wide as well as in DeKalb County. Hale went onto face Tom Cook, the Democratic nominee and won the seat in the November 8th Tennessee General Election.

New mayors were elected in Liberty and Alexandria Thursday, August 4. Audrey M. Martin unseated Incumbent Liberty Mayor Jason Hayes Ray while in Alexandria Alderman Lloyd Dyer (who passed away on December 23) was elected Mayor. Dyer defeated Alderman Jana Beth Tripp in the mayoral race. Dyer succeeded Mayor Bennett Armstrong who chose not to seek re-election but opted for an unsuccessful run for a seat on the county commission in the 1st district. Meanwhile Curtis J. Rutter was elected unopposed to fill an unexpired Alexandria Alderman term. Five were elected Alderman in Liberty on August 4 including Kevin R. Mullinax, Joe D. Bratten, Ryan Dodd, Kendra Stanford, and William H. Reynolds, Jr. In Smithville, Mayor Josh Miller was re-elected unopposed while Alderman Beth Chandler won her first full term. She had been filling an unexpired term. Don Crook was also elected Alderman and in Dowelltown Alderman Greg Fish ran unopposed and was elected in the Dowelltown municipal election.

In November Lane Ball, a Republican was elected unopposed to fill an unexpired 4th district constable position.

Republican Congressman John Rose was re-elected to a new term in November. He carried DeKalb County and the 6th district. Governor Bill Lee was also re-elected and carried DeKalb County.

The following is a monthly review of local news highlights from January to March, 2022:

JANUARY
A winter weather system dropped significant snowfall in Tennessee Monday and Thursday, January 3 & 6 with many areas including DeKalb County receiving from 4” to 7” of accumulation. Several traffic accidents were reported due to the hazardous road conditions. The winter storm kept the Tennessee Department of Transportation and DeKalb County Highway Department busy. “The highway department cut trees out of 17 roads Monday, January 3 due to the snowstorm. We will be removing the debris from the sides of the road over the next few weeks,” said Road Supervisor Danny Hale.

53-year-old Albert Wayne Fisher, Jr. was sent to prison. Fisher, convicted for the voluntary manslaughter of his stepson Tyler Durden on October 31, 2019, was given the maximum prison term of six years for the crime by Judge Wesley Bray following a sentencing hearing Tuesday, January 11 in DeKalb County Criminal Court. Fisher stood trial on November 17, 2021 on a charge of second-degree murder which carries a range of punishment as a Class A felony of 15-25 years, but the jury found him guilty of the lesser crime of voluntary manslaughter. The shooting occurred outside Fisher’s home on Eckles Heights in Liberty. Fisher admitted firing the fatal shot but said he did it in self-defense because he felt threatened by the victim not knowing it was his stepson because he was wearing a Halloween disguise.

A new member was named to the DeKalb County Election Commission in January. Brandon Gay was appointed to succeed Barbara Vanatta, who resigned after serving more than 12 years on the commission. Gay was appointed by the state election commission to finish out the term, which expires in April 2023.

A member of the Liberty Station won the DeKalb County Fire Department’s most coveted award in January. Andrew Harvey was the 2021 Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital Volunteer Firefighter of the Year. Harvey was honored Saturday night, January 15 during the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department’s Annual Awards Program which was held in a virtual platform this year due to COVID-19. Wilson Bank & Trust was the headlining sponsor of the program. Meanwhile, Captain Brian Williams was recognized as the Liberty State Bank Officer of the Year and Steve Repasy, Midway Station Commander was selected to receive the Allen’s Allstars “Git R Done” Award. The DeKalb Telephone Cooperative (DTC) Rookie of the Year Award went to Alyssa Harvey of the Liberty Station and the Liberty Station repeated as the FirstBank Station of the Year award winner.

Senior Isaac Knowles, now a Tennessee Tech University Golden Eagle, was named Most Valuable Player of the 2021 DCHS Tiger Football Team during the annual Awards Banquet held Saturday night. January 22 at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center building. Meanwhile Addison Puckett, a senior received the Most Valuable Football Cheerleader Award. The trophies, sponsored by Liberty State Bank, were presented to Knowles and Puckett respectively by Tiger Football Coach Steve Trapp and Cheer Coach Amanda Fuller..

The Tennessee Department of Health has plans to build a new 12,000 square foot health department center in Smithville in partnership with DeKalb County using American Rescue Plan Act Funding. County Mayor Tim Stribling made the announcement during Monday night’s monthly county commission meeting, January 24. The location for the new facility has not yet been determined but could be built on county owned property adjacent to the site of the current health department building on Allen’s Ferry Road. The project is estimated to cost $3,915,400 but most of it would be funded from the state’s allocation of American Recovery Plan Act funding. The county would have to come up with a local match of $398,000 but Mayor Stribling said the good news is that the county would be allowed to use a portion of its American Rescue Plan Act funds to meet the match.

Smithville Volunteer Firefighter Dalton Roberts received the “Robert Eller Highest Attendance Award” Friday night, January 28 during an appreciation dinner for city firefighters at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center. The award was presented to Roberts by Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker. Roberts earned this award named in honor of the late Robert Eller, who served the Smithville Fire Department as a member and assistant chief for 64 years until his death in 2009. Roberts, an 8-year member of the department, attended the most calls during the year including incidents, trainings, workings, and meetings. Roberts had been a volunteer member of the department for over six years when he was hired as the city’s second full time paid firefighter in October 2020, eight years after Chief Parker was employed as the city’s first paid full timer in the fire department. The Rookie of the Year Award, which is based on attitude, attendance, incidents, trainings, workings, meetings, went to Cole Wright with 243 hours of service in those areas. The firefighter awarded for logging the most training hours during 2021 was Dakota Nokes at 153 hours.

FEBRUARY
Several chill-seekers took a plunge in the frigid waters of Center Hill Lake on a cold Saturday morning, February 5 in support of the Friends of DeKalb Animal Shelter Organization to help raise close to $5,000. The first ever “Plunge for Paws” event was held at Holmes Creek Road Lake Access near Redneck Beach and nine volunteers took the plunge as several other folks stood and watched from the boat launching ramp. Each participant either made a donation or had sponsors to help them raise money for the cause.

DCHS Tiger Football Star Isaac Knowles, a senior, signed a letter of intent with Tennessee Tech University Wednesday, February 2 to play for the Golden Eagles starting this fall. Knowles was joined at the signing by members of his family, coaches, and fellow athletes and friends. A standout on offense as a receiver, runner, and quarterback; on defense; and on special teams, Knowles was a key factor in the Tigers success in 2021 as the team completed a 7-5 season and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs before losing to Upperman at Baxter in November, 2021. Knowles was named Most Valuable Player of the 2021 DCHS Tiger Football Team during the annual Awards Banquet held on January 22. During his four-year career at DCHS, Knowles started and played in 47 football games, the most ever by any Tiger in school history.

68-year-old Matthew Edwin Riihimaa was found dead Tuesday, February 1 in a summer residence near Center Hill Lake. Sheriff Patrick Ray said that the state medical examiner’s office made a positive identification of the man. Neither the cause of death nor any other details were released as the case remained under investigation. The owner of the residence on Captain’s Point Road returned home Tuesday, February 1 after being away since November, 2021 and found the man’s badly decomposed body inside the premises. Sheriff Ray issued the following statement on Wednesday, February 2. “On Tuesday February 1, 2022, at 11:08 p.m., DeKalb Central Dispatch received a call from a person on Captains Point Road stating he found a dead body at his residence. Officers arrived on the scene and discovered a badly decomposed body of a man in a detached sunroom of the residence. The homeowner stated he had not been to the residence since November 1st 2021. Sheriff Ray said “It appeared the man had been living in the sunroom without the owner’s consent. The residence is a summer home and no one stays at the residence full time”.

The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen Monday night, February 7 paid tribute to the late Wallace Dale Caldwell, a 17-year veteran and Chaplain of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department who passed away in November, 2021. Mayor Josh Miller presented a plaque to Caldwell’s wife, Carolyn as a way of honoring him and his years of service to the City of Smithville. Caldwell’s daughters Kitty Thomas and Tiffany Caldwell, son-in-law Tony Thomas, and granddaughter Carly Thomas were also present for the tribute.

A man indicted over six years ago for two counts of aggravated child abuse of a five-week-old infant was sentenced in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Thursday, February 10. 33-year-old Charles Justin Wiggins entered a plea to one count of attempted aggravated child abuse, a lesser crime, and received a 13-year sentence to serve in the Tennessee Department of Corrections. He was given 10 days of jail credit. Wiggins was arrested Monday, October 19, 2015 after a five-week-old infant was brought to Cookeville Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. According to Smithville Police, Wiggins was an acquaintance of the child’s mother and at the time was charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse. According to the arrest warrant, “At approximately 4:00 a.m. on Monday, October 19, 2015 at his Cooper Street residence, Wiggins did knowingly treat a five-week-old boy in a manner as to inflict serious bodily injury. Wiggins stated that he squeezed the child’s ribs and bounced the child aggressively enough to cause the child serious injury”. In the second offense involving the same child, the warrant states that “At approximately 3:00 p.m., on Monday, October 19, 2015 at his residence, Wiggins did knowingly treat a five-week-old boy in a manner as to inflict serious bodily injury. Mr. Wiggins did state that he did pick the child up and squeeze his ribs and slammed him down aggressively into the crib causing the child’s head to bounce. Mr. Wiggins stated he pressed down on both the child’s legs and felt them break”. The child was later taken to Cookeville Regional Medical Center for treatment. Law enforcement authorities were subsequently notified.

The Board of Education faced a packed house Thursday evening, February 10 prior to the regular monthly meeting where concerned parents and students gathered during a workshop to voice their opinions about recent online high school surveys and a decision by the principal to ban student quotes in the 2022 yearbook. Some parents expressed opposition to the student surveys which touched on issues they found offensive including sexual orientation, gender identity, and LGBTQ inclusion and were conducted without their knowledge or consent. One of the surveys stemmed from an agri-science project intended to help FFA students earn a trip to the state convention, but Director Patrick Cripps said the survey was initiated without the knowledge of himself or Principal Bruce Curtis and it was stopped when they found out about it. Meanwhile high school senior Faith Bettencourt presented a petition to the board with 230 signatures asking that the student quotes in the yearbook not be banned. Principal Curtis, who made that call, explained his reasons for it saying he was concerned about the possibility of controversial political and religious quotes being included. The issue was later resolved, and the ban lifted.

A man trapped in his pickup truck near Dowelltown due to rising flood waters from Smith Fork Creek has the DeKalb County Swiftwater Rescue Task Force to thank for coming to his aid Thursday afternoon, February 23. The man apparently tried to drive his pickup truck through the swift water on Alexandria to Dismal Road at the bridge over Smith Fork Creek, but it was swept off the road and into a ditch. After receiving the call for help, members of the DeKalb County Swiftwater Rescue Task Force responded along with others including the Sheriff’s Department and DeKalb EMS. According to Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad Captain Dusty Johnson, he and other members of the Swiftwater Rescue Task Force formed a human wedge as they walked through the flood waters to get to the man who was then carried from his truck to safety. Although not seriously injured, the man was transported by DeKalb EMS to the hospital. Aside from training exercises, Captain Johnson said this was the first actual emergency call for the Swiftwater Rescue Task Force since it was formed last year. The task force, led by the Rescue Squad, also includes volunteers from the DeKalb County, Smithville and Alexandria Volunteer Fire Departments and others who are specially trained and equipped for swiftwater rescues.

MARCH
A Smithville woman lost her life in a head on crash Thursday afternoon, March 10 on Highway 96 near Liberty. Another person was seriously injured. According to Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol 64-year-old Sally Potts was traveling north in a 2002 Honda Civic when she crossed the center line of the highway and into the path of a southbound 2001 Ford F-150 driven by 57-year-old Darryl Meadows of Smithville. Potts died at the scene. Her body was extricated from the mangled car by members of the DeKalb Fire Department extrication and rescue team. Meadows was taken by DeKalb EMS to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital and later by ground ambulance to Vanderbilt Hospital. Potts’ death marked the first traffic fatality of 2022 on DeKalb County roads.

The City of Smithville will soon undertake a $700,000 project to rehabilitate deteriorating sewer lines and manholes in certain parts of town including Earl Avenue, West Main Street, and Carter Street. During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, March 7 the aldermen voted to enter into a contract with the J.R. Wauford & Company Consulting Engineers to provide services related to the project. The city’s share of American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) grant funds will be used to cover costs of the rehab effort.

Sophomore Conner Close was named the DCHS Tiger basketball Most Valuable Player Friday night, March 11 at the annual team banquet, while Senior Kadee Ferrell received the Lady Tiger MVP honor. Junior Amelia Atnip is the Most Valuable Cheerleader. The awards were sponsored by Love-Cantrell Funeral Home and presented by Chad and Shelia Kirby. The MVP and MVC awards are named in memory of Kirby’s grandfather Allen D. Hooper. The season for the Tigers ended with a loss to Cumberland County in the District 7AAA Tournament. The Tigers finished with an overall record of 13-14. The Lady Tigers wrapped up their season at 15-14 after losing to Upperman in the district tournament in February.

Allie Wilbur, a senior and gifted Lady Tiger soccer player signed a letter of intent with Waynesburg University on Friday, March 11 to play collegiate soccer for the Lady Yellow Jackets next season after graduation in May. Waynesburg University is located in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. Joining Wilbur for the signing were members of her family, coach, and fellow players. In addition to furthering her soccer career, Wilbur plans to study forensic investigation at Waynesburg.

Another outstanding DCHS Lady Tiger soccer athlete is moving on to the collegiate level after she graduates from high school. Rainey Tiner, a senior, signed a letter of intent Friday afternoon, March 25 to play for Southwest Tennessee Community College at Memphis. Tiner’s parents, Doyne and Margie Glass helped her celebrate along with DCHS Soccer Coach Dylan Kleparek (Coach K), her fellow teammates, DeKalb Middle School Coaches Justin Nokes and Cameron Lester along with Travel Ball Coach Davis Draper of the All-In Futbol Club TN of Cookeville. In addition to furthering her soccer career, Tiner plans to study criminal justice at Southwest and then go on to the police academy to become a law enforcement officer.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department welcomed its first ever certified female deputy. Deputy Jasmine Garza, who began working for the sheriff’s department as a correctional officer in 2019, earned her officer certification at Walter State Community College Police Academy and graduated Friday, March 25.

A prisoner at the DeKalb County jail was seriously injured in March after being assaulted by two other inmates while incarcerated. Sheriff Patrick Ray said the two inmates accused in the attack are 44-year-old Jermaine Derperise McCoy of Smith Road, Smithville and 40-year-old Garth Layne Cantrell of Young Ridge Road, Sparta . McCoy is charged with aggravated assault and Cantrell’s charge is for assault. The incident occurred at the jail on March 4. According to Sheriff Ray both McCoy and Cantrell assaulted another inmate during a fight at the jail by kicking him repeatedly. The kicks to the head by McCoy resulted in serious bodily injury to the prisoner who was transported to Vanderbilt Hospital where he had to undergo surgery. The name of the injured prisoner was not released.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department has been awarded a $264,446 Facilities Confinement Grant through the Tennessee Department of Health to purchase new patrol cars, a booking system, HVAC units, and laptops for the cruisers with no local match requirement for the county. County Mayor Tim Stribling and Sheriff Patrick Ray made a joint announcement about the grant Monday, March 28. The grant award is part of the Tennessee Department of Health’s mission to reduce and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in confinement facilities such as prisons and jails in Tennessee. This funding is offered in partnership with the Center for Disease Control and the United States Department of Justice.

A man who led Smithville Police on a pursuit in September, 2021 before crashing his vehicle was indicted by the DeKalb County Grand Jury in March for aggravated statutory rape and evading arrest. 26-year-old Tyler Shawn Fowler was among more than 40 people named in indictments (including five sealed indictments) returned by the new term of the grand jury Monday, March 28. 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. The indictment for evading alleges that on September 10, 2021 Fowler, while operating a motor vehicle, fled or attempted to elude a law enforcement officer, Detective James Cornelius, after having received a signal from the officer to bring the vehicle to a stop.

Wildfires at several locations in DeKalb County kept firefighters busy Wednesday, March 30. According to DeKalb County Fire Chief Donny Green, fires broke out and scorched areas off Cookeville Highway in the Cherry Hill community; on Casey’s Cove Road; and on April Drive at Four Seasons. High winds at the time also fanned the flames making fighting the blazes all the more difficult. Although no one was injured, the fires came dangerously close to homes and other structures in some locations. Reports of kids shooting fireworks at Cherry Hill; the burning of scrap material from new construction at Casey’s Cove Road; and the arching of a power line after winds blew a tree down on it at Four Seasons may have been the origins of the fires. County fighters from the Brush Truck, Main Station, Cookeville Highway, Midway, and Four Seasons fire stations responded along with the Tennessee Department of Forestry and manpower from other volunteers and members of the sheriff’s department who assisted using rakes and other hand tools to help keep the fires from spreading.

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