Burn Permits Required Beginnings September 23

September 22, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

With hot and dry weather leading into our fall fire season, Tennessee’s State Forester is requiring a burn permit for all open-air outdoor fires beginning Sept. 23.

Typically, burn permits are required statewide Oct. 15-May 15. While Tennessee has not seen an increase in the number of wildfires, and indices right now don’t suggest a high fire danger, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry is putting burn permits in place early as a precaution. If current weather conditions continue as leaf fall begins, fire danger may escalate.

In DeKalb County to obtain a burn permit call (615) 597-4015 if you live west of the Caney Fork River or (931) 839-2328 if you are east of the Caney Fork River. In the City of Smithville call 615-215-3000.

“This precautionary measure will be beneficial as we continue to monitor fire risk,” State Forester David Arnold said. “The burn permit system focuses attention on safety, and it’s important for citizens to know when, where, and how to safely burn debris. Caution and conservative judgment should always be used when working with fire.”

Obtaining a burn permit is free, fast, and simple. If you are burning a leaf or brush pile that is smaller than 8 feet by 8 feet in size, our online system provides a quick and efficient way to apply. For a larger burn, call your local Division of Forestry burn permit phone number Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The online system and phone numbers can be found at www.BurnSafeTN.org.

More than 300,000 permits are issued each year, and they are only issued when conditions are conducive to safe burning. If you live inside city limits, there may be additional restrictions. Check with your municipality before you burn.

For a list of materials that may not be burned, check the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s open burning guidelines at www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/apc-air-pollution-control-home/apc/open-burning.html.

Burning without a permit is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine. Wildfires caused by arson are a class C felony punishable by 3 to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. Anyone with information about suspected arson activity should call the state Fire Marshal’s Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017. The hotline is answered 24 hours a day, and you may remain anonymous when providing information. Cash awards are offered for information leading to an arrest or conviction. To report illegal burning, please call 1-888-891-TDEC.

Visit www.BurnSafeTN.org for additional tips to burn safely and to protect your community.

September 21, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Defendants convicted in three high profile cases will be back in court this fall. Two of them, 55 year old Gary Wayne Ponder and 31 year old Andrew Billings will be sentenced and the third, 28 year old Cody Ryan Key will be seeking post conviction relief.

Ponder was convicted in July for setting fire in a courthouse vestibule recycling bin on June 14, 2016 causing more than $100,000 in damage to the building.

After hearing several hours of testimony, it took a jury, made up of six men and six women, less than half an hour to deliver it’s verdict. Guilty as charged for aggravated arson.

The range of punishment for this Class-A felony offense is from 15-25 years.

Ponder had been scheduled for sentencing Friday, September 20 but the hearing has been reset for December 10^th.

Billings’ sentencing hearing has also been rescheduled for December 10^th. It had been set for Friday, September 20.

He was convicted as charged of attempted first degree murder in a 2017 knife attack on his wife Adriana. The trial was held in August and it took only 25 minutes for a jury panel of 7 men and 5 women to find him guilty. Along with the verdict, the jury also assessed a $50,000 fine..

As an A felony the range of punishment for this offense is from 15-25 years.

Key is serving a 45 year prison sentence for second degree murder in the death of his girlfriend’s 23 month old son Colten Alexander May on May 17, 2015.

Key is seeking a modification of his sentence in a post conviction relief petition and the hearing, set for Friday, September 20, has been rescheduled for November 1.

Meanwhile the child’s mother, 23 year old Jessica Ashley May, serving an eight year sentence for attempted aggravated child neglect stemming from the fatal beating of her son by Key is reportedly out of prison after completing her term. According to the Tennessee Department of Correction website, May’s sentence expired July 23, 2019.

May entered a plea to attempted aggravated child neglect, a Class B felony in December, 2016 and received an eight year sentence as a range I mitigated offender to serve at least 20% before parole eligibility. She had already served 568 days by that time since her arrest on May 19, 2015.

Law enforcement officers concluded that while Key was the one who had actually severely beaten the child May knew the abuse had taken place and didn’t try to stop it.

September 21, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Freshman running back Colby Barnes scored three touchdowns in his high school debut and quarterback Axel Aldino threw for three TD’s in DeKalb County’s 49-12 swatting of the Grundy County Yellow Jackets in Smithville Friday night.

DC’s Nathaniel Crook also scored a touchdown while Desmond Nokes snagged two touchdown passes and Alan Munoz caught one TD pass for the Tigers.

With the win DeKalb County improves to 2-3 on the season while Grundy County falls to 0-4.

The Yellow Jackets got on the scoreboard first completing a 36 yard drive on a Koby Michael 3 yard touchdown run. The Tigers thwarted a 2 point conversion try but Grundy County led 6-0 with 4:46 left in the 1^st period.

DC answered on a 62 yard drive with freshman Colby Barnes scoring his first high school touchdown on a 7 yard run with 2:01 left in the 1^st period. Alan Munoz tacked on the extra point and the Tigers took the lead 7-6.

DeKalb County extended its lead with 8:53 left in the 2^nd period on an 8 yard touchdown run by Nathaniel Crook. The PAT by Munoz put the Tigers out front 14-6.

Barnes scored his second touchdown of the game on a 42 yard scamper with 2:12 left in the half. Munoz split the uprights for the extra point and the Tigers owned a 21-6 lead.

DeKalb County went to the air for the next score as quarterback Axel Aldino found Alan Munoz on an 11 yard touchdown strike. Munoz added the extra point and DeKalb County led 28-6 by halftime.

Grundy County cut into the Tiger lead on a 16 yard touchdown pass from Jacob Dixon to Evan Nunley completing a 74 yard drive. The try for the extra point was no good but the DC lead was trimmed to 28-12 with 2:15 left in the 3^rd period.

DeKalb County struck back on a 61 yard touchdown pass play from Aldino to Desmond Nokes. Munoz converted the PAT and the Tigers led 35 to 12 with 1:05 left in the 3^rd period.

Colby Barnes got this third touchdown of the game on a 5 yard run with 7:27 to go in the 4^th period. The PAT by Munoz was good and DeKalb County held a 42-12 advantage.

The final score of the night came on a 16 yard touchdown pass from Aldino to Nokes with 6:15 left in the game set up after an interception by Tiger Isaac Knowles. Munoz added the extra point and the Tigers went on to win 49-12.

DeKalb County will host Cannon County next Friday night, September 27 for homecoming. Kick-off is set for 7:00 p.m. WJLE will have LIVE coverage.

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