Tennesseans who want to vote in the Aug. 2 primary must register to vote today (Tuesday).

Luckily, registering is easier than ever in Tennessee using a computer, tablet or smartphone. Online voter registration allows any U.S. citizen with a driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to register online at GoVoteTN.com.

“This is the first major election cycle where Tennessee’s online voter registration has been in place. We’ve seen tremendous interest because we are meeting people online where they already are,” Secretary of State Tre Hargett said.

Early voting begins Friday, July 13, and runs Mondays through Saturdays until Saturday, July 28. Election Day is Thursday, Aug. 2.

“We have major races this election season so there will be a lot of interest as Tennesseans decide who will represent them across all levels of government. I urge voters to take advantage of early voting,” Sec. Hargett said.

Voters can also download the GoVoteTN app, available in the App Store or Google Play, to view voter-specific information. Voters can find early voting and Election Day polling locations, view and mark sample ballots and much more.

Contact the DeKalb County Election Commission Office for more details about registering to vote at 615-597-4146.

A Dowelltown man has been arrested after methamphetamine was found in his mini-storage unit.

41 year old Bobby Lee Anderson of Nashville Highway, Dowelltown is charged with possession of a schedule II drug for resale. His bond is $25,000 and his court date is July 12.

(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW MUG SHOTS OF PERSONS RECENTLY BOOKED AT THE DEKALB COUNTY JAIL- Intakes & Releases From: 6/25/2018 Thru: 7/02/2018)

Seagate Crystal Reports – REPOR_9.pdf (2.59 MB)

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Tuesday, June 26 a sheriff’s department detective and chief deputy went to Anderson’s residence in Dowelltown to speak with him. After obtaining consent to search Anderson’s mini storage unit, the officers found in various baggies about three grams of a crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine along with digital scales, pipes, syringes, and several empty baggies. Anderson admitted that the items found belonged to him.

21 year old Ronald Barbose Gutierrez of East Main Street, Smithville is cited for driving on a suspended license and simple possession of marijuana. His court date is July 19.

Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, July 1 on Sparta Highway a deputy observed a gray car pass him at a high rate of speed. The driver of the car was also having difficulty maintaining his lane of travel. The officer initiated a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, Gutierrez. A computer check from central dispatch revealed his driver license to be suspended. The deputy found 1.38 grams of marijuana in the car.

27 year old Anthony Charles South of West Main Street, Smithville is charged with vandalism. His bond is $2,500 and his court date is August 2. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, June 25 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Gene Vaughn Road for a possible domestic. Upon arrival the officer spoke with a woman who said that South kicked her right rear car door. The officer observed a dent on the upper right rear of the woman’s car. The estimated damage to the car door was $600. A shoe print on the car door matched the shoes worn by South.

26 year old Nathaniel Dylan Tippens of Morgan Drive, Smithville is charged with assault. His bond is $3,500. Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, June 26 Tippens, an inmate at the jail, assaulted another prisoner by punching him several times in the face during an altercation in the jail annex.

32 year old Clent Lee Shehane of Wade Street, Smithville and 36 year old Cody Leon Davenport of Coconut Ridge Road, Smithville are charged with vandalism under $500. Bond for each is $1,500 and they will make a court appearance July 12. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, June 28 Shehane and Davenport destroyed a mattress at the jail belonging to the sheriff’s department valued at $80.

47 year old Myrna Michelle Byars of Dearman Street, Smithville is charged with possession of contraband in a penal institution. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court on July 12. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, June 28 Byars was taken into custody on a violation of probation warrant. During a search of her belongings at the jail, a female correctional officer discovered a small oval shaped white pill with the letter “S” and number “900”. The pill, found inside a black container in her purse, was believed to be alprazolam. When asked what type of pill it was, Byars said it was a fluid pill.

36 year old Brandon Keith Hill of North Port, Alabama is charged with a fourth offense of driving on a revoked license. He was also cited for no insurance and no registration. His bond is $5,000 and his court date is July 12. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, June 28 a deputy responded to a motor vehicle crash on Highway 56 north at Ponder Road. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Hill, who was one of the drivers involved in the crash. A computer check of Hill’s license revealed them to be revoked in Jefferson County, Alabama. Hill has had three other prior charges against him for the same offense.

24 year old Alex Anota Nandez of Smith Road, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. His bond is $2,500 and his court date is July 19. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, June 30 a deputy was pulling into the parking lot of Mapco Express when he observed a white Nissan car setting in the parking lot with the engine on. The driver appeared to be asleep. The officer awoke the driver, Nandez. He could smell a strong odor of alcohol on Nandez’ person. Nandez refused to submit to field sobriety tasks and would not take a blood test. He was placed under arrest.

Tonya Sue Sparks of Dyer Long Road, Cookeville is charged with criminal impersonation. Her bond is $4,000 and her court date is July 19. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, June 30 a deputy was dispatched to the end of Johnson Town Road due to a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival he spoke with a woman who identified herself as Kim Smith. After a further investigation, the deputy learned that the woman’s name is really Tonya Sue Sparks. She was placed under arrest. Sparks also has active warrants against her from Overton County.

31 year old Matthew Robert Seth Wade of Jack Hudson Road, Smithville is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is July 19. Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, July 1 a deputy was dispatched to Jack Hudson Road where a man was observed in the roadway yelling and cussing. Upon arrival the officer ordered the man, Wade to get back on his porch. Wade began cussing the deputy and said come get me. When asked how much he had to drink, Wade replied way too much. Wade had a strong odor of alcohol on his person.

Volunteers are needed to help with construction on the new Habitat for Humanity home.

The home at 204 Hayes Street is being built for Jamie Nokes and her family Jayde Stanley, Tayvian Nokes, Desmond Nokes, and Justis Nokes.

“This is an exciting time as we work on our 6th Home for Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County. We request your participation and you to encourage others to help as well,” said Habitat spokesman Alex Woodward.

“The floor joists are finished and about 92% of the Sub-floor is complete. Now is the time for everyone to step up and help build,” he added.

“We are ready to start having groups volunteer for a Saturday. We will not work on July 7th due to the 5k and Jamboree. However, we will work every Saturday starting July 14th,” Woodward continued.

“The project will be completed by volunteers with the exceptions of the areas in which a licensed professional is required. Everyone is invited to help and jobs can be found for anyone. If you would like to volunteer, please email awoodward@wilsonbank.com and if you are skilled in a certain line of construction work please indicate that or you may call 615-215-8181 and leave a message for construction. Please include name, number, email address, and skill,” Woodward said.

“We encourage you to gather a group and sign up for a work day. Currently the dates we are going to schedule will be Saturday, July 14th – Saturday, August 25th. The dates will be scheduled on a first come basis”.

“When you sign up, we ask that you arrive ready to work at 7am. There will be a short devotional and instructions given and then work will begin. We ask that your group arrange for someone to provide lunch but we ask that it be a light lunch. We will need to know the primary contact person who will be leading your group,” said Woodward.

“If you feel that you cannot help physically on the Home Build, we can find another job for you”.

“We ask that you help get other people involved; provide drinks, snacks, or lunch; provide materials; to give financially; and to pray for the partner family, volunteers, and Habitat for Humanity work,” Woodward said.

“All Glory to God. I am just thankful for the Blessing. I know its something He has bestowed upon me. I am thankful for all the volunteers and for the Habitat organization. They are changing people’s lives and I am thankful I get to be one of those people and I look forward to eventually volunteering in the future and maybe serving on the board and doing all those things to pay for it. I am extremely blessed,” said Jamie Nokes.

About Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, TN.

Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County was formed in 2003. They have built five homes in the Smithville area and own property with plans to build future homes. Houses are constructed by volunteers and paid by donations from various fundraisers including the Fiddler 5K, Jackson Kayak Raffle, Golf Tournament, Yeti cooler raffle and the Chili cook off. The purpose of Habitat is to build houses and sell them at no profit and no interest to families who could not otherwise afford their own home. This Christian ministry is financed through private donations using volunteer labor and donated materials whenever possible.

Find them on Facebook @ HFHDeKalbTN to stay up-to-date on current events and construction updates.