Search Efforts Resumed Saturday for Missing Man

February 7, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department coordinated another ground and aerial search Saturday, February 5 for a man who has been missing for almost two months.

29-year-old Matthew Braswell hasn’t been seen or heard from since he fled into the woods after a crash on Ponder Road Friday morning, December 17.

According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, Braswell was a passenger of a 2006 Chevy Tahoe, driven by 26-year-old Danny Phillips of McMinnville when they were spotted by a resident going through the mail of his mailbox on Ponder Road that morning (December 17).

As the resident came out of his home to confront them, the truck sped away but then went out of control and struck several trees at the edge of the road. The two men then bailed out of the truck and fled into the woods. Phillips was quickly captured but Braswell got away and hasn’t been seen since. Even Braswell’s girlfriend claims she has not heard from him. Phillips was transported by DeKalb EMS to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital and later taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center. The Tennessee Highway Patrol worked the injury accident.

Local and state authorities including a K-9 unit conducted a ground search for Braswell that day but to no avail. A THP helicopter flight crew and multiple ground searches were done Monday December 20, 2021 but there was no sign of Braswell other than his white and gray jacket, which was found in the woods about a half mile from the crash site. Since the incident, Braswell’s family hasn’t heard from him. Braswell has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a missing person.

On February 5, 2022, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, along with multiple agencies gathered back on Ponder Road to do another land and aerial search. According to Sheriff Ray “The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department along with other agencies searched on foot for Braswell along with 12 K-9 cadaver/tracking dogs and drones, but we still didn’t find anything.”

Authorities are still actively looking for Braswell. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and possibly a white tank top shirt. He stands six feet tall and weighs 150 pounds. His hair and eyes are brown in color and he has facial tattoos with a money sign “$” over his right eye and the name “Kim” over his left eye. Braswell has a mustache/goatee. Braswell was reported not to have a primary address.

The District Attorney’s Office along with the Tennessee Highway Patrol are assisting the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department in the investigation.

If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Braswell, please call the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department at 615-597-4935 extension 205 or ask for Detective Mason Merriman. Anyone can also call the DeKalb County Crime Line at 615-464-6400 with any information.

February 6, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Several chill-seekers took a plunge in the frigid waters of Center Hill Lake on a cold Saturday morning 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.

Emmaly Bennett, Director of the DeKalb Animal Shelter said “Plunge for Paws” was a great success and she thanked all the participants who were willing to brave the cold water including Smithville Mayor Josh Miller, Friends of President Cathy Bader, Shelter worker Maggie Turner, along with Riley Young, Crede Colgan, Tyler and Caroline Cantrell, Terry Phillips, and local minister Dwayne Cornelious.

“We had 4 jumpers who each raised over $1,000 including Mayor Josh Miller- $1,025, Caroline and Tyler Cantrell as a couple raised $1,050, Riley Young $1,000; and Dwayne Cornelius $1,040. With that and other donations it put us at around $5,000,” said Bennett.

“We want to say a huge thank you to all participants and the community who supported them. Our Friends of Organization will be utilizing these funds to spay/neuter community pets, reduce adoption fees for sponsored shelter residents and continue providing pet food for those in need in our county”.

“We look forward to next year’s Plunge,” said Bennett.

February 5, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Seven positions in the seven-county 13th judicial district will be up for election in 2022 and a total of nine candidates have qualified. All are eight-year terms.

The district is made up of Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, and White Counties.

The candidates for each office are as follows:

Chancellor- 13th Judicial District
Ronald Thurman (Incumbent) –Republican (May 3 GOP Primary)

Circuit Court Judge Part I- 13th Judicial District:
William T. “Will” Ridley-Republican (May 3 GOP Primary)
Amy Turnbull Hollars (Incumbent)-Independent (August General Election)

Circuit Court Judge Part II-13th Judicial District:
Caroline E. Knight-Republican (May 3 GOP Primary)
Jonathan Young (Incumbent)-Republican (May 3 GOP Primary)

Criminal Court Judge Part I 13th Judicial District:
Gary S. McKenzie (Incumbent)-Republican (May 3 GOP Primary)

Criminal Court Judge Part II 13th Judicial District:
Wesley Bray (Incumbent)-Republican (May 3 GOP Primary)

Public Defender13th Judicial District:
Craig P. Fickling, Jr. (Incumbent)-Republican (May 3 GOP Primary)

District Attorney General 13th Judicial District:
Bryant C. Dunaway (Incumbent)-Republican (May 3 GOP Primary)

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