McMinnville Woman Charged with Stealing Over $28,000 in Items from Home in Jefferson Community

February 26, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A McMinnville woman has been arrested for breaking into a residence in the Jefferson Community and stealing almost $29,000 worth of items including a truck.

25 year old Lara Cheyenne Rigsby of McMinnville is under a $60,000 bond for theft of property, vandalism over $1,000, forgery, and aggravated burglary. Her court date is March 7.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on December 18, 2018 Rigsby forged a check for $200 and less than a month later on January 13, she broke into a home on Jefferson Road and stole a Kenmore electric range, Maytag washer and dryer, a mini-fridge, a 32 inch Samsung TV, a Dell computer, a Brothers sewing machine, leather rocker recliners, vases, wood art, a John Deere riding mower, 2007 Nissan Frontier, mantle clock, 22 caliber Smith & Wesson pistol, leather gun case, an electric tile saw, weedeater, leaf blower, air compressor, nail gun and other miscellaneous items totaling $28, 839 in value.

While committing the crimes, Rigsby also damaged the 2007 Nissan Frontier, an Acorn stair lift, stair rail, small vanity, picture frames, painted glass panel, door jam, and two walls. The total amount of the damages comes to $5,882.

The case was investigated by Sheriff’s Department Detectives and some of the items including the truck have been recovered.

February 26, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Three members of Boy Scout Troop 347 were honored by the County Commission Monday night for earning the Eagle Scout Award.

The commission adopted resolutions paying tribute to Jonathan Birmingham, John William Stephens, and Friedrich J.M. Dodge.
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For their Eagle projects, Birmingham built and installed a children’s playground at the Smithville Church of God, Stephens built and installed benches at the DeKalb County Complex, and Dodge built and installed a new sign at the Smithville Rotary Club.

County Mayor Tim Stribling presented copies of the resolutions to the Eagle Scouts.

The resolutions state” Whereas, it is fitting that the DeKalb County Commission and the DeKalb County Mayor should announce their respect and honor in the young people of our community who so capably fulfill their requirements and duties to reach lofty goals and levels of achievement.

Whereas, Jonathan Birmingham, John William Stephens, and Friedrich J.M. Dodge performed all the years of tasks to earn the highest honor bestowed by the Boy Scouts and have climbed to a level in scouting reached by very few and earned the Eagle Award.

Whereas , the DeKalb County Commission and County Mayor wish to thank Eagle Scouts Jonathan Birmingham, John William Stephens, and Friedrich J.M. Dodge, their families, fellow Boy Scouts, and volunteers who helped them complete their projects.

Now, therefore be it resolved by the DeKalb County Commission and DeKalb County Mayor to honor Jonathan Birmingham, John William Stephens, and Friedrich J.M. Dodge on this 25th day of February, 2019.

Be it further resolved that this announcement be spread across the record of this meeting and preserved as a lasting part of our appreciation to Eagle Scouts Jonathan Birmingham, John William Stephens, and Friedrich J.M. Dodge.

Adopted this 25th day of February, 2019.

February 25, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

After failing to muster enough support for the proposal last month, the county commission Monday night  voted 8-6 to ask the County Mayor to form an animal welfare committee which opponents believe will lead to a recommendation for more county funding for the DeKalb Animal Coalition and the shelter it operates in Smithville.

Although the coalition has made no formal request for additional help from the county some members of the commission want the county to be more involved with the City of Smithville in addressing needs at the shelter.

As he had done last month, Fourth district commissioner Dr. Scott Little made a motion Monday night that the commission ask the county mayor to appoint an animal welfare committee “for the sole purpose of studying and gathering information related to animal welfare issues and related public health issues in DeKalb County”.

Fourth district member Janice Fish-Stewart offered a second to the motion.

Last month the motion received seven votes in favor to five opposed with one abstention but it failed because eight votes were needed for passage. One member was absent. This time the motion had the votes needed for passage

Prior to the vote fifth district member Jerry Adcock challenged the move saying it would lead to a request for more money from the county for the animal shelter.

“I am an animal lover but when we start doing that then the county is going to start getting into the animal business and that is something we really don’t need to do. If we make another committee we’re going to make our government bigger. We don’t need to get into the animal business. DeKalb County needs to stay away from it. If we do get into the animal business that is going to be a tax increase. The reason this committee is getting together is to make a recommendation that we pay x amount of dollars to the animal shelter,” Adcock said.

In September, 2015 the previous county commission voted to appropriate $75,000 toward construction of the new animal shelter to match the $75,000 allocation from the City of Smithville for the same purpose. But the appropriation from the county came with conditions that the $75,000 be a one-time donation earmarked for shelter construction; that the county not be responsible for the hiring and payroll of any employees relating to the animal shelter; and that the county not be responsible for the operation of the shelter or the future funds needed to operate the shelter. Under an agreement the coalition is to pick up animals for the county when a request is made from the county mayor’s office or the sheriff’s department at a fee to the county of $100 and $50 for a dead head.

“They (animal coalition) promised they would run it and have fundraisers and said that if we would give them $75,000 to build that it would be enough and they would never come back before this commission asking for more. Now this commission is forming a committee to start giving them more money. I don’t care what anybody says that is what is going to happen,” said Jerry Adcock.

County Mayor Tim Stribling pointed out that Little’s motion was to look at the needs. “I don’t think he necessarily stated any dollar amount,” said Stribling.

Fifth district commissioner Anita Puckett opposed forming a new committee for this purpose saying all fourteen commissioners should take a look at it during a workshop.

“We could have committees for everything, I have nothing against the animal coalition but I feel that this is something I would like to present to all fourteen of us in a workshop whenever we are talking about the animal situation,” said Puckett.

“The animal coalition provides animal control and adoptions to our residents and that’s important and they are just asking that we make a joint committee with the commission and the city council and look at that organization and see what the needs are and if we are given that opportunity for more discussion on issues that affect our county we should do that,” said Third district commissioner Jenny Trapp.

“I think it’s a great idea (forming a committee). We’ve (county) already used $75,000 (tax dollars) so we need to have a little voice, at least a committee to investigate to see how it’s being spent and how it’s maintained and what we can do to improve it. Maybe we can get a little more bang for the buck out of our taxpayer dollars,” added Second district commissioner Myron Rhody.

Frustrated with the tone from some, Commissioner Little said he couldn’t understand why anyone would oppose forming a committee to study the concerns.

“It amazes me how members of this commission can already decide what this committee is going to do and what they are going to come back with and what they are going to say. All we are asking for is a committee to study these issues and look at them and when government gets afraid of actually studying an issue or looking at an issue I don’t believe we’re doing what government was formed to do. This is an issue that involves every single citizen of our community and it is not only an animal welfare issue but a public health issue. We’re not asking to spend a bunch of money. If the committee comes back with that request (for money) then you can vote yes or no then but dern lets not (oppose) forming a committee because we’re afraid of what a committee might find out. Let the committee do its work and look at the issues and talk to the people involved. It will probably be a short term committee and like any other committee if there is no need to meet further then the committee won’t meet again,” said Little.

Commissioners voting in favor of asking County Mayor Stribling to form a committee were Scott Little, Julie Young, Janice Fish-Stewart, Myron Rhody, Jenny Trapp, Bruce Malone, Matt Adcock, and Beth Pafford. Those voting against were Sabrina Farler, Jeff Barnes, Bobby Johnson, Anita Puckett, Dennis Slager and Jerry Adcock.

County Mayor Stribling then appointed Commissioners Little, Fish-Stewart, and Young to serve on the committee.

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