The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen will meet in special session Tuesday night, March 13 at 7 p.m. at city hall to consider hiring a manager of the Smithville Municipal Golf Course, Swimming Pool, and Tennis Courts.

The city previously had a 10 year lease with Tony Poss to operate the golf course and swimming pool, but Poss opted to terminate the lease in August. The facility has been closed since then.

Last September the aldermen voted to enter into a one year agreement with RiverWatch Golf & Resort to upgrade and maintain the golf course for a year.

The cost to the city is $74,115 but city officials said since it is not being leased to anyone the city is to get all revenues generated from the golf course, once it re-opens this spring.

The city had allocated $7,000 in this year’s budget for the golf course but most of that money is now going toward paying RiverWatch . The remaining $67,000 plus to pay RiverWatch is being taken from the city’s general fund surplus. The city also has other expenses associated with the golf course as per the agreement with RiverWatch.

A member of the RiverWatch team is reportedly being considered for the job of manager. The person hired would be a new city employee.

State Senator Mark Pody introduced a resolution in the State Senate Thursday to honor the memory of the late Lebanon Police Officer Joseph Bowen of DeKalb County.

Officer Bowen lost his life in a traffic accident at Dowelltown on March 1.

The resolution, supported by State Representatives Terri Lynn Weaver and Clark Boyd, will be scheduled for passage in the State Senate and State House.

The resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS, the members of this General Assembly were greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Officer Joseph Bowen; and

WHEREAS, Officer Bowen was a brave and dedicated law enforcement officer who worked assiduously to improve the quality of life for his fellow citizens in numerous capacities; and

WHEREAS, a respected veteran with five years of service, Officer Joseph Bowen was a third-generation member of the Lebanon Police Department; he began his career in law enforcement with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department as a correctional officer and was later promoted to a deputy position; and

WHEREAS, Officer Bowen performed his appointed duties in an admirable manner that distinguished him as a credit to both his community and his profession; Lebanon and DeKalb County were undoubtedly made better and safer places as a result of his service; and

WHEREAS, Officer Joseph Bowen was an active and devout member of Old Fashioned Freewill Baptist Church in Smithville, which he served faithfully for many years; and

WHEREAS, he was also deeply devoted to his family, and he always endeavored to remain true to family values of the highest order; and

WHEREAS, Officer Bowen enjoyed the loving companionship of his wife, Kim Bowen, and he was the proud father of Katy Jo and Wesley Brock Bowen; he was the loving son of Dwayne and Lisa Bogle Bowen and the treasured brother of Jacob Bowen; and

WHEREAS, Officer Joseph Bowen is lovingly remembered by his uncle, Mike Bowen; his parents-in-law, Steven and Kathy Deffendoll; his nieces and nephews, Knox Bowen, Lacey
McMillen, and Cole McMillen; and his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Kayla Bowen, Brandon Deffendoll, Chris McMillen, and Kristina McMillen; and

WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank and Helen Bowen and Lemuel and Betty Bogle; and

WHEREAS, Officer Joseph Bowen leaves behind an indelible legacy of integrity, probity, and valor in his public life as a law enforcement officer, compassion and loyalty in private life, and dedication in all his chosen endeavors; and

WHEREAS, this General Assembly wishes to honor the memory of this exceptional police officer and human being; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED TENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, that on behalf of a grateful public, we honor the memory and celebrate the life of Officer Joseph Bowen of the Lebanon Police Department. We express our sympathy and offer our condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends of Officer Bowen.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared for presentation.

A 29 year old Spencer man escaped serious injury in a one vehicle rollover crash Friday morning on Highway 70 east in the Midway area.

Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said Rayford Keen was traveling west in a 2014 Honda CRV when he went off the right side of the highway and overturned down an embankment. The vehicle came to rest on its side against a tree. Keen said he lost control after a car in front of him stopped to make a left turn into a private driveway. Keen refused transport to the hospital by EMS but planned to seek medical treatment on his own. He was cited for failure to exercise due care.

Members of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department were also on the scene.