Dr. Denise Dingle Survives Suspension Vote by County Commission as Medical Examiner (View Video of Meeting Here)

September 24, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Dr. Denise Dingle still holds the position of County Medical Examiner.

The DeKalb County Commission, during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, failed to muster the 8 votes needed to uphold a 90-day suspension of Dr. Dingle as medical examiner by County Mayor Matt Adcock due to alleged “uncooperative and unprofessional” conduct.

The vote was 6 to 6. Those voting to uphold the suspension were commissioners Larry Green, Tom Chandler, Mathias Anderson, Glynn Merriman, Jeff Barnes, and Sabrina Farler. Those voting against upholding the suspension were commissioners Greg Matthews, Myron Rhody, Beth Pafford, Andy Pack, Daniel Cripps, and Tony (Cully) Culwell. Two members were absent, Susannah Cripps and Tony Luna.

The proposal, as recommended by the county’s health, education, and public welfare committee only a week ago, was for the county commission to uphold the suspension of Dr. Dingle and then for her to be terminated after 90 days and replaced by Dr. Caleb Cantrell as both medical examiner and medical director for a total of $2,000 per month. When he suspended Dr. Dingle as medical examiner in July, County Mayor Adcock also terminated her as medical director, a separate position, and named Dr. Cantrell to succeed her in that role. The county had been paying Dr. Dingle, as a contracted service, $5,000 a year as medical director and $100 per body as medical examiner. According to statistics, the county averages 50-60 bodies per year in which a medical examiner/coroner’s report is needed.

Concerns about the medical examiner position were first raised several months ago during county commission workshops after complaints that the office, in some cases, was not providing a timely response to on scene deaths causing delays in investigations before the removal of a body.

During the public comment period Monday night, eight people spoke in support of Dr. Dingle including two who have worked with her, Aspen Flarity, a critical care paramedic and medical death investigator and Trevin Merriman, a paramedic and medical death investigator who served as Dr. Dingle’s deputy medical examiner.

“I trusted her decision making and her leadership,” said Merriman. “At her request, I wrote a policies and procedures manual for the DeKalb County Medical Examiners’ Office because there was not one. Dr. Dingle liked it and we presented it to the mayor’s office and to this date we don’t still have a policy and procedures manual for the ME’S office. I stepped down in late 2023 as deputy ME because I felt the ME’s office was not getting support from the county it needed,” said Merriman

“I have worked in multiple counties, and I can state for a fact that Dr. Dingle is the best medical director I have worked for,” said Flarity. “She was always one phone call away whether it be if we were actively on a call or after a call. Dr Dingle has done this for many years and is highly knowledgeable”.

Dr. Dingle then addressed the commission.

“I have been a resident of DeKalb County since September 1991 which is over 33 years and that’s longer than I have been a resident anywhere else,” said Dr. Dingle. “I have been a medical doctor since May 1982, and I was in the military at that time. I served almost 14 years in the military where I was a physician until September 1991 when I came to DeKalb County. I have been the Medical Director since 2013 and the Medical Examiner since August 2021 following the death of Dr. J.C. Wall and my term is not due to expire until August 2026,” she said.

“I think it says a lot that not one single person who works with me or under my license has ever lodged a single complaint against me as the medical examiner or medical director except for Matt Adcock. You have also heard no complaint against me as either your medical examiner or medical director from any law enforcement official. The only person against me is Matt Adcock and I believe he is upset because as a woman, I have directed comments to him that I have thought would help him in his service as an EMT. I provided first correction when he made a mistake that I was concerned that it might cause him to lose his EMT license. I explained why and the second one was due to the fact that I had witnessed on several occasions that he had fairly aggressive behavior and after several of them, I am afraid I did lose my patience, and I began to speak to him as one individual would say in military speak. I apologize that I used a different language, and I apologize that you were offended by it,” Dr. Dingle continued.

“I stand behind everything my office has done for the citizens of DeKalb County, both as the medical examiner and the medical director. You do not have to follow the mayor’s failed leadership. I wish to continue to serve this county as your medical examiner and I ask that you vote to allow me to do this but even in the event that you choose not to allow me to continue ask yourselves at a time when we are having to raise taxes in order to build a new school and the justice center, both which I want you to know I stand behind and I feel we need, you are also asking the taxpayers to increase taxes to pay for a new medical director and medical examiner which will be two to three times more than what you currently pay me and what I believe you paid Dr. JC Wall. I trust that you will all make the right decision and the just decision,” said Dr. Dingle.

In a brief statement, Dr. Dingle’s attorney Jon Slager said “Thank you to all of the people that came out in support of Dr. Dingle at the commission meeting. Your statements in support of Dr. Dingle made a difference. Thank you to the commissioners that voted in favor of Dr. Dingle. I know she will continue to work diligently as the medical examiner for DeKalb County. There are too many serious issues facing this county to play divisive politics. I hope we have seen the last chapter of that book,” he said.

September 23, 2024
By: Mallory Hill

Who makes the best chili in DeKalb County? Find out on Friday, October 4th when Habitat for Humanity hosts the 20th Annual Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale.

Chili will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the town square in front of City Hall. In case of rain, the event will be moved to the Life Enrichment Center at First Baptist Church. For $10, eat all the chili you want and vote for your favorite chili and the best decorated booth. Commemorative ceramic mugs will be available for $25. Both options include one drink. Delicious baked goods prepared by members of local churches will be for sale. Take out is also available.

“We are looking forward to another great day of good food and fellowship at the Chili Cook-off,” said Alex Woodward, Habitat for Humanity volunteer. “The proceeds from the event will be used toward building another Habitat house for a deserving family, so we hope everyone will come out and eat lots of chili for a great cause!”

At press time, 14 teams will be competing in the Chili Cook-off this year: “Loan Rangers” from Liberty State Bank; “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials; “Secret’s in the Vault Chili” from FirstBank; Galaxy Ford; State Farm Mallory Pfingstler; “Bowled and Beautiful” from Hywater Title, LLC; Smithville Electric; “Chili Chili Bang Bang” from Wilson Bank & Trust; “MTNG Bedrock Chili” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas; “DeKalb Dems” from DeKalb County Democratic Party; “Legal Limit Spice” from Center Hill Title, LLC/Tecia Puckett Pryor, Attorney; “Spice Builders” from DCHS FCCLA; “DeKalb County Farm Bureau Arsonist” from DeKalb County Farm Bureau Insurance; and “Close the Deal” from DeKalb Title LLC.

In addition, DeKalb Funeral Chapel, Ranger Brake, Smithport Cabinetry, and Glynn’s Auto Sales are this year’s Treat Tent Sponsors; The Male Room Brotique, Smithville Church of Christ and Swallows Insurance are the Chili Check-In Sponsors. DeKalb County Insurance and State Representative Michael Hale are sponsoring the Cook’s Lunch.

In 2023,“The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials took Top Chili Honors, with the “MTNG: The Chili Zone” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas placing second. Third place chili honors went to “Current Keepers” from Smithville Electric.

The Best Decorated Booth Award went to “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials; with “Current Keepers” from Smithville Electric coming in second place and “MTNG: The Chili Zone” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas placing third.

The Golden Spoon Award went to “Hell Hath No Fury Like FBC Chili” from First Baptist Church, who raised the most additional money for Habitat in cash donations at their booth, with “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials coming in second and Mallory Pfingstler, State Farm coming in third.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates houses in partnership with volunteers and families in need, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged.

For more information on the Chili Cook-Off and Bake Sale, contact Mallory Hill at 931-528-1711 ext. 6.

September 23, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

A DeKalb County woman will be in General Sessions Court Thursday after being found with a stolen vehicle from Murfreesboro two weeks ago. Drugs that allegedly belonged to her were also found inside the automobile.

49-year-old Tonya Michelle Cantrell of Old Blue Springs Road, Smithville is charged with theft of property; possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver; simple possession of a schedule VI drug; simple possession of a schedule III drug; and driving on a revoked or suspended license. Her bond totals $70,000 and she will be in court September 26.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on September 10 a deputy was on patrol when he spotted a vehicle in a driveway on West Church Street that matched the description of a reported stolen vehicle from Rutherford County. He conducted a background check on the tag and confirmed that the automobile was stolen. The officer contacted Cantrell at the residence who advised that she had driven the vehicle from the registered owner’s address in Murfreesboro to the home on West Church Street, Smithville. The value of the stolen vehicle is more than $2,500. Knowing that Cantrell’s license was suspended he conducted a background check and confirmed it. Located inside the automobile was a purse which contained a baggie with a white powdery substance believed to be Fentanyl that weighed 1.07 grams; three cigarettes with a green leafy substance that weighed 0.75 grams thought to be marijuana; and half of a peach-colored pill believed to be Buprenorphine. Cantrell’s identification was also found in the purse and she later admitted that the substances belonged to her.

47-year-old James Walter Stringer of West Main Street, Dowelltown is charged with violation of the sex offender registry. His bond is $7,500. Sheriff Ray said that Stringer was arrested for violating his requirements for the sex offender registry by not reporting to the sheriff’s office in a timely fashion according to state law.

33-year-old Eric Dewayne Judkins of Hendrixson Road, Smithville was named in a grand jury sealed indictment returned August 12 charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver ( 2 counts) The offense date was January 29. Judkins’ bond is $125,000.

53-year-old Vickie Lenae Alvis of High Street, Alexandria is charged with violation of an order of protection. Her bond is $2,500 and she will be in court September 26. Sheriff Ray said that on September 9 Alvis and two men went onto the property of a protected person named in the order that she is supposed to keep away from.

28-year-old Jonathan Torres of Blue Springs Road, Smithville is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence and a first offense of driving on a revoked license. His bond is $6,000 and he will be in court September 26. Sheriff Ray said that on September 10 Torres was in possession of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Torres’ eyes were red and watery. His speech was slurred. He was unsteady on his feet and he smelled of alcohol. Torres was asked but refused to submit to field sobriety tasks. His prior DUI conviction was in June, 2017 at Rutherford County.

41-year-old Luis Gerardo Bayona of Nashville is charged with driving on a revoked or suspended license and criminal littering. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court September 26. Sheriff Ray said that on September 10 a deputy was patrolling on Sparta Highway when spotted a Dodge pickup going down the road losing several items of trash from the bed of the truck. After stopping the pickup, the officer spoke with the driver, Bayona, and was informed that he (Bayona) had no driver license. The deputy conducted a background check and confirmed that Bayona’s license was suspended for failure to pay fines for violations on April 27, 2024 in Davidson County.

38-year-old Curtis Allen Lloyd of Cookeville Highway, Smithville is charged with criminal impersonation. His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court September 26. Sheriff Ray said that on September 13 a deputy was summoned to Nashville Highway due to a suspicious person. The officer spotted and then confronted a man walking down the road. When he stopped to ask the man’s name, he answered Cory Randolph and gave his date of birth. A further investigation revealed his name to be Curtis Lloyd and that Warren County had a violation of probation offense against him there. Lloyd knowingly and intentionally gave the wrong name and date of birth in an attempt to assume a false identity to law enforcement.

34-year-old Alexander Kyle Demarco of Shady Drive, Smithville is charged with two counts of assault. His bond is $5,000 and he will make a court appearance October 13. Sheriff Ray said that on September 14 Demarco made physical contact with two minors by touching their stomachs and telling them that he wanted to sacrifice them while performing witchcraft placing the minor children in fear of imminent bodily injury. The case was investigated by a detective.

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