Drunk Driver Charged with Child Abuse or Neglect

November 1, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

A motorist allegedly driving drunk with two children in his vehicle at the time was recently arrested.

40-year-old Victor Alfonso Nava of Cookeville is charged with two counts of child abuse or neglect, driving under the influence, evading arrest, reckless endangerment, and no valid driver license. He is under a $26,000 bond and his court date is November 14.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on October 25 a deputy was patrolling South Mountain Street when he spotted a black BMW traveling up to 80 miles per hour in a posted 40 mile per hour speed zone and it crossed the dotted line of the highway. The officer turned on his emergency lights and siren signaling for the driver to pull over and while he slowed Nava initially did not stop and passed several roads and parking lots. After a short pursuit Nava finally stopped.

According to the deputy, Nava smelled of alcohol and his eyes were red and glossy. He was also unsteady on his feet. Nava admitted to having consumed two or three drinks earlier and he submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Two children, ages 8 months and 3 years, were passengers in the vehicle with him. Also found were three empty containers of alcohol still cold to the touch. A background check through central dispatch revealed that Nava had no driver license, only an ID.

November 1, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 3 and while you are changing your clocks, the DeKalb County Fire Department wants to remind you to change your batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms also. The message is simple and it’s easy to do. Please take a few minutes to make sure life-saving alarms have fresh batteries so you, your family, and your home are protected.

The DeKalb County Fire Department reminds DeKalb County residents that after batteries are changed in alarms, take a few extra minutes to test your alarms and remind family, friends, and neighbors to do the same. Not all smoke alarms have batteries that have to be replaced each year. Some newer model alarms have batteries that last up to 10 years. However, it is still very important to test and clean your alarms. You can clean and maintain them simply by using compressed air to remove dust residue that accumulates on alarms that can cause the alarm’s sensor to not operate properly.

Eighty percent of child fire fatalities occur in homes without working smoke alarms. It’s a tragic statistic that can be prevented. Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, testing those alarms, and reminding others to do the same are some of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. “The vast majority of our house fires happen between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most families are sleeping,” said Lt. Andrew Harvey. “Smoke alarm installation and maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. Children and senior citizens are most at risk, and a working smoke alarm can give them the extra seconds they need to get out safely.”

“A working smoke detector doubles your chance of surviving a home fire. So, why would you not want you and your family to have this protection?” For more information about fire safety, visit the DeKalb County Fire Department’s FaceBook Group page or the department’s website at www.dekalbfire.com.

If you need smoke alarms installed in your home, the DeKalb County Fire Department will provide and install them for free. Call Lt. Harvey at 615-569-2372 to schedule your free delivery and installation.

November 1, 2024
By:

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Smithville Boo Bash Costume and Decoration Contest! This beloved annual event celebrates the creativity and community camaraderie that make Smithville special. Businesses and offices came together to showcase their talents, transforming their spaces and dressing up to make this year’s Boo Bash another unforgettable Halloween celebration.

“We extend our gratitude to all the businesses and offices that participated and special recognition to this year’s Boo Bash coordinators – employees of Smithville City Hall,” said Chamber Director Suzanne Williams.

The scoring was close, but after all the votes were counted, the winners for the “2024 Boo Bash Best Costumes and Best Decorations” categories are as follows:

Overall 1st Place

Smithville City Hall
Theme: “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!”

Best Costumes

2nd Place: Mallory Pfingstler State Farm Insurance
Theme: “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”

3rd Place: South Paw Bed & Bath
Theme: “101 Dalmatians”

Best Decorations

2nd Place: RealSource Title Insurance & Real Estate Closings
Theme: “Beetlejuice”

3rd Place: Office of the DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk
Theme: “Nemo”

Honorable Mentions: U.T. Extension’s “Scream,” DeKalb Prevention Coalition’s “Don’t Get Caught Up in the Wicked Web of Drugs,” Justin Potter Library’s “The Moths,” and Attorney Mingy K. Ball’s “Team Trump/Vance.” All of the booths were amazing.

Thank you to everyone who made the 2024 Smithville Boo Bash a wonderful celebration of our community spirit. We look forward to more spooky fun next year!

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