Smithville Elementary School Recognizes Tina Gash as April Teacher of the Month

April 25, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Elementary would like to recognize its Teacher of the Month for April, Mrs. Tina Gash. SES recognizes one teacher each month for his/her outstanding performance in teaching and their contribution to the students at our school. The teacher of the month is selected by the administration at Smithville Elementary.

Some of Mrs. Gash’s many accolades from her coworkers include:

“Mrs. Tina is very friendly and very helpful.”

“She is always so kind and caring. She is always a soft speaker to her peers and students. She strives to help all her children!”

“What’s not to love about Ms. Tina Gash! She is always so sweet, kind and very helpful with anything. What you see, is what you get. She is the real deal.”

“Very sweet and great RTI teacher.”

“Mrs. Gash is a fantastic teacher! She is patient and kind to her students and always helpful to her fellow teachers and staff. She will be missed!”

“I can’t say enough positive things about Mrs. Gash. She is an exceptional teacher, friend and mentor. My child was blessed to be in her last class of first graders. I am forever thankful for the strong foundation she gave to him. She will be greatly missed around SES, but it’s time for her to be Nina full-time!”

“Mrs. Gash is a joy to be around, she is such a caring teacher!”

“Mrs. Gash is an amazing teacher, person, and friend. She always has the best interest of the students in mind, and does a phenomenal job.”

Congratulations Mrs. Gash, and thank you for your many years of service and dedication to Smithville Elementary. Enjoy your upcoming retirement, you will be greatly missed!

April 25, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Police arrested a woman twice within eleven days earlier this month on burglary and theft charges stemming from separate investigations.

32-year-old Stephanie Michelle Mooneyham will be in court May 2.

Chief Mark Collins said that on April 3 police received a call at 623 Highland Street that someone was trying to break into a car. During a subsequent investigation in which video from a surveillance camera was examined, police identified Mooneyham as a suspect. After being found and confronted, Mooneyham admitted to having opened the door of the vehicle saying she was hot and wanted to take it for a ride. She was charged with burglary and her bond set at $3,500.

Eleven days later, Mooneyham was charged with theft of property and driving on a suspended license. Chief Collins said that on April 14 an officer was summoned to College Street due to a report of a stolen vehicle. Upon arrival, police spoke with the owner of the automobile and after a preliminary investigation identified Mooneyham as a suspect. During the probe, sheriff’s department deputies found the stolen vehicle at a residence in the county and spoke with Mooneyham. Smithville Police officers also responded to the scene and took Mooneyham into police custody. Bond was set at $35,000 and her court date is May 2.

75-year-old Darlene Duncan of Bright Hill Road is cited for theft of merchandise and simple possession. Chief Collins said that on April 7 police were summoned to Walmart due to a shoplifter and spotted Duncan placing something in her purse. The officer confronted and searched Duncan finding on her more concealed merchandise from the store as well as 10 diazepam pills in an unmarked container. Duncan could not produce a prescription for the pills. Her court date is May 23.

33-year-old Dustin Sissom of Smithville is charged with domestic assault. Chief Collins said that on April 6 an officer responded to a 911 call of a domestic violence incident in progress. Upon arrival, he spoke with Sissom and his wife and found physical evidence of a domestic assault. Sissom was determined to have been the primary aggressor and he was placed in custody. His bond was set at $3,000.

38-year-old Cody Cripps of Village Place, Smithville is charged with aggravated assault. According to Chief Collins, on April 15 an officer answered a 911 call of a domestic violence incident on Highland Drive in which a man was armed with a knife. Upon arrival the officer spoke with the man, Cripps and the alleged victim and found evidence of an assault involving a weapon. Cripps was determined to have been the primary aggressor and he was arrested. His bond was set at $7,500 and he will be in court May 9.

21-year-old Sergio Perez-Soto is charged with driving under the influence. Chief Collins said that on April 14 while on patrol, an officer spotted a vehicle on East Bryant Street failing to maintain its lane of travel. He pulled it over and spoke with the driver, Perez-Soto who smelled of alcohol and admitted to having consumed several alcoholic beverages. The driver submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. His bond was set at $2,000. His court date is April 25.

58-year-old Peter Bohannon of Smithville is charged with driving under the influence and possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver. According to Chief Collins, a city officer while on patrol observed a vehicle failing to maintain its lane of travel on Miller Road. He pulled it over and spoke with the driver, Bohannon who appeared to be impaired. Bohannon submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. A package of a crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine was found on Bohannon during a search. His bond is $20,000 and he will appear in court April 25.

40-year-old Michael Colwell of Smithville is charged with driving under the influence and driving on a revoked license and he is cited for driving on roadways laned for traffic, violation of financial responsibility and implied consent. Chief Collins said that on April 12 an officer responded to a complaint of a vehicle traveling slowly in the center of the highway near West Main Street. Upon arrival the officer observed the automobile still traveling slowly and he pulled it over and spoke with the driver Colwell, who had slurred speech and he smelled of alcohol. Colwell submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He admitted to having consumed several alcoholic beverages. Colwell was arrested and his bond set at $6,500. His court date is April 25.

43-year-old Nathan Wilbert is charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Chief Collins said that on April 7 an officer was called to Bryant Street where a man was reported to be acting erratically and holding a knife. Upon arrival, the officer found the man, Wilbert still holding a knife and yelling. Failing to heed the officer’s verbal command to drop the knife, Wilbert turned and began walking toward the Sonic Drive-In. Police continued to demand that Wilbert drop the knife as they followed him, and he subsequently complied before being taken into custody. His bond was set at $2,500.

61-year-old Karen Coffee of White Street, Smithville is charged with domestic assault and vandalism. According to Chief Collins, on April 14 police were called to 635 Andrew Street due to a domestic dispute between Coffee and Michael Vance. He (Vance) told the officer that Coffee threw a stick at him and broke a back window of the home. Coffee was determined to have been the primary aggressor and was arrested. Her bond is $2,000 and she will be in court May 2.

59-year-old Maria Flores of Wade Street is charged with driving under the influence. According to Chief Collins, on April 19 an officer received a call of a possible drunk driver on South Congress Boulevard. The officer spotted the suspect vehicle, an orange Mitsubishi, crossing the center line of the highway several times. He pulled over the automobile and spoke with the driver, Flores who smelled of alcohol and had red and watery eyes. Flores, unsteady on her feet, submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. She was placed in custody and a warrant was obtained for a blood draw from her. Bond for Flores is $3,500 and her court date is May 2.

36-year-old Brandon Corey Herndon of Forrest Avenue is charged with domestic assault. Chief Collins said that on April 19 police were summoned to a residence on Forrest Avenue due to a possible domestic incident. Upon arrival, the officer conducted an investigation and determined, based on wounds of the alleged victim as well as witness statements, that Herndon was the primary aggressor. His bond was set at $3,500 and he will be in court May 9.

51-year-old Galdino Lozano of Forrest Avenue is charged with driving under the influence. Chief Collins said that on April 20 an officer received a call of a reckless driver traveling inbound on Highway 70. The officer responded and spotted the suspect vehicle traveling in a reckless manner. He then pulled it over and spoke with the driver, Lozano who smelled of alcohol and had red and watery eyes. Lozano admitted to having consumed a 12 pack of beer before driving. Lozano submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He was placed under arrest and a warrant was obtained for a blood draw from him. Bond for Lozano is $3,500 and his court date is May 29.

51-year-old Timothy Louis Mace of Walling, Tennessee is cited for simple possession of a schedule II drug and improper display of tags. His court date is May 23. Chief Collins said that on April 20 while on patrol an officer stopped a Ford Club Wagon for improper display of tags. While speaking with the driver, Mace, the officer detected a strong odor of marijuana. Mace admitted to having smoked marijuana earlier. During a search of Mace and his vehicle, the officer found two small baggies of a clear crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine that weighed 0.93 grams.

April 24, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Farmers Market is under new leadership!

An advisory board has been established to oversee the farmers market which is in operation again this year through October on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. until 12 noon located on East Bryant Street between DeKalb Ace Hardware and the county complex building.

For more than a dozen years the farmers market has been available for farmers to display their homegrown produce. Its also been a source for artisan crafts, baked goods, and more. But in recent years, participation has waned and most of the original organizers have stepped down.

With the 2024 growing season on the horizon, advisory board members are making a few changes this year hoping to renew interest.

“At one time the farmers market was very vibrant,” said advisory board member and county commissioner Larry Green. “In the last few years there has been less participation. We are trying to get that participation back up so we now have an advisory board to oversee and give advice to the farmers market. A lot of people like to bring out their produce and sell it directly to the public and whether they are aware of it or not, the public can get some great buys there and some really good produce,” explained Green.

In the past, anyone wanting to rent a space at the farmers market were required to pay a small fee to help underwrite the cost of operation. Starting this year, Green said no fee is required because the county will be picking up the tab for the costs of insurance and utilities thanks to the support of County Mayor Matt Adcock

“Some of the expenses the farmers market was having to pay including all the utilities and insurance on it, the county is now picking that up so people can now come out and display their goods and it doesn’t cost them anything. They can come out and set up. We would really like to thank County Mayor Adcock because it was he who made the decision that the county could pick up the utilities. He met with us (advisory board) and provided his input and he is fully on board with what we are doing,” said Green,

Those who display goods will still have to follow farmers market guidelines on what can be sold and they will have to register with the advisory board, at no charge, before making use of the space. Anyone who wishes to sign up for a farmers market space can reach board members Gena Cripps and Rebecca Coleman at DeKalb Ace Hardware weekdays. Right now the farmers market has a chain across it because we have had some vandalism so you will need to see someone to have that taken down to get access to it,” said Green.

“Gena and Rebecca are right there at the hardware store so they are convenient for people who have questions. For example if someone wants to set up a display on Saturday mornings, they can go to the hardware store which opens at seven a.m. and pick up an application from Gena or Rebecca. Its just a little form they have to fill out so we can know who is there at the farmers market and once they fill out the form we will assign them a space,” said Green.

Cripps encourages the public to support and make use of the farmer’s market this year.

“Right now we are seeing a lot of baked goods because the vegetables are not here yet. For instance my mom (Jean Hayes) will have fried pies and bread. We have Suzanne Sliger that comes out. She has really good sourdough bread and cinnamon rolls. Sarah Hildreth is becoming one of our regulars with cakes and cookies. This past Saturday for the first time that I know of we had homemade laundry detergent and scented dryer balls and we’ll soon have homemade candles. Another family has a daughter who makes jewelry and her mom made a cheesecake and brought it. There are a lot of great people who come out. It’s a fun place to be on Saturday mornings,” said Cripps.

Green said the farmers market could also be a source for certain non-profits to sell products.

“We are open to any civic organization that wants to come out and hold an event. For example, girl scouts may want to have a cookie drive and sell their cookies. We will work with groups like that. It is going to be reserved for farmers on Wednesday mornings and Saturday mornings but if someone wants to come in on Saturday afternoon and do something, we are open to that too. We are not real strict on the time. We don’t have to stop at twelve noon if people are still there and want to buy things. We just want the public to get involved. Obviously, people are not going to come out and set up their goods unless the public shows up. Some of the surrounding towns have really good farmers markets and that’s what we would like to create here in DeKalb County,” said Green.

For more information call 615-785-8859

Members of the DeKalb Farmers Market Advisory Board are Larry Green, Norval Young, Jean Hayes, Lora Webb, Gena Cripps, Rebecca Coleman, and Jackie Norton.

DeKalb County Farmer’s Market Guidelines:

“The Farmer’s Market for DeKalb County is located at 205 East Bryant Street, next to the DeKalb Community Complex and DeKalb County Ace Hardware and is operated by the county to provide a safe and convenient location for farmers to sell their “home-grown goods” as defined herein. Additionally, “hand-crafted items” may be sold as defined herein”.

“Home-grown goods” shall mean produce, vegetables, fruits, nuts, plants, ornamentals and any other product of farm and garden that are grown in the State of Tennessee during its appropriate growing season by farmers, truck growers, fruit growers, and horticulturists who are residents of DeKalb County or surrounding counties”.

“A handicraft, more precisely expressed as artisanal handicraft or handmade, is any of a wide variety of types of work where useful and decorate objects are made completely by one’s hand or by using only simple, non-automated related tools like scissors, carving implements, or hooks”.

“Tennessee Department of Agriculture requirements: Items such as molasses, honey, eggs, farm fresh frozen meats, baked goods, jelly, jams, and candy must meet the TDA requirements to be offered for sale at the farmers market”.

Rules and Regulations:

1. Farmers or producers from DeKalb County, and residents from the 14 county Upper Cumberland area as follows: Putnam, Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Pickett, Overton, Smith, Warren, White, and Van Buren counties are permitted to sell home grown/crafted goods.

2. Designated days and hours will be as follows: Wednesdays and Saturdays 7 AM until 12 Noon. Set-up and selling will not be permitted on any other days.

3. All vendors to complete an information form prior to selling produce/goods.

4. Consistent (may be present 3 times a month or more) vendors will receive a designated setup area. Other vendors who may not attend as often may setup in vacant areas on a first come, first served basis.

5. No secondhand items brought from home or purchased for resale will be permitted.

6. Parking is on a first come basis. No vehicle, trailer, equipment, etc. shall be allowed to occupy any portion of the market for the purpose of pre-empting a position thereon. Vendors may unload and load their items from their vehicle under the Farmer’s Market, but then need to move their vehicles to designated parking areas.

7. No vehicle, trailer, equipment, etc. shall be parked on the premises for the purpose of selling said vehicle, trailer, or equipment.

8. No permanent displays or installations will be allowed.

9. Vendors shall clean their area and help keep the general marker and the restrooms clean.

10. Rule violators will receive one warning. A second violation will result in suspension/revocation upon the Advisory board’s decision.

11. Inquiries about other events to be held at the Farmer’s Market will be determined by the Farmer’s Market Advisory Board on a case-by-case basis.

Farmer’s Market contact number: 615-785-8859.

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