
News
UCHRA Director Placed on Administrative Leave with Pay
February 21, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
The executive director of the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending an independent investigation.
Luke Collins is under scrutiny after a Channel 4 investigation into his questionable time sheets, per diem payments, and use of a public transit vehicle.
The UCHRA board met Tuesday morning in Cookeville and voted to put Collins on leave with pay and to ask the agency’s attorney to find another lawyer to lead an independent investigation.
According to reports, some members of the board argued that Collins should not receive pay while on administrative leave, but ultimately the motion was passed to allow him to be paid while the investigation was underway.
Rebecca Harris, the agency’s transportation director, will temporarily serve as executive director until next week when the board meets again.
Andrews Seeks Election to Democratic Executive Committee in District 17
February 20, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
Veteran Democratic consultant and activist Carol Brown Andrews is running for the Democratic Executive Committee in State Senate District 17, which includes Cannon, Clay, Dekalb, Macon, Smith and Wilson Counties.
“I am coming into this job prepared and willing to work hard for all the people in each of our district’s counties who are interested in recruiting and electing people to local offices to the U.S. Senate who will seek solutions instead of obstructions,” Carol said.
“Making sure our suburban and rural communities are heard in Nashville and Washington is critical. I have the experience and passion to work with each of our district’s local parties to ensure our voices are well represented.”
Each party in each state senatorial district elects a female and male executive committee member on the popular ballot during the August elections. Carol seeks the votes of Democrats in each of District 17’s counties in August to represent them on the Executive Committee of the Tennessee Democratic Party.
About Carol Brown Andrews
Carol is a partner in Grindstone Research LLP, a research firm based in Nashville and Lexington, KY. She and her partners provide research and strategic services to political, non-profits and corporate clients in more than 40 states and abroad. A member of the Association of American Political Consultants (AAPC), Carol has been awarded two “Pollies,” the bipartisan organization’s highest awards judged by peers, for best opposition research in the nation. She frequently appears on “Inside Politics” with Pat Nolan on WTVF-Channel 5+ as a Democratic commentator.
Carol previously served as communications director for the 2014 retention campaign for the Tennessee State Supreme Court Justice Campaigns “Fair Courts for Tennessee,” for former Congressman Harold Ford Jr. in his 2006 U.S. Senate bid and as Press Secretary to former Congressman Bob Clement in his 2002 Senate run. Carol was Tennessee communications director for the presidential campaign of General Wesley Clark in 2004. She has either run communications or managed U.S. Senate, Congressional, gubernatorial and legislative races in Maine, Kentucky and Tennessee. She also served as Communications Director for former Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and former Washington State Gov. Chris Gregoire.
Carol served as a delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston and attended the historic 2008 DNC in Denver witnessing the nomination of former President Barack Obama. She has been active in recruiting Democrats to run for office and working to help them succeed.
Carol attended Smith County public schools, graduating from Smith County High School and earning at Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. A native of Lebanon, Carol grew up in the Beasleys Bend Community of Smith County on the farm that has been in her family for more than 150 years, and where she has resided most of her life.
Dowelltown Man Accused of Assaulting Ex-Wife and her Sister
February 20, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
A Dowelltown man accused of assaulting his ex-wife and her sister has been arrested.
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30 year old John Lucas Williams of Piney Woods Road, Dowelltown is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $3,500 and his court date is March 8.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Friday, February 16 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Piney Woods Road for a physical domestic. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Williams’ ex-wife who said that Williams had assaulted her and her sister, who also lives at this residence. He allegedly pushed and grabbed them causing his ex-wife to sustain scrapes on her knee. The woman’s sister also had a large knot with an abrasion on the back of her head. Williams left the scene prior to the deputy’s arrival but he was arrested later.
53 year old Bobby F. Duggin of Dale Ridge Road, Dowelltown is cited for simple possession of a schedule II drug (Oxycodone). He will make a court appearance on March 1. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, February 15 Duggin was found to be in possession of the pills for which he was unable to provide a prescription.
42 year old Stephanie Ann Pierce of Pea Ridge Road, Elmwood, Tennessee is charged with being a fugitive from justice. Her bond is $75,000 and her court date is February 22. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, February 12 the jail received two warrants from Warren County, Kentucky for failure to appear against Pierce along with an extradition order to pick her up.
41 year old Peter Nathaniel Clark of Sharon Circle, Crossville is charged with being a fugitive from justice. His bond is $75,000 and his court date is February 22. Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, February 16 a sheriff’s department deputy responded to the area of Talpha Drive to check on suspicious persons in a vehicle. Upon arrival he spoke with three persons, including Clark. After checking his driver license through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), the officer learned that Clark is wanted in Michigan on an active felony warrant. Michigan authorities plan to extradite Clark.
37 year old Crystal Lashelle Thompson of Crestview Drive, Smithville is charged with criminal impersonation; resisting stop, frisk, halt, or arrest; and tampering with evidence. Her bond is $23,000 and her court date is March 8. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, February 12 a deputy went to Restview Avenue to serve warrants against her for failure to appear. Upon arrival, Thompson left through a back door and tried to flee on foot refusing to heed the deputy’s commands to stop. The officer caught up with her but while trying to place her in custody she ingested evidence, a hydrocodone pill. She also lied about her identity. When the deputy asked her for her name, she replied several times it was Michelle.
34 year old April Lynn Anderson of Tobbit Road of McMinnville is charged with driving under the influence and reckless endangerment for having a three year old child with her while driving drunk. Her bond totals $6,500 and her court date is March 8. Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, February 13 a deputy responded to a stranded motorist call and found the vehicle on East Broad Street in Smithville. He stopped and spoke with the driver, Anderson. Her three year old daughter was in the back seat. Anderson’s speech was slurred. Her eyes were red and watery and she was unsteady on her feet. Anderson admitted to the officer that she had taken some medication earlier in the day. She submitted to field sobriety tasks but performed poorly.
39 year old Gregory Wayne Roberts of Rodonna Drive, Smithville is charged with a second offense for driving on a revoked license. His bond has been revoked by the judge. His next court date is February 22. Sheriff Ray said that on Wednesday, February 14 a sheriff’s department detective spotted a vehicle traveling after dark without its headlights or taillights on. He conducted a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, Roberts. A computer check revealed that his license were suspended in Lebanon for failure to satisfy a citation in 2006. Roberts also has prior offenses against him in DeKalb County for driving on a revoked license in 2016.
31 year old Bransford Lee Patterson of Short Mountain Highway, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. His bond is $2,000 and his court date is March 8. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, February 15 a deputy was dispatched to the 8800 block of Short Mountain Road due to a one vehicle accident involving a 2000 Ford Mustang. Upon arrival he spoke with the driver, Patterson and discovered that he (Patterson) was very unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred. Patterson submitted to field sobriety tasks but performed poorly. He was then placed under arrest.
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