Steve Merriman, Sr. Announces Candidacy for 5th District County Commissioner

February 23, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Steve Merriman, Sr. has announced his candidacy for 5th District County Commissioner in the May 3 DeKalb County Republican Primary.

Merriman’s announcement is as follows:

“My name is Steve Randall Merriman, Sr. and I am running for your 5th District Commissioner position. I would like to take this time to ask for your support”.

“I have lived in DeKalb County for my whole life of 61 years. I have served as a DeKalb County Volunteer Fireman and also a Rescue Squad member. I’ve enjoyed devoting my time to help any time I could. I would very much like to be able to contribute to the citizens of this community once again”.

“I have worked and lived here all of my life. I feel that I truly understand what the needs of the citizens truly are. If I do succeed to obtain the Commissioner office, I truly will be a voice for the people in a positive fashion and will work to make conditions better every time that I get the chance. Living in this District for 38 plus years I have seen many things. I truly understand the trying times we are going through but with your support come election day, hopefully together we can all work to begin making things better”.

“All of your support will be greatly appreciated and if elected I will do my very best to be the people’s voice for this District,” said Merriman.

February 23, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A Smithville man was caught Sunday in his car at the Food Lion parking lot believed to be weighing heroin for sale

26-year-old Tyler Blake Hollingsworth of Meadowbrook Drive, Smithville is charged with possession of a schedule I controlled substance for sale or delivery. His bond is $25,000 and he will make a court appearance on March 10.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on February 20 Hollingsworth was found to have on him about 3.34 grams of a white powdery substance believe to be heroin. A deputy received a call from an off-duty officer stating that a man was spotted sitting a newer model white Chevy Impala at the Food Lion parking lot. The man, Hollingsworth appeared to be weighing out drugs. The officer pulled up behind the vehicle and found Hollingsworth putting what appeared to be digital scales and baggies on the floorboard between his legs. White powder was on his shirt. Hollingsworth admitted that the substance was heroin.

66-year-old Jimmy Ray Driver of Allen Street, Smithville is charged with violation of bond conditions. His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court March 3.

Sheriff Ray said that on February 16 a deputy was summoned to Shady Drive to speak to a woman who complained about Driver harassing her on the phone. As the officer was talking to the woman, she received a phone call from Driver. The deputy then contacted central dispatch and confirmed that Driver was under bond conditions to have no contact with this woman.

42-year-old Allen Dean Dolberry of West Greenhill Road, McMinnville is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $3,500 and he will make a court appearance on March 3.

Sheriff Ray said that on February 17 a deputy was called to Cedar Drive, Smithville due to a physical altercation. Upon arrival the officer spoke with a man who reported that an argument between he and his father, Dolberry became physical and Dolberry struck him in the face resulting in a broken nose.

47-year-old Micah Daniel Murphy of Adams Street, Smithville is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of a no passing zone, tampering with evidence, evading arrest, driving while revoked, and simple possession of a schedule VI drug (marijuana). His bond is $28,000 and he will be in court March 3.

Sheriff Ray said that on February 18 a detective was patrolling on Bright Hill Road when he spotted a black Chevy Monte Carlo pass a car and trash truck on a double yellow line nearly causing an accident. The detective turned on his blue lights and siren, but the car sped away before turning onto Dearman Street and into a driveway, but it kept traveling at a high rate of speed before sliding to a stop at the end of the driveway. As he tried to get out of the car, the driver, Murphy dropped something before picking it up, putting it in his mouth, and swallowing it. During the investigation it was discovered that Murphy’s license is revoked for a prior DUI offense. He later admitted that he had swallowed a controlled substance. After the car was towed an inventory search was conducted and found in the driver seat was a baggie with the corner ripped off containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana and a cut straw.

37-year-old Jay Lee Mullican of Johnson Chapel Road, Sparta is charged with domestic assault and possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver. His bond totals $13,500 and he will make a court appearance March 3.

Sheriff Ray said that on February 18 officers were summoned to a residence on Sparta Highway due to a physical domestic and upon arrival found a woman hiding in her car. She was bleeding from her mouth. The woman said that she and Mullican had been in a physical altercation after which Mullican left on foot after breaking her car window and dragging her back into the house where he punched her in the face. Mullican was later found walking on Midway Road across from this residence. While being placed under arrest for domestic assault, Mullican was found to have on him a syringe and baggie containing a clear rock substance that weighed one gram believed to be methamphetamine.

52-year-old Billy Eugene Cook of Floyd Drive, Smithville is charged with aggravated burglary. His bond is $20,000 and he will be in court March 10.

Sheriff Ray said that on February 20 a deputy was called to Mountain View Drive, Smithville due to a burglary in progress. Upon arrival the officer found Cook inside the home. The owner of the residence reported that Cook did not have permission to be there.

February 22, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Sixteen persons have been issued qualifying petitions by the DeKalb County Election Commission for municipal elections on Thursday, August 4 in DeKalb County.

(Click links below to view updates on other 2022 races)

13th Judicial District

County Commission and School Board

County Wide Races

City elections will be held in Smithville, Alexandria, Liberty, and Dowelltown.

Persons may now pick up a petition for the municipal elections as well as the state and federal primaries also to be held on Thursday, August 4.

Petitions have been issued to the following persons for August 4, 2022 Municipal Elections:

City of Smithville:
Josh Miller-Mayor (Incumbent) (petition filed)
Beth Chandler-Alderman (Incumbent) (petition filed)
Don Crook-Alderman (petition filed)
Rhonda Tiefenauer-Alderman (petition filed)

City of Alexandria:
Lloyd D. Dyer-Mayor
Jana Beth Tripp-Mayor
Allen Lawson-Alderman

City of Liberty:
Audrey M. Martin-Mayor
Jason Hayes Ray-Mayor
Darrell W. Johnson-Mayor
William H. Reynolds-Alderman (Incumbent)
Kendra Stanford Alderman
Derek Johnson-Alderman (Incumbent)
Joe D. Bratten-Alderman (Incumbent)
James Ryan Dodd-Alderman

City of Dowelltown
Greg Fish-Alderman

Tennessee Republican Primary for State Representative 40th District (August 4th)
Michael Hale- (picked up petition in home county of DeKalb)
Terri Lynn Weaver (Incumbent)- (picked up petition in home county of Smith)

A mayor and two aldermen will be elected in Smithville on Thursday, August 4th. Each term is for four years.

In Alexandria, voters will elect a Mayor to a full four-year term, three Aldermen each to a full four-year term; and two Aldermen to fill unexpired terms.

Liberty voters will elect a Mayor to a full four-year term and five Aldermen each to a four-year term.

In Dowelltown, two Aldermen will be elected each to a full four-year term.

State primary elections will be held on Thursday, August 4 for Governor, U.S. House of Representatives, and Tennessee House of Representatives. General elections will also be held for state judicial offices and applicable county offices.

The qualifying deadline for municipal and state primary elections is Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 12:00 Noon including for Independent candidates and the withdrawal deadline is Thursday, April 14, 2022, at 12:00 Noon

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