Another Fatal Head-On Crash

April 13, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Another head-on crash in DeKalb County has claimed a life.

42 year old Thomas Higginbotham of Silver Point died after being flown by helicopter ambulance to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville Monday afternoon.

Trooper Brandon Johnson of the THP said Higginbotham was north on Highway 56 near Silver Point in a 1990 Ford Ranger as 39 year old Eric D. Fish, driving a 2015 Chevy Traverse, was heading south.

According to Trooper Johnson, Fish crossed into the path of Higginbotham and the crash occurred as both drivers swerved trying to avoid a collision.

Fish and his wife and son, 40 year old Janet Fish and 20 year old Derek Fish were all injured. Trooper Johnson said Mrs. Fish was airlifted by helicopter ambulance to Skyline Medical Center while Mr. Fish and his son were transported by DeKalb EMS to Cookeville Regional Medical Center.

Members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department’s extrication and rescue team responded with backup support from the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department. A Putnam County firefighter/paramedic, who was passing by stopped to help render assistance.

The fatal crash came one week after 18 year old Cassie Maxwell of Alexandria lost her life in a two vehicle wreck on Highway 70 between Dowelltown and Liberty.

April 13, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A county deputy made an arrest Sunday after checking out a complaint of drug trafficking activity.

64 year old Fred Thomas Dowell of Village Place, Smithville is charged with a second offense of driving on a revoked or suspended license; possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver; possession of a schedule I drug; and possession of a schedule II drug. His bond is $19,000 and he will make a court appearance April 29.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on April 11 a deputy was summoned to Page Drive due to possible drug trafficking in the area. The officer observed a vehicle pull over to the side of the road. The driver then got out and approached the patrol car. When asked to produce his driver license, Dowell only showed the officer an ID. A background check through central dispatch revealed that Dowell’s license were revoked for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in 1986.

Dowell told the deputy that he had just left a residence on Page Drive where heroin was present. After consenting to a search 2.85 grams of a crystal like substance believed to be meth and 0.42 grams of a white powdery substance thought to be cocaine were found in Dowell’s right leg cargo pants pocket; while 0.57 grams of a white tannish powdery substance believed to be heroin was found in the center console of the vehicle.

41 year old Abigail Vogel of Dale Ridge Road, Dowelltown is charged with criminal impersonation. Her bond is $3,000 and she will be in court May 13.

Sheriff Ray said that on April 8 a deputy was summoned to a residence on Dale Ridge Road due to a civil issue between a husband and wife. Upon arrival the officer spoke to a woman who identified herself as Amy Taylor. After a further investigation, the deputy learned that her real name was Abigail Vogel. When confronted, Vogel admitted that she lied about her name but did so because she thought there was a warrant against her.

37 year old Ryan Lee Walden of Dale Ridge Road, Dowelltown is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. His bond is $20,000 and he will make a court appearance on May 13.

Sheriff Ray said that on April 8 a deputy was called to the Holiday Haven boat ramp where a suspicion person was spotted with a gun. Upon arrival the officer found Walden and another man at a green pickup truck. When asked if he had anything in the truck the man informed the officer that Walden’s shotgun was in the front seat. After obtaining permission to search the truck, the deputy found a Camo shotgun with a shell in the chamber and one in the tube. The deputy then spoke to Walden about the gun and he (Walden) said that the weapon belonged to his father. After witnesses reported seeing Walden, a convicted felon, in possession of a weapon, he was placed under arrest.

49 year old Jerry Andrew Davis of Carthage is charged in a sealed indictment with aggravated burglary, three counts of burglary, and one count of theft. His bond is $70,000. He will be arraigned in criminal court on May 18.

April 12, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Clerk James L.(Jimmy) Poss and one of his employees, Judy Miller-Mcgee are now certified county finance officers after recently completing a course offered by the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service’s County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS)

Poss and Miller-Mcgee were among approximately 150 finance personnel from counties, cities, utility districts, in Tennessee to receive CCFO certifications this month.

The Certified County Finance Officer (CCFO) program, which was started in May 2018, is administered and taught by CTAS staff with support provided by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.

“The CCFO program consists of 11 monthly classes that includes topics such as county budgeting, internal controls, purchasing, governmental accounting I & II, financial reporting I & II, risk management, pensions and other post-employment benefit plans,” said CTAS CCFO training consultant Kelley McNeal. “It is designed to improve the skills of finance personnel and provide an in-depth knowledge of the various topics needed to help better manage county finances. The CCFO program encourages class participants to collaborate more with other departments within their counties and is emphasized with several case studies and group exercises to equip the participants to better understand the various financial issues and problems facing counties,” she said.

County Clerk Poss said he and Mrs. Miller-Mcgee, his deputy clerk and bookkeeper, found the Certified County Finance Officers (CCFO) program to be a great benefit.

“We were glad to be able to participate in this program and to continue to do what we can to better the office whether its in finance or daily operations and customer service. This class was focused more on budgeting and finance and although very challenging it was very beneficial to us. In fact I wish we could involve all of our employees in more of what the state offers us because we want to have additional information so we can stay on top of where we need to be to make our office even more responsive to the people we serve. ” said Poss.

Ben Rodgers, County government consultant for CTAS, congratulated Poss and Miller-Mcgee on this accomplishment.

“I want to commend Jimmy and Judy for their efforts and hard work. I think it speaks highly of them for achieving this certification. It’s a challenging class and a big accomplishment for anyone to go through no matter what position you hold in county government. Participants are put through an extensive 11 class session that teaches them everything about county government finance as much as possible including accounting, budgeting, debt management, internal controls and audits. Its not just one day a month. Its more than that. Its studying outside of work and being responsive in class. Although it is a lot of work the class is very rewarding because it exposes participants like Jimmy and Judy to a side of finance that maybe they were not exposed to before. Its immeasurable what can be learned and applied to better serve the public. Every county official and as many of their employees as they can put through it should experience something like this. Its very educational. Again I say congratulations to Jimmy and Judy. I am proud to be working with them and other fine folks like that in DeKalb County,” said Rodgers.

Two other county employees, Kristie Nokes of the County Mayor’s Office and Kenderly Cripps of the School District ‘s Central Office graduated from the program in 2019 to become certified county finance officers.

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