Fire Destroys Smithville Home

January 13, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A fire Thursday night gutted a home at 413 Charity Lane.

The Smithville Volunteer Fire Department was called to the residence of Martha Conger where a fire had started. Conger was not there at the time but other occupants in the home got out safely. Firefighters also rescued two cats. According to Chief Charlie Parker, the fire is believed to have started from a cooking accident in the kitchen.

Firefighters were not able to save the home. After extinguishing the blaze, the department had to be called out again later in the night after the fire rekindled.

January 13, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A man pulled over by Smithville Police for speeding is in more trouble with the law

30 year old Matthew Phillip Watson of Cleveland was arrested on January 1 for driving under the influence, altering a vehicle identification (VIN) number, possession of a handgun while intoxicated, and he was cited for speeding, violation of financial responsibility, and implied consent. While on routine patrol, police observed a truck speeding at 62 mph in a 40 mph zone. The officer pulled over the truck and spoke with the driver, Watson who smelled of alcohol. He also learned through central dispatch that the license tag on the truck belonged to another vehicle and noticed that the VIN number on the dashboard by the front windshield appeared to have been tampered with. After receiving consent to search and conducting a further investigation, the officer used a device to access the truck’s computer system which revealed a different VIN number from the one on the registration Watson produced and that shown on the VIN plate. A Glock pistol was also found between the driver’s seat and the center console. Watson was then placed under arrest and a search warrant was obtained for a blood sample from him. Watson’s bond is $13,000 and his court date is January 16.

34 year old Alicia Nichole Cobb of 857 Luttrell Avenue was cited on January 3 for dog running at large. On December 30, police were called to Luttrell Avenue due to a blue Pitt Bull dog roaming through the neighborhood alarming several residents there who reported being afraid of the dog. After the owner could not be located, animal control was contacted to detain the dog. Four days later on January 3 Cobb, the owner, was located and she was able to retrieve her dog. Cobb will appear in city court on the citation February 4.

40 year old Charles John Ward of 814 Luttrell Avenue was arrested on January 6 for domestic assault. Police were called to a residence on Luttrell Avenue and found a pool table flipped over on its side. They learned that Ward was intoxicated at the time and became aggressive toward the victim. He tried to push the pool table at her until it flipped over nearly hitting her. The officer determined Ward to be the primary aggressor and he was placed under arrest. Ward’s bond is $3,500 and his court date is January 23.

21 year old Leah Nichole Sylvester of 231 Hayes Court was arrested on January 7 for domestic assault. According to the warrant, Sylvester assaulted the victim by hitting her in the face during an argument. Sylvester was determined to have been the primary aggressor. Bond for Sylvester is $3,500 and her court date is January 23.

43 year old Bobby Wayne Pinegar of Smyrna was cited on January 7 for shoplifting. According to police, Pinegar could be seen on surveillance video at Tractor Supply Company concealing merchandise and leaving the store without purchasing them. The items were found on the front seat of Pinegar’s car. They were recovered and returned to the store. Pinegar’s court date is January 23.

63 year old Johnny Wayne Trapp of 8264 Holmes Creek Road was arrested on January 7 for public intoxication. Police were called to the emergency room of the hospital due to an irate patient. While speaking with the man,  Trapp the officer could smell alcohol on him and when he was asked what had happened, Trapp became loud and began to curse. Trapp was then taken into custody. Bond for Trapp is $1,500 and his court date is January 23.

January 11, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County School System has received a grant of $15,400.00 from UTrust .

Michelle Burklow, Supervisor of Instruction for DeKalb County Schools, applied for the grant. She wrote, “While undergoing changes in the educational world, employees must feel needed and important, part of a bigger picture. We want to create a positive work environment and show the employees that each one of them have a vital role in education. These funds will allow our school district to show appreciation and recognize the hard work of our employees.”

DeKalb County Superintendent of Schools, Patrick Cripps said, “We are fortunate to have an outstanding school staff and we very much want them to know how much they are appreciated. Our school board also appreciates our staff and we want to provide an opportunity for the board and staff to interact with each other.”

Cripps continued “We are grateful to Utrust for providing funds for our school system so that we will be able to provide tangible evidence we appreciate every employee of DeKalb County Schools. We’re fortunate to find funds that do not come from taxpayers of DeKalb County for this project.”

Dr. Dan Tollett, Utrust Administrator said, “We are pleased that Utrust is able to fund small projects that will make a big difference. We believe these projects will make a big difference to staff members in DeKalb County Schools. We appreciate Ms. Burklow, submitting this request. We welcome the opportunity to be a part of this project because it is all about appreciating school employees.”

Utrust is an organization that assists school systems in Tennessee with unemployment issues and in recognizing, supporting and appreciating school employees. It sponsors the Utrust Appreciation Program, a student leadership program that seeks to help students recognize and express appreciation to people who make their lives better each day.

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