Smithville Man Charged with Second Degree Murder in Drug-Related Death

November 28, 2023
By:

A joint investigation by special agents with the Drug Investigation Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department has resulted in the indictment of a Smithville man, in connection to the drug-related death of a DeKalb County man earlier this year.

On February 9th, agents joined deputies in investigating the death of  42 year old William Wayne Graham. He was found deceased at a residence on Bright Hill Road. The investigation revealed that he died from acute combined drug toxicity, that included ethanol, alprazolam, cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. During the course of the investigation, investigators identified Scott Ferrell of South Tittsworth Road as the individual who provided the cocaine to the victim.

On November 27th, the DeKalb County Grand Jury returned indictments charging 59 year old Scott Alan Ferrell with one count of Second-Degree Murder, one count of Sale of Schedule II Narcotic (Cocaine), and one count of Delivery of Schedule II Narcotic (Cocaine). Today, Ferrell was arrested and booked into the DeKalb County Jail on a $500,000 bond. He will be arraigned in DeKalb County Criminal Court December 13

November 28, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The county commission has changed its policy on when the public may make comments at monthly meetings and committee meetings of the commission.

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the commission voted to reverse a procedure which had been in place since rules were established three years ago for how business is to be conducted at meetings.

Going forward, the public comment period will be held at the beginning of monthly county commission meetings (usually on the 4th Monday night each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Mike Foster Multipurpose Center of the County Complex) instead of at the end of the meetings, which has been the procedure. The public comment period will commence after the initial roll call and prior to action on adoption of the agenda. Each person wishing to address the commission will have three minutes to make public comment. The public will also be given an opportunity to address the county commission at the end of what are referred to as “committee meetings of the whole” which are usually held in the History room of the county complex at 6 p.m. on the Thursday nights prior to the Monday night monthly meetings.

“This change will allow people to comment on what they have heard at the monthly Thursday night workshops (at committee of the whole meetings) and be better prepared to make comments at the monthly commission meetings before we take any votes,” said County Commissioner Tom Chandler who made the motion for the change in policy. It was adopted unanimously by the eleven commissioners in attendance.

Meanwhile a public comment period, as also approved by the commission, will be afforded at the end of any other county committee meeting held during the month as recommended by County Commissioner Greg Matthews and included as an amendment by Chandler in his motion. Up until now, no time for public comment has been specified at other committee meetings such as budget, purchasing, public works, etc. In each case the person wishing to speak at any commission or committee meeting must give their name and either the district or address where they reside in the county.

DeKalb County is in search of a new Veteran’s Service Officer. Bill Rutherford, who has held the position for almost two and a half years has tendered his resignation effective immediately because of health reasons. County Mayor Matt Adcock said a successor has not yet been found to replace Rutherford. During Monday night’s meeting, the county commission acknowledged Rutherford’s resignation.

“We really enjoyed working with Bill. He is a wonderful asset to the county, and he has done a lot for our veterans. I really appreciate Bill and everything he has done,” said County Mayor Adcock.

Meanwhile, County Mayor Adcock said Trevor Glover has resigned as a member of the county commission’s audit committee due to a job conflict. The commission appointed Tom Janney to replace Glover on the audit committee. Janney has been on the audit committee before.

In other business, the commission approved the county justice committee’s recommendation to contract with the Trainor company as architect for design purposes of a proposed judicial center or jail and Bell Construction as the management company should the county move forward.

November 28, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Nine DCHS Football players have earned 2023 All-Region honors.

The local award winners are as follows:

Most Outstanding Linebacker- #9 Ari White- DeKalb County

Most Outstanding Running Back- #15 Malachi Trapp- DeKalb County

Most Outstanding Returner -#1 Ryon Lyons- DeKalb County

1st Team – #55 Wil Farris, #11 Ty Webb, #18 Briz Trapp

2nd Team – #2 Jordan Parker, #66 Chris Pulley, #4 Andrew Dakas

The DCHS Tigers closed the book on their 2023 football season Friday night, November 3 falling to the Red Bank Lions 30 to 0 on the road in the 1st round of the TSSAA Class 4A Play-offs.

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