Wilson Charged in Rash of Burglaries and Thefts

January 4, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A 44-year-old man is facing a rash of burglary and theft charges and will make a court appearance January 13. Byron Ray Wilson’s bond on all charges totals $217,500.

Wilson’s first encounter with the Sheriff’s Department last month occurred on December 13 when a deputy spotted Wilson and tried to arrest him. Wilson had been indicted by the Grand Jury on charges of escape and theft of property (2,500-$10,000)

Sheriff Patrick Ray explained that “while enroute to a call for service a deputy spotted a vehicle with a man driving who appeared to be Wilson. Knowing that Wilson was wanted on felony warrants, the officer turned around to stop the vehicle, but it fled. The deputy caught up with the automobile at a residence on Smith Road, but Wilson jumped from the vehicle and fled on foot. While conducting a registration check, the officer learned that the vehicle, a Chevrolet Caprice, was stolen in Putnam County.

Eleven days later, on December 24 another deputy was on Old Mill Hill Road when he spotted a black and blue Can Am Maverick Side by Side matching the description of one reported stolen. When the Side by Side turned onto New Home Road the deputy activated his emergency lights and began a short pursuit as the Side by Side tried to flee traveling at speeds exceeding 67 miles per hour. After an investigation the officer determined that Wilson had been driving the Side by Side.

In addition to the grand jury indictment, Wilson’s charges include the following:

*Aggravated Burglary: On December 20 Wilson broke into a residence on Shady Drive.

*Auto Burglary and Theft of Property over $10,000: On December 23 Wilson stole a 2021 Can Am Maverick Side By Side valued at $28,000. It was stolen from a location on Big Hurricane Road.

*Theft of Property: On December 23 Wilson stole several items from a truck on Big Hurricane Road including an iPhone7, USB link, Shop Vac among other things with a total value of $1,464.

*Burglary and Theft of Property: On December 21 Wilson stole a 2011 Chevrolet E25 van valued at $10,000. It was stolen from a location on Short Mountain Highway.

*Theft of Property: On December 25 Wilson stole 2 Mechanic Choice wrenches and a roll of shop towels with a total value of $17.50. They were stolen from a location on Short Mountain Highway.

*Burglary of outbuilding, Auto Burglary, and Theft of Property: On December 25 Wilson tried to steal a 1998 GMC 3500 which held toolboxes, and air compressor and a welder with a total value of $15,000. This occurred at a location on Short Mountain Highway.

*Auto Burglary: On December 23 Wilson broke into a 2018 International Box Truck.

January 3, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A total of 42 persons interested in running for county offices in either the May 3, 2022 DeKalb County Democratic or Republican Primary have picked up qualifying petitions from the election commission.

According to the election commission office, the following persons have been issued petitions:

Republican Primary:
Thomas Alan Hayes, School Board, District 2 (Incumbent)
Ryan Wayne Mollinet, School Board, District 7
Bradley S. Hendrix, County Mayor
Matthew J. Quarles, School Board, District 2
Danny Lynn Hale, Road Supervisor (Incumbent)
Sabrina R. Farler, County Commissioner, District 2 (Incumbent)
Susan L. Martin, Circuit Court Clerk (Incumbent)
Jim Beshearse-School Board, District 3(Incumbent)
Anita T. Puckett-County Mayor
Thomas E. “Tom” Chandler- County Commissioner, District 1
Sean D. Driver-Trustee (Incumbent)
Gregory S. “Greg” Mattthews, County Commissioner, District 4
Justin Douglas Adcock, County Commissioner, District 6
Joshua E. Holloway, County Commissioner, District 5
Larry L. Green- County Commissioner, District 5
James L. “Jimmy” Poss- County Clerk (Incumbent)
Matthew N. “Matt” Adcock- County Mayor
Mingy Kay Ball- General Sessions Court Judge
Brandon J. Cox- General Sessions Court Judge
Daniel A. Seber- Register of Deeds
Patrick R. Ray- Sheriff (Incumbent)
Keneth Lee Whitehead-Sheriff
James David “Jim” Pearson- County Commissioner, District 2
Tony L. “Cully” Culwell-County Commissioner, District 4
Boyd Bruce Malone-County Commissioner, District 7 (Incumbent)
Trevin Merriman-County Commissioner, District 7

Democratic Primary
Timothy Robert “Tim” Stribling, County Mayor (Incumbent)
Margie Rigsby Miller, General Sessions Court Judge
Jeffery K. “Jeff” Barnes-County Commissioner, District 6 (Incumbent)
Julie Ann Young-County Commissioner, District 1 (Incumbent)
Janice. M. Fish Stewart-County Commissioner, District 4 (Incumbent)
Wayne Shehane- Road Supervisor
Mike Foster- County Mayor
James Waylon Kyle- County Commissioner, District 1
Tecia Puckett Pryor-General Sessions Court Judge
Shelby D. Reeder- Register of Deeds
Billy Myron Rhody-County Commissioner, District 2 (Incumbent)
Jack E. Barton, III-County Commissioner, District 3
Susannah Cripps Daughtry- County Commissioner, District 3 (Incumbent)
Jenny A. Trapp- County Commissioner, District 3 (Incumbent)
Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Pafford- County Commissioner, District 7 (Incumbent)
Robert D. (Danny) Parkerson, Jr.- School Board, District 1 (Incumbent). Parkerson also obtained a petition to run as an independent candidate for School Board, District 1 but he can only return one petition to the election commission to run either as a Democratic Candidate in the May Primary or as an Independent Candidate in the August County General Election.

Offices on the May primary ballots include: County Mayor; Road Supervisor; Sheriff, General Sessions Judge; Circuit Court Clerk; County Clerk; Trustee; Register of Deeds; County Commissioner in all seven (7) districts (2 can be nominated per district); School Board members in districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7; Constable in District 4 to fill a vacancy; Circuit Court Judge Part I and Part II (13th Judicial District); Chancellor (13th Judicial District); Criminal Court Judge Part I and Part II (13th Judicial District); District Attorney General (13th Judicial District); and Public Defender (13th Judicial District).

Petitions must be returned by Noon February 17th.

There is an additional earlier deadline for Sheriff and Road Supervisor candidates. They must have appropriate paperwork to the Peace Officer Standards Training Commission (POST) for sheriff and the Tennessee Highway Officials Certification board 14 days before the qualifying deadline.
While the above offices will appear on May primary ballots, candidates also have the option to run as Independent candidates who will not appear on the ballot until August. However, the same qualifying deadlines apply.

Winners of the May primaries will square off against each other in the August DeKalb County General Election along with any properly qualified Independent candidates.

The local election office is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is located on the first floor of the DeKalb County Courthouse.

January 3, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Panhandling has been occurring in Smithville recently near Walmart and city officials want to nip it in the bud!

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, Mayor Josh Miller said he has reached out to City Attorney Vester Parsley and the Municipal Technical Advisory Service to give some advice and guidance on how to address the issue.

“I think it is a shame that we have lobbies closed at restaurants right now because they can’t find the staff to work while there are people standing at a red light with a sign and their hand out asking people to give,” said Mayor Miller. “I know there are circumstances and I believe in helping people, but this community is very helpful. We have churches that reach out. This community reaches out to a lot of people, but this is something we need to address,” added Mayor Miller.

“It’s also a safety issue, not only for the public but for the person doing the panhandling as well. If there is any action we can take we should,” said Alderman Jacobs.

Meanwhile in other business, the aldermen voted to increase the pay of lifeguards at the municipal swimming pool this summer from $8.00 to $10.00 per hour at the mayor’s request.

The aldermen also approved the hiring of a new police officer at the request of Chief Mark Collins. Daniel Haggard, a police officer with seven years of experience comes to the Smithville Police Department from the Alexandria Police Department.

In other business, Mayor Miller announced that the city will soon be receiving from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) more than $1.3 million for eligible water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure projects as part of the Tennessee Water Infrastructure Investment Program. This coupled with the city’s share of federal American Rescue Plan funding will put the city’s share for these type projects at more than $2 million.

Mayor Miller also informed the aldermen that new splash pad equipment for Greenbrook Park should be arriving by March 7 with plans for the project to be up and running by May.

In November, the Smithville Aldermen awarded a bid to Aquatix of Cookeville at $172,976. To pay for it the aldermen adopted a budget amendment on second and final reading authorizing an expenditure of up to $173,000 for the splash pad. The money for the project will be taken from the city’s unreserved fund balance.

The city has applied for a T-Mobile Hometown Grant through the Upper Cumberland Development District which, if approved, would provide up to $50,000 for the splash pad project.

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