44 year old Patrick Steve Cook of Ormund Beach, Florida died Monday at Ormund Memorial Hospital. He was a former resident of Liberty, a self employed contractor, and a member of the First Baptist Church. A memorial service will be held at Ormund Beach, Florida. Another memorial service will take place at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home in Smithville on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Donnie Kelly will officiate. Visitation will be Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Memorial Service. He was preceded in death by his father, Bratten Hale Cook, Sr.; a sister, Gayden Richardson; and a nephew, Patrick Ford. He is survived by his wife, Pat Harrison Cook; two sons, Elliot Cook of Ormund Beach, Florida and Colin Cook of Lexington. He is also survived by his mother, Jo Bill Cook of Smithvile. A brother and sister-in-law, Bratten “Butch” Cook and Judy Cook of Smithville. A sister, Jo Lynn Cook of Smithville. A sister and brother-in-law, Murphy Ann Ford and Jeffrey Buck Ford of Nashville. Two nieces, Megan Cook of Smithville and Jesse Ford of Nashville. Four nephews, Bratten Cook of Cookeville, Andrew Cook of Murfreesboro, Tucker and James Ford of Nashville. One great nephew, Ari Cook. One great niece, Devin Cook of McMinnville. Contributions may be made, in lieu of flowers, to a trust fund for Steve’s minor son, Elliot, at any Region’s Bank location or at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home.
Author Archive: Dwayne Page
Esther Elaine Asbury
64 year old Esther Elaine Asbury of Smithville died Monday at her residence. She was a factory worker and was affiliated with the Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Asbury; her parents, Alfred and Elgie E. Bechtol; infant sisters, Enola Mae and Carol Beth Bechtol; and brothers, Ralph Bechtol and Denver G. Bechtol. Survivors include two children, Richard Schilt of Smithville and Lori Black of Dowelltown. Two grandchildren, Kiley Yoder of Dowelltown and Brandon Schilt of Smithville. A great granddaughter, Angelina Yoder. Two brothers, Martin and his wife Joyce Bechtol of Montpelier, Ohio; Leslie and his wife Martha Bechtol of Edon, Ohio. A sister, Eileen Sue and her husband Ed Gipple of Montpelier, Ohio. Ms. Asbury’s remains have been cremated. There will be a private memorial service held at a later date.
Counterfeit Bills Showing Up at Local Businesses
The Smithville Police Department reports that counterfeit bills have shown up at four businesses in recent days, including Walmart, McDonald’s, Rite Aid Pharmacy, and Jewel’s Market.
Detective Sergeant Jerry Hutchins’, Jr. says the bills have no water marks or bar codes and some were not cut squarely. The bills also have some of the same serial numbers.
In the Walmart incident, Officer Travis Bryant states in his report that ” On March 21st at approximately 10:00 a.m., I responded to Walmart in regard to $240 in counterfeit $20 bills. Upon arrival, I spoke with Jozef Shelton who advised me that three persons had entered the store and that one of them had passed the money at two separate registers. Then on March 22nd at noon I was called back to Walmart to speak with Mr. Shelton who said one of the three persons from the day before had attempted to pass two more counterfeit $20 bills.”
In the McDonald’s case, Officer Matt Holmes states in his report that, “On March 24th, I responded to McDonalds for a possible counterfeit bill that was passed through the drive through window. Upon arrival, I met with the manager, Judy Duncan, who advised me that an employee, who was attending the money window, reported that she had marked a $20 bill that was passed at the window and that the bill was a counterfeit. Duncan said she went to the window and advised the boys in the car that their $20 bill was counterfeit. She said the boys then produced the money to pay for their food and drove away. Upon a check of the money from the prior days, two more counterfeit bills were spotted. All three bills had the same serial numbers.”
Detective Sergeant Hutchins says a $20 counterfeit bill also showed up at Rite Aid Pharmacy on March 24th and a phony $20 bill was passed March 25th at Jewel’s Market.
Police Chief Richard Jennings and Detective Sergeant Hutchins urge local business owners and operators to examine closely any bills passed at their establishments and report any suspicious activity to the police department.
The cases have also been brought to the attention of the U.S. Secret Service.
Hutchins says there are suspects in the cases but no arrests have been made.
Steve Mabe, Sr.
51 year old Steve Mabe, Sr. of Alexandria died Saturday at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga. He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Steve, Jr. and Rachel Mabe of Smithville. Grandchildren, Heath Mabe and Lance Mabe. His mother, Helen Mabe Van Strander and his step-father, Richard Van Strander of Alexandria. A brother, Larry Mabe and his wife Janet and their children, Monica Mabe and Tabitha Mabe. Several uncles and aunts also survive. The body is at Avant Funeral Home in Alexandria where the funeral will be Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. David Dunn and Glenn Ramsey will officiate. Burial will be in the Brush Creek Cemetery. The Mabe family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. Avant Funeral Home in Alexandria is in charge of the arrangements.
Steve Landon Goodwin
48 year old Steve Landon Goodwin of Liberty died Sunday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was a carpenter and a member of the Congregational Methodist Church. The funeral will be Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Mark Miller will offciate and burial will be in the Dismal Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 3:30 p.m. He was preceded in death by his father, Walter Landon Goodwin. Survivors include two daughters, Candace Dodd of Woodbury and Rachel Goodwin of Smithville. His mother, Louise Driver Goodwin; a sister and brother-in-law, Kathy Ellis and Russell Estes; a niece, Natosha Reinhart; and a great niece, Autumn Reinhart all of Liberty. Several aunts, uncles, and cousins also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. The family has asked that donations be made to Love-Cantrell Funeral Home for funeral expenses, in lieu of flowers.
Haskel Elby Howard
87 year old Haskel Elby Howard of Smithville died Monday morning at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was the son of the late Erbie Haskel and Mertie Ovella Slagle Howard. He was also preceded in death by an infant brother and two other brothers, Kenneth D. Howard and Holly J. Howard. Mr. Howard was retired from the U.S. Navy, having served from 1939 until 1959, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. Survivors include his wife, Chizuko Howard of Smithville. Three children, Michael Kenji and his wife Kelli Howard of Batavia, Ohio; Riki Lynn and his wife Gina Howard of Brentwood; and Michiko Naomi Howard and her husband Tim Martin of Smithville. Seven grandchildren, Raleigh Preston Howard, Kenleigh Nicole Howard, Allison Taylor Howard, Slater Jackson Howard, Hayley Midori Martin, Raiden Alexander Martin, and Madeline Aiko Martin. Many cousins in Tennessee and many western states also survive. Mr. Howard’s remains have been cremated. There will be no vistitation held at the funeral home. There will be a graveside memorial service held Thursday at 9:30 a.m. with full Military Honors at the Howard Cemetery in White County. Chuck Olson and Michael Hale will officiate. The cemetery is located on the Old Kentucky Road. Mr. Howard requested NO flowers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the charity of your choice, the American Cancer Society, Disabled American Veterans, Justin Potter Library, or the DeKalb County High School Library with books about our nation’s history or military. All donations can be made by calling or coming by the funeral home. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Sheriff Issues Update on the Latest Crime News and Announces Plans for DARE Graduations
Sheriff Patrick Ray issued his weekly update on crime news Monday and announced plans for the DARE Graduations next month.
Four people have been arrested since last Thursday.
Sheriff Ray says 36 year old Marshall Neely of Moores Road Turner, Kentucky was stopped on Highway 70 east for a traffic violation on Thursday, March 20th.
Upon approaching the driver, deputies noticed a strong odor of alcohol on Neely’s person. He was asked to perform field sobriety tasks which he failed. Neely was placed under arrest for DUI and he was also written a citation for the Implied Consent law. Neely’s bond was set at $1000 and his court date is April 3rd.
Also on Thursday, 43 year old Tony Joe Corley of Lower Helton Road, Liberty was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. Corley was a passenger in a vehicle which was stopped for a traffic violation on Highway 70 east. After deputies received consent to search the vehicle Corley was in, a used hypodermic needle fell out of Corley’s pants. His bond was set at $2,500 and his court date was set for March 27th.
On Friday, deputies observed 19 year old Adam Tramel of Possum Hollow Road, Dowelltown urinating in the parking lot at Hardee’s. When the officers pulled into the parking lot to speak with Tramel, he jumped into to his vehicle and attempted to flee. The deputies stopped Tramel on Highway 56 south around Whorton Springs Road. Upon speaking with Tramel, officers noticed a strong odor of alcohol on his person. After performing poorly on all field sobriety tasks, Tramel was arrested for DUI, indecent exposure, and evading arrest. Tramel also received citations for under age consumption after he admitted to drinking 8 or 9 beers and violation of the insurance law. Total bond for Tramel was set at $7,000 and his court date is set for April 3rd.
50 year old Billy Stephen Braswell of Nashville Highway, Liberty was charged Sunday with a DUI (first offense) and simple possession. Deputies stopped Braswell for a traffic violation on Highway 70 west in Liberty. When the officers spoke with Braswell, they noticed a strong odor of alcohol on his person. Sheriff Ray says Braswell was so intoxicated he could not balance himself enough to perform field sobriety tasks. Deputies also found a marijuana cigarette in Braswell’s ash tray. Sheriff Ray says Braswell admitted that the marijuana cigarette belonged to him. He received a written citation for failure to take a blood alcohol test. Braswell’s total bond was set at $3,000 and his court date is set for April 3rd.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Ray is inviting everyone to two of the planned DARE Graduations set for April. The first DARE Graduation is planned for Tuesday, April 22nd at 1:30 p.m. inside the Gymnasium at Northside Elementary School in Smithville. The second DARE Graduation is planned for Wednesday April, 23rd at 1:30 p.m. inside the Gymnasium at the DeKalb West School in Liberty. Sheriff Ray says by participating in this program, DeKalb County 5th graders will join the millions of other DARE Graduates who have taken the pledge to stay drug free and avoid violence, The DARE Program is currently being taught in all 50 States in the U.S., as well as 53 other countries around the world. Sheriff Ray says “the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, Northside Elementary School, and DeKalb West School are proud to take part in this worldwide effort to help keep our children off drugs.”
Sheriff Ray says Jail and Annex Meet State Recertification Standards
The DeKalb County Jail and Jail Annex have again met standards for re-certification by the Tennessee Corrections Institute.
Sheriff Patrick Ray, in a prepared statement, says ” On March 11th I received a letter from the Tennessee Corrections Institute stating that both the DeKalb County Jail and Jail Annex have received certification for the year of 2008.”
In the letter, State Executive Director Jerry Abston wrote “The Tennessee Corrections Institute recently inspected the DeKalb County Jail and Annex. The inspection revealed that both facilities meet all applicable minimum standards. These statues shall be reported to the Board of Control at its next meeting. After approval from the Board of Control, you will receive a Certificate of Certification. You are to be congratulated for attaining this degree of professionalism in your organization.”
State Jail Inspector John Hanna Jr. inspected the older part of the Jail on March 11th and found in the DeKalb County Jail the following ” I conducted the physical walk-through of the cells, kitchen, and the medical section, and I found no violations. The logs and records seem to be up to date and in order. I recommend continued certification of this facility at this inspection.”
Sheriff Ray said “This section of the Jail (older building) is where we house females. The female inmates are housed upstairs where they can have no visual or verbal contact with the male inmates. Some of the male inmates are housed in the basement area of the Jail away from the female inmates. As of today, Monday, there are 33 inmates (18 females and 15 males) housed in the older part of the Jail.”
Also on March 11th, Inspector Hanna inspected the Jail Annex and wrote the following “This Jail was inspected on March 11th. I looked at the records and logs which seemed to be without discrepancies. The cells, medical, and kitchen were visited and looked to be in good shape. There is an area that needed to be corrected. I, (Hanna), measured the dorm in the annex and noted there was enough square footage and plumbing to add sixteen beds. This was completed in September of 2007 which raised the count from 42 to 58. I will file a new Capacity Change Report with this inspection. I recommend continued certification of the jail annex.”
Sheriff Ray said “As of today (Monday), there are 47 male inmates housed in the Jail Annex. We are averaging around a total of 80 inmates per day with somewhere around 15 to 20 weekenders that come in on Friday night and are released on Sunday night. We have a total of 104 beds with the Jail and Jail Annex combined.”
Stevie Joe Estes
41 year old Stevie Joe Estes of Smithville died Sunday at his residence. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Howard Griffin will officiate and burial will be in the Hale Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the funeral at 1:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his mother, Henrietta Bain Estes and a brother, Ronald Estes. Survivors include his wife, Shelia Baker Estes; a daughter, Amanda McClure; three step-daughters, Jessica Hubbard and Christina Murphy all of Smithville and Stephanie Murphy of Jamestown. Two grandchildren, Conner McClure and Haley Murphy both of Smithville and James Estes of Smithville. His father, Chester Estes of Smithville. Four aunts, Ruth Martin of Smithville, Frances Underwood of Woodbury, and Carolyn Braswell and Shirley Hale. Two uncles, David and Jerry Bain. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Man Dies in Sunday Night Crash- Another Person Airlifted
A 48 year old man died in a pickup truck crash Sunday night on Highway 56 south, just north of Cumberland Nursery.
Dead is Steve Goodwin of Woodbury Highway, Liberty.
Meanwhile, 38 year old Bessie Collins of Liberty, a passenger of the truck, was airlifted from the scene by a Life Force Helicopter Ambulance and flown to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga.
Another passenger, 23 year old Michael Frederick Teachout of Smithville was apparently not seriously injured. He reportedly refused treatment.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Goodwin was driving north on Highway 56 in a 1991 Dodge Dakota pickup truck and failed to negotiate a curve. The truck ran off the roadway, hit a fence, re-entered the highway, crossed both lanes, struck a ditch on the other side of the road, vaulted one time, partially ejected the driver, and then came to rest on it’s top facing north. The driver was penned underneath.
Central dispatch received the call at 8:57 p.m.
Members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department came to the scene to provide extrication services.
The THP reports that seatbelts were used but that alcohol was also involved.
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and DeKalb EMS were also on the scene.