A Smithville woman was wounded in an accidental shooting Saturday night at her residence.
In his report, Smithville Police Officer Tyler Wix wrote that “I responded to 848 Foster Road, apartment 210-B at 6:41 p.m. for what was dispatched as a domestic that had occurred. One subject had already left the scene but no vehicle description was given.
When I arrived on the scene, I spoke to Tammy Stanley, who advised she had been fighting and arguing with the woman she lives with, Paula Neal.
Stanley told me that during the course of the fight, the 22 mag pistol she had in her pocket fell out and as she was picking it up, it went off, shooting Neal in what she believed was the leg.
At this time, I recovered the gun and placed it into evidence. Ms. Stanley, stated she did not mean to shoot Neal and that it was an accident.
Neal also stated at the emergency room to Officer Joey Jones, that the shooting was an accident and that she did not want to press charges.”
Neal was apparently not seriously wounded in the shooting.
In another case, Smithville Police were called to Wal-Mart early Saturday morning where two people were detained for shoplifting.
According to Officer Joey Jones report, ” On Saturday at 5:07 a.m., I was dispatched to Walmart where the manager had two young men detained for shoplifting. I made contact with 22 year old Tommy R. Bowen of Murfreesboro, who admitted that he had been smoking marijuana with a 16 year old, Nathan Ray King, in the car of King’s father. Bowen had very slurred speech and was unsteady on his feet.”
Bowen was charged with public intoxication and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He will appear in General Sessions Court on November 15th.
King was charged as a juvenile with public intoxication and simple possession.
According to the police report, King was very unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred. Walmart employees reported that King had fallen two or three times in the store, and upon his arrest, a small clear sandwich bag fell out of his coat, which contained a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana. The report states that King admitted that the marijuana belonged to him.
Police also filed a report on three cases of vandalism at residences on Lincoln Street and Earl Avenue Friday.
Lieutenant Steven Leffew reports that “On Friday, November 2nd at 2:50 p.m. I responded to 501 Lincoln Avenue in reference to a vandalism. Upon arrival, Debra Tramel showed me where 501 and 503 Lincoln Avenue had been seriously vandalized. The windows and doors had been busted out. She showed me that someone had also seriously vandalized a house at 1121 Earl Avenue where windows and doors were busted out, holes were punched in several walls, wiring had been cut, food was slung on several walls, and the ceiling fan was broken.”
No arrests have been made.
Smithville Police arrested a Watertown woman Friday with driving under the influence and a second offense of driving on a revoked license while the man with her was charged with simple possession.
Officer Travis Bryant reports that “On November 2nd, on Highway 70, Shelley Lynn Burton was operating a motor vehicle and was stopped for a registration violation. A computer check revealed her license was revoked for failure to satisfy a citation in Sumner County and other offenses in Smith County. She had an odor of alcohol on her person and she was unsteady on her feet. Burton performed poorly on all field sobriety tasks and she refused to take a breathlyzer test.”
Officer Bryant further reported that “A deputy and I asked for permission to search Burton’s vehicle and 24 year old Robert Hicks of Milton exited the car. As he got out, the deputy and I observed something fall off his person. The deputy picked it up and handed it to me. I observed it to be a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana.”
Burton and Hicks will be in court November 15th.
Smithville Police also charged 49 year old Ricky L. Dowell with driving on a suspended license (7th offense).
Officer Joey Jones stopped Dowell on Friday, November 2nd on Miller Road for a light violation. A computer check revealed he had failed to satisfy his child support and had other offenses in Putnam, Cumberland, and DeKalb County.
Dowell will be in court November 14th.

A fire call last week resulted in the arrest of a local woman on theft charges.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says the DeKalb County Fire Department, on Sunday, October 28th, was dispatched to Kenny and Amanda Bain’s residence, located at 597 King Ridge Road Dowelltown, in response to a call of a vehicle fire.
Upon arrival, Firefighters opened the trunk of the vehicle which was on fire and found several long guns. Firefighters turned the guns over to deputies from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.
Through an investigation, detectives discovered that at least two of the guns were stolen from a victim in DeKalb County.
23 year old Amanda G. Bain, who is the owner of the burned vehicle, was arrested for theft of property. Bond was set at $10,000 and her court date is November 15th.
In another case last week, Sheriff Ray says 26 year old John Brent Williams of Four Seasons Road Smithville was arrested on Monday, October 29th for driving under the influence and violation of the implied consent law.
Deputies received a call from someone stating there was a vehicle parked in the middle of the road on Vaughn Lane. Upon arrival, deputies found Williams passed out underneath the steering wheel of the vehicle. Bond for Williams was set at $1,000 and his court date is November 8th.
Meanwhile, 46 year old Larry (Crack) Lattimore of Short Mountain Highway Smithville was arrested on Tuesday, October 30th for 10th offense driving on a revoked license.
Lattimore was seen by a detective of the Sheriff’s Department driving on Short Mountain Highway. The officer had knowledge of Lattimore’s license being revoked.
Bond for Lattimore was set at $10,000 and his court date is November 15th.
Two days later, on Thursday, November 1st, deputies responded to Toad Road, Dowelltown to a domestic violence call involving a gun. Upon arrival officers found a small amount of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a handgun.
Lattimore was charged with simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond for Lattimore was set at $3,500 and his court date is January 3rd.
On Saturday, November 3rd, 44 year old James Edward Stewart of Holmes Creek Road Smithville was charged with driving under the influence and violation of the implied consent law.
Stewart was stopped on Holmes Creek Road and found to be intoxicated. Stewart admitted to drinking 6 beers and when the deputy asked him to perform sobriety tasks, Stewart admitted he could not pass them. Bond was set at $1,000 and his court date is November 15th.

The DeKalb County High School band wrapped up its marching season at the Tennessee State Division II Championships on Saturday. After a very solid performance in preliminary competition, the band fell short for a finals performance. Director Kristin Reagh and Assistant Director Rebecca Purdue gathered the students after the announcements of the finalist bands and told them how proud they were of this year’s accomplishments. “This band has come a long way this season” Mrs. Reagh told the students, “We’re extremely proud of you”.
During the announcements of the finalist bands, the band learned that it had been inducted into the Division II Hall of Fame for it’s accomplishments throughout the years of Competition. This is an award that acknowledges the rich history of the DCHS Band.
The preliminary contest had its own awards ceremony and DeKalb County had some positive results. Field Commander Dustin Estes had a “superior rating” with a score of 85.5. The Percussion section also had a “superior rating” placing 10th among 25 other bands in the prelim contest with a score of 83.
During the meeting after the announcements of the finalists, Mrs. Reagh left it up to the students as to whether they wanted to get on the bus and go home or stay and watch the finals competition. The band wanted to leave it up to the seniors of the band. One Student said “This is their contest; we’ll do whatever they want to do”. They voted to stay and watch the contest.
The marching season is now over. The band will focus on the music for their upcoming Christmas Concert, Christmas Parades and the Indoor Percussion show. For More info about the band, log onto DeKalbBand.com.

The 2007 report card on the DeKalb County School System shows overall progress, but it also reveals areas where improvement is needed.
Director of Schools Mark Willoughby and Supervisor of Instruction Dr. Carol Hendrix met with the local media last week to explain the report.
Dr. Hendrix says the DeKalb County School System overall is in “Good Standing” regarding “No Child Left Behind” Adequate Yearly Progress. “All this is our school’s ability to meet the federal benchmarks with specific performance standards. We divide it up into elementary and middle schools. We met the AYP in Math in the demographic categories of “All”, “Hispanic”, “White”, “Economically Disadvantaged”, and “Limited English Proficient”, (Students that don’t speak English). We were not proficient in the demographic of “Students with Disabilities”.”
“When we look at Reading/Language Arts/Writing in elementary and middle schools, we were proficient in “All”, “Hispanic”, “White”, “Economically Disadvantaged, and “Students with Disabilities” and yet not proficient in “Limited English Proficient”. We have areas there we need to work on.”
Dr. Hendrix says the high school met all the academic AYP benchmarks in Math and Reading Language in all demographic areas. “The only place that we did not meet academic standards was in the graduation rate.”
The 2007 graduation rate was 74.5%, up from 67.6% in 2006, however Dr. Hendrix says the rate should have been higher because some students were incorrectly coded as “dropouts” and not included in the report, so the local system has filed an appeal to the state. “We have appealed and hope to know something fairly soon. I think we’re sending the state 21 different student records to appeal the graduation rate. These are students who finished at the adult high school and actually graduated with the graduating class. We think if we get the appeal through, the graduation rate will be at least 80%, which is above the 75.6% rate we need. The state set the standard four years ago according to what our graduation rate was at that time and we must progressively move forward.” By the year 2013-2014, DeKalb County’s graduation rate must meet the state goal of 90%.
In addition to the high school, Dr. Hendrix explains that DeKalb West and Northside Elementary Schools were found in “Good Standing” with the state and that DeKalb Middle was named a “Target” School. “The high school is in good standing. It is categorized as “School Improvement 2” as a result of the graduation rate. If we meet our appeal, it will be “School Improvement 1” .
Dr. Hendrix explained that a “Target” school needs to improve in at least one specific area. “They have one year to improve before they go any higher as far as improvement standards. DeKalb Middle School is “Targeted” for two areas, “Students with Disabilities” and “Limited English Proficient”.
Student Academic Achievement results for 2007 show that system-wide in grades 3 to 8, DeKalb County earned an “A” in both Math and Reading/Language and a “B” in Social Studies and Science.
In 2006, DeKalb County scored an “A” in Math and a “B” in Reading/Language, Social Studies, and Science.
Actual 2007 scores were as follows: 59 in math, same as 2006; 57 in Reading/Language, up from 55 in 2006; 56 in Social Studies, up from 55 in 2006; and 58 in Science, up from 57 in 2006.
2007 scores in all areas were better than the state by from one to three points.
DeKalb County earned an “A” in 5th and 8th grade writing and a “B” in 11th grade writing, the same grades as 2006.
5th and 8th grade writing scores were also slightly better than the state and below the state by three tenths of a point in 11th grade writing.
Dr. Hendrix says academic achievement grades are based on “what our students have done throughout their school career”.
Achievement scores show how well students performed on their standardized achievement tests. The tests are graded according to predetermined standards, and students who answer more questions correctly get higher scores. The achievement section also includes results on the ACT, a widely accepted college entrance exam. The ACT tests students’ skills in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The highest possible score is 36.
Value Added scores in the elementary grades are designed to show whether teachers were effective in helping students learn. Children are tracked from year to year to determine whether they have learned a full year’s worth of material since the last test. An “A” or “B” shows that the students learned more than expected in one school year, while a “D” or “F” shows that students fell behind.
High School Valued Added scores show whether student performance on Gateway or year-end exams was above or below expectations, based on the student’s previous test scores. “Above” means students improved their scores significantly more in this subject than students in an average school. “Below” means they made less progress than average. “Same” means their progress was about the same as that of students in an average school.
The 2007 DCHS Value Added results (3 year average) are as follows:
Math (Algebra 1)- Same
Science (Biology I)- Below
English (English II)- Below
Math Foundations- Below
English I- Below
Physical Science- Above
US History- Below
11th grade writing- Below
Academic ACT Achievement results (3 year average) for 2007 show that in grades 9-12, DeKalb County’s scores were up in all areas except Math.
2007 scores are as follows: Composite-19.5, up from 19.2 in 2006; English- 19.3, up from 19.2; Math- 19.3, up from 17.9, Reading- 17.9, down from 20; and Science/Reasoning- 20.2, up from 19.5.
2007 scores were all below the state from eight tenths of a point to 1.9 points.
The ACT results in grades 9-12 for 2007 (individual year) show that the composite score was 19.9, up from 19.7 last year; 19.8 in English, down from 20 in 2006, 19.6 in Math, up from 18.3 last year, 18.1 in Reading, down from 20.5; and 20.9 in Science/Reasoning, up from 19.8 last year.
2007 scores were all below the state from two tenths of a point to 1.8 points.
2007 Academic Growth (Value Added) results for 2007 show that in grades K-8, DeKalb County scored a “C” in Math, down from a “B” in 2006 but earned an “A” in Reading/Language, Social Studies, and Science, the same as last year.
Dr. Hendrix says “Academic Growth is what happened in a one year window. If we look at our overall scores, we did find out that we had a problem in Math last year in the elementary grades, but we are working on that and hope to make improvement.
The following are the 2007 Academic Achievement Grades and Academic Growth (Value Added) results at each school:
DeKalb West School (2007 Academic Achievement Grades): DeKalb West scored an “A” in both Math and Reading/Language and a “B” in Social Studies and Science.
In 2006, DeKalb West scored an “A” in Math and a “B” in Reading/Language, Social Studies, and Science.
2007 actual scores at DeKalb West were as follows: Math- 63, up from 59 in 2006; Reading/Language-59, up from 55; Social Studies- 58, up from 55; and Science- 57, up from 54.
DeKalb West scores were better than the state in all areas from two to six points.
DeKalb West earned an “A” in 5th & 8th grade writing, the same grade as 2006, and the scores were also at or better than the state.
2007 Academic Growth (Value Added) results at DeKalb West School, show that the school gets all “A’s” in Math, Reading/Language, Social Studies, and Science. The school earned “A’s” in every subject last year except for a “C” in Science.
DeKalb Middle School (2007 Academic Achievement Grades): DeKalb Middle scored an “A” in Math and Reading/Language, a “C” in Social Studies, and a “B” in Science.
In 2006, DeKalb Middle School scored a “B” in Math, Reading/Language, and Science, and a “C” in Social Studies.
2007 actual scores at DeKalb Middle School were as follows: Math- 56, up from 55 last year; Reading/Language- 57, up from 55; Social Studies- 51, the same as last year; and Science- 55, down from 56 last year.
Compared to the state, DeKalb Middle School scores were the same in Science, down by three points in Social Studies, up by one point in Reading/Language, and down by one point in Math.
DeKalb Middle School earned an “A” in 8th grade writing, one tenth of a point better than last year, and two tenths of a point better than the state
2007 Academic Growth (Value Added) results at DeKalb Middle School, show that the school gets a “B” in Math, the same as last year; an “A” in Reading/Language, the same as last year; an “F” in Social Studies, down from a “D” last year; and a “C” in Science, down from a “B” last year.
Northside Elementary School (2007 Academic Achievement Grades): Northside Elementary scored an “A” in Math, Social Studies, and Science, and a “B” in Reading/Language.
In 2006, Northside Elementary scored an “A” in Math, a “B” in Reading/Language and Social Studies, and an “A” in Science.
2007 actual scores at Northside Elementary were as follows: Math- 61, down from 62 last year. Reading/Language- 56, the same as last year. Social Studies- 60, up from 58 last year. Science- 62, up from 61 last year.
Compared to the state, Northside Elementary scores were up by four points in Math, the same in Reading/Language, up by six points in Social Studies, and up by seven points in Science.
Northside Elementary earned an “A” in 5th grade writing, the same as last year, two tenths of a point better than the state.
2007 Academic Growth (Value Added) results at Northside Elementary show that the school made an “F” in Math, down from a “C” last year; a “B” in Reading/Language, up from a “C” in 2006; and and “A” in both Social Studies and Science, the same as last year.

Local business woman Sandy C. Brown will be a candidate for the Republican nomination for Assessor of Property.
Brown made her announcement Saturday morning during the DeKalb County Republican Party Mass meeting, held at the courthouse. “It’s been four years, I think folks know me a little bit better now. I’m a member of Webb’s Methodist Church. I have my own business. I’ve been to the classes for Assessor. I still have the contacts out there but I will need your support folks. It’s not going to be the same race as last time. Frankly, I don’t have the wherewithal to throw that kind of cash into it and I need your input. Get in touch with me and let me know what you’d like to see me do and what you want me to do.”
Brown, who ran unsuccessfully for Assessor of Property in August 2004, is the owner and operator of Tennessee Barn Builders/SCB Enterprises on Highway 70 West.
Meanwhile, incumbent Second District Constable Reed Edge announced his intention to seek re-election. “I’m married to Sonya Edge and we’ve got four little girls. It’s been my privilege to serve you for the last eight years as constable and I’d like to keep on representing you. With the help of the Republican Party and everybody else in DeKalb County, I can do that. I’d like to thank Sheriff Patrick Ray for letting the constables have a more active part in helping with the welfare of this county. I sure would appreciate all the help you can give me.”
Delegates to the DeKalb County Republican Party Convention were selected from each of the seven districts Saturday morning and those delegates will convene on Saturday, November 17th at 9:00 a.m. at the courthouse to formally nominate GOP candidates to run for Assessor of Property and Constable in the August, 2008 DeKalb County General Election.
The following persons were selected as delegates:
District 1: Mason Carter, Richard Winfree, Jennifer Winfree and Alternate- Sheelie Askew
District 2: Don Adamson, Charles Robinson, Bobby Joines, Jerry Childress, Donny Green and Alternate- Clarence Davenport
District 3: Vester Parsley, Randy Caplinger, Walter Burton, George Lafever, J.C.. Carter, and Jim Dean
District 4: Jama Todd, Pat Witt, Taft Hendrixson, Bertha McBride, Joe Collins, and Joan Draper
District 5: Natalie Green, Barbara Vandergriff, Burnace Vandergriff, William O. Green, Kiki Brown, U.L. Lafever and Alternate- Larry Green
District 6: Dennis Stanley, Roy Ray, Tracy Ray, Grady Ray and Alternates Melvin Ray, Bruce Parsley, and Donna Stanley
District 7: Todd Lassiter, James Cantrell, Misty Lassiter, Johnny Lattimore, and John Parker
DeKalb County voters will be electing an Assessor of Property and a constable from each of the seven districts in the county during the General Election next August.
The Democratic nominees for these offices will be chosen in the DeKalb County Democratic Primary on February 5th.
All persons, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, have until noon December 13th to become qualified to run.