Smithville Police Officers were busy over the weekend with DUI and speed enforcement throughout the city. Officers made (4) arrests for DUI, wrote (12) citations for excessive speed and made (2) Public Intoxication arrests.
On Friday, March 16th Smithville Officers arrested 31 year old Alex Shaw Hudgens of 110 Sutton Lane, Ashland City. Chief Thomas Stufano says “At approximately 2:00 a.m. Hudgens was noticed traveling at a high rate of speed on Highway 70. When Officers approached the driver they could smell a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from him.. Standard sobriety tests were administered with Hudgens performing poorly. He was subsequently arrested for DUI and transported to the DeKalb County Jail and placed under a $1,000 bond.”
On Saturday, March 17th Smithville Officers saw 26 year old Derek Charles Riggs of 245 Allen Street, Smithville, drive his vehicle at a high rate of speed down Allens Chapel Road. Chief Stufano says “Upon stopping the vehicle it was readily apparent that Riggs was under the influence of alcohol. Also present in his vehicle was his 6 year old son. Riggs was arrested for DUI, Reckless Endangerment, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was booked into the DeKalb County Jail under a $6,000 bond.”
DUI Enforcement continued on Sunday March 18th with the arrest of 23 year old Esteban Morales Palomo of 13015 West Greenhill Road, McMinnville. He was charged with DUI. Chief Stufano says “Smithville Police spotted Palomo pulling up to a local fast food restaurant at 3:00 a.m. to place an order even though the business had been closed for hours. Upon contact it was apparent that Palomo was intoxicated when Officers smelled a strong odor of alcohol on Palomo’s breath as he spoke. Standard sobriety tests were administered and substantiated that the driver was alcohol impaired. Further inspection of the vehicle noted that there were two six packs of empty Corona Beer containers on the back seat. In addition to the DUI charge, Palomo was also charged with No Driver’s License and Violation of the Open Container Law. He was transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $1,000 bond. Palomo also admitted to being an illegal alien from Mexico.”
A second arrest for DUI was made at 8:30 a.m. Sunday when Smithville Police were working speed enforcement in the area of Foster Road. Chief Stufano says ” Officer’s stopped 26 year old Ramiro Rojas of City Walk Apartments on Bryant Street, Smithville for speeding. Upon contact with Rojas police detected a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. Also observed was an open container of beer sitting in the console of the vehicle. Rojas preformed the field sobriety tests and was found to be very unsteady on his feet. He was placed under arrest for DUI, Driving without a Driver’s License, No Insurance and Violation of the Open Container law. He was transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $1,000 bond.”
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Also arrested at the same traffic stop was Rojas passenger 26 year old Ernesto Zolang of 225 Bryant Street, Smithville. Chief Stufano says “At the time of the driver’s arrest, Zolang exited the passenger side of the vehicle falling against the truck due to his intoxication. He was arrested for Public Intoxication and transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $1,000 bond. Both subjects advised that they were illegal aliens from Mexico.”
Continued traffic enforcement efforts on March 18th detected a driver known not to have a valid driver’s license due to a previous DUI arrest. Smithville Officer’s saw 51 year old Charles Earl West of 679 Pine Grove Road, Smithville driving his vehicle on Highway 56 South. Chief Stufano says “A computer check showed that West’s drivers license is currently revoked. He was arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $1,000 bond. West’s vehicle, a 2006 Suzuki SUV was seized under the state’s drug and alcohol forfeiture act.”
Chief Stufano says “Smithville Police are staying constantly vigilant for DUI, Speeder’s and suspicious activity within our city limits. Citizen’s participation in reporting these safety issues has been extremely beneficial in helping preserve our community’s safety. Resident’s are encouraged to immediately report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods and on our roadways! “

A 19 year old Home Health Care employee has been charged with fraudulent use of a credit card belonging to an 81 year old woman with whom she was sitting.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says Cynthia Kirby of Bell Street Apartments has posted a $1,000 bond and she will be in General Sessions Court on the charge March 29th.
According to Sheriff Ray, the elderly woman gave Kirby her debit card to withdraw some money to buy some supplies. While Kirby was at Region’s Bank in Smithville on Thursday, March 8th, she made an unauthorized debit for $200.
Sheriff Ray says Kirby implicated herself in a statement she gave to authorities. In addition to the criminal charge against her, Kirby has been terminated from her employment.
In a separate case, 18 year old Terry Barnes of West Maple Street, Morrison is charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. His bond is $1,000 and he will be in court on the charge March 22nd.
Barnes is accused of being with a 17 year old female who was reported missing by her mother. The girl’s mother took out a runaway petition on the juvenile after discovering that her daughter was gone.
Sheriff Ray says officers confronted Barnes about the girl but he denied knowing her whereabouts. She was found with Barnes at the home of Barnes’ sister on Corinth Church Road on Friday, March 16th.
In other cases, Sheriff Ray says 24 year old Jamie Reyes of Short Mountain Highway, Smithville was arrested on Saturday, March 17th and charged with a second offense of driving under the influence and violation of probation. His bond is set at $6,000 and he will be in court on the charges March 29th.
Sheriff Ray says an officer, while on patrol, found Reyes sitting in a vehicle on Whorton Springs Road. The car was running but Reyes was passed out. Reyes was awakened and asked to perform a field sobriety task, which he failed. He was then taken into custody.
48 year old Ricky Devault of Talphia Road, Dowelltown was also arrested Saturday and charged with driving on a revoked license. Sheriff Ray says a deputy, while on patrol spotted Devault driving on the Old Snow Hill Road. The officer knew Devault didn’t have a driver’s license so he pulled him over. DeVault already has two cases of the same offense pending against him in General Sessions Court. He is under a $3,000 bond and he will be in court on this charge April 19th.
On Sunday, March 18th, 35 year old Alfonso Hernandez of Bluff Springs Road, McMinnville, was arrested and charged with a third offense of driving under the influence and driving on a revoked license. A deputy, while on patrol, stopped Hernandez for weaving on Highway 56. He failed a field sobriety task and was charged. He is under a $6,000 bond and will appear in General Sessions Court April 19th.
39 year old Carlos Reyes of Skyline Drive, McMinnville was also arrested for driving under the influence over the weekend after a deputy stopped him for weaving on Highway 56. He failed a field sobriety task and was charged. His bond is $1,000 and his court date is May 10th.

A fire Sunday afternoon destroyed the weekend log cabin home of Thomas Trusty at 525 Sweetwater Road.
County Fire Chief Donny Green says Trusty was in the cabin when it caught fire but he escaped unharmed. He was also able to salvage the few personal belonging he kept in the cabin.
Green says the fire was well underway by the time Trusty could get to the nearest phone to report it so firefighters were unable to save the structure. The cabin was also located in a secluded wooded area, several miles of the main road, making it difficult for fire trucks to reach . County firefighters and members of the Tennessee Division of Forestry were able to keep the blaze from spreading.
Green says the fire apparently started from a chimney in the cabin. He says Trusty had a fire going in a wood stove, when the chimney caught fire and spread to the wall.
Members of the Liberty, Temperance Hall, and Short Mountain Highway stations responded along with the Tennessee Division of Forestry.

Smithville Police continued their crackdown on DUI, Drug trafficking and traffic enforcement in the city with numerous investigations and arrests this week.
Chief Thomas Stufano says “Smithville Police observed a vehicle with an improper tag being driven on Congress Boulevard.. Upon stopping and contacting the driver, Officers found that the driver 28 year old Jamie Carroll of 834 Gentry Avenue was driving on a Suspended License 3rd offense. Carroll was subsequently arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail. He is under a $3,000 bond.”
Investigators working an undercover narcotics investigation arrested 26 year old Danny Ray Murphy of 335 Shady Drive for Sale and Distribution of a Schedule II Drug and driving a vehicle with no Driver’s License. Also arrested was 26 year old Amy Vandercamp of McMinnville. A citizen complaint led police to the Food Lion parking lot where the two were actively engaged in a drug transaction. Upon contact Investigators found Murphy in possession of K-4 Dilaudid and a large amount of cash. Vandercamp was also in possession of K-4 Dilaudid. The pair was arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail. Bond was set at $40,000 for them. The vehicles were impounded under the state’s Drug Forfeiture Act and the Revenue Department was contacted for tax administrative action.
Smithville Officers arrested 53 year old Steven William Palmer of 224 Garfield Street, McMinnville for Driving under the Influence. Officer’s responded to the area of McMinnville Highway in answer to a suspected drunk driving complaint. Upon arrival Smithville Officer’s made contact with Palmer who was given standardized field sobriety tests for intoxication. Chief Stufano says “It was apparent that Palmer was heavily intoxicated as he was unable to perform these tests. He was arrested for DUI and transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $1,000 bond. A computer check showed that Palmer also had a current warrant for his arrest for DUI from another county.”
Officers also responded to a complaint of a reckless driver on East Broad Street where they came in contact with 33 year old Federico Torres of 1383 Blue Springs Road. A concerned citizen who had been following the erratic driver called the Smithville Police to report that the driver had multiple near crashes. Officers who responded stated that Federico was too intoxicated to stand or perform any of the sobriety tests. The investigation also noted open containers of alcohol in the vehicle. He was arrested for DUI 2nd offense and driving on a revoked license. He was transported to the DeKalb County Jail. His bond is $2,000.
Smithville Police Investigators arrested 34 year old Katherine Michelle Carr of 628 Restview in Smithville and 34 year old Sharon Barnwell of Smithville for Sale and Delivery of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Paraphernalia. Chief Stufano says the two were engaged in an illegal drug transaction in the Walmart parking lot as reported by a concerned citizen. Smithville Investigators were able to quickly setup surveillance and arrested the parties as they exited the parking area. Further investigation noted that the drug transaction involved rock cocaine. At the time of the arrest Carr had (5) minor children in her car who were turned over to a family member who was called to the scene. The two adults were arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail and charged. Bond was set at $101,000. Their vehicles were seized under the State’s Drug Forfeiture Act and the State Revenue authorities were contacted.
Chief Stufano says “Smithville Police have been increasing their enforcement efforts in the areas of DUI, Drugs and Speeding within the city limits. Residents are encouraged to report to the Police any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. Remember to contact 615-215-3000 for normal reporting of events and 911in the event of an emergency.”

DeKalb County High School has released the names of this year’s Honor Students including the 2007 Valedictorian Courtney Rhody and the Salutatorian Kendra Adcock.
Both Rhody and Adcock have compiled a 4.0 grade point average.
Other students earning “Highest Distinction” with a grade point average of 3.8 to 4.0 include Andrew Moore, Kristen James, Nickole Macy, and Jordan Atnip each with a 4.0; Annica Vettraino 3.9286, Angel Lindsay 3.9259, Zach Davidson 3.9231, Ashleigh Wright 3.9216, Justin Nokes 3.8571, Chris Young 3.8571, Tera Menix 3.8519, and Ashley Rowland 3.8148.
Students earning “High Distinction” with a grade point average of 3.6 to 3.7999 include Heather Cantrell 3.7778, Joey Driver 3.75, Sarah Fury 3.7083, Thomas Hale 3.7407, Brandon Shaw 3.7308, Rebecca Hendrixson 3.6667, Gwenevere Michaels 3.6607, Chase Tramel 3.6154, Colby Kilgore 3.6111, Brittney Bell 3.6071, Josh Nokes 3.6071, Danny Pirtle 3.6071, and Josh Howe 3.6.
Those earning “Distinction” with a grade point average of 3.2 to 3.5999 include Amy Ashford 3.5556, Tera Campbell 3.5556, Kristina Heriott 3.5357, Kelli Bess 3.52, Kelli Twilla 3.5, Mikey O’Conner 3.5, Tiffany Walls 3.5, Holly Hughes 3.4615, Anna Trapp 3.4444, Billy Fuson 3.3913, Sarah Nunley 3.3750, Roberta Applegate 3.3571, Ashley Burchfield 3.3571, Richard Schilt 3.3571, Ashley McCormick 3.3333, Carolina Noyola 3.3333, Claire Garrett 3.3077, Whitney Maples 3.2857, Kayla Kilgore 3.2593, Jessica Berry 3.2407, Martha Robertson 3.2292, and Jimbo Williams 3.2143.
The Class of 2007 at DeKalb County High School will graduate on Friday, May 18th.

Eight candidates have qualified to run for alderman in the Smithville Municipal Election on Tuesday, June 19th.
Thursday at noon was the qualifying deadline
Those who have qualified to be on the ballot include Shawn Jacobs, Jerry W. Hutchins’ Sr, Tonya Sullivan, Willie Thomas, Todd VanDyne, W.J. (Dub) White, Paul Young, and Aaron Meeks.
Three will be elected.
White, Meeks, and Young are incumbents seeking re-election.
The last day to register to vote in the Smithville election is May 20th.
To vote in the city election, voters must live inside the city limits or they may live elsewhere in DeKalb County and own property within the city limits. The Smithville Charter states the property must be 7500 square feet. Property rights voters must register at the Election Commission office by the registration deadline. Proof of ownership is required.
For more information please contact the Election Commission office.

The Board of Education Thursday night voted unanimously to name the Theater at DeKalb County High School in honor of Ina Ruth Bess, who will be retiring at the end of this school year.
Ms. Bess has been an educator since 1948 and much of her career has been at DeKalb County High School, where she has taught and directed class plays over the years.
Meanwhile, DCHS Principal Kathy Hendrix has announced that Monday through Friday, March 19th-23rd will be “Ina Ruth Bess Week” at DeKalb County High School.
The administration, faculty and staff at the school are planning several special events in honor of Ms. Bess’ retirement and are asking for the public to participate.
School officials are planning to put together a book containing notes, cards, pictures, congratulations, etc. for Ms. Bess to enjoy after her retirement. If you would like to send something, please do so in advance and send it to: Mrs. Harriett Cantrell or Dixie Crook, DCHS, 1130 West Broad Street, Smithville, TN 37166. You may also leave it with Ms. Crook at Smithville Food Store, after school hours.
Monday, March 19?Former teachers/retired teachers are urged to visit with Ms. Bess from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuesday, March 20?Former Tigerette members are to visit with Ms. Bess from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday, March 21?Former students can visit with her from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Thursday, March 22?A reception for DeKalb County teachers, staff, and central office staff will be held in the DCHS cafeteria from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, March 23?An assembly program will be held in the DCHS gym at 9 a.m. and is open to all who would like to attend.
If your schedule will not allow you to visit on a specific day, you may stop by any day during the week to visit with Ms. Bess. When you enter the school, you must sign in at the office. There will be a signature book for you to sign and someone will be there to direct you.
The front row parking spaces near the sidewalk of the school will also be open to the general public next week.
In other school board news from Thursday night, the board approved the Licensure Advancement of Ashley Barnes, David Gash, and Amanda Rhoady and the Tenure status of Ashley Barnes, Tena Davidson, David Gash, Amanda Rhoady, and Melissa Ruch
Director Mark Willoughby presented his monthly report on personnel.
Those employed since last month include Penny Smitty, certified substitute teacher and Kenneth Allen, Rachel Church, Betty Fisk, Clayton Moore, Lori Page, Shaundra Smith, Tammy Vanatta, Susan West, Thomas Werling, and Julie Young as substitute teachers.
Those resigning are Deona Thomas, certified substitute teacher, Tracey Baker, educational assistant at Northside Elementary School, Vickey Atnip, educational assistant at Northside Elementary School, and Rachel Bandy, cafeteria worker at DCHS. Ina Ruth Bess, teacher at DCHS, has announced her retirement.
Martha Damon, teacher at DeKalb West School, has been granted a leave of absence as requested.
Those who have been transferred include Angela Lawson, transferred to a full time bus position, Jerry Lawson, transferred to a substitute bus position, Helen Lafever, transferred to a full time cafeteria position, and Cynthia Armour, transferred to a full time cafeteria position.