A portion of a $2 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant will help Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency provide transportation for DeKalb County residents who need it, U.S. Representative Bart Gordon announced today.
“The Bus and Bus-Related Facilities program provides funding for new and replacement buses and related equipment and facilities,” Gordon said. “Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency will use the funds to replace 12 vans.”
UCHRA’s Transportation Program provides more than 193,643 trips for 14,532 individuals in their service area, using an average of 72 vehicles a day and traveling 2.6 million miles per year, according to Transportation Director Rebecca Harris. “Therefore, it is necessary to replace vehicles with more than 175,000 miles to continue this much needed service in the Upper Cumberland region.”
Harris and UCHRA Executive Director Phyllis Bennett expressed their appreciation to the state’s congressional delegation for its support and efforts on behalf of the Upper Cumberland Area Rural Transit System Program. UCARTS provides public transportation to rural residents of all ages giving first priority to the elderly, disabled and economically disadvantaged with medical needs.
“The agency’s board of directors wish to express their appreciation to Congressman Bart Gordon for his continued dedication to providing funding to enable residents to move from dependence to independence,” Bennett said.
UCHRA serves 14 Upper Cumberland counties, including DeKalb County.

A 28 year old man was seriously injured Saturday afternoon and airlifted to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga after a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend.
Trooper Allen England of the Tennessee Highway Patrol says Amador Zetina Gomez of 1105 Vaughn Lane, an employee of Zelenka Nursery, suffered serious facial injuries and possibly others after he fell from a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by 40 year old Rhonda Jo Suarez of Banks Pisgah Road.
Trooper England says he was dispatched to 1105 Vaughn Lane Saturday around 3:27 p.m. to investigate a non-injury traffic accident involving a pedestrian. Upon further investigation, it was determined to be a domestic dispute between Gomez and Suarez.
According to Trooper England, Suarez, the driver of the Jeep Cherokee, was sitting in the vehicle talking to Gomez. The conversation erupted into an argument and Gomez reached into the driver’s side window and grabbed Suarez by her shirt. She then accelerated the vehicle and traveled across the parking lot with Gomez still holding on to her through the window. Gomez then fell from the window of the vehicle and hit the ground. Suarez made a U-turn, came back, and then stopped beside Gomez to check on him.
Gomez was airlifted from the scene by a Life Force helicopter ambulance and flown to Erlanger Hospital.
According to Suarez and other witnesses, Gomez had been drinking but it could not be verified how much or how long he had been drinking leading up to this incident.
Witnesses say both Gomez and Suarez have been involved in domestic disputes with each other before on several occasions.
Suarez is a former employee of Zelenka Nursery and according to Trooper England, company officials have asked her on numerous occasions before not to be on the property.
Suarez was cited for improper vehicle registration and violation of the financial responsibility law (no insurance). The case is under review by the District Attorney General’s Office to determine if further charges should be filed in the case.

Smithville Police had a busy weekend making numerous arrests for Aggravated Burglary, Theft, DUI, Drugs Criminal and Public Intoxication.
Chief Thomas J. Stufano says on Friday Smithville Police arrested 47 year old Jarvis Trapp of Bell Street Apartments in Smithville for Public Intoxication. “Officers were summoned to Duncan Street after a concerned citizen called stating that a white male was stumbling into traffic near the Tannery on Highway 70. Upon arrival officers found Jarvis lying a drainage ditch on Duncan Street. At first Smithville Officer’s starting working the find as a potential accident scene as Jarvis was unconscious. Further investigation disclosed that he had passed out due to being highly intoxicated. He was arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail with a bond set at $1,500.”
On Saturday Smithville Officers arrested 36 year old Richard Turner of 637 Restview Avnue for Criminal Trespassing. Chief Stufano says “Officers were dispatched to 637 Crestlawn Avenue when a resident called to advise that there was an unwanted guest in their house. Upon arrival officers found Turner passed out on the living room sofa. The resident advised that they had told Turner to leave but he ignored their requests and fell asleep on the couch. Officer’s escorted Turner from the property with a warning not to return. Approximately two hours later Officers were again summoned back to the residence where they found Turner again sitting on the couch. He was arrested for Criminal Trespass and Public Intoxication. Turner was transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $3,000 bond. Turner had also been arrested for the same offense on March 5th after he violated a restraining order to stay off of Housing Authority property.”
Also on Saturday, Smithville Police arrested 30 year old Amy Jeanette Lawson of 1243 Haley Road, Smithville for Simple Possession and Drug Paraphernalia. Chief Stufano says “A concerned citizen called police to report a possible drug sale in progress outside of the City Caf?’ located on Highway 70. As officer’s arrived they could see parties exchanging something and then quickly dispersing. Two subjects were detained and a third unknown white female walked into the Caf?’. Upon entry into the restaurant, police made contact with the woman as she exited a backroom. The investigation disclosed that Lawson had in her possession K-4 Dilaudid and had just disposed of a syringe, 2 straws and a metal container with an additional 5 pills that she had just hidden in a back room in the restaurant. Lawson was subsequently arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $3,500 bond.”
On Sunday, Smithville Officers arrested 49 year old Roy D. Mathis and 45 year old Rhonda Cains of 627 Crestlawn Avenue in Smithville for Aggravated Burglary and Theft over $500.00. Chief Stufano says “Investigators determined that the two had burglarized a garage located at 118 Steeple Chase Drive in Smithville and stole thousands of dollars worth of tools. The victim who saw the pair stealing the items was hurt while trying to stop the theft. The two subjects were eventually arrested. Bond for Mathis is $10,000 and Cains’ bond is $3,500.”
Also on Sunday afternoon Smithville Officers arrested 49 year old Ricky Devault of 330 Talphia Road in Dowelltown for DUI and Driving on a Suspended License. According to Chief Stufano, officers responded to a 2 car motor vehicle accident in the Hardees parking lot and found that Devault had run into the rear of another vehicle. He was suspected of DUI and the standard field sobriety tests confirmed his intoxication. A computer check also noted that his license was suspended (2nd offense). He was arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail with a $1,500 bond.”
On Monday, Smithville Officers responded to a county mutual aid request. It was reported that an unknown Latin male was walking along Highway 70 and appeared to be intoxicated. Upon arrival Smithville Officers found 30 year old Gilberto Godinez of 6416 Short Mountain Road in Smithville banging on neighborhood doors wanting to use their phone. It was apparent that Godinez was intoxicated and did have cuts and scrapes about his face from falling into ditches as he walked. He was eventually arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail for Public Intoxication. Bond was set at $1,000. Godinez advised that he is an illegal alien from Mexico.”
Also on Monday morning Smithville Police responded to 428 Morgan Avenue on a reported vandalism call. Chief Stufano says ” Further investigation showed that vandals had spray painted suspected “gang signs” on the street. 26 year old Ricky Murphy of 7301 McMinnville Highway, Smithville was arrested for vandalism. He was brought to the DeKalb County Jail under a $1,000 bond.”
Chief Stufano says “Local law enforcement has started to notice an increase in gang graffiti throughout the region. The recent rash of signage displayed locally is known as “BK” or Blood Killer’s” which originates back to west coast gang organizations. Law enforcement has been actively gauging the gang concept in the area with intelligence sharing meetings among the agencies. Also noted is the influx of Latin gangs which are moving operations from the mid-west. Smithville Police has assigned an officer to stay current with gang activity in our area.”
Again, Chief Stufano says the Smithville Police Department would like to thank our citizens for staying vigilant to their surroundings and calling to report suspicious activity in your neighborhood. “Crime Watch is effective and does work! The Smithville Police ask for our residents to just make a phone call to the Police and not try to stop the illegal activity themselves. “

An undercover drug investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department resulted in the arrest of four people on Midway Road Friday night.
30 year old Ronald Jacobsen, his wife 30 year old Tammy Jacobsen, and Kristopher Davis all of 2259 Midway Road, and 25 year old Christina Johnson of Old Stone Court, Lavergne were arrested at the Jacobsen and Davis residence.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says a search warrant was executed and served at the residence on Friday night, about 72 hours after an undercover drug buy was made there.
Jacobsen is charged with sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (Dilaudid), sale and delivery of a schedule III controlled substance (Hydrocodone), simple possession of a schedule VI controlled substance (Marijuana), and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia including scales, pipes, hemostats, straws, bongs, pill crushers, marijuana grinders, and rolling papers. Bond for Jacobsen is set at $43,000 and he will appear in General Sessions Court March 29th.
Mrs. Jacobsen is charged with criminal conspiracy to sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance (Dilaudid), simple possession of a schedule VI controlled substance (Marijuana), and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond is set at $23,000 and she will be in court on the charges March 29th. Sheriff Ray says the conspiracy charge against Mrs. Jacobsen is because she witnessed the dilaudid drug transaction between her husband and the undercover agent.
Johnson is charged with unlawful possession of a schedule III controlled substance (Loratab). Her bond is $3,500 and she will be in court March 29th. Sheriff Ray says Johnson had pills on her person believed to have been Loratab.
Davis was cited for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Sheriff Ray says Davis had paraphernalia on him including pipes and a marijuana grinder.
Five children were also in the home from toddler age to pre-teens. Sheriff Ray says because children were present where illegal activity was taking place, the Department of Children’s Services was notified.
Sheriff Ray adds that the Jacobsen’s are already convicted felons and are not supposed to possess any firearms, but officers found a loaded handgun and two shotguns in the house. He says the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms will be contacted and possible federal charges could be placed against the Jacobsen’s for illegal possession of guns.

Smithville, TN—Center Hill Realty announces the promotion of Ron Sifford to broker in its Sliver Point Office, and the addition of Kristie Campbell as an agent at its Smithville office.
?We?re committed to being a full-service company for people in all areas of DeKalb County, and that requires the best possible staff,? says Robin Driver, Center Hill Realty broker/owner. ?Both Ron and Kristie have demonstrated the personnel skills and professionalism which make them an asset to our team.?
Sifford, a native of Greeneville, TN, retired from the U.S. Navy in 1999, after more than 20 years of service following a brief career as a disc jockey at WJLE, Smithville, in the early 1970s. He and his wife Patsy reside in Smithville and are the parents of three grown children. He has had his real estate license since 2000 and broker?s license since 2004.
A multi-million dollar seller each of the past three years, he?s a two-time recipient of the Silver Award for sales excellence from the Eastern Middle Tennessee Association of Realtors. At Center Hill?s Silver Point office he will manage a staff of seven agents.
?The best thing about this job is the people we get to meet and work with,? he says. ?My goal is to continue to be their number one resource for property in the area, and chalet rentals at the lake, whatever their needs.?
For Campbell, the position at Center Hill Realty marks the beginning of a new career. A White County native, she and her husband Scott, a communications contractor, are the parents of three sons and reside in Dowelltown. ?I?m looking forward to this opportunity to help others realize their dreams of home ownership,? she says.
With office locations in Smithville and Silver Point, Center Hill Realty has consistently been the local market leader in real estate sales since it?s founding in 1989. The company takes great pride in the community and area it serves, and is an active supporter of local events, charities, and youth sports.
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