Members of the DeKalb County Grand Jury toured the jail last week and had good things to say in it’s report to the court.
The report states that “The consensus of the Grand Jury was that everything was clean and organized. We were impressed with the open door policy for any citizens to visit the jail and the willingness of the Sheriff to answer any questions.”
Stephen L. Officer is the Grand Jury foreman.

A 19 year old man was indicted by the DeKalb Couny Grand Jury this week for vehicular homicide as the result of an April traffic accident in Smithville, in which 69 year old Ofallon Byford later died.
Joshua James Kneer of 313 Park Street, Syracuse New York was arrested Wednesday on a sealed indictment charging him with vehicular homicide by intoxication, vehicular homicide (recklessness), driving under the influence, and driving on a suspended license. His bond is set at $100,000.
Kneer was also indicted on a separate charge of driving while suspended.
Smithville Police said at the time of the accident that Byford was driving east on Broad Street in a 1993 Ford Tauras when a 1988 Pontiac, driven by Kneer of West Main Street, attempting to cross Broad Street from Carter Street, pulled into her path.
Kneer was not seriously injured but he was charged with failure to yield, violation of the financial responsibility law, violation of the seat belt law, and driving on a suspended license.
Byford was transported by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Hospital and then to the parking lot of the high school where she was airlifted by helicopter ambulance to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. She died in June.

Hundreds turned out on a bright sunny afternoon for the Alexandria Christmas Parade Saturday.
The parade featured seasonal floats, the DCHS band, vintage automobiles, and of course, Santa Claus, among many other entries.
Phil Jones of NewsChannel 5 flew to town in the Sky 5 helicopter and he served as Grand Marshal of the Parade.
The West Main Baptist Church of Alexandria took first place among the parade entries. The Alexandria First Baptist Church received second place and Mason Carter’s antique tractor took third place.
Many people also won drawings for cash, country hams, bicycles, and a $100 savings bond after the parade.

An 18 year old DeKalb County man died Thursday night at Vanderbilt Hospital from injuries he received in a one vehicle traffic accident Thursday afternoon on Bright Hill Road.
Dead is Matthew Bates of Page Drive, Smithville.
Sergeant Billy Prater of the Tennessee Highway Patrol says Bates was a passenger of a 1988 GMC Jimmy, driven by 18 year old Joshua Puckett of Four Seasons Road, Smithville. The accident occurred around 12:50 p.m. Thursday about four-tenths of a mile north of Hooper Road on Bright Hill Road.
Sergeant Prater says Puckett was driving toward town and was negotiating a curve when the vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway, began to rotate, traveled up a grass embankment, and then overturned. The vehicle came to rest in the west ditchline of Bright Hill Road facing south. Both Puckett and Bates were ejected. Neither was wearing a seatbelt.
Puckett and Bates were taken by DeKalb EMS from the scene to meet a Vandy Life Flight helicopter ambulance and were flown to Vanderbilt Hospital.
Sergeant Prater was assisted at the scene by Trooper Brian Raymond of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, EMS, and DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Fighters.

A total of twenty four people were indicted by the December term of the DeKalb County Grand Jury Monday and Tuesday including one in a sealed indictment.
All those indicted will appear for arraignment in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Monday, December 18th
19 year old Joshua James Kneer of 313 Park Street, Syracuse New York was arrested Wednesday on a sealed indictment charging him with vehicular homicide by intoxication, vehicular homicide (recklessness), driving under the influence, and driving on a suspended license. His bond is set at $100,000.
Kneer was also indicted on a separate charge of driving while suspended
Others indicted and their charges are as follows:
Ricky Allen Ashford, Sr.- aggravated burglary and theft over $1,000
Matthew M. Lawson- forgery (4 counts) and passing a forged instrument (4 counts)
William David Arendall and Sherry Cook- aggravated burglary (9 counts) and theft over $1,000
Larry J. Keaton- driving while revoked (3rd offense)
Andrew L. Hutchens and Justin M. Cripps- aggravated burglary and theft over $1,000
Sherry Diane Cook- driving while revoked (7th offense) and possession of paraphernalia
Paul J. Comer- evading arrest with a motor vehicle, driving under the influence, and violation of the implied consent law
David Michael Kemper- driving under the influence (2nd offense), driving on a revoked license (2nd offense), violation of the implied consent law, and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage.
Kevin D. Eldridge- driving while suspended (7th offense)
Brian D. Thomason- aggravated burglary, burglary of an auto (4 counts), and vandalism under $500
Barbara Self- assault
Lavar Kinte Bass- assault
Hope Tarpley- theft over $1,000
Clarence Bradley Trapp- domestic assault
Kevin D. Eldridge- driving while suspended (7th offense) and violation of the financial responsibility law
Rhonda F. Brewer- driving while suspended and criminal impersonation
William R. Cantrell-evading arrest and possession of paraphernalia
Victor Perez Garcia- speeding, no drivers license, and violation of the financial responsibility law.
Jose L. Padilla Vazquez- driving under the influence and DUI per se
Julio C. Rico- driving under the influence (2nd offense), DUI per se, and illegal consumption
Raymond Dean Martin-simple possession of a schedule VI controlled substance
Richard B. Turner- theft under $500
Dale Andrew Buck- driving under the influence, simple possession of a schedule VI controlled substance, violation of the implied consent law, and violation of the financial responsibility law.