Smithville Police have made another drug arrest.
Police Chief Thomas J. Stufano, in a press release, states that Bradley Ferrell of 708 South Mountain Street, Smithville was arrested at approximately 3:20 p.m. Wednesday for sale and delivery of illegal narcotics.
Stufano says “In a continuing crackdown on illegal drugs in the city, officers working surveillance of a known drug area, witnessed Ferrell making a transaction and then quickly hiding the remaining contraband inside his pants.”
Upon his arrest, a bottle of illegal pills was discovered in his waistband. Ferrell was booked into the DeKalb County Jail on a $30,000 bond.
Author Archive: Dwayne Page
Flu Vaccine Now Available at DeKalb Health Department
Flu season is just around the corner and the DeKalb County Health Department is ready to offer flu shots to area residents. No shortage of vaccine is expected this year and the health department says local supplies will not be restricted while they last.
A mass flu clinic is currently scheduled for Monday, November 20th at the Smithville Church of God Family Fellowship Center from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The Church of God Family Fellowship Center is located at 801 West Broad Street, Smithville beside the Farmers Coop.
“October and November are often the best months to get the influenza vaccine because that’s generally before we begin seeing many flu cases. In Tennessee, flu activity usually peaks in late January, and can peak as late as April, so we will continue to vaccinate residents through the winter, or as long as we have vaccine available, said Elizabeth Burgess, ANP, APRN, BC.
Certain people are at especially high risk of serious illness or death from influenza, especially the elderly and the very young. People who live with or care for those at high risk for serious illness also should be vaccinated to prevent exposing them to the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that individuals in the following groups receive the vaccine unless their health care provider has told them otherwise:
Children aged 6 months through 59 months (up to the 5th birthday); pregnant women (or those who will be pregnant during flu season); adults aged 50 years and older (especially those 65 and older); residents of long term care facilities; people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes); all healthcare workers; and household members and caregivers of people in these high risk groups.
In DeKalb County, the cost of the flu shot will be $25.00 for adults and $13.70 for children. Pneumonia vaccine will also be available for $40.00. Payment can be made in the form of cash or check and Medicare, TennCare, and Health Spring can be billed. Please bring all your insurance cards with you. Correct change is preferred. Individuals receiving flu shots need to wear a short sleeve shirt.
For more information about the mass flu clinic, call the DeKalb County Health Department at 597-7599.
Herman Medley
85 year old Herman Medley of McMinnville died Tuesday at his residence of a brief illness. He was a DeKalb County native. He was retired and a former owner of Warren County Furniture, a store he owned for 40 years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in McMinnville, member of the American Legion Post #173, VFW Post #5064; and the McMinnville evening Exchange Club. Medley was also a U.S. Navy World War II Veteran. The funeral will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of High Funeral Home in McMinnville. Dr. Robert Case and Dr. Steve Angus will officiate and burial will be in the Gardens of Memory. Military grave rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post #173 and the VFW Post #5064. He was preceded in death by a son, Carter West Medley and brothers-in-law, Jim McPherson, Hugh Stewart, and Joe Stewart. Survivors include his wife, Jane Stewart Medley of McMinnville. A son and daughter-in-law, Barry and Jackie Medley of McMinnville. Granddaughter, Kate Medley of McMinnville. A step-grandson, Terrence Clabo of Charlottesville, Virginia. Two step great grandchildren, Cullen and Kalab Clabo. A sister, Maggie McPherson of McMinnville. A brother and sister-in-law, Clyde and Jewell Medley of Smithville. Brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Robert E Stewart of Huntsville, Alabama. High Funeral Home in McMinnville is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorials may be made to the Good Neighbor Fund at the First United Methodist Church of McMinnville.
Whorton Springs Baptist Church
Whorton Springs Baptist Church will be having revival services starting Sunday,November 12 at 11:00 and each evening at 6:00 p.m. thru to Wednesday 15th. Dr. Ken Clayton of Tulip Grove Baptist Church in Nashville will be preaching. Everyone is invited to be apart of the services. Speical music will be shared at each service.
Ida Cleopha (Curly) West Wheat
91 year old Ida Cleopha (Curly) West Wheat of Gallatin died Monday at The Place in Gallatin. She was a clerk at Empersons Grocery and a member of the Park Avenue Baptist Church. The funeral will be Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Don Davidson will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Forrest and Harriet Adcock West; her husband, Morgan Curtis Wheat; four sisters, Myrtle West, Novella Sanders, Della Mae Stewart and Macon West; and two brothers, Harrison and Eugene West. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Curtis and Barbara Wheat of Smyrna. One daughter, Forrest Ann and her husband Dan Clements of Goodlettsville. Five grandchildren, Andrea Hensley of Texas, Terry Donnelly of Bowling Green Kentucky, Kimberly Frensley of Castalian Springs, Dana Meadows, and Bruce Clements both of Hendersonville. Ten great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, and three sisters, Jessie Wright of Goodlettsville, Eula Dean Jones of McMinnville, and Harriett Lewis of Donelson. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be Wednesday until 9:00 p.m. and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m.
DeKalb Voters Favor Incumbents and Proposed Constitutional Amendments In Tuesday Elections
Governor Phil Bredsen, Congressman Bart Gordon, State Senator Mae Beavers, State Representative Frank Buck, and U.S. Senate candidate Harold Ford, Jr. all carried DeKalb County in Tuesday’s Tennessee General Election.
DeKalb County voters also overwhelmingly endorsed the proposed Marriage Protection Amendment to the State Constitution as well as the proposed Property Tax Relief Amendment.
A total of 5,727 DeKalb Countians voted in the election including 2,580 early voters and absentees and 3,147 on election day. That represents 44% of the 12,000 registered voters in DeKalb County.
In the Governor Race, Bredesen defeated Republican challenger Jim Bryson in DeKalb County 3,847 votes (69%) to 1,559 votes (28%).
Bredesen carried fourteen of sixteen precincts including Alexandria 269 to 98; Temperance Hall 91 to 46; Liberty 108 to 90; Dowelltown 95 to 47; Snow Hill 90 to 62; Middle School 230 to 79; Cherry Hill 44 to 29; Courthouse 213 to 55; Johnson’s Chapel 93 to 47; Elementary School 171 to 69; Belk 130 to 32; Keltonburg 129 to 40; Blue Springs 123 to 55; Church of Christ Annex 219 to 63 and Early Votes/Absentees-1,770 to 674.
Bryson carried Edgar Evins State Park 22 to 21 and tied Bredesen 51 to 51 at Rock Castle
The Independent candidates for Governor and their vote totals in DeKalb County include George Banks- 38, David Gatchell 9, Marivuana Stout Leinoff 10, Charles E. Smith 6, Howard M. Switzer 8, and Carl “Twofeathers” Whitaker 33.
Republican State Senator Mae Beavers defeated her Democratic challenger Bob Rochelle in DeKalb County 2,630 (55%) to 2,132 (44%).
In the eight counties of the 17th District combined, Beavers received 34,699 votes (58%) to 25,521 (42%) for Rochelle. That’s with all precincts reporting.
Beavers carried thirteen of the sixteen precincts in DeKalb County including Temperance Hall 72 to 58; Edgar Evins State Park 33 to 7; Liberty 129 to 50; Dowelltown 81 to 51; Snow Hill 80 to 62; Middle School 149 to 119; Cherry Hill 36 to 29; Rock Castle 63 to 19; Courthouse 135 to 105; Johnson’s Chapel 76 to 50; Elementary School 123 to 98; Blue Springs 81 to 64; Church of Christ Annex 130 to 109; and Early Votes/Absentees 1,163 to 995.
Rochelle carried Alexandria 160 to 153; Belk 70 to 61; and Keltonburg 86 to 65.
Democratic Incumbent State Representative Frank Buck defeated Republican challenger Terri Lynn Weaver 3,171 (57%) to 2,151 (39%). Independent candidate Carl Jones received a total of 162 votes in DeKalb County,
In the three counties of the 40th district combined, DeKalb, Smith, and Macon, Buck won with 9,646 votes (57%) to 6,898 votes for Weaver (40%) and 520 votes for Jones (3%). That’s with all precincts reporting.
Buck carried twelve of sixteen precincts in DeKalb County including Alexandria 223 to 135; Temperance Hall 73 to 60; Dowelltown 75 to 65; Snow Hill 88 to 67; Middle School 184 to 127; Cherry Hill 40 to 31; Courthouse 158 to 106; Elementary School 154 to 90; Belk 97 to 62; Keltonburg 117 to 50; Blue Springs 103 to 72; Church of Christ Annex 176 to 99; and Early Votes/Absentees 1,487 to 905
Weaver carried Edgar Evins State Park 25 to 19; Liberty 121 to 75; Rock Castle 66 to 33; and Johnson’s Chapel 70 to 69.
Democrat Harold Ford, Jr. beat Republican Bob Corker in DeKalb County 2,998 (54%) to 2,450 (44%).
Ford carried ten of sixteen precincts including Alexandria 224 to 150; Temperance Hall 72 to 65; Snow Hill 81 to 76; Middle School 174 to 141; Courthouse 150 to 114; Elementary School 143 to 103; Belk 98 to 62; Keltonburg 114 to 55; Blue Springs 103 to 80; Church of Christ Annex 179 to 102; and Early Votes/Absentees 1,365 to 1,086.
Corker carried Edgar Evins State Park 26 to 18; Liberty 129 to 76; Dowelltown 71 to 68; Cherry Hill 39 to 36; Rock Castle 75 to 31; and Johnson’s Chapel 76 to 66.
Independent candidates for the United States Senate and their vote totals in DeKalb County include Ed Choate 38; David Gatchell 22; Emory “Bo” Heyward 15; Gary Keplinger 16; and Christopher Joseph Lugo 9.
Democratic Congressman Bart Gordon easily carried DeKalb County over his Republican opponent David R. Davis. Gordon received 3,811 (77%) to 1,052 (21%) for Davis.
Gordon carried fifteen of sixteen precincts including Alexandria 264 to 60; Temperance Hall 96 to 32; Edgar Evins State Park 26 to 17; Liberty 107 to 62; Dowelltown 104 to 24; Snow Hill 114 to 28; Middle School 220 to 59; Cherry Hill 51 to 19; Courthouse 213 to 35; Johnson’s Chapel 82 to 44; Elementary School 194 to 34; Belk 126 to 19; Keltonburg 135 to 19; Blue Springs 127 to 29; Church of Christ Annex 205 to 37; and Early Votes/Absentees 1,706 to 488
Davis carried Rock Castle 46 to 41.
Independent candidates and their vote totals in DeKalb County included Robert L. Garrison with 56 votes and Norman R. Saliba with 25 votes.
The Marriage Protection Amendment defining marriage as only between one man and one woman carried all sixteen precincts in DeKalb County with a total of 4,794 (87%) voting YES to 674 (12%) voting NO.
The precinct by precinct vote is as follows: Alexandria 323 (Yes) to 54 (No); Temperance Hall 122 to 13; Edgar Evins State Park 40 to 4; Liberty 179 to 24; Dowelltown 121 to 23; Snow Hill 139 to18; Middle School 280 to 41; Cherry Hill 62 to 13; Rock Castle 91 to 13; Courthouse 229 to 52; Johnson’s Chapel 130 to 19; Elementary School 220 to 30; Belk 147 to 14; Keltonburg 164 to 10; Blue Springs 171 to 12; Church of Christ Annex 266 to 23; and Early Votes/Absentees 2,110 to 311.
The Property Tax Relief Amendment which would authorize local governments to freeze property taxes of senior citizens was approved in DeKalb County 4,125 (83%) to 805 (16%).
The precinct by precinct vote is as follows: Alexandria 295 (Yes) to 63 (No); Temperance Hall 115 to 13; Edgar Evins State Park 39 to 4; Liberty 142 to 30; Dowelltown 114 to 14; Snow Hill 118 to 26; Middle School 219 to 60; Cherry Hill 57 to 10; Rock Castle 85 to 13; Courthouse 205 to 48; Johnson’s Chapel 121 to 21; Elementary School 186 to 36; Belk 113 to 31; Keltonburg 140 to 20; Blue Springs 134 to 32; Church of Christ Annex 207 to 51; and Early Votes/Absentee 1,835 to 333.
Annie Ruth Bain
78 year old Annie Ruth Bain of Smithville died Monday at DeKalb Community Hospital. She was a homemaker and a member of the Buckner’s Chapel Methodist Church. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Phil Tollett and David Young will officiate and burial will be in the Hale Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. A list of survivors will be announced later.
Jennie Hubbard
99 year old Jennie Hubbard of Smithville and formerly of the Dry Creek Community died Tuesday at NHC Healthcare Center of Smithville. She was a homemaker and a member of the Dowelltown Baptist Church. The funeral will be Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Wayne Malone and Donald Owens will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alton Hubbard; a son and daughter-in-law, Willie and Freda Hubbard; her parent, Joe and Rebecca Adkins Arnold; sisters, Julie Tramel, Mary Smith, and Liza Bailiff; and brothers, Enoch, Delmar, Jody, Ralph Sr, and Willie J. Arnold. Survivors include nephews, Ralph, Jr. and his wife Ethel Arnold; James and his wife Inez Tramel; and Calvin and his wife Amy Tramel all of Smithville. Nieces, Ethel Ashford of Smithville, Ruby Deal of Nashville, Marie and her husband Mac McCormick of Georgia, Ruthene Self of Chattanooga, Dorothy and her husband Winfrey Hennessee of McMinnville, Georgie Hale of McMinnville, Lena Vann; and several great nieces and nephews also survive. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Carlos Munoz
Carlos Munoz died Monday at the North Valley Emergency Room in Dunlap. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by DeKalb Funeral Chapel.
City To Select Airport Manager
The Smithville Mayor and Board of Aldermen have decided to hire an Airport Manager at the Smithville Municipal Airport rather than lease the facility to a fixed based operator.
The issue was discussed during Monday night’s meeting.
A committee made up of Mayor Taft Hendrixson, Secretary-Treasurer Burnace Vandergriff, and Alderman Cecil Burger will review the three applications received and select a new Airport operator, after receiving input from members of the airport committee, who will be serving in an advisory capacity.
A background check will also be conducted on the three applicants for the job.
The city board, in September, accepted a bid from Highland Aviation of Crossville to become the new Fixed Based Operator of the Airport, subject to the new tenant’s approval after a review and inspection of the property.
However, the city board, in October decided not to enter into a contract with Highland Aviation after City Attorney Sarah Cripps reported that a background check had been conducted on the company. Cripps says she learned, as a result of that background check, that officials of Highland Aviation had made several misrepresentations to the city.
Cripps told the mayor and alderman last month that Paul Sutta, the chief financial manager for Highland Aviation, was a convicted felon and has served a nine month sentence in a federal facility for fraud. Cripps says she learned that Highland Aviation has been dissolved as a corporation since 2002 and that the company was indebted to a fuel supplier by over $50,000.
Cripps recommended, after conferring with the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), that it would be in the city’s best interest to hire an Airport Manager rather than lease the airport to a Fixed Based Operator.
An Airport Manager would be a city employee and answer directly to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen and the city would receive all fees generated from the airport through fuel sales, etc.
In other business, the city board formally voted to hire Thomas J. Stufano as the new Chief of Police.
Stufano was appointed to the position November 1st, subject to being hired by the city board.
The vote to hire Stufano was 4 to 1. Aldermen Steve White, W.J. “Dub” White, Aaron Meeks, and Cecil Burger voted to hire Stufano. Alderman Paul Young “passed”.
Stufano will be paid $708.80 per week or $17.72 per hour.
The city board, in other business, approved an ordinance on first reading to abandon Ken Circle between the intersection of Dry Creek Road and the intersection of Ed Taft Drive. The ordinance states that Ken Circle was never developed or used as a roadway and no landowner would be landlocked by the abandonment of it.
Second and final reading passage will be scheduled following a public hearing at the next meeting on Monday, November 20th at 7:00 p.m. at city hall.