WJLE Adds Audio Streaming As A New Service To The Public

WJLE has added another dimension to our service to the public through LIVE streaming of the radio broadcast, limited to talk programs such as local newscasts, ballgames, election returns, and city council, school board, and county commission board meetings.
Dr. W.E. Vanatta, President of Center Hill Broadcasting Corporation, says “WJLE has two slogans on our web site that helps define our purpose. (1) You tell us and we will tell thousands and (2) The voice of the Center Hill Region.”
“To our sponsors you tell us what you have to sell or the services you render and we literally will tell thousands. This has proven true as we often hear comments such as “I heard it on WJLE”.
The second slogan helps define our service area.
Vanatta says,” We have resisted offers to sell the station on numerous occasions in keeping with our desire to keep a local “flavor” in the services we provide such as LIVE board meetings, election returns, ball games, obituaries and local news, while at the same time not neglecting the coverage of the latest world and state news via the Tennessee Radio Network and Fox News.”
“In keeping with our desire to better serve our area we broadcast on AM 1480 khz and FM 101.7 khz, maintain a web page (www.WJLE.com), and now in keeping with our aim and purpose to better serve you we have added another dimension, namely limited audio streaming. To those who may not be informed, this entails putting our audio signal on the computer which affords world wide coverage. A solider in Iraq recently reported hearing the DCHS ball games via www.WJLE.com.”
Vanatta explains, “The streaming may be accessed by clicking the microphone icon box in the upper right corner of web page then scrolling down and clicking the other microphone icon. This activates the sound availability on your computer.”
“We thank our sponsors , listeners, Dwayne and loyal staff for making this possible. We also thank you our loyal listeners for making “I heard it on WJLE a truism, that is often heard……Keep listening!”

Police Department Conducts Neighborhood Crime Watch Meeting

The Smithville Police Department had it’s first city wide Neighborhood Crime Watch meeting Saturday night at city hall.
Chief Thomas J. Stufano says the meeting was a success with residents and leadership from both Smithville and Liberty in attendance.
The focus of the meeting was to explain how the community can assist the police department by working together in combating crime. The presentation focused on being a Crime Watch neighbor and how being a good neighbor means watching out for one another’s property and by reporting suspicious activity to the police.
This nationally recognized program has been very effective in reducing the amount of suspicious activity in city neighborhoods and businesses.
Chief Stufano says, ideally, residents in a good Crime Watch neighborhood should know the three neighbors across the street from their homes, on each side, and the three neighbors behind your residence.
Heightened awareness and the reporting of suspicious activity to the police will ultimately improve response times for service. Citizens can be assured that when they report suspcious activity, their names will be held in strictest confidence.
Other information presented by Chief Stufano included the rising instances of identity theft and Operation ID which inscribes information onto your personal items for easy identification in case of loss. The meeting also afforded the public an opportunity to see the new Drug K-9 handled by Detective Sergeant Steve Deffendoll.
Chief Stufano says “In a recent rash of burglaries in the south end of the city, neighbors were able to give excellent descriptions of the suspect that had eluded police for over three weeks. Their support was instrumental in helping catch this subject.”
Additional meetings will be scheduled and all residents are encouraged to attend.

Voters To Make Their Decisions Tuesday

Voters across the state will elect a Governor and a United States Senator Tuesday.
DeKalb County voters will also help elect a U.S. Congressman, State Senator, and State Representative.
Two proposed amendments to the State Constitution will also be decided during the election, one called the Marriage Protection Amendment, and the other that would give local governments the authority to provide Property Tax Relief to senior citizens.
The candidates for Governor are Democratic Incumbent Governor Phil Bredesen versus Republican challenger Jim Bryson. Independent candidates are George Banks, David Gatchell, Maurivauna Stout Leinoff, Charles E. Smith, Howard M. Switzer, and Carl “Twofeathers” Whitaker.
Candidates for the United States Senate are Republican Bob Corker and Democrat Harold Ford, Jr., Independent candidates are Ed Choate, David Gatchell, Emory “Bo” Heyward, Gary Keplinger, and Christopher Joseph Lugo.
Candidates for State Senator of the 17th District are Republican Incumbent Mae Beavers and Democratic challenger Bob Rochelle.
Candidates for U.S. Representative of the 6th Congressional District are Democratic Incumbent Bart Gordon and Republican challenger David R. Davis. Independent candidates are Robert L. Garrison and Norman R. Saliba.
Candidates for State Representative of the 40th District are Democratic incumbent Frank Buck versus Republican Terri Lynn Weaver and Independent Carl Jones.
Polls at all sixteen precincts in DeKalb County will be open Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. WJLE will have LIVE election return coverage starting at 7:00 p.m. from the courthouse. The LIVE broadcast may also be heard via audio streaming at www.wjle.com
A total of 2,574 DeKalb County voters have already cast ballots during the early voting period October 18th through November 2nd.

Bain Crowned Fall Fest Queen

17 year old Jessica LeAnn Bain was crowned Fall Fest Queen at the conclusion of Saturday night’s pageant, sponsored by the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club.
Bain is the daughter of Larry and Teresa Johnson and Harold and Debbie Bain of Smithville.
She succeeds the retiring queen, 19 year old Whitney Rice, daughter of Brenda Rice of Sparta and the late Bobby Rice.
The first runner-up in the pageant was Britany George, the 14 year old daughter of Becky and Joel George of Smithville.
Second runner-up was 14 year old Laura Caroline Carter, daughter of Johnny and Laura Carter of McMinnville.
16 year old Sarah Elizabeth McBride was the third runner-up. She is the daughter of Lisa and Michael McBride of Smithville.
15 year old Rosemary Apple was the fourth runner-up. She is the daughter of Nick and Claire Apple of Smithville.
Others rounding out the top ten were Amber Evans, Jessica Cook, Brittney Cantrell, Keisha Poss, and Loni Easterwood.
The title of Miss Congeniality went to 17 year old Ashlee Nichole Moss, daughter of Greg and Wendy Moss of Alexandria.
A total of twenty four young ladies were featured in the Fall Fest Pageant, held at the DeKalb County High School gymnasium.

Paul Ferrell

57 year old Paul Ferrell of Rock Island died Friday night at River Park Hospital in McMinnville. The body is at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Arrangements are incomplete.

Local Man Arrested On Drug Charge By Smithville Police

Smithville Police arrested a local man around 1:54 a.m. Friday morning on a drug charge.
Chief Thomas Stufano says James Robert Davis II of 1638 New Home Road was arrested for driving on a suspended license while impaired and a narcotics violation.
Stufano, in a prepared news release, states that “Upon responding to the area of the Hardee’s parking lot, officers found Davis asleep at the wheel of his 2001 Lexus. After the initial investigation the city’s new Drug K-9 was brought to the scene and found that Davis was also in possession of marijuana and a large amount of cash that was tainted with drug residue.
Davis was arrested and booked into the DeKalb County Jail with a bond of $2,000. His car was towed and seized under the state’s forfeiture act.

Michael Murphy

50 year old Michael Murphy of Smithville died Thursday. He was a non-denominational pastor and an employee of Federal Mogul and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Visitation will be Sunday until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert James and Letha Mears Murphy and a brother, Ellis Ray Murphy. Survivors include his wife, Cleta Redmon Murphy and a daughter, Camillia Murphy both of Smithville. Four brothers, Albert Murphy, Jr. and Lee Murphy both of Pikeville, Luther and his wife Penny Murphy of Smithville, and James Terry and his wife Connie Murphy of McMinnville. Five sisters, Glenda Murphy and Alberta and her husband Robert Angel all of Pikeville, Flo Ann Evan of Dayton, Mary and her husband Denton Davenport of Crossville and Tina and her husband Joe Burgess of Arkansas. Her father and mother-in-law, Eddie and Ernestine Young of Smithville and several nieces and nephews. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Marzell Ray

68 year old Marzell Ray of Smithville died Friday at DeKalb Community Hospital. She was a member of the New Union The Baptist Church, member of Woodmen of the World, and a retired employee of Magnetek. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her father, Hobert Brown Barnes; two brothers, Johnny Davis Barnes and Paul Eugene Barnes. Survivors include her husband, Donald Ray of Smithville. Two sons, Eddie and his wife Tabitha Ray of Smithville and Cary Ray of Smithville. Her mother, Cyrena Barnes of Smithville. Three brothers, Marvin “Brownie” and his wife Peggy Barnes, Gentry Lee and his wife Pat Barnes all of Smithville, and Youman and his wife Cindy Barnes of Rock Island. Three grandchildren, Dustin O’Conner, Julie Ray, and Ethan Ray. Two great grandchildren, Madison Ray and Logan O’Conner. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Morgan Avenue Woman Arrested In Drug Bust

Smithville Police arrested a Morgan Avenue woman Thursday night in a drug bust at her residence.
Chief Thomas J. Stufano says Glenda Diane Stanley of 440 Morgan Avenue is charged with possession of drugs for resale. Her bond is set at $50,000.
In a prepared news release, Chief Stufano says over 114 unregistered prescription pills, cash, and a gun were recovered as a result of an investigation by Sergeant Steve Deffendoll and Officer Marcus Caldwell using the department’s newly certified Drug Enforcement K-9. The pills, hidden throughout the residence, were allegedly being sold as illegal controlled substances.
Stufano says confidential sources stated that the drug activity was excessive with people coming and going at all hours of the night and usually staying for 2 to 3 minutes and then leaving.
Officers also recovered a large cache of jewelry believed to have been exchanged for drugs, in lieu of cash.
Chief Stufano says the jewelry will be crossed referenced with other police agencies to determine if it has been reported stolen elsewhere.
The case remains under investigation.
Chief Stufano says the Smithville Police Department is committed to aggressively investigating all drug activity within the city limits and urges all citizens to report anything suspicious occurring in their neighborhoods.

FirstBank Acquires Seven AmSouth Branches

FirstBank announced today (Wednesday) an agreement to acquire seven branch offices in Middle Tennessee from AmSouth Bank.
Included in the deal will be customer deposits of about $400 million. The 58 AmSouth employees at the branches will become FirstBank associates, officials said.
When given final approval by state and federal banking regulators, the acquisition will bring Lexington-based FirstBank?s total assets to more than $1.9 billion. Closing is expected in early 2007.
?We are very pleased to increase our statewide franchise by joining these markets, and we want to welcome the AmSouth employees as associates and members of the FirstBank family,? said FirstBank Chairman Jim Ayers. ?This acquisition allows us to offer the products and services we provide to more people in more communities in Tennessee.?
The new FirstBank branches will be in Crossville, Dayton, Fayetteville, Paris, Shelbyville, Smithville and Woodbury. FirstBank will acquire all seven AmSouth branches being divested in Tennessee.
FirstBank President and CEO Doug Cruickshanks said they will move quickly to make the former AmSouth associates and customers feel at home, and that customers will be contacted regarding any changes.
?We feel very confident that our new FirstBank customers will be very happy with the services and products we offer,? Cruickshanks said. ?With more than 40 locations now across the state and nearly $2 billion in assets, FirstBank can service almost any customer need in these markets, including large loans, but still deliver in our unique community-banking style.?
FirstBank is the largest independently owned bank in Tennessee and upon completion of this acquisition will have 43 locations and approximately $1.9 billion in assets.
As the leader among Tennessee?s community banks, FirstBank offers its customers a broad line of financial products and services, and actively promotes initiatives that improve the quality of life for Tennesseans, with an emphasis on education in the communities it serves. Jim Ayers is owner and chairman of FirstBank and founder of the Ayers Foundation.
To read more about FirstBank, a wholly owned subsidiary of First South Bancorp, Inc., visit its Web site at www.firstbankonline.com.