Three positions on the DeKalb County Board of Education will be up for election on Thursday, August 4 but only one race will be contested. Noon today (Thursday, April 7th) was the qualifying deadline
Incumbent 5th district member W.J. (Dub) Evins, III will be challenged for re-election by Barry Mabe and Kevin Hale.
6th district incumbent Doug Stephens will be unopposed for re-election.
In the 4th district, Kate Miller will be unopposed for the election to fill the remaining two years of her husband Billy Miller’s unexpired term. Billy Miller was re-elected to the school board in August 2014 but he resigned September 30, 2014 due to his having accepted a new job with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation which does not allow him to hold public office. The county commission appointed Kate Miller in October 2014 to fill the position until the August 2016 election. She was sworn into office in November 2014.
The 5th and 6th district winners will serve four years.
The other school board members, Danny Parkerson in the 1st district; Jerry Wayne Johnson in the 2nd district; Jim Beshearse in the 3rd district, and Shaun Tubbs in the 7th district were elected in 2014 and are in mid-term. Their terms are up August 31, 2018.
Today (April 7th) was also the qualifying deadline for the race to fill the remaining two years of an unexpired county commission term in the 1st district. The election will be Thursday, August 4th
The candidates are Republican Thomas Chandler and Democrat Julie Williams Young. They were each nominated by their party during conventions held last month. No independents qualified for the position.
The winner will fill the seat left vacant by Elmer Ellis, Jr. who recently resigned.
Meanwhile candidates chosen in the March 1 Democratic Primary or by party convention who will be on the DeKalb County General Election ballot on Thursday, August 4th are as follows:
Assessor of Property:
Scott Cantrell, Democrat
Shannon Cantrell, Republican
Constable 1st district—Lee Plummer, Republican and Jason Taylor, Democrat
Constable 2nd District—Thomas Theriaque, Republican
Constable 3rd District—Travis Bryant; Democrat
Constable 4th District—Paul Cantrell, Democrat
Constable 5th District—Mark Milam, Democrat
Constable 6th district—Carl Lee Webb, Democrat
Constable 7th district—Johnny King, Democrat

The Smithville Municipal Election will be contested on Thursday, August 4th.
Five candidates have qualified for the race in which three aldermen will be elected, each to serve a four year term.
Incumbents Shawn Jacobs, Josh Miller, and Danny Washer are running for re-election along with newcomers Ronald Dale Stanley and Richard Steinbach.
Also on August 4th, Dowelltown voters will elect a mayor and alderman. The only candidates to qualify were Pam Redmon for mayor and William A. Davis for alderman. Another alderman position was to have been filled in the election but no other candidate qualified. The terms are for four years.
The Liberty Municipal Election is also set for Thursday, August 4th. Dwayne Blair, Todd Dodd, and Jason Ray are each seeking a four year term as alderman. They are unopposed. J.D. Bratten will be a candidate for alderman to fill a one year unexpired term.
The qualifying deadline was noon today (April 7th) for the Smithville, Dowelltown, and Liberty Municipal Elections.
(Photos of the other candidates unavailable)

State Representatives Terri Lynn Weaver of Lancaster in the 40th district and Mark Pody of Lebanon in the 46th district will be challenged for re-election this year.
Representative Weaver will be unopposed for re-nomination in the Tennessee Republican Primary on Thursday, August 4th but she will have a Democratic opponent in the November 8th General Election.
Gayla Colvert Hendrix of Smithville and Teresa Marion of Smith County are seeking the Democratic nomination for State Representative in the 40th district in the Tennessee Democratic Primary on Thursday, August 4th. The winner will face Weaver in November.
The 40th district includes Smith, Trousdale and part of DeKalb and Sumner Counties.
Meanwhile, Representative Pody will face Jim Gibbs of Cannon County for nomination in the Tennessee Republican Primary on August 4th. The winner will be opposed by Democrat Amelia Hipps of Lebanon in the November 8th General Election. Hipps is unopposed for nomination in the Tennessee Democratic Primary on August 4th.
The 46th district includes Cannon, and part of Wilson and DeKalb Counties
Each term is for two years.
Noon today (April 7th) was the qualifying deadline.
(Photos of Teresa Marion and Jim Gibbs unavailable)

A 20 year old man arrested in March for having sex with an underage girl has been granted probation.
20 year old Dustin Michael Golden, charged with two counts of statutory rape and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, appeared in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Monday, April 4.
Golden entered a plea by criminal information to one count of mitigated statutory rape and received a sentence of two years and one day all suspended to supervised probation. He is requesting judicial diversion. Golden has been given 35 days of jail credit. He is under a restraining order to keep away from the victim.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said on Tuesday, March 1 a Sheriff’s Department Detective conducted an interview with Golden and discovered that he and a 15 year old girl had engaged in sexual acts and drug use. The girl said she and Golden had sex on Monday, February 29 and Tuesday, March 1. During questioning, Golden allegedly admitted to smoking marijuana with the girl.
31 year old Ellissa Howard was granted judicial diversion Monday. She had entered a plea last September to sale of a schedule II drug and received a three year sentence all suspended to supervised probation. At that time she filed a request for judicial diversion. Howard was fined $2,000 and given five days of jail credit.

The Spring edition of Reeling in the Years with D.S. and Shawn is coming up Saturday (April 9) from 6-10 p.m. on WJLE.
Featuring hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s, the show will also feature hits that were popular this week during various years of the 70s and 80s and the song of the year for both 1971 and 1976.
To coincide with the beginning of Spring, we made this show very upbeat and fast-paced,” the two said. “Like the kids would say on American Bandstand—‘it’s got a good beat and you can dance to it.’”
Again, Reeling in the Years airs this Saturday night from 6-10 on WJLE FM

A former Correctional Officer at the DeKalb County Jail who allegedly received money from inmates for smuggling tobacco and other items to them inside their cells has been indicted for Official Misconduct and Introduction of Contraband.
24 year old Francisco Rodriguez of Banks Pisgah Road was named in a sealed indictment returned by the DeKalb County Grand Jury on Monday, April 4. His bond is $20,000 . He will be arraigned in Criminal Court on Monday, April 11.
Rodriguez worked for the Sheriff’s Department as a Correctional Officer for six months before being terminated by Sheriff Patrick Ray after an internal investigation into the allegations.
Sheriff Ray told WJLE how the story unfolded.
“This last December, I obtained information of one of the Correctional Officers putting small amounts of tobacco and other items into a cell at the DeKalb County Jail. This Correctional Officer was identified as Francisco Rodriguez”.
“Rodriguez started with the department approximately six months prior to this investigation. His background check that was conducted on him had positive recommendations from people here in DeKalb County,” said Sheriff Ray.
“As soon as the information about Rodriguez was given to me I immediately notified my detectives to start an internal investigation into this matter. I also contacted the District Attorney General’s Office and obtained consent for my department to proceed with the internal investigation,” he continued.
“During the course of the investigation my detectives did an outstanding job with their investigation work. They conducted surveillance work, obtained four search warrants, and interviewed multiple people in connection with the investigation. The detectives were also able to obtain information that Rodriguez had placed a cell phone into one of the cells where he could have secret conversations with inmates and set up drops of tobacco and other items for this particular cell. The cell phone was recovered in a cell area of the jail. The detectives also found that Rodriguez received money to perform these actions”.
“As a result of the internal investigation I terminated Francisco Rodriguez on December 23, 2015”, said Sheriff Ray.
“Sometimes people step over the line of the law. This here was a person of trust and authority. I have served in many positions in my 27 years of law enforcement. I personally believe all of us in law enforcement are held to a higher standard. In saying this, let me be clear. I am proud of my department and all of the employees that work here. I will not tolerate this kind of behavior that deflects from the professionalism and trust that we are trying to achieve. I will prosecute this offense to the fullest extent of the law,’ Sheriff Ray concluded.

Six girls from DeKalb County High School were chosen to be a part of the 2016 Tennessee State 4-H Congress, held each year in Nashville and Murfreesboro. Those attending were Lydia Brown, Madi Cantrell, Sarah Anne Colwell, Abby Evans, Macy Hedge, and Addison Oakley. This year’s event was March 20-23, 2016.
On Sunday night, we arrived at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro and watched the Tennessee 4-H Performing Arts Troup perform. On Monday, we spent the day in Nashville and took the role of Senators and Representatives. We discussed and voted on mock bills while touring the Senate and House Chambers. We also toured the Tennessee History Museum and visited the Capitol and Legislative Plaza where we met with Sen. Mae Beavers, Rep. Mark Pody, and Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver.
Tuesday was the last full day of Congress. We got the opportunity to ride the General Jackson and enjoyed lunch and entertainment on the boat. That evening, the citizenship banquet and ball was held. Other highlights included hearing the state speech contest, history bowl, electing new Congress officers, and meeting other teens from across the state. It was a great overall experience that we all enjoyed!
We would like to say thank you to Farm Bureau and the Middle Tennessee Natural Gas Project Hometown Help for sponsoring us and to Jenny Cantrell for attending as our adult volunteer. For more information about DeKalb County 4-H programs, please call 615-597-4945.
Photo Captions:
Group: Sarah Anne Colwell, Madi Cantrell, Abby Evans, Addison Oakley, Lydia Brown, and Macy Hedge attended State 4-H Congress where they learned about TN State government, met with senators and representatives, and rode the General Jackson.
Capital: 6 delegates from DeKalb County toured the State Capital while attending State 4-H Congress in Nashville.

An investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the indictment of a DeKalb County log home salesman, charged with stealing from clients who ordered from him.
At the request of 13th District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway, TBI Special Agents, working alongside detectives with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, began investigating Lawton Duane Park on September 9, 2015. During the course of the investigation, Agents developed information that between 2013 and 2014, Park was selling log home kits to individuals without producing the product that was sold. The name of the business under which Park sold these log home kits is Starry Hill Log Homes.
On Monday, the DeKalb County Grand Jury indicted Lawton Duane Park, 47, on three counts of Theft over $10,000 and one count of Theft over $1,000. Park was arrested Tuesday night by deputies with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and booked into the DeKalb County Jail. He was released after posting a $75,000 bond. He will be arraigned in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Monday, April 11.
Count one of the indictment against Park alleges that on or about the 19th day of August, 2013 he knowingly did obtain or exercise control over certain property, to wit: $30,261.50 being over the value of $10,000 the property of Jodi Renwand with the intent to deprive constituting the offense of theft.
Count two alleges that on or about the 8th day of June, 2015 Park knowingly obtained or exercised control over certain property, to wit: $15,000 being over the value of $10,000 the property of Danny and Tara Hall with the intent to deprive constituting the offense of theft.
Count three states that on or about the 21st day of July, 2015 Park knowingly obtained or exercised control over certain property, to wit: $12,000 being over the value of $10,000 the property of Danny and Tara Hall with the intent to deprive constituting the offense of theft.
Count four alleges that on or about the 15th day of June 2015 Park knowingly obtained or exercised control over certain property, to wit: $4,000 being over the value of $1,000 the property of Danny and Tara Hall with the intent to deprive constituting the offense of theft.
Last September Park and his wife appeared in General Sessions Court on charges they assaulted a disgruntled customer who confronted them at McDonald’s Restaurant in Smithville.
After a hearing, Judge Bratten Cook, II found Mrs. Park guilty of assault and unlawful possession of a weapon. Judge Cook dismissed an assault charge against Park.. Mrs. Park received a sentence of 30 days on the weapon charge and six months for the assault but she was placed on probation. She was also fined a total of $100 plus court costs.
The Parks’ were arrested by Smithville Police on Thursday, August 27, 2015 after a Michigan man, Danny Hall confronted them at McDonald’s claiming they had defrauded him. Hall claimed he and his wife ordered a brand new log home through the Starry Hill Log Homes website in January, 2015 a company run by the Parks and paid $36,000 but never got the logs to build the home.
During the confrontation at McDonalds which was captured on video, Hall was allegedly assaulted by the Parks. While finding Mrs. Park guilty of the assault, Judge Cook dismissed the case against Mr. Park after reviewing the video and reportedly determining that he appeared to be trying to break up the fight. Mrs. Park was charged with the gun offense after police found the weapon in her purse during the assault investigation for which she had no permit.
At the time, Mr. Park, a pastor, reportedly offered regular Bible studies at the New Heart Outreach located on Broad Street in Smithville.

The DeKalb County Grand Jury Monday indicted a Smithville man with two counts of the aggravated child abuse of a five week old infant.
27 year old Charles Justin Wiggins of Cooper Street, Smithville will be arraigned in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Monday, April 11.
Wiggins was arrested Monday, October 19, 2015 after a five week old infant was brought to Cookeville Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. According to Smithville Police, Wiggins is an acquaintance of the child’s mother. Wiggins was charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse.
According to the arrest warrant, “At approximately 4:00 a.m. on Monday, October 19 at his Cooper Street residence, Wiggins did knowingly treat a five week old boy in a manner as to inflict serious bodily injury. Wiggins stated that he squeezed the child’s ribs and bounced the child aggressively enough to cause the child serious injury”.
In the second offense involving the same child, the warrant states that “At approximately 3:00 p.m., on Monday, October 19 at his residence, Wiggins did knowingly treat a five week old boy in a manner as to inflict serious bodily injury. Mr. Wiggins did state that he did pick the child up and squeeze his ribs and slammed him down aggressively into the crib causing the child’s head to bounce. Mr. Wiggins stated he pressed down on both the child’s legs and felt them break”.
The child was later taken to Cookeville Regional Medical Center for treatment. Law enforcement authorities were subsequently notified.
In a prepared statement at the time of Wiggins’ arrest, Smithville Police Captain Steven Leffew said, “On Monday, October 19 at approximately 6:07 p.m., Cookeville Regional Medical Center contacted Smithville Police in regards to an infant that was severely injured and had been brought into their facility for treatment. The injury was believed to have occurred in the jurisdiction of the City of Smithville”.
“Lieutenant Matt Holmes and Sergeant Brad Tatrow responded and upon arrival spoke with medical staff who advised that the infant had sustained obvious severe injuries. Officers quickly developed Charles J. Wiggins as a suspect and upon investigation Smithville Police arrested Wiggins for two counts of aggravated child abuse. District Attorney Bryant Dunaway and investigators from his office as well as the Department of Children Services responded to the scene,” said Captain Leffew.

The Chamber of Commerce recently had a Ribbon Cutting for Haven of Hope’s new location. After 8 years of service to the community, Haven of Hope Counseling has moved to 301 West Main, Smithville.
Kay Quintero, MA, LPC, LSPE states that the bigger space, otherwise known as The Magnolia House, will allow for more community outreach. Currently Haven of Hope Counseling offers individual and family counseling. All of the counselors have been trained in EMDR which is very effective for various trauma. Child-Centered Play Therapy is utilized for children age 3 through elementary school.
In addition to regular parenting classes, they have co-parenting classes for parents who do not live in the same home. Haven of Hope Counseling also offers help with grief issues, addiction issues and much more. They can screen for depression and suicidal thinking for both minors and adults. In fact, they can accommodate most mental health needs with their 3 Masters level counselors in addition to the work of Mrs. Quintero. The other counselors are Samanthia Curtis, Carrie Farmer, and Elisa Allen. All the staff at the Haven are deeply grateful for the community support during the move including Haven volunteers, youth groups, sporting teams, drug court participants and local churches.
Haven of Hope of DeKalb County is led by Board of Directors Thomas Groom, John Quintero, Sandy Harney, Brenda Hooper, Michael Carpenter, and Brenda Prichard. Everyone connected with the Haven invites the public to their open house scheduled for Friday, May 6th from 1 to 6pm. In the meantime, if you feel that they may be of assistance to you or your family, just stop by 301 West Main, Smithville or call 615-597-4673. Rita Bell or Susan Gray will be glad to answer some basic questions about the Haven and schedule you an appointment with one of the professional counselors
Pictured l-r:
Rita Bell, Susan Gray, Isaac Gray, Kay Quintero, John Quintero, Carrie Farmer, County Mayor Tim Stribling, Chamber President Kathy Hendrixson, Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, and Samantha Curtis