The DeKalb Animal Coalition will present “Slavery & After in DeKalb County” by local Historian Thomas G. Webb on Friday, January 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the county complex auditorium. Admission is $10.00 and all proceeds will benefit the DeKalb Animal Coalition, a tax deductible organization dedicated to building a new animal shelter for our community.
Discover how DeKalb slaves were treated. Where the majority of the slaves lived. How former slaves were treated following the Civil War. Why the black population steadily declined since 1865. And black and white attitudes toward interracial marriage.
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County Fire Chief Donny Green and Assistant Chief David Agee will serve in those positions for another year.
The county commission Monday night gave its approval.
County Mayor Tim Stribling read a letter to the commission from Chief Green stating that he and Agee were recently recommended for re-appointment by the county firefighters. “The membership of the DeKalb County Fire Department met January 3, 2016 for our annual election of officers. The following were nominated unanimously by the membership for your approval: Donny Green, Fire Chief and David Agee, Assistant Fire Chief for a one year term to end on January 8, 2017”.

As of Monday, January 25th the DeKalb County Trustee’s Office had collected 47.07% of the $8.5 million in 2015 county property taxes to be collected by February 29, 2016. That includes property, residential, commercial, personal, and public utility taxes.
In a quarterly report to the county commission Monday night, Trustee Sean Driver said collections to date are up over last year’s collections of 44.81% by this date (January 25). The tax base this year is also larger because of the sixteen cent property tax increase adopted by the county commission last summer for this fiscal year. Trustee Driver said the county’s tax base this year has expanded to $8,578,328, an increase of $835,000 over last year’s tax base of $7.7 million.
Monday, February 29 is the last day to pay the 2015 property taxes before penalties start accruing March 1.
For 2015 you can:
1.Come in person to pay at the office.
2. Mail in your payment.
3. Pay online at tennesseetrustee.com then select DeKalb. The Vendor accepts Discover, MasterCard, Visa, or American Express. A Vendor convenience fee of 2.75% on the total tax bill may apply and fees are subject to change for using credit/debit cards. Also, a $2.75 fee will be assessed on an e-check payment of any amount.
4. A Dropbox is also located on the outside of the county complex building (where the Trustee’s Office is located) for your convenience after hours or on weekends.
Partial Payments are accepted and you the taxpayer may set the amount to pay.
You may also qualify for the State of Tennessee Property Tax Relief Program The last day to sign up for tax relief is April 5. If you would like more information come by the County Complex in the Trustee’s office at 732 S. Congress Blvd-Room 103, Smithville, TN 37166 or call at 615-597-5176.
The Trustee’s Office is open regular hours from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday- Friday.
Any 2014 unpaid property taxes may be paid with interest and penalty through March 31. However any 2014 unpaid taxes will be turned over to the Chancery Court on April 1 for collection. The Trustee’s Office will soon be sending out a notice to those still delinquent.

The winter storm Friday caused several traffic accidents in DeKalb County including a collision between a Tennessee Department of Transportation pickup truck and a TDOT dump truck.
The crash occurred on Highway 56 north (Cookeville Highway).
Trooper Chris Delong of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that 40 year old Jeremiah Clinard of Gainesboro, a TDOT supervisor, was driving south in an F250 pickup truck when he lost control in a curve due to the snow and ice. The truck turned sideways and crashed into a northbound TDOT dump truck driven by 60 year old Jerry Cantrell of Smithville. The dump truck was hauling salt and had a scraper blade attached to the front. 45 year old Creed Sorrelle of Cookeville was a passenger of the Clinard truck. All three TDOT employees involved in the wreck escaped without injury.

The 2015 DeKalb County Volunteer Firefighter of the Year is Robert Sartin of the Main Station
Sartin received the award Saturday night during the Department’s Annual Awards Banquet held at the DeKalb County Complex.
Meanwhile, Captain Jay Cantrell was named the DeKalb County Fire Department’s 2015 Officer of the Year and Andy Pack, Station Commander of the Belk Station, received the Department’s 2015 “Git R Done” award. The “Rookie” award went to Firefighter Matt Adcock of the Belk Station.
Sartin was nominated and received the Firefighter of the Year Award taking into consideration his fire call response, training attendance, and community service participation. “The fire calls and training attendance stand for themselves. He excelled in both of those areas. As for his community service, Robert has demonstrated outstanding community service by participating in fire prevention and education activities throughout the year,” said Captain Anthony Boyd in presenting the award. “The DeKalb County Fire Department attempts to recognize firefighters who reflect a positive image of the department in the community, and there’s absolutely no doubt that Robert has earned the honor of being named DeKalb County Fire Department’s 2015 “Firefighter of the Year”, said Captain Boyd.
Captain Cantrell earned the “Officer of the Year Award” for his achievements in training attendance, incident response, and community service. “Jay demonstrated an outstanding level of community service to our department and our citizens by sacrificing countless hours of his time and skills to oversee the maintenance our entire fleet of vehicles and 11 buildings across the county. Jay’s exceptional level of volunteer service saves DeKalb County’s citizens thousands of dollars every year, and our firefighters always know our equipment is ready to go on the next call,” said Chief Donny Green in presenting Captain Jay Cantrell the award.
The “Git R Done Award” goes to a firefighter who demonstrates exceptional sacrifices by going above and beyond responding to calls and attending training. “Firefighter Pack has led his station in fundraising successes and built strong community relations by planning and organizing events within his community that enhance fire prevention and safety. Andy’s commitment to sacrifice his personal time while leading with a positive “Git R Done” attitude, clearly shows why he is being recognized as our 2015 recipient of this award,” said Captain Jay Cantrell in making the presentation to Andy Pack.
Firefighter Matt Adcock was presented the “Rookie of the Year Award” based on his hours of training. ” This award goes to a firefighter who completed his/her basic recruit training during 2015. The department feels that the most important thing we can do for our new recruits is to give them basic training and reinforce the importance of training. Consequently, training is the sole criteria used in the “Rookie of the Year” selection,” said Assistant Chief/Training Officer David Agee who presented the award. “From January through December 2015, Matt had 247.17 hours of training, including completion of the 64 hour Basic Firefighter Training. In addition to his Basic Recruit training, he has completed extra training to improve his firefighting skills. “We certainly want to recognize recruits who demonstrate an outstanding level of commitment to training. Our department is fortunate to have an excellent group of recruits who have contributed to our department being recognized with elite training awards for 7 consecutive years. We are proud of all of them and we are honored to name Firefighter Matt Adcock as our “Rookie of the Year” for 2015,” said Asst. Chief Agee.
Lieutenant Brian Williams recognized and presented the following 5 members with pins for their years of service:
*5 years of service: Jacob Bond (Short Mtn. Hwy. Station) and Andy Pack (Station Commander of the Belk Station) Bond was unable to attend the banquet.
*15 years of service: Captain Jay Cantrell and Anthony Johnson (Liberty Station). Johnson was unable to attend.
*40 years of service: Jerry Wayne Johnson (Station Commander of the Liberty Station)
Honorary Lifetime Member Jeff Williams presented Station Commander Jeremy Neal and Joe Johnson with Honorary Lifetime Membership awards.
Neal, a newly appointed Lieutenant and former Station Commander at the Blue Springs Station, has been a member for 10 years. “He has provided significant contributions to building renovation and construction projects,” said Williams.
Johnson a current county commissioner and Chairman of the Emergency Services Committee, was recognized and awarded for previous service with the department. “He previously served nearly 10 years on the Cookeville Highway and Short Mountain Highway stations while he provided maintenance and service on the department’s fleet. Most recently, Johnson volunteered to design and install a new generator at the department’s Main Station. We like to recognize people who have made significant and long-lasting contributions to our department and these two individuals have absolutely done this,” said Williams.
Thirty three individuals of the department were recognized with “Jamboree Backdraft” awards for going above and beyond in the Department’s 2015 Jamboree Food Booth fundraiser.
Chief Green recognized partners who have provided special support to the department during the year. The DeKalb County Fire Department’s Spring and Fall 2015 Citizens’ Fire Academy classes, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, DeKalb Tire and Service, DeKalb Telephone Cooperative (DTC), the local Red Cross representatives, WJLE Radio Station, the Smithville Review Newspaper, Tim’s Truck Service, the Tennessee Division of Forestry, Mayor Tim Stribling and his office staff, and the DeKalb County Commission.
To conclude the ceremony, Chief Green officially announced a recent officer selection. Station Commander Jeremy Neal has been promoted to the rank Lieutenant.
The DeKalb County Fire Department’s Annual Awards Banquet began with a delicious meal and entertainment from Jim Gossett, a comedian and celebrity impressionist. Approximately 175 people were in attendance including firefighters, their families, local and state officials, graduates of the 2015 Citizens’ Fire Academies (Spring and Fall session), and community partners. County Fire Chief Donny Green presided over the ceremony.

A bill seeking to block the U.S. Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage ruling in Tennessee was defeated Wednesday in the state House over concerns about nullifying federal rulings according to the Associated Press.
The Civil Justice Subcommittee voted 4-1 against the Tennessee Natural Marriage Defense Act sponsored by Republican Rep. Mark Pody of Lebanon, who argued that the ruling should not supersede an amendment to the state constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman. State Senator Mae Beavers sponsored the bill in the Senate.
More than 80 percent of Tennessee voters approved that amendment in 2006 that included a provision to declare that any judicial interpretation to the contrary “shall be void and unenforceable in Tennessee.”
Last year’s Supreme Court decision was based on cases in four states including Tennessee, where three couples had sued to have their out-of-state marriages recognized.
Republican Rep. Mike Carter of Chattanooga said that although he disagrees with the high court’s ruling, he considered the proposal to be a step too far.
“Nullification scares the daylights out of me,” Carter said. “Because no one will answer me who has the authority to nullify, and nobody will answer me where that authority is derived.”
Carter was among two Republicans and two Democrats who voted against the bill. Bristol’s Rep. Jon Lundberg was the other Republican dissenter, and Bill Beck and Sherry Jones, both of Nashville, were the Democrats.
Republican Rep Jim Coley, the panel’s chairman from the Memphis suburb of Bartlett, was the lone vote in favor of the bill.
Legislative analysts estimated that if the state were to refuse services to same-sex couples, Tennessee could stand to lose $6.5 billion in federal Medicaid money and another $2 billion in food stamp and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds.
But supporters of the measure urged lawmakers to act now against the gay marriage ruling regardless of the cost.

He has already served almost fourteen years for the fatal shooting of a DeKalb County man, but 43 year old Christopher Nicholas Orlando wants to be released from prison and is asking the victim’s family to forgive him. Orlando will soon get a chance to make his case for release during a parole hearing.
Members of the Tennessee Board of Parole have set the hearing for March 8.
Orlando is serving a 45 year prison sentence for facilitation of first degree murder in the death of 20 year old Joshua Murphy. Orlando is incarcerated at the Northeast Correctional Complex in Mountain City, Tennessee.
In a published letter, Orlando claims he is sorry for his part in Murphy’s death and that he has changed.
“To the family and friends of Josh Murphy, I am writing to you to ask for forgiveness for the pain that I’ve caused you. I go up for parole again in March, 2016, and pray that you allow me a second chance. Over the past 14 years I’ve taken drug classes and programs to battle my drug dependency I used to have”.
“Saying I’m sorry is nowhere enough to express how bad I feel for what I’ve done. I’m a different person now and want to be a positive role model for my daughter and granddaughter, and show the community I can be a law abiding citizen,” wrote Orlando.
Murphy was shot and killed in a secluded area in the Laurel Hill Community at the end of Old Eagle Creek Road on Sunday, September 15, 2002. His body was discovered three days later. Officials said Orlando and a co-defendant, Melvin Turnbill suspected Murphy of stealing methamphetamine. Orlando was tried and convicted of the crime by a DeKalb County Criminal Court Jury in April, 2004.
Turnbill entered a guilty plea to facilitation to first-degree murder in September, 2003 and was given a 25-year sentence. Turnbill was incarcerated at the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex in Pikeville but he was released on parole last year.
After Orlando’s last parole hearing in March, 2013, three members of the Tennessee Board of Parole voted to deny parole for Orlando due to the seriousness of the offense and to reconsider the case in March, 2016
While Orlando said he was sorry for the death of Murphy during the parole hearing, he denied being the triggerman in the shooting, blaming Turnbill for actually committing the murder. “I was there and I made a lot of poor decisions but I didn’t shoot him,” said Orlando. “Nothing justifies anyone being killed, especially over any kind of drugs. I regret every day that I’ve been in prison about what happened that day. Let the family know that I am truly sorry for what happened to Josh. It was a bad time in my life and in all three of our lives. We were on meth. It was a horrible thing. I’m trying to do what I can to better myself. I am truly, truly sorry for what happened. Its something that disturbs me everyday. Since I’ve gotten off drugs, I’ve seen the bad choices I’ve made. I know that the drug part of it itself was the main cause of it. If you by chance would let me get parole and let me prove it to the parole board, to Josh’s family, and to my family that I can be a law abiding citizen, I’ll do the best I can,” said Orlando
Parole Board members said they found Orlando to be less than forthcoming about his involvement in the crime.
A representative of the District Attorney General’s Office, speaking on behalf of the victim’s family, also insisted that Orlando was not being candid with the board.
Orlando’s sentence is set to expire on August 22, 2040.

The DeKalb County Election Commission has issued another petition for the August elections.
Pam Redmon has picked up qualifying papers for the office of Dowelltown Mayor.
Others who have obtained petitions in recent days are Jason Ray-Liberty Alderman for a four year position; Barry Mabe-School Board 5th District; Josh Miller-Smithville Alderman; J.D. Bratten- Liberty Alderman for one year position; Kate Miller—School Board 4th District; W.J. (Dub) Evins—School Board 5th District; Doug Stephens—School Board 6th district; Shawn Jacobs—Smithville Aldermen; and Eddie Dwayne Blair—Liberty Alderman for a four year position.
Persons may qualify for School Board in the 4th, 5th, and 6th district, three aldermen positions in Smithville, a mayor and two aldermen in Dowelltown, four aldermen seats in Liberty and for State Representative in the 40th and 46th districts.
The qualifying deadline is NOON April 7.

A thermostat controlled bedroom electric wall heater is believed to have been the cause of a fire at a single wide mobile home Monday near Center Hill Marina.
County Fire Chief Donny Green told WJLE that the mobile home, belonging to Tommy Thomas of Virginia, is used as a summer dwelling. No one was there when the fire started and no one was injured.
According to Chief Green the fire was contained to a bedroom but smoke spread throughout the home.
“The cause of the fire is determined to be an electric wall heater in a bedroom that the owner thought was turned off. The owner had placed a table and some contents in front of the heater, not realizing that the heater would come on when inside temperatures dropped,” said Chief Green.
Firefighters brought the fire under control and also kept the blaze from spreading to five other mobile homes surrounding the Thomas residence.
Members of the Liberty, Temperance Hall, Cookeville Highway, and Main Stations responded along with the Sheriff’s Department and DeKalb EMS.
Chief Green reminds residents and property owners to make sure heating devices controlled by thermostats are turned off when you are away from home. “The only way to turn off an electric wall heater is to completely disconnect the power. The switch on the front of the heater only acts as a thermostat and when temperatures drop to unusually low levels, these heater will come on, even when the knob says they are in the “off” position,” he said.
Chief Green says that his department sees these accidents happen often and wants everyone to be aware of wall heater safety considerations.

The Kiosk for driver license renewals in the DeKalb County Clerk’s Office is back in service after system maintenance.
A software update to complete renewal transactions via the self-service kiosk was successful.
The Kiosk service had been down since December 30 in order to make the upgrades.