Wendy Askins, the former Executive Director of the Upper Cumberland Development District will appear in U.S. District Court Monday for a change of plea hearing.
On Tuesday, September 8, U.S. District Judge Aleta A. Trauger signed an order scheduling the hearing for Monday, September 14 at 1:30 p.m.
Askins’ plea deal with federal prosecutors has not yet been made public.
Both Askins and the former UCDD Deputy Director Larry Webb were indicted in September 2013 for their participation in a scheme to commit bank fraud and to steal federal and state funds intended to promote economic and housing development.
Webb entered a plea last month to one count of federal bank fraud and will be sentenced November 24 though he apparently faces no fines or prison time.
During his plea hearing, Webb acknowledged that he, along with Askins, defrauded the Bank of Putnam County when applying for a loan on May 27, 2010. To obtain the loan, Webb told bank officers that the UCDD and CRDC boards of directors had approved the loan request to fund a UCDD program called “Living the Dream”, which was supposed to be a residential home for seniors. Webb submitted fake CRDC resolutions with the loan application stating that he and Askins were permitted to obtain a $750,000 loan for the “Living the Dream” project. The Bank of Putnam County relied upon the fraudulent documents and funded $731,000 for the “Living the Dream” project. Webb admitted that neither UCDD nor the CRDC had authorized a loan for “Living the Dream” and further admitted that a portion of the loan proceeds had been used to build a luxury, personal residence for Askins.
UCDD is a quasi-governmental agency that receives federal and state funds and is responsible for promoting economic development throughout the 14 counties located in the Upper Cumberland Region of Tennessee. CRDC operates under the UCDD umbrella and assists in the creation of affordable housing.
Had she gone to trial and been convicted on the original charges, Askins faced up to 225 years in prison and a $6,750,000 fine

The DeKalb County Election Commission would like to remind everyone that Tuesday, September 22 is National Voter Registration Day. It is the high point of National Voter Registration Month, a time when state and county election officials work to encourage voter participation as well as increase awareness of voting requirements and deadlines.

“National Voter Registration Day is a great time to make sure that your registration is up to date or to register for the first time,” said Administrator of Elections Dennis Stanley.
During the month of September, people should have someone take a picture of them holding an “I’m registered to vote. Are you?” sign. Then post it to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #GoVoteTN.
“I am excited to see so many people using #GoVoteTN to share their enthusiasm about voting,” said Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “I encourage voters to use this opportunity to ensure they are properly registered.”
Anyone can print their own sign at GoVoteTN.com, which can be customized to the colors of many of the state’s colleges, universities, or professional sports teams. People can also check their registration status or access a voter registration form.
Snap a photo, use #GoVoteTN and post. It’s that easy to show the world Tennesseans care about their right to vote.

A Smithville man who tried to outrun a county deputy before crashing his vehicle last week has been charged with evading arrest.
49 year old Mark Alan Goodson of Dry Creek Road, Smithville will be in General Sessions Court on the charge October 1. He was further issued two traffic citations. His bond is $5,000.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said the incident began on West Main Street in Liberty last Tuesday, September 1 after a deputy spotted Goodson while on patrol. Goodson was driving a beige Jeep Loredo traveling at a high rate of speed and on the opposite side of the road. The officer tried to stop the Loredo by turning on his lights and siren but the vehicle would not stop. The pursuit continued onto Smith Fork Road and then to Lower Helton Road before the Loredo crashed. Goodson, the driver, fled on foot after being told to stop but he was subsequently taken into custody. Due to medical reasons, Goodson was transported to the emergency room of the hospital and a warrant was taken against him.
60 year old Jerry Thomas Waggoner of Winter Drive, Dowelltown is charged with driving under the influence. His bond is $1,500 and he will make a court appearance on October 29.
According to Sheriff Ray, a deputy was dispatched on Friday, September 4 to Highway 56 north in reference to a possible drunk driver. The officer spotted the vehicle and noticed it cross the center line. The deputy followed the vehicle until it stopped on the side of the road. He then spoke with the driver, Waggoner, whose speech was slurred. Waggoner’s eyes were bloodshot and he had an odor of alcohol on his person. Waggoner, who admitted to having consumed alcohol, performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.
57 year old Jose Santos Acuna of McMinnville Highway, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence and evading arrest. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court on October 1.
Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, September 4 a deputy was traveling north on Highway 56 when he spotted a vehicle traveling south in the emergency lane. The officer got behind the vehicle and turned on his blue lights. After the automobile pulled over and the deputy got out of his patrol car, the vehicle began to take off again. The officer followed and activated his blue lights and siren. The pursuit continued south for about half a mile before the fleeing vehicle pulled into the yard of a residence. The driver, Acuna, was found to be unsteady on his feet and he admitted to having consumed beer. After failing a breathalyzer test, Acuna was placed under arrest and taken to the emergency room of the hospital for a blood withdrawal. He was then taken to jail for booking.

The DeKalb Animal Coalition’s re-sale store at 110 West Walnut (next door to the former location of the White Possum Restaurant) will be open for business on September 10-12. The store is the second fund raising effort for the benefit of our community’s new animal shelter. The store, which was designed, organized, and to be manned entirely by volunteers, will sell furniture, tools, sporting goods, electronic equipment, toys, books, men and women’s clothing, Christmas decorations, and many other items. All the merchandise was donated and every cent raised will go to the DAC to complete the interior of the shelter.
A spokesperson for the Coalition said, “We are very grateful that the City and County have appropriated funds for the construction of a building to house the animal shelter. Now it is up to us, the Coalition, to raise money to equip the interior of the building. We will need a dog washing station, laundry facilities, office equipment, cat cages, a cleaning system, etc. The list goes on and on, but I have no doubt that we will reach our goal. Community support has been phenomenal.”
The Coalition has planned a series of fund raisers under the name “DAC Presents….” The first event, which raised $2,000 for the Coalition, was an entertaining lecture by County Historian, Tommy Webb, on the book “Fish on the Steeple.” On Sept. 10-12 is the re-sale store. Then On September 26, Mr. Webb will be the guest speaker for “DAC Presents… The Civil War in DeKalb County.” In October DAC Presents… will sponsor a walking ghost tour, narrated by Sarah Cripps. If the re-sale store does well, it will be open with different merchandise in November.

Two people were involved in motorcycle accidents Sunday afternoon on Dale Ridge Road (State Highway 96) about a mile from Highway 70.
46 year old John Worley of Lebanon was traveling south on a 2011 Yamaha motorcycle when he went off the right side of the road and over an embankment while trying to negotiate a curve. He is believed to have suffered a possible broken arm or wrist.
Worley’s son, 24 year old Jacob Worley of Lebanon was following behind his father on a motorcycle and lost control due to his father’s accident in front of him.
DeKalb EMS arrived on the scene to treat John Worley. Jacob Worley had some minor scratches and road rash.
John Worley’s accident was investigated by Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Trooper Sean Tramel worked Jacob’s Worley’s crash.
Members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department and DeKalb Sheriff’s Department were also on the scene.