Morgan Faith Green, 16, of Smithville will compete for the title of Miss Tennessee Teen USA 2016 on October 8, 9, and 10, 2015 at the Austin Peay State University in Clarksville.
Green is the daughter of Jon and Suzanne Harrison. She attends DeKalb County High School and is a member of “Crowns for a Cause” which is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people in need. Her sponsors for the pageant ate Auto Hut, B&G Supply Company, Center Hill Nursery, City Court Clerk Dana Poss, D&S Special Tees, DeKalb County Florist, DeKalb Funeral Chapel, Florence & White Ford, Industrial Machine Service, InstaCash of Smithville, jamie a. Boutique, Judge Bratten Hale Cook II, Mayor Jimmy Poss, Optimus Pest Solutions, Robert H. Jones, DDS Orthodontist, Tax Clerk Holly Anderson, and last but not least family and friends.
The Miss Tennessee Teen USA and Miss Tennessee USA pageants are the Official Preliminaries to the Miss Teen USA, Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants are a Donald J. Trump venture. The young woman chosen as Miss Tennessee USA 2015 will go on to represent the state of Tennessee in the 2016 Miss USA pageant as seen Live on National television, one of the most anticipated events of the year.

Leadership DeKalb, an adult leadership enhancement program now in its 18th year, is seeking participants for a new class. This program is for individuals who live or work in DeKalb County interested in leading and serving our community in economic development, education, government and the quality of life for the citizens of our beautiful county. Participants will study the county in-depth; strengthen leadership skills; and build a network of fellow leaders through Leadership DeKalb classmates, alumni, presenters, and current leaders in business, services and our community. Leadership DeKalb shapes our county’s future with knowledgeable, effective and active leaders.
Each year, a new class embarks on the year-long program which meets monthly from September to May. Applications will be accepted now through September 4, 2015. Director Jen Sherwood states,“We are looking for leaders who care about making a difference for the future of DeKalb County. If this sounds like you, please consider this invitation to get involved in Leadership DeKalb.” More information about the program can be found at the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce or by calling Jen Sherwood at 615-464-0645.

A manhunt was conducted Tuesday evening in Alexandria for an individual wanted by Wilson County authorities.
At last report, the man was still at large but not believed to be in Alexandria
In a prepared news release, Sergeant Chris Russell of the Alexandria Police Department stated that “On Tuesday , August 25th at 4:55 pm DeKalb Central Dispatch was notified that Wilson County Sheriff’s Deputies were in pursuit of a wanted person in a vehicle on Hwy53/ Brush Creek Highway coming into DeKalb County and the Town of Alexandria. Wilson County Deputies pursued the vehicle to the intersection of High Street and Avant Street where it was stopped. A male passenger exited the vehicle and ran on foot. A female passenger was apprehended in the vehicle.”
“Multiple agencies responded to the area , Including Alexandria Police , DeKalb Sheriff’s Deputies , Tennessee Highway Patrol, and additional Wilson County Sheriff’s Deputies. Officers set up around the area and a tracking K-9 was brought in from Wilson County.”
“After several hours of searching, the suspect could not be located. He was last seen around the area of Allen Street in Alexandria running west . It was determined that the man is wanted by the Wilson County Sheriff’s Department for outstanding warrants . He is described as an African American in his early twenties. He was wearing a white shirt and red shorts. It is not believed that the suspect is still in the area but the Alexandria Police Department is asking for residents to be aware and notify law enforcement if anyone matching the description is spotted,” according to the statement.

A Smithville man was found with a stolen motorcycle last week in the Midway community.
28 year old Christopher Eugene Layne of Bright Hill Road, Smithville is charged with driving on a revoked license and theft of property over $1,000. His bond is $9,000. Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Tuesday, August 18 a deputy was called to Midway Road where a man was observed pushing a yellow motorcycle down the roadway. Upon arrival the officer spoke with the man, Layne. After checking with central dispatch the deputy learned that the motorcycle, valued at $3,000, was stolen in Putnam County. A computer check revealed that Layne’s license were revoked on March 26, 2015 for failure to appear in a Putnam County court. Layne was placed under arrest.
22 year old Jessica Leigh Estes of Mount Juliet is charged with theft of property over $500. Her bond is $5,000 and she will be in court August 27. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, July 25 at around 6:00 a.m. Estes allegedly broke into a residence and entered a bedroom while the victim slept and took car keys and $200 cash from a billfold. Estes then left the residence in the victim’s 2000 Buick LeSable without permission.
43 year old Don Diamond Groshon of Cookeville Highway, Smithville is charged with assault. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court October 1. Sheriff Ray said that on Wednesday, August 19 Groshon walked up to an individual and started punching him in the face. After knocking the victim down, Groshon got on top of the victim and continued to punch him until another person broke it up.
28 year old Joe Riley Tittle of Sparta Highway, Smithville was charged twice with violation of bond conditions over the weekend. His total bond on both charges is $6,500 and he will be in court August 27. Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, August 23 a deputy was dispatched to Sparta Highway in reference to Tittle possibly violating his bond conditions. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with Tittle who admitted that the woman who had brought a charge against him was in his residence. Tittle’s bond conditions are that he have no contact with the victim. He was placed under arrest. The following morning, Monday August 24 Tittle was charged again with the same offense after he allowed the victim to enter the camper where he was residing.

The appointment of three judicial commissioners will have to wait until September.
During Monday night’s meeting, the county commission failed to come up with the eight votes needed to make the appointments.
A judicial committee recently met and recommended three persons for the appointments including Taft Hendrixson, a current judicial commissioner, along with Tammy Ashburn and James Harvey Barnes. Two current judicial commissioners who had re-applied, Jerry Taylor and Hoyte Barrett, were not recommended for reappointment by the judicial committee.
Other applicants for the three positions are Felisha Oakley, Joan Washer, Richard Mielke, Scotty Colwell, McClure Cantrell, and Sandy Brown.
On a procedure vote, Third District Commissioner Jack Barton moved that the county commission take action on the appointment of all three appointees instead of one at a time, as some members wanted to do. Fifth District Commissioner Anita Puckett offered a second to the motion which carried on a voice vote with three members voicing opposition.
Barton then moved that Hendrixson, Ashburn, and Barnes be appointed as recommended by the judicial committee. But the vote failed 7-6. Eight votes are required for passage.
Those voting in favor of making the appointments as a group were Mason Carter, Jeff Barnes, Anita Puckett, Jack Barton, Betty Atnip, Jonathan Norris, and Jimmy Midgett.
Commissioners voting against naming them as a group were Kevin Robinson, Larry Summers, Jerry Adcock, Bradley Hendrix, Elmer Ellis, Jr., and Wayne Cantrell.
The issue will be brought back before the county commission at the September meeting.
In June, the commission authorized the judicial committee to accept and review applications and then make a recommendation to the entire county commission. That committee is made up of the General Sessions/Juvenile Court Judge, Sheriff, Circuit Court Clerk, County Mayor, and a representative of the District Attorney General’s Office.
An advertisement was published seeking applicants for the three judicial commissioner positions.
Judicial commissioners are responsible for the issuance of criminal arrest warrants upon finding probable cause. They are subject to call at all hours of the day and night. Judicial commissioners serve at the pleasure of the county commission and their terms of office can be one year to four years.

The DeKalb County Republican Party will be hosting a FREE Fall Picnic at Green Brook Park on Saturday, September 19 from 11:00AM-1:00PM. All DeKalb County residents are invited to come and share in fellowship and hear from some of our Republican elected officials. Invited attendees include US Congressman Diane Black, State Senator Mae Beavers, State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver, State Representative Mark Pody, County Trustee Sean Driver, Road Superintendent Butch Agee, and Sheriff Patrick Ray.
“This is a fun opportunity to spend time together with old and new friends,” GOP Chair Mingy Bryant said. “Our country is hungry for strong, principled leadership and this is a great way to kick off the election season. The Presidential Primary in Tennessee is March 1 and it will be here before you know it.”
Voter registration will be available. The Dekalb County Republican Women will also have GOP items to purchase and live musical entertainment will be provided. Again, this is a free event and open to all residents of Dekalb County. For more information, go to our Facebook Page at Dekalb County Republican Party.