Three people involved in a burglary and theft last week were arrested by the Sheriff’s Department after a concerned citizen came forward to report suspicious activity in the neighborhood.
47 year old Shannon Lynn Newby of Anthony Avenue, Smithville, 25 year old Brandon Wayne Hutchings of Young Ridge Road, Sparta, and 35 year old Sherry Kay Malone of Commerce Street, Watertown are each charged with theft of property over $1,000. Newby and Hutchings are also charged with aggravated burglary. Bond for Hutchings is $60,000. Newby’s bond is $29,500. Malone is under a $9,500 bond. All three will be in court on June 19.
The three are believed to be responsible for a burglary and theft at a residence on Early Bain Road last Monday, June 2. Sheriff Patrick Ray said the investigation reveals that Malone dropped off Newby and Hutchings at the residence, drove away, and then parked nearby. While Malone was gone, Newby and Hutchings allegedly broke into the residence and removed from the home a 32 inch Element television, a 42 inch Sanyo television, several nail guns, and assorted tools. Malone was to have picked up Newby and Hutchings after they brought the stolen goods outside the home but a neighbor, who became suspicious when he saw Malone parked in the driveway of another residence in the area, went to confront her. The neighbor then notified central dispatch by cell phone and officers of the sheriff’s department were sent to investigate. The officers found the stolen items from the victim’s home outside near the garage but by that time Newby and Hutchings had already fled the scene.
Prior to the burglary and theft, the observant neighbor had already become suspicious when he spotted more than one person in a strange car driving back and forth several times down the road in the area. Later, he saw the same car again going down the road with only one person inside.
According to Sheriff Ray, Malone was questioned by detectives and subsequently charged in the case. Later that night, Newby was found walking on Robinson Road while Hutchings was picked up on Dry Creek Road. Both were wet and had scratches on them. Detectives believe at least one of the burglars cut himself during the break-in because blood was found inside the victim’s home. The DNA evidence has been collected and sent to the crime lab.
41 year old Scott Lynn Sykes of Alexander Street, Smithville is charged with vandalism, theft over $1,000, and burglary. His bond totals $26,000 and he will be in court June 19. Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, June 8 Sykes allegedly entered a barn located on Smith Road in Smithville and took two generators, a rake, broom, pitchfork, and a gas can. During the burglary, Sykes allegedly committed vandalism damage to the barn totaling $1,845.
36 year old Jason Zeen Cripps of Bethel Road, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court on June 26. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, June 5 a deputy was dispatched to Cripps’ residence on a domestic assault complaint. The officer spoke with a woman who said when she came home, her husband, Cripps was passed out on the back porch. After waking up, Cripps came into the house and an argument started. Cripps grabbed his wife by the neck, slammed her into the wall, and started choking her, causing red marks on her neck. He then left the house. Cripps was later arrested and charged with domestic assault and brought to the jail for booking.
27 year old Shauna Faye Stringer of Tubbs Street, Liberty is charged with violation of bond conditions. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court June 12. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, June 7 Stringer violated an order of protection by having personal contact with a man at his home on Tubbs Street, whom she had allegedly assaulted previously. The order of protection became effective on May 30 after the assault was committed.
40 year old Chrissy Michelle Evans of West Main Street, Dowelltown is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $2,500 and she will be in court June 12. Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, June 3, an officer responded to a report of a domestic incident at the Evans residence. During the investigation, the deputy spoke with Evans and her husband. Evans was determined to have been the primary aggressor in that she tried to keep her husband from leaving the home. During an altercation between the two, Evans allegedly scratched him. She was arrested and brought to the jail for booking.
45 year old Bruce Allen Morton of East Bryant Street, Smithville is cited for simple possession of a schedule II drug (Subutex). He will be in court on June 26. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday June 7th, a deputy found a round white pill on Morton while placing him under arrest on a Cannon County warrant. The pill is believed to be Subutex.
19 year old Randy Lee Beechler of Eckles Heights, Liberty is cited for simple possession of a schedule VI drug (Marijuana) and possession of drug paraphernalia (bong/pipe). He will be in court on June 19. Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, June 3 a deputy was dispatched to Ekles Heights in Liberty to check out a complaint of a strong odor coming from the back rooms of the residence. The officer found the odor to be marijuana. The deputy went to the apartment, Beechler’s home, and received consent to search. Beechler was found to be in possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana and drug paraphernalia (bong/pipe). Beechler admitted that these items belonged to him.

A constable was involved in a traffic accident on Highway 70 between Liberty and Alexandria Friday while enroute to assist another officer on a call.
Sergeant Eric McCormick of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said Mark Milam, driving a Ford Crown Victoria, was traveling west when he tried to pass a 1996 Ford Explorer, driven by Jeffery Eakes, who was also going west.
Milam, who had activated his car’s blue lights, was approaching a hillcrest as he attempted to pass the Ford Explorer but discovered he couldn’t get around it as an oncoming vehicle crested the hill in front of him. As Milam slowed to pull back in behind Eakes vehicle, the front bumper of his car ran into the rear bumper of the Ford Explorer, which had also slowed due to the blue lights.
Neither Milam nor Eakes were injured.
According to Sergeant McCormick, there was minor damage to the Ford Explorer. Milam’s car was towed.

As a convenience to Tennessee voters, the Secretary of State’s office has posted the four proposed constitutional amendments that will be on the November 4 ballot. The amendments appear on the website in the same order they will appear on the ballot.
Article XI Section 3 of the Tennessee Constitution outlines the process for approving amendments. Voters will have the opportunity to vote “yes” or “no” on each of the amendments. For any of the amendments to be approved, they would need “yes” votes from more than half the total number of people who vote in this year’s governor’s race. The gubernatorial election will be on the same ballot as the constitutional amendments.
“Although these amendments will not appear on the ballot until November, voters are starting to debate their merits,” Secretary of State Tre Hargett said. “Now these amendments are readily accessible on our website to give people the opportunity to learn about them so they can make well-informed decisions at the ballot box.”
To view the amendments online, go to: www.tn.gov/sos/
Go to Full Press Release at http://tnsos.org/Press/story.php?item=737
The amendments are also noted below:
Proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 1 for the November 4, 2014 General Election Ballot:
“Shall Article I, of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated section:
Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion. The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother.” VOTE YES OR NO.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 2 for the November 4, 2014 General Election Ballot:
“Shall Article VI, Section 3 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by deleting the first and second sentences and by substituting instead the following:
Judges of the Supreme Court or any intermediate appellate court shall be appointed for a full term or to fill a vacancy by and at the discretion of the governor; shall be confirmed by the Legislature; and thereafter, shall be elected in a retention election by the qualified voters of the state. Confirmation by default occurs if the Legislature fails to reject an appointee within sixty calendar days of either the date of appointment, if made during the annual legislative session, or the convening date of the next annual legislative session, if made out of session. The Legislature is authorized to prescribe such provisions as may be necessary to carry out Sections two and three of this article.” VOTE YES OR NO.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 3 for the November 4, 2014 General Election Ballot:
“Shall Article II, Section 28 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by adding the following sentence at the end of the final substantive paragraph within the section:
Notwithstanding the authority to tax privileges or any other authority set forth in this Constitution, the Legislature shall not levy, authorize or otherwise permit any state or local tax upon payroll or earned personal income or any state or local tax measured by payroll or earned personal income; however, nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting any tax in effect on January 1, 2011, or adjustment of the rate of such tax.” VOTE YES OR NO.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 4 for the November 4, 2014 General Election Ballot:
“Shall Article XI, Section 5 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by deleting the following language:
All other forms of lottery not authorized herein are expressly prohibited unless authorized by a two-thirds vote of all members elected to each house of the general assembly for an annual event operated for the benefit of a 501(c)(3) organization located in this state, as defined by the 2000 United States Tax Code or as may be amended from time to time.
And by substituting instead the following language:
All other forms of lottery not authorized herein are expressly prohibited unless authorized by a two-thirds vote of all members elected to each house of the general assembly for an annual event operated for the benefit of a 501(c)(3) or a 501(c)(19) organization, as defined by the 2000 United States Tax Code, located in this state.” VOTE YES OR NO.

A 31 year old man was airlifted Friday night after his car crashed into the yard of a residence on Lee Braswell Road, hitting two trees and a vehicle parked in the driveway.
Sergeant Eric McCormick of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that Jose Soto was west on Lee Braswell Road in a 2001 Cadillac when he went off the left side of the road and struck two trees in the yard of Glenn Ferrell and a Tennessee Department of Forestry Division vehicle parked in his driveway. Ferrell works for Forestry.
Soto was airlifted from near the scene by a helicopter ambulance and flown to Vanderbilt Hospital. Charges have been filed against him for driving under the influence, open container, no insurance, and failure to stay within his lane of travel.
(PHOTOS HERE WERE TAKEN AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO JR MOTORS)

Liz Abigail Qualls is the first ever Miss Jamboree among girls ages fourteen to sixteen. She was chosen among four contestants for the honor Saturday at the county complex auditorium.
Qualls, the sixteen year old daughter of Brad and Kim Trapp of Smithville, was also awarded for Prettiest Eyes.
First Runner-Up: Morgan Faith Green, the fourteen year old daughter of Suzanne and Jon Harrison of Smithville. Green was also judged Most Photogenic.
Second Runner-Up: Hannah Walker, the fifteen year old daughter of Scott and Misty Walker of Smithville. She was also awarded for Prettiest Hair.
Third Runner-Up: Destiny Danielle Franklin, the fifteen year old daughter of Jennifer and Charlie Ware of Smithville. Franklin was also awarded for Best Dress.
(TOP PHOTO: MISS JAMBOREE AGES 14-16: LIZ ABIGAIL QUALLS)
(BOTTOM PHOTO: MORGAN FAITH GREEN (1ST RUNNER-UP), MISS JAMBOREE LIZ ABIGAIL QUALLS, HANNAH WALKER (2ND RUNNER-UP), AND DESTINY DANIELLE FRANKLIN (3RD RUNNER-UP)

The first ever Little Miss Jamboree is Isabella Faith Rackley. She was crowned queen among six contestants, ages four to six, for the title at the inaugural pageant held Saturday at the county complex.
Rackley is the six year old daughter of Gordon and Jessica Rackley of Smithville.
First Runner-up: Hannah Brown, the five year old daughter of Cassie and Bradley Brown of Alexandria.
Second Runner-Up: Leah Elisabeth Trapp, the five year old daughter of Jeremy and Jenny Trapp of Smithville. Trapp was also awarded for Prettiest Eyes.
Third Runner-Up: Averie Nicole McMinn, the six year old daughter of Amanda and Nathan McMinn of Dowelltown. She was awarded for Prettiest Hair.
Fourth Runner-Up: Lillie Grace Young, the five year old daughter of Michael and Crystal Young of Smithville. Young was also awarded for Best Dress.
Meanwhile, Jakayta Odom, the six year old daughter of Rebecca Waggoner of Smithville, was named Miss Congeniality and Most Photogenic
(TOP PHOTO: LITTLE MISS JAMBOREE ISABELLA FAITH RACKLEY)
(MIDDLE PHOTO: AVERIE NICOLE MCMINN (3RD RUNNER UP), HANNAH BROWN (1ST RUNNER-UP), LITTLE MISS ISABELLA FAITH RACKLEY, LEAH ELISABETH TRAPP (2ND RUNNER-UP, AND LILLIE GRACE YOUNG (4TH RUNNER-UP)
(BOTTOM PHOTO: JAKAYTA ODOM (MISS CONGENIALITY AND MISS PHOTOGENIC)

The DeKalb Animal Coalition for the Humane Treatment of Animals will soon begin fund raising efforts now that the group has been approved as a 501 (c) 3 charity organization.
During a meeting Thursday night, the board members discussed reaching out to city officials and county commissioners for their support, but they also plan to seek grants, tax deductible donations from the public, and possibly have special events to obtain the money needed to build and start up a new animal shelter.
“The first thing we have to do to get it is to have a fundraising program, ” said Board Chairman Marsha Darrah, in an interview with WJLE. “We have already been in touch with the city and some of the county officials. Both city and county mayors are behind this and we’re very excited about that. It’s a very cooperative effort. We’re hoping that we will get funds for our building from the city and the county but we know we’ll have to supplement that. They can’t do everything,” she said.
The Coalition’s goal is for the county to have a permanent and safe location for neglected, abandoned and abused animals; to provide an alternative low-kill policy so these animals receive medical attention, reduce overpopulation, and be cared for until they can be placed in permanent homes.
Tentative plans are to build a facility near the site of the future solid waste transfer station, behind Tenneco off of Highway 70 east. “There is some property that is apparently going to be available but we are waiting because that has to be proposed to the county commissioners and our city aldermen before anything definite can be done. But I think we have a good start with that. As for the building I think we’re going to need at least 2,500 to 3,000 square feet. We have looked at other kennels and buildings to see just exactly how things are arranged,” said Darrah.
The Board will meet again Thursday night, July 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the county complex and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend and participate. ” We want this to be a community project. I think there are a lot of people who are interested in having a well run animal shelter and the only way to get it is for all of us to get behind it and work,” Darrah said.
You may contact Marsha Darrah at 615-597-6138 or David McDowell at 931-260-1693 with any questions or feedback. In addition to Darrah, other members of the Coalition are Sue Puckett Jernigan, Dr. Hugh Don Cripps, David McDowell, Renee Ferguson, Jason Ray and Smithville Alderman Jason Murphy.

It’s Almost Jamboree Project Welcome Mat Time!
The Smithville-DeKalb Co. Chamber of Commerce invites all county businesses to again use their marquees or any type of message signs to welcome Jamboree visitors to our area. Recognition awards along with media recognition will be presented in 3 categories: “Best Worded,” “Most Original” and the “People’s Choice Award.” Call 597-4163 or email us at dekalbtn@dtccom.net if you would like your sign to be included in the contest. Have your sign in place no later than Tuesday, June 24th.
Let’s show folks how friendly the DeKalb County / Smithville area can be.

Katie Sue Haggard won the Miss Jamboree Pageant for young ladies ages seventeen to twenty Saturday at the county complex auditorium.
Haggard is the twenty year old daughter of David and Vicki Haggard of Smithville. She beat out five other girls for the crown, the first ever awarded.
First Runner-Up: Heather Brady, the twenty year old daughter of Keith and Angela Brady of Crossville. Brady was also awarded for Prettiest Hair.
Second Runner-Up: Jacklyn Danelle Medley, the eighteen year old daughter of Sharon Medley and Troy Medley of Bone Cave, Tennessee. She was also awarded for Best Dress.
Third Runner-Up: Sarah Ann Ward, the seventeen year old daughter of Steve and Amy Ward of Walling. Ward was also judged Most Photogenic and she was awarded for Prettiest Eyes.
Fourth Runner-Up: Rebekah Grace Webb, the nineteen year old daughter of C.D. and Cindy Webb of Dowelltown.
Shauna Faith Taylor, the eighteen year old daughter of Ken and Cindy Taylor of Smithville was named Miss Congeniality.
(TOP PHOTO: MISS JAMBOREE AGES 17-20: KATIE SUE HAGGARD)
(MIDDLE PHOTO: SARAH ANN WARD (3RD RUNNER-UP), JACKLYN DANELLE MEDLEY (2ND RUNNER-UP), MISS JAMBOREE KATIE SUE HAGGARD, HEATHER BRADY (1ST RUNNER-UP), AND REBEKAH GRACE WEBB (4TH RUNNER-UP)
(BOTTOM PHOTO: MISS CONGENIALITY SHAUNA FAITH TAYLOR)

A McMinnville woman won the first ever Miss Jamboree Pageant for beauties ages 21-29 Saturday at the county complex auditorium.
Shea Butcher is the 22 year old daughter of Kevin and Shelia Butcher of McMinnville. She was also awarded for Prettiest Eyes and Prettiest Hair.
Eden Adora Nokes, the 25 year old daughter of Linda Nokes and James Crook of Smithville was the Runner-Up. Nokes was also awarded for Best Dress and Most Photogenic.
These were the only two contestants in this pageant.
There were six categories in the Miss Jamboree Pageant Saturday featuring girls ages four to six, seven to ten, eleven to thirteen, fourteen to sixteen, seventeen to twenty, and twenty one to twenty nine. Shan Burklow was the Emcee of each category. Find news stories about winners of the other pageants in the local news section of WJLE.com.
Winners of these pageants will be award presenters on stage during the televised portions of the Fiddler’s Jamboree Friday and Saturday, July 4 & 5 downtown.
(TOP PHOTO: MISS JAMBOREE AGES 21-29 SHEA BUTCHER)
(BOTTOM PHOTO: Shan Burklow with Miss Jamboree Shea Butcher and Runner-Up Eden Adora Nokes)