Voters will choose party nominees for several county wide and district offices tomorrow (Tuesday, May 6) in the DeKalb County Democratic Primary as well as the Democratic and Republican Primaries for offices in the seven county 13th Judicial District which includes DeKalb County. Names of the winners will be on the ballot in the DeKalb County General Election on Thursday, August 7th.
“1606 is the current number of people who have already voted in this election through the early voting or absentee process. A few absentees may be in Tuesday’s mail. One hundred twenty five of those are paper ballots,” said Administrator of Elections Dennis Stanley. A total of 1,531 have voted in the Democratic Primary and 75 have cast ballots in the Republican Primary.
Polls at all sixteen precincts in the county will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday.
WJLE will have exclusive “LIVE” local election return coverage starting at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday night. Listen “LIVE” on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and “LIVE” streaming at www.wjle.com. WJLE has links to election boxes for each race under “COMMUNITY” on the left side near the top of the WJLE website homepage and in the LOCAL NEWS section with the election story. WJLE will update those boxes with returns in each race from each precinct as they come in Tuesday night. Be sure to refresh the page regularly during the night for the latest results. (CLICK THE LINKS TO THE ELECTION BOXES BELOW)
http://www.wjle.com/may-6th-election
http://www.wjle.com/democratic-primary-results
http://www.wjle.com/republican-primary-results
Voters must declare in which primary they intend to vote. For example, voters who declare their intentions to vote in the Democratic Primary cannot vote in the Republican primary for the 13th judicial district candidates. Likewise, voters who declare their intentions to vote in the Republican primary cannot vote for any democratic candidates in this election
The DeKalb County Democratic Primary will feature four contested county wide and five district county commission races.
County Mayor Mike Foster will be seeking his fourth term but will be challenged in the primary by Smithville Alderman Tim Stribling. The winner will face Republican nominee Chris Smithson and Independent Chris Bratcher, II in the August 7th County General Election.
Three term incumbent County Clerk Mike Clayborn will be looking for his fourth term. He faces a challenge from James L. (Jimmy) Poss.
Incumbent General Sessions/Juvenile Court Judge Bratten Hale “Butch” Cook, II is running for his third-eight year term. His primary opponent is local attorney Margie Rigsby Miller. The winner will meet Republican challenger Mingy Colwell Bryant in August. She is also a Smithville attorney.
In the race for Sheriff, Michael J. Agee and Larry Flair, Sr. will face off for the Democratic nomination. The winner will face two term Republican Incumbent Sheriff Patrick Ray in August.
James D. (Jimmy) Sprague is unopposed for the Democratic nomination for Road Supervisor but he will face Republican nominee Wallace M. (Butch) Agee in the August General Election. The winner will succeed six term incumbent Kenny Edge, who is not seeking re-election.
Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack and Register of Deeds Jeffrey McMillen, both incumbents, will be unopposed in the May Democratic Primary as well as in the August General Election. Pack is seeking her fourth term. McMillen is looking for his eighth term.
Democrats will not have a candidate for Trustee. Republican incumbent Sean Driver will be unopposed for this third term in the August General Election.
County commission Democratic Primary races on May 6th will be contested in the second, third, fourth, sixth, and seventh districts.
The candidates for the county commission in each district are as follows (Two will be Nominated/Elected from each District)
FIRST DISTRICT:
Bennett Armstrong and Elmer Ellis, Jr. are unopposed in the Democratic Primary. They will be the Democratic Nominees in the August General Election along with Republican Nominee Mason Carter (TWO TO BE ELECTED).
SECOND DISTRICT:
Jerry Hutchins, Jr., Clarence Trapp , Joe N. Johnson, and Frank D.Thomas are seeking the Democratic Nomination. The two Democratic nominees will run in the August General Election along with Republican Nominee Bobby Joines and Independent Candidate James “Jimmy” E. Midgett. (TWO TO BE ELECTED)
THIRD DISTRICT:
Bradley Scott Hendrix, Jerry D. Scott, and Jack E. Barton are seeking the Democratic Nomination. The two nominees will be running in August along with Independent Candidate Wesley Nokes. (TWO TO BE ELECTED)
FOURTH DISTRICT:
Wayne Cantrell, David McDowell, Bobby R. Taylor, Jonathan Norris, and Anthony “Tony” Poss are seeking the Democratic Nomination. The two nominees will be unopposed in August (TWO TO BE ELECTED)
FIFTH DISTRICT:
Anita Puckett and Rick Cantrell are unopposed in the Democratic Primary. They will be the Democratic Nominees in the August General Election along with Republican Nominee Jerry D. Adcock (TWO TO BE ELECTED).
SIXTH DISTRICT:
Betty Jean Atnip, Jeff Barnes, and Marshall Ferrell are seeking the Democratic Nomination. The two nominees will be running in August along with Independent Candidate Danny McGinnis (TWO TO BE ELECTED)
SEVENTH DISTRICT:
Larry A. Summers, Kevin Robinson, and David Agee are seeking the Democratic Nomination. The two nominees will be unopposed in August. (TWO TO BE ELECTED)
CONSTABLE (TO FILL VACANT POSITIONS)
FIRST DISTRICT:
Chad Curtis will be unopposed for the Democratic nomination. He will face the Republican nominee Lee Plummer in the August General Election
SECOND DISTRICT:
There is no Democratic candidate for constable in the second district. In August, Republican Chris Tramel will face Independents Tony D. Lawson and Jonathan Low
THIRD DISTRICT:
There is no Democratic candidate for constable in the third district. In August, Independent candidates Travis Bryant and Lou Ann Sanders will be in competition for the position.
GOP primary races will be contested in the 13th Judicial District on May 6th for the offices of District Attorney General, District Public Defender, and Circuit Court Judge, Part I. The 13th Judicial District is made up of Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, and White Counties.
Republicans Shawn Fry and Bryant Dunaway, both of Cookeville will be vying for the GOP nomination on May 6th for District Attorney General. The winner will face Tony Craighead of Cookeville in the August General Election. Craighead will be unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
In the race for Criminal Court Judge, Part I, Republicans Wesley Bray and Gary McKenzie, both of Cookeville will be seeking the GOP nomination on May 6th. The winner will take on William Fred Roberson, Jr. of Cookeville in August. Roberson is unopposed for the Democratic nomination on May 6th.
Craig P. Fickling and Edwin G. Sadler, both of Cookeville, and John Meadows of Sparta are in the race for the Republican nomination for District Public Defender on May 6th. The winner will try to unseat Democratic incumbent David N. Brady of Cookeville in August. Brady is unopposed in the primary on May 6th.
Others who are unopposed in their respective primaries on May 6th are as follows.
Circuit Court Judge, Part I:
Amy Hollars of Livingston, Democratic Incumbent
Circuit Court Judge, Part II:
Randy York of Crossville, Democrat
Jonathan Young of Cookeville, Republican
Criminal Court Judge, Part II
David A. Patterson of Cookeville, Republican Incumbent
Chancellor:
Ronald Thurman of Cookeville, Democratic Incumbent
J. Lee Burgess of Cookeville, Republican
Winners of each primary will face off in the August General Election.

The Smithville Aldermen Monday night adopted on second and final reading an ordinance to annex six parcels of property and a portion of another parcel as well as the right of way of Old Snow Hill Road and part of Nashville Highway (Highway 70) on the west side of the city.
Within thirty days, the properties Ed Young, Mike Foster, Dr. David Foutch, Pat Walls, John Kilgore, and Jim Beshearse will be annexed into the city.
(TO VIEW CLOSE UP OF ANNEXATION MAP CLICK PDF LINK BELOW)annexation map_0.pdf (341.79 KB)
The aldermen also approved on second and final reading an ordinance to amend the zoning map of the city to include three of these parcels in the R-1 Residential Zone along with a portion of the Right of Way on the Old Snow Hill Road.
A third ordinance was adopted on second and final reading to amend the zoning map to include the remaining parcels in the B-2 General Business District as well as a portion of the right of way of Nashville Highway (Highway 70). These parcels include Kilgore’s Restaurant, Dr. Foutch’s Eye Care office, the old Beshearse Grocery store building, and Young’s undeveloped property.
Public hearings were held on the proposed annexation and zoning ordinances prior to final passage, but no opposition was expressed by anyone in attendance.
In accordance with state law, the aldermen last month adopted a resolution outlining a Plan of Services (POS) including sewer, that will be made available to the land being annexed and the timeframe within which services and/or amenities are to be provided. The city’s plans for making sewer services available to the annexed area have been sent to the state for approval.
In other business, the aldermen awarded a bid in the amount of $28,500 to the Putnam County Tree Service to cut and remove trees that are penetrating the approach paths at the airport in violation of FAA regulations. This was the only bid received. The city has already secured a $50,000 grant with a five percent local match for the work to be done.
Airport Manager Wesley Nokes explained last October why the work is needed. “It’s been several years since the approaches at the airport have been cleared from obstructions. You are required by the FAA to maintain your approaches. An approach is an imaginary trapazoid that extends off each end of the runway. It’s basically like a square ice cream cone and the farther you go out the higher up it gets. It starts at the ground on the runway. Right off the end of the runway, you have to keep that pretty well free and clear of trees and other obstacles. We have some trees that have grown up and according to the FAA survey these trees are penetrating our approaches now. We’re going to have to remove them. TDOT advised us to apply for a grant for $50,000 to clear all these obstacles. It is a 95/5% matching grant. A five percent cost to the city, which is $2,500. The FAA can shut down our approaches because of this and they actually have shut down our night time GPS approaches at the airport. This is something we need to get taken care of pretty quickly. You can land at night in VFR which is good weather. When the weather is marginal, that’s when your GPS approaches are not valid,” said Nokes.
The aldermen will soon start work on the proposed 2014-15 fiscal year city budget. A workshop has been set for Thursday, May 15 at 9:00 a.m. at city hall. City department heads will meet with the mayor and aldermen and city financial advisor Janice Plemmons-Jackson to make their budget requests for the new year.
City building codes inspector Eugene O’Neil resigned his position as of April 30th. The aldermen voted to hire Lionel Williams of Cookeville to replace O’Neil as codes inspector, at least on a temporary basis for now. City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson said Williams is certified and currently does codes inspections for DeKalb and other cities and counties in the area.

A 91 year old Smithville man was injured in a traffic accident Saturday when another vehicle pulled out in front of him on Highway 70 east at Eastside Citgo.
Doyle Smith was treated at the scene by DeKalb EMS and then airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital by a Life Force helicopter ambulance which landed in the parking lot of Caney Fork Electric Cooperative.
Captain Steven Leffew of the Smithville Police Department told WJLE that Smith was west on East Broad Street in a 1993 Chevy S-10 pickup truck when a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee pulled out in front of him on Broadstreet from the parking lot of Eastside Citgo. The Jeep Grand Cherokee was driven by 23 year old Heather Standridge of Smithville. After impact, Standridge drove back through the parking lot of Eastside Citgo, crossed Smith Road, and ran into a ditch. She was taken by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Community Hospital.
According to Captain Leffew, Standridge has been cited for driving on a suspended license, violation of the registration law, violation of the financial responsibility law, and failure to yield.
Captain Leffew expressed his appreciation to members of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department who assisted at the scene.

A man serving a twenty five year prison sentence in a 2002 DeKalb County murder case could be a free man within a year.
After a hearing Thursday morning, Tim Gobble, a member of the Tennessee Board of Parole, voted to parole 42 year old Melvin Eugene Turnbill provided he successfully completes a nine to twelve month substance abuse program called “Therapeutic Community” while still in prison. The file now goes to the other parole board members, who will review it and cast their votes. Three matching votes are needed for a final decision in this case. The hearing was held at the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex in Pikeville, where Turnbill is incarcerated. Gobble was not at the prison. He presided by video conference from another location.
WJLE was the only media represented at the prison covering Thursday’s hearing.
In September 2003, Turnbill received a twenty five year sentence after pleading guilty in DeKalb County Criminal Court to facilitating the first degree murder of Joshua Murphy

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 Turnbill and a co-defendant, Christopher Nicholas Orlando suspected Murphy of stealing methamphetamine. Orlando, the triggerman in the killing, was tried and convicted of the crime by a DeKalb County Criminal Court Jury in April, 2004. Orlando, serving a 45 year prison sentence for facilitation of first degree murder, is incarcerated at the Northeast Correctional Complex in Mountain City, Tennessee. Orlando was denied parole following a hearing in March, 2013. He will be up for parole again in 2016.

Turnbill’s sentence is due to expire on October 15, 2022. He has served eleven years and seven months of the term. This was Turnbill’s second parole hearing. He was denied release two years ago following his last hearing due to the seriousness of the offense.
In making his plea for parole, Turnbill told Gobble that he has a new outlook on life. “I believe I have changed. I believe my attitude has changed. I know for sure that I’m not going back in any kind of drug activity. I know I can honestly say that. I have completed HVAC (training) which would be a good trade for me to get into. I just wish I could be given a second chance,” said Turnbill
“What about your propensity for drug use? The meth, marijuana and maybe alcohol? That seems to be a real difficulty for you at least in the past. What are the chances in the future of you avoiding those substance abuse problems,” asked Gobble.
“It’s a real good chance for me to avoid them,” responded Turnbill
“How do I know that?”asked Gobble.
“I don’t know what to tell you to convince you except I know in myself. I’ve had plenty of opportunities to be around it (drugs) here (prison) and I’ve avoided it. I don’t want it no where around me. I don’t want it in my life. I know what it’s cost me,” said Turnbill.
If granted parole, Turnbill plans to live with his mother Glenda Turnbill in Smithville. “I have been here for him ever since he has been in prison. I have been here throughout his whole process. I think he has matured quite a bit. I’m really glad to see the progress that he has made as far as the turnaround of his attitude. His attitude has changed tremendously to what it had been before. I think he is ready to move on with his life and I think he could become a productive citizen of society,” said Mrs. Turnbill who spoke at the parole hearing.
Carol Darrah, a friend of Mrs Turnbill, also spoke in favor of parole. “I don’t really know Melvin but I know his mother really well. We go to church with her and she has talked to me about Melvin from time to time. I’ve been impressed with the programs that he has completed. I think that is commendable. I know he will have a good home to go to. She has told me that he has completed several series of Bible correspondence courses through our church. I think that is commendable. I would just like to say that I would like to see him get this second chance in life,” said Darrah.
Classified as a minimum security prisoner, Turnbill’s record while in prison reveals that he has had six institutional disciplines, but none since 2012. Turnbill was caught with marijuana in his possession three years ago and in a separate case the same year, Turnbill tested positive for marijuana use during a drug screen. Turnbill says he no longer has a drug problem.
While in prison, Turnbill said he has participated in or completed several rehabilitative programs including career and anger management, thinking for a change, and TRICOR, a program that provides occupational and life skills training for inmates through job training, program opportunities, and transitional services designed to assist offenders with a successful reintegration into society.
Turnbill, a user and producer of methamphetamine at the time of the murder, said it was never his intent for Murphy to be killed. He only meant to scare him into giving back the meth oil Murphy stole from him.
On Saturday, September 14, 2002, Turnbill claims he, his friend Robin Baker, and Murphy went to Back Bone Ridge to go camping which is near where the murder took place. He said Murphy brought along his camping tent and poles. According to Turnbill the main reason he wanted to go there was to finish cooking some meth he had started working on the day before. Later that night, the three of them went back to Baker’s residence.
Sometime during the night, Turnbill said he became upset with Murphy for smoking dope in front of everybody and acting disrespectfully. He said Murphy eventually left after being asked to leave because of his behavior. Orlando showed up and stayed the night.
Turnbill said the next morning he discovered a jar of meth oil was missing from his truck and suspected Murphy of stealing it. He then awoke Orlando and told him. “When I discovered it (meth oil) was gone I woke him (Orlando) and told him it was gone. When I told him it was gone, he said “come with me and I’ll show you how to get your evens” (get even). We got in the car and he (Orlando) said he knew a couple of places where Josh would probably be. When he (Orlando) located him, I sat in the car and he (Orlando) went in and said he needed him (Murphy) to go buy him a bag of marijuana. He and Josh came back out to the car and went back over to Robin’s (home). Over there, Chris asked him (Murphy) if he wanted to help us finish up this dope (meth) that Melvin started cooking the day before. He said yes. Chris said we’ll go back to Backbone (Ridge). He (Orlando) asked us to meet him over there. Josh got in the truck with me and Chris left in his car. Me and Josh went to Backbone and waited for Chris. After Chris showed up, he (Orlando) said lets go over to another site (nearby). When we went to the other site, I asked Josh to set everything up on the tailgate (of the truck). He said okay. Chris then told me I’ve got the gun in the car (Turnbill’s 12 gauge shotgun). Do you want me to do it or do you want to do it?”
“So Josh was lured to the campground basically for the intent of murdering him. Is that correct?,” asked Gobble.
“No sir. The intent was to scare him and to get my stuff back. There was never no talk about killing, murder, or nothing like that. There was never no discussion of that. That never took place,” Turnbill replied.
Turnbill said he took the shotgun from the car in an attempt to intimidate Murphy and then handed the weapon to Orlando who did the shooting. “I pulled the gun out and asked him (Murphy) where my stuff was. Chris said I’ve already got your stuff, it’s over there (pointing to a location at the scene). He (Orlando) told Josh to go over there and get it. Josh was running around the truck. That’s when Chris told me to give him the gun. I handed him the gun and he said go over there and get your stuff. Josh said I’m not going over there. Chris said yes you are going over there and getting that. We both started walking over there. I stopped and Josh kept going over there to pick up the jar (meth oil). When he (Murphy) took a couple more steps, that’s when Chris started to shoot. When he shot, Josh turned around and knocked Chris down and took off running. Chris got up and kept shooting. When the shooting stopped, I went back over to my truck. Chris told me to go check him (Murphy) to see if he was dead. I told him no. I didn’t bother to pack anything up. I just shut the tailgate and left,” he said.
Turnbill then fled to Kentucky where he was found and arrested. Turnbill claims he had come to his senses and was on his way back home when he was apprehended with components of his meth lab still in the bed of his truck. ” After I went to Owensboro, Kentucky and started to realize what all had transpired I started coming back to Tennessee. I’d lost (spent) all my money on the way back and that’s when I was apprehended in Cave City, Kentucky (for having the meth lab in the truck),” said Turnbill.
Asked why he pled guilty in the case if he had nothing to do with the murder, Turnbill told Gobble “I was told it didn’t matter if I’d shot him or not, I was just as guilty as the person who had done it because I was at the scene and I was involved in it,” he said.
In announcing his decision, Gobble said he would only vote to parole Turnbill if he completes the Substance Abuse Therapeutic Community program. “Mr. Turnbill you have served 11-1/2 years. You are 42 years of age and it’s time for you to grow up and take some responsibility and I think that you can. I am going to vote to parole you today on a condition that you complete successfully therapeutic community. I will set a parole date upon completion of therapeutic community and that could be a year from now depending upon its availability and whether you can get in there. But I think it’s important because of your past drug history that you complete that program successfully. I think if you can do that, it will show me and the other board members that you have the potential to be successful in the free world. You have got to stay away from drugs and alcohol abuse and that is the only way I’m going to support letting you out (paroling you) is for you to get in that program which I think will be good for you. That’s my vote, to parole you with a pre-condition of completing therapeutic community successfully. You must also have no more institutional (disciplinary) write ups. No more problems. No (drug) possessions. No policy violations,” he said.
Gobble also added a post parole condition. “That you (Turnbill) get substance abuse treatment as assessed and a substance abuse aftercare program of your choice to participate in until completion even once out of prison. To me, that looks like that has been your problem. Your downfall is meth, marijuana, and alcohol abuse. If we can do something to help you avoid those I think you’ve got a potential to be successful in the free world and make something out of yourself from here on out. As someone has said, you are worth giving a second chance to see if you succeed. Once you are in the Therapeutic Community program, it will take nine to twelve months to complete it successfully. If you complete it and avoid any A or B disciplinary actions while incarcerated, then you will be released at that time. You will have met the pre-parole conditions. Otherwise, we will have to hear you again (another parole hearing). But you have the potential of being released in about a year with those successful preconditions, but there has to be three votes in agreement. You will know in one, two, or three weeks as to what the final vote of the board is,”Gobble concluded.
While no one showed up at Thursday’s hearing to speak in opposition to Turnbill being parole, Gobble noted that ” there is a petition opposing parole in the file”.

From its remarkable yet humble beginnings, the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life has grown into a national, even international, phenomenon. Starting in 1985 with only one event, today more than 4 million people in over 20 countries raise much needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer through the Relay For Life movement.
At Relay for Life, you can find healing, comfort, and support from others who have faced cancer or who have lost a loved one to the disease. You have a chance to meet people in the community who are equally as passionate about finding an end to cancer in our lifetime. No matter why you take part in Relay, however, one thing is clear: with every step you take, you are helping the American Cancer Society save lives and “Finish the Fight”.
Come share the Relay experience at Green Brook Park on Friday, May 9 and take pride in knowing that you are working to create a world where this disease will no longer threaten the lives of our loved ones or claim another year of anyone’s life.
The 17th annual Relay for Life begins with musical entertainment at 5:00 p.m. followed by the opening ceremony at 6:00 p.m. featuring personal testimonies from cancer survivors and then a Survivors’ Lap, during which those who have survived the struggle circle the track together to help everyone celebrate what has been achieved against cancer.
As the sun sets, Luminaria bags lining the track illuminate the night and then a hush falls over the event as Relay participants, survivors and caregivers gather together for a Luminaria Ceremony at 9:00 p.m. to remember loved ones lost to cancer and to honor those who have battled the disease.
As participants walk the track lined with Luminaria bags in reflection, a caregiver who has lost a loved one may find comfort from a fellow caregiver who has faced a similar loss.
Meanwhile, a survivor gains hope and strength from others who have followed the same journey and survived. All resolve to keep fighting to save more lives so no more Luminaria bear the names of those lost to the disease.
Teams take turns doing laps, but there must be one member from each team on the track at any given time during the relay event. There is a lot of fundraising as well, through concessions, games, and other activities.
As volunteers and donors, your efforts support research, education, advocacy, and services that allow the American Cancer Society to offer help and hope to people across the country when they need it most. By joining together at Relay, we celebrate life, friendship, and an opportunity to work to defeat cancer for future generations
This year’s program lineup is as follows:
5:00 p.m.: Dessa Ray
5:25 p.m.: Wanda and Vonda (singing in honor of their mother Clata Redmon)
5:40 p.m.: Kathy Goodwin
5:55 p.m.:
Presentation of Colors by Boy Scout Troop #347
The National Anthem sing by Suzanne Slager
Invocation by Donnie Kelly, Pastor of the Smithville First Assembly of God
6:00 p.m.: Opening Ceremony
Welcome: Renea Cantrell
Introduction of Cancer Survivors
Prayer for Cancer Survivors by Wendell Judkins
Song Honoring Cancer Survivors by Shelly Cross and Bonnie Rigsby
6:45 p.m.: David Turner and Friends
7:15 p.m.: Tina Boston
7:30 p.m.: Fluty and the Flutones
7:45 p.m.: Suzanne Slager
8:00 p.m.: Kevin Roberts (Elvis)
8:15 p.m.: New Life Pentecostal
8:30 p.m.: Praise Group
8:45 p.m.: TBA
9:00 p.m.:
Luminaria Ceremony
Prayer by Dwayne Cornelius, Pastor of the New Life Pentecostal Church
9:15 p.m.: Church of God Receiving Ministries
9:30 p.m.: Smithville First Assembly of God Youth Group
9:45 p.m.: Elizabeth Chapel Singers
10:00 p.m.: Tom Duggin
10:30 p.m.: Pam Page Arts Ministry
11:30 p.m.: Closing Ceremony
Midnight: Relay Ends
Wendell Judkins and George Taylor will emcee the program. Sound provided by the New Life Pentecostal Church

A mysterious Irishman named Finian, along with his beautiful daughter, Sharon, arrive one day in the small tobacco town of Rainbow Valley, Missitucky. This is the setting for the intriguing, diverse musical that vocal music teacher Josh Gulley will be directing on his own for the first time.
“I think I can handle directing on my own,” Gulley said, “but I’m not really a theater person, so it is a big learning process.”
Gulley chose “Finian’s Rainbow Jr.” through a process of elimination. He said he also enjoys the idea of an Irish theme.
An adaptation from the original Broadway play, this year the play will only have one cast and two performances, so be sure to come and see it either Fri., May 2 or Sat., May 3, 7 p.m. at the Ina Ruth Bess Auditorium on the campus of DCHS.
Gulley looks forward to the two nights with a hopeful eye. He said that tradition inspires him to continue musicals in the school, and he believes it is a vital learning experience for the students involved.
“I know the cast is going to do well. When I was casting, the characters almost chose themselves,” Gulley said.
Members of the cast are: Tony Johnson, Bethany Russell, Dayzion Ringo, Travis Ferrell, Devonta Milan, Charlie Young, Jacob Hale, Justin Johnson, Brooke Reffue, Rachel Holcomb, Kalynn Thompson, Caitlyn Williams, Jessica Williams, Michaela Young, Xena Walker, Anna May, Will Puckett, Amanda Blanco, Cody Gooch, Dylan Crook, Alex Thompson, Lauren Lewis, Zack Maxwell, Hannah Ball, Chelsea Johnson, Ashley Hershman, Brianna Phillips, Kayla Wheeler, Diana Carrillo, and Tori Redmon.
Tickets for the show only are $5 and may be purchased either in advance from a cast member or at the door.

A suspected theft of approximately 175 credit cards valued at more than $15,000 and other Walmart merchandise has landed two persons in trouble with the law.
43 year old Lorie Maclean and 53 year old Craig Yarbrough both of McDonald, Tennessee are each charged with theft over $10,000. Maclean is also charged with theft of merchandise. Both are to appear in court on May 1. Maclean is under a $26,500 bond. Yarbrough’s bond is $25,000.
The two were arrested by Smithville Police during a theft investigation on Thursday, April 24 at Wal-mart.
Chief Randy Caplinger and Corporal Travis Bryant told WJLE that Smithville Police were called to Walmart after a woman (Maclean) tried to leave the store with stolen merchandise. “She (Maclean) was caught trying to push items out of Walmart in a shopping cart. But when a loss prevention officer of the store tried to stop her, she abandoned the cart, ran to her pickup truck and drove away. She also left behind her boyfriend, Yarbrough, who was still inside the store,” said Corporal Bryant.
After police were notified, Chief Caplinger, Corporal Bryant, and Lieutenant Matt Holmes responded and pulled over Maclean’s truck at the intersection of Broad Street and Anthony Avenue. As Maclean was placed under arrest, officers noticed items inside her truck that aroused their suspicion. They executed a search warrant and found around 175 American Express prepaid credit cards totaling $15,525 that had apparently not been activated along with approximately $2,700 worth of other merchandise. Police suspect many of these items may have been stolen from various Walmart stores in Tennessee and in other states.
The case remains under investigation by Smithville Police as well as state and federal authorities.
20 year old Jessie Herman is charged with burglary and theft of property under $500. He will be in court on May 15. His bond totals $16,500. Chief Caplinger said that on Sunday, April 27 police were dispatched to NHC Healthcare Center concerning two cars that had been burglarized. After the incident, Herman was observed on foot in the area. Police were notified and confronted Herman on White Street. He was allegedly found with items taken from the vehicles and placed under arrest.
29 year old Travis Tramel is charged with driving under the influence. He was also cited for simple possession of a schedule IV drug (Xanax) and simple possession of a schedule IV drug (Valium). His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court on May 22.
Chief Caplinger said that on Saturday, April 26 police were dispatched to the area of West Main Street for a possible drunk driver. An officer spotted the vehicle on Riley Avenue and pulled it over. The driver, Tramel had a light blue powdery residue in his nose. His speech was slurred and labored. He submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He had a metal pill container with seventeen and a half light blue pills believed to be Xanax, four light blue pills believed to be Valium and one light yellow pill also believed to be Valium. He did not have a prescription for the drugs.
25 year old Jessica Jenkins is cited for simple possession of a schedule II drug and she will be in court on May 22. Chief Caplinger said while assisting police on a recent traffic stop, another officer made contact with Jenkins who was found to have twenty five white pills in her purse thought to be methadone hydrochloride. The pills belonged to someone else.

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce and the DeKalb County Mayor’s office would like to invite residents across the county to participate in the DeKalb County Clean Up campaign on Saturday, May 24th. This event will be held in conjunction with the Keep America Beautiful initiative going on across the country. This organization’s mission revolves around a core belief that beauty is a silent but powerful force that makes communities safer, healthier and more livable.
Suzanne Williams, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, would like to remind everyone that DeKalb County’s peak tourism season is about to begin, so now is a great time to start getting things spruced up for our coming visitors. According to Williams, “I think we are all aware of the value and importance of beautification in our communities to attract newcomers and tourists to our area and to maintain a stable and growing economy.”
To get a head start on clean up, dumpsters will be set up at highly visible and convenient locations a few days prior to the main event. Dumpster locations will be at the Dowelltown Community Center, Liberty Community Center, Alexandria City Parking Lot (behind square), and the County Complex parking lot.
County Mayor Mike Foster says, “We would like for people to come out and help clean our communities and roadways. Folks are welcome to pick their own locations to clean, or we will be glad to assign a safe place for each person to participate.”
DeKalb Clean Up volunteers are asked to come to the County Complex, 732 So. Congress Blvd., Smithville on May 24th between 9 AM and 10 AM to sign-in and pick up the provided trash bags, rubber gloves, and bottles of water. For early sign-up, you can stop by the Chamber, located in the Courthouse, Room 201, anytime during regular office hours by May 23rd to pick up supplies. Or if stopping by is not convenient, call the Chamber office at 597-4163 to be counted as a DeKalb Clean Up volunteer — just give your name and the general area where you will be working. Whether you’re beautifying your street, a highway, a park, ball field, a stream, or your own home, what a difference we can make through working together!

The DeKalb County Election Commission reminds voters that today (Tuesday, April 29) is the last day that the office can receive a request for an absentee ballot for the May 6th Primaries.
“The request for an absentee ballot must be in our office today, including by mail”, said Administrator of Elections Dennis Stanley.
Meanwhile, the turnout for early voting remains good. A total of 1,241 persons have now taken advantage of early voting as of Tuesday, April 29.
According to the DeKalb County Election Commission, 1,176 persons have voted in the Democratic Primary and 65 have cast ballots in the Republican Primary.
On Tuesday, 112 voters participated including 108 in person and four by absentee ballot.
Early Voting continues through Thursday, May 1 on the following dates and times on the first floor of the courthouse:
Wednesday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, May 1 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Election day is Tuesday, May 6

All new members have been appointed to the DeKalb County Equalization Board.
The county commission, during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, named Russell Watson, Ronald Ashburn, Carl Dwayne Webb, Phillip Hendrix, and Bobby Reynolds to serve on the board. Peggy Owens will be an alternate.
In the past, the equalization board has been made up of seven members, one from each district of the county. But under state law, there can be no more than five members. According to Tennessee Code Annotated (state law) “The county legislative body of each county shall, at the April session of each even year, from the different sections of the county, elect, for a term of two (2) years, five (5) freeholders and taxpayers who shall constitute a county board of equalization.”
Based on population, the City of Smithville can have one member on the board. Russell Watson was chosen for that position.
According to state law, county equalization boards across the state are to meet each year on June 1 (or the next business day if the 1st falls on Saturday or Sunday). The county board is authorized by law to receive and hear appeals of current year property tax assessments as fixed by the county assessor of property. Generally an assessment must be appealed to the county board of equalization to preserve the taxpayer’s right to further appeal.
The DeKalb County Equalization Board will meet this year June 2-6 at the county complex in the office of the Assessor of Property.
Several weeks ago, Assessor of Property Scott Cantrell presented the county commission the names of five members he wanted to see appointed to the equalization board. But at that time, members of the county commission wanted to keep seven members on the board, even though state law only provided for five members. Cantrell submitted the names of Hilda Oakley, Jen Sherwood, John Hylton, Carl Dwayne Webb, Peggy Owens, and Rick Lee for consideration. Josh Miller was to be the City of Smithville’s representative on the board.
Miller and Lee were later determined to be ineligible because of a state law that prohibits persons who receive pay from city and county governments to serve on the board. Miller is a city alderman and Lee is a county employee.
Cantrell told WJLE that he was disappointed that of the five remaining persons he recommended, only Webb was appointed by the county commission as a member while Owens was selected only as an alternate.