Main Street in Liberty was lined with enthusiastic holiday celebrants and Christmas lovers of all ages on Sunday for the town’s annual Christmas Parade.
Liberty Mayor Dwight Mathis and wife Shirley served as the Grand Marshals.
Huff & Puff Trucking, Incorporated of Woodbury received first place in the float competition. Second place went to a float entry from Smithville called “True Meaning of Christmas-the Birth of Christ”.
First place in the children’s category went to Eli Layne Laxton of Liberty for an entry called “Sugar & Spice”. Brandon and Ava Kent of Lascassas received second place.
Billy Joe and Ann Cripps of Dowelltown were awarded for best vintage automobile, a 1956-210, two door hardtop. Tommy Mullins of Readyville received second place for his 1970 Nova SS.
The parade also featured other floats and vintage automobiles, tractors, State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver, horseback riders, the DCHS band, local law enforcement, fire departments, DeKalb EMS, DeKalb Rescue Squad, political candidates, and of course Santa Claus.
After the parade, drawings were held for cash giveaways.
A sign on the front of the fire engine bearing Santa, read “Mayor Hale you will be missed”. A reminder of Mayor Edward Hale’s passing in May. Mayor Hale always looked forward to and enjoyed the Liberty Christmas parade each year.
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Seven people were sentenced in DeKalb County Criminal Court Monday after entering pleas to drug or alcohol charges against them.
Judge David Patterson presided.
23 year old Brittany Mingle pleaded guilty to two counts of sale of a controlled substance and received a four year sentence in each case as a range one offender to serve at least thirty percent. The sentences are to run concurrently with each other but have been suspended to probation, except for thirty days to serve. Mingle must pay a $2,000 drug fine, make $40 restitution to the sheriff’s department, and undergo an alcohol and drug assessment. She was given twenty days of jail credit. Mingle has applied for judicial diversion.
45 year old Brett Anderson pleaded guilty to sale of a schedule II controlled substance and received a five year sentence, suspended to supervised probation after he serves six months. He was fined $2,000. The term is to run concurrently with a violation of probation against him.
22 year old Josh Anderson pleaded guilty to sale and delivery of a schedule III controlled substance. He received a two year sentence in each case to run consecutively for a total of four years. He was given credit for time served and he will be on probation for the remainder of the term. He has been granted judicial diversion. Anderson was fined $2,000 and he must pay eighty dollars restitution. The sentence will run concurrently with his probation in a General Sessions court case against him.
24 year old Calen Paschal pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment and possession of a schedule VI controlled substance for resale. He received a two year sentence to serve in each case to run concurrently with each other. Paschal was given jail credit from June 3, 2013 through November 25, 2013.
35 year old Andrew Wilbert pleaded guilty to attempt to deliver a schedule II drug. He received a two year sentence, suspended to supervised probation. He was fined $2,000. Wilbert has been given credit for time served. The sentence is to run concurrently with a violation of probation case against him.
25 year old Cory Ryan Hendrixson pleaded guilty to sale of a counterfeit controlled substance. He received a two year sentence, all suspended to supervised probation with credit for 33 days of time served. He must pay a $2,000 drug fine, make restitution to the Smithville Police Department, and undergo an alcohol and drug assessment. Hendrixson was granted judicial diversion.
34 year old Brian E. Clark pleaded guilty to a first offense of driving under the influence. He received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days suspended to supervised probation except for 28 days to serve. He was fined $360 and he will lose his driving privileges for a period of time. Clark must attend outpatient drug classes/treatment for seventeen days.

A 45 year old man, charged with breaking into a home, an outbuilding, two vehicles, and a church on Veterans Day last year, appeared in DeKalb County Criminal Court Monday, November 25
William Andrew “Andy” Cantrell pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated burglary and received a six year sentence to serve at 35% before his release eligibility date. He was given jail credit from November 11, 2012 to November 25, 2013.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Sunday, November 11, 2012 Cantrell allegedly broke into a residence on Big Woods Road by prying open a back door. He also broke a window. Cantrell allegedly stole from the home a 22 caliber H & R target pistol, valued at $400. Cantrell also allegedly broke into an outbuilding at the residence. Entry was made through a window. Once inside he took a four wheeler and burst through the doors of the outbuilding.
On the same day, Cantrell allegedly broke into two vehicles at another residence on Big Woods Road. Both vehicles were unlocked so entry was made by simply opening the doors. Cantrell allegedly tried to steal one of the vehicles. He damaged the steering wheel column around the ignition keyhole as well as the glove box. The total amount of the vandalism to that vehicle was estimated at $1,000. Cantrell allegedly tried to steal the radio in the other vehicle and caused damage to the dashboard around the radio.
Cantrell also allegedly broke into the Old Fashion Free Will Baptist Church on Blue Springs Road. Entry was made through a back door. He allegedly stole a laptop computer, two wireless keyboards, a projector, and a black bag with a total estimated value of $2,200.
After being arrested and taken to jail on Monday November 12, 2012 Cantrell was searched by correctional officers and they found on him a small red plastic container with a powdery substance believed to be methamphetamine.
Meanwhile in another case, 31 year old Rhonda Murphy pleaded guilty Monday to one count of aggravated burglary and received a three year sentence all suspended to probation. She was given seven days of jail credit.
Murphy and 27 year old Eric Wayne Tramel were co-indicted last year on charges of aggravated burglary, theft over $1,000, and fraudulent use of a credit card.
Murphy’s boyfriend, 23 year old Jason Kyle Shepard of Dowelltown was charged on a state warrant for fraudulent use of a credit card.
Sheriff Ray said that Murphy, Tramel, and Shepard were accused of using a credit card, taken from the home of a person on the Old Blue Springs Road that Murphy had been caring for. According to Sheriff Ray, while at the residence of the person she was caring for on September 28, 2012 Murphy left a window unlocked to allow Tramel to enter and steal some items from the residence. Tramel allegedly stole two laptop computers, valued at $2,000 along with assorted jewelry, valued at $3,000. Sheriff Ray said the three defendants participated in using the stolen credit card over a three month period to purchase an assortment of items.
Tramel pleaded guilty in this case and another in August and was sentenced on two counts of aggravated burglary. He received a six year sentence in each case to run concurrently with each other. He must serve at least 35% of the sentence before his release eligibility date. Tramel must make restitution in one case of $234 and in an amount to be determined in the other case. He was given jail credit from November 11, 2012 to July 22, 2013.
Shepard’s case apparently remains pending in court.
21 year old Dakota Stith pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated burglary and received a four year sentence in each case to run concurrently with each other. He will be on state probation. Stith was given 90 days jail credit. Restitution to be determined.

Members of the DeKalb County Grand Jury conducted a tour of the Jail Monday and filed a complimentary report as to its operation.
The reports states that “The DeKalb County Grand Jury met on Monday, November 25 to review cases presented. After the jurors were sworn in they were invited to tour the DeKalb County Jail. The group was greeted by Sheriff Patrick Ray to conduct the tour”.
“The jurors were particularly impressed by the cleanliness, orderliness, and efficiency of the facility. The DeKalb County Jail is an accredited facility and adheres to regulations that meet the standards including nutritious meals and a limitation of inmates at any one time. Select privileges are allowed for good behavior. Groups or individuals are welcome to take tours of the DeKalb Jail upon request. The jurors commend Sheriff Patrick Ray and his staff for their most professional demeanor”.
“All county employees met bonding requirements necessary for certification by the law,” the report concluded.