Deputy District Attorney General Gary McKenzie, who supervises DeKalb, Cumberland, and White Counties, has announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for Criminal Judge Part I in the 13th Judicial District. The GOP primary is to be held on May 6, 2014.
The position is currently held by Democratic Judge Leon C. Burns, Jr. of Putnam County who has held the position since 1975. Burns has decided not to seek another term.
Born and raised in Meigs County Tennessee, McKenzie is the son of Freda McKenzie and the late Danny McKenzie. His father was a land surveyor. He married Amy in 1998 and they have 3 children. They attend Life Church in Cookeville.
McKenzie graduated from Tennessee Tech University in 1997 with a degree in Criminal Justice. He was named an All American Collegiate Scholar by the USAA. He was also awarded the Upper Cumberland Trial Lawyers Association Scholarship. Gary decided to move to Memphis and attend the Cecil C. Humphrey’s School of Law at the University of Memphis. He graduated in 2000. He sat for and passed the Bar Exam that same year. Gary immediately went to work for the 13th Judicial District, District Attorney General’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney.
In 2001 Gary was assigned to be the Lead Prosecutor for Cumberland County, the second largest county in the 13th Judicial District. Gary was the youngest attorney to be given this responsibility.
In 2004 Gary was selected to be the Special Meth Prosecutor, a position that was created in response to the Upper Cumberland region’s serious problems with the drug Methamphetamine. Gary worked closely with the Drug Task Force and the State Attorney’s Office. He also advised State legislators on the creation of laws to combat Methamphetamine.
In 2007 Gary was promoted to Deputy District Attorney General and supervises Cumberland, White, and DeKalb counties. He is Lead Prosecutor of all homicide and violent major crimes in these counties.
The district includes Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, and White Counties.

An Alexandria man, on probation in another case, was arrested on Halloween after officers found a meth lab while conducting a search of his property.
43 year old Timothy Wade Ford of New Hope Road, Alexandria is charged with initiation of a process to manufacture methamphetamine. His bond is $75,000 and he will be in court November 14.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Thursday, October 31 sheriff’s department detectives and deputies assisted Tennessee Department of Correction probation officers in a search of Ford’s residence. During the search, probation officers found several pills and white powder inside the home. A drug detective spoke with Ford and received consent to search an outbuilding where meth components were kept, according to Ford.
A search revealed two Mason jars containing Coleman fuel, rubber tubing with a bottle cap on the end, Gatorade bottles, empty Sudafed blister packs, muriatic acid, empty ice compressed boxes, cut strips from lithium batteries, and baggies containing fifteen aluminum foil balls. Sheriff Ray said Ford admitted that these components were used for the manufacture of methamphetamine. Ford was arrested and brought to the jail for booking.
29 year old Michael Pierre Napier Rose is charged with driving under the influence, a third offense of driving while his license is suspended, evading arrest, and resisting arrest. He was also cited for violation of the implied consent law, violation of the financial responsibility law (no insurance), violation of the open container law, and reckless driving. His bond is $12,000 and he will be in court on November 21.
Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, November 4 a deputy spotted a red Ford Explorer traveling at a high rate of speed and passing cars in a non passing zone. The officer turned on his blue lights and siren in an attempt to get the vehicle to stop but Rose, the driver, initially refused to pull over. After finally getting Rose to stop, the deputy spoke with him. An open beer was in the center of the console. Rose, who pulled up on the sidewalk when coming to a stop, said he saw the blue lights of the approaching patrol car behind him but didn’t pull over at first because he was trying to get home. Rose could not produce a valid driver’s license and a computer check revealed that his license were suspended for failure to pay fines in Virginia. Rose refused to take a blood test but he submitted to and performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. After the officer informed Rose that he was under arrest for DUI, Rose fled on foot. He had to be forcibly taken to the ground. Once on the ground, Rose refused to be handcuffed, swinging his arms wildly at the officer and he pushed away from the deputy in an attempt to escape. Rose was eventually subdued and brought to the jail for booking.
26 year Lesley Ann Lawrence of Foster Road, Smithville is charged with filing a false report. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court on November 21.
Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, November 4 a deputy went to an apartment on Foster Road to serve an arrest warrant on Donald Perry. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with Lawrence. She told the deputy that Perry was not at home and that he was out of town visiting relatives. The officer received consent to search and found Perry hiding behind a pile of clothes in a bedroom closet. Perry was brought to the jail for booking. The deputy also arrested Lawrence.
55 year old Ricky Lynn Devault of Talphia Drive, Dowelltown is charged with aggravated assault. His bond is $5,000. He will be in court on November 21.
Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, November 5 a deputy responded to a domestic violence call at 330 Talphia Drive. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with a woman who had red markings on her neck where she had allegedly been strangled by her son, Devault. The woman also had bruising on her hands, grass stains on her clothes, and her glasses were bent where Devault had allegedly thrown her on the ground. Devault was determined to be the primary aggressor and he was arrested and brought to the jail for booking.
30 year old Jennifer Jeane Warner of Lonnie Cantrell Road, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $2,500 and she will be in court November 14.
Sheriff Ray said that on Wednesday, November 6 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Lonnie Cantrell Road for a domestic in progress. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with Warner and her husband. Mr. Warner said that he and his wife were arguing due to her allegedly cheating on him. Warner said his wife threw an alarm clock, cutting him on the arm. Jennifer Warner appeared to be the primary aggressor and was arrested and brought to the jail for booking.
41 year old Rigoberto Diaz of Lebanon Road, Carthage is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court on December 5.
Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, November 10 an officer was dispatched to a residence on Bright Hill Road to check out a domestic call. Upon arrival, the deputy found Diaz on top of a woman, having her penned down on a bed. She was screaming “get off of me”. The woman told the officer that Diaz had assaulted her. Diaz had claw marks on his neck, consistent with a struggle. Diaz, who has a history of domestic assault, was arrested and brought to the jail for booking.

The men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our freedom were honored in a special Veterans Day program Monday morning at the DeKalb County Complex auditorium.
The observance featured performances of patriotic music by members of the DeKalb County High School Chorus and Band, a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver, a poem in tribute to veterans read by Susan Hinton, and a keynote address by Sarah Tinch, a Veterans Benefit Representative.
(PLAY VIDEO BELOW OF VETERAN’S DAY PROGRAM)
M2U01333 from dwayne page on Vimeo.
The program was made more special with a group of veterans from World War II to the more recent wars who were seated on stage.
“It is a privilege to be with you to celebrate Veterans Day and it is an honor to be among the 21 million veterans alive today,” said Tinch in her remarks during the program.
(PLAY VIDEO OF DCHS CHORUS AND BAND BELOW)
M2U01337 from dwayne page on Vimeo.
“Today, we come together to remember, honor and pay tribute to our heroes – ordinary men and women who set aside their own personal freedom to defend and protect our nation from those who would threaten our way of life. They left the comfort of their homes and families for hostile lands far away to fight on foreign soil, so that we would never have to fight on our own soil – lands such as Iwo Jima, Seoul, Khe Sanh, and Fallujah. Ordinary men and women who did extraordinary things,” she said.
Tinch then asked the WWII veterans in attendance to stand and be recognized. Edward Frazier, Edsel Frazier, Guy Mathis, Doyle Smith, and Doyle Taylor, who all served in World War II, rose to their feet.
“December 7th marks 72 years since America was brought into World War II with the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. These veterans are among more than 16,000,000 U.S. service members who fought on nearly every continent on earth to deliver the world from tyranny. It was the bloodiest war in our history, with more than 291,000 American casualties in battle, and more than 50,000,000 million people dying worldwide. When they returned home, these service members laid down their arms and went to work building the most prosperous nation we had ever known – earning them the title of America’s Greatest Generation.” said Tinch.
She then recognized veterans of the Korean Conflict. “This year marks the 60th anniversary of the cease fire agreement that ended the three year war. These veterans were among the 5,720,000 service members who served in the effort to prevent the spread of communism throughout Korea. During the Korean War, 33,686 American troops died to defend democracy for the Korean people. Since that time, the people living in North Korea, where communism flourished, have lived the past 60 years under a totalitarian regime in a land that is unable to feed its own people, and they live year after year in perpetual famine. Because of these veterans’ success in saving South Korea, they spared the more than 49,000,000 people living there from that same awful fate,” said Tinch.
Korean Conflict Veterans in attendance were Joe Payne, Walter Phillips, Corbin Keith, James Cantrell, Tom Lassiter, Al Evans, Tommy Webb, Walter Johnson, and Paul Cantrell.
In her remarks, Tinch also paid tribute to Vietnam War veterans.”These veterans were among the 8,744,000 Americans who served during the Vietnam era. Between 1964 and 1975, 1,789,000 service men and women were deployed to prevent the spread of communism into South Vietnam. These brave men went when their country called them to service. They did not flee the country or hide inside our educational institutions to avoid the draft. More than 35,000 died in theater defending democracy. Had they received the support from our government and the American people in their fight to win the war, the outcome for the South Vietnamese people, for our service members while in Vietnam and when they returned home, and for American history, would have been vastly different. The lessons we should always remember from that time are that we should never turn our backs on our men and women in the military, we must give them everything they need to be successful, and if we send them to war, we send them in to win. I personally want to say “WELCOME HOME”, Thank You For Your Sacrifice, and We Will Never Forget,” said Tinch
Vietnam era veterans at Monday’s observance were Charles Owens, Corbin Keith, Charles Cantrell, Kenneth Beshearse, William Edmonds, Jerry Hinton, George Oliver, Charlie Banks, David Petty, Corbin Keith, Rick Lee, Charles Parsley, Ronnie Redmon, Bill Fowler, Carlton Miller, Harold Blackwell, and Jerry Adcock.
Gulf War Operations Desert Storm and Desert Storm veterans were also honored. “Operation Desert Shield was a war against Iraq for their invasion of neighboring country Kuwait. Operation Desert Storm was to prevent the use of chemical and biological weapons use by Iraq. In the largest coalition of world nations since WWII, over 694,000 service men and women were deployed to the Gulf region between 1990 and 1991. 383 service members died during these operations. Their service and their sacrifice resulted in the liberation of Kuwait the prevention of chemical weapons use by Iraq on neighboring countries, followed by 10 years of sanctions on Iraq,” said Tinch.
Jerry Adcock and Arlene Cookie Hullett, who both served in Desert Storm and Desert Shield, Toni Fruehauf who served in the United State Air Force Reserve, Jimmy Sprague of Operation Just Cause, and Boyd Bruce Malone who served in Grenada and Desert Storm were all in attendance for the Veterans Day program along with veterans Bill Burgess and Charles Lane.
“Veterans who served during the Global War on Terror which began in 2001includes Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn, among others,” said Tinch. “This war is still ongoing. The Global War on Terror began as a result of the Sept 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on our country, and resulted in an international military campaign to focus on the elimination of al-Qaeda and other militant organizations from Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries where these terrorist organizations are harbored. Following threats by Saddam Hussein of more terrorist attacks on the U.S., The U.S. invaded Iraq on March 20, 2003. Saddam Hussein was captured on Dec 13, 2003 and executed on Dec 30, 2006 for his crimes. Osama bin Laden was killed in Pakistan on May 2, 2011. To date, 1448 American service members have been killed, and 51,708 have been wounded in action in the Global War on Terror. The dictatorship in Iraq and the Taliban rule in Afghanistan have ended. The countries now hold elections and continue to progress in stabilizing their government and economies,” she said.
“America, and many parts of the world, could not enjoy the blessings of freedom and liberty without the service of our men and women fulfilling an extraordinary duty. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” said Tinch. “On Veterans Day, we remember and honor all those who wore the uniform. I am eternally grateful to our veterans for their service. I ask everyone to offer a sincere THANK YOU to a Veteran not only today, but every day. Your recognition of their service means more to most Veterans than any other reward,” Tinch concluded.
Susan Hinton delivered a poem by an unknown author called “Veterans In Your Honor”.
Unselfishly, you left your fathers and your mothers,
You left behind your sisters and your brothers.
Leaving your beloved children and wives,
You put on hold, your dreams your lives.
On foreign soil, you found yourself planted
To fight for those whose freedom you granted.
Without your sacrifice, their cause would be lost
But you carried onward, no matter the cost.
Many horrors you had endured and seen.
Many faces had haunted your dreams.
You cheered as your enemies littered the ground;
You cried as your brothers fell all around.
When it was over, you all came back home,
Some were left with memories to face all alone;
Some found themselves in the company of friends
As their crosses cast shadows across the land.
Those who survived were forever scarred
Emotionally, physically, permanently marred.
Those who did not now sleep eternally
Neath the ground they had given their lives to keep free.
With a hand upon my heart, I feel
The pride and respect; my reverence is revealed
In the tears that now stream down my upturned face
As our flag waves above you, in her glory and grace.
Freedom was the gift that you unselfishly gave
Pain and death was the price that you ultimately paid.
Every day, I give my utmost admiration
To those who had fought to defend our nation.
At the conclusion of the program, veterans boarded a school bus for a ride downtown to the site of the veterans memorial monument where a wreath was laid to commemorate Veteran’s Day. Sheriff Patrick Ray led the motorcade followed by DeKalb EMS, the bus carrying the veterans, the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department, and the Smithville Police Department.
As the wreath was laid, Judy Redmon read names of veterans who have passed away within the last year as a way to help remember them.
Emma Rigsby then played Taps to bring the day’s program to a close.
Veterans then boarded the bus again and were taken back to the county complex for a delicious Veteran’s Day meal served by Senior Citizens and members of Leadership DeKalb and the local chapter of Woodmen of the World.

Julia Grace Curtis was crowned the new Autumn Sweetheart Saturday night at the conclusion of the annual pageant held at the county complex auditorium.
Curtis is the twelve year old daughter of Bruce and Amy Curtis of Smithville. She succeeds the retiring Autumn Sweetheart Morgan Faith Green, the fourteen year old daughter of Suzanne and Jon Harrison of Smithville.
The beauty contest, sponsored by the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club, featured nine contestants, ages eleven to fourteen.
First runner-up in the pageant was Brooklyn Storm Estes, the thirteen year old daughter of Chris and Shanna Bogle of Smithville.
Sarah Anne Colwell, the thirteen year old daughter of Christie and Trent Colwell of Smithville was the second runner-up.
Third runner-up went to Anna Rachel Blair, the twelve year old daughter of Keith and Amanda Blair of Smithville.
Eleven year old Payton Brook Bowman was the fourth runner-up. She is the daughter of Mike and Lisa Bowman of Smithville.
Abigail Hope Taylor was named Miss Congeniality. She is the thirteen year old daughter of Ken and Cindy Taylor of Smithville.

The other contestants were Kaitlyn Ann George of Smithville, the eleven year old daughter of Ashley and Frankie Bryant and Jeff and Kim Walls of Chapel Hill; Mary Grace King, the eleven year old daughter of Scott and Michelle King of Smithville; and Sophia Mahan, the eleven year old daughter of David and Melody Mahan of Dowelltown.
(Group Photo: left to right- Payton Brook Bowman (4th runner-up), Sarah Anne Colwell (2nd runner-up), Queen Julia Grace Curtis, Brooklynn Storm Estes (1st runner-up), and Anna Rachel Blair (3rd runner-up)

Ten year old Ellisyn Kelsey Cripps is the 2013 Autumn Princess
Cripps, daughter of Troy and Jamie Cripps of Smithville, succeeds the retiring Autumn Princess, Addison Jean Puckett, the nine year old daughter of Jimmy and Anita Puckett of Smithville.
The pageant, featuring fifteen girls ages seven to ten, was sponsored by the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club and held Saturday at the DeKalb County Complex auditorium.
First runner-up was Madison Rae Rackley, the ten year old daughter of Gordon and Jessica Rackley of Smithville.
Second runner-up was ten year old Alexis Grace Atnip, the daughter of Veronica Atnip of Smithville.
Eight year old Allyson Roxanne Fuller, daughter of Anthony and Amanda Fuller of Baxter was named third runner-up.
Natalie Morgan Snipes was fourth runner-up. She is the nine year old daughter of Tim and Michelle Snipes of Smithville.
Korrin Michelle Therrien was named Miss Manners. She is the nine year old daughter of Terese Therrien Pena and Oscar Pena of Smithville

Rounding out the top ten were Alexis Danyelle Rigsby, the eight year old daughter of April Rigsby of Smithville; Haidyn Renee Hale, the nine year old daughter of Chad and Melissa Hale of Smithville; Madison Dawson, the seven year old daughter of Jarred and Jamie Dawson of Smithville; Kenlee Renae Taylor, the eight year old daughter of Ken and Cindy Taylor of Smithville; and Zoi Hale, the seven year old daughter of Becky Harris and Justin Hale of Watertown.

Others participating in the pageant were: Malayna Nichole Nokes, the ten year old daughter of Brandy and Jeff Nokes of Old Temperance Hall Road; Allie Joy Wilbur, the nine year old daughter of Andrew and Caitlin Wilber of Smithville; Savanna Murphy, the seven year old daughter of Brian and Stephanie Leist of Smithville; and Sayla Yvonne Cantrell, the eight year old daughter of Stefan Cantrell and Heather White of Smithville.
(Group Picture: left to right- Natalie Morgan Snipes (4th runner-up), Alexis Grace Atnip (2nd runner-up), Queen Ellisyn Kelsey Cripps, Madison Rae Rackley (1st runner-up), and Allyson Roxanne Fuller ( 3rd runner-up)

Seventeen year old Taneah Brooke Cantrell captured the Fall Fest Crown Saturday night during the annual pageant at the DeKalb County Complex auditorium. The event is sponsored by the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club.
Six young ladies ages fourteen to eighteen competed for the title.
Cantrell, daughter of Scott and Tammy Cantrell of Smithville, succeeds the 2012 Fall Fest Queen, Haley Marie Hale, the sixteen year old daughter of Chad and Melissa Hale of Smithville.
First runner-up in the pageant was Tyra Graham, the fifteen year old daughter of Kyle and Doris Graham of Smithville.
Destiny Danielle Franklin was second runner-up. She is the fourteen year old daughter of Jennifer Ware of Smithville.
Sixteen year old Brooke Danielle Roller, daughter of Richard and Rose Roller of Smithville, was the third runner-up.
Fourth runner-up went to Alyssa Kayleen Funk, the seventeen year old daughter of Emily Funk of Smithville.
Reagan Patton was fifth runner-up. She is the fourteen year old daughter of Dorothy and Tommy George of Smithville. Patton was also named Miss Congeniality.
(Group Picture: left to right- Reagan Patton (5th runner-up), Alyssa Kayleen Funk (4th runner-up), Destiny Danielle Franklin (2nd runner-up), Queen Taneah Brooke Cantrell, Tyra Graham (1st runner-up), and Brooke Danielle Roller (third runner-up)

The Smithville Planning Commission Thursday night voted to take under advisement a proposal to annex several properties into the city along Highway 70 just outside the western city limits. However, the commission stopped short of making a formal recommendation for annexation to the mayor and aldermen until up to date cost estimates are provided for implementing the required plan of services to the annexed area, specifically sewer.
City planner Shannon Copas gave a general overview of the plan of services during the meeting and city public works director Kevin Robinson provided 2008 sewer cost figures.
“The staff’s recommendation after going out there and looking at it (properties) is to zone it B-2. That way it would not be a spot zone. It would be an extenuation of the current zoning district,” said Copas.
“There is an example plan of services here. It basically outlines when services are going to be provided. We have to do this under Tennessee Code Annotated (state law). It outlines when (city) police and fire protection will be provided to this area. It also outlines the water situation. Sanitary sewer. I think in this one (plan) we put five to seven years. We can always change it. This is just an example. It (plan) contains some information about street construction and repair. It addresses solid waste collection and disposal and recreation facilities. All the planning commission does is make a recommendation on a draft to the city and make sure everything looks good,” said Copas.
Commission Chairman Wallace Caldwell and member Norris Colvert said they wanted to see more specifics on costs. “Don’t anyone think I’m against annexation but I think before I would be willing to make a request to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to annex this property I think we need to have a little bit more figures as to what it’s going to cost. That’s strictly my opinion,” said Caldwell.
“I agree with you Mr. Chairman,” said Colvert. “I don’t think we’re in any position to do anything but to take it under advisement and get our arms around some of the answers to these questions. At least we can get some ball park costs associated with these kinds of services if we’re going to be recommending the support of the mayor and aldermen to approve this,” he added
Colvert made a motion to take the matter under advisement until the next meeting. Glen Nichols seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of Colvert’s motion including Mayor Jimmy Poss, Aldermen Shawn Jacobs and Jason Murphy, and members Wade Smith, Dwain Snow, and Hoyte Barrett along with Chairman Caldwell. If the city comes up with new cost estimates before next month’s regular meeting, a special meeting might be scheduled to take up the issue.
The planning commission cannot approve annexation. It can only recommend it to the mayor and board of aldermen.
If approved, the properties Ed Young, Mike Foster, Dr. David Foutch, Pat Walls, John Kilgore, and Jim Beshearse would be annexed. The area includes almost seventeen acres on the south side of Highway 70 from the existing city limits to near the intersection of Highway 83 (New Home Road). It would take in the Kilgore’s restaurant property, which belongs to Foster; Dr. Foutch’s Eye Care office; and parcels of land belonging to Kilgore and Beshearse. Facing the Old Snow Hill Road, the residential properties of Beshearse, Walls, and Foster would be annexed. On the northside of Highway 70, another fourteen acres of undeveloped land belonging to Ed Young would be annexed along with the old Beshearse grocery store building. Young’s property is located across the highway from Kilgore’s Restaurant.
Due to a state moratorium on annexation, the city cannot take the initiative on its own without a request. The property owners have to petition the city for annexation.
State law also requires that all annexations include a Plan of Services (POS). The POS outlines those services, such as sewer, that will be made available to the land being annexed and the timeframe within which services and/or amenities will be provided.