A motorcycle accident in Lebanon Friday night claimed the life of a dentist with ties to DeKalb County.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol reports that 62 year old Dr. Steven Thaxton died after his 1994 Harley Davidson ran onto a shoulder and hit some gravel while going around a curve on Hickory Ridge Road. According to a published report in the Lebanon Democrat, troopers said Dr. Thaxton lost control of the motorcycle and ran off the right side of the road. Thaxton was traveling west at 4555 Hickory Ridge Road near the Bonnie Valley Drive intersection when the wreck happened just before 9:30 p.m. Thaxton was wearing a helmet.
Thaxton was a dentist in Lebanon for 35 years. He was an elder at First Presbyterian Church, president of the Lebanon Flying Club, an FAA-certified flight instructor and certified flight instructor of instruments. Both he and his son, Paul, were Eagle Scouts. He was also chairperson for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital bicycle rodeos and served on several other civic committees.
The family of Dr. Thaxton will be receiving friends at Sellars Funeral Home in Lebanon on Monday from 4-8 p.m. The Memorial Service is 4 p.m. Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church at 304 W. Main St. in Lebanon.
A graduate of DeKalb County High School, Dr. Thaxton is survived by his wife of 38 years, Brenda Thaxton. He is also survived by two children, Stefanie and Paul Thaxton. Biblings, Barry (Charlene) Thaxton, of Alexandria, Gay Cerney, of Portsmith Virginia and Walter Thaxton, of Lebanon.
Dr. Thaxton graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 1975 with his doctorate in dental surgery. He served two years in the U.S. Army as a captain at Fort Polk, La. Dr. Thaxton was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for “his expertise and rare talent in child management.”
Steve was a member and master of the Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, Tennessee Dental Association, Tennessee 4th District Dental Society, Officer of the Tennessee Academy of General Dentistry, the American Endodontic Society, International Dental Health Foundation, Implantology Groups, Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, on the Tennessee Dental Board Committee on Sedation, Tennessee Dental ACE award recipient and completed his IV sedation residency at the University of Alabama Dental School.
Sellars Funeral Home in Lebanon is in charge of arrangement.

Former UCDD officials Wendy Askins and Larry Webb appeared in federal court Friday in Nashville to formally enter not guilty pleas to charges against them stemming from the Living the Dream investigation.
Askins is represented by Nashville attorney Peter Strianse while former U.S. Attorney Ed Yarbrough is Webb’s lawyer.
DeKalb County Mayor Mike Foster, a former UCDD board chairman, who is also under indictment in the case, appeared without an attorney. Foster is trying to hire former U.S. Attorney, Hal Hardin, to represent him.
Askins, Webb, and Foster surrendered to U.S. marshals Friday after being indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday.
Askins, the former UCDD Executive Director, and Webb, her assistant face several federal charges, including conspiracy, bank fraud and money laundering.
Foster is charged with one count of making false statements.
Yarbrough told NewsChannel 5 that Webb plans to stand by his plea of not guilty to the charges against him. “I would have to say from seeing the indictment that it’s going to require a good deal on our part,” Yarbrough said. “Certainly Mr. Webb intends to stand by his plea of not guilty and, if necessary, will go to trial to show that he is not guilty of these offenses.”
As for Askins, Strianse said he believes “the proof is going to show in this case that there is not a penny of any government money that went into Ms. Askins pocket.”
While he did not enter a formal plea, Foster said he’s shocked by this indictment and really does not believe that he has done anything wrong.
No word yet on when the cases might go to trial.

Only three days after taking office and presiding over his first city council meeting, Alexandria Mayor Jim York announced his resignation Friday saying he does not have the respect or support of the aldermen.
York ran unopposed in the municipal election September 5 and received fifteen votes to become the town’s new mayor, succeeding Ria Baker who had served as mayor for seven years. York was sworn in as mayor at the regular monthly city council meeting on Tuesday night, September 24.
Since his election, York claims that the aldermen have conspired to keep him from exercising his full authority as mayor. But some say that York tried to exercise too much control at city hall.
Tensions between the mayor and aldermen, at least in part, grew out of a dispute over who has the authority to sign checks. During Tuesday night’s regular meeting, the council voted to give aldermen Bennett Armstrong and Tony Tarpley the authority to be a second check signer along with City recorder/Clerk Ashley Roth who is designated as the first signer. Roth has that authority until at least October 15 when she plans to end her employment with the city.
As mayor, York felt he should also have the authority to sign checks and apparently became upset with the board’s decision not to include him. But while York didn’t make much of an issue of it during the Tuesday night meeting, he apparently took matters into his own hands on Wednesday morning when he confronted Roth at city hall and relieved her of her check signing authority.
Alderman Tarpley, who was present and witnessed the incident, told WJLE that York acted unprofessionally . “I came into the office to see if there was anything I needed to help them with since I had a little spare time. I was talking with Ashley (Roth) when Jim (York) came in and in a very unprofessional manner I guess you would say, he chewed her rear end out. I don’t know how else to put it. He said she was out of line in the (Tuesday night) meeting about (her input concerning) check signing and telling (York) every time he needed to have a motion. She was just trying to help him on the motions because he was new at this. I would be the same way. I’d be lost. She was trying to help him there but he got on her pretty heavy. I have been a supervisor in several different positions for several different companies and I never got on to one of my employees like that. Then when she asked him to tell her what she had done wrong, he got mad and stormed out of the building,” said Alderman Tarpley.
In an effort to resolve differences, the aldermen met with York in a workshop Friday morning at city hall. During the discussions, York raised the check signing issue and other matters, complaining that the aldermen were conspiring to deny him his full powers as mayor, treating him as a figurehead. York argued that he should have taken office as mayor the day after the election as the city charter provides, but had to wait until the regular monthly meeting almost three weeks later. The aldermen explained that it has historically been the city’s practice of swearing in newly elected officials at the first regular meeting after an election. As for who has authority to sign checks, the aldermen said city policy/charter leaves that to the discretion of the city council. At times, the discussion became personal with some alderman making certain insinuations against York. Later in the meeting, York, who was clearly frustrated, got up from his seat, pulled keys from his pocket, dropped them on the table in front of him, and left, saying he was resigning as he walked out the door.
After the meeting, the aldermen spoke with WJLE and denied York’s assertions that they were conspiring against him.
Concerning the check signing matter, Alderman Addie Farley said she thought it best to have two aldermen available as a second check signer during the transitional period with a new mayoral administration. ” It was my preference to have someone who was existing on the board to be check signers during the transitional period. Its permanent but at any meeting we could choose to reassign check signers. That was the basis for my decision. It had nothing to do with conspiracy. I am the financial advisor and with the (city) recorder being the first signature, it was my preference to have an alderman be a second signer,” she said.
According to Alderman Farley, the primary purpose of the Friday workshop was to explain to York that the aldermen have the sole authority to designate who signs the checks. “We agreed to hold a communication workshop to explain the policies and procedures as it relates to the check signing. During the conversation on Wednesday, he (York) told her (Roth) she was no longer able to act in her full (city) recording duties and was no longer first signer on the checks. We spoke with the (city) attorney to verify that so long as she was in good standing with the city that she could remain with her full responsibilities. But because Jim (York) is her boss, she couldn’t sign checks until there was an action (by the aldermen) to inform him that she could continue on signing checks until her resignation date. This workshop was to inform Jim of that and to explain why he could not be the check signer. It was because we had voted for someone else to be the check signers. He thought it was a power granted to him. This workshop was to clear up that disconnect,” said Alderman Farley.
City officials admitted however that there have been occasions in the past when mayors have had the authority to sign checks. Former Mayor David Cripps, who attended the workshop, told the aldermen that while he was not taking sides on the issue, he did sign checks as mayor but that there was no city recorder at that time.
Alderman Farley said Mayor Ria Baker also had that authority toward the end of her term. ” Mayor Ria was check signer for the very last few months because one of the check signers left. The mayor does have power granted to him or her if one of the existing check signers leaves. In the interim, the mayor becomes an automatic signer until the next meeting and then the board can either approve that position to remain or assign someone else. We allowed her (Mayor Baker) to stay on until the end (of her term) and that’s why we were having to redo it now with the new board members and mayor coming on,” she said.
After the meeting, WJLE contacted York at his business and he confirmed that he is resigning as mayor. “I will be leaving office soon. September 5 was the election and my charter reads that September 6 I should have been sworn in and given the duties of Mayor. I was not. Basically my hands were tied at that moment. It was September 24 at the first city council meeting that I was sworn in,” he continued.
But York said he doesn’t want the job if he can’t exercise all the powers he feels he should have as mayor. “I am not going to have full control of city hall as per the city council and I am not going to continue in the office If I do not have full reign and full power,” he said.
York believes he should have been granted the authority to sign checks and that issue weighed heavily in his decision to resign. ” That (issue) was pretty large because that is one of the primary concerns of a mayor is how the money is disbursed. With highway paving projects and the water expansion project coming up, a lot of money is going to go through our accounts. I would have liked to have had a first hand look as those checks were signed and also have had my signature reflected on it. If not, I don’t need to be in that office,” he said.
As for trying to relieve City Recorder Roth of her check signing duties, York claims he was within his rights and that the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) supported his action. “I did speak with MTAS about my position on this matter and in my investigation, MTAS told me that once my recorder put in her resignation, I had every right and could have let her go immediately but I did not. I did say (to MTAS) that the recorder (her name) does appear on the check signing card and the mayor (his name) does not. MTAS said they did not feel comfortable and it was not a good business practice for that to continue. If she was leaving her job, she should not appear on checks and that was why I asked her not to (continue signing checks) because she was leaving and MTAS agreed that it should not happen any longer,” said York.
Rather than stay on as mayor and try to improve relations with the city board, York said he prefers to step aside now and concentrate on his business obligations. ” I don’t feel I have their respect or support. It’s not worth it. I’m a business owner and I need to focus on my business and not be in the middle of things that are so dramatic at this point,” concluded York.
Prior to being elected mayor, York had served for a time as alderman, filling in for others who couldn’t complete their terms.
(TOP PHOTO LEFT TO RIGHT: Aldermen Bennett Armstrong, Pat Jackson, Addie Farley, Mayor Jim York, and Alderman Tony Tarpley)

Friends and family of Mitchell Rowland turned out for a reception in his honor Friday afternoon at the Liberty Post Office where he has retired after 38 years with the US Postal Service.
Rowland began his career with the Postal Service as a substitute rural mail carrier at the Liberty Post Office in March 1975. At that time Hoyte Cook was the Post Master. Gordon Jennings ran Route 1 and Truitt Robinson ran Route 2. Rowland was Jennings’ substitute.
In April 1982, Robinson transferred to the Watertown Post Office and Rowland took over Route 2 full time. At that time the route was considered a 34 hour per six day a week route, and was approximately 90 miles.
In July 2013, Rowland’s route became a 42 hour per six day week route and was approximately 98 miles.
Rowland’s substitute was Resha Self. Sharon George worked in the post office. Charlie Robinson ran Route 1 with Jack Campbell being his substitute. There have been approximately five Post Masters while Rowland has been employed at the Liberty Post Office. George is now the Officer in Charge. Rowland always delivered his own mail as well as his sisters’ Genrose and Terry Bess.
Self took over Rowland’s route when he officially retired on July 31, 2013.

A happy collection of owners, founders, staff and community leaders cheered on bulldozers Wednesday afternoon, September 11 at the ground breaking ceremony for a brand new 15,000 square foot facility in Alexandria, for the ever expanding sunless tanning leader Norvell.
Donning hard hats and holding gold shovels for the event, was company President Rick Norvell, Vice President Greg Norvell, their mother Joy Norvell Martin who founded Norvell more than 30 years ago, John Bradshaw of First Freedom Bank, State Senator Mae Beavers, Alexandria Mayor Ria Baker, DeKalb County Mayor Mike Foster, Tennessee EDC member Cody Huddelston, Jeff McMillian from the DeKalb County Registrar of Deeds, Chamber Director Suzanne Williams and many other distinguished guests.
The new location will offer increased warehouse space with room for over 1000 more palettes, additional lab capacity for Norvell’s growing manufacturing/development, a new product filling area, a dynamic soundstage with audio/visual, a classroom for on-site trainings for Norvell University (the division of the brand which has trained thousands of industry techs nationwide), a new employee break room and additional offices for the graphic arts department.
“This groundbreaking is a meaningful milestone for Norvell as a company,” explained Rick Norvell, “but it also signifies something greater — the promise of future jobs for our community and economic strength for our city and state. We are so pleased to celebrate this event with three generations of the Norvell family, and our employees who are our extended family.”
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ABOUT NORVELL SKIN SOLUTIONS, LLC
For three decades, the family-owned, Tennessee-based Norvell has set the standard for professional advanced sunless tanning color technology, products and equipment, and provided the vision that has driven and defined an entire industry. Top salons and spas across the country entrust their sunless business to this U.S.A.-born and bred brand, knowing their clients will walk down the aisle, stroll the red carpet, or hit the dance floor with a flawless “just off the beach” glow, every time.
That beautiful, healthy Norvell look has always been instantly recognizable. Today, so is the name itself. Beauty shoppers can now find Norvell retail products in ULTA stores across the country as well as tanning salons, allowing them to get a quality UV-free tan at home. The products are exclusively formulated for do-it-yourself sunless success, and feature the same premium ingredients as Norvell’s professional offerings.
Among countless other Norvell professional innovations are the introduction of a sophisticated spray system that offers faster, more refined tanning than the traditional airbrush, as well as a spray tan that develops much faster, allowing the client to shower just one hour after application. The company also offers cutting edge training that makes salon technicians the best in class in their respective markets.
Norvell is a “true manufacturer.” All of its professional and consumer products are conceived, researched, developed, produced, filled and shipped at the company’s 60,000 square foot facility in Alexandria, Tennessee.

The United States Attorney General’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee has issued a statement on Wednesday’s indictments of former UCDD Board Chairman Mike Foster, former UCDD Executive Director Wendy Askins, and former UCDD Deputy Director Larry Webb.
According to the statement, 53 year old Wendy Askins of Cookeville, 64 year old Larry Webb of Smithville and 66 year old Mike Foster of Smithville were indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury and charged with various federal offenses related to theft and fraud from the Upper Cumberland Development District (UCDD), announced David Rivera, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. UCDD is a quasi-governmental economic development resource for the fourteen counties in the Upper Cumberland Region that was established by the Tennessee General Assembly and was funded in part by state and federal grants.
(CLICK PDF LINK BELOW TO VIEW THE INDICTMENT DOCUMENT)
ucdd-indictments.pdf (1 MB)
Askins and Webb were charged with conspiring to commit various federal offenses as well as six counts of theft and conversion of government property in excess of $1,000; four counts of bank fraud; three counts of money laundering; and a single count of concealing a material fact within the jurisdiction of the United States. Additionally, Askins and Foster were charged with a single count of making a false statement regarding a matter within the jurisdiction of the United States.
“Once again, we will reiterate that those who seek to profit by defrauding the taxpaying public and misusing government funds will be held accountable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney David Rivera. “The personal gain and lavish lifestyles gained by fraudulent schemes will eventually come to an end. Public corruption remains a top priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partner law enforcement agencies.”
According to the indictment, Askins, who was the Executive Director of the UCDD, and Webb, who was the Deputy Director of UCDD, perpetrated a scheme from February 2010 through February 2012 to convert over $670,000 of government funds intended for UCDD and its related agencies to the use of the “Living the Dream” property, which was owned by Askins and Webb. Askins and Webb incorporated Living the Dream in their own names and caused money to be transferred from UCDD to Living the Dream without seeking the approval of the UCDD Board of Directors. Askins and Webb also obtained bank loans and lines of credit in excess of $1,000,000 to renovate the Living the Dream property by using UCDD bank accounts and property as collateral for the loans.
In order to cover up the illegal activity, Askins and Webb directed other individuals to alter the official minutes of the UCDD board meeting that occurred on February 16, 2010, and to delete audio recordings of all UCDD meetings. Askins prepared a false statement, which was read by Foster, who at the time was the chairman of the UCDD Executive Committee and Board of Directors, at a UCDD board meeting on January 19, 2012. Foster knew the statement was false when he read it.
“This indictment should send a signal to those who would seek to take advantage of a position of trust for personal gain,“ said A. Todd McCall, Special Agent in Charge of the Memphis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners place a priority on investigating these crimes, and will continue to work to ensure that those who violate the law are held accountable.”
Christopher A. Henry, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Nashville Field Office, said, “IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to investigating and prosecuting those who defraud state and federal grant programs and sending a clear message that these violations are serious crimes against the American public. Our special agents provide the financial expertise in following the money.”
“This is a prime example of a combined investigative effort, successfully exposing grant fraud and protecting taxpayer monies,” said Todd Zinser, Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Commerce- OIG.
If convicted, Askins faces up to two hundred and twenty-five years in prison and a $6,750,000 fine as well as forfeiture of property derived from or used in the bank fraud and money laundering offenses charged. Webb faces up to two hundred and twenty years in prison and a $6,500,000 fine, as well as forfeiture of property derived from or used in the bank fraud and money laundering offenses charged, and Foster faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by agents with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Inspector General, the IRS- Criminal Investigations and the FBI, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development- Office of Inspector General. The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Darryl Stewart and Scarlett Singleton.
An indictment is merely an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.