The Smithville Police Department has issued citations for shoplifting against three people and for possession of drug paraphernalia against two others in recent days.
Chief Randy Caplinger said that 38 year old Gary Collins was cited for shoplifting at Tractor Supply Company on Sunday, January 6. Collins allegedly concealed items on his body in an attempt to deprive the store of it’s property. He will be in court on January 17.
33 year old Tammy Sue Steele was cited for shoplifting at Dollar General Store on Friday, January 11. Steele was observed concealing items in her purse by store employees. She will be in court on January 31.
41 year old Richard B Turner was cited for shoplifting at Save-A-Lot on Saturday, January 12. Turner was observed going into the restroom with items which were later found on his person. He will be in court on January 31.
51 year old Kenny R Herman and 40 year old Wanda Carol Mathis were cited for possession of drug paraphernalia on Monday, January 14. Officers responded to a residence to check out a possible fight in progress. Upon arrival, officers saw Herman and Mathis hiding needles on their persons. Herman will be in court on January 24. Mathis’ court date is January 17.
Anyone with information on any criminal activity is asked to please contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210 or the Tip Line at 464-6046.
Any information received that would help Smithville Police solve any criminal offense is greatly appreciated. All information is confidential.

An Alexandria man, who was left paralyzed by a tragic car accident two years ago in DeKalb County, was surprised with a full tuition-paid, four-year grant to Colorado Technical University on the nationally televised Ricki Lake Show Monday.
The grant, presented to 20-year-old Kyle Thomas, will help him pursue his dream of earning a college degree. The grant was announced as part of the show’s “Hidden Heroes” series led by cosmetic dentist and TV personality Dr. Bill Dorfman.
In October 2010, as a recent high school graduate, Thomas was nearly killed in a one car crash on Highway 70 near the stock barn in Alexandria. The Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that night that Thomas was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier when he lost control and wrecked. The car flipped over on it’s top and Thomas, who was partially ejected and pinned underneath the vehicle, had to be extricated. Thomas was removed from the car and taken by ground ambulance to the Lebanon airport where he was airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville.
His resulting injuries left him without use of his arms and legs, but it was Thomas’ can-do attitude during his recovery that got the attention of Dr. Dorfman. “When I first met Kyle he told me that he wants to help people. I believe he will,” said Dr. Dorfman, who brought together community residents – or “hidden heroes” – to help Thomas and his family.
The community support led by writer and producer John Loyd Miller has included renovations to make the Thomas’ home accessible – and now includes the CTU grant. “When we heard about Kyle’s journey and the tremendous efforts he has made to rebuild his life, we felt we could support him by assisting him with his college education,” said Jack Koehn, CTU acting president and chief operating officer.
Thomas plans to use the CTU grant to earn his bachelor’s degree through Colorado Technical University’s award-winning virtual campus, which offers flexibility in taking classes online, from anywhere and anytime.
He began attending classes online in January 2013.”Our team of advisors and faculty members are committed to helping Kyle achieve his dream of higher education and surrounding him with the support he needs to help him be successful in the degree program of his choosing,” Koehn said.
“As a Colorado Technical University online student, Kyle will also be able to use our trademarked personalized learning system, called My Unique Student Experience (M.U.S.E.), which will allow him to study and learn in ways that work best for him.”
“I am so grateful to Dr. Dorfman and to CTU for their support and giving me hope to continue my education and help others,” said Thomas, who now has limited use of his arms and serves as a motivational speaker for other young adults. “I won’t ever give up. I’m going to take on the challenge of earning my college degree just as I took on the challenge of recovering from my accident.”

The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen are considering making changes to the city charter including having the terms of office go from two to four years and holding regular meetings only once per month.
Mayor Jimmy Poss and Aldermen Jason Murphy, Tim Stribling, Shawn Jacobs, Gayla Hendrix, Danny Washer, and Secretary-Treasurer Hunter Hendrixson met in a workshop at city hall Saturday morning to review the charter and to suggest changes. No action could be taken since it was neither a regular or special meeting.
Under consideration is a measure to change the charter so that city elections could be held every two years, on the first Thursday in August to coincide with the county general election and state primaries. Terms of office for the mayor and aldermen would go from two to four years. Aldermen say the city could save money by not having to hold an election every year. By having the city election to run with the county general elections in August, it would most likely draw more city voters to the polls, according to the aldermen. City elections are currently held on the third Tuesday in June and the mayor and aldermen races are the only offices on the ballot.
The terms of office for the mayor and aldermen are staggered. For example, three aldermen are to be elected this year (2013) and a mayor and two aldermen are to be elected next year (2014). Currently the terms of office are for two years. The office holders are elected on the third Tuesday in June and their terms of office begin on July 1.
Under consideration is a measure to extend the terms of the three aldermen up for election this year by two months until after an election in August. The three aldermen elected this year would then serve for a three year term until after an election in August 2016. From then on three aldermen would be elected to serve four year terms. The terms would most likely begin on September 1.
Next year under the proposal, the terms of the mayor and two aldermen up for election in 2014 would be extended by two months until after an election in August. Those elected would serve for four years.
The aldermen are also considering changing regular city council meetings from twice to once per month and to have special meetings as needed. Under the proposal, the mayor and aldermen would meet on the first Monday night of the month, as they do now, but the time would change to 6:00 p.m. instead of 7:00 p.m. If the meeting date should fall on a holiday, the mayor and aldermen would meet on the following Monday night. The second regular meeting night of each month, now on the third Monday night, would no longer be held. Special meetings could be called by either the mayor or any two aldermen, giving at least 48 hours notice.
The aldermen also propose to make the charter more concise and less confusing and to drop language outdated or obsolete.
City officials are to review the proposed changes with the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) before taking action. A proposed resolution with the changes will then be presented to the aldermen for approval. In order for the charter to be changed it must be approved a second time by a vote of not less than two-thirds of the entire membership of the board after the resolution is approved by the General Assembly.
City officials plan to check this week with State Senator Mae Beavers and State Representatives Terri Lynn Weaver and Mark Pody to make sure its not too late to get the resolution submitted to the legislature for approval this year.

The DeKalb County Board of Education conducted an annual performance evaluation of the Director of Schools and a School Board self evaluation Monday night at the Board of Education Building.
The evaluations are performed annually in January in accordance with board policy and Director Mark Willoughby’s contract. The board has used the same basic instruments for making the evaluations and itself for several years.
Willoughby’s contract states that the evaluation of the Director shall occur no later than January 31 each calendar year during the term of the contract. The board will review the Director’s performance, progress toward established goals, and the working relationship between the two parties.
During the workshop at 6:00 p.m. Monday night, the school board members evaluated Director Willoughby on his relationship with the board, community relationships, staff and personnel relationships, educational leadership, business and finance, and strategic planning skills. Board members were to make a check mark on the four page evaluation form in each of 52 areas, if they thought expectations had been met. Spaces were also provided on the form for board members to write comments.
Fourth district member Billy Miller said he found some of the questions difficult on which to render a judgment, because he doesn’t have first hand knowledge on all matters such as Willoughby’s relationships with staff and personnel.
Board members were said to have found that overall Willoughby met board expectations on most, if not all areas in the evaluation.
Willoughby’s current contract with the board is scheduled to expire June 30th, 2014. He has served as Director of Schools since July 1st, 2006.
In the self evaluation during a special meeting Monday night at 7:00 p.m., each board member was asked to rate the board’s performance on a scale from one to six in team building, decision making, governance, school improvement, community, planning, communications, motivation, influence, and policy. A score of “one” is the lowest and a score of “6” is the highest. They were to rate themselves on how much is being done now in each of 46 areas and how important those issues are to them.
Board Chairman Johnny Lattimore said he felt like the board should do more long range planning.
Second district member Charles Robinson said the board should commit itself to once again becoming a “Board of Distinction” with the state. “I think we’ve got a pretty good school board compared to some of the other ones that you run into throughout the state. I would like to set as a goal that this board become a “Board of Distinction”. I think it sends a message to the community that we want to be better than just a regular board. I think the community would like to see that. But it takes a little effort among board members. I would like to see more of the board members attend workshops when it comes to learning about being a school board member,” said Robinson.
The DeKalb County Board of Education first completed the necessary steps to become a “Board of Distinction” in 2008.
The award, presented by the Tennessee School Boards Association, recognizes outstanding performance by school boards as a whole.
Tennessee school boards that seek this designation must meet specified requirements in four key areas: planning, policy, promotion and board development. Board of Distinction status is for two years, after which time the board may reapply for continued status.
(Pictured above: School board members Charles Robinson, W.J. (Dub) Evins, III, Kenny Rhody, John David Foutch, Chairman Johnny Lattimore, Billy Miller, Doug Stephens, and Director Mark Willoughby)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District has scheduled a public meeting Thursday, January 17 to allow the public to respond to the pending implementation plans to tighten restrictions around locks and dams on the Cumberland River and its adjoining tributaries, including Center Hill Dam.
The public information meeting is 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Upperman High School Auditorium located at 6950 Nashville Highway in Baxter.
Nashville District Commander Lieutenant Colonel Jim DeLapp said the Corps, because of safety issues, will install physical barriers, most likely buoys tied to cables above the water, within 500-700 feet of dam tail waters to prevent boat access to that area. Barriers will also be placed above the dams. The restrictions will be effective on a project by project basis as they are phased in. Fishing from the bank will still be allowed but all forms of water access will be prohibited in the restricted area, including boating, swimming and wading. The restrictions are being put in place to bring the Nashville District into compliance with other U.S. Corps of Engineers properties nationwide.
“We understand the tightened restricted areas in the Nashville District may be unpopular, but it is necessary for the district to enforce a more restrictive policy that complies more effectively with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ ER 1130-2-520, Chapter 10,” said Freddie Bell, chief of the Natural Resource Management Branch. “The increased restriction will also provide the highest level of public safety and address physical security issues.”
Since 2009, three fatalities, one serious injury and 10 near misses/rescues have occurred in the hazardous waters immediately downstream of dams on the Cumberland River and its adjoining tributaries. Life jacket wear has been ineffective in these areas, since all of the victims who drowned were wearing a life jacket.
The immediate hazardous water areas above and below dams in the Nashville District are best described as industrial areas that pose a high level of risk for the public because of the hydroelectric, spilling, sluicing and lock operations that are often present or begin with little or no notice. Such water releases can change a dry riverbed or calm waters into a life-threatening situation within seconds that can swamp, capsize and trap boats and people in turbulent waters.
“We want the public to understand safety is the Agency’s highest priority,” said Bell. “The tailwater directly below a dam is a high risk area and fishing in this area is a high risk activity. As we comply with Corps regulations by restricting these areas, we are also keeping the public safe.”
DeLapp said the barriers will cost around $2 million for all 10 projects and that they will be phased in beginning in February and running through April.
For more information on “Restricted Areas Around Dams” please go to:
http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/About/Organization/Operations/RestrictedAr…

Representative Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) has been named Vice-Chairman of the influential Consumer and Human Resources Committee for the 108th Tennessee General Assembly. Representative Pody was also appointed to the House Business and Utilities Committee, as well as the House Consumer and Human Resources Subcommittee.
“I am honored to be named Vice-Chairman of the House Consumer and Human Resources Committee,” said Rep. Pody. “As promised when I was first elected, I am committed to making our state government more lean and efficient and this committee will enable me to continue working towards that very goal.”
The House Consumer and Human Resources Committee reviews legislation dealing with consumer protection laws, and all human resource and labor law regulations.
Pody continued, “I am also looking forward to joining my colleagues on the House Business and Utilities Committee and am eager to continue the fight of helping make Tennessee an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.”
The Business and Utilities Committee considers bills relating to utilities, communications, and legislation impacting trade. The committee also reviews the rules and regulations for all licensed professionals, businesses, and organizations.
Mark Pody is serving his second term in the Tennessee state legislature. He lives in Lebanon and represents District 46, which includes all of Cannon and a portion of Wilson and DeKalb Counties.