Tennessee Department of Transportation contract crews will close the Hurricane Bridge on State Route 56 over the Caney Fork River in DeKalb County to all traffic on Thursday, March 1 beginning at 8:00 p.m. and ending at 6:00 a.m. CST on Friday, March 2. The closure is necessary to allow the contractor to pour a portion of the new concrete deck. The work is part of a $26.9 million rehabilitation project which is scheduled to be complete in October 2013.
The work is weather dependent. If the contractor is unable to perform the work on Thursday evening, it will be rescheduled to take place on either the evening of Tuesday, March 6 or Wednesday, March 7 during the same time period.
Message boards will be in place to notify drivers of the closure. While the bridge is closed, all traffic will be redirected to the currently posted truck detour that utilizes I-40 at Exit 254 to SR-53. The bridge will be reopened to normal one-lane signal-controlled traffic by 6:00 a.m. the following morning. The current weight postings of 10 tons for two-axle vehicles and 18 tons for vehicles with three or more axles will continue to remain in effect and will be strictly enforced.
For travel and TDOT construction information visit the TDOT SmartWay web site at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway or call 511 from any land-line or cellular phone. You can also receive traffic alerts via TDOT’s multiple Twitter feeds, including statewide traffic tweets @TN511 or Chattanooga area alerts @Chattanooga511. Smart phone users can use the TDOT SmartWay Mobile website at http://m.tdot.tn.gov/SmartWay/ to access TDOT’s SmartWay cameras and information on construction related lane closures and incidents on interstates and state routes.
As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for their destination. Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

The DeKalb County Commission has made it easier for some businesses in the county to get a beer license.
Even though the issue was not on the agenda, the commissioners Monday night by a vote of seven to five adopted a motion to reduce the minimum distance requirement from 2,000 feet to 800 feet between stores seeking to sell beer and places of public gathering such as churches and schools.
The change becomes effective immediately.
Fourth District Commissioner David McDowell made the motion to rescind the measure establishing the existing 2,000 foot rule and set 800 feet as the new minimum distance requirement. Third District member Bradley Hendrix offered a second to the motion.
Those voting in favor in addition to McDowell and Hendrix were Second District Commissioner Jack Barton, Fourth District Commissioner Wayne Cantrell, Fifth District Commissioner Jerry Adcock, and Seventh District Commissioners Jimmy Poss and Larry Summers.
Members voting against the change were First District Commissioner Elmer Ellis, Jr., Second District Commissioner Bobby Joines, Third District Commissioner Jerry Scott, and Sixth District Commissioners Jeff Barnes and Marshall Ferrell.
Two members of the commission, John Green of the fifth district and Mason Carter of the first district were absent Monday night.
During last Thursday night’s all-committee’s meeting, Jewel Redmon, owner of Jewel’s Market & Pizza on the Cookeville Highway, asked the commissioners to re-visit this issue during their meeting Monday night (last night). Redmon has been trying for months to get a beer license at his store but has been denied by the county beer board because the store is too close to the new First Assembly of God Church.
While the issue was not specifically listed on the agenda, it was brought up under other business. Fifth district member Jerry Adcock made a motion not to raise the issue again for at least six months “whether it passes or not” this time (Monday night) since it has been a matter of discussion for several months. But his motion failed to receive a second.
County Attorney Hilton Conger said the commission could not take action to limit a member from “putting a motion on the floor”.
First District member Elmer Ellis, Jr. suggested that more notice be given so that the public has a better opportunity to express their opinions on a matter that is so controversial
Seventh District member Larry Summers said that the public was given an opportunity to share their views two months ago, and some people did address the commission, when the issue was put to a vote the first time.
In December, some members of the commission tried to change the distance requirement from 2,000 feet to 400 feet but that proposal died on a seven to seven tie vote. Eight votes were needed for passage that night and County Mayor Mike Foster refused to break the tie.
The 2,000 foot distance regulation is the maximum allowed under state law and it has not been changed since the county adopted it in October 1939. The county has the authority to make the minimum distance something less than 2,000 feet but it cannot be greater than 2,000 feet.
With the change, any business owner who meets all other requirements may now apply for a permit to sell beer as long as his or her establishment is within 800 feet of a church, school, or place of public gathering measuring in a direct line, the nearest point to the nearest point. From the building to the building.

In his weekly update on crime news, Sheriff Patrick Ray reports that 54 year old Melanie Chaffin Herrod of Murfreesboro is charged with driving under the influence, simple possession of a schedule III controlled substance, and simple possession of a schedule IV drug. She was also issued a citation for violation of the implied consent law. Her bond totals $4,500 and she will be in court March 1.
Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, February 21, Herrod was pulled over by an officer in the Stop and Buy parking lot on Highway 70 in response to a complaint of a reckless driver. Herrod’s vehicle matched the description. Herrod told the officer that she had just stopped to ask for directions.. Herrod had very slurred speech and she was unsteady on her feet. She performed poorly on all field sobriety tasks and appeared to be under the influence of an intoxicant. Herrod refused to submit to a blood test. During the investigation, the arresting officer observed in plain site, half a pill believed to be a Vicodine. A further search revealed three other half pills and one whole pill of Vicodine. A metal box was also found containing eight oval orange pills believed to be Alprazolem.
28 year old Gustavo Garcia Sanchez of Morgan Drive, Smithville is charged with a second offense of driving on a revoked license. He was also issued a citation for failure to exercise due care and violation of the financial responsibility law (no insurance). Sanchez is under a $3,000 bond and he will be in court on March 1. Sheriff Ray reports that on Monday, February 20 Sanchez was operating a motor vehicle north on New Home Road when he turned in front of a southbound vehicle, causing it to run off the roadway and into a fence. Sanchez said he did not see the oncoming vehicle. Sanchez could not provide proof of insurance. A computer check revealed that his license were revoked for a DUI and that he was arrested for his first offense of driving on a revoked license in Warren County in September 2006.
39 year old Kristie Renea Waggoner of New Home Road is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $2,500 and she will be in court March 15. Sheriff Ray reports that on Wednesday, February 22 Waggoner assaulted her boyfriend on New Home Road by slapping him in the face, leaving bleeding scratch marks.
28 year old Brian Paul Wyer of Long Branch Road, Lancaster is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,000 and he will be in court March 1. According to Sheriff Ray, officers responded to a call of an intoxicated person at the condos on Dale Ridge Road last Wednesday, February 22. Upon arrival, the deputies found Wyer passed out in the passenger seat of his pickup truck. He had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person. Officers awakened Wyer but he could not walk so they carried him to the patrol car. Wyer was brought to the jail for his safety.
42 year old Morris Edward Knowles of Anthony Avenue, Smithville was issued citations on Saturday, February 25 for no drivers license, violation of the open container law, violation of the financial responsibility law, roadway lane for traffic (for weaving), and possession of drug paraphernalia. He will be in court on March 8. Knowles was stopped on South College Street for failure to maintain lane of travel. The officer found that Knowles had an open beer in the vehicle and he could not provide proof of insurance. During a search of the vehicle, the deputy found two needles under the passenger seat. A computer check revealed that Knowles had no drivers license.

The county commission can’t decide on who should take Bruce Parsley’s place on the school board in the sixth district.
Two persons, Boyd Trapp and Doug Stephens, want the position but the county commission was deadlocked six to six Monday night on which of the two should get the seat.
County commissioners voting for Trapp were Elmer Ellis, Jr from the first district, Bobby Joines from the second district, Jerry Scott from the third district, Jeff Barnes and Marshall Ferrell from the sixth district, and Jimmy Poss from the seventh district.
Those voting for Stephens were Jack Barton from the second district, Bradley Hendrix from the third district, Wayne Cantrell and David McDowell from the fourth district, Jerry Adcock from the fifth district, and Larry Summers from the seventh district.
Two members, John Green from the fifth district, and Mason Carter from the first district were absent Monday night.
County Mayor Mike Foster could have broken the tie but chose not to do so.
Later in the meeting, following a short recess, the commissioners took another vote but the result was the same, a tie.
The commission will likely try again at the next meeting on March 26. The position will remain vacant until then.
Last month, the commission voted to accept applications from anyone in the sixth district who was eligible to apply. The deadline for receiving applications was February 6th. Trapp and Stephens were the only persons who responded.
The commission conducted interviews of both men last Thursday night during an all-committees meeting and scheduled a vote to select one of the two men during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting (last night).
Parsley, who was elected in 2008, resigned as of December 31, 2011 to pursue a teaching career. His term expires August 31st. The person appointed by the commission to fill the vacancy will serve through August 31st.
Both Trapp and Stephens have said they intend to run for a full four year term in the August County General Election.

Smithville Volunteer Firefighters responded to a fire Monday afternoon at a work shed at 815 Dry Creek Road.
Fire Chief Charlie Parker said the property belongs to Dwight Mathis but that Forrest “Frosty” Byrd has it rented. Chief Parker said according to Byrd, some sparks ignited the fire while workers were cutting and grinding some metal.
The shed received fire and smoke damage but firefighters were able to bring it under control. No one was hurt.