An 18 year old Smithville man has been charged with theft of several road signs belonging to the county and the cities of Smithville, Alexandria, and Dowelltown.
Robert Karl May of Allen Ferry Road is charged with theft of property under $500 ( four counts). His bond totals $4,000 and he will be in court February 9.
Following an investigation of stolen road signs from the county, City of Alexandria, City of Smithville, and City of Dowelltown, Sheriff Patrick Ray said that detectives of his department found signs in an outbuilding belonging to May on Allen Ferry Road. The discovery was made on Monday, January 9. May was in possession of the following signs: Indian Mound Road, Big Woods Road, Sink Creek Road, Lowery Road, Cordell Love Road, McGinnis Road, Herman Road, Creek Road, Peeled Chestnut Road, and Davis Road belonging to DeKalb County; a Skyline Drive sign taken from the City of Alexandria; Morgan Drive, Holmes Creek Road, Miller Road, and Golf Club Drive signs from the City of Smithville; and a Bank Street sign from the City of Dowelltown. The signs are valued at $75.00 each.
Meanwhile, 24 year old James Edward Gilles of Bell Street Apartments, Smithville is charged with aggravated assault. His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court on February 9
Sheriff Ray states that an officer responded to a fight on Nashville Highway near Dale Ridge Road on Tuesday, January 17. Upon arrival, the deputy was met by Gilles and Nathaniel Tippins. According to Tippins, he stayed at Gilles’ house the night before and that Gilles got mad accusing Tippins of taking his girlfriend’s medications. Tippins also reported that Gilles had told him to remove his clothes so he could search him. When Tippins refused, Gilles became more upset and tried to strangle him, which was apparent by the marks on Tippins’ neck. Tippins reported that he got away from Gilles and into a vehicle. The two met up again at the location on Nashville Highway where the fight occurred.
41 year old Charles Christopher Bates of Washington Street, Sparta is charged with a third offense of driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. His bond is $7,000 and he will be in court on February 9.
According to Sheriff Ray, a deputy went to the Cookeville Highway area on Saturday January 21 in response to a complaint of a reckless driver who had struck a guardrail near a bridge. The officer spotted a vehicle matching the description and caught up with it at Mapco Express. The deputy saw the driver get out of the automobile at the store and noticed that he was very unsteady on his feet. The officer approached and began speaking with the man, Bates, who had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person. Bates admitted that he had been drinking and that he had hit the guardrail while driving, which apparently caused the bumper to come off the vehicle. Bates placed the bumper in the automobile with him and then left the scene. Bates submitted to but performed poorly on several field sobriety tasks. He also submitted to a blood alcohol test. His prior DUI convictions were in Putnam and White counties.
34 year old Brady Gordon Cunningham is charged with introduction of a controlled substance into a penal institution where prisoners are quartered. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court on February 2.
Sheriff Ray said that Cunningham was arrested by the Smithville Police Department on Saturday, January 21 and brought to the sheriff’s department. While correctional officers were searching Cunningham, they found on him a prescription bottle that contained three yellow pills believed to be Hydrocodone with Ibuprofen. These pills were in a bottle that did not belong to Cunningham.
43 year old Theodore William Faulkner of Indiana is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court on February 2.
According to Sheriff Ray, deputies responded to a physical domestic at Floating Mill Campground on Saturday, January 21. The officers spoke with a female who said that her husband, Faulkner, became violent and assaulted her by throwing dishes and a fruit cup at her. He also allegedly chest bumped her. The officers spoke with Faulkner, who had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person. Faulkner admitted to having been drinking and that he and his wife had been arguing. It was determined that Faulkner was the primary aggressor.

Smithville police recently nabbed a convicted sex offender from Wisconsin after investigating a traffic accident on Braswell Lane.
Chief Randy Caplinger said 22 year old Juan Martinez, charged with violation of the sex offender registry law and being a fugitive from justice, is under a $125,000 bond and he will be in court on February 9. He is expected to be extradited to Kenosha Wisconsin, where he is a convicted sex offender, and facing a new charge of exploitation of a minor.
According to Chief Caplinger, Martinez was involved in a traffic mishap on Wednesday, January 11 on Braswell Lane near where he had been living with his wife. The investigating officer did a computer check on his drivers license and discovered that Martinez was a convicted sex offender. After making contact the next day with authorities in Wisconsin, police confirmed that Martinez was wanted there. Martinez was later picked up by Smithville Police and charged. Chief Caplinger said police learned that Martinez had been living here for about two weeks but had failed to register as a convicted sex offender within the required forty eight hours after arriving in Tennessee.
In other cases, 39 year old Angela Denise Kelly is cited for shoplifting from Walmart on Sunday, January 15. She will be in court on February 9. Chief Caplinger said that Kelly allegedly tried to leave the store with several items including cd’s without having paid for them. Those items were found on her.
34 year old Crystal King is cited for shoplifting from the Dollar General Store on Sunday, January 15. She will be in court on February 9. Chief Caplinger reports that King allegedly was found putting things from the store in her purse. She was stopped outside the store and those items were apparently found on her.
50 year old Lisa Ann George is cited for shoplifting from the Tractor Supply Company on Thursday, January 19. She will be in court on February 2. George was allegedly observed going to the dressing room with several clothing items. Before leaving the store, she was checked and found to be concealing some clothing from the business.
39 year old Patsy Lynn McCoy is charged with two counts of theft of property and one count of simple possession of a schedule II controlled substance. She is under a $9,000 bond and she will be in court on February 2. Meanwhile, 30 year old Travis Malone is charged with one count of theft of property. His bond is $2,500. He too will be in court on February 2.
According to Chief Caplinger, McCoy is charged with stealing a diamond ring from a residence on Bell Street and then selling it to a local jewelry store, Granny’s Gold Mine. She took Malone with her to the store and asked him to make the transaction because she didn’t have her ID. Malone went in and allegedly sold the ring. Meanwhile, McCoy is also charged with the theft of a bottle of Ibuprofen from Kwik and Ezy on the same day as the other theft. After she was arrested and brought to the police department, officers found her with pills believed to be hydrocodone.
37 year old Michael Paul Howard is charged with domestic assault and placed under an order of protection. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court on February 16. Chief Caplinger said that police were called to Christine Street on Sunday, January 8 to investigate a domestic assault. The victim told the officer that Howard became angry when he was asked to leave her home. When he refused, she got in her vehicle and tried to leave. Howard allegedly climbed on the hood and tore off a windshield wiper. He then jumped off and struck the driver’s side door window, shattering the glass, causing the woman to have shatters of glass on her clothing and a cut from the broken glass near one of her eyes.
Melinda Murphy is charged with joyriding. Her bond is $2,500 and she will be in court on February 16. According to Chief Caplinger, Murphy and a friend went to Warren County to pick up the victim, where he had received a traffic citation. They came back to Smithville to Walmart. While the victim was inside the store, Murphy and her friend left in the victim’s vehicle. He notified police of the incident. Murphy was found and charged in the case.

Offensive, defensive, and kicking standout Zach Taylor, a senior, was named Most Valuable Player of the 2011 DeKalb County High School Football Team during the annual Awards Banquet held Saturday night at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center building. The awards were sponsored by Liberty State Bank
The award was presented to Taylor by Coach Steve Trapp. Taylor helped lead the Tigers to an overall 8-3 record in 2011 including a home state play-off game. “He had statistics in almost every category that you can imagine,” said Coach Trapp. “Kicking was definitely a weapon for us this year. He punted the ball. We didn’t give up one punt return yard all year. Nobody caught a punt and returned it for one yard. A lot of that was him angling away and him executing the game plan we had. He did a great job in that category. And being able to kick field goals the way he did. In high school, it’s definitely a weapon. He had four field goals of over forty yards with a long of forty seven yards and that is a huge weapon to have in high school. He had eight or ten touchbacks as well. But what he did on the offensive side of the ball and then what he did on the defensive side of the ball was a lot to talk about as well. He is definitely a player that deserves and has earned the MVP award,” said Coach Trapp
Meanwhile, Heather Hughes, a senior, was named Most Valuable Cheerleader. The presentation was made by Cheer Coaches Amanda Fuller and Sonya House. “I am very proud of her as I am the whole squad. She is a wonderful cheerleader. You couldn’t ask for a better girl. She is a 4.0 student and a wonderful person, very kind to others and extremely talented. For all those reasons she received the Most Valuable Cheerleader award,” said Coach Fuller
Other individual Football Player Awards are as follows:
Offensive Player-Lucas Phillips
Offensive Lineman-Matt Boss
Offensive Back- Dylan Freeney
Receiver-Will Molander
Defensive Player-Sebastian Phillips
Defensive Lineman-Jake Odom
Linebacker-Cody Puckett
Defensive Back-Alex Hayes
Special Teams Player-Conner Apple
Most Improved-Spencer Stanfield
MVP-Zach Taylor
Coach Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride Award-Sebastian Phillips
Individual Cheer Awards are as follows:
Best Stunts-Heather Hughes
Most Spirited-Elizabeth Mason
Best Jumps- Johnna Roller
Best Dance-Taylor Cantrell
Most Improved-Darrian Turner
MVC-Heather Hughes
DEAR (Dedication, Enthusiasm, Attitude, and Responsibility)-Kidman Puckett
(TOP Photo: 2011 DCHS Football Most Valuable Player Zach Taylor and Most Valuable Cheerleader Heather Hughes)
(Second Photo from Top: DCHS Football Winners: Seated- Dylan Freeney, Alex Hayes, Zach Taylor, Will Molander, Spencer Stanfield; Back Row- Lucas Phillips, Cody Puckett, Matt Boss, Jake Odom, Conner Apple, Sebastian Phillips)
(Third Photo from Top: DCHS Football Cheerleader Winners: Darrian Turner -Most Improved, Taylor Cantrell-Dance, Heather Hughes- MVC-Stunts, Johnna Roller- Jumps, Kidman Puckett-DEAR Award, Elizabeth Mason-Most Spirited)
(Bottom Photo: Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride Award Winner Sebastian Phillips (second from left) pictured with wife and children of Clay, Abram, Tena and Sarah Edwards (Photo provided)

The race is on!
Democratic candidates for the offices of DeKalb County Assessor of Property and Constable formally announced their candidacies during the local party’s mass meeting held Saturday morning at the DCHS cafeteria.
Incumbent Assessor Timothy (Fud) Banks said he is asking the party faithful for renomination and re-election to a fifth term. “My whole life, I’ve lived here for fifty five years now and for thirty three of those years I have put in serving the people of DeKalb County, seventeen years in law enforcement and sixteen years in the office (property assessor). I need a job. My staff and I have thirty nine years of combined experience doing the job and we try to do the job well and keep the office updated for everybody who needs to use it. I’m asking now for your vote and support. I’d appreciate it,’ said Banks.
Scott Cantrell said he too would like to serve the people of DeKalb County as Assessor of Property. “I’m the proud son of Jerry Lee and Jane Cantrell of Cantrell’s Furniture. I am a proud democrat. If you know me personally you know that I keep many irons in the fire. I have several jobs that I do besides working with my daddy but if elected all these things will cease and my first priority will be serving the people of DeKalb County. I am seeking the office of property assessor and I’d appreciate your support, vote, and prayers,” said Cantrell.
Johnathan Bryan Keith, another candidate for Assessor of Property, also asked for the voter’s support. “I’ve served on the rescue squad for several years. I look forward to serving my community in other ways. I’d appreciate anything anyone does for me. Thank you,’ said Keith.
Four candidates for constable also announced their candidacies beginning with Carl Lee Webb in the sixth district. “I live in the Keltonburg community in the sixth district. I served as constable for three terms and then dropped out. Mr. Cantrell Jones has had it for four years and he decided not to run again. If I’m elected I’ll do anything I can for anybody. Any vote and support you could give me I’d appreciate it,’ said Webb,.
Webb and Richard Bullard are both seeking the office of sixth district constable. Bullard was not present at Saturday’s mass meeting.
Incumbent third district constable Wayne Vanderpool is unopposed in his bid for another term. “I’ve been the constable in the third district for the last sixteen years. I’d appreciate anything anyone can do to help me even though I’m running unopposed. Thank you for your votes,’ he said.
Incumbent fifth district constable Mark Milam is also unopposed, seeking a sixth term. ” I want to say that I’m thankful for the last five terms that I’ve served for DeKalb County. Over the last five terms I’ve tried to be an asset to DeKalb County. I’m seeking re-election again and asking for each and everyone’s support. I have a good working relationship with all the agencies and help them in anyway I can,” he said.
Incumbent seventh district constable Johnny King added ” I am running for constable in the seventh district. This is my second term. I was constable in the fourth district for several years. I appreciate your vote and support. Thank you,” he said.
Incumbent fourth district constable Paul Cantrell is also seeking re-election but he was not present at the meeting.
These candidates will be on the ballot in the March 6 DeKalb County Democratic Primary. Early Voting is set for February 15-28.
Newly elected local democratic party officers were also announced including Jim Judkins, who was re-elected as chairman; Larry Bain, Jordan Wilkins, and Kim Luton as co-vice chairs; Katherine Pack as treasurer; and Joyce Hendrixson as secretary. They will serve through 2014.
James Hale said he pondering another run for state representative but hasn’t yet made up his mind. “We have to get the final decision on redistricting of whether or not that I am actually in the 40th district. It appears that I am. We’ll know that within the next few days. We’ll then make a decision,” said Hale.
George McDonald, who ran unsuccessfully against State Senator Mae Beavers in 2010, addressed the group calling for party unity. Although he didn’t specifically mention it, McDonald may also have his eye on the state representative seat. In James Hale’s remarks, he said “I know he (McDonald) is interested in this seat as well but he said to me that if James Hale runs, I won’t run,” said Hale.
(Top Photo: Scott Cantrell, Johnathan Bryan Keith, Timothy (Fud) Banks)
(Second Photo From Top: Carl Lee Webb, Mark Milam, Wayne Vanderpool, Johnny King)
(Third Photo From Top: Larry Bain, Katherine Pack, Jim Judkins, Joyce Hendrixson, Jordan Wilkins, Kim Luton)

The county commission Monday night will discuss whether to follow through on a school board request for the county to seek a CTAS traffic study in the Smithville school zones.
During the December regular meeting, school board members voted to ask the county attorney, Hilton Conger and city attorney, Vester Parsley to make contact with the County Technical Advisory Service CTAS and the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) to request a traffic study on behalf of both city and county governments.
The issue has been placed on the county commission agenda for Monday night.
In October, the Board of Education voted to ask the Smithville Mayor and Board of Aldermen to formally request the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) to conduct a cost free study of traffic flow patterns and to make suggestions for relieving congestion on highways at Northside Elementary as well as DCHS and DeKalb Middle School in Smithville.
Mayor Taft Hendrixson denied the request in a letter dated November 16, stating that the school board could seek the traffic study through CTAS.
School Board Chairman Charles Robinson, during the December meeting, said he had contacted CTAS since receiving Mayor Hendrixson’s letter. Robinson said it is his understanding that both CTAS and MTAS would be willing to work together to do a traffic study as long as both the city and county request it.
Fourth district member Billy Miller made a motion to “make a request of the attorney for the City of Smithville and the county attorney, asking that they sit down and contact CTAS to come up with such a study for the school system. I make that in the form of a motion to do so,” said Miller.
In December, 2010, the school board approved a plan to fund the cost of having persons direct traffic in the school zones during the mornings and afternoons at Northside Elementary, DCHS, and DeKalb Middle School.
Under the plan, the Board of Education, City of Smithville, and DeKalb County government each agreed to fund one third of the cost for the rest of that school year. The city and county had already approved the partnership under a memorandum of understanding.

The DeKalb County Commission Monday night may discuss whether someone should be appointed to fill the vacancy on the school board created by the recent resignation of Bruce Parsley from the sixth district.
Parsley, who was elected in August 2008, resigned as of December 31, 2011 to pursue a career as a certified school teacher. His term expires August 31st.
The county commission has the authority to appoint a school board member to fill the unexpired term but no action on an actual appointment is expected Monday night. Two men, Boyd Trapp and Doug Stephens attended Thursday night’s all committees meeting of the county commission to express an interest in filling the vacancy.
The last time the commission filled an opening on the school board was in 2006 when John David Foutch was named to serve out the term of Darrell Gill in the first district. Gill resigned before his term expired because he moved his residence out of the first district.
After it became known that Gill had resigned, notice was given that the position was open and interested parties came forward to submit their names for consideration. Initially, five applied for the position but three of them later dropped out. The county commission, during a workshop, interviewed the remaining two.
During the next regular county commission meeting, both names were placed in nomination for the position. On the first roll call, each commissioner cast a vote by calling out the name of the candidate he favored.
Foutch received nine of the fourteen commission votes. After the initial roll call vote, a second vote was taken to confirm Foutch’s appointment and all fourteen members gave Foutch their support.
Meanwhile, in other business Monday night the county commission will act on a resolution to honor Eagle Scout Thomas Claston Beltz.
The commission will discuss a letter from Director of Schools Mark Willoughby concerning a traffic study from the County Technical Advisory Service (CTAS) in the Smithville School Zones; discuss “a Safety First” program implication for Highway 70 and Highway 83 Intersection; discuss passage of the “Sale of Synthetic Drugs as a Felony” resolution; discuss the resignation of school board member Bruce Parsley; consider budget amendments; discuss an update on expenses and revenues; discuss an update of the county road list; discuss an update of the county’s policy and procedures for employees; discuss items addressed at the Thursday night workshop; discuss courthouse updates; discuss updates on the new county complex; discuss landfill updates; approve notaries; and discuss action taken last May to raise spending limits before competitive bidding and to clarify the limits that apply to the county, the highway department, and the board of education; and to discuss any business properly presented.
WJLE plans LIVE coverage

WJLE and participating local businesses will give you a chance to bid on and buy merchandise in the WJLE RADIO SHOPPER on Friday, January 27.
Starting at 8:00 a.m. that morning, WJLE will be opening up the phone lines and giving you a chance to bid on various items from DeKalb Tire and Service, DeKalb Ace Hardware, DeKalb Farmers Coop, Bumpers Drive-In, F.Z. Webb & Sons Gifts, Cantrell’s the home of Fluty and Fluty’s Shoes, Dairy Queen, Dipsey Doodle Too, Neo’s Restaurant, the Flower Box, Angie’s Diner, Extreme Looks Design Team, Head Turners, Modern Sign Company, Kilgore’s Restaurant, and others.
WJLE will set a minimum bid on each item, and continue the bidding until the item is sold.
It’s going to be fun and exciting! Be sure to be by your radio and your telephone on Friday, January 27 at 8:00 a.m. and call in a bid to RADIO SHOPPER on WJLE. The broadcast will also be live via audio streaming on www.wjle.com.

DeKalb County Democrats will meet Saturday morning at the DCHS cafeteria.
Local party chairman Jim Judkins said committee members will meet at 9:00 a.m. to conduct party business and elect the new party officers for 2012-2014 term and the mass meeting will follow at around 10:30 a.m. Food and entertainment will be provided.
Candidates for Property Assessor including incumbent Timothy (Fud) Banks and challengers Scott Cantrell and Jonathan Bryan Keith will have an opportunity to formally announce their candidacies along with constable candidates Wayne Vanderpool, Paul Cantrell, Mark Milam, Johnny King, Richard Bullard, and Carl Lee Webb.
New party officers will also be introduced.
Judkins urges all Democrats to attend.