The Grand Champion Fiddler of the 39th annual Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree and Crafts Festival is Bill J. Birchfield of Roan Mountain, Tennessee. The two day festival came to a close Saturday night at 11:15 p.m.
Birchfield won the Berry C. Williams Memorial Award after the Grand Finale Fiddle-Off between the best Junior and Senior Fiddler.
Click here to view more photos of Saturday session of the Fiddlers Jamboreehttp://www.wjle.com/node/11227
Birchfield made it to the fiddle off by winning the Senior Fiddling competition and he won the Grand Championship by beating Will McMeans of Lester, Alabama, the winner of the Junior Fiddling contest.

Other winners in the Saturday session of the Fiddler’s Jamboree are as follows:
Junior Fiddlers (Ages 13-39): First Place- Will McMeans of Lester, Alabama; Second Place- Matt Kinman of Vilas, North Carolina; and Third Place- Gailanne Amundsen of Longwood Florida. Amundsen was last year’s grand champion fiddler, after winning the junior fiddling contest.
Junior Old-Time Appalachian Flatfoot Dance (Ages up to 39): First Place- Kelsey Jones of Lyles; Second Place- Justin Frazor of Smyrna; and Third Place- Chris Stewart of Lyles
Click here to view video of Kelsey Jones in Junior Old-Time Appalachian Flatfoot Dance Competition
Senior Old-Time Appalachian Flatfoot Dance (Ages 40 & Over): First Place- Jeff Yates of Adams; Second Place- Jay Bland of Kennesaw, Georgia; and Third Place- Tammy Scruggs of Hartsville.
Click here to view video of Jeff Yates in Senior Old-Tim Appalachian Flatfoot Dance Finals
Senior Buck Dancing (Ages 40 & Over): First Place-Stanley Reece of Whitleyville; Second Place- Wendell Hodges of Scottsville, Kentucky; and Third Place- Danny Campbell of Murfreesboro.
Click here to view a video of Stanley Reece in the finals of the Senior Buck Dancing Contest
Senior Clogging (Ages 40 & Over): First Place-Tammy Scruggs of Hartsville; Second Place- Sherry Guenther of Monterey; and Third Place- Tommy Jackson of Franklin.
Click here to see video of Tammy Scruggs in Senior Clogging Contest
Bluegrass Banjo: First Place- Jeremy Stephens of Danville, Virginia; Second Place- Kevin Harris of Tuscumbia, Alabama; and Third Place- Shane Cothran of Franklin.
Bluegrass Band: First Place- A Step Ahead of Greenbrier; Second Place- DeKalb County Bluegrass of Dyersburg; and Third Place- The Rigney Family of Normandy.
Bluegrass Fiddle (Neil Dudney Award): First Place- Will McMeans of Lester, Alabama; Second Place Sarah Twilley of Murfreesboro; and Third Place- Chris Brown of Beechgrove. McMeans received his award from Mr. Dudney’s daughters, Susan Shaw and Janet England.
Senior Fiddlers ( Ages 40 & Over): First Place- Bill J. Birchfield of Roan Mountain; Second Place- Scott Miller of Hanceville, Alabama; and Third Place- Delmer Holland of Waverly.
Square Dancing: First Place-Harpeth River of Franklin; Second Place- Little Texas of Franklin; and Third Place- Tennessee Toe Tappers of Pleasant View.
Click here to view video clip of Harpeth River in Square Dancing Competition at Fiddlers Jamboree

A Greenbrier girl took home this year’s top Jamboree award as the best fiddler in the National Championship for Country Musician Beginners.
Cara Digiovanni was crowned the Grand Champion fiddler Saturday and won the coveted James G. “Bobo” Driver Memorial Award, named for the man who started the children’s competition during the 1980’s as part of the annual Fiddler’s Jamboree and Crafts Festival.
Meanwhile Aaron Clegg of Social Circle, Georgia received the “Entertainer of the Year” Award, which is presented to the best overall instrumental entertainer among winners in the dobro guitar, mandolin, five string banjo, and flat top guitar competition. Clegg took home first place in three of those categories and second place in another.
The National Championship for Country Musician Beginners showcases the talents of children up to age twelve in seven categories of competition.
This year’s winners are as follows:
Fiddle: First Place-Cara Digiovanni of Greenbrier; Second Place- Steven Alonso of Adams, Tennessee; and Third Place- Conner McCracken of Fredericksburg, Indiana..
Buck Dancing: First Place- Katie Huntley of Loretto, Tennessee; Second Place- Raygan Sellers of Ashland City; and Third Place- Keley Tomlin of Springfield.
Clogging: First Place- Shelby Dunn of Fairview; Second Place Kati Huntley of Loretto; and Third Place- Brayden Chunn of Greenbrier.
Dobro Guitar: First Place- Aaron Clegg of Social Circle, Georgia; Second Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana; and Third Place- Frannie Digiovanni of Greenbrier.
Mandolin: First Place- Aaron Clegg of Social Circle, Georgia; Second Place-Frannie Digiovanni of Greenbrier; and Third Place- Ben Hester of Chapmansboro
Five String Banjo: First Place- Aaron Clegg of Social Circle, Georgia; Second Place- Adam Keckritz of Tullahoma; and Third Place- Grayson Philips of Chapmansboro
Flat Top Guitar: First Place- Kati Huntley of Loretto; Second Place- Aaron Clegg of Social Circle, Georgia; and Third Place- Cole Nichols of Town Creek, Alabama.

29 year old Terry Scott Austin was airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville Friday evening after his girlfriend allegedly stabbed him in the abdomen with a kitchen knife at her home in Alexandria.
21 year old Emily Fare of 105 Lavergne Street, Alexandria has been charged with aggravated assault and she is under a $5,000 bond. Fare will appear in General Sessions Court on July 15th.
The warrant against Fare alleges that “On Friday, July 2nd at 105 Lavergne Street in Alexandria, Emily Fare did stab her boyfriend Terry Austin in the abdomen with a knife and he had to be airlifted for emergency treatment.”
Central Dispatch received the call at 6:25 p.m.
Alexandria Police Officer Mark Milam says Fare and Austin apparently got into an argument which escalated resulting in the assault. After the attack, Milam says Austin left the residence on foot but later had to be treated. He was airlifted by a helicopter ambulance and flown from Alexandria to Vanderbilt Hospital.
Milam says he was joined in the investigation by fellow Alexandria police officer Terry Cowart, Jr. and DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputy Jeremy Taylor.
The case remains under investigation.
Meanwhile, officers of the Smithville Police Department are reporting several arrests in their latest weekly update.
43 year old Todd Odell Hindsley of 830 South Mountain Street was charged Saturday, June 26th with resisting stop, frisk, and halt. According to the warrant, K-9 Officer Bradley Tatrow and Sergeant Joey Jones responded to 830 South Mountain Street to a possible domestic incident between a male and female who were fighting outside the residence where windows were being busted out of the house. Upon arrival, the officers made contact with Hindsley who was sitting on the back steps of the home. Hindsley could not tell the officers what had happened, nor where his mother was or why two windows of the house had been broken. According to police, Hindsley told Sergeant Jones that he was going to run. Sergeant Jones told him that he didn’t want to do that but Hindsley replied “watch me” and made a jump as if he were going to run. Sergeant Jones and Officer Tatrow say they then had to put hands on Hindsley to stop him. Hindsley became very combative and had to be taken to the ground. He kept fighting and eventually had to be chemical sprayed to get him under control. Bond for Hindsley is $2500 and his court date is July 22nd
44 year old Merle William Martin Jr. of 1123 Keltonburg Road was issued a citation by Officer Scott Davis on Monday, June 28th for shoplifting. A Wal-Mart employee allegedly saw Martin cut open some merchandise, place it on his person and try to leave the store without paying for those items. Martin was cited to appear in court on July 15th.
44 year old Michael Dewayne Merritt of 109 Juniper Lane was arrested on Tuesday, June 29th for domestic assault. Officer Bradley Tatrow made the arrest. According to the report, Merritt and the victim were arguing and the confrontation became physical with Merritt allegedly choking her and hitting her in the face with his elbow. Bond for Merritt was set at $2,500 and his court date is July 15th.
27 year old Nathan Joe Trapp of 379 Magness Road was arrested on Tuesday, June 29th for violating an order of protection. Sergeant Randy King had been made aware of a warrant for Trapp earlier Tuesday and later that night he saw Trapp sitting in front of Justin Potter Library Trapp was placed under arrest. Trapp’s court date is July 15th.
26 year old Roxanna Landis of 628 Andrews Street was arrested Wednesday, June 30th for public intoxication. Corporal Travis Bryant was called to Restview Avenue to check out a complaint of a fight. Upon arrival Corporal Bryant made contact with Landis who was unsteady on her feet and she had slurred speech. Bond for Landis was set at $1,000 and her court date is July 22nd.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, July 1st Detective Matt Holmes cited 23 year old Tamra Renee Lloyd of 726 Gentry Avenue for shoplifting. A Wal-Mart employee allegedly saw Lloyd taking items from the store. She allegedly admitted to stealing merchandise from Wal-Mart. Her court date is July 22nd.
25 year old Ellissa Sarah Howard of 630 Highland Avenue was arrested on Thursday, July 1st and charged with DUI. Corporal Travis Bryant responded to Wal-Mart to check out a complaint of a disorderly suspect. Upon his arrival, the suspect had already returned to her vehicle. Corporal Bryant spoke with Howard and noticed she had slurred speech and she was unsteady on her feet. Field sobriety tasks were performed but she performed poorly. Her bond was set at $1,000 and her court date was set for July 22nd.
Anyone with information on any criminal offense is asked to please contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210 or the Tip Line at 464-6046.
All information is confidential.

A woman from India received a United States flag and an Alaska man was presented a Tennessee State flag during the Fiddler’s Jamboree on Friday night
The flags, which have flown over the state capitol, go to the persons who travel the greatest distances, both from inside and outside the country, to get here.
The flags were presented by State Senator Mae Beavers and State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver.
The American flag went to Alex Shana of India and John Thomas Ferrell of Anchorage, Alaska received the Tennessee flag.
The first day of the 39th annual Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree and Crafts Festival ran non-stop from about 9:00 a.m. Friday morning until close to 11:30 p.m. Friday night.
Click here to view pictures of the Fiddlers Jamboree and Crafts Festival on Fridayhttp://www.wjle.com/node/11156
Preliminaries were held in sixteen categories of music and dance competition followed by the finals featuring the top three acts in each event.
The following video clip is of Jennifer Campbell from Whitebluff, winner of the Junior Buck Dancing competition
The following are the winners in each category:
Old Time Appalachian Folk Singing (Solo/Duet): First Place- Joe Overton of Smithville; Second Place-Scott Miller of Hanceville, Alabama; and Third Place-Sierra Ivie Tomlin of Springfield.
Click here to view video clip of Jackson Hollow of Franklin, winner of the Youth Square Dancing Competiton
Flat Top Guitar: First Place- Andrew Rigney of Normandy, Tennessee; Second Place- Rob Pearcy of Smyrna; and Third Place- Cody Hull of Byrdstown.
Junior Clogging (Ages 13-39): First Place-Chris Stewart of Lyles, Tennessee; Second Place- Woody Stephenson of Nashville; and Third Place-Kelly Eicher of Allensville, Kentucky.
Junior Buck Dancing (Ages 13-39): First Place- Jennifer Campbell of White Bluff, Tennessee; Second Place- Kelsey Jones of Lyles, and Third Place- Woody Stephenson of Nashville
Dobro Guitar: First Place- Tyler Collins of Allen, Tennessee; Second Place- Jason Sanders of Lancaster; and Third Place- David Currey of Columbia, Missouri.
Mountain Dulcimer: First Place-Gailanne Amundsen of Longwood, Florida; Second Place- Rob Pearcy of Smyrna; and Third Place- Eric Vick of Lyles
Hammer Dulcimer: First Place- Scott Miller of Hanceville, Alabama; and Second Place- Chris Brown of Beechgrove, Tennessee
Novelty Event: First Place- Wallin Wood of Nashville; Second Place- Cross Picking of Danville, Virginia; and Third Place- Duelin’ Dad & Lad of Crossville.
Youth Square Dancing: First Place- Jackson Hollow of Franklin; and Second Place- The Main Stage Fusion of Springfield.
Old Time Fiddle Band: First Place- DeKalb County Rangers of Smithville; Second Place- Eric Vick and Spring Creek of Lyles; and Third Place- Sowbelly String Band of Murfreesboro
Autoharp: First Place-Kurt Stephenson of Dyersburg; Second Place- Jeremy Stephens of Danville, Virginia; and Third Place- Billy J. Birchfield of Roan Mountain, Tennessee.
Gospel Singing (Solo): First Place- Graham Sherrill of Nashville; Second Place- Gailanne Amundsen of Longwood, Florida; and Third Place- Sarah Cripps of Smithville.
Country Harmonica: First Place- Tyler Martelli of Hixson; Second Place- Daniel Amick of Pleasantville; and Third Place- Ronnie Murphy of Bowling Green, Kentucky
Old Time Banjo: First Place- Daniel Rothwell of Murfreesboro; Second Place- Rebekah Weiler of Marietta, Georgia; and Third Place- Eric Vick of Lyles.
Gospel Singing (Duet, Trio, & Quartet): First Place- Kurt & Jeremy of Dyersburg; Second Place- Poplar Grass Band of Cookeville; and Third Place- Jalee Roberts and Lindsey Batts of Murfreesboro.
Mandolin:First Place- Will McMeans of Lester, Alabama; Second Place- Andrew Rigney of Normandy; and Third Place- Rob Pearcy of Smyrna.

On July 4th, America will celebrate its birthday. Families across the country will be commemorating this event with parties, parades and fireworks. If you plan to use fireworks this 4th of July, DeKalb Community Hospital encourages you to include fire safety as part of your holiday celebration.
Thousands of people are injured from fireworks each year. More than half of these injuries involve children. “The most common injuries involve bottle rockets, sparklers and firecrackers,” says Eric Phillips, the Chief Nursing Officer for DeKalb Community Hospital. Bottle rockets and firecrackers are unpredictable and can fly in any direction before exploding and sparklers can burn at temperatures hot enough to melt gold.
“Many injuries occur because people often don’t think about how dangerous fireworks can be,” explains Eric. “Too often, they get caught up in the excitement and forget about fire safety.”
DeKalb Community Hospital offers the following safety tips to help ensure a safe 4th of July celebration:
* Always follow directions on the firework label.
* Never let children light fireworks.
* Always have an adult present. Even sparklers can be dangerous if unsupervised.
* Make sure you give yourself enough room. Stay away from buildings, vehicles, flammable materials, dry grass and trees.
* Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.
* Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.
* Have a bucket of water or water hose close by in case of an emergency and to douse used sparklers.
* Always wear eye protection when shooting fireworks.
* Loose clothing can catch fire and should not be worn when handling fireworks.
* Always light fireworks one at a time.
* Never try to re-ignite fireworks that have malfunctioned. Soak them in water and discard them.
* Store fireworks in a dry, cool place.
* Never throw or point fireworks at another person.
* Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
* Never build your own or modify fireworks.
Following these safety measures will help prevent an unfortunate accident. It is important to remember that fire safety is important at all times. Be sure to continue thinking about safety after the celebration has ended.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation has approved the county’s request for the installation of flashing beacon lights at the intersection of U.S. 70 and State Highway 83 near Kilgore’s Restaurant.
County Mayor Mike Foster says even though the county will have to bear the costs, the lights are needed because this is a dangerous intersection and several serious traffic accidents have occurred there in recent years. “The way it will probably be engineered, it won’t be a four way stop but there will be flashing red lights on each side of highway 83 and flashing caution lights on highway 70. We are estimating that by the time we pay the engineer and the other costs, it’ll probably be in the neighborhood of $20,000. But it’s a dangerous intersection. We tried to get the state to do it (install the lights) but they said they were not in that business.”
The lights will be installed overhead above the highways, instead of by the sides of the roads, as the county had preferred. Foster says TDOT indicated that Highway 70 was too wide for the lights to be on the side of the road. State officials were also concerned that the lights would be more prone to being struck by passing motorists if they were by the highway.
The county commission, on Monday night, voted to advertise bids for this project.