Smithville Police made two arrests last week for DUI and one for public intoxication.
23 year old Cipriano Petriz of 1532 Vaughn Lane was arrested on Sunday, May 23rd for a first offense of driving under the influence. Officer David Phillips saw Petriz driving without his headlights on and not maintaining proper lane of travel. Upon stopping and speaking with Petriz, Officer Phillips smelled a strong odor of a fermented beverage coming from him. Petriz also had slurred speech and he was unsteady on his feet upon exiting his vehicle. Due to the language barrier and his intoxicated state, field sobriety tasks were not performed. Bond for him was set at $1,500 and his court date is June 17th.
58 year old Keith Michael Upton of 2488 Turners Bend Road, McMinnville was arrested for driving under the influence on Tuesday, May 25th. Corporal Travis Bryant responded to a possible drunk driver on West Broad Street. Upon making contact with Upton, Corporal Bryant suspected him to be under the influence of something. Upton was asked to perform several field sobriety tasks and he performed poorly on all tasks. Upton submitted to a blood alcohol test and admitted taking medication, Xanax earlier. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is June 10th.
40 year old Robert Roy Atnip Jr of 205 South 1st Street was arrested for public intoxication on Tuesday, May 25th. Officer Matt Holmes responded to a suspicious person that had left K & M Jewelry on West Broad Street. Officer Holmes made contact with Atnip who was unsteady on his feet and almost stumbled into the roadway. Upon speaking with Atnip, Officer Holmes noticed him to have a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person and his speech was slurred. Bond is $1,000 and his court date is June 10th.
On Thursday, May 27th, Officer Scott Davis arrested 28 year old Christina L Johnson of 530 Miller Road on a warrant for failure to appear.
Any information received that will help Smithville Police solve any criminal offense will be greatly appreciated. All information is confidential.

A 28 year old man was injured in a car wreck Friday evening on Highway 56 near the DeKalb/Warren County line.
Central dispatch received the call at 6:32 p.m.
Trooper Dewaine Jennings of the Tennessee Highway Patrol says Shaun Travis Hill of Johnson City was traveling north on Highway 56 in a 1990 Chevy Lumina Mini-Van when he crossed over the center line into the oncoming lane, went off the left shoulder, and struck a mail box post. The mini-van then traveled north a short distance in a ditchline and struck a culvert, causing the vehicle to roll over on it’s passenger side. The accident occurred just inside the DeKalb County line.
A passerby stopped to render assistance to Hill until EMS arrived. Members of the DeKalb County Fire Department responded to perform extrication services, cutting out the windshield so that Hill could be removed on a backboard and treated at the scene by EMS. Hill was later airlifted on site by a Life Force helicopter ambulance. He was believed to have been flown to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga.
Trooper Jennings says charges are pending against Hill.

DeKalb County’s April unemployment rate was unchanged from March at 10.9% and only slightly higher than the rate for April, 2009 of 10.7%
The local labor force for April was at 9,630. A total of 8,580 were employed and 1,050 were unemployed.
DeKalb County and Macon County tied for having the fourth lowest unemployment rates in the Upper Cumberland region for April at 10.9%.
The other counties ranked as follows from highest to lowest:
Pickett- 15.2%
Van Buren- 13.2%
White- 13.1%
Clay- 13.1%
Warren- 12.4%
Smith- 12.4%
Jackson- 12%
Fentress- 12%
Overton-11.3%
DeKalb-10.9%
Macon-10.9%
Cumberland 10.8%
Putnam-9.6%
Cannon-9.6%
Meanwhile, Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April was 10.5 percent, down from the March rate of 10.6 percent. The United States unemployment rate for the month of April was 9.9 percent.
County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for April show that the rate decreased in 89 counties, increased in three counties and remained the same in three counties.
Lincoln County registered the state’s lowest county unemployment rate at 7.1 percent, down from 7.4 percent in March. Scott County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 20.3 percent, up from 19.8 in March, followed by Marshall County at 17.3 percent, down from 18.4 percent in March.
Knox County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 8.2 percent, unchanged from March. Davidson County was 9.0 percent, down from 9.1 in March. Hamilton County was at 9.0 percent, down from 9.4 in March, and Shelby County was 10.3 percent, down from 10.5 in March.

The DeKalb County High School Tigers were eliminated from the TSSAA Division I Class AA state baseball tournament Thursday afternoon in Murfreesboro, losing to Knoxville Gibbs 12 to 2 in five innings.
Gibbs scored twelve runs on eleven hits while the Tigers scored two runs on five hits. Neither team committed an error. The game ended in the fifth inning due to the ten run rule.
Gibbs scored one run in the first inning, three runs in the second inning, six runs in the third, one in the fourth, and one in the fifth inning.
DeKalb County scored two runs in the fourth inning.
Hunter Graham the losing pitcher, went one inning, faced nine batters, and gave up three earned runs on one hit. He walked three and three were hit by a pitch. Chris Powell came in for one and a third innings and faced nine batters. He gave up five runs (4 earned) on four hits. He struck out one and walked one. McCullough Wallace went two thirds of an inning. He faced seven batters and gave up two earned runs on two hits. He walked one and there was one hit by a pitch. Evan Curtis then came in for one inning and faced eight batters. He gave up two earned runs on four hits and there was one hit by a pitch.
Hits:
Corey Atnip had two singles
Tyler Kent, single
Tyler Caldwell, single
Andrew Atnip, a single and an RBI
Steven Howell, RBI
The Tigers went 2-2 in the tournament, losing to David Lipscomb 2 to 1 in ten innings on Tuesday night, beating Jackson Southside 5 to 0 on Wednesday morning, defeating David Lipscomb 2 to 1 on Wednesday night, and losing to Knoxville Gibbs 12 to 2 on Thursday in the final four or semi-finals.
The following is a summary of the other three games the Tigers played in the State Tournament beginning with the match against David Lipscomb on Tuesday night in which DeKalb County lost 2 to 1 in ten innings.
David Lipscomb scored one run in the fifth inning and one run in the tenth inning. DeKalb County scored one run in the third inning.
Garrett Hoke, the losing pitcher, went nine and a third innings and faced 38 batters. He gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits. He struck out eight and walked four.
Hits:
Destry Wiggins, single
Shane Salley, single
Tyler Caldwell, two singles
Cody Puckett, single
Andrew Atnip, single
On Wednesday morning the Tigers defeated Jackson Southside 5 to 0 in the loser’s bracket. DeKalb County scored one run in the first inning, two runs in the second inning, and two runs in the fourth inning.
Cody Puckett, the winning pitcher, faced 29 batters. He gave up four hits, struck out three and walked three. Two batters were hit by a pitch.
Hits:
Tyler Kent, single
Corey Atnip, a double and RBI
Tyler Caldwell, two singles
Cody Puckett, single
Andrew Atnip, single
Travis Neal, single and RBI
Stephen Howell, double and RBI
On Wednesday night, the Tigers had a rematch with David Lipscomb and won 2 to 1.
DeKalb County scored one run in the third inning and one run in the fourth inning. David Lipscomb scored one run in the fourth inning.
Shane Salley, the winning pitcher, faced 29 batters. He gave up one earned run on five hits. He struck out four and walked three.
Hits:
Destry Wiggins, single
Shane Salley, double and RBI
Tyler Kent, double
Tyler Caldwell, single
Andrew Atnip, single
Travis Neal, single
The Tigers conclude the season with an overall record of 21-7. They finished second in the regular district season, won the district and region tournament championships, won their sub-state game, and finished in the final four of the Division I Class AA state baseball tournament.

Smithville Electric System held a small luncheon Wednesday to commemorate 41 years of service to the City of Smithville.
Two of the directors, John Robert Nixon and Dr. W.E. Vanatta, who have been on the SES board since it was established in 1969, were also recognized for 41 years of service.
Mayor Taft Hendrixson presented plaques to each man which reads ” Your dedicated service and conservative leadership has helped make Smithville Electric System what it is today. Your commitment is greatly appreciated by the City of Smithville Mayor and Board of Aldermen, 2010.”
Nixon, who has also served as chairman of the board since it’s beginning, says he appreciates all the employees and supporters from the City of Smithville and Smithville Electric.” I also want to thank our vice chairman who is not here today, Dr. W.E. Vanatta. He is not feeling well. I want to give him as much or more credit for the growth and prosperity of Smithville Electric as any of the rest of us. We started out here in 1969 with Dr. Vanatta, John Bill Evins, Bill Maffett, Clarence Braswell, and myself on the board. Some of those are not with us anymore and we sure do miss them but their replacements have all been excellent people that had one thing in mind, the growth of the city of Smithville and Smithville Electric. We want to thank everybody for this. We have one of the lowest rates. We were, out of 154 distributors, the twelfth lowest in rates. We have maintained a good crew to take care of people after hours and if it weren’t for the squirrels we wouldn’t have any power outage much.”
After the regular board meeting, fellow SES board members visited Dr. Vanatta in his home to make the award presentation. Dr. Vanatta said he was grateful to them. “I want to thank the Smithville Electric System. I want to thank the mayors over the years that’s re-appointed me on the electric board. I have so many people to be grateful to. They have all been cordial and easy to work with. I couldn’t ask for a better bunch.”
Smithville Electric System is governed by a five member board of directors, who are appointed by the Mayor. In addition to Nixon and Dr. Vanatta, other current members of the board are Tony Hagan, Walter Burton, and Smithville Alderman Cecil Burger.
The SES Manager is Michael E. Parker.

The people of DeKalb County bid goodbye to their hometown hero PFC Billy Gene Anderson Tuesday afternoon.
The memorial service for PFC Anderson was held at the New Life United Pentecostal Church in Smithville followed by a long procession to the Dismal Cemetery near Liberty
From the church on South Congress Boulevard to West Broad Street in Smithville and at many other places along the route, people lined the roadside, gathered in front of businesses, or just sat in their vehicles to view the funeral procession as it passed by. Many waved flags and displayed signs in tribute to the fallen soldier who was killed in Afghanistan last Monday.
Bobby Thomason and Michael Hale officiated at the funeral.
Thomason, pastor of the Covenant Baptist Church where Anderson was a member, said Billy was a good young man who made good choices in life. “Billy was well loved by his family and friends. He was a young man, full of life. He was humble but always ready to help and respond to whatever it might be.”
“As a young boy, he gave his life to Jesus Christ at Bible school and I had the privilege of baptizing him. I thought he made good choices in his life. He accepted Christ. He chose to serve his country, to be a young man willing to sacrifice for the love of his country and even though he is gone from us in body he will always be with us in spirit. He was a hero in our midst.”
Hale said Billy realized there was a cost in serving his country, but he was willing to make the sacrifice. “The reason Billy was willing to go and fight was because he loved you and I. He cared enough about the freedoms that we have that he was willing to go and lay down his life that we could enjoy our freedom. Billy realized that there was a cost but he cared enough about his family. He cared enough about DeKalb County, the State of Tennessee, and the United States of America to say I’m going to defend what we have and he was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.”
Chaplain Larry McCarty from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, quoting from the scriptures, said Billy lived the passage in second Timothy, ” I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. Billy did that. The challenge for us is to do the same.”
Brigadier General Robin Akin presented PFC Anderson’s military awards to the family including the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a Bronze Service Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal, and Combat Action Badge.
Song selections for the funeral included recorded music by Tim McGraw “If You’re Reading This, I’m Already Home”, Toby Keith’s “An American Solider” and “Crying for Me” , among others. Thea Tippin sang a song in person as part of the memorial service.
Members of Anderson’s unit from Fort Bragg served as pallbearers during the funeral and at the cemetery. Just before burial, an American flag which had draped the casket was folded and given to Anderson’s mother Marlene Goodwin. Two other folded American flags were presented to Anderson’s wife Caitlin and eight month old daughter Lilly Grace.
In addition to the flag presentations, the military service at the cemetery featured a twenty one gun salute and concluded with taps.
Several white doves were also released during the graveside service.

The DeKalb County Commission adopted a resolution Monday night paying tribute to Eagle Scout James Runyon.
The resolution reads as follows: “Whereas, it is fitting that the DeKalb County Commission and the DeKalb County Mayor should announce their pride, respect, and honor in the young people of our community who so capably fulfill their requirements and duties to reach lofty goals and levels of achievement.
Whereas, James Runyon has performed the years of tasks to work his way to the highest honor bestowed by the Boy Scouts of America. James Runyon has worked to a level achieved by a very select few and has earned the Eagle Award.
Whereas, the DeKalb County Commission and the DeKalb County Mayor wish to thank James Runyon, his family, other scouts who helped, and his leaders for the honors they have brought to themselves and DeKalb County.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the DeKalb County Commission that May 24th, 2010 be officially named Eagle Scout James Runyon Day.
Be it further resolved that this accomplishment be spread across the records of this meeting and preserved as a lasting part of our appreciation to Eagle Scout James Runyon.”
Foster informed the commission that Runyon finished his requirements for attaining Eagle Scout on April 26th, 2010. “For his project, James oversaw the installation of the brick patio in front of Justin Potter Library. He had already turned fifteen when he joined the boy scouts. He has put in countless service hours with his church and the boy scouts. He enjoys camping, swimming, canoeing, bike riding, and competing in the Iron Man triatholon at summer camp. One of the merit badges he completed was cycling. He had to complete 140 miles of bike riding. One of those was a fifty mile bike ride in less than four hours. He and his parents, Greg and Cheryl live on Cill Street.

A total of 23 people cast ballots on the first day of early voting for the Smithville Municipal Election Wednesday, May 26th. Twenty one voted by personal appearance and two by absentee ballot.
The DeKalb County Election Commission reports that the City of Smithville has a total of 3,076 registered voters.
Here’s a break down of the registered city voters by age group:
Ages 18-20: 144 registered voters
Ages 21-30: 509
Ages 31-40: 432
Ages 41-50: 552
Ages 51-65: 730
Ages 65 and over: 709
Female registered city voters also outnumber males 1,739 to 1,336
Of course it’s unknown how many people will vote in the upcoming Smithville Municipal Election, but the turnout seems to have been trending upward in recent years.
In 2006 a total of 696 people cast ballots to elect a mayor and two aldermen. The following year, 738 turned out to elect three aldermen. In 2008, 963 voters went to the polls to choose a mayor and two aldermen. Last year, a total of 811 cast ballots. Even though the turnout was down a bit last year compared to 2008, it was still somewhat higher than in 2006 and 2007.
The record also shows that in each of those years from 2006 to 2009, most of the people who voted, did so during the early voting period.
In 2006, 425 voted early and 271 cast ballots on election day.
In 2007, 555 voted early and 183 election day
In 2008, 684 voted early and 279 election day
In 2009, 590 voted early and 221 election day
This year’s city election begins with early voting Wednesday, May 26th through June 10th.
Voting times are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on the first floor of the courthouse. No voting on Memorial Day, May 31st.
A mayor and two aldermen will be elected on Tuesday, June 15th. Each term is for two years. The terms of office for those elected will begin on July 1st.
The candidates for mayor are incumbent Taft Hendrixson and challengers Debi Loring DePriest and Bruce Medley.
Candidates for alderman are incumbents Cecil Burger and Stephen White and challenger Shawn Beckham.