Fireworks sales inside the City limits of Smithville are now legal during the Independence Day and New Year holiday periods.
The Smithville Aldermen Monday night adopted on second and final reading an ordinance authorizing the sale of fireworks under certain conditions. The vote was 4-0. Aldermen Danny Washer, Jason Murphy, Shawn Jacobs, and Gayla Hendrix supported it. Alderman Josh Miller was absent.
Under the new ordinance, a vendor may apply for a permit good for 12 months (June 1 to May 31) at a fee of $500 but sales will only be permitted from June 20 through July 9 and from December 21 through January 5 covering the time periods of Independence Day and New Year’s Day.
Applicants must also adhere to state laws applicable to the sales of fireworks (including obtaining a state fire marshal authorized permit) as well as other regulations outlined in the city ordinance.
Lou Ann White, a city resident, addressed the mayor and aldermen in opposition to the sale of fireworks inside the city limits due to safety reasons. “ It’s too dangerous to have a fireworks stand on a commercial lot near a residential neighborhood with so many people living so close together. It could blow up. I feel that is dangerous,” she said.
White, who sells fireworks herself during the fourth of July each year outside the city, said there could also be fire hazards if a large vendor like Wal-Mart is allowed to sell fireworks. “Walmart will be the number one seller in the city. They will have it inside their building where they had an electrical fire only a few months ago,” said White.
While vendors as large as Wal-Mart could have tents outside their businesses to sell fireworks, one of the requirements in the ordinance is that no structure from which fireworks are sold may exceed 3,200 square feet in size.
Alderman Gayla Hendrix asked Fire Chief Charlie Parker for an opinion on the safety issue, saying she had been contacted by a few people with concerns.
“The only issue I have is with the storage of fireworks (in the event of a fire) but I think the ordinance covers that. If they are stored inside a building there has to be sprinklers. I recommend that they be stored outside the building in a separate metal storage container so we know exactly where they are at. They should not be kept inside the building where it could be a surprise (in the event of a fire),” said Chief Parker.

Three more persons have been picked up by the Sheriff’s Department on sealed indictments returned during a special session of the Grand Jury last week.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW MUG SHOTS OF PERSONS RECENTLY BOOKED AT THE DEKALB COUNTY JAIL- Intakes & Releases From: 5/29/2017 Thru: 6/05/2017)
Seagate Crystal Reports – REPOR_26.pdf (4.83 MB)
20 year old Jacob Fisher Murphy of Peyton Lane, Smithville is charged with sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Hydrocodone) in a drug free zone. Murphy’s bond is $25,000.
41 year old Rachel Lucille Sprague of Toad Road, Dowelltown is charged with sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Hydrocodone) in a drug free zone. Her bond is $25,000.
25 year old Michael Austin Briley of Blue Springs Road, Smithville is charged with sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) and sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Oxycodone). His bond is $75,000.
The Grand Jury met last Tuesday and returned more than 40 sealed indictments mostly against drug offenders.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said officers of his department appeared before the Grand Jury and presented cases against each offender as the result of an undercover investigation. “A variety of drugs were bought during this operation including Xanax, Hydrocodone, Marijuana, Methamphetamine, Subutex, and others,” he said.
“We tried to focus this operation on methamphetamine. We had received information that methamphetamine has been coming up here from Georgia and not only into our county but also other places in the state,” Sheriff Ray continued.
“Some of the indictments were for sale and delivery in a drug free zone which is an area 1,000 feet of a school, park, library, and daycare,” he added.
A total of 33 have now been arrested as a result of the grand jury indictments.
Meanwhile, in other weekly crime news from the Sheriff’s Department, 30 year old Jose Arias of Smithville is charged with violation of conditional release . His bond is $5,000 and his court date is June 8. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, May 29 Arias, a prisoner in jail, called his victim in a domestic violence case, asking her to come and make his bond. According to Sheriff Ray, Arias knew his bond conditions prohibit him from making contact with the victim.
37 year old Billy Wayne Rodgers of Short Mountain Highway, Smithville is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. His bond is $5,000 and his court date is June 15. Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, May 30 a detective went to Short Mountain Highway with state probation officers to speak with Rodgers. During a probation search of the residence a Winchester .22 caliber rifle was found. Rodgers was convicted of a felony drug charge in May, 2015 in Putnam County and is prohibited from having possession of a weapon.
56 year old Paul Edgar Rowland of Hawkins Drive, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $2,500 and his court date is June 15. Sheriff Ray said that on May 30 a deputy responded to a residence on Hawkins Drive due to a domestic call. Rowland’s step son alleged to the Sheriff’s Office that Rowland grabbed his arm, turned him around, and spat in his face. The victim said he then pushed Rowland away from him. Rowland again allegedly confronted his step-son and began hitting him in the face. The victim went outside the residence but Rowland allegedly chased him down and continued to hit him according to the complaint.
29 year old Brian Alan King of Murfreesboro is charged with driving under the influence. He was further issued citations for failure to maintain lane of travel, violation of the open container law, and violation of financial responsibility for no insurance. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is June 15. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, June 3 a deputy was dispatched to the area of Nashville Highway due to a possible reckless driver. The officer spotted a red Dodge Stratus and noticed that the driver failed to maintain his lane of travel. The deputy stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver King. He had a strong odor of alcohol on his person. King’s eyes were bloodshot and his speech was slurred. He was unsteady on his feet and performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. King later admitted to having had too much to drink to be driving. The officer found several open containers of alcohol in the automobile.
33 year old Blake Stephen Edmondson of Cookeville is charged with driving under the influence. He was also cited for driving on roadways laned for travel. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is June 22. Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, June 4 a deputy stopped Edmondson’s vehicle for failure to maintain his lane of travel. While speaking to Edmondson, the officer noticed a strong odor of alcohol on his person. His speech was slurred and his eyes were watery. Edmondson admitted to having consumed some alcoholic beverages earlier in the night. He submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.

The Smithville Aldermen adopted a new $6.4 million budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year on first reading Monday night.
The proposed budget totals $6-million 411-thousand 679 dollars. Under the new spending plan, the property tax rate will remain the same at 64.9 cents per $100 of assessed value. The city property tax rate is budgeted to generate $884,000.
Water and sewer rates are to increase effective July 1. City water customers are to pay $7.25 per thousand gallons of usage, up from the current rate of $5.00 per thousand gallons. Rates for customers outside the city limits are to be $10.88 per thousand, an increase from the current rate of $7.50 per thousand gallons. City sewer customers will see an increase from the current rate of $5.00 per thousand gallons plus the flat usage rate of $3.62 to $6.75 per thousand gallons. The rate increase is to help make up the difference in the loss of $775,000 in revenue due to the departure of the DeKalb Utility District as a water customer.
The new budget includes a 2% across the board cost of living pay raise for city hourly and salaried employees except for the police department which already has a wage scale with scheduled step increases for its employees. The cost to the city for the pay raises is $40,000. The city is implementing a new method of awarding Christmas bonuses in the new budget. Bonuses will be paid based on longevity ranging from $250 for employees with up to five years of service to a maximum of $600 for those with more than 20 years of service. Previously, the city has given bonuses at 1% of an employee’s salary paid in December at Christmas time. By making this change, the city will save $2,000.
The budget includes $925,945 in proposed capital outlay expenditures in the general fund but most of that, $725,945 is for the new fire pumper/rescue truck which the city has ordered and $83,000 for three used police cars and a used investigator’s car which Police Chief Mark Collins has requested. The fire truck will actually be paid for over two budget years.
A total of $50,000 has been included for the city hall building, most of which is expected to be used to make repairs to the elevator at city hall after lightning from a recent thunderstorm put it out of commission. The budget includes $15,000 to add side loaders to garbage trucks as the city prepares to convert to a new street side automated side loader garbage collection system. A total of $2,000 has been added to purchase software and handheld scanners for more efficient processing of water bill collections especially at the city hall drive through window.
Alderman Josh Miller last Thursday night during a workshop requested that the city’s allocation to the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad be increased by $500 from $1,500 to $2,000. That request will be funded.
The city is expected to wrap up the 2016-17 general fund budget year June 30 in the red by $640,150 primarily due to the city’s purchase of a new automated side loader sanitation truck and new garbage collection containers which costs $350,000 and for the city’s matching construction costs of the new Holmes Creek Bridge which was $111,485. The total bridge project cost $723,000 but the state paid most of it at $611,515. Another factor adding to the deficit is the city’s $350,000 cost for street paving. A total of $201,000 has already been spent for paving this year with more expected. If the city does finish the year with a deficit, the difference will be drawn from the general fund surplus to balance the budget.
For the 2017-18 year, the city is projected to end the year on June 30, 2018 with a general fund deficit of $802,840, most of which is due to the new fire pumper/rescue truck at $725,945 and for the purchase of four used police cars at $83,000. Again, should the city end the fiscal year in the red, the difference will be taken from the general fund surplus to balance the budget.
The city’s water and sewer fund is expected to end the fiscal year June 30 with a surplus of $242,179 but even after the rate increases the water and sewer fund is expected to only break even by the close of the 2017-18 fiscal year on June 30, 2018 after the departure of DUD as a water customer. The city is underway with a sewer plant rehabilitation project which is costing $2,750,000 and $40,000 for tube settlers for the water plant. To help pay for the cost of the sewer plant project, the city was awarded a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $525,000 from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. Although the grant will fund part of the costs, the bulk of the funding to pay for it will be appropriated from the city’s water and sewer fund surplus.
The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen will meet in special session on Monday, June 19 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall to adopt the new budget on second and final reading.

Fireworks sales inside the City limits of Smithville may be permitted in time for Independence Day celebrations.
The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen last month took the first step toward lifting the ban which has been in effect since 1982.
Under the proposed ordinance, which was adopted on first reading, a vendor may apply for a permit good for 12 months at a fee of $500 but sales would only be permitted from June 20 through July 9 and from December 21 through January 5 covering the time periods of Independence Day and New Year’s Day.
Applicants must also adhere to state laws applicable to the sales of fireworks as well as other regulations outlined in the city ordinance.
Second and final reading passage is planned at the next meeting of the mayor and aldermen Monday night, June 5 at 6:00 p.m. at city hall. WJLE plans LIVE coverage.
The aldermen are also expected to adopt a new $6.3 million dollar budget ordinance on first reading for the 2017-18 fiscal year. The new spending plan calls for a 45% increase in water rates and a 35% increase in sewer rates effective July 1 to make up the difference in lost revenue from the departure of DUD as a water customer. The city property tax rate would remain the same at 64.9 cents per $100 of assessed value.
The agenda also calls for the aldermen to award a bid for the removal of a vacant two story brick house at 929 Allen’s Chapel Road near the airport which has been declared by the city as surplus property. The city recently had to purchase the house for demolition and the trees around it will have to be removed because of FAA regulations prohibiting obstructions within the airport’s glide zone. The home was purchased using TDOT Aeronautics grant funds. The city’s local grant match was 5%.

The 2017 DeKalb County Baseball Camp will be Monday and Tuesday, June 5 & 6
Tiger Coach Adam Kefauver said the camp will be held RAIN OR SHINE but that the location for registration has been changed from the DCHS baseball field to the DCHS gym starting at 8 a.m. Monday due to the threat of rain.
The camp is for ages 7 to 14.
Camp Skills:
* Learn the proper mechanics for throwing and catching
* Learn the proper fundamentals for pitching, playing infield, and playing outfield
* Learn correct fundamentals of hitting
* Learn numerous drills for all aspects of baseball
What to bring:
* Cleats, tennis shoes, baseball pants, hat, glove, bat (catchers gear)
* Snacks and drinks for breaks (water will be provided)
Registration:
* Cost of the camp is $60
* Registration will be June 5 from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. at the DCHS Gym

Smithville Police have issued citations and made arrests recently as a result of various offenses including shoplifting, domestic assault, simple possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, DUI, and driving on a revoked license.
23 year old Shelton Gene Martin, II was cited on Wednesday, May 24 for simple possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Martin was found to be in possession of approximately .25 ounce of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana and a pipe thought to have been used for the illegal use of marijuana. Martin’s vehicle was searched during a traffic stop after the officer detected an odor of marijuana coming from inside. Martin’s court date is June 8.
33 year old Roxanna Landis was cited for shoplifting at Wal-Mart on Friday, May 26. Landis was observed putting items in her purse with the intent to deprive the store of its merchandise. The items were recovered and returned to the store. Her court date is June 29.
30 year old Jose Arias was arrested for domestic assault on Saturday, May 27. Police responded to a residence where they were informed that Arias had stepped on the victim’s foot and pushed her in frustration. After investigating, Jose was found to have been the primary aggressor. He was taken into custody without incident. His bond is $5,000 and his court date is June 8.
44 year old Ricky Shannon Nokes was arrested for a second offense of driving on revoked license on Wednesday, May 31. Police observed Nokes operating a vehicle on Bright Hill Road. Knowing that Nokes’ license were revoked in Warren County, the officer stopped Nokes and placed him in custody without incident. Nokes’ bond is $2,500 and his court date is June 15.
46 year old Royce Virgel Ashford Jr. was arrested on Thursday, June 1 for DUI and he was cited for traffic control device/signal, registration violation, and financial responsibility. Police received a call of a possible DUI driver and spotted the vehicle on Allen Ferry Road. The officer conducted a routine traffic stop after observing that the driver had failed to remain in his lane of travel. The officer spoke with the driver, Ashford, and noticed that his eyes were watery, red, and blood shot and that his speech was slurred. Ashford submitted to field sobriety tasks but performed poorly. He was taken into custody without incident. Ashford’s bond is $1,500 and his court date is June 15.

Come one, come all to downtown Smithville for the 46th Annual Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival! This milestone event will be held Friday, June 30 and Saturday, July 1st. The Festival begins at 9:00 am each day, and continues until the final competition has been awarded. With over 35 music and dance categories, streets full of hand-made crafts, and over a dozen food booths, there is something for everyone at the Jamboree. You have to experience it in person…come and see the Jamboree!
Preliminaries will be held in the following categories on Friday, June 30:
Old Time Appalachian Folksinging (Solo); Junior Clogging (ages 13-39); Junior Buck Dancing (ages 13-39); Old-Time Appalachian Folksinging (Duet, Trio, Quartet); Dobro Guitar; Mountain Dulcimer; Hammer Dulcimer; Novelty Event (Spoon Clacking, Jug Blowing, Washboard, Tub, Saws-Appalachian Related Only); Autoharp, Gospel Singing (Solo); Country Harmonica; Old Time Banjo; Youth Square Dancing (4 Couples-8 Total Dancers); Gospel Singing (Duet,Trio, and Quartet); Mandolin; and Old Time Fiddle Band.
The top three acts in each category will be called back for the finals on Friday night and a first, second, and third place will be awarded.
A United States flag and a Tennessee State flag will be presented on Friday evening. 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 will be presented by State Senator Mae Beavers and State Representatives Terri Lynn Weaver and Mark Pody.
The Smithville Community Chorus is expected to perform with a variety of patriotic songs.
Fiddler’s Jamboree Craft Awards will be presented during the weekend for “Best of Show”, “Best Appalachian Craft”, “Best Newcomer”, and “Best Craft Display”
On Saturday, July 1, preliminaries will be held in the following categories:
Junior Old Time Appalachian Flatfoot dance (ages up to 39); Senior Old Time Appalachian Flatfoot dance ( ages 40 and over); Senior Buckdancing (ages 40 and over); Senior Clogging (ages 40 and over); Bluegrass Banjo; Junior Fiddlers (ages 13-39); Flat Top Guitar; Contest Fiddle for the Neil Dudney Award; Bluegrass Band; Senior Fiddlers (ages 40 and over); and Square Dancing (4 Couples-8 Total Dancers).
Preliminaries will be held in each event and then the top three finalists will be called back Saturday night to compete for first, second, and third place.
Last year, the Rocky Top Revue of Franklin repeated as champions of the Square Dancing competition during the 2016 Smithville Fiddlers ‘ Jamboree and Crafts Festival
(VIEW VIDEO BELOW OF THEIR PERFORMANCE IN THE FINALS LAST YEAR)

The winners of the Junior and Senior Fiddling competition will square off for the Grand Champion Award, the Berry C. Williams Memorial Trophy at the conclusion of the festival.
Last year’s Grand Champion Fiddler of the Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree and Crafts Festival was Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro, Tennessee.
(VIEW VIDEO BELOW OF HER PERFORMANCE DURING 2016 FIDDLE-OFF)

Meanwhile, the National Championship for Country Musician Beginners will be held Saturday afternoon, July 1 during the Jamboree featuring competitions for children, up to age twelve, in the categories of Buck Dancing, Clogging, Dobro Guitar, Mandolin, Five String Banjo, Flat Top Guitar, and Fiddle.
Preliminaries will be held in each event and then the top three finalists will be brought back to compete for first, second, and third place.
One child will receive the Best Overall Instrumental Entertainer Trophy Award and the top fiddler will get the James G. “Bobo” Driver Memorial Trophy.
Last year, Giri Peters of Nashville won the top Jamboree award, for the second year in a row, as the best fiddler in the National Championship for Country Musician Beginners.
(VIEW VIDEO BELOW OF HIS PERFORMANCE IN THE FINALS LAST YEAR)

In addition to the on-stage musical entertainment, the Fiddlers Jamboree will feature many crafts, plenty of delicious food; and lots of shade tree picking around the public square.
WJLE will broadcast most of the on-stage entertainment LIVE on AM 1480/ FM 101.7 and LIVE Streaming at www.wjle.com.
To learn more visit http://smithvillejamboree.com/

Motorists will notice some street paving in portions of the City of Smithville.
City Public Works Director Kevin Robinson told WJLE that either all or a portion of streets are being paved on Way Cross Way, Mary Street, O’Conner Street, Tramel Lane, Dry Creek Road, White Oak Drive, West Main Street where the sewer line construction took place several months ago, and patch job on Allen Chapel Road near Federal Mogul.
Last summer, the aldermen awarded a bid to Tinsley Asphalt Company of Tullahoma for street paving at $70.40 per ton, which was the lowest of the three bids submitted. The bid prices are good for a year.
The city’s 2016-17 State Street Aid budget has $350,000 for paving including $250,000 for the streets around the public square (which were completed last year) and $100,000 for other city streets.