Smithville Police have released the weekly city crime report.
44 year old Sandra Lee Atnip of 1983 Capshaw Road was charged on Monday, March 15th with seven counts of fraudulent use of a credit card and two counts of theft. Detective Jerry Hutchins made the arrest. On February 3rd K-9 Officer Bradley Tatrow took a report from Debra Scruggs who stated that her credit card was stolen out of her purse at work. Authorities later discovered that the card had been used at numerous businesses.
44 year old Tony Reeder of 516 East Main Street was arrested on Tuesday, March 16th for public intoxication. Officer Matt Holmes received a call that Reeder was driving a blue Ford Ranger, that he had been at DeKalb Community Bank, and was now in the parking lot. The caller said that Reeder appeared to be highly intoxicated. While en route another 911 call came in reporting that a blue Ford Ranger had wrecked on Short Mountain Highway in the ditch but that the truck had continued traveling down the road. Central dispatch(911) then received another call from a woman who said she lived on Crestlawn Avenue and that there was a blue truck that had almost run over people in that area. Upon arrival to that location, Officer Holmes saw Reeder on the porch of a residence knocking on the door. The resident of the house said she had never seen Reeder and didn’t know who he was or why he was knocking on her door. As Officer Holmes was speaking to Reeder, he detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. Reeder was also unsteady on his feet and he almost fell down several times. Bond for Reeder was set at $1,000 and his court date is April 1st.
26 year old Shana Nicole Pittman of 125 Meridian Drive was arrested on Wednesday, March 17th for theft. Sergeant Randy King made the arrest. According to Joyce Sobotka of Wal-Mart, Pittman had been observed on video taking merchandise from Wal-Mart without paying for it while employed by the store. Bond for Pittman was set at $1,000 and the court date is April 22nd.
34 year old Michael K Pelham of 245 Allen Street was arrested on Wednesday, March 17th for theft. Pelham allegedly went into the BP Station on Highway 56 and took two drinks and a candy bar to the back of the store and sat down. Employees told him he needed to pay for his items and leave. Pelham replied that he was resting. Pelham opened one drink, consumed half of it, and then placed it and the other drink and candy bar on a shelf. Officer Matt Farmer requested to see his driver’s license but Pelham advised that he couldn’t as the picture on the license was of a guy and he was a girl. He said his name was Michelle Shelton and according to the clerks, he made a statement that he was allowed 12 mistakes. Pelham gave a social security number that belonged to Michael K Pelham and Mr. Pelham finally admitted that it was him. Bond for Pelham was set at $1,000 and his court date is April 1st.
Meanwhile, anyone having information on the following offense is asked to please contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210 or the Tip Line at 464-6046.
On Friday, March 19th Corporal Travis Bryant met with Christine Tramel who reported that she had came out of Wal-Mart on Thursday, March 18th around 2:00 p.m. and was putting groceries into her car. Tramel said she had to get in her car to move it and then got back out and loaded up her groceries and left the property not realizing that her purse was missing until she got home. There are no suspects at this time.
Any information received that will help Smithville Police solve any criminal offense will be greatly appreciated. All information is confidential.

Congressman Bart Gordon says he will vote in favor of the controversial health care bill when it comes to a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In a prepared release, Congressman Gordon says “The health care bill being considered by Congress now accomplishes three things: one, it reduces health care costs for families and small businesses; two, it improves access to affordable care, regardless of pre-existing conditions; three, it lowers our budget deficit. That’s why I am supporting it.
Over the past year, I have been contacted by thousands of Middle Tennesseans with opinions on health care. Because this issue is so important, I have heard from passionate voices on all sides through face-to-face meetings, call-ins, surveys, town halls, calls and letters.
During that time, I have consistently said I would not support any version of health care reform unless it brings down rising health care costs, improves access to affordable care, and does it all without adding one nickel to the national deficit. I’ve now been presented with a bill that does all three; in fact, this proposal reduces the deficit by $130 billion over the next 10 years and $1.2 trillion in the 10 years after that. Finding solutions to the problems we face has been challenging, but we simply cannot sustain the status quo any longer.
I’ve heard from many Tennesseans in the past year who are struggling to afford health care. Since 2000, health insurance premiums for the average family have doubled. Too many hard-working families and small businesses are getting priced out of needed health care.
There is no evidence this trend of escalating costs is moderating. If no reform is passed, the average family premium in Tennessee is expected to increase from $11,550 today to $19,700 in 2019. Hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans who currently have insurance are projected to lose their coverage. Small businesses that have stretched their budgets to cover employees will be forced to either cut care or cut staff. If we do nothing, local hospitals that are already struggling to accommodate uninsured patients through emergency room care and other resources will be stretched to the breaking point; some will likely go bankrupt.
Drawing from Republican and Democratic ideas, the bill before the House now has the potential to bring about major, commonsense remedies to our system that most all Tennesseans agree are necessary. Under the bill’s reforms, Tennesseans with preexisting conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cancer would be able to purchase insurance from any insurance company in the United States. Young adults would be able to remain on their parents’ policies until they turn 26. Families in financial trouble would receive tax breaks to help them find affordable insurance plans in the private sector. And finally, for the 100,000 seniors in my district, the bill would eliminate the Part D donut hole and extend Medicare’s solvency nine years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Growing health care costs are also straining our economy and increasing our national debt. Health care expenditures now account for 20 percent of the federal budget. Without reform, that number is projected to double in the next ten years. The Congressional Budget Office calls current federal spending on health care “the single greatest threat to budget stability.” These costs must be contained if we are to get serious about cutting our national debt. I voted against the House bill in November because that version didn’t do enough to address health care inflation. The Congressional Budget Office now says the current bill will address the problem by reducing the deficit.
With this bill, we have an opportunity to address a number of inefficiencies that have drained our system and driven costs up artificially. To begin with, we can address the pressing issue of frivolous and expensive malpractice lawsuits, which force doctors and hospitals to practice defensive medicine and put a huge financial burden on the system. That’s why I introduced a measure based on Tennessee’s own successful Certificate of Merit Program, which has already brought down the number of malpractice suits in Tennessee by 60 percent.
We can attack waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare. We can hold insurance companies accountable and prevent companies from hiking premiums arbitrarily and dropping patients when they get sick. These are the measures I believe are essential to sensible reform, and these are the measures the new bill includes.
In November, I said I hoped the Senate and House could work out the difference and produce a bill I could support – one that takes responsible steps to make health care more affordable for our economy and for our families and small businesses. If I and each of my 534 colleagues in Congress had been able to write our own health reform packages, we would be looking at 535 different bills today. In the end, the question I’m faced with is this: will this reform be better for Middle Tennessee than the status quo? I think it will. That’s why I believe passing meaningful health care reform is essential and why I have made my decision to help ensure health care is affordable for Middle Tennesseans today and for generations to come.”

DeKalb Community Hospital is pleased to announce the association of a new physician. Dr. James McKinney will be seeing patients at the Medical Specialty Office and performing surgery at DeKalb Community Hospital. DeKalb Community Hospital works hard to bring in the brightest and the most reputable specialty doctors so that those in our community can receive the care they need and still stay close to home.
Dr. James McKinney grew up in Alabama. He completed Medical School at the University of Alabama in Birmingham and his residency in Orthopedics at the Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He is Board Certified in Orthopedics and is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Dr. McKinney has lived in the Upper-Cumberland Region since 1992. He and his wife, Karla, call Cookeville their home. The couple have 2 children. When he is not in the office Dr. McKinney likes to work on his farm and has a special interest in tractors. He is also very involved with the Boy Scouts. He is looking forward to helping serve Smithville’s health care needs for years to come.

Smithville Mayor Taft Hendrixson will be challenged for re-election again this year.
Hendrixson, who is seeking his third term, will face opposition from former Smithville Mayor Bruce Medley and DeKalb County High School teacher Debbie DePriest in the city election on Tuesday, June 15th.
Hendrixson was first elected mayor in 2006 and he was re-elected in 2008. Medley, a local livestock producer, served one term as mayor from 1988 to 1990. He did not seek re-election in 1990.
DePriest will be making her first attempt at elected public office.
Meanwhile, Incumbent Aldermen Stephen White and Cecil Burger are seeking re-election. Also in the race for alderman is Shawn Beckham.
White was first elected in 2000 and will be looking for his sixth term as alderman. Burger is seeking his third term as alderman. He was first elected to that office in 2006. Prior to that, Burger served as Mayor from 1990 to 2006.
This is Beckham’s first attempt at elected public office.
A mayor and two aldermen will be elected on June 15th. Each term is for two years. The terms of office for those elected will begin on July 1st.
Noon today (Thursday, March 18th) is the qualifying deadline.
Early voting for the Smithville Municipal Election will be May 26th through June 10th. Meanwhile, May 17th is the voter registration deadline for the Smithville City Election.
Voters who don’t live in Smithville but own property in the city may vote in the municipal election under certain conditions.
The Smithville Charter allows Property Rights Voting. The property must be a minimum of
7500 square feet and the person owning the property must reside in DeKalb County. Proof of ownership and residence must be shown by the following means: (1) A certified copy of the deed and the execution of an affidavit that the person still owns this property and (2) A copy of the most recent DeKalb County real property tax notice, and (3) Proof of residence in DeKalb County. Property rights registrants are entitled to vote but not to hold any municipal office or serve on any municipal board or commission. Proof of ownership and registration form must be provided to the Election Commission office by the May 17th registration deadline.
Meanwhile, Administrator of Elections Dennis Stanley reminds voters who have moved since registering to vote that the election commission office needs your current address on file.
“While checking the names of registered voters on some of the petitions returned recently, we noticed some voters have moved but have not informed the election commission office of their change of addres,” Stanley said. “Updating the record is a simple process. All the voter needs to do is fill out a change of address form, which is available at the election commission office. To see if you need to update your record, simply check the address on your voter registration card. If it is different than your current address, you need to update the information with the election commission.”
“Updating the address will make your voting experience go much easier and quicker.” Stanley said,” and will not slow down the line at the polling place during early voting or election day.”

The DeKalb County High School Guidance Department is urging parents to encourage their high school seniors to submit scholarship applications by the deadlines.
Lori Barnes-Myrick, DCHS School Counselor says almost all local scholarship applications are due at the DCHS Guidance Office by March 23rd.
The following scholarships are available:
Hunter Davis Memorial Scholarship for an FFA member enter into an agriculture related field (Due April 6th to Hunter’s mother, Annette Davis)
Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial Scholarship for student athletes
DeKalb Community Hospital- for students going into the healthcare field
DeKalb Retired Teachers Award for students who will major in education.
Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club Award for female students only.
The Elzie and Nell McBride Memorial Scholarship for future MTSU students only
The DeKalb Farmers Coop Award for students going into an agriculture or related field.
The Lucille Stewart Memorial Scholarship Award for basketball players or basketball cheerleaders going into teaching.
DeKalb Republican Women’s Club Scholarship. Male or female students may apply
AmVets Scholarship and AmVets Auxiliary Scholarship for a male and female student who are children or grandchildren of a veteran.
The DeKalb County Soil Conservation District Scholarship is for students majoring in agriculture.
The DeKalb Firefighters Association Scholarship is for students who have a parent or grandparent who is a current member of the DeKalb Firefighter’s Association.
And the Liberty State Bank, DeKalb County Scottish Rite, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, Alan Hooper Memorial Scholarship, Eddie Crips Memorial Scholarship, DeKalb Funeral Chapel, Smithville Rotary Club, First Bank, Class of 1966, Class of 1969, the Jeff Garrett Memorial Scholarship, the PTO, Jolly Angels Scholarship, Smithville Women’s Club, and the Agee Oil Company Scholarship.
Local Scholarship Applications are now available in the Guidance Office or
on the DCHS website: http://www.teacherweb.com/tn/dekalbcountyhighschool/guidance/

Visible signs of spring are beginning to emerge as warm temperatures and sunny skies push back the doldrums from what has been one of the coldest winters on record. As Tennesseans begin to take advantage of this weather to do some yard work around the home or farm, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry wants to remind folks that if they are considering conducting an open burn, a burn permit is required in advance of such activity.
“Burning vegetative material that has accumulated around the yard or using fire to clear an old field can be an efficient tool to get rid of such debris,” said State Forester Steven Scott. “However, it is very important that citizens practice safe outdoor burning recommendations. Obtaining a burn permit in advance of debris burning is our way of making the public aware of those recommendations and helping them know when, where and how it is safe to burn.”
The free burn permits are required in all areas of the state by law from now until May 15 unless otherwise covered by local ordinances, so residents should check with their local government for other restrictions. The permits can be obtained by calling your local Division of Forestry office between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Phone numbers for each office can be found in the state government section of your local phone book, or by visiting www.BurnSafeTN.org and clicking on the ‘Burn Permits’ button for a list of phone numbers by county. Permits are generally good for 24 hours and can be issued for weekend burns.
More than 415,000 permits were issued last year for activities that included unconfined, outdoor burning of brush and leaves, untreated wood waste and burning to clear land. The volume of requests on any given day can be high, so the Division asks residents to exercise patience if they experience any delay in getting through to an operator.
Once a burn permit is obtained, debris burners should practice common sense while conducting a burn. This includes:
Establish a control line around the fire, down to bare soil before conducting the burn.
Notify neighbors and local fire departments in advance as a courtesy.
Have tools on hand such as a leaf rake and garden hose or bucket of water to help control the fire.
Watch for changing weather conditions as winds can blow the fire in the wrong direction.
Always stay with your fire until it is completely out. It is not only the smart thing to do, but it is also illegal to leave an open fire unattended.
Escaped debris burns are the leading cause of wildfires in Tennessee. The Division’s burn permit system has dramatically helped reduce the numbers of escaped burns since the program began in 1995. Burning without a permit is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $50. Wildfires caused by arson are a class C felony punishable by three to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 fines. Anyone with information about suspected arson activity should call the state Fire Marshal’s Arson Hotline toll-free at 1-800-762-3017.
Burning permits can be obtained from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling the DeKalb County office of the Division of Forestry at 597-4015. Permits for the weekend can be obtained on Friday. For residents in the City of Smithville, you must call Central Dispatch at 215-3000 to obtain a burning permit.
For more information on the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry, visit www.TN.gov/agriculture/forestry. For more information on safe debris burning, visit www.BurnSafeTN.org