The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department has arrested three persons since last Wednesday on drug related offenses, one man for public intoxication, and another for DUI.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says 25 year old Brandon Lynn Tallent of West Broad Street Smithville was arrested Wednesday, June 17th for possession of drug paraphernalia after a deputy spotted him sitting in a vehicle on Herman Road. The officer found three used hypodermic needles and four cut straws in the waistband of Tallent’s pants. Bond for Tallent was set at $1,000 and he will appear in court on July 16th.
29 year old Felicia Ann Murphy of West Main Street, Smithville is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $1,500 and she will appear in court on July 23rd. Meanwhile a no bond was issued on a violation of probation against her and she will appear in court on that offense June 26th. Sheriff Ray says on Thursday, June 18th, a deputy went to Murphy’s residence to serve a violation warrant on her. When Murphy spotted the officer, she tried to leave. The deputy also noticed that she was holding an object close to her. Murphy was told to stop but she did not. After apprehending Murphy, the officer found on the floor where she was standing, a used cut straw and a hypodermic needle.
Also on Thursday, a county deputy spotted a vehicle on the side of the roadway on Highway 70. The officer talked with the driver who appeared to be intoxicated. Arrested was 37 year old Sandro Naun Valladores of Wade Street, Smithville. Valladores was unsteady on his feet and had a smell of alcohol on his person. Valladores was also seen repeatedly stepping into the on coming traffic lane. Valladores was charged with public intoxication. His bond was set at $1,000 and he will appear in court on July 2nd.
On Saturday, June 20th, a county deputy spotted 35 year old David Edward George of West Main Street, Smithville in a store parking lot on Highway 56 South. The officer had knowledge of an active warrant on George and was given consent to search his vehicle. Found in the vehicle were hemostats, a razor blade, ink pen barrel, and a piece of tile all containing drug residue. Also found on George’s person were eleven pills believed to be Oxycodone. George was charged with possession of a schedule II drug (Oxycodone) for sale and delivery and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond for George was set at $7,500 and he will appear in court on July 23rd..
Also on Saturday, 22 year old Lazaro Romo Garcia of Cecil Hale Road, Smithville was charged with a 4th offense driving under the influence and a 2nd offense of driving on a revoked license after deputies received a complaint about a vehicle sitting in the roadway on Cecil Hale Road. Garcia was unsteady on his feet and had a strong odor of alcohol on his person. He also failed field sobriety tasks. Garcia admitted to drinking beer. His license was also checked and they were found to be revoked for a 3rd offense of driving under the influence. Garcia’s bond was set at $6,500 and he will appear in court on July 23rd.

DeKalb County firefighters were called to Bethel Road shortly after 12:30 a.m. Saturday where a storage building, belonging to Jason Z. Cripps, was on fire.
According to DeKalb County Fire Chief Donny Green, the building was fully involved in flames when the owner discovered the fire and made the call to 911. The storage building and all contents were totally destroyed and the cause of the blaze remains undetermined at this time.
Fire units from the Blue Springs Station and the Short Mountain Highway Station responded along with the department’s tanker truck. DeKalb EMS, THP, and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department were also on hand to provide assistance.

State Fire Marshal Leslie A. Newman wants to remind Tennesseans that, while fireworks are a traditional part of Fourth of July celebrations, many people are seriously injured each year by their careless use.
“We would encourage you to enjoy the holiday at a public display presented by trained professionals,” says Newman, “where compliance with state-of-the-art fire codes offers a safer way to celebrate our nation’s independence.”
If consumer fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to set them off on your own, be sure to follow these important safety tips:
• Never allow children to handle or ignite fireworks.
• Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
• Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from homes, dry leaves, and flammable materials.
• Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned.
• Keep a bucket of water and a garden hose nearby in case of a malfunction or fire.
• Like matches and lighters, sparklers are not toys and cause hundreds of injuries every year. Sparklers burn hot, can reach temperatures as high as 1,200° F, and stay hot long after they’ve burned out. You wouldn’t hand a matchbook or lighter to a child to wave around or play with – so, don’t give a child a sparkler.
Fireworks can be dangerous, causing serious burn and eye injuries. A 2007 law prevents children under 16 from purchasing fireworks; and those who are age 16 or 17 must present a photo ID to purchase them.
For more information on firework safety, visit http://tennessee.gov/commerce/sfm/. The Department of Commerce and Insurance works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee. www.tn.gov/commerce/

Folks flocked to downtown Smithville Friday to enjoy a delicious meal and to help raise money for the American Cancer Society.
The 4th annual cook out on the square called “Eating for a Cure”was hosted by local public officials and their employees and approximately $1,500 was raised. All of the money collected will go to the Relay for Life.
Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack, Trustee Sean Driver, County Mayor Mike Foster, Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen, Assessor of Property Timothy “Fud” Banks, General Sessions Judge Bratten H. “Butch” Cook II, Road Supervisor Kenny Edge, County Clerk Mike Clayborn, Clerk and Master Debra Malone, Sheriff Patrick Ray, and Administrator of Elections Dennis Stanley furnished the food for the annual event.

A fire this morning (Friday) destroyed a vacant single wide mobile home, which was being used as a shed, on Lower Helton Road.
The structure belonged to James Hale
County Fire Chief Donny Green says Hale resides across the road from the trailer and his grandson was the first to spot the fire.
The blaze was reported after midnight but it was well underway by the time it was noticed so firefighters could not save it. Members of the Liberty, Temperance Hall, and Main Stations of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department responded along with the Sheriff’s Department and DeKalb EMS.
The fire rekindled after 3:00 a.m. and members of the Liberty Station returned to the scene.
No one was injured.

Leadership DeKalb Class of 2009 graduation was held on Thursday, June 18th at the 303 North Public Square Building, Smithville.
After a welcome from Chamber President, Robin Driver, the invocation was given by Reverend Ben Chapman, Director of Lighthouse Christian Camp and recipient of the Leadership DeKalb Alumni Association 2008 Legacy Award.
Leadership Alumni 2008 Community Leader of the Year, Charlie Parker, was the night’s guest
speaker and spoke on the topic “Serving Our Community.” An overview of the year’s sessions was assembled in powerpoint presentation by class president Brandon Miller. It was introduced by class member Tom Miller and narrated by Amy Lockhart and Leah Cantrell. Leadership Director Jen Sherwood, Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, and Leadership Alumni President Aaron Meeks presented the graduating class with plaques.
Leadership DeKalb is a 10-month program designed to bring together individuals who desire increased leadership responsibility in improving the quality of life in DeKalb County, and train these citizens with knowledge, skills and an increased awareness of opportunities so that they are involved, effective and active leaders. Each summer, applications are accepted for the next year’s class. Participation is open to any who lives or works in DeKalb County and who has a desire to contribute to positive change in DeKalb County. For more information, contact Jen Sherwood at 597-4851 or the chamber office at 597-4163.
Pictured from left: Front – Tiffany Winchester, DCHS Student; Esther Hernandez, Translator, La
Hermosa Methodist Church; Rhonda Caplinger, Liberty State Bank; Amy
Lockhart, Premier Realty at Center Hill Lake; Jen Sherwood, Leadership
Director; Leah Cantrell, DeKalb Community Hospital; Janna Gillard, Gillard
Publishing/DeKalb County Guide; Claudette Lasser, Law Office of Harry
Lasser; Cheryl Ludwig, Appalachian Center for Craft
Back – Nick Nokes, DTC Communications; Tom Miller, Liberty State Bank; Jason
Ray, State Farm Insurance; Brandon Miller, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas

The Smithville Aldermen Thursday night met briefly in special session and adopted on first reading the proposed six million dollar budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year which begins July 1st.
Water and sewer rates will remain the same to start the new year with no increases. Water and sewer tap fees will also remain at the same levels and property taxes will not be increased.
The budget includes a two percent pay raise for city employees and a five dollar increase per call for the volunteer firefighters, going from $15 to $20 per call.
Since full time employees with at least ten years of service with the city will be getting a three weeks paid vacation, Mayor Taft Hendrixson proposed to give volunteer firefighters with at least ten years of service an extra $250 at the end of the year as payment in lieu of vacation. However, Alderman Tonya Sullivan said that could be addressed by the new council, and made a motion to adopt the new budget as is, with no further changes. Alderman Jerry Hutchins, Sr. seconded the motion and Aldermen Willie Thomas, Cecil Burger, and Steve White all voted yes.
Mayor Hendrixon’s proposal could be voted on as a budget amendment after the new council takes office.
The aldermen will consider second and final reading passage of the proposed budget in a special meeting on Tuesday, June 30th at 6:30 p.m. at city hall.