A total of ten people have lost their lives on DeKalb County roads in 2008, twice the number who died in 2007 according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Two died in January, two in March, three in May, one in July, one in September, and one in December.
The Tennessee Department of Safety (TDOS) and the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) announced today it will be stepping up its enforcement crackdown as part of National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. In an effort to find and remove impaired drivers from Tennessee roadways, State Troopers are conducting saturation patrols and holding more than 100 driver license and sobriety checkpoints now through the New Year’s holiday extended weekend.
“The focus of this effort is saving lives,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “I urge all Tennesseans and travelers passing through our state to obey the laws designed to keep them safe, not only through the holidays but whenever they get behind the wheel.”
The holiday season is one of the deadliest and most dangerous times of the year due to an increase in impaired driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in December 2007, 992 people were killed in crashes that involved a drunk driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.
“Impaired driving is a year-round problem, but it becomes especially serious during the holidays as more people are on the road traveling to and from parties and special gatherings,” stated Commissioner Dave Mitchell. “Whether you’ve had way too many or just one too many, it’s not worth the risk of killing yourself or someone else. Remember buzzed driving is drunk driving.”
During the 2007 Christmas holiday, seven people were killed in traffic crashes on Tennessee roadways. This represents one death every 14 hours and 34 minutes. Alcohol was involved in nearly 30 percent of those crashes and four of the seven people killed were not wearing safety restraints.
The 2008 Christmas holiday period begins Wednesday, December 24, at 6:00 p.m., and runs through Sunday, December 28, at 11:59 p.m.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is also currently participating in a national campaign, “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.” This special enforcement effort runs through the end of the year. State Troopers, including administrative personnel, will be working with law enforcement officers from hundreds of agencies across the country to get impaired drivers off the road.
“No amount of good cheer will save you from the consequences of driving under the influence,” stated Colonel Mike Walker. “We will be out in force looking for impaired drivers, and if we catch you, we will arrest you. You will go to jail. No exceptions. No excuses.”
Seventeen people lost their lives in alcohol-related crashes on Tennessee roadways last December. Overall traffic fatalities declined by six percent last year, and that trend is continuing in 2008. As of December 21, 2008, there have been 212 fewer fatal crashes than the same time period in 2007.
“The fact that fatal crashes have dropped again this year is good news,” added Colonel Walker. “However, nearly a thousand people were killed on Tennessee roadways this year, and that means a thousand families didn’t have loved ones here for the holidays.”
Last year, 15 people were killed during the New Year’s holiday period. Three of those fatalities occurred in alcohol-related crashes. The official New Year’s holiday period will begin 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 31, 2008, and will end 11:59 p.m., Sunday, January 4, 2009.
Designating a sober driver and not letting friends drive drunk are just two of several simple steps to help avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for impaired driving. Other important tips include:
” Plan ahead: Whenever you plan on consuming alcohol, designate your sober driver before going out and give that person your keys;
” If you’re impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely;
” Promptly report drunk drivers you see on the roadways to the Tennessee Highway Patrol by dialing *THP;
” Wearing your seat belt or using protective gear on your motorcycle is your best defense against an impaired driver;
” And remember, Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk. If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

DeKalb County’s unemployment rate climbed to 8% in November, up from the revised rate for October of 7.3% and up significantly from the rate of 4.9% in November 2007.
The DeKalb County Labor Force for November was 10,190. A total of 9,380 were employed and 810 were unemployed.
Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November was at 6.9 percent, 0.1 percentage point lower than the October rate of 7.0 percent. The United States unemployment rate for the month of November was 6.7 percent.
County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for November show that 20 counties decreased. The rate increased in 62 counties and remained the same in 13 counties.
Williamson County registered the state’s lowest county unemployment rate at 4.6 percent,
down 0.1 percentage point from the October rate. Perry County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 18.8 percent, up from 17.7 in October, followed by Scott County
at 14.3 percent, up from 12.7 percent in October.
Knox County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate at 5.2 percent, up 0.2 percentage point from the October rate. Davidson County was 5.5 percent, unchanged from the previous month. Hamilton County was at 5.8 percent, down 0.3 percentage point from the October rate, and Shelby County was 6.8 percent, down from the October rate of 7.1.

A 57 year old Silver Point man died in a one vehicle accident Monday night on the Old Baxter Road in Putnam County.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol reports that Kenneth Jones was traveling westbound in a 1988 Ford Bronco SUV when the vehicle went off the right side of the roadway, into a ditchline and struck a telephone communications box. The SUV then continued westbound and struck a utility pole, overturned onto the passenger side, partially ejecting Jones, and then slid across the roadway. The vehicle came to a final rest off the left hand side of the road.
Jones was not wearing his safety belt
Trooper Scott Bilbrey of the Tennessee Highway Patrol investigated the accident.

Smithville Police had reports of vandalism last week at several businesses.
It appears someone went around town and shot holes through windows of at least four business buildings.
No arrests have been made, but in one case, videotape from a surveillance video may have given officers a clue.
The following are summaries of police reports filed in each case.
On December 16th, Officer Matt Holmes met with the owner of 701 South College Street, Creative Styles who advised him that damage was done overnight to the entrance doors to the building. Damage was estimated at $1,600
On December 19th, Officer Holmes was called again to Creative Styles to meet with the owner who advised him that when she came to work to open up she noticed two windows shattered. Upon investigation, Officer Holmes found a small round brass ball which looked to be slingshot ammunition. The same ammunition was found outside the business.
On December 19th, Officer Holmes responded to the Fred’s Department store building. In his report, Officer Holmes, wrote that “I found a small round brass ball outside. After investigating, I found four more of the same brass balls.”
The same day, December 19th, Officer Holmes wrote that windows were also reported broken at Janney and Associates on West Broad Street.
In yet another case, Officer Holmes responded to CT Cycles on December 19th in regard to a vandalism. The owner advised him that there were two holes in his front window that were not there the night before. After reviewing surveillance video from the business next door from overnight, a white Nissan Altima could be seen stopping in front of CT Cycles for about five minutes at 1:01 a.m. before it drove away.
If you have information that could help solve the crimes, contact the Smithville Police Department.

A 24 year old man looking for help to get his vehicle out of a ditch following a minor traffic accident Thursday, showed up at a residence and apparently helped himself to several items that didn’t belong to him.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says Edward Lee Judkins Jr. of Jefferson Road, Smithville was charged with burglary, theft of property over $500, and theft of property over $10,000.
According to Sheriff Ray, after being involved in a minor traffic accident, Judkins went to a residence on Jefferson Road to ask for help in getting his vehicle out of a ditch. When the home owner did not answer the door, Judkins allegedly entered a shed and took a chainsaw, leaf blower, bolt cutters, and other tools valued at over $500. Judkins then allegedly loaded the stolen items into a 2005 Ford F-250 4×4, belonging to the resident, (valued at over $10,000) and then left. He drove to Smithville and sold the tools. Afterwards, Judkins went to Whispering Pines Road where the owner of the truck and another man confronted him. Judkins ran into the woods and was arrested a short time later by detectives. Sheriff Ray says Judkins admitted to all the crimes and detectives retrieved all of the stolen items. Judkins’ bond was set at $40,000 and he will appear in court on January 8th
Meanwhile on Tuesday, detectives went to the home of 47 year old Kenny Ray Herman and 28 year old Felicia Ann Murphy located on West Main Street in Smithville after receiving tips that the two were selling narcotics out of the apartment. After observing several individuals going into the residence and staying short periods of time, detectives received from the owners, consent to search the premises and found a lock box that contained a pill bottle belonging to an individual who did not live at the West Main Street address. Inside the bottle were 56 hydocodone pills, which is a schedule III narcotic. Also found was a pill bottle with Murphy’s name on it. The bottle called for hydrocodone pills, but detectives discovered that the pills in the bottle were different than what the prescription called for. Both Herman and Murphy were arrested for possession of a schedule III drug (hydocodone) for sale and delivery. Bond for both was set at $40,000 and they will appear in court on January 8th. Detectives also seized $433 from Herman. The cash is believed to be proceeds from illegal drug sales.
49 year old Kenneth M. Sweeton of Highland Drive, Sparta was arrested Tuesday for driving under the influence after deputies were summoned to a fight call at a business on Sparta Highway. Officers found Sweeton in his vehicle with the motor running and he was in an intoxicated state. After performing poorly on his sobriety tasks, Sweeton told the deputies that he had too much to drink. Sweeton’s bond was set at $1,000 and he will appear in court on January 8th.
25 year old Ricardo Gutierrez of Campbell Road, Smithville was stopped Tuesday on Short Mountain Highway for weaving. Detectives found that Gutierrez had been drinking and they asked him to perform field sobriety tasks which he failed. A drivers license check revealed that Gutierrez’s license had expired. A knife was also found in the passenger’s seat in plain view. The knife had a blade exceeding 12 inches. Gutierrez was arrested for driving under the influence, no valid driver’s license, and possession of a prohibited weapon. His bond was set at $3,000 and he will appear in court on January 8th.
31 year old Alton Brian Bundy of East Main Street, Dowelltown was arrested Saturday after deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle call on Holiday Haven Road. When officers arrived they found Bundy and his vehicle in the roadway. They also noticed Bundy’s speech to be slurred and he was very unsteady on his feet. Bundy was asked to perform field sobriety tasks which he failed. Bundy was placed under arrest for driving under the influence and his bond was set at $1,000. He will appear in court on January 8th.
28 year old John Corey Vickers of East Main Street, Smithville was stopped Monday on Highway 70 for a traffic offense. Vickers was driving on a suspended driver’s license. Upon making an inventory of Vickers’ vehicle, deputies found a rifle behind the seat. Vickers was charged with driving on a suspended driver’s license and unlawful possession of a firearm. Sheriff Ray says Vickers is a convicted felon and is not allowed to own or possess any firearms. Vickers’ bond was set at $6,500 and he will appear in court on January 8th.

An 18 year old man died in a two vehicle crash Sunday night on Highway 53 near Liberty.
Dead is Jake Hoover of Liberty.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol reports that Hoover was driving south in a 2004 Honda when the car went off the left side of the roadway into an embankment, causing the car to go airborne. While airborne, a northbound 2000 Peterbilt tractor trailer truck, hauling a load of milk, struck Hoover’s car causing it to fly into a utility pole. The truck was driven by 55 year old Joe Hearn of Alexandria.
The DeKalb County Fire Department’s extrication team was called to the scene to remove Hoover from the vehicle. The THP says Hearn was not injured.
Both men were wearing their seatbelts and there was no evidence of any alcohol or drugs.
The Liberty and Main Station engines of the DeKalb County Fire Department also responded to the scene along with DeKalb EMS, and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.
The crash was investigated by Trooper Jimmy Tisdale and Sergeant James Sells of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The DeKalb County Unit of the American Cancer Society seeks your support in the “Love Lights a Tree fundraising campaign.” This annual event gives area residents the opportunity to honor a special person during the holiday season and aid in cancer research.
The “Love Lights a Tree” project is designed to raise money not only for research, but includes cancer education and patient services. Donations in honor of and in memory of a special person can be made throughout the holiday season. The persons you honor or remember do not necessarily have to have suffered from cancer.
The names of honorees are as follows:
Allison Rogers, Betsy Lynam, Bruce Robertson, Carnell Hyde, Carolyn Sheets, Denise Brown, Earl D. France, Jack Midgett, Jo Doris Johnson, Joe Reeder, Judy Maxwell, Judy Robertson, Linda Judkins, Lisa Anderson, Mandy Vaughn, McKinley Jones, Michael Breeding, Peggy Johnson, Radley Hendrixson, Sarah Ellen Colwell, Shirley Beckham, Trinity Faith Young, Walter Johnson, Wesley Cantrell, William Blair, Willie Turner, Helen England, Brookelynn Maxwell, and Georgia Willoughby.
In memory:
Alfred Love, Alice Marie Dorton, Alma Love Chapman, Angel Mahler, Angela Allen, Austin Vaughn, Bailey Carr, Billie Ann Malone Frazier, Billie Jo Davis, Billy Cooper Pruitt, Jr., Billy J. France, Bobby Carroll Pruitt, Bracket Luna, Brenda Hale, Bruce Smithson, Bud Kirby, Buddy Parker, C.T. Phillips, Jr., C.L. Randolph, Carl L. Cathcart, Carl Ray Bailiff, Carolyn Maynard, Charles Johnson, Chris Stanley, Clifton Cantrell, Clinton Wall, Clyde Redmon, Cordell Love,
Cordie B. Wall, Curtis Adams, Dale Brian Berry, Dannie Edge, Darrell Carr, Dollie Fuson, Donna Phillips, Dr. Jerry Puckett, Edsel Fuston, Alfred England, Elsie Steinbach, Emily Cripps, Esker Harrison, Ethel Carr, Eula Cantrell, Eva Crook, Eva Harrison, Eva Mai Curtis, Ewin Vanatta, Florence Redmon Sanders, Floyce Vaughn, Foster Redmon, Frances Cantrell, Frances Scramick, Frank Potter Young, Fred Steinbach, G.D. Hendrixson, Gail Cripps, George Durham,
Grady Crook, Grady Judkins, Green Wall, Maude Wall, H.C. Duke, Hamp Cantrell, Jr., Harvey Colwell, Sr., Helen Jones Mayo, Herb Checchi, Sr., Hershel Ford, Hobert Curtis, Homer Ellis, Howard Patton, J.B. Redmon, J.D. Hendrixson, Jack G. Rhody, Jack Wall, James Alvie France, James Oakley, Jeremy Caldwell, Jerry Hendrixson, Jerry McGuire, Jessie Paul Johnson, Jewell Cantrell, Jewell Phillips, Jim S. Davis, Jimmy W. Davis, Jodie Cantrell, John Larry Frazier, John Redmon, John Steinbach, John Walls, Johnnie Joines, Johnny Cantrell, Jordan Steinbach, Joshua Caldwell, Judy Hawkins,
Karen Magness, Kathy Foster, Kenneth Parker, Laura Bell Wall, Len Judkins, Leonard Freeman, Sr., Leonard M. (Buddy) Freeman, Jr., Lewis L. Cobb, Jr., Lillie Judkins, Linnie Johnson, Lonnie Wilkins, Louise Winchester, Luther Cantrell, Luther Fuson, Mac A. Ervin, Margaret Freeman, Margaret Judkins, Marie Judkins, Marvin Hutson, Mary Collins, Nadine Luna, Nan Smith, Nancy Walls, Ofallon Pinegar, Paul Walls,
Pearl Fuson, Rebecca Cantrell, Rebecca Gingerich, Regena Carr Olivo, Rex Hayes, Jr., Ricky Winchester, Robert Joines, Robert McMillen, Royce L. Givens, Jr., Ruth Elder, Sara Robertson, Sarah Henderson, Sarah Hutson, Shane Hawkins, Sherman Love, Skip Henderson, T.C. McMillen, Ted Beck, Tracy Cassity, Vanice King Davenport, Velma Midgett, Vera Bell Davenport, Virgil Smith, William Doyle Thomason, William H. Chapman, Willie Redmon, Willie Taylor, Woodrow Frazier, Zak Turner,
Nina Phillips, Vada Reeder, Clarence T. Phillips, Sr., Edna Pauline Phillips, George Robert Reeder, Bertie Reeder, B. Akin, Mai Akin, John D. Akin, Bob Cook, Buddy Cook, Jessie Cook, Pam Cook. Brownie Haley, Frances Haley, Lucille Harris, Billy Shelton, H.R. Rosson, Edward Hobson, Earl Judkins, Mary Randolph, Leonard Gwyn, Jr., Luther Taylor, Margaret Hendrixson, Martha Cathcart, W.A. Carthcart, Clara Elizabeth Linder, and Sandra Willoughby.
Love lights are $5.00 each. Forms will be available at most banks in DeKalb County. The name of every person honored or remembered will be placed on a display board located on the south lawn of the courthouse through the holiday season.
For more information contact Iva Dell Randolph at 597-5296, Violet Fuson at 597-4483 or Melanie Judkins at 597-1132.

What typically is the year’s busiest shopping season is upon us. And, even with a national economic downturn sapping consumer confidence, gift cards are a sure bet to remain hot sellers.
You can find department stores’ gift cards not only in the chains’ retail locations but also being sold in grocery stores and drugstores. Many consumers see gift cards as reliable standbys for friends and relatives who seem to already have everything. For them, a gift card from a favorite store can be ideal.
But, despite all the conveniences of gift cards, savvy consumers should take steps to ensure stores’ fine-print policies don’t translate into buyer’s remorse during the holiday season:
1. Check expiration dates and fees. In the state of Tennessee, expiration dates, fees and other terms must be clearly disclosed at the time of purchase. The expiration date and fee must be legibly printed on the gift card.
2. Ask about restrictions. Some card issuers deduct a monthly fee from the card or apply inactivity fees, if a card has not been used for a period of time. These fees will reduce the value of the card. Some gift cards do not allow cash refunds for a remaining balance on a card. You will have to either forfeit the balance or buy additional items.
3. Know what it will cost. Major shopping mall operators charge fees for gift cards. Gift cards issued by banks and credit card companies often expire and tend to add fees. Fees – including activation fees, transaction fees, maintenance fees and inactivity fees – can lessen a card’s value.
4. Ask what to do if the card is stolen. Always keep a receipt. Since gift cards are not usually registered to an individual purchaser, they can be easily stolen. Some stores urge customers to access their store website and register cards in case they’re stolen.
5. Check on purchase exemptions. Ask if the card may be used at both a store’s physical location and the store’s website. Also ask if the card may be used at other locations, not just the specific store where the card was purchased.
6. Get as much information as possible for the card’s recipient. Ask for a toll-free phone number, in case there are problems with the gift card. Ask if a website that provides gift card details is available.
Consumer Affairs is here to help you understand your rights and responsibilities, to resolve complaints through the mediation process, to investigate violations of the state Consumer Protection Act, and to clarify consumer protection laws.
The department is available to help consumers and business owners who have been affected by unfair business practices. Feel free to call Consumer Affairs at 1-800-342-8385. Or visit online where consumers can get tips on everything from avoiding investment scams to picking a home repair contractor. You can find this information at www.tennessee.gov/consumer.