A former county official was involved in a traffic accident Tuesday afternoon on West Broad Street and while not injured he has been charged with driving under the influence.
64 year old Willy Mike Clayborn of Blue Springs Road, Smithville is under a $1,500 bond and will make a General Sessions Court appearance on December 22.
According to Smithville Police, Clayborn was driving east on Broad Street in a black truck and was attempting to turn into the entrance of Patty’s Restaurant when he missed the turn and went off an embankment.
The report, filed by Sergeant Travis Bryant, states that “on Tuesday, December 6 at approximately 2:44 p.m. I was dispatched to West Broad Street in the area of 710 West Broad Street in reference to an accident that had occurred. Upon arrival I made contact with a black truck off in a ditch. I made contact with the driver and identified him as Willy M. Clayborn. As he stepped out of the vehicle I noticed he was unsteady on his feet and had slurred speech. As I was talking with him, he stated that he had drank 6-8 beers earlier in the day and then left his residence and was attempting to drive to Patty’s Restaurant when he wrecked. He was arrested and transported to the emergency room where he did submit to a blood test”.
Clayborn served as county clerk from 2002 until 2014.

The City of Smithville will soon be getting a new garbage truck for the sanitation department and 2500 curbside trash containers to be distributed to households and businesses throughout the city. Unlike the city’s current refuse trucks, this new one will be manned only by the driver and equipped with an automated side loader for picking up curbside residential household garbage.
The new garbage truck will be similar but smaller to the one shown in the video below. The truck shown here was brought to Smithville for a demonstration two years ago.

During the regular monthly meeting Monday night, the aldermen voted to purchase the garbage truck, a 24 cubic yard tandem axle Peterbilt 348, from Municipal Equipment, Inc. of Knoxville. Although the bid was highest of the six submitted at $192,564, City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson suggested it would be the best buy for the city. “Three of the bids are for Freightliners, two International, and one Peterbilt. We have three Freightliners at the moment. I am not a fan of these Freightliners. We have spent no telling how much for repairs and maintenance. We have had a lot of issues with the Freightliners. I am not as familiar with the Internationals. In my opinion Peterbilt is the best truck but its the most expensive truck by about eight thousand dollars. We have budgeted $350,000 for the truck and the containers so we will come in well under budget for this truck and containers. My recommendation is the Peterbilt 348. It is the highest priced truck but it is also top of the line,” said Hendrixson.
The aldermen also voted to purchase 2500 curbside trash containers from Municipal Equipment, Inc. for $120,500 which was the lowest of the five bids submitted.
The total cost to the city for the new garbage truck and the 2500 trash containers is $313,064.

Four people were involved in a three vehicle crash Saturday night on Broad Street at the traffic light entrance to Walmart.
Smithville Police report that 45 year old Kendra Guinn of Smithville, driving a 2016 Nissan Altima was west on Broad Street but turning left into the Walmart entrance when she allegedly crossed the path of an eastbound 2006 Chrysler driven by 32 year old David F. Lanier of Pea Ridge Road, Liberty. According to witnesses, Lanier tried to avoid a collision but clipped the front of Guinn’s car and then struck a 1997 Toyota pickup truck , driven by 29 year old Jarred C. Dawson of Smithville who was at the Walmart entrance waiting to turn right at the traffic light onto Broad Street. Dawson’s truck was hit on the driver’s side. Dawson was taken by DeKalb EMS to Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital where he was treated for non-critical injuries. Neither Guinn nor her passenger, a 10 year old girl were hurt. Lanier was also uninjured.
According to the police report, Guinn said she did not see a vehicle approaching her when she tried to turn left into Walmart and did not see any vehicle until the collision.
Members of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department rendered assistance at the scene.

Smithville Police have now released the names of the victims in Sunday’s mobile home fire on South Mountain Street.
Dead are 27 year old Jeremy Shelton, 36 year old Crystal Fults, and 4 year old Caylix Johnson. Two others, 26 year old Heather Standridge and 23 month old Brantley Johnson were injured.
In a prepared news release, Police Chief Mark Collins reported that “Police responded to 1276 South Mountain Street Sunday, December 4 at 12:16 p.m. for a structure fire with people possibly still in the residence. Five people were inside thehome at the time of the fire including 27 year old Jeremy Shelton, 36 year old Crystal Fults, 26 year old Heather Standridge, and her two children 4 year old Caylix Johnson, and 23 month old Brantley Johnson”.
According to Chief Collins, ” Jeremy Shelton and Crystal Fults perished in the fire. The children were rescued from the fire by Smithville firefighter, Lt. John Poss and a passerby, Jerry Estes. Estes was passing the residence when he saw the trailer on fire and Heather Standridge standing outside the trailer yelling that her children were still inside. Mr. Estes then climbed through the window where the children were reported to be and rescued 23 month old Brantley Johnson. A short time later, Lt. Poss arrived on scene where he entered the structure and rescued four year old Caylix Johnson who later passed away at the hospital. Heather Standridge and 23 month old Brantley Johnson are currently in ICU at Vanderbilt”.
The investigation is still underway by the Smithville Police Department, Smithville Fire Department, and the Tennessee Fire Marshall’s Office. Chief Collins said the official cause of fire at this time is still undetermined.

An investigation is underway by the Smithville Police and Fire Departments and State Fire Marshal’s Office to determine the cause of a mobile home fire Sunday which claimed the lives of three people including a man, woman, and child, and seriously injured another woman and child.
Dead are 27 year old Jeremy Shelton, 36 year old Crystal Fults, and 4 year old Caylix Johnson. Two others, 26 year old Heather Standridge and 23 month old Brantley Johnson were injured.
A passerby, Jerry Estes spotted the fire at 1276 South Mountain Street, Smithville. He also saw Standridge standing outside the trailer yelling that her children, the Johnson siblings, were still inside. 911 was alerted at 12:12 p.m. and members of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department and Police Department were summoned along with backup from the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department.

According to Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins, Estes climbed through a window, grabbed the 23 month old child, and pulled him to safety. After firefighters arrived, Lieutenant John Poss of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department rescued the 4 year old child. Shelton and Fults perished in the fire.
Standridge and the Johnson children were taken by DeKalb EMS to Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital. Standridge and the 23 month old, Brantley Johnson were later transported to Vanderbilt Hospital where they remain in the Intensive Care Unit. The 4 year old child, Caylix Johnson died at the hospital in Smithville.
The mobile home was destroyed in the fire. After the blaze was out, the county’s deputy medical examiner Terry Martin was called to the scene along with the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Firefighters and others huddled near the trailer to bow their heads in prayer for the victims. Members of the American Red Cross were also on site ready to offer support to the victims’ families.
The investigation is still underway by the Smithville Police Department, Smithville Fire Department, and the Tennessee Fire Marshall’s Office. Chief Collins said the official cause of fire at this time is still undetermined.

The Smithville Volunteer Fire Department, sponsor of the Smithville Christmas Parade, escorts Santa to town Saturday.

DCHS Band performs in Smithville Christmas Parade

Pedigo’s New and Used won 1st place at the Smithville Christmas Parade Saturday for their float entry “Radio Flyer” wagon

The Smithville Lions Club received 2nd place at the Smithville Christmas Parade for their float entry “A Christmas Story”

The Smithville First Assembly of God received 3rd place at the Smithville Christmas Parade for their float entry “God of this City”

The DeKalb Junior Pro Football Players and Cheerleaders won the “Spirit Award” at the Smithville Christmas Parade presented by the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club

Spectators lined the streets Saturday eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa in the annual Christmas Parade sponsored by the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department.
(SMITHVLLE CHRISTMAS PARADE: PART 1)

Enthusiastic kids and grownups alike enjoyed the sights and sounds of this long awaited annual event which included floats, horseback riders, horse drawn wagons, boy and girl scouts, veterans, vintage automobiles, emergency vehicles, the DCHS band, State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver and of course, Santa Claus.
Smithville Christmas Parade (Part 2)

Winning first place among the float entries was Pedigo’s New and Used” Radio Flyer wagon
Second Place went to the Smithville Lions Club’s “A Christmas Story”
The Smithville First Assembly of God received third place for their float “God of this City”.
The Spirit Award, presented by the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club, went to the DeKalb County Junior Pro Football Players and Cheerleaders.
The Liberty Christmas Parade will be Sunday, December 4 starting at 2:00 p.m. weather permitting.

Certified Nurse Aides (CNA) provide essential care in healthcare settings by assisting patients with activities of daily living. Nine area residents were recently recognized as CNA’s of the Year at NHC Smithville. Dekota Watson, Maria Amaya, Nicole Stanfield, Pam Sims, Darlene Donelson, Cassie Dyer, Sue Cook, Opal Parker, and Susie White, were honored at the Nashville Zoo at Grasmere with a day of fun and a banquet. They celebrated with other honored CNA’s from NHC HealthCare Centers throughout Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. The keynote speaker this year was Tennessee Titan for Life and former Linebacker, Mr. Tim Shaw. Mr. Shaw, recently diagnosed with ALS, shared a wonderful message of gratitude, hope, and service with all honorees.
The honorees were evaluated on knowledge and performance of their duties, among other key factors. Mrs. Maria Amaya was further recognized as NHC Smithville’s nominee for CNA of the Year for all NHC centers in the Central Region. NHC Smithville Director of Nursing, Melinda Wilson, said, “Each of these CNA’s are hard-working, professional, compassionate, caring, honest, understanding, and highly skilled. They are a tremendous asset to NHC Smithville and we are truly fortunate to have them as valued partners.”
NHC Smithville offers inpatient and outpatient rehabilitative care and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, workers compensation, managed care, and private funds. The inpatient healthcare center offers skilled nursing and rehabilitation services to adults of all ages on a short-term and long-term basis. NHC Smithville’s outpatient clinic offers physical, occupational, and speech therapy services to infants, children and adults of all ages. For more information about NHC Smithville, visit www.nhcsmithville.com or call (615) 597-4284.
PHOTOS (L to R (STANDING): Susie White, Clint Hall (Administrator), Melinda Wilson (Director of Nursing), Dekota Watson, Darlene Donelson, Sue Cook, Pam Sims, Opal Parker, Nicole Stanfield, and Cassie Dyer. (IN FRONT): Ryan Vaden (Administrator in Training), and Tim Shaw (Titan for Life). #2-Maria Amaya, CNA of the Year.

A man arrested by Smithville Police in June during a drug bust appeared for sentencing in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Monday.
35 year old Eddy Farris entered a plea by information to possession of a schedule II drug for sale and delivery and received a sentence of five years to serve. The term is to run concurrently with a violation of probation against him. He was fined $2,000.
Acting on a complaint of illegal drug activity, Smithville Police went to a residence on Jennings Lane Thursday, June 16 and found Farris with meth and drug paraphernalia. After entering the residence, police observed Farris trying to hide under a bed mattress. While there officers were informed by Central Dispatch that Farris had active warrants against him. During a search, police recovered a black camera case containing a baggie with a white crystallized substance believed to be meth weighing approximately 7 grams, a burnt glass straw with a copper filter, a set of scales, a burnt light bulb configured with a straw coming out of the end, a spoon with a white substance melted onto it and a loaded syringe with a white substance inside.
31 year old Donald Atnip, Jr. entered a plea to aggravated burglary and received a five year sentence all suspended to supervised probation except for one year to serve. The sentence is to run concurrently with a violation of probation against him. He was given jail credit from June 11 to July 11 and from October 31 to November 28. Sheriff Patrick Ray said that Atnip allegedly broke into a residence on Page Drive on Sunday, November 1, 2015 and took a flat screen Visio television valued at $300. He allegedly admitted to entering the home and taking the TV. The case was investigated by a sheriff’s department detective.
41 year old Richard Leon McDaniel entered a plea to reckless aggravated assault and received a two year sentence on supervised probation. He must also receive domestic violence counseling. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, February 11 McDaniel allegedly assaulted his girlfriend by shoving her into the wall which caused an injury to her face. He also allegedly tried choking and pointing a knife at her saying he was going to kill her. He was given one day of jail credit.
43 year old Regina C Valdez entered a plea by criminal information to reckless endangerment and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days on probation supervised by CPS until court costs are paid and then her probation will be unsupervised. She was arrested for DUI and cited for violation of implied consent on August 2, 2015. Smithville Police Officer Lance Dillard observed a vehicle traveling on East Broad Street crossing over the center line without properly functioning tail lights. He initiated a traffic stop and spoke with Valdez who had a strong odor of alcohol on her person. Valdez performed poorly on sobriety tasks. Her speech was slurred and she was unsteady on her feet. Valdez refused to submit to a blood test.
50 year old Edward Wayne Tarpley, Jr. entered a plea by criminal information to aggravated assault and driving under the influence. He received a three year sentence in the assault case and 11 months and 29 days for the DUI to run concurrently with each other and concurrently with a Rutherford County case against him. He was given jail credit from January 21 to January 22 and from February 12 to November 28