Workers at Tenneco Automotive in Smithville have been exposed to dangerous levels of Hexavalent Chromium which can cause lung cancer. Supervisors at the plant first notified employees last spring. They told workers exposure may also have impacted their families because they may have taken home cancer causing dust on their uniforms.
Tenneco spokesperson Steven Blow told NewsChannel 5 that the company quickly took action when they discovered high levels of hexavalent chromium at the plant in February.
“We found an issue. When we found that issue we immediately worked to try and rectify the problem and get a safe and secure environment,” Blow said.
Employees said they were shocked by the news and remain concerned about their health.
In March, inspectors with the Tennessee Occupational and Safety Administration (TOSHA) found employees overexposed to chromium and cited the plant for 20 serious violations.
Tenneco told NewsChannel5 it had doctors examine employees and tested to see if they were taking contaminated dust home to their families.
“The testing that we did on people leaving the plant did not show any elevated levels thankfully,” Blow said.
According to Blow, there have been no reports of medical issues, but some employees have experienced symptoms of chromium exposure such as nose bleeds and dermatitis.
Tenneco told NewsChannel 5 it will install a multi-million dollar ventilation system in the plant to remove the cancer causing welding fumes and is giving welders in affected areas respirators. However TOSHA has reportedly cited Tenneco because some respirators did not fit the employees who were trying to use them.
The Smithville Volunteer Fire Department was summoned to Tenneco early Thursday morning after a small fire began in the ventilation system. Small fires of this type often occur at industries locally. The building was evacuated and no one was injured.

As part of its community outreach ministry, the Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church is again sponsoring a drive thru mobile food pantry Saturday morning, November 11 rain or shine.
In partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank, the church plans to prepare enough food boxes to serve up to 300 families regardless of their income status, on a first come, first served basis. Families will receive enough food to last them for a full week. Second Harvest will bring in pallets of food on trucks. The food will then be off loaded and organized in preparation for the distribution.
Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and the food will be delivered from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Unlike most food distributions, those being served by the mobile pantry will not have to get out of their automobiles. They will drive thru in a pickup line and volunteers will deliver the food directly to their vehicles, placing the food boxes either in the back seat or trunk. Cars will line up facing north on College Street across from the Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
“It’s a mobile food pantry but it’s also a drive thru. The recipients will stay in their cars. They will line up starting at 8:00 a.m. on College Street and when we have everything prepared and organized we’ll start the line moving, hopefully around 9:00 a.m. Recipients will drive through. As they enter in we’ll have a team there to put a box of food in their cars, either in their back seat or trunk,” said spokesperson Teresa Trapp Brown.
“We will line up right across from the church (Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church) on College Street. We’ll start registration at 8:00 a.m. We’ll need the name of the recipients and how many families are being served. We’re limited to two families per vehicle to make sure we have enough food,” added Isaac Gray, Minister of the Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Others who wish to volunteer may show up Saturday, November 11 or call for more information at 615-464-7896 or 615-597-4197.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District announces Center Hill lake levels will remain lowered and targeted at elevation 630 mean sea level for 2018, and will likely remain at that level several more years until recently identified main dam spillway gate issues can be fully evaluated.
“We fully expected to raise the lake back to normal levels once ongoing work was completed; however, operability issues have recently been identified with the 70-year old main dam spillway gates that add project risk during a large flood event” said Linda Adcock, project manager.
In the early 1990’s a self-eroding structure called a ‘fuse plug’ was built into the top of the saddle dam to add the ability to safely pass a rare, extreme flood downstream.
“If the main dam spillway gates don’t operate as intended, the fuse plug on the saddle dam could operate at a smaller flood than intended,” Adcock explained.
Currently, risk of this occurrence is higher than the Corps deems acceptable. A study is underway to evaluate spillway gate repair alternatives and potential changes to standard gate operations during a large flood. The study will produce a recommended plan to reduce project risk.
Since 2008, the lake operation has been targeted 15-20 feet lower than normal throughout the year as a risk reduction measure while foundation seepage rehabilitation work has been ongoing at the main dam and the auxiliary saddle dam. Significant dam safety work at the main dam foundation is complete yet continues at the saddle dam. A concrete reinforcing berm is being constructed downstream of the saddle dam and is scheduled for completion in 2019.
The spillway gate study will evaluate an array of risk reduction alternatives. The study will take place concurrently with ongoing saddle dam repairs. Implementation of a recommended plan will likely be after 2020. Meanwhile, the lake will continue to be targeted at elevation 630 mean seal level to lower the risk of a high lake level that operates the fuse plug.
To read more on the dam safety project, visit the Nashville District webpage at http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Current-Projects/Construction/Cen….
(For more information about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District, or visit the district’s website at www.lrn.usace.army.mil., on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps, and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps. The public can also follow Center Hill Lake on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/centerhilllake.)

A man has been charged with arson after setting fire to the home where he lived Wednesday night at 5078 Lower Helton Road near Alexandria.
45 year old Jason Bryan Hale is also charged with assaulting an officer and resisting stop, frisk, halt, arrest, or search. His bond totals $23,000 and his court date is November 30.
Central dispatch received the call at 5:58 p.m. and paged members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department. The caller alerted 911 that someone was still inside the home and that he refused to leave. It was later reported that the man had gone outside the home and was armed with a shotgun.
Sheriff Patrick Ray and officers of the Sheriff’s Department arrived at the scene and took the man (Hale) into custody. It turns out that Hale had no weapon, but he did hit an officer while being moved to safety prior to his arrest.

The home was destroyed in the blaze. The owner of the residence is Ann Greene.
Sheriff Ray said the arson warrant against Hale alleges that “he did knowingly damage the structure of 5078 Lower Helton Road by setting it on fire. Hale did have the intent to destroy the residence”.
In the warrant for assaulting an officer, Sheriff Ray said “a deputy responded to 5078 Lower Helton Road for a structure fire. Upon arrival he made contact with Hale and while trying to move him to safety Hale intentionally and recklessly struck him in the face with his right hand”.
Sheriff Ray said that in the warrant for resisting stop, frisk, and halt, “ a deputy responded to a structure fire and while on the scene as he was placing Hale under arrest for assault, he actively resisted by pulling his arms and not cooperating with lawful commands to put his hands behind his back. Hale was arrested and brought to the jail for booking,” said Sheriff Ray.
Neither the deputy nor anyone else was injured.
In addition to the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department, Sheriff’s Department, and DeKalb EMS, members of the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department and Alexandria Police Chief Chris Russell were called to provide mutual aid support.

Mark Milam has decided to throw his hat in the ring in the race to become the next Circuit Court Clerk of DeKalb County.
Milam told WJLE Tuesday that he plans to be a candidate for his party’s nomination in the DeKalb County Democratic Primary on May 1, 2018.
“After a lot of consideration and prayer, I have decided to run for this office,” Milam said.
Mark and his wife Pat Milam reside on Old West Point Road in the Midway Community. Pat is employed by the DeKalb County School System. For the last 25 years, Mark has served as constable of the 5th district, having been elected to that office seven times. His current term runs through 2020.
“I have really enjoyed serving as constable. I try to be a public servant in any way I can and do what is right,” said Milam.
Mark’s family moved to DeKalb County in 1980 and he started working that year at the former Smithville Food Center where he was later promoted to assistant manager, a position he held until he left the store in 1998 to devote full time to his constable duties, which includes being a civil process server, making deliveries of court documents.
A 1983 graduate of DeKalb County High School, Milam is the father of three grown daughters, Crystal, Jeanie, and Amanda, and he is an active member of the New Life United Pentecostal Church.
Milam praised the incumbent Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack and said he hopes to follow in her footsteps.
“Ms Pack has done a great job. I want to continue the great job she has done. It’s a hard job and it takes a lot of dedication but I have the experience because of my years of working with the courts. I’m at the courthouse probably every day over something and I have had a good working relationship with Ms Pack. I hope people will vote for me,” said Milam.

You may visit the Dekalb County Community Health Center/Health Department to receive free, face-to-face assistance with applying for health insurance! Dekalb County Community Health Center/Health Department has a certified application counselor available to assist with applying for insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace for Affordable Care Act plans, TennCare and CoverKids.
Individuals and families may receive help applying, looking at different health insurance plans and enrolling. All health insurance offered through the Marketplace meets the minimum essential coverage requirements.
Counselors will help you learn about plans for which you qualify based on your income and the number of people in your household. You must apply for Marketplace plans during the open enrollment period beginning on November 1, 2017 and running through December 15, 2017. Open enrollment is shorter this year, so make sure you enroll/ renew in time!
You may qualify for a special enrollment period if any of the following happen to you outside of the open enrollment period: losing existing health insurance; moving; getting married; or having a child. You have 60 days from the time of the event to qualify for a special insurance enrollment! Get help throughout the year from your local health center with enrolling in a special enrollment period.
You may also receive assistance with applying for TennCare or CoverKids any time throughout the year.
Call the Dekalb County Community Health Center/Health Department today to see about scheduling an appointment.
Julie Cole
Dekalb County Health Department 615-597-7599

The stage is now officially set for the General Election next month to determine who will fill the remaining months of the unexpired term of State Senator Mae Beavers.
Republican Mark Pody and Democrat Mary Alice Carfi each won the nomination for the office in Tuesday’s primaries. Both were unopposed. One of them will be the winner in the General Election set for December 19. District-wide, Pody received 2,562 votes in the GOP primary while Carfi garnered 1,283 votes in the Democratic primary. Six counties make up the 17th State Senatorial District including DeKalb, Cannon, Wilson, Clay, Macon, and Smith
In a very light turnout, (287 voters) Pody received 172 votes in the GOP primary in DeKalb County. Carfi got 111 votes from DeKalb County in the Democratic primary.
The breakdown is as follows:
Total:
Pody 172
Carfi 111
Absentee plus early voting:
Pody 93
Carfi 56
Election Day:
Pody 79
Carfi 55
DeKalb County Election Day Results by precinct:
ALEXANDRIA:
Pody 12
Carfi 7
TEMPERANCE HALL:
Pody 6
Carfi 1
EDGAR EVINS STATE PARK:
Pody 2
Carfi 0
LIBERTY:
Pody 10
Carfi 5
DOWELLTOWN:
Carfi 5
Pody1
SNOW HILL:
Pody 4
Carfi 0
CHURCH OF GOD:
Carfi 7
Pody 5
ROCK CASTLE:
Pody 7
Carfi 1
COURTHOUSE:
Pody 3
Carfi 3
JOHNSON CHAPEL:
Pody 7
Carfi 0
COUNTY COMPLEX:
Carfi 9
Pody 0
BELK:
Pody 9
Carfi 4
KELTONBURG:
Pody 5
Carfi 5
BLUE SPRINGS:
Pody 3
Carfi 2
CHURCH OF CHRIST ANNEX:
Carfi 6
Pody 5
District Wide totals:
Pody:
DeKalb 142
Cannon 188
Clay 93
Macon 168
Smith 300
Wilson 1,641
Carfi:
DeKalb 111
Cannon 60
Clay 44
Macon 54
Smith 187
Wilson 827

A woman who lied to police claiming she assaulted her ex-boyfriend causing serious injuries has been charged with filing a false report.
19 year old Tavia Gayle Cantrell was arrested on Saturday, October 28. According to the warrant, Cantrell called 911 and made an official report of hurting her ex-boyfriend and leaving him in a near dead state. According to Cantrell, after he attacked her she assaulted him which left him alive but not well. A subsequent investigation revealed that Cantrell had been at his residence earlier but that she had left of her own accord and without incident. Officers located Cantrell’s ex-boyfriend and he was found to be ok. Police charged Cantrell after discovering she had lied to them which tied up emergency resources. Her bond is $6,000 and her court date is November 16.
21 year old Katelyn Michelle Walz was cited for theft of property on Thursday, October 26. Police responded to Dollar General Store where it was discovered that Walz had taken some items and concealed them in her purse. The merchandise was recovered and returned to the store. Her court date is November 16.
18 year old Nikolas Blake Agee was cited for trespassing on Friday, October 27. Police observed Agee hanging out in the parking lot of Hardees after being informed numerous times that he was not allowed to do so. He will make a court appearance on December 5.
31 year old Matthew Allen Gilles was arrested on Saturday, October 28 for violation of bond conditions. According to police, Gilles violated his bond conditions by being at a residence with his victim with whom he is to have no contact. The bond conditions took effect September 29. His bond is $5,000 and his court date is November 9.
26 year old Justin Glynn Vandergriff was arrested on Saturday, October 28 for a second offense of driving on a revoked license. His bond is $3,000 and his court date is November 16. Police observed Vandergriff driving a vehicle east on West Broad Street. Knowing that his drivers license are revoked, the officer stopped Vandergriff who confirmed that his license were still revoked for a DUI. The officer had already cited Vandergriff on September 21 for the same offense (driving on revoked). Vandergriff was taken into custody due to the likelihood that he would continue to drive. His bond is $3,000 and his court date is November 16.
41 year old Darrell Wayne Newby was arrested on Sunday, October 29 for public intoxication and cited for vandalism. Police responded to a report of a possible intoxicated man walking down Allen’s Chapel Road. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Newby who said he didn’t know where he was or how he got there. Newby was unsteady on his feet and couldn’t keep his balance. The officer also learned that Newby had bent a mailbox till it broke in half and continued walking. Due to his safety and that of others Newby was taken into custody without incident. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is November 16.
36 year old Lillian HSU was cited for theft of property on Thursday, November 2. The day before, on Wednesday, November 1 HSU was at Tractor Supply Company (TSC), went to the cash register, and informed the store associate that he needed to go to his vehicle and retrieve a gift card. On his way out the door he took a 6 foot table to his vehicle. After he returned HSU informed the associate that he wanted to purchase the table along with other items he had. Once he made the purchase HSU left the store taking another table to his vehicle. After the associate and store manager realized that HSU had taken another table without paying for it they went outside and took down his license plate number and filed a report with the police department. Upon investigation, the detective reviewed surveillance video and later cited HSU for theft of property. His court date is November 16.

A Carthage teen indicted in May for various crimes including the rape of another male appeared in DeKalb County Criminal Court Tuesday where he received a ten year sentence on supervised probation. He was granted judicial diversion.
18 year old Jacob Randall Stacy of Cordell Hull Circle, Carthage was named in sealed indictments on charges of rape, burglary, auto burglary, theft under $1,000 (2 counts), and vandalism (2 counts).
During Tuesday’s appearance Stacy entered a plea by criminal information to one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (broom stick from the rape offense) and one count of burglary. All the other offenses were dropped including the rape charge. Stacy received a six year TDOC sentence for the aggravated assault and four years for burglary to run consecutively for a total sentence of ten years but all suspended to supervised probation. He was given jail credit of 250 days from March 2 to November 7, 2017. Stacy was also ordered to pay restitution of $500 to the victim in the burglary and he is under a restraining order to keep away from the victim in the assault case.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that at the time of the offenses Stacy was a juvenile but his case was later transferred from the juvenile court to criminal court so he could be tried as an adult. Prior to his turning 18, Stacy was in the custody of the Department of Children Services.
On the rape charge, the indictment alleged that on or about October 29, 2016 in DeKalb County, Stacy did intentionally and or knowingly engage in unlawful sexual penetration of another male without his consent constituting the offense of rape. Under the criminal information relating to the same offense, the District Attorney General charged that “Stacy on or about October 29, 2016 did unlawfully and intentionally or knowingly cause the victim to reasonably fear imminent bodily injury utilizing a deadly weapon, to wit: a broom stick”.
Meanwhile, on October 17, 2016, Stacy allegedly entered the Mount Zion Baptist Church, not open to the public, with the intent to commit theft, constituting the offense of burglary. From the church, Stacy allegedly stole various food items being under the value of $1,000, constituting the offense of theft. During the break-in, Stacy allegedly caused damage to an interior door and two window screens of the church building.
On the same day, October 17, 2016, Stacy allegedly entered a 1995 Ford F-250 pickup truck with the intent to commit a theft constituting the offense of burglary of a motor vehicle. From the truck, Stacy allegedly stole personal checks, chewing tobacco, and a 10 foot trailer being under the value of $1,000 constituting the offense of theft under $1,000. During the break-in, Stacy allegedly damaged the dashboard and ignition of the truck.

Mya Ruch was honored Monday, November 6 at the MSCCA Banquet for being named to the All Mid-state Cross Country Team. The Mid State Cross Country Association’s banquet was held at Brentwood Academy to recognize and award the top 21 runners in both the A-AA and AAA divisions. Mya was 16th in the A-AA, landing her a position on the Bronze Team. Mya is a sophomore at DeKalb County High School, and this was the second year in a row she received this honor.
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