A federal fugitive wanted in Corpus Christi, Texas for transporting illegal aliens has been arrested by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.
According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, 29 year old Jonathan Lee Pedigo of Long Lane, Smithville was wanted by U.S. Marshals for a pre-trial bond violation related to the offense of transporting illegal aliens. Officers learned of the federal charge against Pedigo after pulling him over for a traffic offense on Sunday, March 20
“The deputy spotted a black car run a stop sign on Ferrell Road. He stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Pedigo. A computer check for warrants through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) revealed that Pedigo was wanted by the United States Marshals Office for a pre-trial bond violation on a charge of transporting illegal aliens. Pedigo was taken into custody without bond. U.S. Marshals picked him up at the DeKalb County Jail Monday morning,” said Sheriff Ray.
In other cases, 28 year old Kevin Jay Stewart of Sparta is charged with theft of property over $1,000, possession of methamphetamine, and a fourth offense of driving while revoked. He was also issued citations for possession of drug paraphernalia and simple possession. His bond totals $13,500 and he will make a court appearance April 7.
Sheriff Ray said that on Wednesday, March 9 a deputy was dispatched to Ragland Bottom Motel to check out a car setting behind the building. Upon arrival, the officer observed the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Stewart.
According to the deputy, Stewart was wearing a necklace with a clear container attached which held .8 grams of methamphetamine and a small amount of marijuana. A hypodermic needle was found in the cup holder of the car. Stewart was unable to produce a driver license. A computer check revealed that Stewart’s license had been revoked in White County for failure to provide proof of financial responsibility on June 5, 2010. He had also been charged with driving on a revoked license on October 1, 2010 and October 13, 2011 in White County and again on March 8, 2013 in DeKalb County.
After a handgun was found in Stewart’s possession, a Sheriff’s Department Detective conducted an investigation and learned that the gun had been stolen along with three other guns with a total value up to $1,500. The guns had been taken from a home on Four Seasons Road.
55 year old Timothy Allen Presley of Bethel Road, Smithville is charged with theft of property over $1,000. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court on April 7.
Sheriff Ray said that on January 29 Presley had in his possession several construction tools valued at more than $1,000 which he had refused to return to the owner after being asked to do so over several weeks. Tools belonging to the victim found in Presley’s possession were recovered. The case was investigated by a Sheriff’s Department Detective.
48 year old Thomas David Williams of Sparta is charged with evading arrest. His bond is $25,000. According to Sheriff Ray, Williams intentionally fled from law enforcement in an older model Ford truck on January 12 after the officer activated his emergency lights. Williams was found and arrested on March 10.
37 year old Rosalino Francisco-Savastia of West Broad Street, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. He was also issued citations for no insurance and no drivers license. His bond is $1,500.
Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, March 3 a deputy responded to Sparta Highway where a vehicle was reported to be driving slowly in the wrong lane. Upon arrival the officer observed the vehicle parked in the roadway. He stopped and spoke with the driver, Rosalino Francisco-Savastia who had a strong odor of alcohol on him. His eyes were bloodshot and he was very unsteady on his feet. Field sobriety tasks could not be given due to his condition and language barrier. The officer found an empty six pack of Corona bottles in the passenger side floorboard and an empty Bud Lite can in the back seat floorboard of the vehicle.
47 year old Johnny Wayne Boles of Rocky Road, Alexandria is charged with a third offense of driving on a revoked license. His bond is $3,500
Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, March 13 Boles was involved in a property damage wreck on Rocky Road in Alexandria. A computer check revealed that his driver license were revoked for driving under the influence. He has two prior offenses of driving on a revoked license in Wilson County.

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander will be the keynote speaker at the 2016 Reagan Day Dinner hosted by the Dekalb County Republican Party. The dinner will be on Tuesday, March 22, 2016, at 6:00PM at the Dekalb County Complex.
“Sen. Alexander is a true icon in Tennessee politics and we are fortunate to have him in Dekalb County,” GOP Chair Mingy Bryant said. “As a former Presidential Candidate himself, I know he has some unique insights into our 2016 Presidential Election. Sen. Alexander has also been a strong leader in the US Senate since his election in 2002. He has devoted his life to public service and I look forward to hearing his remarks at the Reagan Day Dinner.”
Tickets for the Reagan Day Dinner are $30 per person. Table sponsorships are also available for $250. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased from Jennifer Winfree at loveboatlovefish@yahoo.com or Mingy Bryant at 615-597-2600. The DeKalb County Reagan Day Dinner is an annual fundraiser to benefit candidates for offices in Dekalb County. Local Republican Candidates in 2016 include Mr. Shannon A. Cantrell, Candidate for Assessor of Property, Mr. Lee Plummer, Candidate for Constable in District 1, and Mr. Tom Theriaque, Candidate for Constable in District 2.
For more information on the Reagan Day Dinner, go to our Facebook Page at DeKalb County Republican Party.

DeKalb Democratic Party Chairman Jordan Wilkins will be attending the Democratic National Convention at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in July as a delegate for Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
Democratic Party officers, delegates and friends of the 6th district met in Cookeville Saturday, March 19 to select delegates to attend the Convention.
Wilkins was elected first male delegate for Clinton. Leonard Steverson from Lebanon was elected as second male delegate. Bonnie Fussell from Portland was elected as first female delegate. Pat Stanton from Lebanon was elected first female alternate.
Meanwhile Michelle Davis from Cookeville was elected as delegate to represent Senator Bernie Sanders.
In addition to Wilkins, others who made up the delegation for Clinton from DeKalb County at the district meeting in Cookeville Saturday were Jimmy and Joyce Poss, Pamela and Jack Anderson, Jerry Comfort, Barbara Comfort, and Billie Ann Tubbs. Jack Barton, Joyce Hendrixson, and Pamela Jordan represented Bernie Sanders.

Morgan Faith Green is the 2016 Miss Spring Blossom.
Green, the sixteen year old daughter of Suzanne and Jon Harrison of Smithville, won the crown Saturday during the annual pageant sponsored by the Smithville Women’s Club. Green was also named Miss Photogenic.
She succeeds last year’s queen Tyra Grace Graham, the seventeen year old daughter of Kyle and Doris Graham of Smithville.
First runner-up went to Chloe Colvert White, the eighteen year old daughter of Lou Ann White of Smithville and the late Steve White.
Destiny Danielle Franklin, the sixteen year old daughter of Jennifer Ware of Smithville was second runner-up.
Aspen Nicole Flarity was third runner-up. She is the seventeen year old daughter of Doyle and Cindy Flarity of Smithville. She was also chosen as Miss Personality
The pageant featured four contestants ages sixteen to eighteen.

Thirteen year old Alexis Grace Atnip is the new Teen Miss. She won the crown Saturday at DCHS.
Atnip, daughter of Veronica Atnip of Smithville, was among four girls ages thirteen to fifteen who competed for the title during the pageant which is held each year by the Smithville Women’s Club.
Last year’s queen was Sarah Anne Colwell, the fifteen year old daughter of Trent and Christie Colwell of Smithville.
First Runner-up, Miss Photogenic, and Miss Personality went to Dasia Gurley, the thirteen year old daughter of Felicia and Allen Taylor of Smithville.
Monica Carlton was Second Runner-up. She is the thirteen year old daughter of Amanda and Leroy Hale of Smithville.
Shelby Maylee Sprague, fourteen year old daughter of Johnna and Jimmy Sprague of Smithville was Third Runner-up.

Eleven year old Addison Jean Puckett won the Junior Miss crown Saturday.
The annual pageant featuring seven girls ages ten to twelve was sponsored by the Smithville Women’s Club.
Puckett, daughter of Jimmy and Anita Puckett of Smithville succeeds the 2015 Junior Miss Alexis Grace Atnip, the thirteen year old daughter of Veronica Atnip of Smithville.
Kenlee Renae Taylor was the first runner-up and Miss Photogenic. She is the ten year old daughter of Ken and Cindy Taylor of Smithville.
Rebekah Haylee Adams was named second runner-up and Miss Personality. She is the twelve year old daughter of Carolyn and Brian Adams of Smithville.
Third runner-up went to Haylee Cassandra Merriman, the twelve year old daughter of Mike and Myra Merriman of Smithville.
Lacey Jade McMillen was fourth runner-up. She is the twelve year old daughter of Chris and Kristina McMillen of Alexandria.
Other participants were Caley Grace Taylor of Smithville, the ten year old daughter of Ashley Evans and Brandon Taylor; and Hailey Ray Bogle, the twelve year old daughter of Bud and Jenny Bogle of Smithville.

The 2016 Young Miss is seven year old Kaylee Brooke Kent of Dowelltown.
Daughter of Kevin and Beth Kent, Kaylee beat out four other girls ages seven to nine for the crown Saturday during the annual pageant sponsored by the Smithville Women’s Club. She was also named Miss Photogenic.
Kent succeeds last year’s Young Miss, Isabella Faith Rackley, the eight year old daughter of Gordon and Jessica Rackley of Smithville.
First Runner-up in the pageant was Averie Nicole McMinn, the eight year old daughter of Nathan and Amanda McMinn of Smithville. She also received the distinction of Miss Personality
Second Runner-up: Lilliana Grace Vickers, the eight year old daughter of Brandi Norton of Smithville
Third Runner-up: MaKinzy Lynn Jenkins of Smithville, the nine year old daughter of Wally Rackley. Her aunt and caretaker is Maranda Washer
Fourth Runner-up: Allison Faith Marie Goodwin, the nine year old daughter of Roy and Anna Goodwin of Smithville.

The winner of the Little Miss Pageant Saturday was Caitlyn Lee Adcock, the four year old daughter of Jessie and Tia Adcock of Smithville.
Adcock succeeds the retiring Little Miss, Ella Grace Kirksey, the five year old daughter of Graden and Sabrina Kirksey of Smithville.
Thirteen girls, ages four to six, were in the pageant held at DCHS sponsored by the Smithville Women’s Club.
Runners-up in the pageant are as follows:
First runner-up: Karah Jo Ford, the five year old daughter of Amanda Ford and Hector Orozco of Dowelltown.
Second runner-up: Lakelyn Brooke Nelson, the five year old daughter of Dustin and Kristian Nelson of Smithville.
Third runner-up: Emily Danielle Johnson, the five year old daughter of Clint and Dede Johnson of Smithville.
Fourth runner-up: Cora Marie Cox, the four year old daughter of Brandon and Whitney Cox of Smithville.
Miss Personality: McKayla Brooke Colwell of Smithville, the six year old daughter of Eddie and Monica Colwell and Travis and Bethany Bogle.
Miss Photogenic: Cassidy Orcutt, the six year old daughter of Olivia Taylor and Josh Orcutt of Smithville
Rounding out the top ten were:
*Heaven Grace Farris, the five year old daughter of Jessica Guess of Smithville
*Madison Grace Bogle, the six year old daughter of Travis and Bethany Bogle and Holly Owen of Smithville
*Kaydence Shontae Johnson, the six year old daughter of Jeremy Ashburn and Trista Johnson of Smithville
*Cassidy Orcutt, the six year old daughter of Olivia Taylor and Josh Orcutt of Smithville
*McKayla Brooke Colwell of Smithville, the six year old daughter of Eddie and Monica Colwell and Travis and Bethany Bogle.
Other participants were:
Brooklyn Paige Bogle, the six year old daughter of Bud and Jenny Bogle of Smithville; Madison Anderson, the six year old daughter of Tiera and Travis Anderson of Smithville; and Savannah Faith Stibil, the five year old daughter of John and Glenda Stibil of Smithville.

Four year old Joshua Ross is the 2016 Little Mister
Ross, the son of Steve and Paula Ross of Smithville, won the title Saturday during the annual pageant sponsored by the Smithville Women’s Club. He was also named Mister Photogenic
Ross succeeds the 2015 Little Mister Jaxsen Theryn Speaks, the six year old son of Justin and Donna Speaks of Smithville.
The contest featured three boys ages four to six.
Tanner Tinsley of Dowelltown was first runner-up in the pageant. He also received the title of Mister Personality. Tinsley is the six year old son of Brandi Tinsley and Wayne Mallory.
Second runner-up was Abram Luke Myers, the five year old son of Joey and Kelly Myers of Doweltown.

The DCHS Band traveled to Cookeville on Saturday, March 5 to perform in the Upper Cumberland Concert Festival held at Prescott South Middle School.
The band received top honors of a I (Superior Rating) for their performance of Concert Literature.
Bands are rated based on a number of factors and receive either a I, II, III, or IV.
The following weekend, the band took 22 select middle and high school members to the Twin Lakes Small Band Clinic. The students were mentored by expert conductors in their field in the areas of performance. Culminating their three day experience, the students performed two separate concerts(one high school and one middle school) each with nearly one hundred members.