A Lebanon man who allegedly broke into a residence in Liberty armed with a gun last month has been arrested by the Sheriff’s Department
48 year old James Michael Tatum is charged with aggravated burglary and aggravated assault. His bond is $100,000 and he will make a court appearance on August 20. Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Friday, July 31 Tatum allegedly broke into a home at Wilson Hollow Road in Liberty and knowingly pointed a Glock .45 caliber handgun at the homeowner. Tatum camouflaged his face in an attempt to keep the victim from identifying him. Tatum was later arrested after an investigation by a sheriff’s department detective.
38 year old Julie Lynn Fayette of Oak Drive, Smithville is charged with three counts of aggravated domestic assault. Her bond totals $15,000 and she will be in court August 20. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, August 15, Fayette intentionally grabbed the steering wheel of a vehicle, driven by her husband on Holmes Creek Road while their daughter and nephew were passengers, putting the lives of her husband, daughter, and nephew in danger. Her actions caused the vehicle to run off the road. The case was investigated by a deputy.
An Alexandria man is in trouble after trying to outrun the law while drunk and then having a wreck.
46 year old Albert Dayton West of Tramel Branch Road, Alexandria is charged by the sheriff’s department with evading arrest and by the Tennessee Highway Patrol with driving under the influence, driving on a revoked license, and leaving the scene of an accident. His bond totals $14,000 and he will make a court appearance on August 27.
Sheriff Ray said the incident occurred on June 19 as a deputy was checking out a report of a domestic dispute. The officer apparently spotted a suspect in the case riding with West. The deputy got behind the vehicle and activated his blue lights but West refused to stop. As the officer activated his siren, West picked up speed traveling on West Main Street in Dowelltown. West then turned left onto Smith Fork Road and continued to evade for approximately one and a half miles before he wrecked. The officer had already terminated the pursuit prior to the accident. West and his passenger then got out of their automobile and fled. Two hours later, an officer found West on Main Street in Dowelltown. West admitted to being the driver and said he had been hurt in the wreck. West also confessed to picking up the man involved in the domestic dispute to keep him out of trouble. A witness identified West as the driver of the vehicle. West was determined to have been the driver of the vehicle and was placed under arrest.
33 year old Kenneth Adam Wright of Lower Helton Road, Alexandria is charged with a third offense of driving under the influence. He was also issued citations for driving on a revoked license, violation of the financial responsibility law, driving on roadways laned for travel, and violation of the implied consent law. His bond is $4,500 and he will make a court appearance on October 22. Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, August 14 a deputy spotted a gray truck cross the white dotted line several times on Highway 70 West in Dowelltown. After stopping the vehicle, the deputy spoke with the driver, Wright who had an odor of alcohol coming from his person. Wright admitted to having consumed four beers. He submitted to and performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Although Wright refused to submit to a blood test, a search warrant was issued to obtain a forced blood draw due to his record of multiple convictions for DUI.

A former manager of Tennessee Credit has been indicted for theft over $60,000.
58 year old Vicky Elaine Bogle of Lou Drive, Dowelltown was named in a sealed indictment returned by the Grand Jury on Monday, July 27. Her bond is $50,000 and she will be arraigned in criminal court on September 14. She was arrested on August 12.
The indictment alleges that “Bogle, between the 1st day of January, 2009 and the 19th day of December 2014 knowingly did obtain or exercise control over certain property, to wit: money/cash being over the value of $60,000, the property of Tennessee Credit, without the effective consent of Tennessee Credit, with the intent to deprive Tennessee Credit of said property, constituting the offense of Theft”.
According to the family, Bogle is one of five owners of Tennessee Credit and is a former operating manager there.
Bogle is among six people picked up by the Sheriff’s department last week on Grand Jury sealed indictments returned on Monday, July 27.
75 year old Frank Donald Thomas of Nashville Highway, Liberty is charged in a sealed indictment with aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. His bond is $50,000 and he will be arraigned in criminal court on September 14. He was arrested on August 14.
Count 1 of the indictment alleges that “Thomas, on or about the 27th day of September, 2014 intentionally or knowingly did engage in conduct which caused (the victim) to reasonably fear imminent bodily injury, said offense being committed with a deadly weapon, to wit: a gun, constituting the offense of aggravated assault”.
Count 2 of the indictment alleges that “Thomas did engage in conduct which placed or which might have placed the citizens of DeKalb County in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury, said offense being committed with a deadly weapon, to wit: a motor vehicle, constituting the offense of reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.”
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Saturday, September 27, 2014 central dispatch received a call that Thomas, driving a red Chevy Avalanche on Highway 56 south, was chasing after a man in a red Dodge pickup truck at speeds of over 100 miles per hour. During the chase, Thomas allegedly pointed a small silver gun out of the window, causing the victim to fear for his life.
A deputy spotted Thomas behind the victim’s truck. Another witness said he was run off the road by the red Dodge being chased by the red Avalanche.
Thomas later told officers that the reason he was following the man was because of something he had done in the past. Thomas said he wanted to get his hands on him. Thomas was placed under arrest and a silver revolver, containing three live rounds and three spent rounds, was found in his vehicle.
Thomas is a former county commissioner and member of the county beer board.
54 year old Kenny Ray Herman of West Main Street, Smithville; 47 year old Timmy Harvey George; and 49 year old Riley Anthony Bullard of V.L. Wilson Loop, Smithville are co-indicted on a charge of sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Hydromorphone). Bond for each is $30,000 and they will appear in criminal court for arraignment on September 14. Herman and George were arrested on August 12. Bullard was picked up on August 13.
According to the indictment, “Herman, George, Bullard, and another man, Joel Hayes, on or about the 24th day of February, 2015 knowingly did sell a schedule II controlled substance, to wit: Hydromorphone, constituting the offense of sale of a schedule II controlled substance, to wit: Hydromorphone, in violation of Tennessee Code Annotated.” Hayes was arrested on August 9.
45 year old James Madison Currie of Village Place, Smithville is indicted for two counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II drug. His bond is $60,000 and he will be arraigned in criminal court on September 14. Currie was arrested on August 12.
The indictments allege that Currie knowingly sold a schedule II drug, to wit: Dihydrocodeinone on or about the 29th day of January, 2015 and the 5th day of February, 2015,constituting the offense of sale of a schedule II controlled substance, to wit: Dihydrocodeinone.

Two people were involved in a one car crash Saturday night on Highway 70 east at the intersection of Brent Taylor Road.
50 year old Kanday Fish of Dowelltown was airlifted from near the scene by helicopter ambulance and flown to Vanderbilt Hospital.
Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that Fish was eastbound on Highway 70 in a 2003 Nissan Morano SUV when she went off the right side of the road, struck a culvert, and overturned. The vehicle came to rest on the driver side. 41 year old Jason Cripps of Cookeville and formerly of Smithville was a passenger.
Members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department rescue team were summoned to the scene to perform extrication services to help get Fish out of the vehicle. Cripps was not seriously hurt and did not have to be transported to the hospital.
DeKalb EMS and members of the Sheriff’s Department were also on the scene.
Meanwhile, a Hickman man was charged Saturday night with DUI after a one car crash on Highway 264 about a mile south of the DeKalb-Smith County line in DeKalb County.
Trooper Adam Cothron told WJLE that 45 year old James Nixon was traveling north in a 2013 Dodge Challenger when he went off the road, struck a tree, and then ran through a fence. He was transported by EMS to Riverview Regional Medical Center in Carthage. He was also charged with driving under the influence and cited for failure to exercise due care, a violation of the financial responsibility, violation of the open container law, and violation of the seat belt law.

A TWRA Hunter Education Course will be held at the Smithville Church of Christ on Friday and Saturday, August 28 & 29.
According to TWRA Officer Joe Fortner, the Friday class will be at 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
“Anyone who wants to hunt in the State of Tennessee born after January 1, 1969 must complete the course before they go hunting. You have to be nine years old before you can take the class,” said Fortner.
“Pre-registering for the class is the easiest way to sign-up. You can do that by going to www.tnwildlife.org. Click on the hunting section. That will bring you to the hunter education part of the website. You can sign up from there. If you don’t have access to the Internet and you show up for the class that will be fine. I prefer that you pre-register so that we will know how many to expect but if you don’t have access to the Internet that will be fine, just show up,” said Fortner.

An employee of the Tennessee Department of Transportation escaped injury in a truck accident Friday morning.
66 year old Roger Ruble of Overton County was traveling west on Highway 70 east in the Hillcrest area in a 2011 TDOT Ford Ranger pickup truck when he went off the right side of the highway and struck guide wires and two utility poles. The truck came to rest on its side.
Members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department’s Extrication and Rescue Team were summoned to help remove Ruble from the truck.
Moments prior to the accident, Ruble’s truck sideswiped an eastbound pickup, driven by Randall Blaylock, knocking off a side mirror on the driver side door of Blaylock’s truck.
According to Trooper Chris Delong of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, who investigated the accidents, it is believed that Ruble suffered a medical condition which contributed to the mishaps.
Although DeKalb EMS came to the scene, Ruble refused transport to the hospital.

You are invited to the weekly coach’s meeting for the coach’s view of every Tennessee Football game. Coach To Coach is your weekly connection to your favorite team, driven by the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. The program will air again this college football season on WJLE AM 1480 and FM 101.7 Fridays at 5:00 p.m. and will repeat Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m.
Former coaches Phillip Fulmer and Doug Mathews go Coach To Coach every week with one hour of intense football discussion. It’s just like you’re in the coaches’ meeting, talking offense and defense with the men who called the plays to win the big games.
Share the lessons from last week’s game. Breakdown the SEC slate. Talk about the issues inside college football. Coach To Coach comes your way every weekend, hosted by one of the state’s premiere sports broadcasters, Larry Stone.
Get inside the 2015 Tennessee football season. Go Coach To Coach with Phillip Fulmer and Doug Mathews, presented by the Delta Dental of Tennessee

The Smithville First Assembly of God Youth just recently attended the 2015 National Fine Arts Competitions held in Orlando Florida. They represented Tennessee in three categories including Large Human Video, Worship Dance Troupe, And Large Drama Ensemble. They came in 3rd out of 97 groups from around the world. Being one of the most active Youth groups in DeKalb County everyone around knows how they excel in Drama & Dance.
Relentless Student Ministries lead by Iain & Kassy Swisher & Josh Issac, started their journey in March when they competed at the Tennessee State Competitions held at Trevecca University located in Nashville. Relentless Students competed in 8 all original and self-choreographed categories taught by Josh Isaac & Kassy Swisher and came home with 7 winning state titles. The Titles included Large Human Video, Small Drama Ensemble, Large Drama Ensemble, Worship Dance Troupe, and Solo Worship Dance. The hardest decision was figuring out what they wanted to take to nationals.They couldn’t afford to take all 7. Relentless Students raised all their own money by having bake sales, yard sales, RADA, Donuts, Dinners, and Dinner Theaters. They left for their 9 day trip to Orlando on July 31st and was honored with top 3 out of 97 teams on Friday, August 7th at the 56th Assemblies of God General Council 2015 Fine Arts Celebration Ceremonies. DeKalb county should be proud of these teens who all represented our church, city, county, and state well. These students have chosen to use their talents to impact their schools and city in a positive way. Each student is very active in school activities as well. We have DeKalb Tiger Football Players, Cheerleaders, Mr. & Mrs. DCHS, and Tiger Basketball Players. These students strive to be that light in all that they do. It’s always great to see their hard work pay off. They embody the bible verse they wear on the shirts: Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good, and acceptable and perfect in the will of God.

A Watertown man was injured when his motorcycle rear ended a pickup truck Wednesday morning in Smithville.
71 year old William Taylor was taken by DeKalb EMS to Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital.
According to Captain Steven Leffew of the Smithville Police Department, Taylor was east on Broad Street on a Honda Goldwing motorcycle when he crashed into an eastbound 2010 Toyota Tacoma, driven by 33 year old Michael Auffinger of Liberty. Captain Leffew said the accident occurred as
Auffinger slowed to make a right turn into the parking area of Patty’s Restaurant. Auffinger was not injured.

Early voting begins Friday, August 14 for the Alexandria Municipal Election.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW SAMPLE BALLOT)
alex ballot web site newspaper.pdf (9.29 KB)
Voting will take place at the election commission office at the courthouse in Smithville through August 29 as follows:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The election is being held to elect three aldermen to four year terms and to fill the remaining two years of vacant or unexpired terms of mayor and two aldermen positions.
Candidates for Mayor are Tony Tarpley and Bennett Armstrong.
Those running unopposed for the two year aldermen positions are Danny Parkerson and Matthew Boss.
Kelly Pyburn, David Cripps, and John F. Suggs are each running unopposed for the four year alderman terms.
Election Day is Thursday, September 3

The Smithville Senior Center Advisory Board is seeking applicants for the position of Senior Center Director.
Responsibilities include development of the center’s overall work plan and supervision of the day to day operations. The Senior Center Director will also be responsible for HR management, fiscal budgeting, community events, and fundraising activities.
The director, or person appointed by the director, shall represent the center as a member of the local emergency management team to provide information on the needs of older persons.
Desired qualifications for this position are good verbal and written communication skills, computer skills, knowledge in recruitment and interview process, knowledge and ability of budgeting, and past experience of coordinating events in fundraisers.
Please mail or hand deliver resumes to:
Brenda Cantrell
c/o First Bank
200 West Main Street
Smithville, TN. 37166
The deadline for accepting applications is 5:00 p.m. on August 28, 2015.