The Smithville Police Department has issued citations and brought charges against several persons in recent days according to Captain Steven Leffew.
49 year old Wendy Kay Goodman is charged with public intoxication. Sergeant Travis Bryant was dispatched to the area of Restview Avenue on Saturday, May 16 in reference to a person knocking on doors throughout the neighborhood and disturbing the peace by yelling. Upon arrival Sergeant Bryant spoke with Goodman who had a strong odor of alcohol on her person and she was unsteady on her feet. As Goodman didn’t live in the area, she was taken into custody for her safety. Goodman’s bond is $1,500.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, May 20 Officer James Cornelius responded to a call of a man lying in the road on West Broad Street. Upon arrival he found 41 year old Steven Lee Gebhardt lying in the brush on the south side of West Broad Street. Once Gebhardt was helped to his feet, Officer Cornelius noticed his speech was slurred and that he was unsteady on his feet. Based on Gebhardt’s condition he was placed under arrest for public intoxication. His bond is $1,500.
While on routine patrol at Wal-Mart on Saturday, May 23 Officer Andy Snow spotted 20 year old McKynna Smith sitting in her car smoking something from a pipe. The officer parked his patrol car and spoke with Smith asking if she had anything on her or in the vehicle. She voluntarily handed over three plastic baggies of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana totaling approximately. 6 grams along with two pipes and a grinder. Smith was cited for simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance (Marijuana) and drug paraphernalia. Her court date is June 11.
33 year old John Brent Williams is charged with public intoxication. Officer Will Judkins responded to a fight on Sunday, May 24 and upon arrival found Williams in a public place under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to such a degree that he endangered other persons and/or was unreasonably annoying people there. Williams was advised several times to calm down and he was arrested after refusing to comply. His bond is $1,500 and he will make a court appearance on June 18.
21 year old Jessie R. Herman was arrested on Monday, May 25 for domestic assault. Corporal Chip Avera and Officer Will Judkins were dispatched to a physical domestic and upon arrival found Herman yelling and cussing at everyone in the house behaving in a hostile and belligerent manner. After an investigation it was determined that Herman was the primary aggressor and he was taken into custody. His bond is $2,500 and his court date is June 18.
27 year old Matthew Allan Pasley was recently cited for possession of drug paraphernalia. During a traffic stop Officers Lance Dillard and Matt Farmer spoke with Pasley, who gave them consent to search the vehicle and his person. The officers found a grinder, rolling papers and a pipe with residue on them. He will be in court on June 18.
19 year old Nathaniel Andrew Chastain was cited by Sergeant Travis Bryant for vandalism on Monday, May 25. After a ball belonging to a neighbor rolled into the door of Chastain’s home, he came out of the residence and stabbed the ball with a knife. His court date is June 11.
29 year old Cody Lee Cripps is charged with public intoxication . At approximately 1:30 am on Tuesday, May 26, Cripps was found to be in a parking lot on West Broad Street. Sergeant Travis Bryant observed that Cripps had a strong odor of alcohol on his person. Cripps’ speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. Cripps had previously crawled into the cab of a semi-truck owned by Tennessee Credit. Witnesses said Cripps had been creating a disturbance by yelling and cussing prior to the officer’s arrival. His bond is $1,500 and he will make a court appearance on June 11.
25 year old Dustin M. Heath was arrested for theft on Tuesday, May 26 after he allegedly entered Broad Street Market and took two 18 packs of Busch beer without paying for them. His bond is $1,500 and he will make a court appearance on June 11.

The DeKalb County Fair has released the catalog of premium rules for exhibit entries at this year’s “Grandpa Fair of the South” set for Monday through Saturday, July 20-25 in Alexandria. This year’s theme is “Country Scenes and Beauty Queens”.
No matter what you love to do you can compete at the Fair!
Whether cooking, quilting, raising goats, taking great pictures, or having really beautiful tomatoes, you can find the right event for you in the Kenneth Sandlin Exhibit Building.
Just check out the 2015 Fair Catalog (PDF) for complete details. Download the 2015 DeKalb County Fair Rule Book at the link below.
http://www.dekalbcountyfairtn.com/images/2015_Fair_Book_web.pdf
The exhibit building hours:
* 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Monday – Friday
* 4:00PM to 9:00 PM on Saturday
Entry Dates and Times
*Non-Perishable Items ONLY
will be taken in on Saturday, July 11 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Kenneth Sandlin Center
*Perishable Items ONLY
will be taken in on Saturday, July 18 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Kenneth Sandlin Center
For more information about this year’s DeKalb County Fair visit http://www.dekalbcountyfairtn.com/

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce recently presented a Milestone Award to Caney Fork Electric Cooperative celebrating 75 Years of serving DeKalb, Warren, White, and Van Buren counties.
Today Caney Fork Electric has approximately 32,000 members and employs 79 people. Caney Fork Electric’s Smithville office is located at 580 East Broad Street.
Pictured l-r:
Front: David Sullivan, LeaAnn Fisher, Andy Estes, Chamber Past President
Julia Vanderpool, Chamber Board Member Kathy Hendrixson, Angel Wood, Jacob Spivey, Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, John Chisam, Tina Smartt, Teresa Parker
2nd Row: Brad Davenport, Dalton Foster, Alan Northcutt, Barry Vandagriff, Kyle Thompson
Back: Jason Hobbs, Tim Price, Hunter Sain, Regan Kelsey

Smithville Elementary School first grader Laura Magness was the winner of the People’s Choice Award for the DeKalb Art Exhibit held Saturday at the County Complex.
Magness’ art teacher is Ms. Carol Tripp.
Meanwhile, Leah Clark of DCHS was awarded for Best of Show
Many DeKalb County students showcased their artistic talents in this annual event sponsored by the Smithville Study Club.
DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOLS ART EXHIBIT WINNERS:
DIVISION 1
(PRE-SCHOOL-1ST GRADE)
1ST PLACE: KINLEY NIEHUUS
2ND PLACE: WADE EVANS
3RD PLACE : DEANNA AGEE
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
HEIDEN ROBINSON
TURNER BRYANT
DIVISION 2:
(2-3RD GRADES)
1ST PLACE: MENISSA BROWN
2nd PLACE: ANGELINA DAVENPORT
3RD PLACE: SYLVIA EVANS
HONORABLE MENTION:
ANNABELLA DAKAS
DIVISION 3:
(4-5TH GRADES)
1ST PLACE: FAITH TRIPP
2ND PLACE: SOPHIA DOSIER
3RD PLACE: CHANDLER JOHNSON
HONORABLE MENTION:
ALI BAIN
DIVISION 4:
(6-8 MIDDLE SCHOOL)
1ST PLACE: JUSTIN WASHER
2ND PLACE: CADEN CLOSE
3RD PLACE: ALAN MUNOZ
HONORABLE MENTION
GRACIE KING
DIVISION 5
(9-12 HIGH SCHOOL)
1ST PLACE: LEAH CLARK
2ND PLACE: JADON MARLAR
3RD PLACE: RONNIE WILMOTH
HONORABLE MENTION: JUSTIN WINCHESTER
The DeKalb Art Exhibit is sponsored by the Smithville Study Club, President: Mrs. Polly Payne and the DeKalb County School System. Special thanks to art teachers: Carol Tripp, Mike Littrell, and Walteen Parker along with all the parents of the students who submitted art.
Winners will be sent to the Appalachian Craft Center for display. The students can pick up their art at their respective schools.

DeKalb County’s unemployment rate for April was 6.5%, down from 7.2% in March and below April 2014’s rate of 7.3%.
The local labor force for April was 7,250. A total of 6,780 were employed and 470 were unemployed.
DeKalb County’s Jobless Rate for April was seventh lowest in the fourteen county Upper Cumberland region.
Here’s how they rank from highest to lowest:
Clay: 8.3%
Jackson:7.9%
Van Buren: 7.4%
Overton:7.2%
Cumberland: 7%
Pickett: 6.9%
Fentress:6.8%
DeKalb: 6.5%
White: 5.9%
Putnam:5.5%
Warren:5.4%
Smith:5.3%
Cannon:5.2%
Macon:4.8%
County unemployment rates for April show the rates decreased in 94 counties and increased in one county.
Davidson County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate in April at 4.1 percent, down from 4.4 percent in March. Knox County was 4.3 percent in April, down from 4.6 the previous month. The Hamilton County April rate was 5.0 percent, down from 5.4 in March. Shelby County was 6.2 percent in April, down from 6.7 percent the previous month.
Tennessee’s preliminary unemployment rate for April was 6.0 percent, three-tenths of one percentage point lower than the March revised rate of 6.3 percent. The U.S. preliminary rate for April was 5.4 percent, one-tenth of one percentage point lower than the prior month.
The state and national unemployment rates are seasonally adjusted while the county unemployment rates are not. Seasonal adjustment is a statistical technique that eliminates the influences of weather, holidays, the opening and closing of schools, and other recurring seasonal events from economic time series.

DeKalb County High School proudly announces the Outstanding Underclassmen of the 2014-2015 school year, a male and female from each grade level.
Freshmen – Tyree Cripps and Abby Evans
Sophomores – Matthew Poss and Rachel Fuson.
Juniors – Seth Wright and Morgan Vickers.
Not pictured is Morgan Vickers, Outstanding Junior girl, who was serving as a DCHS representative attending Girls State at David Lipscomb at the time the awards were presented.
Outstanding Underclassmen are nominated and voted on by the faculty of DCHS. These students stand out due to their academics, involvement in extracurricular activities, and Tiger Pride. Congratulations on this honor!!

In order to comply with a request by members of the county budget committee to have a proposed spending plan in their hands by the first of the month, the Board of Education Thursday night held a workshop and then met in special session to adopt a tentative budget for the 2015-16 school year. But unless the budget committee approves it as presented, the plan is likely to be changed.
The problem the board faces is that the school system is spending more than it takes in. Last year, the school board had to appropriate about $250,000 from its fund balance or reserves to cover expenses. At least the same is expected again this year even without adding new spending.
Still, knowing that the school system is possibly facing another deficit this year, the board Thursday night voted to add more spending to the proposed budget for next year, based on school needs including some required by the state, which according to Board Chairman W.J. (Dub) Evins, III would increase the anticipated budget deficit by $475,620.
The proposed budget includes new funding requests for a computer teacher at Smithville Elementary School, Response to Intervention (RTI) teachers at DeKalb Middle School and DCHS, a new janitor position at DeKalb West School, funds to cover extended contracts , a school nurse position, technology upgrades, among other proposed new expenditures. Response to Intervention (RTI) is a multi-tiered framework that schools can adopt to identify and help struggling learners — before they fail.
The board plans to provide members of the county budget committee an explanation as to why the new spending is needed hoping they will come up with the money to fund it.
If the budget committee turns down the proposed school budget, the Board of Education could be forced to make cuts.

Three people were injured in a four vehicle accident Wednesday at the intersection of West Broad and Mountain Street in Smithville.
29 year old Steven Davidson, Jr. and 40 year old Stephanie Gray both of Smithville were taken by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Community Hospital and then airlifted to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga. 70 year old Robert Horton of Walling, Tennessee was transported by ambulance to the local hospital for treatment.
According to Trooper Brandon Jackson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Horton was east on Broad Street (Highway 70) in a blue F150 truck when he rear ended a 1991 Buick Lesabre, setting in the eastbound lane in front of him. The Buick, driven by Davidson, was stopped for the traffic light at the intersection. Trooper Jackson said Horton claims he accidentally accelerated instead of applying the brakes to stop.
After hitting the Buick, Horton’s truck then crossed into the westbound turning lane on Broad Street and struck a blue 2011 Ford Fiesta, driven by 57 year old Jamye Atnip of Smithville. 29 year old Elizabeth Atnip of Smithville was a passenger with Jamye. Trooper Jackson said the Atnip car was stopped in the turning lane, waiting to turn left when it was hit head on.
Horton’s truck then moved into the westbound lane and hit a black 2004 F150 driven by 18 year old Benjamin Curtis of Alexandria. Curtis was stopped at the traffic light.
Both Davidson and Gray were entrapped in their car requiring extrication by members of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department.
Neither the Atnip’s nor Curtis were injured in the wreck.
Horton was cited for driving on an expired license, failure to exercise due care, and failure to obey traffic instructions (light). Davidson was cited for driving while (license) suspended.
Smithville Police were also on the scene to assist.

A man has been charged in an assault on his wife .
30 year old Michael Christian Carpenter of East Main Street, Liberty is charged with aggravated assault. His bond is $5,000 and he will make a court appearance on June 11.
According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, a deputy was called to a residence on East Main Street in Liberty for a physical domestic on Friday, May 22. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the victim who said her husband (Michael) struck her about the head and shoulders, knocking her to the ground and threw a large rock at her while she was sitting in a car. The rock hit the driver side windshield causing substantial damage to the glass. The woman recorded the incident on a cell phone and showed the video to the officer. Sheriff Ray said the video corroborated the woman’s statements and a copy of the recording was kept as evidence.
The woman’s father-in-law had also been charged in the case but the offense against him has reportedly been dismissed in court.
32 year old Jonathan Kyle McCormick of South College Street, Smithville is cited for simple possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. He will make a court appearance June 16. Sheriff Ray said that on Wednesday, May 20 a deputy found in McCormick’s possession three hypodermic needles and two alprazolam pills (one milligram).
31 year old Henry Burt Turner, Jr. of Martin Drive, Liberty was cited for simple possession on Thursday, May 21. He will be in court on June 11. According to Sheriff Ray, a deputy spoke with Turner and during a search, found an alprazolam pill on his person and a small vial containing five diazepam pills.
39 year old Tyrone Dewayne Owens of Shady Drive, Smithville is cited for simple possession of schedule II & IV drugs. He will be in court July 16. Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, May 22 a deputy found Owens with three pill bottles in his front pocket containing two Oxycontin (20 milligram) pills, three Oxycodone (30 milligram) pills, and twenty six alprazolam (one milligram) pills. Owens had no prescription for any of the pills.
41 year old Kathyerine Michelle Carr of Sparta is cited for simple possession of schedule II drugs. Her court date is June 25. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, May 23 a detective stopped at a residence on Jacobs Pillar Road to speak with Carr. As she was getting out of her automobile, Carr dropped a syringe containing a yellow substance believed to be dilaudid. She also dropped three morphine pills. She had no prescription for the drugs.
49 year old Mitchelle Lee Corso of Nashville Highway, Liberty is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $2,500 and he will make a court appearance on June 11. According to Sheriff Ray, Corso assaulted his wife at their residence on Tuesday, May 19 by throwing a glass steak sauce bottle which hit her in the left forearm area leaving physical markings.
26 year old Ashley Leann Frazier of Big Hickory Court, Smithville is charged with public intoxication. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court July 16. Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, May 19 a deputy was dispatched to the intersection of Short Mountain Highway and Whorton Springs Road in reference to a woman asleep in a ditch. The officer found and awoke Frazier who was asleep in a field beside the road on Short Mountain Highway. Frazier was unsteady on her feet and she had slurred speech. Frazier admitted to having taken medication and drinking about eight ounces of liquor. She was placed under arrest for her safety and that of the public.
22 year old Marco Mendez is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court June 4. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, May 23 Mendez assaulted his girlfriend by hitting her in the face with his hand, pulling her hair, and pushing her down on the ground.
51 year old Jeff David Weedman of Sparta is charged with driving under the influence. He was further issued a citation for failure to maintain his lane of travel. Bond for Weedman is $1,500 and his court date is June 25. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, May 23 a deputy spotted a white Honda Accord leave its lane of travel on Allen Ferry Road. The officer stopped the car and spoke to the driver, Weedman whose speech was slurred. Weedman also had an odor of alcohol on him. According to Sheriff Ray, Weedman admitted to having consumed three beers. After performing poorly on field sobriety tasks, Weedman was placed under arrest.
27 year old Charles Ryan Riedley of Wildwood Drive, Smithville is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence. He was further issued citations for violation of the open container law, driving on roadways laned for traffic, a violation of the financial responsibility law, simple possession of a schedule VI drug (marijuana), and violation of the implied consent law. His bond is $3,000 and he will be in court July 16. Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, May 24 a deputy observed a black truck leave its lane of travel multiple times. The officer stopped the truck and spoke with the driver, Riedley who had a strong odor of alcohol on him. Riedley’s speech was slurred and he had bloodshot eyes. According to the officer, Riedley admitted to drinking and smoking marijuana. After performing poorly on field sobriety tasks, he was placed under arrest. Riedley refused to submit to a blood test and he could not provide proof of insurance. His first DUI conviction was November 27, 2007 in Rutherford County. During an inventory search of Riedley’s vehicle, the officer found an open Bud Lite beer bottle and .1 grams of marijuana.
44 year old Billy Dale Dobbs of Baxter was arrested on Sunday, May 24 charged under a grand jury sealed indictment with manufacture of marijuana. His bond is $20,000 and he will be arraigned in criminal court on June 23.
Jimmy Chris Haggard of Baxter is charged with driving under the influence and reckless endangerment. He was further issued a citation for violation of the light law (head light out). His bond totals $3,000 and he will be in court July 16. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, May 25 a deputy stopped a dark colored SUV for a light law violation. Upon speaking to the driver, Haggard, the officer noticed a strong odor of alcohol on Haggard’s person and that his eyes were bloodshot. Haggard admitted to having consumed seven beers. He performed poorly on field sobriety tasks and was arrested. In the vehicle with Haggard was his friend’s eleven year old child. Haggard was charged with reckless endangerment for putting the child’s life in danger by driving under the influence with the youngster in the SUV with him

The recent DeKalb County Foundation for Education Classroom Grant winners have been announced from each school.
The winners are:
DCHS: Jeanine Cantrell, and Jenny Norris,
DeKalb West School: Lori Pryor
DeKalb Middle School: Cassandra Binkley, Suzette Barnes, and Amanda Dakas.
Smithville Elementary School: Ally O’Connor.
The DCFE is committed to excellence and education. The mission is to improve the education opportunities for our students. DeKalb County Schools appreciates the continued support of the Education Foundation and Barry and Lisa Butler.
Picture L-R
Ally O’Connor, Cassandra Binkley, Jenny Norris, and Amanda Dakas