Fifth district member W.J. (Dub) Evins, III is the new Chairman of the Board of Education.
Evins was named by his fellow board members to serve as chairman during Thursday night’s regular monthly meeting.
Sixth district member Doug Stephens was elected Vice-Chairman and Seventh District member Shaun Tubbs was named Assistant Secretary.
The board re-organizes each September electing officers to serve for the year.
Thursday’s night’s meeting was the first for the board since last month’s election of the new members.
The board consists of Danny Parkerson from the First District, Jerry Wayne Johnson from the Second District, Jim Beshearse from the Third District, Billy Miller from the Fourth District, W.J. (Dub) Evins, III from the Fifth District, Doug Stephens from the Sixth District, and Shaun Tubbs from the Seventh District.
(TOP PHOTO: Shaun Tubbs, W.J. (Dub) Evins, III, and Doug Stephens)
(BOTTOM PHOTO): Jerry Wayne Johnson, Danny Parkerson, Billy Miller, W.J. (Dub) Evins, III, Shaun Tubbs, Doug Stephens, and Jim Beshearse

Two locals in healthcare received a nomination for the prestigious National Capella Star Award. Renee Walker of DeKalb Community Hospital and Toni Henderson of Stones River Hospital were recently nominated amongst their colleagues as showing ‘an exemplary work ethic and commitment above and beyond for patient care.’ The Star Award is a national honor bestowed by Capella Healthcare.
Walker, an employee of the DeKalb Community Hospital Laboratory Department, is known by her co-workers and patients as a friendly face that always goes the extra mile.
“I have known and worked with Renee for two years and have always found her dependable, efficient, and unfailingly loyal. In fact, I have never worked with a person who gives as much attention to detail as she does,” said Laboratory Director Kevin Adcock, “In addition, her willingness to take on difficult projects and see them to successful completion has repeatedly impressed me. Renee is not only my Chief Tech but a friend and supporter. She’s a wife to husband, Jason, and a mother to two beautiful girls – Morgan and Meagan. Renee presents herself in a way that shows you what a good person she is. She demonstrates her values in the way she acts every day.”
Tonisa (Toni) Henderson is an LPN at Stones River Hospital and is known by her patients as more than just a smiling face.
“Toni has worked as an LPN at Stones River Hospital since 2009 and works primarily on the medical surgical floor,” said Sue Conley – CEO of Stones River and DeKalb Community Hospitals, “She is the ideal definition of a great nurse. She is very deserving of this nomination. We are proud of both of these good-hearted individuals and are grateful to have them at our fine hospitals.”
Both nominees will be featured in the national edition of Capella Connections magazine newsletter distributed to healthcare organizations nationwide.
Pictured: Renee Walker, Lab Tech at DeKalb Community Hospital and Tonisa (Toni) Henderson were nominated for the prestigious Capella Star Award recently. Both will be featured in the nationally published Capella Connections magazine newsletter distributed to healthcare organizations nationwide.

Two locals in healthcare received a nomination for the prestigious National Capella Star Award. Renee Walker of DeKalb Community Hospital and Toni Henderson of Stones River Hospital were recently nominated amongst their colleagues as showing ‘an exemplary work ethic and commitment above and beyond for patient care.’ The Star Award is a national honor bestowed by Capella Healthcare.
Walker, an employee of the DeKalb Community Hospital Laboratory Department, is known by her co-workers and patients as a friendly face that always goes the extra mile.
“I have known and worked with Renee for two years and have always found her dependable, efficient, and unfailingly loyal. In fact, I have never worked with a person who gives as much attention to detail as she does,” said Laboratory Director Kevin Adcock, “In addition, her willingness to take on difficult projects and see them to successful completion has repeatedly impressed me. Renee is not only my Chief Tech but a friend and supporter. She’s a wife to husband, Jason, and a mother to two beautiful girls – Morgan and Meagan. Renee presents herself in a way that shows you what a good person she is. She demonstrates her values in the way she acts every day.”
Tonisa (Toni) Henderson is an LPN at Stones River Hospital and is known by her patients as more than just a smiling face.
“Toni has worked as an LPN at Stones River Hospital since 2009 and works primarily on the medical surgical floor,” said Sue Conley – CEO of Stones River and DeKalb Community Hospitals, “She is the ideal definition of a great nurse. She is very deserving of this nomination. We are proud of both of these good-hearted individuals and are grateful to have them at our fine hospitals.”
Both nominees will be featured in the national edition of Capella Connections magazine newsletter distributed to healthcare organizations nationwide.
Pictured: Renee Walker, Lab Tech at DeKalb Community Hospital and Tonisa (Toni) Henderson were nominated for the prestigious Capella Star Award recently. Both will be featured in the nationally published Capella Connections magazine newsletter distributed to healthcare organizations nationwide.

A Smithville woman has been charged with stealing more than $20,000 worth of jewelry.
29 year old Sara Nicole South of Foster Road, Smithville will be in court on Thursday, September 11 on a charge of theft over $10,000. Her bond is $20,000.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Monday, August 8 South allegedly took several pieces of jewelry from a home on Sparta Highway. The jewelry was valued at $24,125. She allegedly admitted to taking a watch and a ring from the residence. Several other pieces of jewelry were recovered from the apartment where South was staying. That jewelry was identified by the victim as being some of the missing items.
34 year old Abadih Ruiz-Lopez of Bell Street, Smithville is charged with a second offense of driving on a revoked or suspended license. He was further issued citations for improper display of plates, no insurance, and failure to maintain lane of travel. His bond is $3,000 and he will be in court September 11. Sheriff Ray said that on Wednesday, September 3 a deputy spotted a white car leaving its lane of travel. After stopping the vehicle, the officer spoke with the driver, Lopez. A computer check revealed his license were revoked for failure to report an accident. He had received a citation for a first offense of driving on a revoked license on December 12, 2013.
32 year old Joshua Kevin Vickers of Woodbury Highway, Liberty and 32 year old Candice Brook Vickers of Givens Hollow Road, Liberty were arrested on Thursday, September 4. He is charged with failure to appear, a Circuit Court violation of probation, and criminal impersonation. She is charged with a child support violation and criminal impersonation. His bond totals $7,500 on the failure to appear and criminal impersonation charges and will be in court on September 11. He is being held without bond for the violation of probation and will make a court appearance on that offense on September 15. Her bond totals $3,900 and she will be in court on September 11. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, September 4 a deputy went to her residence on Givens Hollow Road to serve arrest warrants on Joshua Kevin Vickers. He (Vickers) told the officer that his name was Christopher Eric Vickers. He also gave the deputy a false birth date and social security number. Candice Vickers, who was going to be served with an attachment, also gave the officer a false name and birth date, stating that she was Jamie Nichols. They were later positively identified and arrested.
33 year old Chad Dwayne Cantrell of Old Bildad Road is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court September 11. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, September 4 a deputy responded to a domestic dispute at a residence on Old Bildad Road where Cantrell allegedly assaulted the victim by shoving and pinning her down on the bed. Due to the altercation, the victim had bruising to both arms. After a further investigation, it was determined that Cantrell was the primary aggressor and he was taken into custody.
22 year old Clay Andrew Bain of Lakeview Drive, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court on September 11. Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, September 5 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Lakeview Drive to speak with a man who reported that he was behind his son’s house when his nephew, Bain came out yelling that he (uncle) was on his land. The victim advised Bain that he was not on his land. Bain allegedly hit the victim in the face busting the inside of his lip. He then knocked the victim down into a fence, causing a cut on his left arm and a cut and knot on his forehead.
60 year old Anthony Curtis Johnson of Sparta is charged with criminal simulation and theft under $500. His bond is $6,500 and he will be in court September 11. He was arrested on Tuesday, September 2. Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, August 1 Curtis committed the offense of criminal simulation by passing a fake check in the amount of $393.79 at a convenience market on Highway 56 south.
31 year old Johnny Lynn Devault of Talpha Drive Dowelltown is cited for driving on a revoked license. He will be in court October 9. Sheriff Ray said on Thursday, September 4 a sheriff’s department detective saw Devault driving a motor vehicle. The officer had prior knowledge that Devault’s driver’s license had been revoked for failure to pay child support. A computer check confirmed it.
40 year old Jeffery Lynn Sanders of Lincoln Street, Smithville is cited for possession of drug paraphernalia. He will be in court October 9. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, September 4 Sanders was a passenger of a vehicle that was stopped by a sheriff’s department detective. While the officer was conducting a search of his person, Sanders pulled from his pocket two hypodermic needles and three cut straws.
27 year old Frankie James Warrick of Vaughn Lane, Smithville is cited for driving on a suspended license and violation of the light law. He will be in court on October 15. Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, September 5 a deputy saw a vehicle on Highway 70 with a head light out. He conducted a traffic stop and found the driver to be Warrick. A computer check revealed his license to be suspended for failure to satisfy a citation.
33 year old Cynthia Denise Walls of Cookeville Highway, Smithville is cited for driving on a suspended license, traffic control device, and violation of the financial responsibility law. She will be in court October 8. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, September 6 Walls was stopped by an officer for running a red light. Walls could only produce an identification. A computer check revealed that her license were suspended. She further could not provide proof of financial responsibility (insurance).

Longtime DeKalb Middle School Physical Education Teacher Joey Agee has been named Assistant Principal at DeKalb West School.
DWS Principal Sabrina Farler made the announcement Tuesday.
Agee succeeds Farler as Assistant DWS Principal.
Until his promotion to this new position, Agee has spent his entire teaching career at DeKalb Middle School. He is starting his twelfth year as an educator. He has also served as the DMS boys basketball coach and assistant DWS baseball coach.
Joey is married to the former Casey Bogle and they have two daughters.
Meanwhile, Farler will be starting her first full day as Principal of DeKalb West School Wednesday, taking over from Danny Parkerson, who has retired as Principal but has been elected to the school board from the first district.

DeKalb County’s latest application for a CDBG grant has been denied that would have largely funded an extension of water lines to areas of the county in need.
In a letter to County Mayor Tim Stribling Wednesday, September 3, Brooxie Carlton, Director of federal programs for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development wrote that “I regret to inform you that your application for the 2014 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) did not score high enough to be awarded a grant. Please consider revising your application and resubmitting it next year. ECD will be happy to discuss your application and the scoring process with you,” she wrote.
In February, the DeKalb Utility District Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution seeking a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant for DUD to run water line extensions to areas of the county in need. The County Commission approved the same resolution at the January meeting to make application for the grant on behalf of the DUD.
During the January County Commission meeting Amanda Mainord of Grassroots Planning & Consulting, grant administrator, said the project would have served thirty eight households on Tramel Branch, Oakley Road, Carter Lane, Old Givens Hollow, and the Alexandria to Dismal Road.
The DUD would have been responsible for paying the grant’s local 20% matching requirement or $96,000 plus any additional funds required to complete the project.
Jon Foutch, DUD Manager, said he is disappointed that the grant wasn’t approved but is hopeful another application can be submitted later. “We want to be able to look at our scores and see how we can improve on them for the next application”, he said

Deborah Goodwin has been named as the new Director for the Smithville Senior Citizens Center. The Advisory Board for the Center announced Friday that she will assume the position on September 15.
Goodwin is a life-long resident of DeKalb County. She is a 1973 graduate of DeKalb County High School and attended Motlow Community College for a time, where she studied Computer Science.
Deborah is the wife of Ronnie Goodwin and they have two sons, Scott Goodwin of Smithville and Matt Goodwin of Murfreesboro.
Goodwin has worked at SW Manufacturing where she held many positions before moving on to become her own boss as owner and operator of “The Flower Box” in downtown Smithville. From there Deborah became a pharmacy Tech where she has served clients at Caldwell’s Drug Store and F.Z. Webb & Sons Pharmacy.
Goodwin stated “I am excited to get to work with our Senior Community. I have several new ideas that I hope will generate more interest for the Seniors to come into the Center. I love to work and be around the Seniors within our Community and I look forward to assuming these new responsibilities and making new friends.”
Deborah succeeds Wanda Poss who is retiring after serving seventeen years as Director of the Center.
In addition to the Smithville Senior Citizens Center, Liberty and Alexandria also have centers. Nancy Goad is the Director of the Liberty Senior Citizens Center and Barbara Anders is Director of the Alexandria Center.

The DeKalb County Election Commission has announced dates and times for Early Voting for the November 4 Tennessee General Election and the Smithville Municipal Liquor Referendums.
Early voting will begin October 15 and run through October 30.
In order to make it as convenient as possible for all voters, the election commission voted to set the following hours:
Mondays 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursdays 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Fridays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturdays 9 a.m. to Noon.
All Early Voting will be in the first floor courtroom of the courthouse.
Tennessee voters will elect a Governor, U.S. Senator, U.S. Congressmen, State Representatives, and State Senators.
The General Election Ballot also includes four proposed Tennessee Constitutional amendments.
Amendment #1 inserts constitutional language empowering the legislature to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion.
Amendment #2 empowers the Governor to appoint judges subject to confirmation by the General Assembly
Amendment # 3 prohibits the legislature from levying or permitting any tax upon payroll or earned personal income
Amendment #4 empowers the legislature to permit lotteries for events that benefit 501 (c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organizations.
The City of Smithville has two referendums on the ballot on November 4.
The Retail Package Store Referendum asks city voters to either vote “To permit retail package stores to sell beverages in Smithville” or “not to permit retail package stores to sell alcoholic beverages in Smithville”.
The Consumption on the Premises Referendum asks city voters to either vote “for legal sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises in Smithville” or “against legal sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises in Smithville.”
Candidates on the Tennessee General Election Ballot are as follows:
Governor:
Bill Haslam-Republican
Charles V. “Charlie” Brown-Democratic
Shaun Crowell-Constitution
Isa Infante-Green
Steven Damon Coburn-Independent
John Jay Hooker-Independent
Daniel T. Lewis-Independent (pending)
United States Senate:
Lamar Alexander-Republican
Gordon Ball-Democratic
Joe Wilmoth-Constitution
Martin Pleasant-Green
Tom Emerson, Jr.-Independent
Edmund L. Gauthier-Independent
Joshua James-Independent
Danny Page-Independent
Bartholomew J. Phillips-Independent
C. Salekin-Independent
Eric Schechter-Independent
Rick Tyler-Independent
U.S. House of Representatives (District 6)
Diane Black-Republican
Amos Scott Powers-Democratic
Mike Winton-Independent
Tennessee Senate (District 17)
Mae Beavers- Republican
Tennessee House of Representatives (District 40)
Terri Lynn Weaver- Republican
Sarah Marie Smith-Democratic
Tennessee House of Representatives (District 46)
Mark A. Pody-Republican
Candace Reed-Democratic
The actual wording on the ballot concerning the proposed constitutional amendments is as follows:
Constitutional Amendment 1
Shall Article I, of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated section:
Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion. The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother.
□Yes
□No
Constitutional Amendment 2
Shall Article VI, Section 3 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by deleting the first and second sentences and by substituting instead the following:
Judges of the Supreme Court or any intermediate appellate court shall be appointed for a full term or to fill a vacancy by and at the discretion of the governor; shall be confirmed by the Legislature; and thereafter, shall be elected in a retention election by the qualified voters of the state. Confirmation by default occurs if the Legislature fails to reject an appointee within sixty calendar days of either the date of appointment, if made during the annual legislative session, or the convening date of the next annual legislative session, if made out of session. The Legislature is authorized to prescribe such provisions as may be necessary to carry out Sections two and three of this article.
□Yes
□No
Constitutional Amendment 3
Shall Article II, Section 28 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by adding the following sentence at the end of the final substantive paragraph within the section:
Notwithstanding the authority to tax privileges or any other authority set forth in this Constitution, the Legislature shall not levy, authorize or otherwise permit any state or local tax upon payroll or earned personal income or any state or local tax measured by payroll or earned personal income; however, nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting any tax in effect on January 1, 2011, or adjustment of the rate of such tax.
□Yes
□No
Constitutional Amendment 4
Shall Article XI, Section 5 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by deleting the following language:
All other forms of lottery not authorized herein are expressly prohibited unless authorized by a two-thirds vote of all members elected to each house of the general assembly for an annual event operated for the benefit of a 501(c)(3) organization located in this state, as defined by the 2000 United States Tax Code or as may be amended from time to time.
and by substituting instead the following language:
All other forms of lottery not authorized herein are expressly prohibited unless authorized by a two-thirds vote of all members elected to each house of the general assembly for an annual event operated for the benefit of a 501(c)(3) or a 501(c)(19) organization, as defined by the 2000 United States Tax Code, located in this state.
□Yes
□No

The local Woodmen of the World Family Fraternity held a flag pole dedication ceremony Monday at the Liberty Station of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department.
Regina Wilhite, Field Representative for Woodmen of the World and local chapter President Wanda Poss made the presentation in honor and remembrance of the heroes and victims in the fight against terrorism and to celebrate the enduring spirit of all Americans.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO WATCH THE VIDEO BY DONNIE JOHNSON)
Watch this video by Donnie Johnson
“Since 2002 Woodmen of the World has been dedicating flagpoles across the country and presenting flags not only to honor the heroes and victims but to remember the men and women of our armed forces serving in combat and in addition to these ceremonies pay tribute to our men and women right here in this community who serve and protect us every day. They all deserve our thanks and admiration. It is to them and to those victims that we dedicate this flagpole today. At the base of the pole is a plaque to be mounted that says “In honor and remembrance of the heroes and victims in the fight against terrorism and to celebrate the enduring spirit of all Americans, presented by Woodmen of the World,” said Wilhite.
Woodmen of the World members celebrate patriotism in many ways, including the presentation of United States flags and flagpole dedications.
Woodmen of the World is one of the largest distributors of U.S. flags. More than 2 million American flags have been presented to worthy non-profit and community organizations. Woodmen of the World celebrates and honors the American flag throughout the year.
Out of the ashes of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks of 2001, Woodmen of the World members rise each year to organize In Honor and Remembrance ceremonies which honor the heroes and victims of those attacks, as well as local community heroes and volunteers.
Among those in attendance for Monday’s ceremony in Liberty were members of the DeKalb County Fire Department Liberty Station; Suzanne Williams, Executive Director of the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce, Liberty Mayor Dwight Mathis, Liberty Aldermen, and citizens of Liberty.

Smithville Municipal Judge Hilton Conger will serve for another two years.
The aldermen Monday night approved Conger’s reappointment during the city council meeting. City Attorney Vester Parsley, Jr. administered the oath of office to Conger during the meeting.
The City Judge, who was once elected by city voters to an eight year term, now serves at the pleasure of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, appointed to a two year term. His salary is $1,000 per month.
Conger was last elected as City Judge in 1998. He was named to his first appointed term in 2006 and he was re-appointed in 2008, 2010, and 2012.
After changes were made in the City Charter a few years ago, the City Court’s jurisdiction was reduced to mostly minor traffic offenses and city ordinance violations. The court now convenes usually once per month.
Conger’s new term runs through August 31, 2016.
In other business, Mayor Jimmy Poss made the following appointments to city boards and commissions which were approved by the aldermen:
Glen Nichols to the Smithville Planning Commission (6 year term) and to the Board of Zoning Appeals (3 year term)
Janie Knowles to the Board of Zoning Appeals (3 year term)
Wayne Hubbs to the Smithville Airport Advisory Board
Beecher Taylor to the Smithville Planning Commission (6 year term)
Mayor Poss then appointed the aldermen as commissioners over city departments:
Shawn Jacobs- Water and Sewer
Gayla Hendrix- Sanitation
Jason Murphy-Police and Fire
Josh Miller-Streets and Safety
Danny Washer-Finance and Taxation
Mayor Poss also named Alderman Jacobs as Vice Mayor. The aldermen approved the appointment.
Fire Chief Charlie Parker asked the aldermen to approve the addition of three new volunteer firefighters to the department. Chief Parker said Cody Fults, Bradley Johnson, and Dalton Roberts have all met the requirements to become members including successfully completing their 90 day probationary period. The aldermen approved the request.
Meanwhile bid opening for adding sewer to the recently annexed properties in the city is set for September 26 at 11:00 a.m. at city hall.
Mayor Poss announced that the new fuel farm project at the airport will most likely have to be rebid since all bids recently received were too high.
Alderman Danny Washer also praised city workers for the job they have done in cleaning up storm debris across town from downed trees and brush.