Gary McKenzie, Bryant Dunaway, and Craig Fickling won their respective races in the seven county 13th Judicial District Republican Primary Tuesday.
McKenzie defeated Wesley Bray for the Republican nomination for Criminal Court Judge, Part I by a final count of 7,819 to 6,883. Bray carried six of the seven counties in the district but lost to McKenzie in Cumberland County 4,597 to 1,988. Bray won Clay County 381 to 63, 114 to 83 in DeKalb County, 590 to 209 in Overton County, 682 to 263 in Pickett County, 2,767 to 2,250 in Putnam County, and 361 to 354 in White County.
McKenzie will face Democratic nominee William Fred Roberson, Jr in the August 7th General Election. Roberson was unopposed for the Democratic nomination Tuesday and received 6,095 votes district-wide. Roberson received 48 votes in Clay County, 591 in Cumberland, 1,019 in DeKalb, 1,582 in Overton, 19 in Pickett, 1,437 in Putnam, and 1,399 in White County.
Meanwhile Dunaway won the Republican nomination for District Attorney General, beating Shawn C. Fry 7,874 to 6,991. Dunaway carried all seven counties of the district winning 256 to 107 in Clay County, 3,298 to 3,199 in Cumberland County, 129 to 77 in DeKalb County, 447 to 343 in Overton County, 501 to 393 in Pickett County, 2,851 to 2,546 in Putnam County, and 392 to 326 in White County. Dunaway will be running against Tony Craighead, the Democratic nominee for District Attorney General in August. Craighead ran unopposed in the Democratic Primary on Tuesday and received 6,376 votes in the district. Craighead received 58 votes in Clay County, 644 in Cumberland County, 1,313 in DeKalb County, 1,561 in Overton County, 21 in Pickett County, 1,457 in Putnam County, and 1,322 in White County.
Craig P. Fickling won the Republican primary for District Public Defender with 4,695 votes. His opponents, John Milton Meadows had 4,634 votes, and Edwin G. Sadler received 4,097 votes. Meadows carried five of the seven counties. Fickling won the other two counties.
The county results are as follows:
Clay: Meadows 114, Sadler 110, and Fickling 91
Cumberland: Meadows 2,239, Fickling 1,794, and Sadler 1,555
DeKalb:Fickling 72, Sadler 69, and Meadows 58
Overton: Meadows 415, Fickling 213, and Sadler 151
Pickett: Meadows 409, Fickling 320, Sadler 132
Putnam: Fickling 2,044, Sadler 1,926, and Meadows 1,004
White: Meadows 395, Fickling 161, and Sadler 154
Fickling’s Democratic opponent in August will be the incumbent Public Defender David N. Brady. Unopposed on Tuesday, Brady received 6,133 votes district-wide for the Democratic nomination. Brady received 55 votes in Clay County, 644 votes in Cumberland County, 1,185 in DeKalb County, 1,567 in Overton County, 19 in Pickett, 1,360 in Putnam County, and 1,303 in White County.
Incumbent Circuit Court Judge, Part I Amy Hollars was unopposed for the Democratic nomination Tuesday and she will be unopposed in August. She received a total of 6,730 votes district-wide.
Incumbent Criminal Court Judge, Part II, David A. Patterson was unopposed for the Republican nomination Tuesday and received 11,945 votes district-wide. He will be unopposed in August.
Jonathan Young won the Republican nomination for Circuit Court Judge, Part II in the district with 10,330 votes. He was unopposed Tuesday but will face Randall A. York in August. York was unopposed for the Democratic nomination and received 6,971 district-wide. Young received 184 votes in Clay County, 4,463 in Cumberland, 175 in DeKalb, 602 in Overton, 652 in Pickett, 3,673 in Putnam, and 581 in White County. York’s vote was 55 in Clay County, 774 in Cumberland, 1,274 in DeKalb, 1,795 in Overton, 21 in Pickett, 1,450 in Putnam, and 1,605 in White County.
Incumbent Chancellor Ronald Thurman was unopposed for the Democratic nomination Tuesday. He received 6,855 votes district-wide. His Republican opponent in August will be J. Lee Burgess, who received 9,722 district-wide in his uncontested bid for the GOP nomination.
Thurman received 56 votes in Clay County, 653 in Cumberland, 1,209 in DeKalb, 1,875 in Overton, 17 in Pickett, 1,596 in Putnam, and 1,449 in White County. Burgess’s vote was 182 in Clay County, 4,517 in Cumberland, 165 in DeKalb, 561 in Overton, 642 in Pickett 3,103 in Putnam, and 552 in White County.

The DeKalb County Tigerettes claimed the District Tournament Championship Tuesday night with a 6 to 3 victory over Upperman at Baxter.
Meanwhile, members of the All District Team from DeKalb County have been named.
Danielle Tyson is the District’s Co-MVP and Best Offensive Player while Tigerette Coach Danny Bond has been named the District Coach of the Year.
Chelsey Brannon, Kayley Caplinger, and Danielle Tyson were named to the All District First Team while Lauren Colwell, Tyra Graham, and Katie Hall made the All District Second Team. Kayley Caplinger was named Freshman of the Year on the District’s All Freshman Team.
Members of the All Tournament Team from DeKalb County are Chelsey Brannon, Danielle Tyson, Tyra Graham, and Dani Meadows. Kayley Caplinger was named Most Valuable Player of the District Tournament.
In the District Tournament Championship game Tuesday night, the Tigerettes scored six runs on nine hits and made one error. The Lady Bees scored three runs on eight hits and made an error.
DeKalb County scored four runs in the first inning and two runs in the fifth. Upperman scored one run in the fourth inning and two runs in the fifth
Kayley Caplinger was the winning pitcher.
Danielle Tyson had a single and a double. Katie Hall, Chelsey Brannon, Lauren Colwell, and Dani Meadows each had a single. Tyra Graham had two singles and Kayley Caplinger had a double.

Three term incumbents County Mayor Mike Foster and County Clerk Mike Clayborn lost their bids for a fourth term Tuesday in the DeKalb County Democratic Primary. Three incumbent county commissioners were also defeated including Jerry Scott in the third district, David McDowell in the fourth district, and Marshall Ferrell in the sixth district.
A total of 3,313 persons voted in the primaries including 1,701 election day and 1,612 either during early voting or by absentee. Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack led the ticket with 2,426 complimentary votes.
Smithville Alderman Tim Stribling defeated Foster by a final total of 1,770 (59.92%) to 1,183 (40.05%). Stribling carried every precinct but Edgar Evins State Park. Stribling also had a majority of the early votes and absentees.
Clayborn lost to James L. (Jimmy) Poss by a final count of 1,681 (57.06%) to 1,265 (42.94%).
Eleven precincts went for Poss. Clayborn carried the remaining five precincts. Poss also had a majority of the early votes/absentees.
(Click Link Below to View Election Results from Each Precinct)
http://www.wjle.com/may-6th-election
Stribling will face Republican Challenger Chris Smithson and Independent candidate Chris Bratcher in the August 7th DeKalb County General Election. Poss will be unopposed.
Foster and Clayborn’s terms will end August 31.
Meanwhile, Incumbent General Sessions/Juvenile Court Judge Bratten H. (Butch) Cook, II defeated challenger Margie Rigsby Miller.
Judge Cook received 1,664 votes (57.94%) to 1,208 votes (42.06%) for Miller. Cook carried nine precincts and he had a majority of the early votes/absentees. Five precincts went for Miller and the two candidates had a tie vote in two precincts.
Judge Cook will face Republican challenger Mingy Colwell Bryant in the August General Election. The term is for eight years.
Larry Flair defeated Michael Agee for the Democratic nomination for Sheriff winning 1,306 (57.11%) to 967 (42.28%)
Flair carried fourteen of the sixteen precincts. Agee carried one precinct and the two candidates had a tie vote at one precinct. Flair also had a majority of the early votes/absentees.
As the Democratic nominee, Flair will face two term Republican incumbent Sheriff Patrick Ray in the August General Election.
James D. (Jimmy) Sprague was unopposed for the Democratic nomination for Road Supervisor. He received 2,176 complimentary votes. Sprague will face Republican nominee Wallace (Butch) Agee in the August General Election.
Three term Incumbent Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack was unopposed and led the ticket Tuesday receiving 2,426 complimentary votes. She will also be unopposed in August.
Seven term incumbent Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen received 2,377 complimentary votes. McMillen was unopposed Tuesday and he will also be uncontested in August.
(Click Link Below to View Election Results from Each Precinct)
http://www.wjle.com/may-6th-election
Democratic nominees for the county commission in the second district are Clarence Trapp with 171 votes and Joe N. Johnson who had 160 votes. They beat out Frank D. Thomas who had 131 votes and Jerry Hutchins, Jr. with 81 votes. Trapp and Johnson will be on the August ballot along with Republican incumbent Bobby Joines and Independent candidate James “Jimmy” E. Midgett. Two will be elected.
In the third district, Incumbent Jerry Scott lost his re-election bid for the county commission. The winners were Incumbent Bradley Scott Hendrix with 253 votes and Jack E. Barton who had 215 votes. Scott received 194 votes. Hendrix and Barton will be on the August ballot with Independent candidate Wesley Nokes. Two will be elected.
Fourth district incumbent county commissioner David McDowell also lost. The winners were Incumbent Wayne Cantrell with 248 votes and Jonathan Norris who had 176 votes. They defeated Anthony (Tony) Poss who had 156 votes, Bobby R. Taylor with 131 votes, and McDowell at 122 votes. Cantrell and Norris will be unopposed in August.
Sixth district voters nominated Betty Jean Atnip and incumbent Jeff Barnes for the county commission. Incumbent Marshall Ferrell was defeated. Atnip received 234 votes. Barnes had 210 votes and Ferrell polled 195 votes. Atnip and Barnes will be on the August ballot with Independent candidate Danny McGinnis. Two will be elected.
In the seventh district, Incumbent Larry A. Summers and Kevin Robinson were winners, beating David Agee. Summers received 189 votes. Robinson had 178 votes and Agee got 169 votes. Summers and Robinson will be unopposed in August.
In the fifth district, Incumbent Rick Cantrell and Anita Puckett were unopposed for the county commission. Puckett had 305 votes to Cantrell’s 228. They will be on the ballot in August along with Republican incumbent Jerry Adcock. Two will be elected.
First district county commission candidates Bennett Armstrong and incumbent Elmer Ellis, Jr. were unopposed. Ellis received 146 votes. Armstrong had 95 votes. They will be running in August along with Republican incumbent Mason Carter. Two will be elected.
Chad Curtis received 174 complimentary votes to fill a vacancy for constable in the first district. He will be running in August against Republican nominee Lee Plummer.
In the 13th Judicial District Republican Primary, DeKalb County voters chose Bryant C. Dunaway over Shawn C. Fry for District Attorney General. Locally, Dunaway received 129 votes to 77 for Fry.
(Click Link Below to View Election Results from Each Precinct in the GOP Judicial District Primary)
http://www.wjle.com/republican-primary-results
For Criminal Court Judge, Part I Wesley Bray topped Gary McKenzie in DeKalb County 114 to 83.
In the race for District Public Defender, DeKalb County Republicans gave the nod to Craig P. Fickling with 72 votes compared to 69 votes for Edwin G. Sadler and 58 votes for John Milton Meadows.
Republicans for other Judicial offices who were unopposed are Jonathan Young for Circuit Court Judge, Part II, J. Lee Burgess for Chancellor, and Incumbent Criminal Court Judge, Part II David A. Patterson. In DeKalb County, Young had 175 votes, Burgess received 165, and Patterson garnered 180 votes.
In the Democratic Primary, all the judicial candidates were unopposed including Incumbent Circuit Court Judge, Part I Amy Hollars, Randall A. York for Circuit Court Judge, Part II, Incumbent Chancellor Ronald Thurman, William Fred Roberson, Jr. for Criminal Court Judge, Part I, Tony Craighead for District Attorney General, and Incumbent District Public Defender David N. Brady. In DeKalb County, Judge Hollars received 1,136 votes, York had 1,271, Chancellor Thurman 1,209, Roberson 1,019, Craighead 1,313, and Brady received 1,185 votes.
(Click Link Below to View Election Results from Each Precinct in the Democratic Judicial District Primary)
http://www.wjle.com/democratic-primary-results
Winners of the GOP and Democratic primaries in the six county 13th Judicial District will face off in the August General Election. All judicial office terms are for eight years.

A Smithville couple was arrested by members of the Sheriff’s Department last week during a burglary in progress.
38 year old Stephen Jason Moore and 33 year old Julie Elaine Moore both of Cookeville Highway, Smithville are each charged with burglary and theft of property under $500. Bond for each is $3,000 and they will be in court on May 15.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Monday, April 28, both Stephen and Julie Moore broke into a vacant house on Cookeville Highway. “We received a call of them breaking into the house. Deputies and detectives of the Sheriff’s Department got down there and caught both of them in the house,” said Sheriff Ray. The Moore’s were caught taking a Jesus figurine, metal pots and pans, and electronic devices. Sheriff Ray said they admitted to committing the burglary and thefts.
40 year old John Allen Judkins, Jr. of Jefferson Road, Smithville is charged with the domestic assault of his ex-wife, with whom he was still living. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court June 19.
Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, April 28, a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Jefferson Road in response to a physical domestic. The officer made contact with Judkins and the victim. She said that Judkins had lunged at her and when she turned her back to him, Judkins hit or slapped her in the back. She had a large red mark and scratches on her back. Judkins was arrested and brought to the jail for booking.
39 year old Autumn Danielle White of Page Drive in Smithville is charged with public intoxication and simple possession of a schedule II drug. Her bond is $3,500 and she will be in court on May 22. Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, April 29 a deputy responded to Nashville Highway in Liberty where a woman was reported to be passed out in a vehicle. Upon arrival, the officer found White passed out in the driver’s seat of a black Nissan Maxima. In the cup holder next to the driver’s seat was an open 40 ounce bottle of Smirnoff Ice Beer half full. On the driver’s seat between White’s legs was a plastic bag containing three grams of a powdery substance believed to be methamphetamine. When she awoke, White’s speech was slurred and she was very unsteady on her feet. She was believed to be under the influence of alcohol and or drugs. To prevent her from operating a motor vehicle for her safety and that of the public, White was arrested for public intoxication and taken to the jail. She was also charged with the drug offense. Sheriff Ray added that White has had two or more prior convictions of possession of a schedule II drug.
39 year old Donna Annette Bogle of Barnes Mill Road, Smithville is charged with disorderly conduct. Her bond is $1,000 and she will be in court May 15. Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, April 29 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Barnes Mill Road in response to an unwanted guest call. The officer observed Bogle yelling and screaming at a family member. When the deputy tried to speak with Bogle, she refused to stop talking and would not answer any of the officer’s questions. She was asked several times to calm down and stop talking so the deputy could find out what was going on. After several unsuccessful attempts to get her to calm, the deputy placed Bogle under arrest for disorderly conduct.
46 year old Lori Denise Bogle of Walker Drive, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court on May 22. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, May 1 a deputy was dispatched to Marina Drive in response to a non-personal injury auto accident with property damage. Upon arrival, the officer observed a blue Toyota that had struck a tree The deputy spoke with the driver, Bogle who said she was driving home when her car left the roadway and hit the tree. Bogle was very unsteady on her feet and she had trouble keeping her eyes open. Her speech was also slurred. Bogle submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. She also submitted to a blood test. For her safety and that of the public, Bogle was arrested and brought to the jail.
44 year old David D. Anderson of Gard Lane, Smithville is cited for simple possession of a schedule II drug (Dilaudid). He will be in court on May 15. Sheriff Ray said while talking to Anderson at a place of business in Alexandria, a drug detective of the Sheriff’s Department spotted a plastic bag in Anderson’s front right pocket. Anderson pulled the bag from his pocket and handed it to the detective. The bag contained one Dilaudid pill for which Anderson had no prescription.
Suzanne Nicole Mitchell of Evins Mill Road, Smithville is charged with simple possession of a schedule IV drug and domestic assault. Her bond is $3,500 and she will be in court on May 22. Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, May 4 a deputy responded to a residence on Evins Mill Road in response to a domestic assault call. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with a Mitchell family member who said that Mitchell had become upset and started screaming at her, pushed her, and chased her out of the house. Fearing imminent bodily injury, the victim ran next door to her brother’s residence for safety where another family member called 911. Mitchell was determined to be the primary aggressor and was placed under arrest. Upon receiving consent to search Mitchell’s belongings, the officer found inside a brown leather clutch purse, a small black container which held eight oval peach colored pills believed to be xanax. She was charged with the drug offense.
18 year old Robert Austin Hale of Lower Helton Road, Alexandria is charged with aggravated assault. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court on May 15. Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, May 4 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Lower Helton Road for a physical domestic in progress. The officer spoke with Hale and the victim (Hale’s wife). The woman said that she had come to the residence to pick up a house key so that she could get her clothes. When she pulled into the driveway, Hale told her to get out and come in. He said no one was there and that she would not get hurt. The woman’s three year old son got out of the car and went to get the keys off the tailgate of the truck. Hale took the keys away from the child and placed them back on the tailgate, saying these were not the right keys. The woman then got out of the car and picked up the keys off the tailgate, but Hale took the keys away from her. She got back into her car but as she tried to start it, Hale reached in and forcibly took the car keys from her, put them in his front pocket, and walked inside the house. The woman followed him into the house, asking for him to give her back the keys so that she and the child could leave. As she picked up a phone and tried to call another family member to come and get her, Hale took the phone from her, grabbed her by the throat, and slammed her to the ground. Hale then held the woman to the ground by trying to strangle her. After he stopped trying to strangle her, Hale got up and walked outside. The woman, in fear of her life, called 911. The deputy arrived and saw that the woman had red marks on her chest and hand prints around her neck. After an investigation, Hale was determined to have been the primary aggressor and he was arrested.

The Smithville Aldermen Monday night adopted on second and final reading an ordinance to annex six parcels of property and a portion of another parcel as well as the right of way of Old Snow Hill Road and part of Nashville Highway (Highway 70) on the west side of the city.
Within thirty days, the properties Ed Young, Mike Foster, Dr. David Foutch, Pat Walls, John Kilgore, and Jim Beshearse will be annexed into the city.
(TO VIEW CLOSE UP OF ANNEXATION MAP CLICK PDF LINK BELOW)annexation map_0.pdf (341.79 KB)
The aldermen also approved on second and final reading an ordinance to amend the zoning map of the city to include three of these parcels in the R-1 Residential Zone along with a portion of the Right of Way on the Old Snow Hill Road.
A third ordinance was adopted on second and final reading to amend the zoning map to include the remaining parcels in the B-2 General Business District as well as a portion of the right of way of Nashville Highway (Highway 70). These parcels include Kilgore’s Restaurant, Dr. Foutch’s Eye Care office, the old Beshearse Grocery store building, and Young’s undeveloped property.
Public hearings were held on the proposed annexation and zoning ordinances prior to final passage, but no opposition was expressed by anyone in attendance.
In accordance with state law, the aldermen last month adopted a resolution outlining a Plan of Services (POS) including sewer, that will be made available to the land being annexed and the timeframe within which services and/or amenities are to be provided. The city’s plans for making sewer services available to the annexed area have been sent to the state for approval.
In other business, the aldermen awarded a bid in the amount of $28,500 to the Putnam County Tree Service to cut and remove trees that are penetrating the approach paths at the airport in violation of FAA regulations. This was the only bid received. The city has already secured a $50,000 grant with a five percent local match for the work to be done.
Airport Manager Wesley Nokes explained last October why the work is needed. “It’s been several years since the approaches at the airport have been cleared from obstructions. You are required by the FAA to maintain your approaches. An approach is an imaginary trapazoid that extends off each end of the runway. It’s basically like a square ice cream cone and the farther you go out the higher up it gets. It starts at the ground on the runway. Right off the end of the runway, you have to keep that pretty well free and clear of trees and other obstacles. We have some trees that have grown up and according to the FAA survey these trees are penetrating our approaches now. We’re going to have to remove them. TDOT advised us to apply for a grant for $50,000 to clear all these obstacles. It is a 95/5% matching grant. A five percent cost to the city, which is $2,500. The FAA can shut down our approaches because of this and they actually have shut down our night time GPS approaches at the airport. This is something we need to get taken care of pretty quickly. You can land at night in VFR which is good weather. When the weather is marginal, that’s when your GPS approaches are not valid,” said Nokes.
The aldermen will soon start work on the proposed 2014-15 fiscal year city budget. A workshop has been set for Thursday, May 15 at 9:00 a.m. at city hall. City department heads will meet with the mayor and aldermen and city financial advisor Janice Plemmons-Jackson to make their budget requests for the new year.
City building codes inspector Eugene O’Neil resigned his position as of April 30th. The aldermen voted to hire Lionel Williams of Cookeville to replace O’Neil as codes inspector, at least on a temporary basis for now. City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson said Williams is certified and currently does codes inspections for DeKalb and other cities and counties in the area.

An eighth grade teacher at DeKalb Middle School was named “DeKalb County Teacher of the Year” Monday night during the seventh annual Teacher of the Year banquet at the Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church.
Anita Puckett received the honor and a check for $150 from Liberty State Bank, the sponsor of the banquet. The presentation was made by Director of Schools Mark Willoughby and Roy Nelson Pugh of Liberty State Bank.
Puckett was among five local educators who were recognized during the banquet for being chosen by peers as “Teacher of the Year” at their schools. The others were LeVaughnda Midgett, a kindergarten teacher at Smithville Elementary School; Kathryn Wisinger, an ESL(English as a Second Language) teacher at DeKalb Middle and DCHS grades 6-12; Elizabeth Nolt, a fourth grade educator at Northside Elementary School; and Tammy Payne, a sixth grade teacher at DeKalb West School.
Every year DeKalb County participates in the Tennessee Teacher of the Year program. Each school picks a Teacher of the Year from their school who is in the running for honors at the county and regional level. Teachers are selected in the categories of Pre-K through 4th grade, 5th through 8th grade, and 9th through 12th grade. The overall Teacher of the Year from DeKalb County is selected from among the five teachers of the year at the school level.
Principals and assistant principals introduced the Teachers of the Year at their schools and remarked on how they deserved the honor.
(Top Photo: Director of Schools Mark Willoughby, DeKalb Teacher of the Year Anita Puckett of DeKalb Middle School, Assistant DMS Principal Amanda Dakas, and Roy Nelson Pugh of Liberty State Bank)
(Bottom Photo: Smithville Elementary Principal Julie Vincent, SES Teacher of the Year LeVaughnda Midgett, DeKalb West Principal Danny Parkerson, DWS Teacher of the Year Tammy Payne, Director of Schools Mark Willoughby, Northside Elementary Principal Gayle Redmon, Northside Teacher of the Year Elizabeth Nolt, Roy Nelson Pugh of Liberty State Bank, DCHS Teacher of the Year Kathryn Wisinger, DCHS Principal Patrick Cripps, DeKalb County Teacher of the Year and DeKalb Middle School Teacher of the Year Anita Puckett, and Assistant DMS Principal Amanda Dakas)

Voters will choose party nominees for several county wide and district offices tomorrow (Tuesday, May 6) in the DeKalb County Democratic Primary as well as the Democratic and Republican Primaries for offices in the seven county 13th Judicial District which includes DeKalb County. Names of the winners will be on the ballot in the DeKalb County General Election on Thursday, August 7th.
“1606 is the current number of people who have already voted in this election through the early voting or absentee process. A few absentees may be in Tuesday’s mail. One hundred twenty five of those are paper ballots,” said Administrator of Elections Dennis Stanley. A total of 1,531 have voted in the Democratic Primary and 75 have cast ballots in the Republican Primary.
Polls at all sixteen precincts in the county will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday.
WJLE will have exclusive “LIVE” local election return coverage starting at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday night. Listen “LIVE” on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and “LIVE” streaming at www.wjle.com. WJLE has links to election boxes for each race under “COMMUNITY” on the left side near the top of the WJLE website homepage and in the LOCAL NEWS section with the election story. WJLE will update those boxes with returns in each race from each precinct as they come in Tuesday night. Be sure to refresh the page regularly during the night for the latest results. (CLICK THE LINKS TO THE ELECTION BOXES BELOW)
http://www.wjle.com/may-6th-election
http://www.wjle.com/democratic-primary-results
http://www.wjle.com/republican-primary-results
Voters must declare in which primary they intend to vote. For example, voters who declare their intentions to vote in the Democratic Primary cannot vote in the Republican primary for the 13th judicial district candidates. Likewise, voters who declare their intentions to vote in the Republican primary cannot vote for any democratic candidates in this election
The DeKalb County Democratic Primary will feature four contested county wide and five district county commission races.
County Mayor Mike Foster will be seeking his fourth term but will be challenged in the primary by Smithville Alderman Tim Stribling. The winner will face Republican nominee Chris Smithson and Independent Chris Bratcher, II in the August 7th County General Election.
Three term incumbent County Clerk Mike Clayborn will be looking for his fourth term. He faces a challenge from James L. (Jimmy) Poss.
Incumbent General Sessions/Juvenile Court Judge Bratten Hale “Butch” Cook, II is running for his third-eight year term. His primary opponent is local attorney Margie Rigsby Miller. The winner will meet Republican challenger Mingy Colwell Bryant in August. She is also a Smithville attorney.
In the race for Sheriff, Michael J. Agee and Larry Flair, Sr. will face off for the Democratic nomination. The winner will face two term Republican Incumbent Sheriff Patrick Ray in August.
James D. (Jimmy) Sprague is unopposed for the Democratic nomination for Road Supervisor but he will face Republican nominee Wallace M. (Butch) Agee in the August General Election. The winner will succeed six term incumbent Kenny Edge, who is not seeking re-election.
Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack and Register of Deeds Jeffrey McMillen, both incumbents, will be unopposed in the May Democratic Primary as well as in the August General Election. Pack is seeking her fourth term. McMillen is looking for his eighth term.
Democrats will not have a candidate for Trustee. Republican incumbent Sean Driver will be unopposed for this third term in the August General Election.
County commission Democratic Primary races on May 6th will be contested in the second, third, fourth, sixth, and seventh districts.
The candidates for the county commission in each district are as follows (Two will be Nominated/Elected from each District)
FIRST DISTRICT:
Bennett Armstrong and Elmer Ellis, Jr. are unopposed in the Democratic Primary. They will be the Democratic Nominees in the August General Election along with Republican Nominee Mason Carter (TWO TO BE ELECTED).
SECOND DISTRICT:
Jerry Hutchins, Jr., Clarence Trapp , Joe N. Johnson, and Frank D.Thomas are seeking the Democratic Nomination. The two Democratic nominees will run in the August General Election along with Republican Nominee Bobby Joines and Independent Candidate James “Jimmy” E. Midgett. (TWO TO BE ELECTED)
THIRD DISTRICT:
Bradley Scott Hendrix, Jerry D. Scott, and Jack E. Barton are seeking the Democratic Nomination. The two nominees will be running in August along with Independent Candidate Wesley Nokes. (TWO TO BE ELECTED)
FOURTH DISTRICT:
Wayne Cantrell, David McDowell, Bobby R. Taylor, Jonathan Norris, and Anthony “Tony” Poss are seeking the Democratic Nomination. The two nominees will be unopposed in August (TWO TO BE ELECTED)
FIFTH DISTRICT:
Anita Puckett and Rick Cantrell are unopposed in the Democratic Primary. They will be the Democratic Nominees in the August General Election along with Republican Nominee Jerry D. Adcock (TWO TO BE ELECTED).
SIXTH DISTRICT:
Betty Jean Atnip, Jeff Barnes, and Marshall Ferrell are seeking the Democratic Nomination. The two nominees will be running in August along with Independent Candidate Danny McGinnis (TWO TO BE ELECTED)
SEVENTH DISTRICT:
Larry A. Summers, Kevin Robinson, and David Agee are seeking the Democratic Nomination. The two nominees will be unopposed in August. (TWO TO BE ELECTED)
CONSTABLE (TO FILL VACANT POSITIONS)
FIRST DISTRICT:
Chad Curtis will be unopposed for the Democratic nomination. He will face the Republican nominee Lee Plummer in the August General Election
SECOND DISTRICT:
There is no Democratic candidate for constable in the second district. In August, Republican Chris Tramel will face Independents Tony D. Lawson and Jonathan Low
THIRD DISTRICT:
There is no Democratic candidate for constable in the third district. In August, Independent candidates Travis Bryant and Lou Ann Sanders will be in competition for the position.
GOP primary races will be contested in the 13th Judicial District on May 6th for the offices of District Attorney General, District Public Defender, and Circuit Court Judge, Part I. The 13th Judicial District is made up of Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, and White Counties.
Republicans Shawn Fry and Bryant Dunaway, both of Cookeville will be vying for the GOP nomination on May 6th for District Attorney General. The winner will face Tony Craighead of Cookeville in the August General Election. Craighead will be unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
In the race for Criminal Court Judge, Part I, Republicans Wesley Bray and Gary McKenzie, both of Cookeville will be seeking the GOP nomination on May 6th. The winner will take on William Fred Roberson, Jr. of Cookeville in August. Roberson is unopposed for the Democratic nomination on May 6th.
Craig P. Fickling and Edwin G. Sadler, both of Cookeville, and John Meadows of Sparta are in the race for the Republican nomination for District Public Defender on May 6th. The winner will try to unseat Democratic incumbent David N. Brady of Cookeville in August. Brady is unopposed in the primary on May 6th.
Others who are unopposed in their respective primaries on May 6th are as follows.
Circuit Court Judge, Part I:
Amy Hollars of Livingston, Democratic Incumbent
Circuit Court Judge, Part II:
Randy York of Crossville, Democrat
Jonathan Young of Cookeville, Republican
Criminal Court Judge, Part II
David A. Patterson of Cookeville, Republican Incumbent
Chancellor:
Ronald Thurman of Cookeville, Democratic Incumbent
J. Lee Burgess of Cookeville, Republican
Winners of each primary will face off in the August General Election.

A 91 year old Smithville man was injured in a traffic accident Saturday when another vehicle pulled out in front of him on Highway 70 east at Eastside Citgo.
Doyle Smith was treated at the scene by DeKalb EMS and then airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital by a Life Force helicopter ambulance which landed in the parking lot of Caney Fork Electric Cooperative.
Captain Steven Leffew of the Smithville Police Department told WJLE that Smith was west on East Broad Street in a 1993 Chevy S-10 pickup truck when a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee pulled out in front of him on Broadstreet from the parking lot of Eastside Citgo. The Jeep Grand Cherokee was driven by 23 year old Heather Standridge of Smithville. After impact, Standridge drove back through the parking lot of Eastside Citgo, crossed Smith Road, and ran into a ditch. She was taken by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Community Hospital.
According to Captain Leffew, Standridge has been cited for driving on a suspended license, violation of the registration law, violation of the financial responsibility law, and failure to yield.
Captain Leffew expressed his appreciation to members of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department who assisted at the scene.

A man serving a twenty five year prison sentence in a 2002 DeKalb County murder case could be a free man within a year.
After a hearing Thursday morning, Tim Gobble, a member of the Tennessee Board of Parole, voted to parole 42 year old Melvin Eugene Turnbill provided he successfully completes a nine to twelve month substance abuse program called “Therapeutic Community” while still in prison. The file now goes to the other parole board members, who will review it and cast their votes. Three matching votes are needed for a final decision in this case. The hearing was held at the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex in Pikeville, where Turnbill is incarcerated. Gobble was not at the prison. He presided by video conference from another location.
WJLE was the only media represented at the prison covering Thursday’s hearing.
In September 2003, Turnbill received a twenty five year sentence after pleading guilty in DeKalb County Criminal Court to facilitating the first degree murder of Joshua Murphy

Murphy was shot and killed in a secluded area in the Laurel Hill Community at the end of Old Eagle Creek Road on Sunday, September 15, 2002. His body was discovered three days later. Officials said Turnbill and a co-defendant, Christopher Nicholas Orlando suspected Murphy of stealing methamphetamine. Orlando, the triggerman in the killing, was tried and convicted of the crime by a DeKalb County Criminal Court Jury in April, 2004. Orlando, serving a 45 year prison sentence for facilitation of first degree murder, is incarcerated at the Northeast Correctional Complex in Mountain City, Tennessee. Orlando was denied parole following a hearing in March, 2013. He will be up for parole again in 2016.

Turnbill’s sentence is due to expire on October 15, 2022. He has served eleven years and seven months of the term. This was Turnbill’s second parole hearing. He was denied release two years ago following his last hearing due to the seriousness of the offense.
In making his plea for parole, Turnbill told Gobble that he has a new outlook on life. “I believe I have changed. I believe my attitude has changed. I know for sure that I’m not going back in any kind of drug activity. I know I can honestly say that. I have completed HVAC (training) which would be a good trade for me to get into. I just wish I could be given a second chance,” said Turnbill
“What about your propensity for drug use? The meth, marijuana and maybe alcohol? That seems to be a real difficulty for you at least in the past. What are the chances in the future of you avoiding those substance abuse problems,” asked Gobble.
“It’s a real good chance for me to avoid them,” responded Turnbill
“How do I know that?”asked Gobble.
“I don’t know what to tell you to convince you except I know in myself. I’ve had plenty of opportunities to be around it (drugs) here (prison) and I’ve avoided it. I don’t want it no where around me. I don’t want it in my life. I know what it’s cost me,” said Turnbill.
If granted parole, Turnbill plans to live with his mother Glenda Turnbill in Smithville. “I have been here for him ever since he has been in prison. I have been here throughout his whole process. I think he has matured quite a bit. I’m really glad to see the progress that he has made as far as the turnaround of his attitude. His attitude has changed tremendously to what it had been before. I think he is ready to move on with his life and I think he could become a productive citizen of society,” said Mrs. Turnbill who spoke at the parole hearing.
Carol Darrah, a friend of Mrs Turnbill, also spoke in favor of parole. “I don’t really know Melvin but I know his mother really well. We go to church with her and she has talked to me about Melvin from time to time. I’ve been impressed with the programs that he has completed. I think that is commendable. I know he will have a good home to go to. She has told me that he has completed several series of Bible correspondence courses through our church. I think that is commendable. I would just like to say that I would like to see him get this second chance in life,” said Darrah.
Classified as a minimum security prisoner, Turnbill’s record while in prison reveals that he has had six institutional disciplines, but none since 2012. Turnbill was caught with marijuana in his possession three years ago and in a separate case the same year, Turnbill tested positive for marijuana use during a drug screen. Turnbill says he no longer has a drug problem.
While in prison, Turnbill said he has participated in or completed several rehabilitative programs including career and anger management, thinking for a change, and TRICOR, a program that provides occupational and life skills training for inmates through job training, program opportunities, and transitional services designed to assist offenders with a successful reintegration into society.
Turnbill, a user and producer of methamphetamine at the time of the murder, said it was never his intent for Murphy to be killed. He only meant to scare him into giving back the meth oil Murphy stole from him.
On Saturday, September 14, 2002, Turnbill claims he, his friend Robin Baker, and Murphy went to Back Bone Ridge to go camping which is near where the murder took place. He said Murphy brought along his camping tent and poles. According to Turnbill the main reason he wanted to go there was to finish cooking some meth he had started working on the day before. Later that night, the three of them went back to Baker’s residence.
Sometime during the night, Turnbill said he became upset with Murphy for smoking dope in front of everybody and acting disrespectfully. He said Murphy eventually left after being asked to leave because of his behavior. Orlando showed up and stayed the night.
Turnbill said the next morning he discovered a jar of meth oil was missing from his truck and suspected Murphy of stealing it. He then awoke Orlando and told him. “When I discovered it (meth oil) was gone I woke him (Orlando) and told him it was gone. When I told him it was gone, he said “come with me and I’ll show you how to get your evens” (get even). We got in the car and he (Orlando) said he knew a couple of places where Josh would probably be. When he (Orlando) located him, I sat in the car and he (Orlando) went in and said he needed him (Murphy) to go buy him a bag of marijuana. He and Josh came back out to the car and went back over to Robin’s (home). Over there, Chris asked him (Murphy) if he wanted to help us finish up this dope (meth) that Melvin started cooking the day before. He said yes. Chris said we’ll go back to Backbone (Ridge). He (Orlando) asked us to meet him over there. Josh got in the truck with me and Chris left in his car. Me and Josh went to Backbone and waited for Chris. After Chris showed up, he (Orlando) said lets go over to another site (nearby). When we went to the other site, I asked Josh to set everything up on the tailgate (of the truck). He said okay. Chris then told me I’ve got the gun in the car (Turnbill’s 12 gauge shotgun). Do you want me to do it or do you want to do it?”
“So Josh was lured to the campground basically for the intent of murdering him. Is that correct?,” asked Gobble.
“No sir. The intent was to scare him and to get my stuff back. There was never no talk about killing, murder, or nothing like that. There was never no discussion of that. That never took place,” Turnbill replied.
Turnbill said he took the shotgun from the car in an attempt to intimidate Murphy and then handed the weapon to Orlando who did the shooting. “I pulled the gun out and asked him (Murphy) where my stuff was. Chris said I’ve already got your stuff, it’s over there (pointing to a location at the scene). He (Orlando) told Josh to go over there and get it. Josh was running around the truck. That’s when Chris told me to give him the gun. I handed him the gun and he said go over there and get your stuff. Josh said I’m not going over there. Chris said yes you are going over there and getting that. We both started walking over there. I stopped and Josh kept going over there to pick up the jar (meth oil). When he (Murphy) took a couple more steps, that’s when Chris started to shoot. When he shot, Josh turned around and knocked Chris down and took off running. Chris got up and kept shooting. When the shooting stopped, I went back over to my truck. Chris told me to go check him (Murphy) to see if he was dead. I told him no. I didn’t bother to pack anything up. I just shut the tailgate and left,” he said.
Turnbill then fled to Kentucky where he was found and arrested. Turnbill claims he had come to his senses and was on his way back home when he was apprehended with components of his meth lab still in the bed of his truck. ” After I went to Owensboro, Kentucky and started to realize what all had transpired I started coming back to Tennessee. I’d lost (spent) all my money on the way back and that’s when I was apprehended in Cave City, Kentucky (for having the meth lab in the truck),” said Turnbill.
Asked why he pled guilty in the case if he had nothing to do with the murder, Turnbill told Gobble “I was told it didn’t matter if I’d shot him or not, I was just as guilty as the person who had done it because I was at the scene and I was involved in it,” he said.
In announcing his decision, Gobble said he would only vote to parole Turnbill if he completes the Substance Abuse Therapeutic Community program. “Mr. Turnbill you have served 11-1/2 years. You are 42 years of age and it’s time for you to grow up and take some responsibility and I think that you can. I am going to vote to parole you today on a condition that you complete successfully therapeutic community. I will set a parole date upon completion of therapeutic community and that could be a year from now depending upon its availability and whether you can get in there. But I think it’s important because of your past drug history that you complete that program successfully. I think if you can do that, it will show me and the other board members that you have the potential to be successful in the free world. You have got to stay away from drugs and alcohol abuse and that is the only way I’m going to support letting you out (paroling you) is for you to get in that program which I think will be good for you. That’s my vote, to parole you with a pre-condition of completing therapeutic community successfully. You must also have no more institutional (disciplinary) write ups. No more problems. No (drug) possessions. No policy violations,” he said.
Gobble also added a post parole condition. “That you (Turnbill) get substance abuse treatment as assessed and a substance abuse aftercare program of your choice to participate in until completion even once out of prison. To me, that looks like that has been your problem. Your downfall is meth, marijuana, and alcohol abuse. If we can do something to help you avoid those I think you’ve got a potential to be successful in the free world and make something out of yourself from here on out. As someone has said, you are worth giving a second chance to see if you succeed. Once you are in the Therapeutic Community program, it will take nine to twelve months to complete it successfully. If you complete it and avoid any A or B disciplinary actions while incarcerated, then you will be released at that time. You will have met the pre-parole conditions. Otherwise, we will have to hear you again (another parole hearing). But you have the potential of being released in about a year with those successful preconditions, but there has to be three votes in agreement. You will know in one, two, or three weeks as to what the final vote of the board is,”Gobble concluded.
While no one showed up at Thursday’s hearing to speak in opposition to Turnbill being parole, Gobble noted that ” there is a petition opposing parole in the file”.

From its remarkable yet humble beginnings, the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life has grown into a national, even international, phenomenon. Starting in 1985 with only one event, today more than 4 million people in over 20 countries raise much needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer through the Relay For Life movement.
At Relay for Life, you can find healing, comfort, and support from others who have faced cancer or who have lost a loved one to the disease. You have a chance to meet people in the community who are equally as passionate about finding an end to cancer in our lifetime. No matter why you take part in Relay, however, one thing is clear: with every step you take, you are helping the American Cancer Society save lives and “Finish the Fight”.
Come share the Relay experience at Green Brook Park on Friday, May 9 and take pride in knowing that you are working to create a world where this disease will no longer threaten the lives of our loved ones or claim another year of anyone’s life.
The 17th annual Relay for Life begins with musical entertainment at 5:00 p.m. followed by the opening ceremony at 6:00 p.m. featuring personal testimonies from cancer survivors and then a Survivors’ Lap, during which those who have survived the struggle circle the track together to help everyone celebrate what has been achieved against cancer.
As the sun sets, Luminaria bags lining the track illuminate the night and then a hush falls over the event as Relay participants, survivors and caregivers gather together for a Luminaria Ceremony at 9:00 p.m. to remember loved ones lost to cancer and to honor those who have battled the disease.
As participants walk the track lined with Luminaria bags in reflection, a caregiver who has lost a loved one may find comfort from a fellow caregiver who has faced a similar loss.
Meanwhile, a survivor gains hope and strength from others who have followed the same journey and survived. All resolve to keep fighting to save more lives so no more Luminaria bear the names of those lost to the disease.
Teams take turns doing laps, but there must be one member from each team on the track at any given time during the relay event. There is a lot of fundraising as well, through concessions, games, and other activities.
As volunteers and donors, your efforts support research, education, advocacy, and services that allow the American Cancer Society to offer help and hope to people across the country when they need it most. By joining together at Relay, we celebrate life, friendship, and an opportunity to work to defeat cancer for future generations
This year’s program lineup is as follows:
5:00 p.m.: Dessa Ray
5:25 p.m.: Wanda and Vonda (singing in honor of their mother Clata Redmon)
5:40 p.m.: Kathy Goodwin
5:55 p.m.:
Presentation of Colors by Boy Scout Troop #347
The National Anthem sing by Suzanne Slager
Invocation by Donnie Kelly, Pastor of the Smithville First Assembly of God
6:00 p.m.: Opening Ceremony
Welcome: Renea Cantrell
Introduction of Cancer Survivors
Prayer for Cancer Survivors by Wendell Judkins
Song Honoring Cancer Survivors by Shelly Cross and Bonnie Rigsby
6:45 p.m.: David Turner and Friends
7:15 p.m.: Tina Boston
7:30 p.m.: Fluty and the Flutones
7:45 p.m.: Suzanne Slager
8:00 p.m.: Kevin Roberts (Elvis)
8:15 p.m.: New Life Pentecostal
8:30 p.m.: Praise Group
8:45 p.m.: TBA
9:00 p.m.:
Luminaria Ceremony
Prayer by Dwayne Cornelius, Pastor of the New Life Pentecostal Church
9:15 p.m.: Church of God Receiving Ministries
9:30 p.m.: Smithville First Assembly of God Youth Group
9:45 p.m.: Elizabeth Chapel Singers
10:00 p.m.: Tom Duggin
10:30 p.m.: Pam Page Arts Ministry
11:30 p.m.: Closing Ceremony
Midnight: Relay Ends
Wendell Judkins and George Taylor will emcee the program. Sound provided by the New Life Pentecostal Church