A 24 year old man, indicted on the charge of statutory rape for allegedly engaging in sexual activity with a fifteen year old girl, pled guilty in DeKalb County Criminal Court Monday.
Judge Leon Burns, Jr. gave Bryan Cunningham a two year suspended sentence. Cunningham must also submit to the sex offender registry.
The incident involving Cunningham occurred on Friday, July 5, 2013.
Smithville Police told WJLE that Lieutenant Matt Holmes and Sergeant Brad Tatrow caught Cunningham and a young girl engaging in sexual activity in the woods by the creek on Holmes Creek Road. The officers were patroling the area because it’s a known hangout.
27 year old Lydia Judkins pled guilty by information to burglary and theft over $1,000. She received a three year sentence in each case to serve at 30% before her release eligibility date. The terms are to run concurrently with each other and concurrently with a violation of probation against her. She must make restitution to the victim. Judkins was given jail credit from December 16, 2013 to March 24, 2014. Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on December 16, Judkins allegedly broke into a building on Blue Springs Road and stole property valued at approximately $5,500, including a 2003 Polaris 4 Wheeler, two chainsaws, and a cordless drill. The case was investigated by a criminal detective of the Sheriff’s Department.
60 year old Jimmy Corbett Corder pled guilty to aggravated assault and received a three year sentence to be served on probation. Corder is also under a restraining order to keep away from the victim and his property. Corder must also make restitution to the victim in the amount of $576. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, May 27, 2013 an officer of the sheriff’s department responded to an assault call on Howard Redmon Road. Upon arrival, the deputy spoke with a man who had allegedly been assaulted by his neighbor, Corder. The neighbor said he was mowing a strip of grass on the property line and that Corder arrived and boxed in the mower with his vehicle so that he could not leave. He (Corder) allegedly used a hammer to beat the mower causing less than $500 in damage. The victim said Corder also hit him on the arm with the hammer.
50 year old Victor Locklear pled guilty to two counts of delivery of a schedule III drug (Hydrocodone). He received a three year sentence in one case and two years in the other to be served consecutively for a total of five years but he has been given jail credit for the 68 days he has served and will be released to probation. He was fined $2,000. Locklear was among sixty four persons named in sealed indictments by the DeKalb County Grand Jury on Monday, January 13 after a three month undercover drug investigation by the Sheriff’s Department. He was arrested on January 15.
43 year old Comer Vance pled guilty to attempted sale of a schedule II drug and received a two year sentence to serve under an agreement that he is to be furloughed to the Warren County Drug Court. He was fined $2,000. The sentence is to run concurrently with a violation of probation against him and concurrently with a Warren County case. Vance was given jail credit from June 22, 2013 to March 24, 2014. Vance was among thirty three persons named in sealed indictments handed down by a special called session of the DeKalb County Grand Jury last summer after a lengthy investigation by the Sheriff’s Department into the illegal sale of narcotics and other crimes committed in DeKalb County
34 year old Crystal Fults pled guilty to introduction of contraband into the jail. She received a four year sentence, all suspended to supervised probation.
38 year old Lonnie L. Wheeler, previously convicted on a charge of theft over $1,000 and granted probation, was found to be in violation. His probation was revoked and he must serve the balance of his original four year sentence.

A 19 year old man was airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital Monday after he was ejected from his vehicle in a rollover crash on New Home Road. A pregnant 17 year old girl was also injured in the accident.
Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that David Hacker of Smithville was traveling south on Highway 83 (New Home Road) in a 2000 Chevy Blazer when he failed to negotiate a curve. The SUV ran off the right side of the road, hit a culvert, and overturned. Hacker was ejected. The girl, a passenger with Hacker, said she was wearing her seatbelt. She was taken by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Community Hospital.
A helicopter ambulance landed near the scene to fly out Hacker to Vanderbilt Hospital. Hacker was cited for failure to maintain his lane of travel, for not wearing a seatbelt, and for violation of the financial responsibility law (no insurance).

Forty trailer campsites at Edgar Evins State Park are being refurbished in preparation for the upcoming tourist season.
These platform-type sites are located around the slopes of the lake in the park. The campsites are built on steel and concrete reinforced platforms with wooden decking. They are designed to hold a camper or a cabin tent up to 33 feet in length.
Carl Halfacre, Park Manager, said the campsites being refurbished are among the most popular and have been in use for forty years. “They were built in 1973 so it was time to start doing something with them. They are taking all the wood decking off and all the wood around the sides. They are sandblasting the metal, painting it, and repairing any rust damage they find. Then they will be coming back with new wood on most of them. We are moving the electrical boxes from the front left corner to the back right corner of each site. We will also be extending three of the campsites to accommodate a 40 foot camper. Practically all of our sites were set up for 28 foot campers. We do have some where you can get a 33 foot camper on there,” said Halfacre.
Edgar Evins State Park has a total of 60 regular campsites with water and electrical hookups and nine primitive tent sites. “We have approximately twenty sites on what we call the upper level where we just refurbished the electrical boxes and upgraded them. We hope those (twenty)campsites will also get refurbished in the next few years in addition to the forty sites being upgraded now,” said Halfacre.
The target completion date is May 15.

Legislation that addressed Tennesseans’ right to vote on various issues faced a mixed reaction this week on Capitol Hill. Such legislation included bills to prohibit forced annexation, as well as a resolution, sponsored by Sen. Mae Beavers, to allow the citizens of Tennessee the right to elect the state’s Attorney General.
Legislation Advances to Allow Citizens the Right to Vote Against Forced Annexation
A Senate committee approved legislation that eliminates forced annexation, which has been the primary form used by municipalities to increase their boundaries over the last several decades in Tennessee. Senate Bill 869 requires a referendum of residents within the area to be annexed by a municipal ordinance prior to annexation; while Senate Bill 2464 accomplishes a referendum process by repealing annexation by ordinance completely. In addition, committee members approved Senate Bill 2472 to continue the moratorium on annexation passed by the General Assembly last year until May 15, 2015. TACIR has already released an Interim Report on Annexation which examines Tennessee’s annexation laws and compares and contrasts how similar issues are handled in other states.
Legislation to Allow Citizens the Right to Elect the State’s Top Lawyer Fails to Pass the State Senate
The State Senate, for the second time, failed to adopt SJR 123, which would have allowed the citizens the opportunity to elect the state’s Attorney General. The resolution, which has been championed by former Senate Judiciary Chairman and judicial reform advocate, Sen. Mae Beavers, would have permitted the election of the state’s top lawyer by the people he or she represents, as opposed to being appointed by the Supreme Court – the very body that the Attorney General must appear before on a regular basis.
“The obvious conflict-of-interest that exists in our current system now leaves the state’s chief lawyer twice-removed from the very people he or she is supposed to represent,” said Sen. Beavers. “Allowing the Governor to appoint the Supreme Court, who then appoints the Attorney General, leaves the Attorney General unaccountable to the people of Tennessee.”
Some senators excused their vote against the resolution by stating that the legislature, and not the people, should select the Attorney General. Yet, one of the primary duties of the Attorney General is to deliver opinions regarding the constitutionality of various pieces of legislation proposed by that same legislature. Therefore, if such a method was in place, some believe that an even more egregious conflict-of-interest would exist.
“The only way to ensure that we have an impartial and accountable top lawyer is to make him or her responsive to the people he or she is supposed to primarily represent – the people of Tennessee,” said Sen. Beavers.
Issues in Brief
Meth / Penalties – Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted this week to strengthen penalties for those who manufacture methamphetamine. Senate Bill 2021, sponsored by Sen. Beavers, provides for a mandatory minimum sentence for possession of meth of 30 days in jail and 180 days in jail for manufacturing of meth.
College Savings – Legislation which incentivizes college savings has met the final approval of the State Senate. The state’s TNStars College Savings 529 Program offers parents and other relatives with a low-cost way to save for children’s college expenses with attractive investment options and special tax advantages. However, current law does not specifically provide that the board may establish multiple plans. Senate Bill 2106 allows the State Treasurer to establish more than one 529 college savings plan, including an advisor-sold plan.
Banning Abuse of Welfare Benefits – Legislation to curb abuse of purchases made through Electronic Benefit Transaction (EBT) cards used by recipients of the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee this week. Last year the Legislature passed Public Chapter 312 which prohibits use of a welfare recipient’s EBT card in liquor stores, adult cabarets, casinos and other gambling facilities. Senate Bill 1699 adds body piercing and tattoo parlors to this list, as well as bondsmen.

On Thursday, March 20, fifty-five DeKalb County cattle producers gathered at the UT Extension office to create the DeKalb County Cattlemen’s Association. The association consists of cattle producers, industry representatives, salesmen and people interested in advancing and improving the beef cattle industry in DeKalb County. The meeting to create the association was chaired by County Agent Michael Barry of the UT Extension Office.
A motion was made and passed to formally create the association and then a set of bylaws was adopted by the members. According to the bylaws, the purpose of the Association shall be to provide the cattle feeders and producers in DeKalb County with an organization through which they may function collectively to protect their interests and work toward the solution of cattle industry problems; and to build the necessary goodwill and recognition to the industry. The board of directors was elected from the membership to lead the association for the next year. They include, Melvin Young, President; Kenneth Young, Vice President; Jayma Holcomb, Secretary/Treasurer; Mark Willoughby; at-large board member; and Harrell Tolbert, at-large board member.
The board will be meeting soon to plan meetings and activities for the upcoming year. Mr. Charles Hord, Executive Vice President of the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association, was with the group at this historic event and complimented DeKalb County for having such an impressive showing of support for the association. Membership is still open to anyone who would like to be a join the association. Dues for the DeKalb County Cattlemen’s Association are $20/year and dues for the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association are $30/year. Contact a board member or Michael Barry at the UT Extension office for membership information.
Picture caption… DeKalb County Cattlemen’s Association officers, front row (left to right): Melvin Young, President; Jayma Holcomb, Secretary/Treasurer. Back row (left to right): Mark Willoughby, At-large board member; Kenneth Young, Vice President; Harrell Tolbert, At-larger board member.

A new method of voting for those who cast absentee ballots will begin with the upcoming primary elections.
Dennis Stanley, Administrator of Elections, said absentee voters will be given a “Ballot Guide” and a “Ballot Card” for them to use for voting. “For many years, absentee voters put an “x” or “checkmark” by the candidate’s name on what was a paper ballot. This year, instead of voters receiving a so-called ballot, they will receive a “BALLOT GUIDE” that looks similar to the old-style paper ballots. These “GUIDES” will have a number beside each candidate’s name. In addition, they will receive a ‘”BALLOT CARD” with numbers and circles (or ovals).

Stanley said absentee voters will be instructed to study the “BALLOT GUIDE” with the numbers by the candidate’s name and then take the “BALLOT CARD” and completely darken and fill in the circle on the “BALLOT CARD” containing the number corresponding to the candidate.
“Think of it this way—The “BALLOT GUIDE” is a telephone book..use it to look up someone’s number. And just like the keypad on a telephone, find the number on the “BALLOT CARD” and darken in the oval next to the number,” said Stanley.
The new method is expected to save time and money. “The cards are very inexpensive and any cards in our inventory not used in this election can be used in a future election. There is practically no waste,” Stanley said.
“The cards that are marked will be fed through a machine that counts the votes. No longer will absentees have to be counted by hand. This saves time and that will be very important in the August election when the ballot will be extremely long,” he said.
If you should have questions, call the election commission office at 597-4146. “We expect there will be some questions and we are here to answer those. Keep in mind, there will be instructions included with your ballot guide and card,” Stanley concluded.
Meanwhile, Stanley is encouraging voters to vote early in both May and August but especially in August when the ballot will be quite lengthy. “The best way to avoid long lines or slow lines on election day is to vote early,” he said.
Early Voting for the May Election starts April 16 and ends May 1. The election commission office will be closed on Good Friday.
Hours are:
Mondays: 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Tuesdays: 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Thursdays: 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m..
Fridays: 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. until Noon

Senior Ethan Roller was named the DCHS Tiger basketball Most Valuable Player Thursday night at the annual team banquet, while Senior Paige Winningham and Junior Loren Cripps share Lady Tiger Co-MVP honors. Senior Captain Ashley Medlin is the Most Valuable Cheerleader. The awards were sponored by Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. The MVP and MVC awards are named in memory Allen D. Hooper.
Roller, who scored 1,190 points in his career at DCHS and led the mid-state this season in three points shots made at 111, also received the best offensive player award and was named to the All-District 1st Team.
In addition to winning the MVP honor, Winningham took home awards for best offensive player and best passer. She was also named to the All-District 3rd Team.
Cripps, along with the MVP award, was honored for being the best defensive player, best foul shooter, and best three point shooter. Cripps, a Junior, has also scored over one thousand points in her high school basketball career. Cripps was named to the All-District 3rd Team.
The season for the DeKalb County Tigers ended with a loss to Cannon County in the District Tournament at Sparta last month. The Tigers finished the season at 19-14 overall and 4-10 in district play.
The DeKalb County Lady Tigers wrapped up their season losing to Central Magnet in the District Tournament. They closed out the season with an overall record of 20-14 and 4-10 in the district.
Other individual cheerleading awards included:
MVC: Ashley Medlin
Most Spirit: Chloe White
Most Improved: Aspen Flarity
Best Jumps: Kara Kanipe
Best Dance: Kenzie Morris
Best Stunts: Maggie Mahaffey
Best Attitude: Taneah Cantrell
STAR Award (Spirit, Team, Attitude, Respect): Allison Rogers
Other Lady Tiger basketball awards were as follows:
MVP: Paige Winningham and Loren Cripps
Best Defender: Loren Cripps
Hustle: Jailyn Bolding
Best Three Point Shooter: Loren Cripps
Coaches Award: Jailyn Bolding
Tiger Award: Morgan Pedigo
Best Attitude: MaKenzie Poteete
Best Rebounder: Katie Hall
Most Improved: MaKenzie Poteete
Best Offensive Player:Paige Winningham
Best Free Throw Shooter: Loren Cripps
Best Passer:Paige Winningham
Best Ball Handler: Ashli Chew
For the Tigers,
MVP: Ethan Roller
Best Defender: Eli Lomas
Best Athlete: Steven Jennings (All District 3rd Team and District Freshman Player of Year)
Best Rebounder: Kalab Ferrell
Best Offensive Player:Ethan Roller
Best Free Throw Shooter: Steven Jennings
Best Ball Handler: Aaron Patterson
Best Practice Player: Jonathon Munoz
Best Passer: Aaron Patterson
Best Sixth Man: Austin Frazier
Smartest Player: Eli Lomas
Most Improved Player: Justin Bone (All District Honorable Mention)
Best Attitude: Kalab Ferrell
Hustle Award: Kalab Ferrell
Meanwhile, Charles Parsley was named the Tiger basketball Fan of the Year while Jordan Wilkins received the Lady Tiger Fan of the Year award.
The annual DCHS basketball banquet was held at the County Complex Auditorium.

A Watertown man, already in trouble with the Sheriff’s Department for allegedly stealing coin operated air vending machines from three businesses in the county last summer, has now been charged with three similar offenses in the city.
46 year old Alton David Estes of Clever Creek Road, Watertown is charged with three counts of theft over $1,000.
Smithville Police Chief Randy Caplinger said Estes is charged with stealing coin operated air vending machines from the parking lots of the BP Station on April 13 and September 14, 2013 and at Jewel’s Market on August 25, 2013. His bond is $15,000.
Sheriff Patrick Ray announced last week that on July 1, 2013 at the Shiney Rock Market on Highway 56 south and at the Liberty Citgo on Highway 70 west and on September 9, 2013 at Hillcrest Market on Highway 70, Estes allegedly took a coin operated air vending machine by breaking loose the bolts. The machines were each valued at more than $1,000.
Meanwhile, two Walmart employees, 21 year old Josie Culwell and James A. McKeown were recently charged with theft of property. Chief Caplinger said that police were called to Walmart on a complaint that an employee had been stealing items from the store. The officer made contact with an associate of Walmart who reported that Culwell, an employee, had taken several items during the last three months of her employment.
She allegedly admitted to committing the theft totaling $668 worth of merchandise. In a separate incident, Chief Caplinger said police were dispatched to Walmart on another theft call. The officer spoke with an associate of the store who reported that McKeown had taken several items from Walmart during his employment. McKeown allegedly admitted to taking the items.
42 year old Sandra Clark and 31 year old Deanna Pedigo were each recently charged with aggravated assault and vandalism under $500. Chief Caplinger said police were called to the park on Smith Road in response to a report of an assault of two women. According to police, Pedigo drove up to the park and blocked in the vehicle of two victims. Clark, the passenger, got out of Pedigo’s vehicle with a large stick and allegedly broke out a window of the victim’s automobile, assaulted the women with the stick and pepper sprayed them. The victims were taken to the emergency room of the hospital for treatment.
29 year old Ricky C. Stanley was recently cited for simple possession of a schedule II drug. Chief Caplinger said an officer responded to Walmart to a disturbance. The officer made contact with Stanley. When he searched Stanley, the officer found on him two pills believed to be Hydrocodone.
43 year old Terry Dean Winfree was recently charged with driving under the influence and cited for simple possession of a schedule II drug. Chief Caplinger said police were dispatched to the BP Station on West Broad Street on Tuesday, March 11 in regard to a person who was passed out behind the steering wheel of a vehicle. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with Winfree. He appeared to be very disoriented. He was unsteady on his feet and he submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Police conducted a search and found inside a cigarette pack a plastic wrapper containing a white powdery substance which field tested positive for methamphetamine. Winfree was placed under arrest.
Jared Atnip was recently charged with public intoxication. He will be in court on April 3. His bond is $1,500. Chief Caplinger said police responded to Pizza Hut where a man in the restaurant (Atnip) appeared to be intoxicated. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Atnip who appeared to be drowsy. His speech was slurred and slow and he had trouble keeping his eyes open. According to Chief Caplinger, Atnip allegedly admitted to taking medication earlier in the day. For Atnip’s safety he was placed under arrest.
23 year old Daniel Hamilton was recently charged with domestic assault. Chief Caplinger said police responded to a Hayes Street residence on a domestic violence call. Upon arrival, the officer found Hamilton and his girlfriend, who is the mother of his child. He had allegedly hit her in the face leaving marks and abrasions under her left eye and marks on her chest. She said Hamilton had pinched her about the body. He was placed under arrest.
21 year old Chad Taylor was recently charged with leaving the scene of an accident. Chief Caplinger said police were dispatched to the BP Station on West Broad for a hit and run accident. An officer talked to the other party involved in the accident who gave a description of the vehicle which fled the scene. The automobile was later located at City Walk Apartments. Police confronted Taylor who allegedly admitted to leaving the scene of the accident.
43 year old Tracy Haynes was recently charged with evading arrest. Chief Caplinger said police responded to Frazier Street to do a welfare check on an individual. While there, an officer spoke with Haynes who had outstanding warrants against him. Haynes was advised of the warrants and he fled on foot. Police pursued him and when he failed to obey verbal commands to stop, the officer deployed his taser. Haynes was then placed under arrest.
26 year old James Gilles was recently charged with domestic assault. Chief Caplinger said police were called to break up a fight on Bell Street. An officer spoke with Gilles who said he and his brother had got into an altercation on Cookeville Highway but the fight turned physical after they got out of their vehicle on Bell Street. The officer spoke with the victim who said Gilles grabbed him from the back and choked him until he was almost unconscious.
Robert R. Claude was recently charged with public intoxication. Chief Caplinger said police were dispatched to the hospital to help subdue a combative, intoxicated patient. Hospital employees tried to restrain him while police were enroute. Claude was arrested and brought to police department.
21 year old Justin Hale Davenport was recently charged with domestic assault. Chief Caplinger said police responded to the Discount Tobacco store on West Broad Street. An officer spoke with witnesses who reported that Davenport had assaulted a woman there, hitting her in the face. The victim appeared to have redness and swelling to her eye.
55 year old Linda A. Sorrell was recently cited for shoplifting. Chief Caplinger said police responded to Walmart were a store employee spotted Sorrell concealing items in her purse. She was confronted at the doorway as she was leaving. Sorrell was found to have several items in her purse. She allegedly admitted to taking those items.
41 year old Elizabeth C. Gardenhire and 47 year old Sherry R. Schreyer were each recently cited for shoplifting at the Dollar General Store. Chief Caplinger said police were dispatched to the store where Gardenhire was spotted by store management concealing items in her purse. Schreyer was also found to be in possession of several items on her person which had not been purchased.

City officials are looking at the possibility of purchasing a new garbage truck for the sanitation department. But unlike its current refuse trucks, the city is considering going to a truck manned only by the driver and equipped with an automated side loader for picking up curbside residential household garbage.
Charlie Akers of Murfreesboro, a sales manager for the Municipal Equipment Incorporated in Knoxville brought a 31 cubic yard tandem axle garbage truck to Smithville Wednesday morning for a demonstration. The mayor, aldermen, and several city employees observed how the demonstrator truck operated its 12 foot automated arm to lift a 96 gallon garbage container.

Although this size truck would more than meet Smithville’s needs, Akers told WJLE that the city may look at a smaller vehicle. “They are looking at a single axle automated side loader refuse truck. This truck (demonstrator) was manufactured by New Way of Scranton, Iowa. One of the things that sets this truck apart from others is the way the arm operates. It’s got a twelve foot (144 inch) reach. Other competitors only have an 84 inch reach. This is a 31 cubic yard truck. The city is currently running 20 cubic yard rear loaders on their routes,” said Akers.
According to Akers many cities in Tennessee are going to automated garbage trucks because it cuts down on manpower on the routes and reduces workers compensation claims. “Everybody is moving to automated. Murfreesboro, Hartsville, Columbia, Gallatin, Sparta, McMinnville, and Cookeville, are just a few of the cities that have made the conversion,” said Akers.
“The real advantage is it eliminates a lot of workers compensation claims where you have a guy that hurts his back lifting up containers that are too heavy and he has to miss work. With these trucks, you can operate with only the driver and if it’s raining, snowing, hot, or cold it’s just a one man operation and he is not affected by the weather,” said Akers.
City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson said sanitation workers who currently ride the routes would not lose their jobs with the new system, but would be reassigned to other positions where they are needed.
If the city should purchase this type of garbage truck, it would also most likely buy one standard garbage container for each residence on the routes for better compatibility with the new system. Anyone who wanted more than one container would have to purchase them.
Akers said if the county develops a solid waste transfer station in the city, the life of a new garbage truck as well as those already being used would be extended. “A big advantage of going to this system with a transfer station is that the trucks are not going to be going into a landfill. It’s saves on the life of the truck and the tires. Its hard on trucks to get into and out of that mud (landfill) so you’re going to get longer use,” said Akers.
Funding for a new garbage truck may be included in the city’s 2014-15 fiscal year budget, subject to approval by the mayor and board of aldermen. Bids would have to be obtained before a truck could be purchased.

A Smithville man escaped serious injury in a pickup truck crash Tuesday on Bright Hill Road.
Sergeant Eric McCormick of the Tennessee Highway Partrol said 26 year old Brandon Rackley was driving a 1987 Chevy S-10 pickup truck west on Bright Hill Road when he ran off the right side of the road and slid head-on into a utility pole. Rackley, who refused treatment, was wearing his seatbelt.
Rackley was charged with driving under the influence, simple possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of drugs (pills) without a prescription, and failure to exercise due care.
He will make a court appearance on April 17.