If you reside in the sixth district and would like to fill the unexpired term of Bruce Parsley on the Board of Education you may submit your letter of interest to the county mayor’s office at the courthouse.
The county commission Monday night voted to accept applications through noon on Monday, February 6.
Parsley, who was elected in August 2008, resigned as of December 31 to pursue a career as a certified teacher. His term expires August 31.
Your application can be simply preparing a letter stating your interest in being considered for the position. The person selected by the commission will serve until August 31.
The county commission will conduct interviews of all applicants for the position during an all-committees meeting on the evening of Thursday, February 23 and then choose one of the applicants to fill the unexpired term during the next regular meeting on Monday night, February 27.
Two persons, Boyd Trapp and Doug Stephens attended last Thursday night’s all-committees meeting of the county commission to express their interest. They were also present during Monday nights regular meeting.
In the August DeKalb County General Election, school board members from both the fifth and sixth districts will be elected, each to serve a four year term. The qualifying deadline to get your name on the ballot in the school board races is April 5.
In other business, the county commission took no action on a school board request that the County Technical Advisory Service (CTAS) be asked to do a traffic study in the school zones in Smithville.
County Attorney Hilton Conger said he had received a letter from Director of Schools Mark Willoughby concerning the school board’s request but found that CTAS does not perform traffic studies. “I did check with CTAS and got a response back from them that CTAS does not do traffic studies.” Conger said that he would respond to Willoughby’s letter.
The school board has also made a similar request of the city, asking that City Attorney Vester Parsley and city officials seek a traffic study through the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS). No word yet on whether the city will follow through on the request.
Meanwhile, the commission, on a near unanimous voice vote, adopted a resolution to mirror a similar one approved by the local democratic party on Saturday expressing opposition to the Republican drawn state redistricting plan, which splits DeKalb County between the 40th and 46th legislative districts. Fourth district member David McDowell voted no.
The resolution states “Whereas DeKalb County has always been represented by one State Representative and one State Senator;
Whereas, DeKalb County cannot have an effective voice in state government when its citizens are split amongst multiple legislative districts (especially given the size of the county and of the newly carved segments);
Whereas, there is both a constitutional and case law requirement that lawmakers avoid splitting counties into multiple legislative districts;
Be it resolved that the Democratic Party of DeKalb County hereby asks the Tennessee General Assembly to amend the redistricting plan to keep all of DeKalb County in one Senate and one Representative district.”
In a letter to County Mayor Mike Foster, DeKalb County Democratic Party Secretary Joyce Hendrixson requested that the county commission adopt this resolution as approved by the Democratic Party’s Executive Committee and mass attendees on Saturday. “The Party voted to request help from the Tennessee State Legislature to address the injustice that has recently been done to the County by the proposed redistricting,’ she wrote.
“I am asking that the County Commission vote to voice their opposition to the newly proposed carving up of the county. The Governor has not yet signed off on the legislation.”
“David Harper, State Executive Committee Representative for the Democratic Party, 40th District, asked that a copy be mailed to the State Party by early Monday Morning. I have done that. I am asking that the Commission vote to oppose the redistricting Monday night, January 23,” wrote Hendrixson.
The letter went on to state that ” The new law, as is, would carve the County into two separate representative districts. DeKalb County has fewer than 20,000 citizens. One of the new districts, as is, would contain approximately 6,000 citizens and the other would contain approximately 12,000. Separately, the new districts would not provide sufficient voice for candidates to feel compelled to listen to the Citizens of the County, especially the precincts totaling approximately 6,000 citizens who would be relegated to an invisible and unvoiced status. We, the members of the Executive Committee of the DeKalb County Democratic Party, offer our signatures in opposition to the new redistricting plan. A universal voice vote of the mass attendees of approximately 150 people is also noted.”
Under the redistricting plan, all of the sixth district of DeKalb County, nearly all the seventh district, and portions of the second and fifth districts would be in State Representative Mark Pody’s 46th district which also includes Cannon and a large portion of Wilson County. The rest of DeKalb County would remain in State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver’s 40th district, which also includes Smith, Trousdale, and a portion of Sumner County.
On another issue, the county has tried for up to three years to have caution lights erected at the intersection of US 70 and highway 83 near Kilgore’s Restaurant, where several serious traffic accidents have occurred in recent years, and now comes another delay.
The state recently authorized the county to proceed with the project at the county’s expense and last summer the county commission voted to seek bids for the project. The county later awarded the contract to Stansell Electric. The cost was to be around $30,000. But County Mayor Mike Foster said Monday night that the county has since learned that the Tennessee Department of Transportation is prepared to fund the project through TDOT’s so called “Stop Safety Program.” “We’ve been three years trying to get lights put up at the intersection of Highway 70 and 83. We thought we had contracted with Stansell Electric to put up those lights but when they went to get the permit to put them up they got this response” (about TDOT funding for the project).
“Many months ago, I talked to TDOT about trying to get them to put up caution lights there because we felt like it was an extremely dangerous intersection,’ said Foster. We had 18-20 wrecks at that intersection. We felt like it would come under their (TDOT) guidelines to correct this extremely dangerous situation. We had applied (for state assistance) but I had not been told anything. But apparently we did get it (approval). I have now been informed that this project has been approved through the Stop Safety Program and that TDOT is currently under design and will go to bid under this program at a later date. TDOT has said that if the county wishes to pull its request from the Stop Safety program, it could but the county would be financially responsible for the work and would need to obtain the proper permits in order to proceed” said Foster.
The county commission Monday night voted to table any further action on proceeding with the project until Foster obtains official confirmation from TDOT on state funding.
In other business, the commission voted to advertise for bids on replacing the roof on the veteran’s building downtown and to do an emergency purchase on an electrical upgrade there.
The commission also gave its approval to officers selected by the county fire department. This is routinely done by the commission each January. Donny Green has again been named chief and Jeff Williams is the assistant chief.
A resolution was adopted by the commission seeking state action to make the sale of synthetic drugs a felony. Several other counties have adopted similar resolutions hoping to create a movement statewide to get this approved by the legislature.
The resolution states that “Whereas, synthetic marijuana and designer stimulants have created a public health problem in DeKalb County as witnessed by the DeKalb County Emergency Medical Services and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department; and
Whereas, during a recent raid in September 2011 conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, State Attorney General’s Office, Rutherford County District Attorney’s Office, Murfreesboro Police Department and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department, thirty six convenience stores in Rutherford County were found to be selling synthetic marijuana and designer stimulants for up to $30 per package; and
Whereas, currently in the State of Tennessee some of these products are being sold legally while some are covered under current legislation making them illegal but is a misdemeanor charge.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, that the DeKalb County legislative delegation be asked to write and pass comprehensive legislation to make the manufacturing, distribution, and selling of synthetic drugs a felony in the State of Tennessee.”
Category Archives: News
Taylor Named Tiger Football MVP, Hughes Wins MVC Award
Offensive, defensive, and kicking standout Zach Taylor, a senior, was named Most Valuable Player of the 2011 DeKalb County High School Football Team during the annual Awards Banquet held Saturday night at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center building. The awards were sponsored by Liberty State Bank
The award was presented to Taylor by Coach Steve Trapp. Taylor helped lead the Tigers to an overall 8-3 record in 2011 including a home state play-off game. “He had statistics in almost every category that you can imagine,” said Coach Trapp. “Kicking was definitely a weapon for us this year. He punted the ball. We didn’t give up one punt return yard all year. Nobody caught a punt and returned it for one yard. A lot of that was him angling away and him executing the game plan we had. He did a great job in that category. And being able to kick field goals the way he did. In high school, it’s definitely a weapon. He had four field goals of over forty yards with a long of forty seven yards and that is a huge weapon to have in high school. He had eight or ten touchbacks as well. But what he did on the offensive side of the ball and then what he did on the defensive side of the ball was a lot to talk about as well. He is definitely a player that deserves and has earned the MVP award,” said Coach Trapp
Meanwhile, Heather Hughes, a senior, was named Most Valuable Cheerleader. The presentation was made by Cheer Coaches Amanda Fuller and Sonya House. “I am very proud of her as I am the whole squad. She is a wonderful cheerleader. You couldn’t ask for a better girl. She is a 4.0 student and a wonderful person, very kind to others and extremely talented. For all those reasons she received the Most Valuable Cheerleader award,” said Coach Fuller
Other individual Football Player Awards are as follows:
Offensive Player-Lucas Phillips
Offensive Lineman-Matt Boss
Offensive Back- Dylan Freeney
Receiver-Will Molander
Defensive Player-Sebastian Phillips
Defensive Lineman-Jake Odom
Linebacker-Cody Puckett
Defensive Back-Alex Hayes
Special Teams Player-Conner Apple
Most Improved-Spencer Stanfield
MVP-Zach Taylor
Coach Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride Award-Sebastian Phillips
Individual Cheer Awards are as follows:
Best Stunts-Heather Hughes
Most Spirited-Elizabeth Mason
Best Jumps- Johnna Roller
Best Dance-Taylor Cantrell
Most Improved-Darrian Turner
MVC-Heather Hughes
DEAR (Dedication, Enthusiasm, Attitude, and Responsibility)-Kidman Puckett
(TOP Photo: 2011 DCHS Football Most Valuable Player Zach Taylor and Most Valuable Cheerleader Heather Hughes)
(Second Photo from Top: DCHS Football Winners: Seated- Dylan Freeney, Alex Hayes, Zach Taylor, Will Molander, Spencer Stanfield; Back Row- Lucas Phillips, Cody Puckett, Matt Boss, Jake Odom, Conner Apple, Sebastian Phillips)
(Third Photo from Top: DCHS Football Cheerleader Winners: Darrian Turner -Most Improved, Taylor Cantrell-Dance, Heather Hughes- MVC-Stunts, Johnna Roller- Jumps, Kidman Puckett-DEAR Award, Elizabeth Mason-Most Spirited)
(Bottom Photo: Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride Award Winner Sebastian Phillips (second from left) pictured with wife and children of Clay, Abram, Tena and Sarah Edwards (Photo provided)
DeKalb Democrats Gear Up For Primary
The race is on!
Democratic candidates for the offices of DeKalb County Assessor of Property and Constable formally announced their candidacies during the local party’s mass meeting held Saturday morning at the DCHS cafeteria.
Incumbent Assessor Timothy (Fud) Banks said he is asking the party faithful for renomination and re-election to a fifth term. “My whole life, I’ve lived here for fifty five years now and for thirty three of those years I have put in serving the people of DeKalb County, seventeen years in law enforcement and sixteen years in the office (property assessor). I need a job. My staff and I have thirty nine years of combined experience doing the job and we try to do the job well and keep the office updated for everybody who needs to use it. I’m asking now for your vote and support. I’d appreciate it,’ said Banks.
Scott Cantrell said he too would like to serve the people of DeKalb County as Assessor of Property. “I’m the proud son of Jerry Lee and Jane Cantrell of Cantrell’s Furniture. I am a proud democrat. If you know me personally you know that I keep many irons in the fire. I have several jobs that I do besides working with my daddy but if elected all these things will cease and my first priority will be serving the people of DeKalb County. I am seeking the office of property assessor and I’d appreciate your support, vote, and prayers,” said Cantrell.
Johnathan Bryan Keith, another candidate for Assessor of Property, also asked for the voter’s support. “I’ve served on the rescue squad for several years. I look forward to serving my community in other ways. I’d appreciate anything anyone does for me. Thank you,’ said Keith.
Four candidates for constable also announced their candidacies beginning with Carl Lee Webb in the sixth district. “I live in the Keltonburg community in the sixth district. I served as constable for three terms and then dropped out. Mr. Cantrell Jones has had it for four years and he decided not to run again. If I’m elected I’ll do anything I can for anybody. Any vote and support you could give me I’d appreciate it,’ said Webb,.
Webb and Richard Bullard are both seeking the office of sixth district constable. Bullard was not present at Saturday’s mass meeting.
Incumbent third district constable Wayne Vanderpool is unopposed in his bid for another term. “I’ve been the constable in the third district for the last sixteen years. I’d appreciate anything anyone can do to help me even though I’m running unopposed. Thank you for your votes,’ he said.
Incumbent fifth district constable Mark Milam is also unopposed, seeking a sixth term. ” I want to say that I’m thankful for the last five terms that I’ve served for DeKalb County. Over the last five terms I’ve tried to be an asset to DeKalb County. I’m seeking re-election again and asking for each and everyone’s support. I have a good working relationship with all the agencies and help them in anyway I can,” he said.
Incumbent seventh district constable Johnny King added ” I am running for constable in the seventh district. This is my second term. I was constable in the fourth district for several years. I appreciate your vote and support. Thank you,” he said.
Incumbent fourth district constable Paul Cantrell is also seeking re-election but he was not present at the meeting.
These candidates will be on the ballot in the March 6 DeKalb County Democratic Primary. Early Voting is set for February 15-28.
Newly elected local democratic party officers were also announced including Jim Judkins, who was re-elected as chairman; Larry Bain, Jordan Wilkins, and Kim Luton as co-vice chairs; Katherine Pack as treasurer; and Joyce Hendrixson as secretary. They will serve through 2014.
James Hale said he pondering another run for state representative but hasn’t yet made up his mind. “We have to get the final decision on redistricting of whether or not that I am actually in the 40th district. It appears that I am. We’ll know that within the next few days. We’ll then make a decision,” said Hale.
George McDonald, who ran unsuccessfully against State Senator Mae Beavers in 2010, addressed the group calling for party unity. Although he didn’t specifically mention it, McDonald may also have his eye on the state representative seat. In James Hale’s remarks, he said “I know he (McDonald) is interested in this seat as well but he said to me that if James Hale runs, I won’t run,” said Hale.
(Top Photo: Scott Cantrell, Johnathan Bryan Keith, Timothy (Fud) Banks)
(Second Photo From Top: Carl Lee Webb, Mark Milam, Wayne Vanderpool, Johnny King)
(Third Photo From Top: Larry Bain, Katherine Pack, Jim Judkins, Joyce Hendrixson, Jordan Wilkins, Kim Luton)
Smithville Police Nab Wisconsin Sex Offender
Smithville police recently nabbed a convicted sex offender from Wisconsin after investigating a traffic accident on Braswell Lane.
Chief Randy Caplinger said 22 year old Juan Martinez, charged with violation of the sex offender registry law and being a fugitive from justice, is under a $125,000 bond and he will be in court on February 9. He is expected to be extradited to Kenosha Wisconsin, where he is a convicted sex offender, and facing a new charge of exploitation of a minor.
According to Chief Caplinger, Martinez was involved in a traffic mishap on Wednesday, January 11 on Braswell Lane near where he had been living with his wife. The investigating officer did a computer check on his drivers license and discovered that Martinez was a convicted sex offender. After making contact the next day with authorities in Wisconsin, police confirmed that Martinez was wanted there. Martinez was later picked up by Smithville Police and charged. Chief Caplinger said police learned that Martinez had been living here for about two weeks but had failed to register as a convicted sex offender within the required forty eight hours after arriving in Tennessee.
In other cases, 39 year old Angela Denise Kelly is cited for shoplifting from Walmart on Sunday, January 15. She will be in court on February 9. Chief Caplinger said that Kelly allegedly tried to leave the store with several items including cd’s without having paid for them. Those items were found on her.
34 year old Crystal King is cited for shoplifting from the Dollar General Store on Sunday, January 15. She will be in court on February 9. Chief Caplinger reports that King allegedly was found putting things from the store in her purse. She was stopped outside the store and those items were apparently found on her.
50 year old Lisa Ann George is cited for shoplifting from the Tractor Supply Company on Thursday, January 19. She will be in court on February 2. George was allegedly observed going to the dressing room with several clothing items. Before leaving the store, she was checked and found to be concealing some clothing from the business.
39 year old Patsy Lynn McCoy is charged with two counts of theft of property and one count of simple possession of a schedule II controlled substance. She is under a $9,000 bond and she will be in court on February 2. Meanwhile, 30 year old Travis Malone is charged with one count of theft of property. His bond is $2,500. He too will be in court on February 2.
According to Chief Caplinger, McCoy is charged with stealing a diamond ring from a residence on Bell Street and then selling it to a local jewelry store, Granny’s Gold Mine. She took Malone with her to the store and asked him to make the transaction because she didn’t have her ID. Malone went in and allegedly sold the ring. Meanwhile, McCoy is also charged with the theft of a bottle of Ibuprofen from Kwik and Ezy on the same day as the other theft. After she was arrested and brought to the police department, officers found her with pills believed to be hydrocodone.
37 year old Michael Paul Howard is charged with domestic assault and placed under an order of protection. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court on February 16. Chief Caplinger said that police were called to Christine Street on Sunday, January 8 to investigate a domestic assault. The victim told the officer that Howard became angry when he was asked to leave her home. When he refused, she got in her vehicle and tried to leave. Howard allegedly climbed on the hood and tore off a windshield wiper. He then jumped off and struck the driver’s side door window, shattering the glass, causing the woman to have shatters of glass on her clothing and a cut from the broken glass near one of her eyes.
Melinda Murphy is charged with joyriding. Her bond is $2,500 and she will be in court on February 16. According to Chief Caplinger, Murphy and a friend went to Warren County to pick up the victim, where he had received a traffic citation. They came back to Smithville to Walmart. While the victim was inside the store, Murphy and her friend left in the victim’s vehicle. He notified police of the incident. Murphy was found and charged in the case.
County to Revisit School Zone Traffic Study Request
The county commission Monday night will discuss whether to follow through on a school board request for the county to seek a CTAS traffic study in the Smithville school zones.
During the December regular meeting, school board members voted to ask the county attorney, Hilton Conger and city attorney, Vester Parsley to make contact with the County Technical Advisory Service CTAS and the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) to request a traffic study on behalf of both city and county governments.
The issue has been placed on the county commission agenda for Monday night.
In October, the Board of Education voted to ask the Smithville Mayor and Board of Aldermen to formally request the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) to conduct a cost free study of traffic flow patterns and to make suggestions for relieving congestion on highways at Northside Elementary as well as DCHS and DeKalb Middle School in Smithville.
Mayor Taft Hendrixson denied the request in a letter dated November 16, stating that the school board could seek the traffic study through CTAS.
School Board Chairman Charles Robinson, during the December meeting, said he had contacted CTAS since receiving Mayor Hendrixson’s letter. Robinson said it is his understanding that both CTAS and MTAS would be willing to work together to do a traffic study as long as both the city and county request it.
Fourth district member Billy Miller made a motion to “make a request of the attorney for the City of Smithville and the county attorney, asking that they sit down and contact CTAS to come up with such a study for the school system. I make that in the form of a motion to do so,” said Miller.
In December, 2010, the school board approved a plan to fund the cost of having persons direct traffic in the school zones during the mornings and afternoons at Northside Elementary, DCHS, and DeKalb Middle School.
Under the plan, the Board of Education, City of Smithville, and DeKalb County government each agreed to fund one third of the cost for the rest of that school year. The city and county had already approved the partnership under a memorandum of understanding.
County Commission to Discuss Filling School Board Vacancy
The DeKalb County Commission Monday night may discuss whether someone should be appointed to fill the vacancy on the school board created by the recent resignation of Bruce Parsley from the sixth district.
Parsley, who was elected in August 2008, resigned as of December 31, 2011 to pursue a career as a certified school teacher. His term expires August 31st.
The county commission has the authority to appoint a school board member to fill the unexpired term but no action on an actual appointment is expected Monday night. Two men, Boyd Trapp and Doug Stephens attended Thursday night’s all committees meeting of the county commission to express an interest in filling the vacancy.
The last time the commission filled an opening on the school board was in 2006 when John David Foutch was named to serve out the term of Darrell Gill in the first district. Gill resigned before his term expired because he moved his residence out of the first district.
After it became known that Gill had resigned, notice was given that the position was open and interested parties came forward to submit their names for consideration. Initially, five applied for the position but three of them later dropped out. The county commission, during a workshop, interviewed the remaining two.
During the next regular county commission meeting, both names were placed in nomination for the position. On the first roll call, each commissioner cast a vote by calling out the name of the candidate he favored.
Foutch received nine of the fourteen commission votes. After the initial roll call vote, a second vote was taken to confirm Foutch’s appointment and all fourteen members gave Foutch their support.
Meanwhile, in other business Monday night the county commission will act on a resolution to honor Eagle Scout Thomas Claston Beltz.
The commission will discuss a letter from Director of Schools Mark Willoughby concerning a traffic study from the County Technical Advisory Service (CTAS) in the Smithville School Zones; discuss “a Safety First” program implication for Highway 70 and Highway 83 Intersection; discuss passage of the “Sale of Synthetic Drugs as a Felony” resolution; discuss the resignation of school board member Bruce Parsley; consider budget amendments; discuss an update on expenses and revenues; discuss an update of the county road list; discuss an update of the county’s policy and procedures for employees; discuss items addressed at the Thursday night workshop; discuss courthouse updates; discuss updates on the new county complex; discuss landfill updates; approve notaries; and discuss action taken last May to raise spending limits before competitive bidding and to clarify the limits that apply to the county, the highway department, and the board of education; and to discuss any business properly presented.
WJLE plans LIVE coverage
WJLE Radio Shopper Returns Friday, January 27
WJLE and participating local businesses will give you a chance to bid on and buy merchandise in the WJLE RADIO SHOPPER on Friday, January 27.
Starting at 8:00 a.m. that morning, WJLE will be opening up the phone lines and giving you a chance to bid on various items from DeKalb Tire and Service, DeKalb Ace Hardware, DeKalb Farmers Coop, Bumpers Drive-In, F.Z. Webb & Sons Gifts, Cantrell’s the home of Fluty and Fluty’s Shoes, Dairy Queen, Dipsey Doodle Too, Neo’s Restaurant, the Flower Box, Angie’s Diner, Extreme Looks Design Team, Head Turners, Modern Sign Company, Kilgore’s Restaurant, and others.
WJLE will set a minimum bid on each item, and continue the bidding until the item is sold.
It’s going to be fun and exciting! Be sure to be by your radio and your telephone on Friday, January 27 at 8:00 a.m. and call in a bid to RADIO SHOPPER on WJLE. The broadcast will also be live via audio streaming on www.wjle.com.
Local Democrats to Meet Saturday
DeKalb County Democrats will meet Saturday morning at the DCHS cafeteria.
Local party chairman Jim Judkins said committee members will meet at 9:00 a.m. to conduct party business and elect the new party officers for 2012-2014 term and the mass meeting will follow at around 10:30 a.m. Food and entertainment will be provided.
Candidates for Property Assessor including incumbent Timothy (Fud) Banks and challengers Scott Cantrell and Jonathan Bryan Keith will have an opportunity to formally announce their candidacies along with constable candidates Wayne Vanderpool, Paul Cantrell, Mark Milam, Johnny King, Richard Bullard, and Carl Lee Webb.
New party officers will also be introduced.
Judkins urges all Democrats to attend.
Dan Evins Remembered Fondly
“He was a very private person, but was without question one of the most generous and caring individuals I had the good fortune to know,” said W.J. (Dub) Evins, III of his uncle, the late Dan Evins.
The 76 year old founder of Cracker Barrel died Saturday in Lebanon and will soon be laid to rest following a private service.
Evins, according to Dub Evins, was born in Smithville in 1935. But a few years later, while still a young child, Evins and members of his family moved to Lebanon. While much attention has been given nationally in recent days of his accomplishments in starting the Cracker Barrel, Dub Evins said more focus should be placed on the man himself. “I really don’t know how to express how much he has meant to me over the years, but especially the past 7 or 8 years. Anyone can log on to their computer and see the headlines from the Chicago Sun Times, Washington Post, USA Today, MSNBC, FOX Business, and scores of other publications. All of these news sources report on his success and accomplishments as CEO of the company he founded with over 600 restaurants and 60,000 employees. He possessed a gift and had a vision like no one I have ever known. What was not emphasized was Danny Evins as a person,” said Dub Evins.
“He helped so many people in every way imaginable, never expecting anything in return. I have always felt so blessed to know that he was always there for me in so many different ways. He loved his children and grandchildren unconditionally. I am so grateful that his children, my cousins, welcomed me into their lives and afforded me the opportunity to spend time with him. One thing I can proudly say is that he was my friend, but most importantly, I was his friend also,” said Dub Evins.
“My father, Danny’s oldest brother, was very close to Danny and my heart goes out to him. This society lost a great businessman. I lost a mentor and very special friend. He cared deeply for me and I had a admiration for him that can not be put into words,” added Dub Evins
D. W. “Dan” Evins, born 11 October 1935 to W.J. “Dub” Evins & Estelle McCartney Evins, passed peacefully with his family on January 14, 2012. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Margarita, and his brother, E. W. “Eddie” Evins. He is survived by his brother, W.J. “Jack” Evins, sister, Myrtie Ann Evins Doak, his five children, Daina (Phillip) Warren, Meacham (LaDonna) Evins, Kate (Bob ) Page, Betsy (Bubba) Jennings, Joe Evins, and his thirteen grandchildren, Danny (Brooke) Warren, Will Warren, Mallory Jennings, Danny “Woody” Evins II, Sam Page, Madeline Jennings, Kathleen Evins, Maggie Page, Caroline Evins, Molly Jennings, Brian Evins, Merritt Jennings, and Donna Marie Evins. A private service will be held. If you would like to make a donation please do so at Joseph’s Storehouse (Lebanon, TN), The Nashville Rescue Mission (Nashville, TN), or a charity of your choice.
Liberty Woman Charged with Vandalism
A 32 year old woman has been charged with vandalism of a residence at the housing project in Liberty.
Bond for Robin Lee Keaton is $1,000 and she will be in court on February 9.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Sunday, January 15 a deputy responded to Cedar Street in Liberty where someone was reported to be breaking out windows of a building belonging to the Smithville Housing Authority. Two windows were found to be broken including one in the kitchen and one in the bedroom. The complainant stated that Keaton was the person responsible. When confronted Keaton allegedly admitted to the vandalism.
A DeKalb County High School student, 18 year old Juan Carillo Perez of Talley Road, Smithville, has been cited for simple possession and carrying a prohibited weapon. He will be in court on February 2.
Sheriff Ray reports that on Thursday, January 12 a student told the school resource officer that Perez left school and then returned. Principal Kathy Hendrix and the SRO got Perez out of class. Perez submitted to but performed poorly on all sobriety tasks. He allegedly had bloodshot eyes. Perez consented to a search of his vehicle and a marijuana cigarette was found inside the automobile along with a bb gun which was made to look like a “real” gun. Perez allegedly admitted to having smoked some marijuana during lunch time. He said the marijuana cigarette belonged to him.
45 year old Bobby McMen Hullett of Smithville is charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and filing a false report. His bond totals $4,000 and he will be in court February 2.
Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, January 13 deputies and detectives of the sheriff’s department went to Hullet’s home on Morse College Road to pick up a 17 year old runaway who was believed to be at this residence. Hullet denied knowing the whereabouts of the runaway, telling the officer that he had not seen him. Upon searching the home, the officer found the runaway hiding in Hullet’s bedroom closet. Hullett is charged with contributing to the unruly behavior of the child by allowing him to stay at his residence knowing that the child had run away from home.
45 year old Mark Gregory Brock of Webb Lane, Smithville is charged with a first offense of driving under the influence. Brock was also issued a citation for failure to maintain his lane of travel. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court February 9.
Sheriff Ray reports that on Sunday, January 15 a deputy got behind a vehicle on Highway 56 south after observing him crossing the center line of the highway several times. The officer stopped the automobile on Highway 56 south at Joe Tittsworth Road. Brock was identified as the driver. The deputy noticed that Brock’s speech was very slurred and he had a very strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person. Brock submitted to but performed poorly on several field sobriety tasks. Brock was very unsteady on his feet. He also submitted to a blood alcohol test.
41 year old Kathy Jo Massengail of Keltonburg Road is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $2,500 and she will be in court February 9.
Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, January 15, a deputy responded to a residence on Keltonburg
Road to a physical domestic. Upon arrival the officer saw a man who had a towel wrapped around his left forearm. The man’s arm was bleeding. He had a busted lip, a scratch on his nose, and a red pump knot on his forehead. The man and Massengail told the officer that they began arguing and that she punched him several times in the face. The man got mad and ran his hand through a window. It was determined the Massengail was the primary aggressor.