James Hale of DeKalb County won the Democratic nomination for State Representative of the 40th legislative district Thursday, narrowly defeating Jamie Winkler of Smith County in the state primary 3,286 to 3,229, a difference of 57 votes.
Hale will now take on Republican State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver in the November General Election.
It was no contest in DeKalb County with Hale beating Winkler 1,661 (86%) to 269 (13%). Hale carried all sixteen precincts as well as the early voting and absentees. Hale also defeated Winkler in Macon County 576 to 429. But in Smith County, Winkler won 2,531 to 1,049 for Hale.
(Click here to see results by precinct of Democratic Primary http://www.wjle.com/node/11684)
Representative Weaver, who was re-nominated in the Republican state primary without opposition Thursday, received 1,289 complimentary votes in DeKalb County. In Macon County, Weaver polled 2,780 votes and she received 2,309 votes in Smith County for a total of 6,378.
Meanwhile, Bill Haslam won the Republican nomination for Governor Thursday and he will face Democrat Mike Mcwherter in the November General Election.
(Click here to see results by precinct of the Republican Primary http://www.wjle.com/node/11683)
Haslam also won in DeKalb County with 629 votes. He carried eight precincts including Cherry Hill, Church of Christ Annex, Elementary School, Johnson’s Chapel, Liberty, Middle School, Rock Castle, and Snow Hill. Haslam also carried the early voting/absentees.
Ron Ramsey came in second in DeKalb County with 470 votes. Ramsey carried Alexandria, Belk, Blue Springs, Courthouse, Dowelltown, Keltonburg, and Temperance Hall.
Zach Wamp had 390 votes in DeKalb County and carried one precinct, Edgar Evins State Park.
Joe Kirkpatrick had sixteen votes and Basil Marceaux, Sr. received fifteen votes
McWherter was unopposed for the Democratic nomination for Governor and he received 1,482 complimentary votes in DeKalb County.
Congressman Bart Gordon’s successor will be either Republican Diane Black or Democrat Brett Carter.
Black and Carter won their respective primary races Thursday.
In DeKalb County, Republican voters preferred Lou Ann Zelenik, who received 490 votes followed by Diane Black with 382, Jim Tracy 352, and Dave Evans with 123. Kerry Roberts received 51 votes, Bruce McClellan 21, and Gary DeWitt Mann had 10 votes.
Meanwhile, DeKalb County Democrats gave Henry Clay Barry the nod with 446 votes followed by Brett Carter with 380 votes, and Ben Leming with 358 votes. Devora Butler had 68 votes and George Erdel 28.

State Senator Mae Beavers won her GOP primary fight against challengers Susan Lynn and Gordon Borck Thursday while in the Democratic Primary George McDonald of Smith County defeated Sam Hatcher and Aubrey Givens.
In DeKalb County Senator Beavers, with 923 votes, carried all sixteen precincts as well as the early voting/absentees. Lynn had 431 votes and Borck picked up 84 votes.
(Click here to see results by precinct of GOP primary http://www.wjle.com/node/11683)
McDonald, with 530 votes, carried nine of the sixteen precincts including Belk, Blue Springs, the Church of Christ Annex, Dowelltown, Elementary School, Johnson’s Chapel, Keltonburg, Liberty, and Rock Casttle. He also had a majority of the early votes/absentees
(Click here to see results by precinct of the Democratic Primary http://www.wjle.com/node/11684)
Givens, with 452 votes, carried the Courthouse, Edgar Evins State Park, Middle School, and Snow Hill.
Hatcher received 417 votes and carried Alexandria, Cherry Hill, and Temperance Hall.
Senator Beavers will face McDonald in the November General Election.

Republican Road Supervisor Kenny Edge won a sixth term in the General Election Thursday beating Democratic challenger James D. (Jimmy) Sprague.
Edge carried every precinct except Snow Hill (66 to 64) and received a total of 2,204 votes (63.37%) to 1,274 (36.63%) for Sprague. Edge also carried early voting/absentees.
A total of 3,816 people voted in the Thursday elections including 2,341 on election day and 1,474 during early voting or by absentee paper ballot.
(Click here to see results by precinct. http://www.wjle.com/node/11682)
Meanwhile, in the school board races, second district member Charles L. Robinson and Incumbent Kenny Rhody in the third district were winners while Billy S. Miller won the fourth district seat.
Robinson defeated Jerry Wayne Johnson 279 votes (52.4%) to 253 (47.56%)
Rhody won with 257 votes (54.6%) beating Johnathan Willoughby who received 213 votes (45.32%).
Miller garnered 333 votes (61.9%) in his victory over Larry Redmon who polled 205 votes (38.1%)
Two other incumbent school board members ran unopposed, John David Foutch in the first district and Johnny Lattimore in the seventh district. Foutch received 378 votes and Lattimore had 286.
(Click here to see results of the school board races http://www.wjle.com/node/11690)
In the county commission races, Democratic incumbent John Green was re-elected in the fifth district and Republican Jerry Adcock also won. Green received 196 votes (26.7%) and Adcock had 190 votes (25.9%). Independent Lloyd Emmons lost the race, coming in third place with 174 votes (23.7%)and Bobby Taylor, who won the democratic nomination in May, also lost Thursday coming in fourth place with 172 votes (23.4%).
In the seventh district Democratic incumbent Larry Summers was re-elected with 234 votes (38.3%). Democrat Jimmy Poss also won with 204 votes (33.3%). Independent candidate Richard Kinsey lost, coming in third place with 172 votes (28.3%)
(Click here to see results of the county commission races http://www.wjle.com/node/11688)
Sheriff Patrick Ray led the ticket in the DeKalb County General Election with 3,017 complimentary votes followed by Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack with 2,927 votes, Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen 2,840 votes, Trustee Sean Driver 2,812 votes, County Clerk Mike Clayborn 2,739 votes, and County Mayor Mike Foster with 2,607 votes. All were unopposed.
Two other candidates, Circuit Court Judge Amy V. Hollars and District Attorney General Randall A. York ran unopposed to fill unexpired terms. Hollars garnered 1,721 votes and York received 1,768 votes in DeKalb County.
Except for the fifth and seventh districts, all other county commissioners ran unopposed. Their vote totals are as follows:
First District:
Mason Carter- 328
Elmer Ellis, Jr.- 221
Second District:
Bobby Joines- 329
Jack E. Barton, III- 257
Third District:
Bradley Hendrix- 322
Jerry Scott- 246
Fourth District:
Wayne Cantrell- 341
David McDowell- 273
Sixth District:
Jeff Barnes- 274
Marshall Ferrell- 214
Meanwhile, in the Dowelltown city election, Bradley Driver, Keith Farler, and Ronald Griffith all ran unopposed for re-election as aldermen. Driver received 74 votes, Farler 67, and Griffith with 64 votes

Two people named in sealed indictments by the Grand Jury have been arrested by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department as the result of an April sting operation involving TennCare fraud.
35 year old John David Fagan of Bright Hill Road Smithville and 36 year old Brad Elliott Johnson have been indicted for TennCare Fraud. Bond for each of them is $2,500 and they will appear in DeKalb County Criminal Court for arraignment on August 16th.
The indictment’s allege that on or about November 16th, 2009 in the Fagan case and February 3rd, 2010 in the Johnson matter, they unlawfully committed the offense of fraudulently obtaining TennCare Medical Assistance benefits to which they were not entitled, by knowingly obtaining a controlled substance, paid for by TennCare and concealing the material fact that they planned to sell a portion of the controlled substance in violation of state law.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says these men were arrested on charges that were brought before the August Term of the DeKalb County Grand Jury on Monday by the Tennessee Inspector General’s Office from Nashville. According to Sheriff Ray, these arrests resulted from an April drug sting by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department. “My department has worked closely with the Inspector General’s Office in Nashville since the April drug sting. We turned the defendant’s names into the Inspector General to see if they were obtaining any TennCare benefits and operating an illegal drug trade at the same time. We asked the state to prosecute these individuals in whichever county the crime was committed. I truly appreciate the efforts of the Inspector General’s office and look forward to assisting them in their investigations.
Sheriff Ray adds that the investigation has led to the arrest of others. “There are defendants who were arrested a few months back for TennCare Fraud in other counties in which they had obtained a prescription by a doctor in that county and/or they (defendants) got their TennCare prescriptions filled in that county. ”
TennCare fraud is a Class E felony with a potential sentence of up to two years in prison. Obtaining a controlled substance by fraud is a Class D felony, punishable by two to four years in prison.
Sheriff Ray says through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions. “If you suspect anyone is using TennCare benefits illegally, you are urged to call 1-800-433-3982 toll-free or log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”
More arrests are forthcoming.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, 36 year old Christopher Lee Whitney of Steeplechase Drive Smithville has been arrested. He was named in a grand jury sealed indictment for Identity Theft and Filing a False Report. His bond is $20,000 and he will appear in court on August 16th for arraignment.
The indictment against Whitney alleges that between August 11th and 28th, 2008, Whitney knowingly used the personal identifying information of another, Heather Whitney with intent to commit an unlawful act, obtaining or attempting to obtain credit, goods, or services in the name of such other person, constituting the offense of identify theft in violation of state law.
The indictment further alleges that Whitney initiated a report or statement to a law enforcement officer concerning an offense or incident within the officer’s concern knowing that the offense or incident did not occur, constituting the offense of making a false report in violation of state law.

For the first time since 1984, Bart Gordon’s name will not be on the ballot for the U.S. House of Representatives from the 6th Congressional District. Gordon is not seeking re-election and will be stepping down when his term expires later this year.
Several candidates have lined up hoping to succeed him. Winners of Thursday’s Tennessee Republican and Democratic primaries will emerge to face each other in the Tennessee General Election in November along with several Independent candidates.
Those seeking the GOP nomination for Congress in the Tennessee Republican Primary are as follows:
Diane Black
Dave Evans
Gary Dewitt Mann
Bruce McClellan
Kerry E. Roberts
Jim Tracy
Lou Ann Zelenik
Those seeking the nomination for Congress in the Tennessee Democratic Primary are as follows:
Henry Clay Barry
Devora E. Butler
Brett Carter
George T. Erdel
Ben Leming
Tennessee will also be electing a new Governor this fall.
Candidates for Governor in the Tennessee Republican Primary include:
Bill Haslam
Joe Kirkpatrick
Basil Marceaux, Sr.
Ron Ramsey
Zach Wamp
Mike McWherter is running unopposed for Governor in Thursday’s Tennessee Democratic Primary.
Winners of the primaries will gear up for the general election in November along with several Independent candidates for Governor.

State Senator Mae Beavers of Mount Juliet is hoping to be re-nominated Thursday in the Tennessee Republican Primary
Senator Beavers, who is seeking her third term in the state senate from the 17th district, will face a challenge from State Representative Susan Lynn of Mount Juliet and Gordon Borck of Wilson County.
The winner will face a democratic challenge in November from either Lebanon attorney Aubrey Givens, Smith County farmer George McDonald, or Lebanon newspaper publisher Sam Hatcher. Givens, McDonald, and Hatcher are seeking their party’s nomination for the State Senate in the Tennessee Democratic Primary.
The State Senate in the 17th district includes Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Macon, Smith, Trousdale, Wilson, and part of Sumner County.

Democrats in the 40th legislative district will choose their nominee for State Representative Thursday.
James Hale of DeKalb County and Jamie Winkler of Smith County are seeking their party’s nomination in the Tennessee Democratic Primary for the right to challenge Republican Incumbent State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver in the November Tennessee General Election. Weaver, who is seeking her second term, is running unopposed for re-nomination in the Tennessee Republican Primary.
Independent candidate Pleas Ford of Macon County is also running for State Representative in November.
Three counties make up the 40th legislative district, including DeKalb, Macon, and Smith.

DeKalb County voters Thursday will decide whether five term Republican incumbent Road Supervisor Kenny Edge should be re-elected. It’s the only county wide contested race on the DeKalb County General Election ballot.
Edge, who was first elected in 1990, is facing a challenge from former county road department employee James D. (Jimmy) Sprague, the Democratic nominee.
The winner will officially begin the four year term of office on September 1st.
At least one new school board member will be elected Thursday. There are three contested district races for the board of education.
In the fourth district, the candidates are Billy S. Miller and Larry Redmon. Incumbent school board member Joan Draper, finishing her one and only term, is not seeking re-election. Both Miller and Redmon are seeking elected office for the first time.
In the second district, Charles Robinson will be seeking his third term. Robinson was first elected in 2002 and he was re-elected in 2006. He will be challenged by a former second district school board member Jerry Wayne Johnson, who served from 1992 to 1998.
In the third district, Kenny Rhody is running for his third term. Rhody was first elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. Johnathon Willoughby, making his first attempt at public office, will be running against Rhody.
The terms of office are four years, beginning September 1st.
First district incumbent John David Foutch and seventh district member Johnny Lattimore are unopposed.
The county general election ballot also features two contested district county commission races.
In the fifth district, democratic Incumbent John D. Green is seeking re-election to a third term. Other candidates are Democrat Bobby R. Taylor, Republican Jerry Adcock and Independent Lloyd Emmons. Two will be elected .
In the seventh district, Democratic Incumbent Larry Summers is running for re-election. Jimmy W. Poss is also a Democratic candidate. Summers served three terms on the commission from 1978 to 1990 and another three terms since 1998. Poss served on the commission for three terms from 1994 to 2006. They will face opposition from Independent Richard Kinsey . Two will be elected.
All other county commission candidates are unopposed since two are to be elected in each district.
Those candidates are as follows:
First district: Mason Carter and Elmer Ellis, Jr
Second district: Jack Barton, III and Bobby Joines
Third district: Bradley Hendrix and Jerry Scott
Fourth district: Wayne Cantrell and David McDowell
Sixth district: Jeff Barnes and Marshall Ferrell
The terms of office are for four years and begin September 1st.
All other candidates on the county general election ballot are unopposed including the following;
Circuit Court Judge: Amy Hollars
District Attorney General: Randall York
County Mayor: Mike Foster
County Clerk: Mike Clayborn
Trustee: Sean Driver
Register of Deeds: Jeff McMillen
Circuit Court Clerk: Katherine Pack
Sheriff: Patrick Ray
The polls at all sixteen precincts will be open Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. WJLE will have LIVE election return coverage starting at 7:00 p.m. You may hear the broadcast LIVE on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com. Subscribers of DTC Communications cable TV service may also hear the LIVE WJLE broadcast of the election returns on MyDTC3 Thursday night.

A mother, arrested in April for neglect after officers found her home where the child was living in a filthy and unsanitary condition, has been indicted by the Grand Jury
Jamie Lee Beising will appear for arraignment in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Monday, August 16th.
The indictment alleges that “On or about the 11th day of April, Beising did knowingly neglect a child under six years of age, so as to adversely affect the child’s health and welfare constituting the offense of child neglect.”
Sheriff Patrick Ray says on Saturday, April 10th, a deputy was dispatched to the residence of Beising, who lived on Old Snow Hill Road in Dowelltown, in answer to a complaint of an unattended child who was left in the home.
Upon arrival, the officer talked with the father of the two year old child. The father, who did not live at this residence, said he heard his child screaming when he approached the home and found the youngster there alone. The mother returned about fifteen minutes after the deputy arrived.
According to Sheriff Ray, the officer entered the residence and was horrified to find loose trash, piles of dirty diapers, rat waste on uneaten food, mold in the refrigerator, flies and maggots throughout the home and in a bedroom where the child slept was loose trash piled up even with the bed.
The Department of Children’s Service was called to assist in the case and the child was removed from the mother’s care.
Beising was among seventy four people indicted Monday by the Grand Jury . Eight people were named in sealed indictments but their names cannot be released until they are arrested.
The following persons indicted and their charges are as follows:
B.J. Alverson- allowing animals to run at large
Matthew Allen Baker- resisting arrest (2 charges); second offense of driving under the influence, driving on a suspended license, violation of the implied consent; and vandalism over $500
Lavar K. Bass- third offense of driving on a revoked license, evading arrest, and resisting arrest
Jamie L. Beising- child neglect
Donna S. Blankenship- 2nd offense of driving under the influence, possession of paraphernalia, and a second offense of driving on a suspended license (2 charges)
Sabrina Leighann Branham- driving under the influence, possession of a schedule III, IV, and V controlled substance
Robert P. Brawley- possession of a schedule IV for resale, possession of a schedule II (2 counts), and possession of paraphernalia
Randy Allen Caldwell- possession of paraphernalia
Vickie Ann Cantrell- possession of a schedule II controlled substance
Chasity L. Carter- driving under the influence
David R. Driver- driving under the influence
Kenny Dyal, Jr.- aggravated burglary and theft under $500 (2 counts)
Patricia J. Farler- driving under the influence and possession of paraphernalia
Angel D. Ferrell- auto burglary and theft under $500
Alicia L. Fish- resisting arrest, assault, and disorderly conduct
Timothy W. Ford, Terry Daniels, and Lydia R. Judkins- initiation of a process to manufacture methamphetamine
Jerry H. Goff- possession of a schedule VI for resale, possession of paraphernalia, and driving on a suspended license
Jonathan D. Goff- possession of paraphernalia, introduction of drugs into a penal institution, and possession of a schedule II, III, IV and VI controlled substance.
Jeffery L. Hendrix- aggravated burglary and theft over $1,000 (2 counts); escape
Shannon R. Herman- sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance
Steve L. Holder- driving under the influence
Joey Howell- burglary and theft over $1,000
Brandon W. Hutchings- burglary and theft over $1,000
Timothy Edward Lawson- possession of paraphernalia
Matthew M. Lawson- theft under $500
Brian C. Lehan- fourth offense of driving under the influence, second offense of driving on a revoked license, and violation of implied consent
James A. Marsh- introduction of contraband into a penal institution; aggravated burglary and theft under $500
Coty Lynn McCormick- theft under $500
Royce D. McCrary- violation of the habitual motor vehicle offender and a 6th offense of driving on a revoked license
Jack J. Mullican- forgery (2 charges); theft under $500; second offense of driving on a suspended license (2 charges)
Cody Murphy and Jerry Cantrell- aggravated burglary and theft under $500
Felicia Murphy- possession of paraphernalia
Jeffrey T. Oaks- fifth offense of driving under the influence and driving on a revoked license
Amy Grubb O’Dell- filing a false report (2 charges)
Michael E. Owens- aggravated burglary (3 charges) and theft over $500 (2 charges)
Tyrone D. Owens- aggravated burglary and theft over $1,000 (3 charges of each); theft over $500
Tommy Lynn Parsley- evading arrest (3 charges) and a sixth offense of driving on a suspended license (2 charges); possession of a schedule IV for resale, possession of paraphernalia, criminal impersonation, and resisting arrest.
Nieka D. Patton- initiating the manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of a schedule II controlled substance (3 counts), possession of a schedule IV and VI controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia
Shawn B. Patton, Angela J. Atnip, Kevin D. Bogle, and Twanna A. Petty- initiation of the manufacture of methamphetamine and reckless endangerment (3 counts)
Timothy W. Patrick- theft over $500
Walter R. Pedigo- possession of a schedule III controlled substance
Shana N. Pittman- theft under $500
Danny Ray Ponder- possession of a schedule II controlled substance
Lisa Porterfield- theft of services; possession of a schedule II, IV, and VI controlled substance for resale, possession of a schedule III controlled substance for resale (2 counts), and possession of paraphernalia
Stephen H. Pugh- driving on a revoked license
Walter Ray Redmon- possession of a schedule VI controlled substance
Carlos Reyes- second offense of driving on a revoked license
Amanda M. Riley- possession of a schedule II and IV controlled substance
Gregory W. Roberts- third offense of driving on a suspended license, evading arrest with a motor vehicle, and reckless endangerment
Lance Rollings- possession of a schedule VI and possession of paraphernalia
Paula Gail Smith- driving under the influence
Jeffery O. Smithson- aggravated assault and introduction of contraband into a penal institution
James Summers- introduction of contraband into a penal institution(2 charges); fourth offense of driving on a revoked license
James F. Summers and Stephanie J. Perry- promoting the manufacture of methamphetamine
Jacob L. Tramel- theft over $1,000
Joshua D. Turner and Terry R. Barnes- promoting the manufacture of methamphetamine
Ryan L. Walden- theft over $1,000
Johnny W. Wilson and David A. Bedwell- theft over $500
Jeremy E. Woodard- third offense of driving on a revoked license and criminal impersonation

Several Republican legislators just returned from Arizona, after delivering a resolution to Governor Jan Brewer and sponsors of the bold new immigration law showing Tennessee’s support. Representative Terri Lynn Weaver (R-Lancaster) joined other Republican lawmakers, led by Senator Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) and Representative Joe Carr (R-Murfreesboro), to meet with Senator Russell Pearce AZ, the author of SB 1070 which is called “Americas favorite bill.” .
The State House and State Senate passed House Joint Resolution 1253 this year, which commended Arizona for their bold move on immigration policies. That resolution became law without the Governor Bredesen”s signature on June 22. The Arizona act allows law enforcement officials to require citizenship documentation on any citizen that is detained or arrested. “It will take the political handcuffs off of our law enforcement and put them on those who break our laws.” Arizona spends over $2.7 billion every year on illegal immigrants.
“Tennesseans are overwhelmingly in support of the law passed in Arizona. A statewide poll showed 72 percent of Tennesseans support it,” said Representative Weaver. “Years—decades even—of inaction by the federal government is unacceptable, and people want action taken. The bold steps taken by Arizona are to be recognized, and learning more about what they are doing and how will aid us in finding a solution for our state.”
Tennessee has experienced an ever increasing and growing problem as a direct result of the Obama Administration’s refusal to deal with the problem of illegal immigration. The trip was paid for at personal expense. The lawmakers left on July 30 and returned on July 31.