Smithville Police arrested a man Friday, April 23rd for criminal trespassing after finding him inside an automobile in the storage lot of JR Motors.
25 year old Michael Brandon Redmon is under a $1,000 bond and his court date is May 6th.
Police say Officer Matt Farmer received a complaint that someone had climbed the fence into JR Motors’ storage lot and was going through the cars. When Officer Farmer arrived at JR Motors he saw someone in one of the vehicles. Officer Farmer approached the vehicle and found Redmon reclining in the seat. Redmon had on rubber gloves and he was holding a screw driver in one hand and some nuts and driver bits in the other. When Redmon was asked why he was there and what he was doing, he gave three different statements. Redmon was asked to step out of the vehicle and to empty his pockets and put the contents on the hood of the vehicle. Redmon had tools designed specifically to remove car stereos along with a screw driver and interchangeable bits. The owner of JR Motors said that Redmon did not have permission to be on the property and he was trespassing.
Meanwhile in other cases, 28 year old William Travis Malone of 1812 Morena Street, Nashville was arrested on Wednesday, April 21st and charged with two counts of simple possession, possession of drug paraphernalia & public intoxication. Corporal Travis Bryant received a call of possible drug activity at 1222 South College Street. When Corporal Bryant pulled into the parking lot, Malone jumped down between the cars. Corporal Bryant saw him toss a pill bottle into one of the cars. Malone was not cooperative. He was instructed twice to put his hands on the car before he finally complied. A search of his person revealed an open syringe, a small plastic container with six capsules believed to be oxycodone and three pills believed to be hydrocodone. The pill bottle that Malone threw into the car contained seven pills believed to be hydrocodone and seven pills believed to be xanax. He appeared to be disoriented and unsteady on his feet. Bond for Malone is $5,000 and his court date is May 13th.
27 year old Michael Eugene Lattimore and 24 year old Amanda Kay Lattimore, both of 632 Andrew Street were arrested on Friday, April 16th for disorderly conduct. Corporal Travis Bryant and Officer Matt Holmes made the arrests. The Lattimores were found outside a residence on Andrew Street yelling and trying to fight others at the residence. They had been warned by Officer Nathan Estes on Thursday, April 15th to stay away from this residence. Bond for each is $1.000 and their court date is May 13th.
60 year old Terry Walker Trapp of 1434 Holiday Haven Road was arrested on Monday, April 19th for DUI. K-9 Officer Bradley Tatrow saw a black Chevrolet truck failing to maintain lane of travel on West Broad Street. Trapp drove on the center line for approximately one half mile. The officer activated his blue lights to signal Trapp to stop. Trapp tried to make a right turn into Florence & White Ford parking lot but missed the turn and nearly hit an ATV that was parked on the sidewalk. Trapp put the truck in reserve, backed up, and then pulled into the parking lot of the Ford dealership. Upon contact with Mr. Trapp, Officer Tatrow noticed his movements to be slow and unsteady and his speech was slurred. Trapp said that he is on several prescription medications. Trapp submitted to field sobriety tasks and performed poorly. Hid bond is $1,500 and his court date is June 17th.
Meanwhile, anyone having information on the following offense is asked to contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210 or the Tip Line at 464-6046.
On Thursday, April 22nd, Hoyte Neal Jr of 322 West Broad Street noticed when he left to go to work that someone had cut his truck tire during the night.
Any information received that will help Smithville Police solve any criminal offense will be greatly appreciated. All information is confidential
Meanwhile, LieutenantSteven Leffew is proud to announce that Officer Matt Holmes has successfully completed a week long course in Child Passenger Safety becoming a National Child Passenger Safety Technician by the Governors Highway Safety Office. Officer Holmes will be assisting in the proper installation of child restraints.
The Smithville Police Department will be conducting a child passenger safety seat check point in the near future where there will be an availability of a variety of child restraint devices to the public free of charge.
Anyone wishing to have their child restraint properly installed and inspected may come by the Smithville Police Department.
Please be aware that it is preferred that the following be present during the inspection: The
vehicle transporting child, the vehicle manual, the child restraint device, the child restraint device manual and preferably the child and/or children to insure the proper fitting.

DeKalb County’s unemployment rate dropped to 11% in March, down slightly from 11.2% in February. The rate for March, 2009 was 11.4%
The local labor force for March was 9,650. A total of 8,590 were employed and 1,060 were without work.
DeKalb County’s jobless rate for March was the third lowest in the fourteen county Upper Cumberland region. Upper Cumberland counties and their unemployment rates are as follows from highest to lowest:
Pickett County- 18.2%
Van Buren- 14.5%
Clay- 14.2%
Smith- 13.9%
White- 13.8%
Jackson-13.2%
Fentress- 12.9%
Overton-12.6%
Cumberland- 12.2%
Warren-12.2%
Macon-11.5%
DeKalb-11%
Putnam- 10.2%
Cannon-10.1%
Meanwhile, Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March was 10.6 percent, down from the February rate of 10.7 percent. The United States unemployment rate for the month of March was 9.7 percent.
County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for March show that the rate decreased in 85 counties, increased in seven counties and remained the same in three counties.
Lincoln County registered the state’s lowest county unemployment rate at 7.4 percent, down from 8.0 percent in February. Scott County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 19.8 percent, up from 18.4 in February, followed by Marshall County at 18.4 percent, down from 19.0 percent in February.
Knox County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 8.2 percent, down from 8.4 percent in February. Davidson County was 9.1 percent, down from 9.2 in February. Hamilton County was at 9.4 percent, down from 9.6 in February, and Shelby County was 10.6 percent, down from 10.7 in February.

The Smithville Police Department and DeKalb EMS in cooperation with DeKalb County High School staged a “mock drill” in the parking lot of DCHS on Friday morning.
Police say the drill simulated a two vehicle crash involving drunk drivers. There were a total of eight victims, two of whom died. The others were treated at the scene. Students in the theater class at DCHS played the roles of victims in the exercise. The entire student body was allowed to witness the event.
Authorities say this drill helped test the readiness of the police department and the ambulance service while serving as a lesson to students about the dangers of drunk driving, especially on prom night.
Police also want to express a special thanks to DeKalb Tire & Service for providing the cars used in the staged accident scene.

A DeKalb County High School freshman, who allegedly made threats against other students and school system employees in a “hit list” found at school last week, pleaded guilty to committing a delinquent act as well as violation of probation in a previous drug case against him in Juvenile Court Thursday morning.
Judge Bratten Cook, II ordered that fourteen year old Justin Manley be placed in state custody where he will receive counseling and treatment for his drug use, behavior problems, and a condition he is believed to suffer from called “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” (ADHD).
Manley, who appeared before the judge, alongside members of his family and attorney, Jeremy Trapp, apologized to people he named on the “hit list” and their families. ” I’d like to apologize to all the parents here because of me. I’ve thought about it long and hard and realize it’s probably the most ignorant thing I could have done and I’m sorry.”
Last Monday, April 12th, the DCHS school resource officer Kenneth Whitehead was informed by other students that Manley had a hit list. The list, with written threats against seventeen students, DeKalb West Principal Danny Parkerson, bus driver/transportation supervisor Peggy Pursell and a high school teacher, was apparently found in a backpack at Manley’s locker.
The list was confiscated and Manley was taken into custody, removed from school, and placed in the juvenile detention center in Cookeville, where he apparently remained until Thursday’s hearing.
During questioning by his lawyer, Trapp, Manley said Thursday that he did not intend to harm anyone and that he made out the list to just “clear his head”
Attorney Jeremy Trapp- “Tell the court why you wrote that”
Manley-“To clear my head”
Trapp- “Did you show that letter or give it to anybody?”
Manley- “No sir”
Trapp- “Where did they find it?”
Manley-“My backpack”
Trapp- “Is that the way you vent, to write it down on paper?”
Manley-“Yes sir”
Trapp- “Did you ever mean to show that to anybody or scare anybody with it?”
Manley- “No sir”
Trapp-“Did you intend any harm out of that?”
Manley- “No sir”
Trapp- “But you understand now how serious that can be?”
Manley- “Yes sir”
Trapp- “Do you understand the school taking action the way they did?”
Manley- “Yes sir”
Trapp also questioned Officer Whitehead along with Patrick Cripps and David Gash, members of the high school administration. All three said that Manley had not been involved in any fights at school, although Gash added that on one occasion, ” We had a report that he was going to have a fight. Deputy Whitehead and myself, we went around the campus and found him walking around, but there was never any actual altercation”
Manley’s probation officer also said she never saw Manley “that angry”.
The “hit list” incident, however, was not Manley’s first encounter with the court. In December, 2009 Manley appeared in Juvenile Court on a charge of simple possession. He was placed on probation. Less than a month ago, as part of his probation, Manley was drug tested and the result showed he had used marijuana and Xanax. Because of the failed drug test and the delinquent act offense, Manley was also facing a violation of his probation, which he pled guilty to Thursday.
Manley has also had a series of misbehavior incidents at school this year including at least eight unexcused absences, at least three suspensions from riding the school bus, not participating in class, being disruptive, uncooperative, and annoying classmates, among others
Manley comes from a broken home. His mother and father divorced several years ago. Manley had lived with his mother until January, 2009, when he came to DeKalb County to live with his father.
Manley’s mother, who lives at Hermitage and has legal custody of Manley, asked the court to place him with her and that she would make sure he received the counseling and treatment he needs at a center in Memphis. “I have been employed at the Nashville airport but I’m a home mom now. I will be with him 24/7. His step-father owns a business in Nashville. He is self employed, so he is in and out all the time. We have an in-house alarm system to where there’s no way he can get out of the home without that alarm going off. I would be by his side constantly making those trips to Memphis, checking on his progress and communicating with the doctors and the people he’s having therapy with.”
Manley’s mother added that if her son was in her care, she would see that he was home schooled. “He was hard to handle and he had behavior problems in school (when he lived with her). I got calls from teachers all the time, but never this serious. He doesn’t cope well in school and I plan to home school him.”
Trapp appealed to the judge to grant Manley’s mother’s request. “As far as the imminent threat, getting physical, there’s two experts (evaluators, counselors) that didn’t see any imminent risk of violence. There are some drug and behavioral issues and he needs some medication. There’s no question that he has issues to work out. But his mother will do everything she can to make sure that he gets the proper treatment that he needs. She is an in-home mom and can be there 24/7. She anticipates sending him to this Memphis facility.”
Judge Cook however was not convinced. ” Looking at the psychological evaluation, it looks to me like there’s a lot of issues that need to be addressed. Through no fault of your own, sounds like you (Manley) were raised in a home that was not calm, quiet, collected, and nurturing. There’s nothing you could have done about that. That’s just the circumstances of your mom and dad. I’m sure that brought on some of the problems that you have. Reading this evaluation, the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), looks like a significant problem that you might can deal with if treated.”
“I think there’s a lot of things you (Manley) need that you might could get if I left you in your mom’s home or your dads home and I say might because I would be deferring to them to get you the help that I know that the state will provide If I put you in state custody.”
“I accept your explanation that it was the stupidest thing you could have done. And I think your apology to these people was sincere, but still it’s stupid. In the day and age that we live today, you cannot do something that stupid and not suffer a substantial consequence as a result of it. Part of the whole judicial system’s job is to protect people. And here when you have a specific threat, even though you say I didn’t mean it, you have to take it seriously because if I just slap you on the wrist and let you go and then all of a sudden you decide to get a gun and start shooting these people, then I’m not sure I’d ever sleep well another night of my life. I’m not willing to take that chance. Plus, there’s just a lot of treatment that you need son. So I’m not going to defer to your parents to get that (treatment) when I know if I put you in state custody that you’re going to get the help you need because I’ll monitor the case and make sure you do. Hopefully you won’t be there too terribly long. A lot of that depends upon you. Your behavior. Whether you cooperate with the treatment, the counseling, taking the medication, a lot of that depends on you.”
Judge Cook added ” I want you (Manley) to end up being a successful, responsible person but you’re going to have to learn to follow the rules and if you don’t there’s going to be some consequences you’re going to have to suffer, and not good ones.”

The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) today named 36 year old Trooper Donald “Dewaine” Jennings as the 2009 Trooper of the Year. The announcement was made during a special ceremony Thursday, April 22, at 10:00 a.m., at the THP Training Center located at 283 Stewarts Ferry Pike in Nashville.
Trooper Jennings, assigned to DeKalb County in the Cookeville District, was named Trooper of the Year for an act of heroism on December 13, 2009. He responded to a traffic crash on Bright Hill Road where he found a vehicle submerged on its top in a rain-swollen creek. The creek water was high and the current was swift. Nobody at the scene had checked to see if there was an occupant inside the vehicle. Without hesitation, or regard for his own safety, Trooper Jennings entered the frigid, waist-deep water to check for entrapped passengers. Unable to determine if anyone was inside the vehicle, Trooper Jennings called for a wrecker to hoist the car out of the creek. Although the efforts of Trooper Jennings did not save the life of the driver, 49 year old Lisa Adcock Tatrow Johnson, he made every effort, including risk to his own safety, when he entered the water knowing that he could not swim.
“These dedicated Troopers represent the outstanding achievements of the men and women of the Tennessee Highway Patrol,” said Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell. “They are being recognized for their hard work, enforcement activity, and daily commitment to keeping Tennessee and its citizens safe.”
“Every single day, Commissioner Mitchell and I receive an e-mail, card, letter, or phone call about State Troopers across Tennessee making a difference in the lives of citizens,” said THP Colonel Mike Walker. “These nine Troopers recognized today are examples of the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s professionals who have served Tennesseans for more than 80 years.”
Trooper Jennings was among nine members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol who were also honored and named as Trooper of the Year for their respective districts.

A former bookkeeper at the DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, charged with theft of property over $1,000, wants her trial moved to another county, possibly Cookeville.
Adam W. Parrish, the Lebanon attorney representing 36 year old Tonya D. Page has filed a motion seeking a change of venue in the case. This and other motions in the case are expected to be heard by the court during a hearing on Friday, May 21st in DeKalb County Criminal Court.
Page was charged in a grand jury sealed indictment in August, 2009.
The charge stems from a TBI investigation into a cash shortage of $8,501 in General Sessions Court funds, which was discovered during an annual state audit.
The change of venue motion states that Tonya D. Page moves the court for a change of venue due to undue excitement against her in this county, which is of such a nature that a fair trial could not be had. In support thereof, Defendant (Page) would respectfully show as follows:
That the population of DeKalb County is approximately 17,423 and the population of the City of Smithville is even less, 4,389.
This geographically, is a relatively small and tight knit community.
That this case has received significant media exposure, and that commencing with the date of the alleged crime and continuing thereafter, the local papers and WJLE have carried stories purporting to recite facts pertaining to the various alleged facts in the indictment which extends into the homes of many prospective jurors.
Finally, that one of the state’s chief witnesses, and arguably the victim, Katherine Pack, is a highly public and well loved individual in the community.
The defendant (Page) moves that this cause be transferred to Cookeville or any other neighboring county which the court may deem proper, where a fair and impartial trial of the defendant may be had.
The case against Page was scheduled for trial April 13th & 14th in DeKalb County Criminal Court but Page’s attorney, Parrish, filed a motion for a continuance on April 5th, which was granted by the court.
Page was initially hired as a clerk in the office four years ago and then as bookkeeper. She was later terminated from her employment there, after this incident arose.
The case against Page was presented to the Grand Jury by the TBI.

The DeKalb County Tigerette Alumni Game is set for Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at the DCHS field.
Coach Danny Bond says this is the first Tigerette Alumni game in the program’s 25 year history. “I want to invite everyone in DeKalb and surrounding counties to come out Saturday, April 24th for our Alumni game. This is our first Alumni game in 25 years and it’ll start at one o’clock at the DCHS field. There’s going to be three teams and there will be three, five inning games. We’re looking for a big turnout. We’re hoping everybody will come out, watch the game, and enjoy some good softball.”
Among the players scheduled to participate are:
Michelle Gard
Beth Hale
Dondi Miller
Laurel Landrum
Nanci Allen
Misty Blumn
Danyelle Davenport
Bethany Pack
Rebecca Waggoner
Cherise Phillips
Kelly Taylor
Rachel Evans
Julie Ashley
Mindy Higdon
Mindy Redman
Crystal Norton
Kelly Maynard
Kari Taylor
Amy Barnes
Kelly Parkerson
Amanda Washer
Martha Knowles
Cassie Johnson
Jennifer Hampton
Karen Taylor
Jennifer Turner
Jessica Turner
Brittany Alvis
Ashley Redman
Courtney Davis
Madison Denman
Chelsey Young
Kelsey Foutch
Brittany Armour
Kara Young
Sara West and possibly others
Former players who plan to attend as spectators include Gena Cripps, Patty Redman, Tonya George, Kim McCoy, and Elisha Vickers
Meanwhile, Coach Bond says in appreciation to the fans, next Tuesday children will be admitted free to the game while next Thursday, senior citizens will get in free.

A Smithville woman was injured in a two vehicle traffic accident Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of West Broad and Carter Street.
Central dispatch received the call at 4:28 p.m.
Lieutenant Randy Maynard of the Tennessee Highway Patrol says 81 year old Bertha McBride was driving south on Carter Street, crossing West Broad Street in a 2003 Buick LaSabre, when she entered the path of a 1999 Ford Explorer, driven by 60 year old Ismael Gaona Solis, who was east on Broad Street.
Solis’ Ford Explorer struck McBride’s car in the passenger side, forcing it off the highway and into a ditch.
McBride was treated at the scene by DeKalb EMS until a helicopter ambulance arrived to airlift her to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville.
Solis was not injured but was charged with driving on a revoked license.
In addition to the Tennessee Highway Patrol and DeKalb EMS, officers of the Smithville Police Department and members of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department were also on the scene to render assistance.

Each year, the second full week of April is dedicated to the men and women who serve as public safety telecommunicators. It’s called National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week
In DeKalb County, local dispatchers at the central dispatch/911 center were recognized.
“We took this opportunity to honor our local dispatchers in DeKalb County. We would like to say thank you to the Smithville Fire Department, the DeKalb County Fire Department, and Bumpers Drive-In for their contributions to this years PST week. Each year National PST week is set aside to nationally recognize emergency dispatchers,” said Brad Mullinax, Director.
National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week was first conceived by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County (Calif.) Sheriff’s Office in 1981 and was observed only at that agency for three years. Members of the Virginia and North Carolina chapters of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) became involved in the mid-1980s.
By the early 1990s, the national APCO organization convinced Congress of the need for a formal proclamation. Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) introduced what became H.J. Res. 284 to create “National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week.” According to Congressional procedure, it was introduced twice more in 1993 and 1994, and then became permanent, without the need for yearly introduction.
Across the nation, 9-1-1 dispatchers are celebrated National Public Safety Telecommunicators’ Week. The United States Congress designated the second week in April as a time to honor all 9-1-1 dispatchers who answer the calls for help and provide emergency assistance to the public and emergency public safety responders.
Most people do not think about the people behind the voices of 9-1-1 until they need to call for help. Some people equate 9-1-1 with police cars and fire trucks, with lights and sirens blaring, or an ambulance speeding off to a hospital emergency room. While police, fire, and ambulances are obviously linked to 9-1-1, it may be difficult to visualize the people who perform the functions behind the scenes. 9-1-1 dispatchers are the “first” first responders in emergencies. In addition to the long hours, holidays, and weekends worked that these professionals endure, the 9-1-1 dispatchers often volunteer their time in other ways to support the community, such as helping to educate children about 9-1-1, participating in school events, and lending a helping hand for various community causes.
National Telecommunicators Week is dedicated to public safety Telecommunicators who aid in providing 9-1-1 emergency assistance to citizens everywhere. The term “9-1-1” is often associated with rapid emergency response, poise under pressure, aid and compassion in times of distress, and critical decision-making within seconds. Many people do not stop to think about these seemingly nameless, faceless individuals until they experience an actual emergency themselves. These professionals make the difference between life and death in many instances.
This year the week of April 11 – April 17 was set aside to recognize these individuals across the nation and to show appreciation for all that these dispatchers do on a daily basis.
(Pictured from Left to Right Back Row:
Supervisor Anthony Boyd, Leslie Lytle, Misty Green, Kim Ray, Training Officer Janice Higham, Jennifer Bouldin, and Ronnie Davis
Kneeling from Left to Right:
Lonnie Laxton, Terry Cowart, Stephanee Wright, Kristina McMillen, and Supervisor Tony Thomas.
Sitting in the Middle:
Director Bradley Mullinax
(Not pictured: Chase Ferrell and Darcie Cripps)

A four way stop will soon be created at a dangerous intersection near the public square downtown.
During Monday nights city council meeting, the Smithville Aldermen voted five to nothing to create a four way stop at the intersection of Webb Street and South Third Street. Signs will soon be posted alerting motorists. This intersection is located across from the dentist office, just south of Hilton Conger’s law office, and near the Real Life Community Church.
Alderman Shawn Jacobs raised the issue in March, saying many people have become concerned about public safety at that intersection. After doing some research, Lieutenant Steven Leffew discovered that several traffic accidents have occurred there in recent years. A state consultant was contacted and gave the city a couple of options to consider.
On Monday night, Alderman Jacobs, reading from Lieutenant Leffew’s letter to him regarding the state consultant’s evaluation, said there were basically two options. “There are not a lot of options from the state consultant. Option one is to hire a consultant as to the feasibility of lights, property removal, or other methods, the costs of which would be incurred by the city. The second option is to make the intersection a four way stop with appropriate signs stating that the intersection is an “all ways stop”. This option would also include four painted white lines known as “stop bars”. These painted lines would be two feet wide and begin at the edge of the pavement of the center of the street. Each “stop bar’s” location would be marked approximately six feet back from the intersection. State code requires a minimum of four feet.”
After a brief discussion, Alderman Jacobs made a motion that a four way stop be created at the intersection. Alderman Steve White offered a second to the motion. Aldermen Aaron Meeks, W.J. (Dub) White, and Cecil Burger all voted for the motion.
Mayor Taft Hendrixson agreed with the board’s action saying “it was a good decision.”