An old building downtown will soon be coming down.
The Smithville Aldermen Monday night voted to take advantage of a Neighborhood Stabilization Program through the Tennessee Housing Development Agency which provides funds to cities and counties wanting to demolish blighted properties.
Mayor Taft Hendrixson says the city owned building, located across the street from city hall on the north side, qualifies for the program.”I was approached by the Upper Cumberland Development District. They have some THDA funds, which in turn is HUD money for blighted areas and blighted buildings. I was approached about our white building over here. I took the liberty to make sure it (building) wasn’t on an Historical site and it’s not. It (building) was probably erected sometime in the 1920’s. The only thing we’re using that for is (storing) a bunch of old stuff that probably needs to be thrown away anyway. We also have in there trash cans for the Jamboree and there’s an impound lot over there (behind the building) for the seized vehicles. They will remove this building. I don’t know if they’ll pave it (property) but they will at least sow it down. The city cannot sell or lease it (property) for a period of time depending upon the (demolition) costs of the building. I’m assuming that the city would not want to sell it anyway. If we want to get rid of it (building) it’s a good deal for the city”
Once the building is removed, the property may be used for any city purpose, but under terms of the program, the property cannot be sold or leased for private purposes for a period of time, otherwise the city would have to refund all or a portion of the funds used to demolish the building..
In other business, the aldermen awarded the hay contract at the airport to V & V Farms for $551 per year for two years. V&V Farms will cut hay off the city property at the airport.
In other business, the owners of a small park, located across the street from the post office behind city hall are planning to put in sidewalks there and want the city to pour the concrete. Once the development is complete, the family plans to donate the park to the city. William Kooienga, speaking on behalf of the park owners, addressed the city council Monday night to make the formal request of the mayor and aldermen. “I’ve volunteered my time to design and develop the park for the Evins sisters (daughters of the late Joe L. Evins) and I would like to note that the plan is to donate that land to the city as soon as we get it presentable in a way that nothing else has to be done to it. We’re hoping to put a sidewalk in. We’re proposing a sidewalk (on the property) across the street from the post office and on the side (property) across from the fire hall which currently do not have sidewalks. There is a sidewalk by Highway 56 and a sidewalk on this street (Don Cantrell Way). We’ll put in the forms (for the sidewalks), do all the digging and soil moving if the city will just provide the concrete and pour it.’
The aldermen approved the request.

A 42 year old Smithville man has been indicted on a charge of aggravated sexual battery.
James Aaron Vinca of East Main Street is accused of having sexual contact with a four year old child.
Vinca was charged with the offense on August 18th, 2009. The case went before the DeKalb County Grand Jury on Monday.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said at the time of Vinca’s arrest that in mid July, 2009 Vinca was accused of having unlawful sexual contact with the child at his residence. The child is a member of his family.
Vinca was one of thirty two people who were indicted on various charges Monday. All are to appear in DeKalb County Criminal Court for arraignment next Monday, April 12th.
Others indicted and their charges are as follows:
Trinity J. Anderson- aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and vandalism under $500
Roy Douglas Atnip- theft under $500 & public intoxication
Berna Dean Barnes- possession of paraphernalia and driving under the influence
Jessica Barrett- theft over $1,000 and promoting the manufacture of methamphetamine
Dawn Beavers- theft over $10,000
Anthony W. Cantrell- driving under the influence
Virginia Carrier- aggravated burglary and theft over $1,000
Flint Wilson Gilley, II- driving under the influence (2 charges), possession of a schedule IV (3 charges), possession of a schedule III controlled substance, and speeding
Joe Ray Hall- driving under the influence
Silvia Hawkins- driving under the influence, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, violation of the financial responsibility law, failure to maintain proper lane of travel, and violation of the implied consent law
Karri Jewell- theft over $500
Amy J. Lawson- aggravated burglary & theft over $500
Justin Lohorn- vandalism over $1,000, theft under $500, driving on a suspended license, and vandalism under $500
Samuel McClure, Jr.- burglary and theft under $500 (2 counts)
Heather Perkins- tampering with evidence, possession of a schedule VI controlled substance for resale and possession of a schedule II and schedule IV controlled substance
Travis Rich- aggravated burglary, theft over $10,000, and vandalism over $10,000
Martin Riley &
Timothy Riley- aggravated burglary (2 charges), theft under $500, vandalism under $500, theft over $1,000
Martin Riley- aggravated burglary (2 charges) and theft over $1,000 (3 charges), theft over $500
Derrick Reeder- driving on a revoked license (5th offense)
Mark Robinson- possession of drug paraphernalia
Raymond Rollins- driving on suspended license
Daniel Sanchez- leaving the scene of an accident, driving with no drivers license, and failure to
yield
Thomas Sims- aggravated burglary and theft over $1,000
Charles Wayne Smithson- driving under the influence (2 charges), resisting arrest, reckless driving, possession of a weapon while under the influence, violation of the open container law, and violation of the implied consent law
Steve Stanley- burglary, theft over $500 (2 charges)
Freddy Stringer, Jr.- driving on a revoked license (4th offense)
Melodie Stussee- tampering with evidence, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, assault, and resisting arrest
Eddie Lynn Taylor- driving under the influence (4th offense) and violation of the open container law
Travis Clint Tramel- driving under the influence, failing to maintain proper lane of travel, and violation of the implied consent law
James Vinca- aggravated sexual battery
Jimmy Walker- driving under the influence and violation of the implied consent law
Felicia Walz- driving under the influence and driving on a suspended license

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department made a traffic stop on Thursday and arrested a woman on drug charges.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says 27 year old Lindsay Lee Stribling of Felts Road Sparta was charged April 1st with possession of a schedule II drug (Methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $5,000 and she will appear in court on April 22nd. Sheriff Ray says a deputy stopped a vehicle on Highway 70 East for weaving and asked the driver for consent to search. The officer noticed Stribling trying to tuck something in her waist line area. A female correctional officer conducted a search of Stribling’s person and found a black bag that contained two small baggies of a white powdery substance believed to be Methamphetamine, a cut straw, and 4 hypodermic needles.
25 year old Amanda Kate Covington of Towles Avenue, McMinnville was arrested on Sunday, April 4th after deputies responded to a domestic violence call on Cripps Lane. After arrival, officers met Covington who was belligerent and throwing items from a vehicle that was at the residence. After being asked several times to calm down, Covington refused. She was placed under arrest for disorderly conduct. Found in Covington’s purse were 4 white pills in a cellophane wrapper that are believed to be Xanax. Covington was charged with disorderly conduct and possession of a schedule IV drug Xanax. Her bond was set at $3,000 and she will appear in court on April 29th..
23 year old Mark Fish Jr. of Bell Street Smithville was arrested on Sunday, March 28th for leaving the scene of an accident. His bond was set at $2,500 and he will appear in court on April 22nd. Deputies were dispatched to an automobile accident on Capshaw Road. Sheriff Ray says Fish was allegedly in his vehicle chasing someone in another vehicle when the accident occurred. The victim stated that Fish passed and then hit their automobile and left the scene. Fish was later found and arrested.
47 year old Shelia Curtis of Richland Road, Murfreesboro was arrested on Tuesday, March 30th for theft of property under $500. On January 15th while Curtis was at the DeKalb County Jail trying to bond a friend out of Jail she stole a correctional officer’s jacket, which was hanging on the back of an office chair in the front lobby. Curtis admitted to the theft. The jacket and belongings in the jacket were valued at $140. Bond for Curtis was set at $2,500.

A midnight fire caused some damage to the home of Wesley and Gail Becker at 138 Delong Road Saturday night/Sunday morning.
County Fire Chief Donny Green says passers-by saw heavy smoke coming from the double wide mobile home and alerted DeKalb 911 around midnight. Because there were two vehicles parked in the driveway, they feared people could be inside and attempted to enter the home to wake up occupants. Unable to enter because of heavy smoke and extreme heat, they used a garden hose to attempt to control the fire until firefighters arrived.
Shortly after arrival, firefighters were able to make entry and quickly extinguished the fire in a back bedroom. Firefighters performed a search of the residence and determined that no one was at home. This was confirmed after a family member informed the fire department that the couple was out of town. The couple’s 5 year old child was staying with a family member during this time.
Firefighters were successful in containing the fire to the bedroom, but smoke and heat damaged the remainder of the home. Firefighters from the Keltonburg, Belk, Blue Springs, Short Mountain, Cookeville Highway, Midway, and Main Station responded to the scene and were assisted by the DeKalb County EMS and Sheriff’s Department.

Spring and summer mean having fun in the sun and enjoying many outdoor activities. Keeping your family safe is also important. The Tennessee Department of Health reminds Tennesseans that preventing exposure of people and their pets to the rabies virus is a priority, especially during this time of year.
Keep vaccinations up-to-date for all dogs and cats, as required by Tennessee law and local ordinances. Many county health departments offer vaccination clinics in the spring. Annual Rabies Vaccination Clinics will be held April 14th-17th. Inoculations will be administered by local veterinarians. A fee of $7.00 will be charged for each inoculation. Owners are urged to take their dogs (3 months of age or older) and cats (6 months of age or older) to one of the following clinics:
April 14th: 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Animal Clinic, Highway 70, Smithville
DeKalb Animal Clinic, West Broad Street, Smithville
Wheeler Veterinary Clinic, North Congress Boulevard, Smithville
April 15th & 16th: 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Animal Clinic
DeKalb Animal Clinic
Wheeler Veterinary Clinic
April 17th: 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Liberty Community Center
Alexandria Parking Lot
DeKalb Middle School Parking Lot
If you miss your local clinic, you may bring your dog or cat to any of the other clinics. Store purchased vaccines are not legally acceptable.
For more information contact an Environmental Health Specialist at the DeKalb County Health Department at 597-7599.
Humans can be exposed to rabies when attempting to assist, feed or handle wild animals. If a wild or domestic animal is seen as ill or acting strangely, it should be reported to your local animal control agency. Bats in particular should not be handled. If a bat is found inside, in a swimming pool, or brought home by your pets, use precautions and consult your local health department.
Rabies is a deadly virus transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal. Rabies infection occurs primarily in wildlife in Tennessee, but it can be transmitted to any mammal, including humans and family pets. Bites are the most common means of transmission; contact with saliva from an infected animal can also be a concern.
Citizens can take the following actions to help prevent the spread of rabies:
Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come into contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately.
Keep children away from any wild or dead animals. Educate them not to touch or attempt to pick up, feed or handle any wild or unfamiliar domestic animals, especially those that are or appear to be sick or injured.
Do not disturb bats. Instead, consult your local health department or animal control agency for assistance in dealing with potential exposure to bats.
For more information or assistance with a potential rabies exposure, call your local health department or the Tennessee Department of Health emergency line at 615-741-7247.

Smithville Police arrested a Warren County woman on Wednesday after receiving a tip about possible drug activity at a local ball park.
32 year old Amy Denise Ferrell of 4953 West Green Hill Road, McMinnville is charged with simple possession of a schedule II and IV controlled substance. Sergeant Randy King and Officer Matt Farmer were dispatched to the Joe L Evins Ball Park to investigate possible drug traffic there. Sergeant King spoke with Ferrell. He told Ferrell that he was responding to a call about possible drug traffic and asked if she had any illegal drugs with her. She replied that she did not. Ferrell was asked to exit her vehicle and to empty the pockets of her jeans onto the trunk lid of the vehicle. Ms. Ferrell complied. Officers asked if there were any drugs in the vehicle. She replied no and gave consent to search the automobile. On the passenger side front seat, a bottle of Equate brand Stay Awake pills were found. Inside the bottle were two Hydrocodone 7.5 mg tablets. Inside the center armrest was a cellophane bag that contained three Phentermine 30 mg capsules. Ferrell said she had received the Phentermine from a friend and that she did not know what the other pills were. Ferrell’s bond is $3,000 and her court date is April 22nd.
43 year old Susan Marie Seber of 100 Village Square, Dowelltown was arrested on Friday, March 26th and charged with driving under the influence and driving on a suspended license. Sergeant Randy King was dispatched to West Broad Street to look for a vehicle that was reported to be driving erratically. After locating the car, a bluish gray Jaguar, Sergeant King followed it for about one mile during which time he observed the vehicle weaving left and right. The car traveled across the center line four times. Sergeant King activated his lights and sirens to signal the driver to pull over. The vehicle stopped on Atnip Street next to Sunshine Cleaners. Sergeant King approached the car. Constable Johnny King also arrived on the scene. Sergeant King requested from the driver and received a license, proof of insurance and bill of sale of the vehicle. Mrs. Seber, the driver, was asked if she was having any problems. She replied that she was tired. Seber submitted to a field sobriety check but performed poorly on each test. Police learned that Seber’s license had been suspended for failure to pay child support. She was taken into custody. Her bond is set at $2500 and her court date is April 15th
31 year old Lonnie Russell McCloud of 848 Foster Road was arrested on Saturday, March 27th for simple possession. While assisting CPS at the residence, Officer Matt Farmer asked McCloud and Amber Brown, the residents of the home, if there was anything illegal in the house such as drugs or weapons. They replied “no” but told authorities that they could search if they wanted to. Police found two small bags containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana. Both McCloud and Brown said that it was marijuana. McCloud’s court date is April 22nd.
Meanwhile, anyone having information on the following offense is asked to please contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210 or the Tip Line at 464-6046.
On Monday, March 29th, at approximately 4:18 p.m. Corporal Travis K Bryant met with Tyler Caldwell who informed him that around 3:45 p.m. he was at the car wash behind Paparoni’s washing his truck. He then went to the pool hall. Caldwell later discovered that all his baseball equipment was missing from the back of his truck. Items missing are two catcher mitts, first basemen mitt, pair of cleats, black bag with paw print & the number 7 in the paw, pair of batting gloves and one black fielder’s glove.
Any information received that will help the Smithville Police solve any criminal offense will be greatly appreciated. All information is confidential

DeKalb County’s unemployment rate for February was 11.2%, down slightly from 11.6% in January and down from 12% in February, 2009
The local labor force for February was 9,590. Employment was at 8,510 and a total of 1,080 were unemployed. Among the fourteen upper cumberland counties, Pickett County had the highest jobless rate at 18.8% followed by Van Buren County at 15%, Smith County, Clay, and White County at 14.2% each, Jackson 13.9%, Fentress 13.6%, Warren 13.4% Overton 13.2%, Cumberland 13%, Trousdale 12%, DeKalb 11.2%, Cannon 10.5%, and Putnam County 10.3%.
Meanwhile, Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February 2010 was 10.7 percent, unchanged from the January rate of 10.7 percent. The United States unemployment rate for the month of February was 9.7 percent.
County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for February 2010 show that the rate decreased in 78 counties, increased in 10 counties and remained the same in seven counties.
Lincoln County registered the state’s lowest county unemployment rate at 8.0 percent, down from 8.3 percent in January. Marshall County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 19.1 percent, down from 20.2 in January, followed by Henderson County at 19.0 percent, down from 19.8 percent in January.
Knox County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 8.4 percent, down from 8.5 percent in January. Davidson County was 9.3 percent, down from 9.5 in January. Hamilton County was at 9.7 percent, down from 9.9 in January, and Shelby County was 10.8 percent, down from 11.3 in January.

The DeKalb County General Election will feature three contested races for the Board of Education on August 5th in the second, third, and fourth districts.
Today (Thursday) at noon was the qualifying deadline. School board members will be elected in the first, second, third, fourth, and seventh districts.
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.
Two candidates are in the race to succeed Joan Draper in the fourth district, Billy Miller and Larry Redmon. Draper, who was elected for the first time in 2006, will not be seeking re-election. Both Miller and Redmon are seeking elected office for the first time.
Incumbent school board members John David Foutch in the first district and Johnny Lattimore in the seventh district will be unopposed. Foutch will be seeking his second elected term. Foutch was appointed by the county commission in January 2005 to fill the unexpired term of Darrell Gill who moved out of the first district. Foutch was elected to his first term in 2006.
Lattimore will be seeking his third term. He was first elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006.
Candidates for the school board run neither as democrats or as republicans but as non-partisans. Terms are for four years. Incumbent members W.J. (Dub) Evins, III in the fifth district and Bruce Parsley in the sixth district are in mid-term. Their terms expire in 2012.
Others on the DeKalb County General Election ballot on August 5th will be the democratic and republican nominees for the offices of county mayor, county clerk, trustee, register of deeds, circuit court clerk, sheriff, road supervisor, and to fill unexpired terms for circuit court judge (part one) and district attorney general. All fourteen county commission seats will also be filled in the August election.
Early voting for the August 5th elections will be July 16th-31st
The Dowelltown Municipal election is set for August 5th to elect three aldermen.
Today (Thursday) at noon was the qualifying deadline.
Incumbent aldermen Brad Driver, Keith Farler, and Ron Griffith have all qualified to seek re-election.
They will be running unopposed
Meanwhile, early voting dates and times are set for the May 4th DeKalb County Democratic Primary.
Early voting will be Wednesday, April 14th through Thursday, April 29th. Voting times will be from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
The primary will feature three contested races for county wide public offices, county clerk, county mayor, and register of deeds, and three contested races for the county commission in the third, fourth, and fifth districts. All other candidates will be unopposed. Winners will run in the August General Election.

State Representative Terry Lynn Weaver of Lancaster will be unopposed in the Tennessee Republican Primary for re-nomination on August 5th but she will have a Democratic and an Independent opponent in the November 2nd General Election.
Today (Thursday) at noon was the qualifying deadline.
James Hale of DeKalb County and Jamie Winkler of Smith County will be seeking their party’s nomination in the Tennessee Democratic Primary on August 5th for the right to challenge Representative Weaver this fall. Weaver is seeking her second term.
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.
Meanwhile, State Senator Mae Beavers will have two opponents in the Tennessee Republican primary on August 5th.
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 Smith 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 on August 5th.
The State Senate in the 17th district includes Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Macon, Smith, Trousdale, Wilson, and part of Sumner County.
Several candidates have lined up hoping to succeed Democratic Congressman Bart Gordon in the U.S. House of Representatives from the 6th District. Last December, Congressman Gordon announced his plans to retire from Congress when his current term ends in 2010. Gordon was first elected in 1984 and is completing his 13th term.
Those seeking the GOP nomination for Congress in the August 5th Tennessee Republican Primary are as follows:
Bruce McLellan of Overton County
Gary Mann of Williamson County
James Tracy of Bedford County
Diane Black of Sumner County
Lou Ann Zelenik of Rutherford County
David Evans of Bedford County
Kerry Roberts of Robertson County
Those seeking the nomination for Congress in the August 5th Tennessee Democratic Primary are as follows:
Devora Butler of Rutherford County
George Erdel of Rutherford County
Brett Carter of Davidson County
Benjamin Leming of Rutherford County
Henry Barry of Wilson County
Independent candidates for Congress in the November 2nd Tennessee General Election include:
Jim Boyd of Sumner County
Tommy Hay of DeKalb County
Brandon Gore of Rutherford County
Stephen Sprague of Jackson County
David Purcell of Robertson County
Candidates for Governor in the Tennessee Republican Primary on August 5th include:
Zach Wamp of Hamilton County
William Haslam of Knox County
Joe Kirkpatrick of Wilson County
Ronald Ramsey of Sullivan County
Basil Marceaux, Sr. of Chattanooga
Candidate for Governor in the August 5th Tennessee Democratic Primary:
Mike McWherter of Madison County
Independent Candidates for Governor in the November 2nd Tennessee General Election
Brandon Dodds of Dyer County
Samuel Duck of Blount County
Carl Whitaker of Sevier County
Boyce McCall of Knox County
Toni Hall of Davidson County
June Griffin of Rhea County
Donald McFolin of Davidson County
James Reesor of Davidson County
Bayron Binkley of Williamson County
Floyd Knois of Marshall County
Thomas Smith, II of Hamilton County
David Gatchell of Williamson County
Howard Switzer of Perry County

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announces a periodic test of an emergency evacuation siren at Long Branch Campground, located directly below Center Hill Dam, on Monday, April 5th, at 2 p.m.
This siren serves the Long Branch and Buffalo Valley Recreation Areas immediately below the dam. Additionally, neighboring private landowners downstream of the dam may possibly hear the siren. The test will last for approximately one minute.
This is only a test.
In the unlikely event of a breach of the dam, the siren will be activated and an evacuation plan put into effect to assist the visiting public in the Long Branch and Buffalo Valley Recreation Areas. Anyone with questions should call the Center Hill Lake Resource Manager’s Office at 931-858-3125.