The county commission Monday night gave it’s blessing for another public referendum to increase the local option sales tax from it’s current rate of 1.50% to the maximum of 2.75%, but no date for a special election was set.
The commission has also pledged to reduce the property tax rate by a minimum of nineteen and a half cents, if the referendum is approved by the voters. Last September, the commission raised the property tax rate by 39 cents to $1.90 per $100 of assessed value. A reduction of nineteen and a half cents would roll the property tax rate back to a little over $1.70 cents per $100 of assessed value
County Mayor Mike Foster says a proposed date for the referendum will most likely be set by the county commission at it’s meeting in March. Community meetings may be held in the coming weeks to seek more public input on the proposal.
The first referendum to adopt the increase failed at the polls last August by 252 votes, losing 1,898 to 1,646.
Foster says that while the proposed sales tax hike would not be enough to roll back the entire 39 cent property tax increase from last fall, it would still create enough extra revenue to allow for a significant tax cut to property owners. “We think it’s fair. According to numbers supplied by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, there are approximately four million people who visit Center Hill Lake each year. That’s why our sales tax numbers are higher in July than in December. If we have to answer emergency calls down there (lake), you and I are paying for of the sheriff’s calls, all of the benefits, and all of the infrastructure for the tourists. But this way (sales tax hike), they get to pick up part of that bill. Plus, it gives our taxpayers at least a 10% cut in property taxes.”
Foster added that “Everybody on this board (county commission) has agreed that they would sign a statement guaranteeing that they will take this (19 ? cents) off the property tax rate if the referendum is approved by the voters. We will publish it in the newspapers and announce it on the radio so that the people will understand what we’re doing.”

Members of the DeKalb County Republican Party met Saturday morning at the courthouse to elect a Chairman and Executive Committee for the next two years.
Two term Chairman Kennith Vanatta was returned to a third term as Chairman of the DeKalb County Republican Party.
Other current members of the Executive Committee were also returned for another term including Vice Chairperson Barbara Vandergriff, Secretary Larry Green, Treasurer Dennis Stanley, Vice Treasurer Vester Parsley, Jr. and Jennifer Winfree as the representative from the DeKalb County Republican Women’s Club.
Vanatta thanked the party faithful for the confidence and trust they have placed in him to continue to lead the local party. He spoke of the party’s growth and success in recent years, and he pledged to work for continued growth in the year’s ahead, with the help of others.
Party leaders also announced plans for the Lincoln Day Dinner, organized by the DeKalb County Republican Women’s Club. Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey and State Senator Mae Beavers will be the featured speakers during the dinner on Saturday, March 31st at 7:00 p.m. at the Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.

Smithville Police have charged the parents of a rape victim with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Chief Thomas J. Stufano says the parents knew their daughter had been intimate with the man, prior to the alleged sexual assault.” During the course of the initial investigation it was found that the parents were aware that their 15 year old daughter had been carrying on an intimate relationship since September 2006 with 27 year old Rafael Murillo, an illegal alien. Admissions by the parents, suspect and the victim established that the parents would allow the suspect to sleep in the same room as their daughter during overnight stays at the family residence. Also the parents would drive their daughter over to the suspect’s house late at night with her returning back home at 2:00 to 3:00 am in the morning.”
The parent’s identity and address will not be mentioned to safeguard the juvenile’s confidentiality.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, police arrested a 25 year old woman on drug charges Sunday, after investigating a complaint of a suspicious vehicle.
Mechal Harding of 920 South Main Street, Smithville is charged with possession of a schedule VI controlled substance for resale.
Chief Stufano says “On February 18th at approximately 2:30 p.m. Smithville Police Officers responded to the Mapco Express located at Highway 70 & Highway 56 on reported suspicious activity involving an older model pickup truck. Upon arrival Officer’s made contact with Harding A computer check noted that Harding was wanted for a Failure to Appear out of North Carolina and that she also was driving on a Suspended Driver’s License. As Officer’s continued their investigation Harding was also in possession of a Scheduled VI Drug for resale. Harding was arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $26,000 bond. Her vehicle, a 1983 Ford truck, was also seized under the state’s Drug Forfeiture Act.

A 37 year old woman faces a DUI charge after being involved in a one car crash Tuesday night.
Trooper Brian Raymond of the Tennessee Highway Patrol says Paula Almasri of White Street was driving south on Short Mountain Highway in a 1994 Chevy Cavaliar when she ran off the road, struck a utility pole, and overturned. The vehicle came to rest on it’s roof.
Almasri got a ride from the scene and went home. She was later transported by DeKalb EMS from her home to DeKalb Community Hospital

The DeKalb County High School Guidance Department urges parents to encourage their high school seniors to submit scholarship applications by the deadlines.
All local scholarship applications are due at the DCHS Guidance Office by March 20th.
The following scholarships are available:
Smithville Women’s Club Scholarship
DeKalb Community Hospital- for students going into the healthcare field
DeKalb Retired Teachers Award for students who will major in education.
Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club Award for female students only.
The Elzie and Nell McBride Memorial Scholarship for future MTSU students only
The DeKalb Farmers Coop Award for students going into an agriculture or related field.
The Kyle and Kenny Robinson Memorial Scholarship for student athletes
The Matthew McAfee Memorial Scholarship for students who are members of both FBLA and FCA
DeKalb Education Foundation Award
The Lucille Stewart Memorial Scholarship Award for basketball players or basketball cheerleaders going into teaching.
DeKalb County Republican Women’s scholarship
AmVets Scholarship and AmVets Auxiliary Scholarship for students who are children or grandchildren of a veteran.
The DeKalb Soil Conservation Scholarship is for students majoring in agriculture or related field, biology, or one of the life sciences.
The DeKalb Firefighters Association Scholarship is for students who have an immediate family member or grandparent who is a firefighter, EMS, or on the rescue squad. Also for students who are in the Explorer Program.
And the Liberty State Bank, DeKalb County Scottish Rite, Studio Six, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, Allen Hooper Memorial Scholarship, Eddie Crips Memorial Scholarship, DeKalb Funeral Chapel, Smithville Rotary Club, First Bank, Class of 1966, Class of 1969, Luigi’s /Bumper’s Drive-In, and the Agee Oil Company Scholarship.

Smithville Police Investigators have made another arrest for the crime of Statutory Rape of a Minor.
27 year old Rafael Murillo of 398 College Street, Smithville, an illegal alien from Mexico, is charged with statutory rape. His bond is set at $10,000.
Chief Thomas J. Stufano says” On Monday, the parents of a 15 year old girl brought their daughter to the Police Department to report that a rape occurred by a 27 old acquaintance of the family. Investigators were able to determine that the 15 year old juvenile had been casually dating the adult with the parents also being aware of the connection. Murrillo stated he had been dating the minor since September 2006. He was routinely invited to sleep over at the juvenile’s home in Liberty with the minor and that the parents were aware of the association. During the interview of the parents, minor and Murillo, officers learned that the minor’s parents would also drop the juvenile off at Murillo’s home late at night where the two would stay until 2:00 – 3:00 am He would then drive her back to her home in Liberty. ”
“The investigation noted that on Sunday evening the juvenile received a call from Murillo to come over to his house in Smithville to talk about their recent breakup occurring a week earlier. The mother dropped off their daughter at Murillo’s home and instructed her to be home by midnight. The minor states that the two were lying on the bed talking and Murillo began touching her without her consent. She stated that she told Murillo numerous times to stop but he continued until the sexual assault occurred. Murillo then brought the minor back to her home.
Murillo was later arrested and charged in the case.
Detectives are continuing with the investigation with additional charges possible.
Smithville Police in cooperation with our citizens, Crime Watch partners, neighboring law enforcement agencies and the media are making a difference in the fight against crime in our community. We are committed to keeping our children safe from those individuals looking for crimes of opportunity.

A plea agreement may be reached in the case against B. Don James.
The well known former Smithville businessman is accused of defrauding dozens of people in a so called “Ponzi scheme”.
The case has been set for trial March 6th in U.S. District Court in Nashville.
James is named in a fifteen count indictment by a federal grand jury charging him with over $1.8 million in wire fraud.
James recently waived an appearance and submitted a written plea of “not guilty” at his arraignment
An order, signed by U.S. District Judge Todd J. Campbell, states that “The trial in the case is set for March 6th at 9:00 a.m. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for March 2nd at 1:00 p.m.
“Any plea agreement shall be consummated by February 26th and the courtroom deputy so notified. Any proposed plea agreement shall be submitted to the court by February 27th.”
“Any motion to continue the trial, pretrial conference or plea dates, shall be filed no later than one week before the pretrial conference date.”
The U.S. District Court Clerk’s Office reports that the status conference has been held and that the parties have indicated to the court that there were no discovery disputes. According to the clerk’s office, The defendant is expected to enter into a plea agreement with the court. That plea is to be heard on March 2nd at 1:00 p.m.
If a plea is not reached and James is convicted at trial, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Two Cookeville men, accused in two recent break-ins, have been charged by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says 19 year old Jeffrey Hendrix of East 10th Street, Cookeville and 19 year old John Gentry of Mike Madewell Road, Cookeville are each charged with aggravated burglary, theft of property over $500, burglary, and vandalism over $10,000. Bond for each is set at $30,000.
The men are accused of committing a burglary at Caney Fork Outdoors in the Wolf Creek Community on January 10th. According to Sheriff Ray, ” they broke out the front glass of the door, went in, and stole over 100 packs of cigarettes (numerous brands), and a cash register that contained some change.” The cash register has been recovered.
Sheriff Ray says Hendrix and Gentry are also believed to have committed a burglary and vandalism on February 1st at a cabin in the Wolf Creek area. ” They broke into a cabin off of Wolf Creek and destroyed every piece of furniture in there including a television, refrigerators, antiques, and they took family pictures off of the walls and burned them in a stove.” Damage from the vandalism was estimated at more than $40,000.
Hendrix and Gentry are scheduled to appear in DeKalb County General Sessions Court on March 8th.
At last report, Gentry was in the DeKalb County Jail, while Hendrix was incarcerated in Cookeville, awaiting to be brought to the jail here.
Meanwhile, another man, charged just last week with theft, has already appeared in court and been sentenced.
Sheriff Ray says 27 year old Lonnie Eaton of Sparta Pike, Watertown was charged with theft of property under $500 on February 12th. He appeared in court on February 15th and pleaded guilty to taking $260 from a woman’s purse. Judge Bratten Cook II sentenced him to 11 months and 29 days. He must serve 100 days and then be on probation. He must also make restitution to the victim. Sheriff Ray says Eaton allegedly stole the money from a woman who had given him a ride.
In another case, 42 year old Richard Schilt of Blue Springs Road was charged Saturday with a third offense of driving under the influence and driving on a revoked license. He was pulled over on Dry Creek Road. His bond is $4,000 and he will be in court on the charges March 8th. Authorities have taken action to seize the man’s vehicle.

Smithville Police Officers working selected traffic enforcement over the weekend netted a number of arrests for Driving Under the Influence.
Chief Thomas J. Stufano says due to the inclimate weather, Smithville Police were out in force attending to stranded motorists and directing traffic in areas prone to icing.
“Overnight Saturday, Smithville Police Officers saw 39 year old Melvin Sean West of 115 Sherwood Isle Circle, McMinnville driving his 2002 Chevy Blazer on Highway 56 at a high rate of speed. Upon attempting to stop the vehicle, the driver crossed the centerline numerous times until it was eventually stopped. Officer’s contacted the driver, now known as West, and noticed a strong order of alcohol on his breath and also emanating from the vehicle. Officer’s also found an open container of beer in the vehicle. Road side sobriety detection tests disclosed that West was intoxicated. A computer check showed that he had been previously arrested for DUI. He was arrested for DUI and transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $2,000 Bond. West’s vehicle was seized under the State’s Drug & Alcohol Forfeiture Act. ”
Chief Stufano says a second arrest was made for DUI at 5:00 PM when Smithville Police observed 47 year old Christopher Neal Barnes of 101 Trebble Lane in Smithville drive his Nissan truck in an erratic manor in the area of Highway 70 & Highway 56. Officers originally responded to a complaint of a drunk driver leaving the Dairy Queen parking lot. Upon Officer’s arrival, they saw Barnes leave the area in a hurried manner and then drive through the red light at the busy intersection. Once the vehicle was stopped Barnes’ preliminary field investigation noted that he was intoxicated. A computer check disclosed that this was the 5th Offense of DUI against him. He was also charged with a 4th offense of Driving on a Revoked Driver’s License. He was arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail. His bond is $9,000 and his vehicle, a 2000 Nissan Truck, was confiscated under the state’s Drug & Alcohol Forfeiture Act.
Meanwhile, charges of DUI 2nd Offense were placed against Mario P. Matias of 586 Colvert Lake Road, Smithville as the contributing cause of a serious accident on Highway 70 on February 7th. The accident caused serious injuries when both vehicles involved left the roadway and flipped. All parties in the Matias vehicle had to be airlifted from the scene due to their extensive injuries. Working in cooperation with both the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, City Officers were at the scene almost 4 hours until the crash was finally cleared. Open containers of beer were strewn about the Matias vehicle. The automobile was totaled after crashing through a guardrail and then traveling over 60 feet down into a drainage culvert.
Chief Stufano says “Smithville Police are actively patrolling our city streets in an effort to curb DUI. Through the use of a government grant Smithville Police are able to additionally supplement traffic enforcement efforts with funding that allows for extra overtime. These grants are available to help cities with extra enforcement at relatively no charge to the citizens. Through the cooperative efforts of concerned citizens, state and federal initiatives and the commitment of local law enforcement we are striving to keep our roadways safe.”

Kelsey Hedge, a fourth grader at Northside Elementary School, won the 4th annual DeKalb County Spelling Bee Friday night at DeKalb County High School.
Hedge, daughter of David and Trina Hedge of Smithville, was among more than 40 students from the fourth grade to the eighth grade, who participated in the contest.
She correctly spelled the words “lariat” and “omnivorous” to claim the championship.
Shelby Mulloy, an eighth grader at DeKalb West School was the runner-up in the contest. She is the daughter of Randy and Nancy Mulloy of Liberty.
Students from DeKalb Middle School, DeKalb West School, and Northside Elementary School recently competed at the school level to become eligible for the county competition.
Along with students from thirty nine other counties, Hedge and Mulloy will compete in the Tennessean Regional Spelling Bee on March 12th at Belmont University in Nashville.
The winner of the Regional Spelling Bee will compete in the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. with all expenses paid by the Tennessean Newspaper.
The purpose of the County Wide Spelling Bee is to help students improve spelling skills, increase vocabularies, learn concepts, and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives.