Elderly Man Dies In All Terrain Vehicle Accident On His Farm

An elderly DeKalb County died in an all terrain vehicle accident on his farm in the Alexandria-Temperance Hall area Tuesday.
The body of 79 year old Billy Joe Corley of Lower Helton Road, Alexandria was discovered early Wednesday morning.
Detective Charles Griffith of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department says Corley left his house on a three wheeler to check on a cow Tuesday afternoon and when he didn’t return family members became concerned and began looking for him.
Authorities were later notified and Griffith says people on foot, on four wheelers, in four wheel drive trucks, and by other means took part in the search including family, friends, neighbors, members of the DeKalb County Rescue Squad, Sheriff’s Department, volunteer firefighters, and others. An aerial spotlight search by helicopter was also planned but was canceled because of dense fog. The search continued through the night and into the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday morning.
According to Griffith, the search was scheduled to resume after sunrise Wednesday, but word came around 5:50 a.m. that members of the family had found the body.
Detective Griffith says it appears Corley lost control of his three wheeler while trying to negotiate a turn on a steep hillside and overturned. His body was found near the three wheeler. Griffith says the accident occurred on Corley’s farm approximately a half mile from his home but the three wheeler and body were difficult to find because of the rolling landscape and tall brush and weeds in that area.

Walker Crowned Miss Sweetheart

The 2006 DeKalb County Fair Miss Sweetheart is 11 year old Kelley Beth Walker.
She was crowned Wednesday night during the annual pageant held at the fair.
Walker is the daughter of Shane and Michelle Walker of Smithville.
She succeeds the retiring 2005 Miss Sweetheart, Kristen Smartt, the 12-year-old daughter of Aaron and Paula Taylor and Leslie and Dedra Smartt of Smithville.
The first runner-up in the pageant was Tessa Shawn Thomas, the 12 year old daughter of Troy and Judy Thomas of Smithville.
Kerigan Bess Sanders was the second runner-up. She is the 10 year old daughter of Larry and Melissa Knowles of Smithville.
11 year old Arielle Corinne Davis was named Miss Photogenic. She is the daughter of Eddie and Beth Davis of Brush Creek.

Little Miss Princess Title Goes To Kelsey Sueanna Hedge

Nine year old Kelsey Sueanna Hedge was crowned Little Miss Princess at the DeKalb County Fair Wednesday night.
Hedge is the daughter of David and Trina Hedge of Smithville.
She succeeds the retiring 2005 Little Miss Princess, Haley Marie Hale, the 9 year-old daughter of Chad and Melissa Hale of Smithville.
First runner-up in the pageant was Destiny Danielle Franklin, the 7 seven year old daughter of Christopher and Jennifer Franklin of Smithville. She was also named Miss Photogenic.
Seven year old Tyra Grace Graham was the second runner-up. She is the daughter of Kyle and Doris Graham of Smithville.

Billy Joe Corley

79 year old Billy Joe Corley of Lower Helton Road, Alexandria died Wednesday from injuries he suffered in a three wheeler accident. The funeral will be Friday at 2:00 p.m. at the Mount Zion Baptist Church. Dan Mallette and Richard Buckner will officiate and burial will be in the Mount Zion Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Avant Funeral Home in Alexandria on Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Corley is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ruth Hancock Corley. Four children, William Randall and his wife Angie Corley of Chapel Hill; James Quinn Corley of Smyrna; Tony Joe Corley of Liberty; and Kimberly and her husband William Turner of Smithville. Six grandchildren, Jonathan Q. Corley, William Shane Corley, Calef Corley, Chase Corley, Justin Turner, and Alex Turner. A sister, Wilma Corley Oakley of Alexandria. Avant Funeral Home in Alexandria is in charge of the arrangements.

Vaught And Hedge Win Little Mister And Miss Fair Pageants

Hunter Vaught and Macy Elizabeth Hedge were crowned Little Mister and Miss at the DeKalb County Fair Tuesday night.
Vaught is the 6 year old son of Ronnie and Bethany Vaught of Brush Creek.
Hedge is the 5 year old daughter of David and Trina Hedge of Smithville.
The 2006 winners succeed the retiring Little Mister and Miss, Tanner James Poss and Deering Grace Hendrixson.
Poss is the 5 year old son of Jimmy and J.J. Poss of Smithville and Hendrixson is the 5 year old daughter of Darbie and Tiffany Hendrixson of Smithville.
First runner-up in the Little Miss contest was Cailin Trapp, the 5 year old daughter of Brad and Kim Trapp of Smithville and Mike and Vanessa Hayes.
Second runner-up was 4 year old Elizabeth Grace Guinn, daughter of Rick and Kendra Guinn of Smithville.
Four year old Madison Hope Gossard, daughter of Kenneth and Stephanie Murphy of Smithville, was named Miss Manners.
First runner-up in the Little Mister contest was Triston Stanley, the 5 year old son of Kim Curtis and Steve Stanley of Smithville. He was also named Mister Manners.
Six year old Austin David Johnson was the second runner-up. He is the son of David and Patricia Johnson of Dowelltown.

Edwin Ray

65 year old Edwin Ray “Buddy” Dunham died Sunday at the Cookeville Regional Hospital. He was born in DeKalb County. Dunham was also a member of the Hickory Valley Methodist Presbyterian Church. The funeral will be Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Thurman Funeral Home in Sparta. Freddie Copeland and Floyd Massey will officiate and burial will be in the Frasier Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Tuesday and until 9:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Chapel of Thurman Funeral Home. In addition to his parents, Othel Floyd Dunham, Sr. and Lillie Pauline Washer Dunham, he was preceded in death by a brother, Oswald Dunham. He is survived by his wife, Linda Sue Wilson Dunham of Sparta. A son and daughter-in-law, James Edwin “Jimmy” and Kim Dunham of Sparta. A daughter and son-in-law, Linda Michelle and Jeff Lafever of Sparta. Sisters and brothers-in-law, Jimmie Faye and Cranston Massey of Elmwood and Martha Jane and Jack Lieb of Nashville. A brother, Othel Floyd Dunham, Jr. of Doyle. A grandson, Zane Hunter Lafever of Sparta and several nieces and nephews. Thurman Funeral Home in Sparta is in charge of the arrangements.

Alexandria Mayor Resigns

Almost a year after being elected Alexandria Mayor, Clara Lee Vantrease has called it quits.
She officially submitted her resignation Monday morning, citing personal reasons for the decision.
Vantrease, a former city employee, ran unopposed for mayor in September, 2005.
She told WJLE Monday night that while she loves Alexandria and the people of the town and enjoyed serving them, she felt it was time to step aside and let someone else take over who might do a better job.
Alderman and Vice Mayor David Cripps is now the acting Mayor of Alexandria.
Others on the council are Aldermen Charles Griffith, James Keyes, Eddie Tubbs, and Sarah Walker.
Alderman Roy Scott also resigned on July 18th, citing personal reasons for his decision.

John Henry Puckett

82 year old John Henry Puckett of Watertown died Sunday morning at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage. He was born in DeKalb County, a retired employee after serving 29 years at the Ford Glass Plant, a Baptist, and a U.S. Army Veteran. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Hunter Funeral Home in Watertown. Jack Stone will officiate and burial will be in Poplar Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.; Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.; and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Louvella Frazier Puckett. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Martha Key Puckett. A daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Steve Northcott of Watertown. A son and daughter-in-law, John E and Christy L. Puckett of Watertown. Seven grandchildren, Jennifer Maxfield and Tyler Northcott both of Watertown, Janet West of Bellview, Ashley Puckett and Logan Puckett both of Lebanon, and Mallorie Puckett and Michael Puckett both of Alberta Canada. Three great grandchildren, Cheyenne Madden, Trinity West, and Melanie West all of Bellview. Three brothers, James Puckett of Birmingham, Alabama, T.J. Puckett of Detroit Michigan, and Gene Puckett of Cookeville. Two sisters, Mearl Driver Dorsey of Donelson and Ritha Nell Farley of Cookeville. Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive. Hunter Funeral Home in Watertown is in charge of the arrangements.

Three Year Old Child Struck By Motorist

A three year old child was injured around 8:00 p.m. Sunday evening after being struck by a car on Morgan Drive.
The child, Kason Redmon, of 716 Gentry Avenue, was taken by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Community Hospital. His injuries were not believed to be life threatening.
In the accident report, Officer Marcus Caldwell says 19 year old Mindy C. Magouirk of 718 Gentry Avenue was driving east on Morgan Drive in a 1987 Chevrolet Celebrity when she struck the child.
Officer Caldwell, in the report, stated that “Upon my arrival, I noticed this 3 year old lying in the lawn of 724 Morgan Drive with his father, Jeffery Redmon, kneeling over him. I noticed the child was crying. Medical care was rendered to the child until EMS arrived.
Magouirk, in her statement to police, said ” While driving, I noticed a neighborhood kid at 429 Morgan Drive and waved at her. When I looked back at the road, I saw a child but could not stop in time.”
According to the report, the child’s father, Jeffery Redmon, ran to his son after hearing him scream, picked him up out of the road, and placed him onto the lawn of 724 Morgan Drive.

One Person Injured In Monday Morning Shooting

One person was injured in a shooting around 5:30 a.m. Monday morning at a residence on Jacobs Pillar Road.
Sheriff Lloyd Emmons says the victim was not seriously injured.
No names have yet been released.
Emmons will not reveal the suspected reason for the shooting nor the circumstances surrounding it at this time.
There have apparently been no arrests