Delivery Employee Charged with Theft of Coins from Newspaper Stands

28 year old David Wayne Clark of Jessie Road, McMinnville was arrested Friday on eight counts of theft of property under $500.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says the Sheriff’s Department was notified of someone stealing coins from the Smithville Review Newspaper stands at four locations in Smithville. On Thursday night, officers from the Sheriff’s Department set up four newspaper stands by using marked coins and staking out the stands. In the early morning hours of Friday, officers saw a vehicle, which belonged to Clark, going to the stands. Clark, who is an employee of the Southern Standard Newspaper in McMinnville was delivering papers and breaking into the Smithville Review stands. Officers stopped Clark and found the marked money. Clark had in his possession $111.93 and two change trays which were taken from the Review stands. Clark’s bond was set at $8,000 and his court date is October 11th
Meanwhile, Sheriff Ray says deputies stopped a vehicle on Highway 70 West on Saturday and found 36 year old Amy Curtis of Morgan Drive, Smithville driving on a revoked driver’s license. Deputies also found a hypodermic needle and a straw. A passenger in Curtis’ vehicle, 30 year old Amy Janette Lawson of Haley Road Smithville was arrested. Deputies found five hypodermic needles, cut straws, and marijuana in Lawson’s pocketbook. Lawson also had in her possession 48 dilaudid pills, 4 xanax pills, 8 hydocodone pills, and 2 soma pills. Deputies also seized $974 in cash believed to be proceeds from drug sales. Curtis was charged with driving on a revoked license and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $2,000 and her court date is October 11th. Lawson was charged with public intoxication, possession of drug paraphernalia (needles and straws), simple possession of marijuana, sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (dilaudid), sale and delivery of a schedule III drug (hydocodone), and sale and delivery of a schedule IV drug (xanax). Bond was set at $126,000 and her court date is October 11th.
Also on Saturday, deputies received a call about a person sitting in a vehicle on Highway 70 West. Upon arrival, officers found 19 year old David Arlen Studdard of Log Cabin Road Cookeville in an intoxicated state. Studdard was charged with public intoxication and under age consumption. Bond was set at $2,000 and his court date is November 1st.
28 year old Victor Guzman of Jackson Street, Smithville was charged Saturday with no driver’s license and DUI. Deputies observed a vehicle driving in a reckless manner on Short Mountain Highway. After Deputies stopped the vehicle, Guzman was found to have no drivers license and was intoxicated. 40 year old Ricardo Gonzalez of Jackson Street, Smithville, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was also found to be intoxicated. Guzman was charged with DUI and driving without a driver’s license. Bond was set at $1,000 and his court date is November 1st. Gonzalez was charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,000 and his court date is November 1st.
42 year old Tonya Caldwell of Walker Drive Smithville was stopped Sunday on Highway 70 East for a traffic violation. Field sobriety tasks were administered and she was found to be intoxicated. Caldwell was charged with 2nd offense DUI. Her bond is $2,000 and her court date is November 1st.

Donald Wayne Thomas

42 year old Donald Wayne Thomas of Athens, Alabama and formerly of DeKalb County died Saturday at his residence. He was born in Liberty. He worked at Athens-Limestone Hospital as a Paramedic. He taught EMT at Calhoun Community College. He was an independent dealer for the Clark Vault Company. A graveside service will be Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. at Gatlin Cemetery in Athens, Alabama. Visitation will be Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the McConnell Funeral Home in Athens, Alabama. He is survived by his wife, Caprice S. Thomas of Athens Alabama. His son, Jonathon Thomas of Tennessee. His father-in-law, Wallace DeVore of Madison, Alabama. His mother-in-law, Sue DeVore of Madison, Alabama. A sister, Teena Street of Tennessee. An uncle, Ricky Duke of Tennessee. A brother-in-law, Christopher DeVore and his wife Anna of Madison, Alabama. Five nieces, a nephew, a great niece, and several friends also survive. McConnell Funeral Home in Athens, Alabama is in charge of the arrangements.

DeKalb Band Brings Home the Gold

Following a long week of Homecoming activities, the DCHS Band traveled to Lebanon on Saturday to compete in the Blue Devil Marching Invitational. Attendance at the Lebanon contest has become a staple for the Fighting Tiger Band over the past few years.
After six taxing performances for the Homecoming activities on Friday, the band met at the band room on Saturday morning for another intensive rehearsal in preparation for the contest later that afternoon. Although this rehearsal was hot and mentally and physically exhausting, the band’s dedication and sacrifice proved to be worth the effort. The results of the contest showed it.
Field Commander, Dustin Estes, won not only the Medium Class award with a score of 94, but the score sheet reflected he had outscored all other field commanders in the entire contest, including both Large and Small Division bands. Dustin was recognized as the winner of this award for the 2nd consecutive year.
The Percussion Section outscored their competition in the Medium Class and brought home the First Place trophy. Their scores also reflected a tie for 3rd place in the Small Division.
The Color Guard placed 2nd in Class, trailing Chattanooga Central High School by only two points.
The DCHS Band brought home the first place trophy in the Medium Class by outscoring Kenwood High School, Glencliff, Stewart County, Chattanooga Central, and Hunters Lane.
The band also won the Sweepstakes award for the Small Division. The Small Division is comprised of the Small and Medium Classes combined. Eleven bands in all were in the Small Division. The Sweepstakes award is based on 50% band score, 25% percussion score, 20% color guard score, and 5% field commander score.
Directors, Kristin Reagh and Rebecca Purdue, and the entire staff referred to the performance as a “Goosebump Performance.” Mrs. Reagh said, “The kids were pumped when they went on the field. In addition to their responsibilities during Homecoming, they worked very hard to prepare for this contest. It was a long, hard week for them. I’m extremely proud of these students for sticking with it and giving what it takes.”
Next week the band travels to Vanderbilt University for the Vanderbilt Marching Invitational. To learn more about the band, its activities, and schedules, log onto www.DeKalbBand.com

Clara Bell Randalls

87 year old Clara Bell Randalls of Dowelltown died Sunday at NHC Healthcare Center in Smithville. She was a retired shirt factory worker and a member of the Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Bill Robertson, W.D. Thomason, and Bob Perkins will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eddie and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Atnip and a sister, Eva Pauline Randalls. Survivors include her husband, Bill Randalls of Dowelltown. Children, Joyce and her husband Jerry Spurlock of Smithville, Barbara Dean and her husband Kenneth Arnold of Smithville, Anna Ruth and her husband Jack Chidester of Nashville. Step-children, Billie Warrick and Eddie Ervin of Nashville, Annita Carver of Mount Juliet, Louise Gibson of Old Hickory, and Eva Hill of Smithville. Step-daughters-in-law, Ina Mai Hendrixson of Smithville, Vera Hendrixson of Dowelltown, and Grace Hendrixson of Nashville. One grand-daughter, Pam and her husband Michael Baines of Smithville. Two great grandchildren, Emily and her husband Josh Linder, and Michael Paul White all of Norfolk, Virginia. One great great granddaughter, Katie Madison Linder. One sister, Maudine Derting of Smithville. Twenty seven step grandchildren and several step great grandchildren. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. The family asks that donations be made to either the Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church building fund or to the Gideons International, in memory of Mrs. Randalls, in lieu of flowers.

City Accepts Bids for Golf Course Irrigation System

The City of Smithville will be accepting bids for the sprinkler system at the Smithville Golf Course. Specs may be picked up at City Hall during regular working hours. Bids will be opened at City Hall,, 104 East Main Street, Smithville, Tennessee on October 15th, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Regular City Council Meeting. The City reserves the right to reject or refuse any and all bids.

I-840 Bridge Dedicated To Fallen DeKalb County Soldier

In 2005, Interstate 840 was named the “Tennessee National Guard Parkway” as a lasting tribute to the brave men and women who fight and die for our country. Friday, September 28, a formal unveiling ceremony took place at the Lebanon National Guard Armory, dedicating each bridge along I-840 to an individual fallen soldier from the mid-state area. The Stewarts Ferry Pike Bridge was dedicated to Sergeant Shannon D. Taylor of Smithville, who was killed in the line of duty while serving in Iraq. The Bridge will now be known as the “Sergeant Shannon D. Taylor Memorial Bridge.”
State Senator Mae Beavers (R – Mount Juliet) attended the ceremony and presented the Taylor Family with a Senate Resolution honoring Sergeant Shannon D. Taylor for his service and ultimate sacrifice for this country.
“I am honored to be a part of this special day for the Taylor Family. Sergeant Taylor exemplified his strong sense of pride and true love for this country through his sacrifice. Because of his actions and those of his fallen comrades, we are able to enjoy our rights and freedoms here in America,” stated Beavers.
“I also believe this is a time to recognize the families of the soldiers and the sacrifices they have made in their own lives. Sergeant Taylor gave his life so that others may continue to enjoy freedom in America, but his actions were a direct refection of the love and support he received from his family and friends. I thank the family for all they have done for our country,” continued Beavers.
The memorial ceremony featured remarks from Governor Phil Bredesen and Major General Gus L. Hargett, Jr., Tennessee Army National Guard Adjutant General. Several legislators and local government officials were also on hand for the dedications.

Three Elderly People Involved In Two Vehicle Wreck Friday Afternoon

Three elderly people were involved in a two vehicle traffic accident around 3:20 p.m. Friday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 56 south and Keltonburg Road.
Trooper Brian Raymond of the Tennessee Highway Patrol says 90 year old Atwood Cantrell of Keltonburg Road was south on Highway 56 in a 1994 GMC Sonoma, attempting to turn onto Keltonburg Road, as 88 year old Ora Cox of Rolling Mill Road, Old Hickory was northbound, approaching the intersection in a 2008 Mercury Sable.
Cox and a passenger of her car, 85 year old Mattie Stalcup of Gribble Street, McMinnville were injured and taken by DeKalb EMS to the hospital for treatment.
Cantrell was not injured.

School Spirit on Display during DCHS Homecoming Parade

School spirit was on display Friday afternoon as students from DeKalb County High School celebrated the last day of Homecoming Week with a parade from the school to downtown.
The Tiger football team’s homecoming opponent Friday night is the Cannon County Lions and each float in the parade had a Tiger versus Lions theme.
The parade featured the Homecoming Queen and her court, the DCHS Fighting Tiger Band, county and city law enforcement officers and fire fighters, among others.
The Junior Class took first place with their float called “Tigers Roast Lions”
The Senior Class won second place with their float called “DeKalb Tigers are Slammin’ Lions to the Wall”.
Third place went to the FCCLA Club for their float entry called “Tigers are the Real Thing”
The Freshmen Class took fourth place with their float called “Tigers Walk the Lion”
The Sophomore Class received fifth place with their float called “Now Showing: A Tiger Victory”
Winners of the best decorated vehicles in the parade were: First place- Olivia Miller, Second place- Crystal Stibil, and Third place- Holly Owen
Winners of the best decorated business or window category were: First place- The Board of Education; Second place- DeKalb Community Bank and the law office of Sue Puckett Jernigan. Region’s Bank received Honorable Mention.

Sheriff’s Department Launches a Citizens Alert System

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department has implemented a new CITIZENS ALERT SYSTEM.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says “the CITIZENS ALERT SYSTEM is designed to inform the citizens of DeKalb County, via email and fax, of anything going on in the county that might affect you as a citizen and also add more eyes to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department in knowing about potential problems before they happen to you.”
The CITIZENS ALERT SYSTEM informs businesses and citizens about criminal activity,
wanted persons, missing persons, security and safety issues 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Sheriff Ray says the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has established a CITIZENS ALERT SYSTEM that links the citizens and businesses and the county’s law enforcement agency through an email and fax communication system located at the Sheriff’s Office. ” This email and fax database allow us to quickly alert businesses and citizens to criminal activity and important information that is relevant to the security and safety of all citizens, business operations,
employees and customers, twenty-four hours a day.”
If you would like to participate in this program, you may go to the Sheriff’s Department’s website at www.dekalbsherifftn.com and click on the CITIZEN ALERT SYSTEM selection in the menu and complete the form at the bottom of the page. You can sign up for your home or your business, or both. If you don’t have Internet access and want to sign up for the CITIZEN
ALERT SYSTEM by fax, send the following information to the sheriff by regular mail: Your Name, Complete Home Address, Home Phone Number, Home Fax Number, Business Name, Complete Business Address, Business Phone Number, and Business Fax Number.

Warren County Traffic Accident Claims Life of Teacher

A 53 year old DeKalb County woman, who was also a Warren County Middle School teacher, died from injuries she received in a one car crash around 7:29 a.m. Friday morning on Greenhill Road in Warren County.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol reports that Patsy Ann Rachel of Smithville was driving a 2001 Lincoln south on State Highway 287 when she went off the right shoulder, traveled about 50 yards, came back into the right lane, crossed into the left lane, and then went off the road and struck a tree.
She was taken to River Park Hospital in McMinnville where she was pronounced dead.
The accident was investigated by Troopers Daryle Gribble and Ronnie Simmons and Sergeant Billy Prater of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
According to the accident report, Rachel was not wearing her seat belt.