An early Sunday morning fire destroyed the residence of Shelia Tramel at 4296 New Home Road.
County Fire Chief Donny Green says a neighbor spotted the fire and called 911 around 7:13 a.m. Members of the Short Mountain Highway, Keltonburg, Blue Springs and Main Stations responded along with a tanker truck, the Sheriff’s Department, and DeKalb EMS.
No one was at home when the fire started.
Chief Green says Tramel had left home around 5:30 a.m. to go to work in Murfreesboro. Three other members of the family who lived there were also away from home when the fire started.
The cause is undetermined, but Chief Green says it appears to have started in the kitchen area.
No one was injured but a cat perished in the fire.
(Bottom photo by Callie Matthews)

The DeKalb County Tigers won their first ever State football play-off game with a 28-14 victory over the McMinn Central Chargers at Englewood Friday night.
The Tigers, now 9-2, will advance in the State Play-offs next Friday night to play Whitehouse while McMinn Central’s season comes to an end at 9-2.
The Tigers got the ball to start the game but turned it over on an interception, and three plays later, McMinn Central scored on a 30 yard quarterback sweep by Zack Rayle. Jamin Godfrey converted on the P.A.T. and the Chargers led 7-0 with 10:43 left in the first period.
DeKalb County mounted an 80 yard scoring drive on their next possession, aided by a face mask and a pass interception penalty on McMinn Central for a total of 30 yards. On 4th and 8 , Abram Edwards caught a 10 yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Hunter Poteete. Zach Taylor converted on the P.A.T. and the Tigers tied the game at 7-7 with 3:23 left in the first period.
On the ensuing kick-off, Josh Moss for McMinn Central returned the ball 90 yards for a touchdown. Godfrey converted on the P.A.T. and the Chargers led 14-7 with 3:12 left in the first quarter.
DeKalb County answered on another scoring drive. Matthew Lawrence caught an 8 yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Poteete. Zach Taylor converted the P.A.T. and the Tigers tied the game at 14-14 with 1:42 left in the first quarter.
The score at the end of the first period was 14 to 14.
McMinn Central threatened twice in the second period but could not score. The Chargers, on a first and goal at the Tiger two yard line, went three and out. The Chargers attempted a field goal with 5:02 left in the second quarter but Jamin Godfrey’s kick was wide left.
After picking off a DeKalb County pass, McMinn Central started a drive at the Tiger 35 yard line. The Chargers drove to the 29 yard line, but on a 4th and 4 play, Quarterback Zack Rayle fumbled the ball and DeKalb County recovered to stop the drive.
The score remained tied 14-14 at half time.
Neither team scored in the third quarter and the game remained tied at 14-14 as the fourth quarter began.
The Tigers took their first lead of the ballgame with 8:38 left in the fourth period on a 20 yard touchdown pass play from Quarterback Hunter Poteete to J.J. Herriott. Zach Taylor converted on the P.A.T. and DeKalb County led 21-14.
DeKalb County expanded the lead on a 5 yard touchdown run by Matthew Lawrence with 1:08 left in the game. Zach Taylor converted on the P.A.T. and the Tigers led 28-14
The final, DeKalb County wins 28-14.

The DeKalb County Trustee’s office mailed out the 2008 DeKalb County property tax statements Thursday.
DeKalb County Trustee Sean Driver says tax payers have until February 28th, 2009 to pay their tax bill. “Our tax notices have gone out, as of Thursday, November 6th. We had a time getting them in this year with the state being a little behind but we’ve got them ready to go. They are due and payable right now through February 28th, 2009. We are ready to go. Our computers are set up and ready to go with everything that involves collecting taxes.”
Driver says those who still need to pay their 2007 property tax bill may do so at the Trustee’s office in the courthouse. “I still have in the Trustee’s Office the 2007 taxes and I will turn those over to the Chancery Court on April 1st, 2009. You can pay all of those taxes if you still need to pay those through that date. Of course, with the 2007 taxes, they are accruing a one and a half percent penalty per month if they’re late.”
Seniors, be sure to check with the office on the state tax relief program. Income limit for 2008 is $24,790 for single or combined household incomes.
Trustee Driver says Tennessee’s tax relief program is a state-funded program that provides a rebate of credit for all or a portion of the property taxes on residential property owned and occupied by low-income elderly, low-income disabled, and disabled veteran homeowners and their surviving spouses. “There are a few changes for the elderly and disabled homeowners. That being the income limit which is set by the state of Tennessee. For DeKalb County, the 2007 combined income limit, whether sole owner or co-owner, is $24,790. That includes social security benefits, any kind of bank interest, retirement and pension, any kind of veteran’s benefits, or any kind of income you may have drawn in 2007.”
“With elderly homeowners, you must be age 65 or older before December 31st, 2008. The law requires us to provide evidence of that age, whether it be through a driver’s license, birth certificate, or marriage license. You must own this property to get tax relief and be under the income limit for eligibility.”
“For disabled homeowners, the same stipulations apply as for the elderly homeowners, except for disability, we must have acceptable evidence of disability, that being a current letter dated for 2008 that specifies the type of benefits that you receive. You have to be 100% disabled as deemed by the Social Security Administration or another agency.”
“With disabled veterans and widows or widowers, you must be 100% total and permanently disabled. That being through a service connected disability. That’ll be deemed by the Veteran’s Administration. We have a form to fill out to send to the Veteran’s Administration so they can see that you are trying to apply for tax relief. They will then let the state or tax relief program know that you do qualify as being 100% total and permanently disabled.”
“For disabled veterans and widows, income is irrelevant. I think that’s tremendous since our service people have served our country so well.”
” Let me mention something about deadlines. When you receive your tax cards and want to apply for tax relief. If you think you meet the requirements, you can bring in your tax bill. Here’s the way tax relief works in our Trustee’s office. Let’s say your taxes are $200. You will pay that $200 in full and we will send your application to the state to see if you are accepted and meet the requirements. This year our county is offering $91 for tax relief. You will be reimbursed the first time that $91. We’ll automatically give you that tax relief year after year, but for the first time you will be reimbursed the amount of tax relief back to your home. But on the first when you pay your tax, we will take in the total amount of tax and then send your application to the state and wait for approval. So anytime between now and April 6th, 2009 you can sign up for tax relief. The state allows 35 days after our last day to collect taxes, which is February 28th, 2009. So April 6th is the last day to sign up for tax relief for 2008″
Eligibility requirements for Elderly Homeowners are as follows:
Must be 65 or older on or before December 31st, 2008
Must provide evidence of age (i.e. driver’s license, birth certificate, marriage license)
Must own and use the property on which you are applying as your primary residence
Qualified applicants will receive property tax relief on the first $25,000 of their property’s market value.
According to the deed of the property, Must have records of the combined 2007 income of all owners of the property not exceeding $24,790. Income (i.e. social security, SSI pension, etc)
Eligibility requirements for Disabled Homeowners are as follows:
Must have been totally and permanently disabled as rated by the Social Security Administration or any other qualified agency on or before December 31st, 2008
Must provide evidence of age (i.e. driver’s license, birth certificate, marriage license)
Must own and use the property on which you are applying as your primary residence
Must have records of the combined 2007 income of all owners of the property not exceeding $24,790
Eligibility requirements for Disabled Veteran Homeowners and/or widow or widower:
Must own and use the property on which you are applying as your primary residence.
Your disability must meet one of the following categories:
A service-connected disability that resulted in (1) Paraplegia, (2) Permanent paralysis of both legs and lower part of the body resulting from traumatic injury or disease to the spinal cord or brain, (3) Loss or loss of use of, two or more limbs, and (4) Legal blindness.
A total and permanent disability rating from a service-connected disability
A 100% total and permanent disability rating from being a prisoner of war.
The Veteran’s Administration Office determines eligibility from the applicant’s information in the Trustee’s Office forwarded to the State of Tennessee.
If you meet these requirements you may apply in the Trustee’s Office as soon as you receive your property tax bill. The deadline to apply is 35 days after February 28th, 2009 or April 6th, 2009.
If you have any additional questions concerning the tax relief program, come by the Trustee’s office in the courthouse or call 597-5176.

The DeKalb County Fire Department was called to a reported forest fire on Ponder Road near Center Hill Lake Thursday.
According to Lieutenant Brad Mullinax, when fire units arrived, they discovered about 10 acres of wildland was burning. DeKalb 911 also dispatched members of the Tennessee Division of Forestry to assist in controlling the fire.
The fire was in a remote location and no structures were in immediate danger. Firefighters worked vigorously for about 4 hours before finally containing the blaze which, by then, had burned approximately 20 acres.
The DeKalb County Fire Department responded with its brush truck and an engine from the Main Station. Due to the large extent of the fire, volunteers from across the county were called in to assist.

A 40 year old Smithville man faces drug charges after recently being stopped by police for speeding
David Leon Pirtle of Gentry Avenue is charged with possession of a schedule VI controlled substance for sale and delivery. His bond is $25,000 and he will be in court on the charge November 13th.
In his report, Officer Matt Holmes states that “On October 30th on Highway 146, Pirtle was stopped for speeding. After Pirtle pulled into his driveway on Gentry Avenue, Officer Holmes approached the vehicle and saw Pirtle pushing something in his pants. Officer Holmes claims he asked Pirtle what he had in his pants and Pirtle pulled out a plastic bag containing one ounce of marijuana. A box of sandwich bags was also found in the vehicle. In addition to the box of Glad sandwich bags and marijuana, Officer Holmes also found scales.
Meanwhile, 28 year old Joseph Lovell of King Ridge Road was charged with driving on a suspended license on October 30th. His bond is $1,000 and he will be in court November 13th.
Officer Matt Holmes, in his report, states that on October 30th on Highway 70, Lovell was operating a motor vehicle and was stopped for a seat belt violation. A computer check revealed his license was suspended.
41 year old Billy Wayne Neal of Morse College Road was charged with driving under the influence on Saturday, November 1st. His bond is $1,000 and he will be in court on November 13th,
Officer Scott Davis reports that on November 1st at the Hardees parking lot, Neal was passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle. He had an odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person and he was unsteady on his feet. He performed poorly on all field sobriety tasks and be blew a .132 on a breathalyzer test.
Jonathan A. Bright of Hendersonville was charged with assault last Saturday. His bond is $1,000. Officer Travis Bryant reports that on Saturday, November 1st at 104 Windham Street, Bright assaulted a 17 year old boy by jumping out of his vehicle and hitting him several times in the face and head with his fists, causing the juvenile to need emergency treatment. After the assault, Bright got in his vehicle and left.
32 year old Fernando Ortega of Atnip Street was charged recently with no drivers license and cited for excessive noise, and for no registration and no insurance.
Officer Matt Farmer reports that Ortega was stopped on Short Mountain Street for excessive noise. Upon speaking with him, Ortega advised that he did not have a license. A computer check revealed that he has no license and only had an I.D.

Smithville Alderman Tonya Sullivan is introducing a resolution to establish procedures for city residents to speak at city board meetings.
The proposed resolution may be discussed at the next city council meeting on Monday, November 17th at 7:00 p.m. at city hall.
Alderman Sullivan says this resolution will provide and insure the following: Citizens will have three minutes to voice their concerns on any matter, citizens will have an opportunity to be heard before votes are cast by speaking at the beginning of the meeting, the “comments by citizens” session will be a part of the agenda, so that your voice will be heard. “I have a responsibility to the citizens of Smithville to establish a process for their voice to be heard. This resolution, if passed, will insure that citizens can speak on issues before the board votes. In the past, the board hasn’t heard from the citizens until the end of the meeting and votes have already been cast. This resolution will benefit the public and the board. This has been a long time coming and is a much needed resolution. This resolution is to insure that the citizens of Smithville are always heard. I invite you to call the mayor and your aldermen and express your concerns. I encourage your attendance at the November 17th meeting and I will continue to be your voice. I will continue to stand up for you and I will continue to do my best for the city. Please, don’t be silenced. Let your voice be heard. Contact the mayor’s office and your city alderman and encourage them to vote for this resolution.”
The proposed resolution states that ” Whereas, in our system of representative government, the Mayor and City Board members are charged with the responsibility of informing themselves and making sound decisions that affect the lives of the citizens of Smithville; and
Whereas, it is a commonly accepted practice in Tennessee cities to provide an opportunity for citizens input, as part of the board meetings so long as such comments are not permitted to degenerate into debates between citizens and the Mayor or board members; and
Whereas, it is the desire of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Smithville that citizens be provided the opportunity to make comments at board meetings in accordance with established procedures; and
Now, therefore, be it resolved:
Citizens of the City of Smithville are hereby authorized to make comments at the beginning of each regular or special called meeting of the board, in accordance with the following:
The person desiring to speak should rise, address the Chair, and when recognized, state their name and address. Only residents of the City of Smithville shall be allowed to speak during the “comments by citizens” part of the board’s agenda, unless requested to do so by the board.
After providing the required information, the person shall be allowed to speak for three minutes on any matter of concern to the citizen.
All citizens comments shall be directed to the Mayor. The Mayor may address questions to individual aldermen, but in no event will the citizen be permitted to call names, question the integrity or motive of individual aldermen, or make personal or derogatory comments.
It is the responsibility of the Mayor to maintain order at city board meetings.”
Alderman Sullivan says “the citizens depend on the mayor and aldermen to conduct business in a fair and just manner. Listening to the citizens should always be our business.”

With the holiday season fast approaching, the Department of Children’s Services is planning a visit from Santa for DeKalb County children in foster care.
Friends of DeKalb County Foster Children urge you to remember that not all children this Christmas will take part in a celebration with their own families. Children who have lived in an abusive or neglectful home will be sharing Christmas with their foster family, and for many, this means with strangers. Often these children wonder if Santa Clause has their new address, or whether or not he will bring them any gifts this year.
While the department is able to provide for everyday needs of children in state custody, there are not enough funds available to purchase Christmas gifts and for other special occasions such as birthdays and graduations. For this reason, foster care Christmas depends on the generosity of the general public.
Annette Greek, Treasurer for the DeKalb County Foster Children’s Fund, says your support is needed for the 40 children from DeKalb County now in foster care. If you or your organization would be willing to help these children by providing a monetary donation, please make checks payable to “DeKalb County Foster Children Fund” and mail to: DeKalb County Foster Children Fund, Attention: Annette Greek, 400 West Public Square, Smithville, Tennessee 37166.
Greek says she will be glad to accept your cash donation at Webb’s Drug Store.
Greek says since the ages of these foster children vary, a cash donation is preferable to gifts.