Sheriff Patrick Ray of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department reported several recent arrests, on Monday.
Sheriff Ray said 18 year old Clinton Lane Cope of Midway Road was arrested on Wednesday, July 9th, on Highway 70 East at the Gentlemen’s Club after deputies were stopped by a security guard. The security guard advised deputies that a subject was trying to sneak into the club. Deputies found the subject to be Cope. Upon talking with Cope, they found him to be under the influence of alcohol, as they detected a strong odor of alcohol on his person, blood shot eyes and Cope was unsteady on his feet. Cope admitted to deputies that he had been drinking whiskey. While deputies were doing a pat down search of Cope, they found a small bag of a green leafy substance believed to be Marijuana. Cope was charged with Under Age Consumption and Simple Possession of Marijuana. Bond was set at $2,000.00 and Cope will appear in court on the charges on July 24th.
24 year old Jose Martinez Mendez of Colar Street in Tracy City, Tennessee, was arrested on Thursday, July 10th, after he was involved in a single auto accident on Highway 70 East. Mendez could not produce deputies a driver’s license, and after a computer check, there was no evidence of Mendez ever having a license. Mendez was arrested for no driver’s license and was written a citation for violation of the financial responsibility law (no car insurance). Bond was set at $1,000.00, and Mendez will appear in court on the charges on July 16th.
28 year old Felipe Pinon of Adcock Cemetery Road Smithville, was arrested on Thursday, July 10th, after being involved in an automobile accident on Vaughn Lane in Smithville. Pinon could not produce deputies a driver’s license and after a computer check, there was no evidence of Pinon ever having a license. Pinon was arrested for no driver’s license and was written a citation for violation of the financial responsibility law (no car insurance). Bond was set at $1,000.00, and Pinon will appear in court on July 16th.
Meanwhile, 42 year old Shannon Lynn Newby of Anthony Avenue, Smithville, and 30 year old Amy Janette Lawson of Haley Road, Smithville, were arrested on Thursday, July 10th, for theft of property over $500.00 and theft of property over $1,000.00. Newby and Lawson allegedly went to a home on Jacob’s Pillar Road on or about Monday, July 7th, and stole a 5×8 foot tilt utility trailer with a three-drawer tool box containing assorted tools. The trailer and tools were valued at $1,100.00. Then on Wednesday, July 9th, the two went to a residence located on Short Mountain Highway and stole a 5×11 foot utility trailer with a high tailgate valued at $900.00. Both trailers were taken and sold to another individual in DeKalb County. Detectives received a tip on the trailers and who stole them. Both trailers were recovered. Bond for both Newby and Lawson was set at $50,000.00 each, and both will appear in court on July 17th.

Lightning during several thunderstorms on Saturday kept local DeKalb County volunteer firefighters on the move, and a wreck added to the busy day.
Local county fire chief, Donnie Green, said local fire departments received four calls within a span of about 30 minutes on Saturday, all related to the storms that rumbled through the area. Green noted most of the alarms were caused by lightning, which set off several home alarms, but county fire officials did respond to a fire at an outbuilding at a Lakeside Drive residence in the Lakeside Mountain Estates Development. Green said lightning struck a nearby tree, and ran underground into the outbuilding causing the fire. The surge also ran into the home through electrical outlets and damaged several appliances, although no fire was reported in the home.
Green said the homeowners reside out of town, and use the residence primarily as a weekend home.
Before local fire officials were finished at the scene, another call came in directing firefighters to a single car accident in the Dry Creek community near Possum Hollow road. Trooper Mark Jones of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that 49-year-old Martin Allen Arnold of Bluff Springs Road, McMinnville was driving a 1997 GMC Sierra pick-up, when his car ran off the left side of the road, went down a steep embankment and was trapped in some trees. Arnold was pinned in the vehicle and had to be extricated by DeKalb EMS. Jones said Arnold was coherent, but had to be life-flighted from the scene to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga with serious head and neck injuries.

The DeKalb County Fair in Alexandria will be held Monday through Saturday July 21st through July 26th.
The fair will feature at least two new events this year, the Tennessee Off-Road Challenge and Tennessee Top Model Audition for females ages 15 to 29.
Fair Manager Jeff McMillen says the Tennessee Off-Road Challenge will be Monday night during the fair at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilltop Arena. “It’s these four wheel drive vehicles that climb rock and we’ll have a 200 foot obstacle course for those type vehicles. We’re expecting it to be a good event and a big event. Hopefully, it’ll turn out to be a weekend event instead of a Monday night event eventually.”
DeKalb Idol will be back this year. Audition nightly at the DeKalb Idol Tent from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. to compete in the final competition Saturday night for $300. A brand new “People’s Choice” voted on by the audience compete’s for a $100 cash prize.
Participants in fair pageants (Fairest of the Fair, Junior Fair Princess, Little Miss and Mister, Miss Sweetheart, and Little Miss Princess) may register on-line at www.studiosixlimited.com or www.dekalbcountyfair.us or you may register in person at the fairgrounds on Saturday, July 19th.
Parents wishing to register their children in the baby and toddler shows may obtain an application on-line at www.dekalbcountyfair.us. Just print off the form and send it in or stop by
the Smithville Review for a registration form.
The fair will feature lots of delicious foods and many commercial, agricultural, and women’s exhibits.
The Kenneth Sandlin Center will be open Monday through Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
All Perishable exhibits ONLY will be accepted Saturday, July 19th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Exhibit rule books are available at your local Post Office, Library, Chamber of Commerce, Liberty State Bank, DeKalb Community Bank or at www.dekalbcountyfair.us or www.dekalbtn.com.
Enjoy nightly entertainment at the Memory Lane Stage in Memory Village featuring Blue Grass music, LIVE bands, Karree Phillips, a Bassoon Concert, Southern Dreams Band, Al Mahan, Karaoke, Clogging and Square Dancing, Terri Lynn Weaver, Meet Elvis, Bluegrass Express Cloggers, Tae Kwon Do Demonstrations, Martial Arts Demonstration, Krystal Marie, Jubal’s Cry, Crossfire Band, the Country Giant Band, the DCHS Band, the Saturday Nite Two Step and more!
Every night is T-shirt night! Wear any DeKalb County Fair T-shirt from ANY YEAR and ask for your ticket to win great BONUS PRIZES during the $1,000 cash giveaway each night at 9:00 p.m. at the Lion’s Club Pavilion. Request tickets at the gate.
The following events are scheduled:
Monday, July 21st: National Anthem at 5:45 p.m. at the Lion’s Club Pavilion; T-Shirt Preview at 5:50 p.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion; Cattle Show at 6:00 p.m. at the grandstands ; Off-Road Challenge at the Hilltop Arena at 6:30 p.m.; Junior Fair Princess Pageant at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Fairest of the Fair Pageant at the Lions Club Pavilion. $1000 cash giveaway at 9:00 p.m. and announcement of DeKalb Idol winners at the Pavilion.
Tuesday, July 22nd: 4-H Lamb Cooking Demonstration; the Little Mr. and Miss Pageant at 6:00 p.m. followed by David Turner and Friends at the Lions Club Pavilion; Go-Cart Racing at 6:00 p.m. at the Hilltop Arena; and a Horse Show at 7:00 p.m. at the Grandstand; $1000 cash giveaway at 9:00 p.m. and announcement of DeKalb Idol winners at the Pavilion.
Wednesday, July 23rd: Little Miss Princess Pageant at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Miss Sweetheart Pageant at the Lions Club Pavilion; Four Wheeler and Motorcycle Racing at 6:00 p.m. at the Hilltop Arena; $1000 cash giveaway at 9:00 p.m. and announcement of DeKalb Idol winners at the Pavilion.
Thursday, July 24th: Senior Citizen Day activities at 9:00 a.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion; 4-H Chick Chain Show at 5:00 p.m. at the barn; Junior Goat Show at 6:00 p.m. at the barn; a Baby Show at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Vintage Fashion Show at the Lions Club Pavilion; and Lawn Mower Racing at 7:00 p.m. at the Hilltop Arena; $1000 cash giveaway at 9:00 p.m. and announcement of DeKalb Idol winners at the Pavilion.
Friday, July 25th: WSMV Channel 4 Snow Bird from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Toddler Show at 6:00 p.m. followed by Tennessee Top Model at the Lions Club Pavilion; an Antique Tractor Pull at 7:00 p.m. at the Hilltop Arena; and a Demolition Derby at 7:00 p.m. at the Grandstand; $1000 cash giveaway at 9:00 p.m. and announcement of DeKalb Idol winners at the Pavilion.
Saturday, July 26th: A Horse Shoe Tournament at 3:00 p.m. at the barn; and a Super Tractor and Truck Pull at 6:00 p.m. at the Hilltop Arena: DeKalb Idol Final Competition at 6:00 p.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion followed by Gospel Singing; $1000 cash giveaway at 9:00 p.m.
One thousand dollars in cash will be given away each night, Monday through Saturday and you must be present to win. If no one presents the winning ticket within three minutes, the money will be saved and given away on Saturday night in increments of $1,000. Your fair admission ticket is your ticket for the cash drawing.
Rides on the Midway will be provided by the Family Attractions Amusement Company. Unlimited rides will be available each night for $16.00.
Admission to the fair is $3.00 per person. Children age four and younger will be admitted free! Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Parking is Free!
For more information, call 529-FAIR or visit on-line at www.dekalbcountyfair.us or www. dekalbtn.com.

The tenant at the Smithville Municipal Golf Course has given notice that he is giving up his lease with the city and will be out, as of August 8th.
In a letter to Mayor Taft Hendrixson dated July 8th, Jimmy Lewis states that “At this time with great regret, I have to terminate my lease with the City of Smithville. The Smithville Golf Club has been having trouble making a profit due to a number of reasons for some time. The most important concerns are the amount of the lease payments and the swimming pool.”
“I have tried for over a year to work with the City of Smithville to amend the current lease so I could make a go of the operation and save the City lots of time and worry with having to rebid the contract; but to no avail has this been worked out.”
“The Smithville Golf Club is in much better shape today than when I was awarded the contract some years ago. I am now giving my 30 days notice and I will be out on August 8th, 2008.”
Mayor Hendrixon said the city’s options are to either lease the golf course and pool to someone else or to hire someone to operate them.
Lewis originally had the golf course and swimming pool leased until 2012 at a rate of $2,500 per month. Under an amended agreement, Lewis was granted an extension of his lease through 2017 at the same rate of $2,500 per month, with a five year renewal option as a consideration for his commitment ” to expend the sum of one hundred thousand dollars in order to dig a second well, to install a sprinkler system for the fairways, and to purchase golf carts”. The monthly rate could have been renegotiated in 2017.
Last December, Mayor Hendrixson vetoed a city council vote to amend last year’s budget and spend $215,000 to purchase and install a sprinkler system at the golf course.
The aldermen failed to overide the veto on a 3 to 2 vote.
Had it been approved, the city would have spent $215,000 taking $88,000 from the golf course checking account and $127,000 from the general fund account to pay for the project.
In March, Mayor Hendrixson proposed that the lease be amended. Under the terms, Lewis would have continued operating the golf course through the year 2017, but he would have been relieved of his responsibility for operating the swimming pool. Hendrixson proposed cutting Lewis’ rent in half from $2,500 per month to $1,250 per month, but Lewis would have been responsible for all upkeep and maintenance of the golf course. Mayor Hendrixson further proposed that the swimming pool operation and maintenance be funded from the city’s recreation budget.
However City Attorney Vester Parsley, Jr. said these proposed changes were so significant that the lease, in his opinion, could not be amended. “I’ve looked over the lease agreement that you have with Jimmy Lewis that was entered into on March 22nd, 2006. Although it does have a provision for modifications, I don’t think it’s contemplated that we would make a major deviation from the current contract. Currently, Mr. Lewis is supposed to be paying $2,500 per month and there was discussion about reducing that in half and then also the (city) taking over the swimming pool which Mr. Lewis currently has to manage. My feeling is that because this is such a major deviation from the contract, the city would probably have to re-let that contract if they were going to do that and if Mr. Lewis opts to say he is going to terminate his agreement with the city then I think the city has no option other than re-letting and let others vie for that contract. You’re talking about a significant deviation from the contract. This contract goes through 2017 and there is no provision to have that big a deviation so I feel like that it would be ill advised for the city to deviate and make those major changes since other people may want to vie for that contract.”

Installation of an orifice gate at Center Hill Lake has been rescheduled for August 4 due to the need for a larger crane, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Originally scheduled for July 8, a small crane was scheduled to allow traffic to pass the dam along Highway 96 while the work was underway. However, the crane’s cables were not quite long enough to lower the gate down the upstream face of the concrete portion of the dam to its position near the base of the dam. The lowering of the gate has been rescheduled for Monday, August 4th, 2008 using a larger crane with longer cables. This crane will require full road closure from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Work is continuing on the Corps of Engineers’ Center Hill Seepage remediation, a six-year, four-construction contract overall plan. The first of four large construction contracts to correct seepage problems at Center Hill Dam was not delayed by the altered schedule, but is in high production, working six days per week, two 10-hour shifts and has only halted for minor, temporary weather-related delays.
This contract will reduce seepage by a series of closely-spaced grout holes pumped into the earthen portion of the dam foundation and the left rim foundation, beginning in September and continuing for more than a year.
As part of environmental mitigation to continue a minimum flow into the Caney Fork River once the seepage is reduced, the overall seepage reduction plan includes manufacture and installation of an orifice gate. The orifice gate (photo 1) is a steel plate with open ports and will be placed over one of six 4 x 6-foot culverts called sluice gates, located at the base of the concrete portion of the dam. This orifice gate will provide an approximate 200 cubic foot per second minimum flow through the dam and will provide cold water releases and improve dissolved oxygen downstream to maintain the fishery once the seepage is cut off.
Tim Dunn, Resource Manager of Center Hill Lake, spoke with WJLE Friday morning about the project. “Earlier this year, in late February we awarded the first construction contract which is the first of several large contracts. It’s a two year contract to grout the main earthen embankment of the dam and the left rim, which are the most critical parts of the dam to take care of first. So those are currently underway. If you come by the dam now you’ll see the contractors well underway with clearing the left rim hillside and actually cutting through the hillside to facilitate the grouting or to get us in there where we can do the grouting much quicker and easier. They are also building a work platform on the upstream side of the earthen embankment and building a platform on the downstream side. So you can definitely see a lot of work going on around the dam now. We should be ready to start the actual grouting, which is drilling down into the ground underneath the dam, to inject a cement type mixture into the void later this summer, probably around September of this year.”
“Also as part of the environmental mitigation, we are in the process of installing an orifice gate, which is a gate that goes on the sluice gate, which is an opening at the very bottom of the dam. We’re in the process of installing it so that we can allow about a 200 cubic foot per second minimum flow of water to flow through the dam to offset the seepage that we’re going to be blocking with the grouting work. What this will do is ensure that we have a continual flow of good cold water for the trout fishery down stream and it will also help water quality on downstream of the Caney Fork and into the Cumberland River system.”
“We actually worked on it (orifice gate) earlier last week. We attempted to use a smaller crane so that we could keep the roadway over the dam open for the public to use. However the crane we used was not quite large enough to get down to the depths that we needed to get to so we have re-scheduled for early August. Actually on Monday, August 4th from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. we’re going to bring in a larger crane to set that gate. However, to use the larger crane we’re going to have to close the roadway completely for about a five hour period so August 4th we recommend folks find an alternate route to cross the dam if they are down in this area. But that’s just one part of the project. The other activities, the grouting and the clearing is going very well and progress is being made everyday.”
“The actual rehabilitation of the dam is still well underway. There have been no changes to the plans or no disruptions to that. Just the mitigation of installing the gate has been delayed for about another three weeks or so until we can get a larger crane to set that, but that in no way hinders the actual rehabilitation of the dam project.”
“We awarded the first contract in February. It’s a two year contract and it was awarded for I believe $87-million. It’s a very large construction contract. There will be other contracts. The total project cost is around $260-million and it will last about five years. Somewhere around 2012-2013 is when we will be finishing up the work.”
“We have several risk reduction measures in place, one of those being maintaining the lake at a lower level. We’re doing well with that. We’re trying to target 630 as a maximum pool level and we’re hoping to not go lower than the low 620’s or 618 at the very lowest this winter. We’re very dependant on rainfall so as long as we continue to get a few rains along we’ll be doing fairly well with lake levels but if it turns off really dry we could see some really low levels this fall so again, we encourage folks to really be careful out there on the lake. It’s still a very large lake, a very deep lake, but there are some areas that are shallower this time of year than what folks are accustomed to seeing so definitely use caution in those areas.”
Travelers are encouraged to plan alternate routes during this time (August 4th). The closest alternate route to drive from one side of the dam to the other is to travel I-40 just north of the dam. From the east end of the dam, take HWY 96 to I-40, travel I-40 west for approximately 10 miles to exit #258. At exit #258, travel south on HWY 53 for approximately one mile before turning onto HWY 141, which leads to the west end of Center Hill Dam.
Additional information on the Center Hill Dam Seepage Rehabilitation Project may be found on the Nashville District website at http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/CenterHill/.

CoverKids representatives will be at the 9TH grade registration to enroll children in the comprehensive health insurance program from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.on Thursday, July 31, at the DeKalb County High School, 1130 West Broad Street, in Smithville.
CoverKids, a Cover Tennessee program, allows qualifying children 18 and under to get free, comprehensive health insurance for preventive health care services such as vaccinations, doctors’ visits, prescriptions and hospital visits.
A family of four with a $53,000 yearly income will qualify for CoverKids. They will have no monthly premiums for coverage and will pay only $15 for doctors’ visits and $5 for generic medications. Plus, they won’t have any co-pays for routine exams, labs or x-rays.
Parents and legal guardians need to bring household income information and the Social Security numbers of all children they want to enroll in CoverKids.
Cover Tennessee is a multi-pronged effort that extends health insurance to uninsured individuals in Tennessee through three insurance programs and a pharmacy assistance program. CoverTN is an affordable and portable health insurance initiative for working Tennesseans who are uninsured. Comprehensive insurance for children is provided through CoverKids, and chronically ill adults are eligible for AccessTN, a high-risk pool. CoverRx is a statewide pharmacy assistance program designed to assist those who have no pharmacy coverage, but have a critical need for medication. More information on all Cover Tennessee programs is available at www.CoverTN.gov or by calling 1-866-COVERTN.