Agnes P. Dunham

92 year old Agnes P. Dunham died Tuesday at St. Mary’s Medical Center in LaFollette. The funeral will be Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the New Union The Baptist Church. Anthony Pelham will officiate and burial will be in the New Union Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Edna Jones Dunham; a sister, Avis Ray; a brother-in-law, Burnice Ray; and a nephew-in-law, Paul Blankenship. She is survived by two brothers, James M. Dunham of Nashville and Royce Dunham and his wife Betty of LaFollette. Nieces, Geraldine Blankenship of Smithville, Candy Dunham and Beth Nelson of Nashville, and Susan Tucker of Knoxville. A nephew, Grady Ray of Smithville. Several great nieces and nephews also survive. High Funeral Home in McMinnville is in charge of the arrangements.

Allene Dunn

86 year old Allene Dunn of McMinnville died Tuesday at NHC Healthcare Center in Smithville of an extended illness. She was a homemaker and a member of the Baptist Church. The funeral will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell & Cope Funeral Home in McMinnville. Jerry Womack and Danny Barnes will officiate and burial will be in Boiling Springs Cemetery in Cookeville. The family will receive friends Thursday from noon until 9:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. She was the widow of the late William Lester Dunn. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Moses and Effie L. Reeder Pedigo; three brothers, Lee Allen Pedigo, Toy Pedigo, and Floyd Pedigo; and two sisters, Susann Pedigo and Martha Ann Clemons. She is survived by two daughters, Juanita and her husband Clifton Hendrixson of McMinnville and Brenda F. Grissom of Newport News, Virginia. Two sons, Jimmy and his wife Debbie Dunn of McMinnville and Aubrey L. Dunn of McMinnville. Two sisters, Lessie and her husband Clarence Womack of McMinnville and Ruby and her husband J.A. Whitlock of McMinnville. Two brothers, Norvan and his wife Wilma Pedigo of McMinnville and Lloyd and his wife Mamie Pedigo of Murfreesboro. Five grandchildren, Cameron Scott Hendrixson, Jimmie Lynn Dunn, Billy Lee Dunn, William Douglas Merriman, and Steven Michael Grissom. Four great grandchildren, Lake Dunn, Rennise Merriman, Katlyn and Hannah Grissom. Love-Cantrell and Cope Funeral Home in McMinnville is in charge of the arrangements.

Paul Edward Ray

72 year old Paul Edward Ray of Smithville died Wednesday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was a truck driver. A memorial service will be Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Visitation will be Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The family has requested that all donations please be made to Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, in lieu of flowers, to help with burial expenses. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Perry and Myrtle Ray and two sisters, Ruby Layne and Bessie Conway. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Ray. Two daughters, Lisa Ray and Carla Ray both of Smithville. Three grandchildren, Nikkie and Amber Bain of Smithville, and Jayra Muncey of Smithville. One sister, Laury Hinkel of Pikeville, Kentucky. Two brothers, Orville Ray of Dorton, Kentucky and Hollis W. Ray of Daytona, Florida. A son-in-law, Jimmy (Rooster) Martin of Smithville. Sisters-in-law, Emogene and her husband Arnold Bailey of Smithville and Arvid and Dorothy Turner of Smithville. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Clara L. Schmidt

77 year old Clara L. Schmidt of Smithville died Tuesday at DeKalb Community Hospital. She was a retired factory worker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert F. Schmidt and a brother, Sonny Martin. Survivors include children, Donna and her husband Gerald Christensen of Nevada, Peter and his wife Carol Schmidt of New Jersey, Alice Knight of Smithville, and Wendy and her husband Jeff Conners of Utah. Grandchildren, Tina Jones, Michael Knight, Christopher Knight, Jason Knight, Afton Brimhall, Landon Conners, Whitney Conners, Dawnmarie “Blais” Gomas; and a brother, Jimmy Martin of Massachusetts. The family has chosen direct cremation. No visitation or services will be held at this time. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Smithville Police Investigating Break-In at Collier Ford

Smithville Police are investigating a break-in which occurred sometime either late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning at Collier Ford at 710 West Broad Street.
Officer Travis Bryant, in his report, states “On Wednesday at 7:48 a.m., I responded to Collier Ford to a break-in that occurred during the night. When I arrived on the scene, I observed the back rolling door broke off the track where someone had made entry to the building. They (intruders) had gone through the parts department to the front lobby where they broke into the owner’s office and took a 50 inch Plasma TV valued at $2,500, a Nintendo WII valued at $400, two shotguns (a double barrel and a single barrel pump) valued at $1,000. They then broke into the finance manager’s office and went through the drawers but nothing was removed. The value of the damage to the door is estimated at $1,000.”
If you have information that could help solve the crime, contact the Smithville Police Department.
In other city crime news, Smithville Police cited 25 year old Mrs. Rousha C. Prater of North Mill Street, Dowelltown for shoplifting from the Wal-Mart store on Sunday, March 9th. She will be in General Sessions Court on the citation April 10th.
In his report, Officer Randy King states that “I was dispatched to 515 West Broad Street for a reported shoplifter. Upon arrival, I met the Wal-Mart security and the manager. I was advised at that time that Wal-Mart security had caught a woman stealing makeup. Mrs. Prater was detained by Wal-Mart and was being held in the manager’s office until the arrival of the police. I spoke to Mrs. Prater and she advised me that she had put the makeup in her purse because she did not have the money to pay for it. Found in Prater’s purse were fifteen items that totaled $122.56. She was cited for shoplifting.”
Meanwhile, 23 year old Sara Nicole South of Toad Road, Smithville was charged Tuesday with Theft of Property under $500 for allegedly shoplifting from Dollar General Store. Her bond is $1,000 and she will be in court on the charge March 27th.
Sergeant Joey D. Jones, in his report, states that ” On March 11th at the Dollar General Store on Highway 56, South took from the store seven bottles of personal hygiene products and did not pay for them. They were recovered in the vehicle she was in. She did admit to taking the items.”
South’s boyfriend, 28 year old B.J. Ittayem of Toad Road, was charged with filing a false report for allegedly trying to take the blame for the theft. His bond is $1,000 and he will be in court on the charge March 27th.
Sergeant Jones’ report states that “Ittayem told the officer that he had taken several items from the store and did not pay for them. His girlfriend, South, had taken the items and she did admit to taking them.”
In other cases, 18 year old Lucio Romo of Short Mountain Highway, Smithville was charged Sunday with possession of alcohol by a minor and underage consumption of alcohol. His bond is $1,000 on each charge and he will be in court April 3rd.
Officer Scott Davis, in his report, states that he was dispatched to the area of Hayes Street and College Street in Smithville to a possible drunk driver. The vehicle was stopped by Officer Bradley Tatrow. Officer Davis made contact with the passenger who was identified as Romo. Officer Davis noticed a strong odor of alcohol on his person and a six pack of beer between his feet and an open bottle of beer he had dumped out prior to Officer Davis’ arrival.
Romo was charged with underage possession and consumption after officers discovered his birth date is September 19th, 1989.
Meanwhile, 25 year old Jose Antonio Rodriguez Coronilla of Short Mountain Highway, Smithville was charged Sunday with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and no drivers license. His bond is $1,000 on each charge and he will be in court March 27th.
Officer Bradley Tatrow’s report states that “I responded to a drunk driver in the area of South College Street. Upon making contact with the vehicle, I observed it weaving on the roadway. Upon stopping the vehicle and speaking to the driver and passenger, I noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on both subjects. The passenger was 18 and there was beer in the vehicle. The driver, Cornilla, was arrested for contributing, knowing the passenger was only 18 years old.”
Since he could not produce a drivers license, Cornilla was also charged with no drivers license.
19 year old Brandon Matthew Byford of Luttrell Avenue was charged with forgery on Thursday, March 6th. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court March 27th.
According to the warrant, “Byford did forge a check on his grandfather, John Dorton, in the amount of $530.37 and cashed the check at First Bank in DeKalb County. Dorton states he did not authorize anyone to sign this check.”
The case was investigated by Investigator Jerry Hutchins Jr.
41 year old Phillip Wesley York of Anthony Avenue was charged Sunday with public intoxication. His bond is $1,000 and he will be in court April 3rd.
Officer Scott Davis, in his report, states that he responded to NHC on an intoxicated person in the building. Upon arrival, he found York who was very unsteady on his feet and had a strong odor of alcohol on his person. He also had slurred speech and his eyes were bloodshot and watery. He allegedly was also bothering patients and nursing staff at the facility. York was a danger to himself and the public at large”, according to the report.
In another case, Sosa Celaya Roel of Smith Road was charged Sunday with a first offense of driving under the influence. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court March 27th.
In his report, Officer Tatrow states that “I observed a vehicle on East Broad Street weaving across the yellow line five times as well as jerking out of it’s lane three times. Upon getting the vehicle stopped and speaking to the driver (Sosa Roel), I noticed a strong odor of alcohol on his person. He stated he had drank two beers. He performed several field sobriety tasks and he performed poorly on all tasks. He did submit to a breathalyzer test and blew a .19.”
Roberto Cortez of Smith Road was arrested Sunday for public intoxication. His bond is $1,000 and he will be in court April 3rd.
The police report states that “Cortez was a passenger of a vehicle where the driver was arrested for DUI. Cortez had a strong odor of alcohol on his person and advised Officer Davis that he had drank several beers. He did not have any ID on his person and could not find a safe ride home. He was a danger to himself so Officer Davis placed him under arrest.”
35 year old Dora Leigh Mooneyham and her husband 32 year old Billy Paul Mooneyham of Parkway Drive were each charged with filing a false report on Monday. They will be in court on the charges March 27th.
According to Officer Mark Milam’s report, Dora Mooneyham initially told police she was driving a vehicle involved in an accident on Allen’s Chapel Road but it was later determined that her husband was the driver.
Mr Mooneyham was charged after first reporting to police that his wife wrecked the vehicle. It was later determined that he was driving the vehicle.

DeKalb County Families Can Enjoy Additional Tax Savings This Spring

The Tennessee Department of Revenue has announced the change of the special spring Sales Tax Holiday date to Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27, 2008. This one-time holiday will offer three full days of tax savings to shoppers on clothing, school and art supplies, and computers.
The date, originally set for March 21-23 on Easter weekend, was changed by the General Assembly to April 25-27.
“By moving the date, consumers and retailers will be able to enjoy three full days of tax savings as the legislation originally intended,” said Senator Tim Burchett, Senate sponsor of the bill
that moved the date to April.
“Now people can take advantage of the tax savings offered by the state, and still be able to honor their other commitments,” said Representative Randy Rinks, the House sponsor.
During the holiday,shoppers may purchase selected clothing with a price of $100 or less per item, school and school art supplies with a price of $100 or less per item and computers with a price of $1,500 or less without paying Tennessee’s state and local sales tax on the items. The
holiday also includes purchases of qualified items sold via mail, telephone, e-mail or Internet if the customer orders and pays for the item and the retailer accepts the order during the holiday for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the exemption period.
“All Tennesseans can benefit from the state’s sales tax holidays,” said Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr. “The April holiday offers tax-free purchases on clothing for summer, computers and
supplies for summer programs or early back-to-school preparations.”
Details about the state’s special Sales Tax Holiday are available at the state’s dedicated Web site,www.tntaxholiday.com (http://www.tntaxholiday.com/ ). The Tennessee Department of Revenue also offers assistance to consumers via e-mail, Salestax.Holiday@state.tn.us,
and through its toll-free statewide telephone hot line,(800) 342-1003.
Staff is available to answer questions Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.Central Time. (Out-of-state and Nashville-area callers, please dial (615) 253-0600.)
The Department of Revenue is responsible for the administration of state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws established by the legislature and the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The Department of Revenue collects approximately 92 percent
of total state tax revenue.
During the 2006-2007 fiscal year, the department collected $11 billion in state taxes and fees. In addition to collecting state taxes, $1.9 billion of local sales tax was collected by the department for local governments during the 2006-2007 fiscal year.
Besides collecting taxes, the department enforces the revenue laws fairly and impartially in an effort to encourage voluntary taxpayer compliance. The department also apportions revenue collections for distribution to the various state funds and local units of government.
To learn more about the department, log on towww.Tennessee.gov/revenue.

J.C. Davis

72 year old J.C. Davis of Alexandria died Tuesday at Sumner Regional Medical Center in Gallatin. The body is at Avant Funeral Home in Alexandria where the funeral will be Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Buford Bane will officiate and burial will be in Hillview Memorial Cemetery in Alexandria. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the service time at 1:00 p.m. He is survived by his wife, Leslie Davis of Alexandria. Two sons and daughters-in-law, Whit and Shannon Davis of Alexandria and Brit and Kendra Davis of Carthage. Two grandchildren, Renee McCornack and Leslie Elizabeth Davis. Avant Funeral Home in Alexandria is in charge of the arrangements.

Norma Keaton

81 year old Norma Keaton of Alexandria died Tuesday at University Medical Center in Lebanon. The funeral will be Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the Brush Creek Baptist Church. Wayne Jamison and Robert Amason will officiate and burial will be in Brush Creek Cemetery. The Keaton family will receive friends at Avant Funeral Home in Alexandria on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and at the Brush Creek Baptist Church on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the service time at 11:00 a.m. She is survived by three children, Lorie and her husband Jim York of Alexandria; Jeffery and his wife Jennifer Keaton of Smithville; and Jocelyn Keaton of Liberty. Seventeen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren survive. Avant Funeral Home in Alexandria is in charge of the arrangements.

V.L. Wilson

89 year old V.L. Wilson of Smithville died Monday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was owner/operator of Holmes Creek Boat Dock and a member of the Covenant Baptist Church. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Bobby Colvert and Danny Fish will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. A Masonic Service will be held Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will be Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Amanda Lewis Wilson; a son, Don Wilson; and a sister, Vera Driver. Survivors include his wife, Callie Fuson Wilson of Smithville. Two daughters, Joyce Ann Hale and Paulette Mooneyham both of Smithville. Six grandchildren, Mark Wilson, Craig Hale, Kevin Wilson, Crystal Tisdale, Kandy Fish, and Tina Young all of Smithville. Eighteen great grandchildren, Byron Puckett, Amanda Wilson, Christen Hale, Nicholas Hale, Heather Dowell, Daniel Wilson, Jenna Wilson, Ryan Sullivan, Matthew Sullivan, John Caldwell, Tiffany Hutchens, Ashley Mooneyman, Andrew Hutchens, Bridget Hutchens, Elizabeth Chalfant, Danny Fish, Jr., and Brandy Fish, and Kayla Fish. Several great great grandchildren also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. The family has asked that all donations please be made to the American Heart Association, in lieu of flowers.

School Districts Make Requests for More Pre-K Classrooms

Tennessee school districts have requested 306 new state-funded pre-K classes for the 2008-09 school year to serve four-year olds in at-risk and universal classrooms, according to a
survey released today by the Tennessee Department of Education.
School administrators in each of Tennessee’s school systems submitted a request for the number of new pre-K classrooms they would like to open next year. DeKalb County has requested two new classes. These requests would finally bring pre-K to every county in the state of Tennessee.
“This survey demonstrates the demand and desire for more families to have access to high quality pre-K education,” Governor Phil Bredesen said. “Quality pre-K classrooms are one of the best investments we can make in the education of children in Tennessee, and every family
deserves access to educational opportunities like pre-K that prepare their children to succeed in school.”
Both Sumner County and Washington County schools intend to request state pre-K funding for the first time. With these requests, Tennessee’s Voluntary Pre-K for All program will have classrooms in all but one of Tennessee’s 136 school systems.
School districts further reported 2,093 students still on pre-K waiting lists this year. This is a growth of over 500 students on the waiting list from the same time last year.
“As more families benefit from these excellent programs, we see a growing need in schools across the state to provide this valuable instruction to young children,” said Acting Education Commissioner Tim Webb. “This survey shows that the people of Tennessee support and
believe in the need for pre-K.”
Under Governor Bredesen, the state has created 934 pre-K classrooms serving 17,308 children. Tennessee’s Pre-K for All program is ranked high nationally in quality by the National Institute for Early Education Research and is held as a model state by the national advocacy
organization pre-K Now.