Nice weather, cookouts and gatherings are the perfect recipe for summer good times. The State Fire Marshal’s Office wants to remind Tennesseans that cooking safety is important, whether indoors or outdoors.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), gas and charcoal grills cause an average of 900 home structure fires and 3,500 home outdoor fires each year. “By all means, enjoy the weather and the cookouts,” says State Fire Marshal Leslie A. Newman, “but keep fire safety on your mind as you grill.”
Be sure to practice the following safety guidelines:
• Position the grill away from siding, deck railings, overhanging eaves and overhanging branches. Half of all gas and charcoal grill fires begin on an exterior balcony or unenclosed porch.
• Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area: declare a three-foot “safe zone” around the grill.
• Put out several long-handled grilling tools to give the chef plenty of clearance from heat and flames when handling food.
• Periodically remove grease buildup in trays, to prevent ignition by a hot grill.
• Gas grills have a higher fire risk than charcoal grills. Leaks and breaks in the gas cylinder or hose are the leading cause of gas grill fires. Placing combustibles too close to heat and leaving cooking unattended are two other leading causes.
• Check the gas cylinder hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Applying a light soap-and-water solution to the hose will quickly reveal escaping propane by bubbling.
• If you determine your grill has a gas leak, turn off the valve on the tank and have the grill serviced by a professional before using it again.
• If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not attempt to move the grill.
• Use only gas cylinders with an overfill protection device (OPD). OPDs are easily identified by their triangular-shaped hand wheel. OPDs shut off the flow of gas before capacity is reached, limiting the potential for release of propane gas if the cylinder heats up.
• Use only equipment bearing the mark of an independent testing laboratory. Follow the manufacturers’ instructions on how to set up the grill and maintain it.
• Never store propane gas cylinders in buildings or garages. If you store a gas grill inside during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it outside.
• When using charcoal grills, avoid using starter fluid – use a chimney starter instead. This is a cylindrical metal tube that uses paper to start the coals. Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals or kindling have already been ignited, and never use any flammable or combustible liquid other than charcoal starter fluid.
“Outdoor grilling is a big part of Tennesseans’ summertime activities,” said Newman. “Make safety your No. 1 priority by using common sense and following these tips.”
The Department of Commerce and Insurance works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee. www.tn.gov/commerce/

WJLE was honored to receive special recognition from the AmVets Post #101 Tuesday.
Joe Carter, Commander of the AmVets Post #101 and 2nd District Commander for the State and James T. Jay Smith, Past State Commander of AmVets presented WJLE with a plaque “In appreciation for outstanding service rendered to Carol F. Hanan, AmVets Post 101, Smithville.”
Station manager Dwayne Page accepted the plaque on behalf of WJLE.

Governor Phil Bredesen and Commissioner of Education Dr. Timothy Webb have announced school food authority grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). These grants will fund the purchase of lunchroom equipment for school district’s participating in the National School Lunch Program.
The DeKalb County School System is to receive a $42,000 grant for Smithville Elementary School
The ARRA provides this funding as a one-time appropriation to Tennessee.
“We cannot ignore the importance of healthy, nutritious meals that give students the fuel they need to focus in school and continue good eating habits as adults,” Governor Bredesen said. “This Recovery Act money will allow school districts across the state to improve the quality of school nutrition, thus improving the quality of our children’s education.”
The focus of these competitive grants include purchasing equipment that improves the safety of food served in school meal programs, improving the overall energy efficiency of school nutrition operations, supporting expanding participation in school meal programs and improving the overall quality of school nutrition meals that meet dietary guidelines.
To be selected, a school must have 50 percent or more of its students eligible for free or reduced price meals and must meet other criteria set out under the ARRA.
“We are very fortunate to be able to provide nutritious meals to our students, especially as we meet the challenges of increased standards next year with the Tennessee Diploma Project,” Commissioner Webb said. “Our children need every educational tool available and that includes nutritional services.”

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Cookeville man last week after they found him with many pills in his possession.
32 year old Brian Bronson Roberts of Hamer Street, Cookeville is charged with one count of sale and delivery of a schedule IV drug Xanax and one count of sale and delivery of a schedule III drug Hydrocodone. Bond for Roberts was set at $50,000 and he will appear in court on June 25th.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says on Wednesday, June 3rd, deputies responded to a call about shots being fired on Hurricane Ridge Road in Smithville. When the officers arrived, they saw Roberts throw something on the ground. Upon a further investigation, Deputies found a container with 90 and ½ pills believed to be Xanax and 6 pills believed to be Hydocodone. They also found 9 more pills believed to be Hydrocodone in Roberts’ pocket.
Meanwhile, 39 year old Danny Lee Smithson Jr. of Brooke Lane, Smithville and 42 year old Fowler Stoney Ramsey of Rolling Acres, Smithville were arrested Tuesday, June 2nd after deputies responded to a fight call on Brooke Lane.
Ramsey was charged with public intoxication and possession of drug paraphernalia. Sheriff Ray says Ramsey had indicators of being intoxicated and officers found on the ground beside Ramsey’s feet, an ink pen barrel containing white residue. Ramsey admitted that it belonged to him and that he was using the device to snort pills. Ramsey’s bond was set at $2,000 and he will appear in court on June 25th.
Sheriff Ray adds that Smithson, who was in control of a motor vehicle, was charged with a 4th offense of driving under the influence, a 5th offense of driving on a revoked license, and possession of a prohibited weapon. Deputies found a 15 inch long club with writing on it lying in plain view in his vehicle. Smithson’s bond was set at $101,000 and he will appear in court on June 25th.
In another case, deputies stopped a vehicle on New Home Road in Smithville Friday, June 5th for a traffic offense. The driver, 38 year old Jefery Vincent Overall of West Green Hill Road, Smithville was arrested for a 6th offense of driving under the influence. Upon speaking with Overall, Deputies noticed his speech to be impaired, he was unsteady on his feet, and Overall had poor motor skills. Bond for Overall was set at $10,000 bond. He was also issued a citation for violation of implied consent. His court date is set for June 25th.
On Sunday, June 7th, the Sheriff’s Department received a tip of someone growing marijuana at his residence. Deputies arrested 21 year old Eric Joseph Dickens of Banks Pisgah Road, Smithville for manufacturing marijuana after they found seven marijuana plants growing on the back deck of his home. Dickens’ bond was set at $10,000 and he will appear in court on June 18th.
(Today), Monday, June 8th deputies arrested two more people on sealed indictments from the drug round up several weeks ago. 34 year old Earnest Paul “Hot Rod” Barnwell and 27 year old Lisa Rena Taylor were picked up at a residence on Webb Lane in Smithville. Barnwell was indicted on two counts of sale of a schedule II drug (Dilaudid) and two counts of delivery of a schedule II drug (Dilaudid). His bond was set at $150,000. Taylor was indicted on an attempt to introduce a schedule II drug (Dilaudid) into a penal institution. Bond for Taylor was set at $50,000. Both Barnwell and Taylor will appear in Criminal Court on June 26th.
Meanwhile, Sheriff’s Department detectives are currently investigating complaints received over the last few months of someone destroying mailboxes in parts of the county. Sheriff Ray says “We have had complaints on Blue Springs Road, Underhill Road, Banks Pisgah Road, Vaughn Lane, Big Rock Road, Four Seasons Road, and other roads in the county where someone has destroyed mailboxes. We are asking everyone to be on alert in the county and report any information such as tag numbers, vehicle descriptions, or any individuals who may be involved in the vandalisms.” If you have any information of criminal activity in the county, you may call the DeKalb County Crime Tip Line at 464-6400 or call Sheriff Ray at the Sheriff’s Department at 597-4935.

The 11th annual Fiddler 5K and One Mile Fun Run, sponsored by Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, will be Saturday, July 4th, the weekend of the Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree.
The deadline for pre-registration is Monday, June 29th. Race entries will also be accepted on Saturday, July 4th, at the race check-in, located on Highway 56 North, ¼ mile North of Smithville, in front of the Family Medical Center.
All pre-registered participants must check-in at 6:30 a.m. All other participants must register at 6:00 a.m.
The entry fee is a donation of at least $15.00 ($10 for 18 & younger) for pre-registration and $20.00 ($15 for age 18 & younger) for those who register after June 29th (walkers and runners).
The race begins promptly at 7:00 a.m., rain or shine, on Highway 56 North in front of the Family Medical Center. The race ends on Church Street.
Age divisions for the 5K Run are as follows: 11 and younger, 12 to 18, 19 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 and older (women only), 60 to 69, and 70 and older (men only).
T-Shirts will be given to all participants on the day of the race. Please pre-register to guarantee your shirt size. Awards will be given to the male and female individuals with the overall best times in the 5K Run and the best times in each of the 5K age divisions. Top three One-Mile male and female times by participants age 12 and younger will also receive awards and recognition.
All proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County.
Registration forms may be obtained at www.fiddler5k.com.