The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) today named 36 year old Trooper Donald “Dewaine” Jennings as the 2009 Trooper of the Year. The announcement was made during a special ceremony Thursday, April 22, at 10:00 a.m., at the THP Training Center located at 283 Stewarts Ferry Pike in Nashville.
Trooper Jennings, assigned to DeKalb County in the Cookeville District, was named Trooper of the Year for an act of heroism on December 13, 2009. He responded to a traffic crash on Bright Hill Road where he found a vehicle submerged on its top in a rain-swollen creek. The creek water was high and the current was swift. Nobody at the scene had checked to see if there was an occupant inside the vehicle. Without hesitation, or regard for his own safety, Trooper Jennings entered the frigid, waist-deep water to check for entrapped passengers. Unable to determine if anyone was inside the vehicle, Trooper Jennings called for a wrecker to hoist the car out of the creek. Although the efforts of Trooper Jennings did not save the life of the driver, 49 year old Lisa Adcock Tatrow Johnson, he made every effort, including risk to his own safety, when he entered the water knowing that he could not swim.
“These dedicated Troopers represent the outstanding achievements of the men and women of the Tennessee Highway Patrol,” said Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell. “They are being recognized for their hard work, enforcement activity, and daily commitment to keeping Tennessee and its citizens safe.”
“Every single day, Commissioner Mitchell and I receive an e-mail, card, letter, or phone call about State Troopers across Tennessee making a difference in the lives of citizens,” said THP Colonel Mike Walker. “These nine Troopers recognized today are examples of the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s professionals who have served Tennesseans for more than 80 years.”
Trooper Jennings was among nine members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol who were also honored and named as Trooper of the Year for their respective districts.

A former bookkeeper at the DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, charged with theft of property over $1,000, wants her trial moved to another county, possibly Cookeville.
Adam W. Parrish, the Lebanon attorney representing 36 year old Tonya D. Page has filed a motion seeking a change of venue in the case. This and other motions in the case are expected to be heard by the court during a hearing on Friday, May 21st in DeKalb County Criminal Court.
Page was charged in a grand jury sealed indictment in August, 2009.
The charge stems from a TBI investigation into a cash shortage of $8,501 in General Sessions Court funds, which was discovered during an annual state audit.
The change of venue motion states that Tonya D. Page moves the court for a change of venue due to undue excitement against her in this county, which is of such a nature that a fair trial could not be had. In support thereof, Defendant (Page) would respectfully show as follows:
That the population of DeKalb County is approximately 17,423 and the population of the City of Smithville is even less, 4,389.
This geographically, is a relatively small and tight knit community.
That this case has received significant media exposure, and that commencing with the date of the alleged crime and continuing thereafter, the local papers and WJLE have carried stories purporting to recite facts pertaining to the various alleged facts in the indictment which extends into the homes of many prospective jurors.
Finally, that one of the state’s chief witnesses, and arguably the victim, Katherine Pack, is a highly public and well loved individual in the community.
The defendant (Page) moves that this cause be transferred to Cookeville or any other neighboring county which the court may deem proper, where a fair and impartial trial of the defendant may be had.
The case against Page was scheduled for trial April 13th & 14th in DeKalb County Criminal Court but Page’s attorney, Parrish, filed a motion for a continuance on April 5th, which was granted by the court.
Page was initially hired as a clerk in the office four years ago and then as bookkeeper. She was later terminated from her employment there, after this incident arose.
The case against Page was presented to the Grand Jury by the TBI.

The DeKalb County Tigerette Alumni Game is set for Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at the DCHS field.
Coach Danny Bond says this is the first Tigerette Alumni game in the program’s 25 year history. “I want to invite everyone in DeKalb and surrounding counties to come out Saturday, April 24th for our Alumni game. This is our first Alumni game in 25 years and it’ll start at one o’clock at the DCHS field. There’s going to be three teams and there will be three, five inning games. We’re looking for a big turnout. We’re hoping everybody will come out, watch the game, and enjoy some good softball.”
Among the players scheduled to participate are:
Michelle Gard
Beth Hale
Dondi Miller
Laurel Landrum
Nanci Allen
Misty Blumn
Danyelle Davenport
Bethany Pack
Rebecca Waggoner
Cherise Phillips
Kelly Taylor
Rachel Evans
Julie Ashley
Mindy Higdon
Mindy Redman
Crystal Norton
Kelly Maynard
Kari Taylor
Amy Barnes
Kelly Parkerson
Amanda Washer
Martha Knowles
Cassie Johnson
Jennifer Hampton
Karen Taylor
Jennifer Turner
Jessica Turner
Brittany Alvis
Ashley Redman
Courtney Davis
Madison Denman
Chelsey Young
Kelsey Foutch
Brittany Armour
Kara Young
Sara West and possibly others
Former players who plan to attend as spectators include Gena Cripps, Patty Redman, Tonya George, Kim McCoy, and Elisha Vickers
Meanwhile, Coach Bond says in appreciation to the fans, next Tuesday children will be admitted free to the game while next Thursday, senior citizens will get in free.

A four way stop will soon be created at a dangerous intersection near the public square downtown.
During Monday nights city council meeting, the Smithville Aldermen voted five to nothing to create a four way stop at the intersection of Webb Street and South Third Street. Signs will soon be posted alerting motorists. This intersection is located across from the dentist office, just south of Hilton Conger’s law office, and near the Real Life Community Church.
Alderman Shawn Jacobs raised the issue in March, saying many people have become concerned about public safety at that intersection. After doing some research, Lieutenant Steven Leffew discovered that several traffic accidents have occurred there in recent years. A state consultant was contacted and gave the city a couple of options to consider.
On Monday night, Alderman Jacobs, reading from Lieutenant Leffew’s letter to him regarding the state consultant’s evaluation, said there were basically two options. “There are not a lot of options from the state consultant. Option one is to hire a consultant as to the feasibility of lights, property removal, or other methods, the costs of which would be incurred by the city. The second option is to make the intersection a four way stop with appropriate signs stating that the intersection is an “all ways stop”. This option would also include four painted white lines known as “stop bars”. These painted lines would be two feet wide and begin at the edge of the pavement of the center of the street. Each “stop bar’s” location would be marked approximately six feet back from the intersection. State code requires a minimum of four feet.”
After a brief discussion, Alderman Jacobs made a motion that a four way stop be created at the intersection. Alderman Steve White offered a second to the motion. Aldermen Aaron Meeks, W.J. (Dub) White, and Cecil Burger all voted for the motion.
Mayor Taft Hendrixson agreed with the board’s action saying “it was a good decision.”

The Smithville mayor and aldermen have asked the water plant supervisor to do what he can to find the cause of a water loss, which if not addressed could prove costly to the City of Smithville.
In his monthly update to the mayor and aldermen Monday night, Supervisor Kenny Dyal reported that for at least the last couple of months, the city has had a significant water loss. “In February we pumped 49-million, 401 thousand raw gallons of water from the lake. We treated 44-million, 602-thousand gallons. The gallons sold were 34-million, 649-thousand 400. We had a loss of 9-million, 952-thousand 500 gallons. That’s a 23% loss. I have no idea where it’s going.”
“In March, we pumped 55-million, 060-thousand gallons from the lake as raw water. We treated 48-million, 956-thousand. We sold 34-million, 116-thousand gallons. That’s 12-million, 845-thousand gallons lost. That’s 26%. It’s a big loss.
Dyal added that while all utilities have some water loss, this is out of the ordinary.”There’s always loss, but the normal loss is between seven and fifteen percent. If we keep it below fifteen percent, the state is happy. But when it starts getting above fifteen percent they start wondering where your water is going.”
Dyal says this large water loss is a mystery because there haven’t been any large noticeable leaks. “Our leaks haven’t been that big, it’s just been service leaks. And I’ve checked the meters at the plant and every thing is registering fine.”
The mayor and aldermen, in response, suggested that a concerted effort be made as soon as possible to address this problem.
In other business, the mayor and aldermen voted to have a workshop next Monday night, April 26th at 7:00 p.m. at city hall to interview the three applicants for the position of Smithville Police Chief, Randy Caplinger of Smithville, Larry D. Parsley of Lenior City, and Kenneth Smith of Watertown.
Caplinger is a retired Lieutenant Colonel/Major of the Tennessee Department of Safety/Tennessee Highway Patrol. Parsley is a retired Lieutenant of the Tennessee Department of Safety/Tennessee Highway Patrol. Smith is currently serving as Chief of Police of the Lakewood Police Department at Old Hickory, Tennessee.
Meanwhile, the aldermen voted five to nothing to include $1,500 in next year’s budget to donate to the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce to help fund the printing of a new DeKalb County tourism brochure.
Suzanne Williams, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, made the request during Monday night’s meeting. “One of the main ways the chamber promotes our area to potential newcomers and tourists alike is through our brochure. Hundreds of these brochures are distributed annually through the chamber office, local and state welcome centers, key entry locations like the Lebanon Outlet Mall and many other venues through the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association. Our current brochures will be depleted by around June of this year. We’re in the final stages of developing a brand new brochure. Our new brochures are designed to stimulate tourism activities as we showcase Smithville and our county with it’s charm, Center Hill Lake, the arts, and major events including the Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree and Crafts Festival. We’ll be printing a minimum of five thousand copies. That’ll provide brochures for a minimum of the next five years. We need to raise $3,000. The county has agreed to contribute $1,500 for marketing materials if the city of Smithville will agree to contribute the other $1,500.”
Williams was joined in making the request by Chamber President Tim Hintz and Leadership DeKalb Director Jen Sherwood.
Kevin Robinson, Public Works Director, reported to the mayor and aldermen that the city has recently paved all or parts of several streets including Williams Lane, all of Carter Street, two portions of West Main Street, Magnolia Lane (by the golf course), part of Riley Avenue, and Shaw Street.
Mayor Taft Hendrixson said the city could do still more paving later this summer at the current bid price before the new bid prices take effect. “When we did our bid last year, we specified in our bid as we did two years before, that the bid would hold good for a year. This current bid price will remain good until September. I think we got it at around $58 dollars per ton in place. Right now the bids are going for $75. So what we did two years ago and what we can do this year is whatever we have in the budget, starting in July, we can opt to do it (street paving) on this $58 per ton bid price before (the bid price goes up) September 1st and save a third. That will be good business to do it that way.”
Earlier this month, the aldermen voted to take advantage of a Neighborhood Stabilization Program through the Tennessee Housing Development Agency which provides funds to cities and counties wanting to demolish blighted properties.
Mayor Taft Hendrixson says the city owned building, located across the street from city hall on the north side, qualifies for the program. Once the building is removed, the property may be used for any city purpose, but under terms of the program, the property cannot be sold or leased for private purposes for a period of time, otherwise the city would have to refund all or a portion of the funds used to demolish the building.
During Monday night’s meeting, Mayor Hendrixson said bid notices for the demolition of the building will be advertised next week. “I talked to Ken Mabery today with the Upper Cumberland Development District. A week from Tuesday and Wednesday, a bid notice for the demolishment of that building will be in the papers for contractors, so it’s moving rather quickly, more quickly than I thought it would. So I’d say within the next five or six weeks it should be all done and cleared away.”

A Smithville woman was injured in a two vehicle traffic accident Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of West Broad and Carter Street.
Central dispatch received the call at 4:28 p.m.
Lieutenant Randy Maynard of the Tennessee Highway Patrol says 81 year old Bertha McBride was driving south on Carter Street, crossing West Broad Street in a 2003 Buick LaSabre, when she entered the path of a 1999 Ford Explorer, driven by 60 year old Ismael Gaona Solis, who was east on Broad Street.
Solis’ Ford Explorer struck McBride’s car in the passenger side, forcing it off the highway and into a ditch.
McBride was treated at the scene by DeKalb EMS until a helicopter ambulance arrived to airlift her to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville.
Solis was not injured but was charged with driving on a revoked license.
In addition to the Tennessee Highway Patrol and DeKalb EMS, officers of the Smithville Police Department and members of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department were also on the scene to render assistance.

Each year, the second full week of April is dedicated to the men and women who serve as public safety telecommunicators. It’s called National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week
In DeKalb County, local dispatchers at the central dispatch/911 center were recognized.
“We took this opportunity to honor our local dispatchers in DeKalb County. We would like to say thank you to the Smithville Fire Department, the DeKalb County Fire Department, and Bumpers Drive-In for their contributions to this years PST week. Each year National PST week is set aside to nationally recognize emergency dispatchers,” said Brad Mullinax, Director.
National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week was first conceived by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County (Calif.) Sheriff’s Office in 1981 and was observed only at that agency for three years. Members of the Virginia and North Carolina chapters of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) became involved in the mid-1980s.
By the early 1990s, the national APCO organization convinced Congress of the need for a formal proclamation. Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) introduced what became H.J. Res. 284 to create “National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week.” According to Congressional procedure, it was introduced twice more in 1993 and 1994, and then became permanent, without the need for yearly introduction.
Across the nation, 9-1-1 dispatchers are celebrated National Public Safety Telecommunicators’ Week. The United States Congress designated the second week in April as a time to honor all 9-1-1 dispatchers who answer the calls for help and provide emergency assistance to the public and emergency public safety responders.
Most people do not think about the people behind the voices of 9-1-1 until they need to call for help. Some people equate 9-1-1 with police cars and fire trucks, with lights and sirens blaring, or an ambulance speeding off to a hospital emergency room. While police, fire, and ambulances are obviously linked to 9-1-1, it may be difficult to visualize the people who perform the functions behind the scenes. 9-1-1 dispatchers are the “first” first responders in emergencies. In addition to the long hours, holidays, and weekends worked that these professionals endure, the 9-1-1 dispatchers often volunteer their time in other ways to support the community, such as helping to educate children about 9-1-1, participating in school events, and lending a helping hand for various community causes.
National Telecommunicators Week is dedicated to public safety Telecommunicators who aid in providing 9-1-1 emergency assistance to citizens everywhere. The term “9-1-1” is often associated with rapid emergency response, poise under pressure, aid and compassion in times of distress, and critical decision-making within seconds. Many people do not stop to think about these seemingly nameless, faceless individuals until they experience an actual emergency themselves. These professionals make the difference between life and death in many instances.
This year the week of April 11 – April 17 was set aside to recognize these individuals across the nation and to show appreciation for all that these dispatchers do on a daily basis.
(Pictured from Left to Right Back Row:
Supervisor Anthony Boyd, Leslie Lytle, Misty Green, Kim Ray, Training Officer Janice Higham, Jennifer Bouldin, and Ronnie Davis
Kneeling from Left to Right:
Lonnie Laxton, Terry Cowart, Stephanee Wright, Kristina McMillen, and Supervisor Tony Thomas.
Sitting in the Middle:
Director Bradley Mullinax
(Not pictured: Chase Ferrell and Darcie Cripps)

Two more defendants have been picked up on grand jury sealed indictments returned last week as the result of local undercover investigations.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says 36 year old Brad Elliott Johnson of Carter Street, Smithville is charged with three counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II drug and one count of sale and delivery of a schedule III drug. Bond for Johnson is set at $80,000.
48 year old Danny Wayne Caldwell of Avant Circle, Alexandria is charged with three counts of sale and delivery of a schedule III drug and six counts of violation of a drug free zone. His bond is $70,000
With the arrest of Johnson and Caldwell, a total of 50 defendants have been arrested.
(Click here to see pictures of each defendanthttp://www.wjle.com/node/10295)
Meanwhile, in his weekly update on crime news, Sheriff Ray reports that 19 year old Robert A. Paele of Flat Rock Road, Lebanon is charged with possession of a schedule VI controlled substance for resale and possession of drug paraphernalia. 19 year old Jordan L. Bennett of Lebanon Highway, Lebanon is charged with simple possession of a schedule VI drug and possession of drug paraphernalia. Sheriff Ray says on Friday, April 16th, a deputy, while on patrol on Highway 70 west, saw a suspicious vehicle setting beside of an office building. The officer stopped to check the automobile and after obtaining consent to search, found Paele, the driver, to be in possession of 1.01 ounces of marijuana and a marijuana pipe. Bennett, the passenger, was found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana, rolling papers, and a pair of hemostats. Paele’s bond was at $6,000. Bond for Bennett is $2,000. Both men will appear in court on April 29th.
30 year old Tracy Nicole Henry of Rogers Lane, Lebanon is charged with criminal impersonation. Her bond is set at $1,000 and she will be in court on April 29th. Sheriff Ray says on Wednesday, April 14th, a deputy was dispatched to Highway 56 south to investigate a suspicious female walking down the roadway. After locating the woman, the officer asked for her name. She replied that her name was Tracy Daniels and she provided a social security number. After checking the information, the officer discovered that the social security number was for someone else. He also learned that the woman is actually Ms. Henry and that the reason she gave a fake name is because she is wanted in Wilson County on state warrants.
24 year old Jordon Thomas Adams of Game Ridge Road Smithville is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence. His bond is set at $3,000 and he will be in court on April 29th. Sheriff Ray says on Thursday, April 15th, a deputy answered a suspicious person call on Students Home Road where a man appeared to be intoxicated, going door to door asking for work. Upon arrival, the officer found Adams slumped over the steering wheel of his vehicle on Students Home Road in a driveway. Adams had slurred speech and he was unsteady on his feet. Adams also failed field sobriety tasks.
44 year old Kenneth Lavon Teeples of Vickers Ridge Road, Baxter is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence and he has been issued citations for violation of the implied consent law and for not changing his address on his driver’s license. His bond is set at $2,500 and he will appear in court on May 6th. Sheriff Ray says on Thursday, April 15th, an officer received a call of an accident on Austin Bottom Road in the Rock Castle area of the county. Upon arrival, the deputy found Teeples to be the driver of the vehicle. Teeples appeared to be intoxicated having a smell of alcohol on his person and he was unsteady on his feet. Teeples also failed field sobriety tasks
33 year old Tiffany Hendrixson of Hurricane Ridge, Smithville is charged with leaving the scene of an accident with property damage and driving on a suspended license. She has also been issued a written citation for driving a motor vehicle with no insurance. Her bond is set at $3,500 and she will appear in court on April 29th. Sheriff Ray says on Thursday, April 15th, a deputy was dispatched to a hit and run accident at a business on Tiger Drive in Smithville. The officer was told that a woman had pulled up to the outside teller window and struck the tellers roll out drawer, as she left, causing damage to it. The woman then left the scene. Thirty to forty five minutes after the deputy left the business, he was called back there again and was told that the
woman had returned with another person in a different vehicle. This time, she came inside trying to do business.
27 year old Jessica French Hale of Walker Drive, Smithville was charged Friday, April 16th with seven counts of forgery. Detectives allege that Hale took checks from another woman and passed them at several businesses in Smithville. The checks totaled $502.59. Bond for Hale was set at $35,000 and she will appear in court on April 29th.
20 year old Cassidy Rianna Hazzard of Lucky Lane, Sparta is charged with leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. Her bond is set at $2,000 and she will appear in court on May 6th. Sheriff Ray says on Saturday, April 17th, an officer responded to a motor vehicle accident on Pine Grove Road where a vehicle had struck a mailbox, left the scene, and then struck a road sign at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Pine Grove Road. After investigating, Hazzard was charged in the case..
44 year old Tony lee Petty of Cainsville Road, Watertown is charged with driving on a suspended license. Petty has also been issued written citations for no vehicle insurance and violation of the registration law. Bond for Petty was set at $1,000 and he will appear in court on April 29th. Sheriff Ray says on Saturday, April 17th, an officer stopped a vehicle on Highway 70 for a traffic violation. Petty, the driver of the vehicle, was charged in the case.