As the economic squeeze continues, many Americans remain concerned that the cost of a healthy diet is out of reach. However, according to an Agriculture Department study, the cost of eating healthy hasn’t changed as much as some less-healthy alternatives. Eating healthy food while on a budget does require smart shopping.
Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week, February 21-27, focuses on helping Americans learn how to stretch their grocery dollars with healthy, nutritious food. America’s farmers and ranchers are committed to producing safe, healthy and abundant food. And they share a common concern with consumers when it comes to putting nutritious meals on the table while sticking to a tight budget.
The good news: a recent USDA report favorable supports the economics of healthier eating. Recent food price data show that prices for unprepared, readily available fresh fruits and vegetables have remained stable relative to dessert and snack food, such as chips, ice cream, and cola. Therefore, as defined by food in the study, the price of a “healthier” diet has not changed compared to an “unhealthy” diet.
Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week is aimed at helping American consumers learn how to shop effectively to put nutritious meals on the table with fewer dollars. Here are tips for better nutrition on a tight budget. Have a plan: Know your food budget and plan nutritious meals and snacks you’ll prepare at home that include fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Prepare a shopping list and stick to it. Compare prices, clip coupons and check ads for foods you know you need. Don’t shop when you’re hungry.
Now in its twelfth year, Food Check-Out Week also highlights America’s safe, abundant, and affordable food supply, made possible largely by American’s productive farmers and ranchers. According to the most recent information from the USDA’s Economic Research Service, American families and individuals spend, on average, less than 10% of their disposable personal income for food.

Smithville Police have released a weekly update on crime news.
50 year old Rudy Pineda of 274 Smith Road was arrested on Friday, February 12th for public intoxication. K-9 Officer Bradley Tatrow received a call of a possibly intoxicated person being detained by off duty officer Corporal Travis Bryant at Wal-Mart. Corporal Bryant said that Pineda approached him while he was in the store and was obviously intoxicated. Upon contact with Pineda, Officer Tatrow found him to be unsteady on his feet and he had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage about his person. Pineda had trouble walking and nearly fell several times. Bond for Pineda was set at $1,500 and his court date is February 25th.
34 year old Royce D McCrary of 490 Halls Hollow Road was arrested on Monday, February 15th for driving on a revoked license and for being an habitual offender. Officer Scott Davis received information that McCrary was an habitual offender and was driving his vehicle. Officer Davis conducted a traffic stop on Bryant Street and requested a record check which revealed McCrary to be an habitual offender. Bond for McCrary was set at $1,000 and his court date is March 4th
21 year old Randall C Evans of 672 Blue Springs Road was arrested on Tuesday, February 16th for public intoxication. Officer Scott Davis was dispatched to the area of Walkers towing in reference to a motorist assist. Evans said he was driving the vehicle but began trying to push it to Jewel’s Market when he ran out of gas. Evans had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage about his breath, slurred speech and his eyes were blood shot and watery. He admitted to drinking. For his safety and due to his intoxicated level, he was placed under arrest. Bond for Evans was set at $1,000 and his court date is March 18th.
On Thursday, February 18th, K-9 Officer Bradley Tatrow arrested 22 year old Molly Sue Lawrence of 318 West Broad Street for two violations of probations in Putnam County.
Also on Thursday, February 18th, Sergeant Randy King arrested 42 year old Christopher Joseph Cantrell of 300 Wade Street for domestic assault. Bond for Cantrell was set at $1,000 and his court date is February 25th.
Meanwhile, anyone having information on the following offenses is asked to please contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210 or the Tip Line at 464-6046.
On Saturday, February 13th Officer Matt Farmer took a report of a green and yellow Yardman push mower with a Tecumseh and large wheels that was taken from the back of a pickup truck parked at the residence of 605 East Main Street. The mower was taken around January 27th.
On Wednesday, February 17th Sergeant Randy King took a report of an NEF New England .22 L.R. revolver that was taken from a home in the city sometime since February 2009.
Also on Wednesday, February 17th Sergeant Randy King took a report of burglary at 218 West Broad Street apartments. According to the victim, she went home after spending time with her mother between February 15th and 17th and discovered that someone had taken all her belongings from the apartment. Some of the items taken included two TV’s, maroon leather chair and loveseat, two end tables and DVD’s.
Any information received that will help Smithville Police solve any criminal offense will be greatly appreciated. All information is confidential
The Smithville Police Department has also recently received complaints of a scam targeting the elderly. According to citizens, people are approaching elderly homeowners requesting to do odd jobs around their residence. They are requesting payment before service is rendered and then they do not return to provide services. Anyone approached by such persons should not pay until service is completed. Also anyone having information regarding such activity is requested to contact the Smithville Police Department or the tip line at 464-6046.

DeKalb County High School has released the names of this year’s Honor Students including the 2010 Valedictorian Hunter Tramel and the Salutatorian Wesley Blair.
Tramel is the son of Ronnie and Phyllis Tramel of Smithville. Blair is the son of Mellissa Page and Freddy Blair both of Smithville.
Students among the top twenty five senior academic ranking from numbers one to twenty five are as follows:
Hunter Tramel, Wesley Blair, Grant James, Caleb Spencer, Meagan Sullivan, Hunter Poteete, Seth Willoughby, Amanda Ours, Reddy Munagala, Cynthia Woodward, Tyler Harbaugh, Tiffany Young, Haley Snyder, Erica Neely, Jared Adams, Dakota Dexter, Payne Denman, Nicholas Goff, Caroline Carter, Kendra Foutch, Kyle Hogue, Jessica Fox, Lindsey Harden, Austin Garrett, and Gabrielle Byford.
Students earning “Highest Distinction” with a grade point average of 3.8 to 4.0 are:
Hunter Tramel-Valedictorian 4.0, Wesley Blair- Salutatorian 4.0, Grant James 4.0, Erica Neely 4.0, Hunter Poteete 4.0, Caleb Spencer 4.0, Meagan Sullivan 4.0, Seth Willoughby 4.0, Cynthia Woodward 4.0, Jared Adams, Caroline Carter, Payne Denman, Dakota Dexter, Kendra Foutch, Jessica Fox, Austin Garrett, Nicholas Goff, Tyler Harbaugh, Kyle Hogue, Reddy Munagala, Amanda Ours, Haley Snyder, and Tiffany Young
Students earning “High Distinction” with a grade point average of 3.6 to 3.79 include Gabrielle Byford, Axyl Chalfant, Tyler Dunaway, Kayla Ellis, Sabrina Griffin, Lindsey Harden, Katie Nixon, and Katelyn Stutts.
Those earning “Distinction” with a grade point average of 3.2 to 3.59 include Paulina Alfaro, Matthew Antoniak, Reeves Beller, Elicia Cantrell, Samantha Coe, Rachel Cunningham, Brandon Dyer, Abram Edwards, Whitney Gann, Jaylen Garrett, Jessica Goldstein, April Hale, Ethan Hale, Stephanie Hobbs, Conner Jones, Sasha Knowles, Abigail Laprad, Layne Mathis, Tyler McCloud, Brad Michaels, Travis Neal, Zachary Odom, Morgan Page, Micah Prichard, Kristian Puckett, Myra Tramel, and Joseph Vickers..
The Class of 2010 at DeKalb County High School will graduate on May 21st at 7:00 p.m.

The May 4th DeKalb County Democratic Primary will feature three contested races for county wide public offices, county clerk, county mayor, and register of deeds, and three contested races for the county commission in the third, fourth, and fifth districts. All other candidates will be unopposed.
Today (Thursday) at noon was the qualifying deadline for Democrats running in May and for Republicans and Independents running in the August 5th DeKalb County General Election.
County Clerk Mike Clayborn will be seeking his third term. His opponents in the Democratic Primary are Glynn Merriman and Chris Smithson. The winner will be unopposed in August.
County Mayor Mike Foster will also be seeking his third term, facing a challenge from Robert (Bob) Snyder in the Democratic Primary. The winner will be unopposed in August
Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen, seeking his seventh term, will face Clarence Trapp in the Democratic Primary. The winner will be unopposed in August.
Road Supervisor candidate Jimmy Sprague will be unopposed in the Democratic Primary but he will take on the Republican incumbent Kenny Edge in the August General election. Edge will be seeking his sixth term.
Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack, seeking her third term, will be unopposed in the Democratic Primary and the August General Election.
There will be no democratic candidates for Sheriff and Trustee this year. Both Republican Sheriff Patrick Ray and Republican Trustee Sean Driver, running for their second terms, will be unopposed in August.
Circuit Court Judge Amy Hollars will be unopposed in both May and August in her bid for election to finish her father, Judge John Turnbull’s unexpired term. Hollars was appointed by Governor Bredesen in October, 2008 after her father submitted a notice of physical disability. Judge Turnbull, who held the position since 1989, officially left the bench on June 15th, 2009. He was last elected in 2006 and his term expires in 2014.
District Attorney General Randy York will also be unopposed in both May and August as he seeks election to fill the unexpired term of Bill Gibson, who resigned in July, 2008. York was appointed by Governor Phil Bredesen in September, 2008 to fill the vacancy until the election. Gibson’s term expires in 2014.
The three contested races for the county commission in the May Democratic Primary are in the third, fourth, and fifth districts.
In the third district, Democratic Incumbent Jerry Scott, seeking a fifth term, is up for re-election. Other democrats in the race are Roy Merriman, who served on the commission for one term from 2002 to 2006, and Bradley Hendrix. Two can be nominated. The winners will be unopposed in August.
In the fourth district, Democratic Incumbent Wayne Cantrell will be seeking re-election to a fifth term. Other democratic candidates are Ronald H. Rogers, David L. McDowell, and Jesse Baker. Mr. Baker served on the commission from 2002 to 2006. Two can be nominated. The winners will be unopposed in August.
In the fifth district, Democratic Incumbent John D. Green is seeking re-election to a third term. Other democrats running are Johnny Ringo Colwell, Randy Braswell, and Bobby R. Taylor. Two can be nominated. The winners will face opposition from Republican Jerry Adcock and Independent Lloyd Emmons in the August General Election. Two will be elected in August.
In the seventh district, Democratic Incumbent Larry Summers is running for re-election. Jimmy W. Poss is also a democratic candidate. Two can be nominated. Summers served three terms on the commission from 1978 to 1990 and another three terms since 1998. Poss served on the commission for three terms from 1994 to 2006. They will face opposition from Independent Richard (Dick) Kinsey in the August General Election. Two will be elected in August.
First District Democratic Incumbent Elmer Ellis, Jr. will be unopposed in May. Then in August, both he and Republican Incumbent Mason Carter will be unopposed for re-election, since two can be elected. Both Ellis and Carter are seeking their second terms.
Second District Democratic Incumbent Jack E. Barton, III, seeking a second term, will be unopposed in May. In August, both he and Republican Incumbent Bobby Joines will be unopposed for re-election, since two can be elected. Joines is running for his third term.
In the Sixth District, Democratic Incumbents Jeff Barnes and Marshall Ferrell will be unopposed in both the May Primary and the August General Election. Both Barnes and Ferrell are seeking their third terms on the commission.
Administrator of elections Dennis Stanley reminds all candidates they must file a campaign treasurer form or a campaign financial exemption with the local election commission office as soon as possible. This includes candidates in the upcoming Democratic Primary and Republican and Independent candidates running in the August general election.

The DeKalb County High School Basketball teams made their debut in the District 8-AA Tournament Thursday night at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville.
The fifth seeded Lady Tigers defeated the fourth seeded York Institute Lady Dragons 73 to 68 but the fourth seeded Tigers lost to the fifth seeded Cannon County Lions 73 to 63.
Meanwhile, DeKalb County’s Seth Willoughby was named the “Most Improved Player” among boys players in the district and he earned a spot on the First Team All District. Payne Denman was named to the Second Team All District; Sonni Young made the Third Team All District, the All Freshman Team, and the All Defensive Team. Destry Wiggins and Hunter Poteete received Honorable Mention.
For the girls, Cynthia Woodward was named to the All-District Second Team. Martha Webb and Kristina Stephens received Honorable Mention and Alex Meadows made the All-Defensive Team.
McKenzie Sells and T.J. Smith both of Livingston Academy were named Most Valuable Players in the district. Smith was also named Defensive Player of the Year. Alyson Roberts of Upperman was the girls’ Defensive Player of the Year.
Richard Melton of Livingston Academy for the boys and Michael Dodgen of Cannon County for the girls were named District Coaches of the Year
On opening night of the District Tournament Wednesday, the third seeded Upperman Lady Bees eliminated the sixth seeded Smith County Lady Owls 46 to 28 and the third seeded York Institute Dragons got by the sixth seeded Smith County Owls 56 to 50 in overtime.
The Cannon County Lionettes, the top seed in the tournament, drew a bye and will play the DeKalb County in the semi-finals on Friday night, February 19th at 7:00 p.m. while the second seeded Livingston Academy Lady Wildcats, who also drew a bye, will meet Upperman in the semi-finals on Friday at 4:00 p.m. The girls consolation game will be played Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and the championship game will be Monday, February 22nd at 6:00 p.m.
In the boys bracket, the top seeded Livingston Academy Wildcats, who drew a bye, will meet Cannon County in the semi-finals on Friday, February 19th at 8:30 p.m. while the second seeded Upperman Bees, who also drew a bye, will take on York Institute in the semi-finals on Friday at 5:30 p.m.
The boys consolation game will be Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and the Championship game will be on Monday, February 22nd at 7:30 p.m.
All District Selections for Girls are as follows:
Most Valuable Player
McKenzie Sells- Livingston Academy
Coach of Year- Michael Dodgen- Cannon County
Most Improved Player- Taylor King- Cannon County
Freshman of the Year- Ashley Wright- York Institute
Defensive Player of Year- Alyson Roberts- Upperman
First Team All District
Kayla Biles- Upperman
Alyson Roberts- Upperman
Emily Sissom- Cannon County
Karissa Dyer- Upperman
Rachel Brown-York Institute
Second Team
Taylor King-Cannon County
Lauren Ruehlen- Cannon County
Shelby Taylor- Livingston Academy
Cynthia Woodward-DeKalb County
Ashley Wright- York Institute
Third Team
Mallory MaHaney- Livingston Academy
Caroline Owen- Smith County
Ashley Campbell- Cannon County
Samantha Maya- Livingston Academy
Kelly Jones- York Institute
Elizabeth Carter-Upperman
Freshman Team
Abby Jakes- Cannon County
Sydney Staggs- Livingston Academy
Katherine Carter- Upperman
Katelyn Butler- York Institute
All Defensive Team-
Karissa Dyer-Upperman
Taylor King-Cannon County
Rachel Brown-York Institute
Mallory MaHaney of Livingston Academy
Alex Meadows- DeKalb County
Honorable Mention
Erica Melton-Cannon County
Lindsey Reed-Cannon County
Martha Webb-DeKalb County
Kristina Stephens-DeKalb County
Abby Miller-Livington Academy
Alyssa Thompson- Livington Academy
Amber Welch- Livington Academy
Taylor Randolph-Upperman
All District Selections for Boys are as follows:
Most Valuable Player
T.J. Smith- Livingston Academy
Coach of Year- Richard Melton- Livingston Academy
Most Improved Player- Seth Willoughby-DeKalb County
Freshman of the Year- Mason Ramsey-Livingston Academy
Defensive Player of Year- T.J. Smith-Livingston Academy
First Team All District
Justin Davenport-Cannon County
Tyrel Asberry-York Institute
Mitchell Simmons-Upperman
Seth Willoughby-DeKalb County
Mason Ramsey-Livingston Academy
Second Team
Chris Nash-Upperman
Anthony Williams-York Institute
Cody Stephens-York Institute
Brad Jackson-Livingston Academy
Payne Denman-DeKalb County
Third Team
Kailen Melton-Livingston Academy
Ryan Allen-Smith County
Sonni Young-DeKalb County
Colin Jones-Cannon County
Jared Nave-Cannon County
Freshman Team
Sonni Young-DeKalb County
Kailen Melton-Livingston Academy
Brock McCoin-Livingston Academy
Beau Carr-Smith County
Jordan Craighead-Smith County
All Defensive Team
Tyrel Asberry-York Institute
Mitchell Simmons-Upperman
Sonni Young-DeKalb County
Jared Nave-Cannon County
Cody Ruehlen-Cannon County
Honorable Mention
Cody Ruehlen-Cannon County
Jake Huitt-Livingston Academy
Will Wilson-York Institute
Lance Maynard-York Institute
Daniel Taylor-York Institute
Destry Wiggins-DeKalb County
Hunter Poteete-DeKalb County

A tractor trailer rig overturned Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 56 north and Allen’s Ferry Road near Village Market.
Central dispatch received the call at 3:52 p.m.
Smithville Police say Jason Underwood of McMinnville, hauling a load of drive shafts for Foutch Industries, was traveling south on Highway 56 when he lost control, went off the road, over an embankment, and overturned, coming to rest on it’s side. Underwood told police that he lost control on a patch of ice.
Underwood was not believed to have been seriously hurt but police say he was taken by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Community Hospital for treatment.
Members of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department, the Smithville Police Department, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and tow trucks were on the scene for several hours and Allen’s Ferry Road near the convenience store was blocked to traffic for a period of time until the wreck was cleared up.