Two men arrested by the Alexandria Police Department in separate burglary investigations in January were in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Wednesday.
Judge Leon Burns, Jr. presided.
22 year old Andrew Dalton West pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and received a five year sentence to serve 30% before his release eligibility date. The sentence is to run concurrently with a Smith County case against him. He was given jail credit from February 18 to November 14, 2012
20 year old Marv Richardson Cash, who was indicted on charges of aggravated burglary, theft over $1,000, and vandalism over $500, pleaded guilty to the theft charge in October but appeared for sentencing Wednesday where he was granted judicial diversion for one year. The other charges were dismissed.
Cash was picked up on Friday, January 20 and charged with breaking into a residence on Flemming Street in Alexandria while West was arrested on Thursday, January 26 and charged with burglary and theft at 137 Avant Circle in Alexandria.
In the case involving Cash, Alexandria Police Chief Mark Collins told WJLE at the time that police were called to a residence on Flemming Street on January 20 to take a burglary report. “Someone had taken a brick and busted out a window to gain entry. While inside the home, they took a 55 inch LED TV valued at $1,300 and left through the back door. Later in the investigation, an eye witness stated they saw a black male around 6:30 a.m. identified as Marv Cash carrying a large object from the home covered in a blanket. The TV and blanket were later recovered in some nearby bushes.” said Chief Collins.
Cash was arrested and charged in the case.
Meanwhile, in the West case, Chief Collins told WJLE at the time that police responded to a call at 137 Avant Circle on Thursday, January 26 to investigate a burglary. “The victim told police that someone had entered their home by cutting a screen and raising a window. While inside, they had taken two car speakers and other miscellaneous objects. While speaking with neighbors, one witness stated they had seen West inside the home going through personal belongings while another witness stated they had seen West around 6:30 a.m. loading the objects into a blue van. Later that morning, West was found and arrested in the case. Some of the items were recovered at the residence where West was staying,” said Chief Collins.
In other cases Wednesday, 42 year old Randy Caldwell pleaded guilty to sale of a schedule II controlled substance. He received a three year sentence and was fined $2,000. The sentence is to run concurrently with another case against him.
42 year old Anthony Colwell pleaded guilty to theft under $500 and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days, all suspended to probation.
39 year old Scottie Sykes pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and received a five year sentence, split with one year in custody and credit for 358 days of time served.
63 year old Steven M. White pleaded guilty by information to reckless endangerment and received a suspended sentence of 11 months and 29 days. He was fined $350. White will be on supervised probation.

A 40 year old DeKalb County man, currently serving a 35 year prison sentence in the fatal shooting of Joshua Murphy in September, 2002, is scheduled for a parole hearing in March, 2013, according to the Tennessee Department of Correction
Christopher Nicholas Orlando, convicted of facilitation of first degree murder, is incarcerated at the Northeast Correctional Complex in Mountain City, Tennessee.
Murphy was shot and killed in a secluded area in the Laurel Hill Community at the end of Old Eagle Creek Road on Sunday, September 15, 2002. His body was discovered three days later. Officials said Orlando and a co-defendant, Melvin Turnbill suspected Murphy of stealing methamphetamine.
Turnbill, now 40 years old, pled guilty to facilitation of first degree murder prior to the trial of Orlando and received a twenty five year prison sentence. Under terms of the plea agreement, Turnbill agreed to testify for the state.
After a jury trial, Orlando was convicted and on June 23, 2004, the trial court sentenced him as a Range II, multiple offender to 40 years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. Orlando’s motion for a new trial was denied on April 18, 2005. At this hearing, the trial court modified Orlando’s sentence to reflect a sentence of 35 years, concluding that the imposed 40 year sentence was inappropropriate.
Turnbill is incarcerated at the Southeastern Tennessee State Regional Correctional Facility in Pikeville and will be up for parole in April, 2014, according to the Tennessee Department of Correction.
Orlando filed an appeal but the court of criminal appeals upheld the sentence in August 2006.

The Christmas season is nearly upon us which means it’s almost time to celebrate Christmas on the Square & The Downtown Renovation Celebration! This holiday event will be celebrated on Thursday, November 29th from 5 PM to 8 PM on the Smithville Public Square.
The Community Chorus will sing from 5:00 to 5:25 PM on the west side of the Courthouse. Boy Scout Troop #347 will have a Flag-Raising Ceremony at 5:25 PM. Then more music from the Community Chorus after the Tree Lighting.
Tree Lighting Ceremony – Held at 5:30 PM on the west side of the Courthouse.
Courthouse Open House – Stop by to visit & enjoy the refreshments & festive atmosphere. Come by and visit the new Chamber office in the Courthouse, Room 201.
A FREE Photo Booth & Christmas DJ Music will be provided by the City of Smithville – Enjoy your favorite holiday music throughout the night plus have a fun, complimentary picture made at the Cosmo Creations Photo Booth located inside the east entrance of the Courthouse.
Downtown Renovation Celebration – Enjoy a walk around town to see all the new improvements to the downtown buildings, inside and out, as well as seeing the progress of the new Open-Air Stage at Evins Park across from the Smithville Post Office.
At the Justin-Potter Library, Children’s Book Author & Illustrator, Shan Burklow, will entertain & read to the children from 6 to 6:30 PM with a chance to win lots of great prizes. And the library will have a special visit from Santa immediately after, so don’t forget to bring your camera!
Inflatables & Train Rides for the Children, if weather permits.
There will be extended hours and Open Houses at several downtown stores, offices, and restaurants. This is a wonderful time for Christmas shopping and having a nice meal downtown.
Chamber Executive Director Suzanne Williams would like to invite everyone to this enjoyable and heartwarming experience – Christmas on the Square & the Downtown Renovation Celebration! For more information, call the Chamber office at 597-4163.

Plenty of activities have been planned to celebrate the arrival of the Christmas season in DeKalb County.
It all begins Sunday, November 25 with the Alexandria Christmas Parade. The line-up begins at 2:00 p.m. and no later than 2:30 p.m. The parade gets underway at 3:00 p.m. First, second, and third place awards will be presented for best floats, trucks and cars (one group), and tractors. A drawing for prizes will be held after the parade. Food and craft booths may be set up on the square during the parade. All local pageant winners are urged to participate along with church and civic groups, scouts, high school bands, local law enforcement and emergency services, enter your vintage automobiles and tractors, and all horseback riders and horse drawn wagons are welcome, plus more. To enter call 615-948-4829, 615-948-6486, or call the Alexandria City Hall at 529-2171.
The Smithville Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, December 1st at 1:00 p.m. Line-up begins at 11:00 a.m. at Smithville Elementary School. To enter floats or other entries, contact Jeff Wright at 597-6750 or John Poss at 597-1135. No call needed to enter vintage automobiles or horses and wagons.
The Liberty Christmas Parade will be Sunday, December 2. The line- up begins at 1:00 p.m. at Salem Baptist Church. The parade begins at 2:00 p.m. Call Liberty State Bank for more information.
Meanwhile, Christmas on the Square & Renovation Celebration will be held in downtown Smithville on Thursday, November 29 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. featuring a tree-lighting ceremony, Justin-Potter Library activities, Santa, Christmas shopping downtown, and much more.

Smithville Police arrested a woman last week for allegedly pickpocketing.
32 year old Callie Howell is charged with theft of property. Chief Randy Caplinger said that on Tuesday, November 6, Howell allegedly walked up to the victim at a residence on Short Mountain Highway where he was working in the yard. Howell told him his pocket was sticking out and she reached in to fix it Later, the victim noticed that his wallet was missing. During the investigation, a detective went to Ms. Howell’s residence and there he saw the victim’s wallet on the kitchen table. Bond for Howell is $1,500 and she will be in court on November 15
Meanwhile 21 year old Ray Darnell Underwood was cited on Wednesday, November 7 for simple possession of a schedule VI controlled substance. Police were dispatched to Bell Street in reference to trespassers. While central dispatch was checking for warrants, the officer did a frisk search for weapons. Underwood put his hand in his pocket and when told by the officer to remove his hand, a small baggy containing a green leafy substance fell onto the ground.
27 year old Eric Wayne Tramel was cited for shoplifting on Thursday, November 8. An officer responded to Wal-Mart to check out a possible shoplifting and while speaking with the suspect, Tramel, merchandise began falling out of his jacket. His court date is December 6.
35 year old Crystal R King was arrested on Friday, November 9 for theft of property and she was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia. Police were dispatched to Rite Aid Pharmacy on a shoplifting call. Upon arrival, two Rite Aid Associates told the officer that a woman identified as King had just left in a car. The associates pointed out the car to the officer and informed him that King tried to leave the store with some merchandise but when confronted, she threw the items down and ran. After stopping the vehicle, police found King in possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court on November 29.
63 year old Mary Louise Harris was arrested for DUI on Friday, November 9. According to the warrant, Harris was operating a motor vehicle which crashed into the Court House steps. She was very disoriented and unsteady on her feet. Harris was unable to do field sobriety tasks because of her intoxication. Her bond is $1,500 and her court date is December 6.
27 year old Eric Wayne Tramel was arrested on Sunday, November 11 for aggravated burglary, simple possession of a schedule III controlled substance and evading arrest. Warrants state that officers responded to a residence due to a burglary in progress. Police spoke to the victim who said that a man had forced his way into the home, chased his wife out the back door, and then locked them out. During the investigation, central dispatch received a call of a man fitting the same description at another residence down the street. The officers ran down the street and made contact with the man, later identified as Eric Tramel. Police ordered Tramel to remove his hands from his pockets. Tramel complied but acted as though he was pointing a gun. Tramel was told to get on the ground but as more commands were given, he got up to run. After he refused police commands to stop, Tramel was tased. Found in his pocket were a box cutter and pills. Tramel had no gun. Bond for Tramel is $16,500 and he will be in court on November 29.
49 year old Robert Todd Williams was arrested on Sunday, November 11 for domestic assault. The warrant states that Williams and a family member got into a verbal argument and Williams threw a small table hitting the victim in the right arm, cutting the victim’s arm causing it to bleed. His bond is $1,000 and his court date is November 29.
39 year old Jeffery Sanders was arrested on Monday, November 12 for simple possession, resisting arrest and he was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia. 36 year old Lonnie Lynn Wheeler was also arrested in the case for stop, halt and frisk and he was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia. The warrants state that police responded to the area of Riley Avenue and Golf Club Drive where two men were going door to door asking for gas and becoming irate with the homeowners. The officers made contact with the men, Sanders and Wheeler. One of the officers noticed that Sanders appeared to be trying to hide something in the waistband of his pants. For the officer’s safety, Sanders was patted down and told to place his hands flat on the hood of the patrol car. Sanders kept moving his right hand to the gap between the hood and windshield and refused to place his hand flat on the hood. Sanders also tried to resist arrest by lying down on his hands. He was subsequently handcuffed. Police found drug paraphernalia around the waist of his pants. Officers also found a small baggie of a white powdery substance, believed to be methamphetamine in the area where Sanders was cuffed. Wheeler was confronted by police at a residence Golf Club Drive. Wheeler was standing by a vehicle at the driver’s side rear door, which was open. He had something in his hand. The officer ordered Wheeler to show his hands. Wheeler refused to comply and proceeded to walk around the back of the vehicle to the other side. The officer then saw Wheeler throw something which was later found to be a hypodermic needle. Bond for Sanders is $5,500. Wheeler’s bond is $3,500. They will be in court on November 29.
Meanwhile, anyone with information on criminal activities is asked to please contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210 or the Tip Line at 464-6046.
Any information received that would help Smithville Police solve any criminal offense will be greatly appreciated. All information is confidential.

The Infinity Athletics Storm and Stunners had another successful weekend at Municipal Auditorium. The show team, Storm put on another spectacular performance, while the Stunners brought home 1st Place and Grand Champion. Both teams will be performing during some upcoming high school basketball games during halftime. They will be competing in the Nationals competition in Atlanta, as well as some more regional competitions early in 2013.
Pictured are:
Top (L-R) Rachel Rhody, Katherine Malone, Chloe Sykes, Leah Davis, Alley Sykes, Coach Avarie Maynard
Middle (L-R) Coach Jennifer Sykes, Kailey Herron, Kaitlyn Fish, Zoe Cripps, Keegan Martin, Preston Summers
Bottom (L-R) Elaina Turner, Braelyn Teachout, Peyton Norris, Hannah Trapp
Not Pictured: Malia Stanley, Shaunta Koegler, and Natalie Snipes

The community paused to recognize veterans in a special Veteran’s Day observance Monday at the county complex auditorium.
The program, sponsored by the VFW POST 7623 and the American Legion POST 122, featured performances by the DeKalb County Fighting Tiger Band under the direction of Jonathan Wright and the DCHS Chorus under the direction of Josh Gulley. Our National Anthem was sung by State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver.
M2U00900 from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Commander Edward Frazier presided over the program. Chuck Olsen opened with prayer and Doyle Smith led the audience in the pledge to the flag.
Billy Hawkins, Retired Brigadiere General of the Tennessee State Guard, one of the featured speakers, paid tribute to our veterans and their volunteerism. “Tennessee is known as the volunteer state. Many veterans in our county volunteered their services when duty called. Veterans are a society of protectors of home, country and freedom,” said Hawkins. It has been said if you can read, thank a teacher. If you have freedom, thank a veteran. We remain free today because of the sacrifice, loyalty, and courage of our veterans,” he said.
“Today we have two and a half million troops that have served or are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The V.A. says that twenty percent of these veterans come home with post traumatic stress disorder. That’s about 500,000 veterans coming home with PTSD which is very alarming. Suicide rates are going up. Not all veterans casualties are on the battlefield. A lot of them are returning home to us to be cared for,” said Hawkins.
Many honorably and homeless veterans are cared for through Operation Stand Down Nashville, Inc. Executive Director of Operation Stand Down Nashville, Retired Lieutenant Colonel William J. Bill Burleigh addressed some of the services provided.
Operation Stand Down Nashville, Inc operates programs that train and support honorably discharged and homeless veterans as they work themselves off the streets and back into the community as responsible and contributing citizens.
Since 1993, a coalition of over 50 Nashville organizations has used this concept to organize a three day event for veterans who are homeless. The event provides outreach, information, and a variety of social services for this area’s homeless veterans. The event has been held annually each fall. Coalition members represent over 25 community services agencies, over 25 veteran service organizations, and many businesses.
Burleigh said Operation Stand Down Nashville became a full time service organization in 1999. “Since July 1999 we have been a full time organization serving veterans everyday and we have grown,” said Burleigh. “Some of the services we provide are employment, food, clothes, housing, shelter, and veterans benefits. We are the only veterans service center in Tennessee approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs. We provide jobs, clothes, and money when its needed to complete the process of a veteran and their family receiving the help they need,” said Burleigh.
Following the program, a wreath was placed at the site of the veterans memorial monument outside the courthouse downtown. The wreath was placed by Ronnie Redmon, Jr. Carlton Miller, Joe Goodwin, Edward Frazier, and Jimmy Sprague.
Emma Rigsby of the Fighting Tiger Band, blew Taps to bring the observance to a close.