A drug investigation by the Sheriff’s Department has resulted in charges against two women with more arrests expected soon.
53 year old Belinda Harriett Harness and 35 year old Lisa Michelle Porterfield, both of Tami Kay Road, Dowelltown were arrested Monday, August 13 by the sheriff’s department.
Harness is charged with two counts of possession of a schedule II drug for resale (dilaudid and methamphetamine). Harness was also issued a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia and simple possession of a schedule III drug (hydrocodone). Her bond is $30,000 and she will be in court on August 30.
Porterfield is charged with one count of possession of a schedule II drug for resale (dilaudid). Porterfield was further issued a citation for driving on a suspended license and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond is $25,000 and she will be in court August 30
According to Sheriff Ray, a search warrant was drawn up and executed at the home of Porterfield at 166 Tami Kay Road after drug detectives of the sheriff’s department were able to make some controlled drug buys from there. Harness was present at the home when officers arrived to serve the search warrant.
While executing the search warrant Monday, detectives found in the master bedroom, two baggies that field tested positive for methamphetamine, a schedule II drug. Approximately twenty one hypodermic needles were also found along with four yellow pills, believed to be hydrocodone (a schedule III drug), three straws, one spoon, and two pieces of aluminum foil used for smoking. Harness produced from her body cavity, a bottle containing twenty one dilaudid pills, a schedule II drug. She was arrested and taken to the jail for booking.
Porterfield was arrested Monday during a traffic stop on King Ridge Road. An officer of the Sheriff’s Department, having prior knowledge that her license were suspended, pulled over Porterfield. She was driving an automobile belonging to Belinda Harness, that the sheriff’s department intended to seize. Porterfield, who is on probation, gave the officer consent to search. Found in her purse were a pill bottle containing four dilaudid pills (a schedule II drug), one needle, two straws, and $147 in cash. She was arrested and taken to the jail. A computer check confirmed her drivers license was suspended.
Meanwhile, the search of Porterfield’s home turned up twenty one yellow dilaudid pills, which were seized, along with a digital camera, four cell phones, $123 in cash taken from Harness, a baggie containing a white rock which field tested positive for methamphetamine, two pieces of burned aluminum foil, a bottle of water which was believed to be used to dilute the pills so they could be injected, four straws, a spoon, four hydrocodone pills, and a box containing eight needles, a 2003 Ford Explorer belonging to Harness, $147 taken from Porterfield.
Sheriff Ray said if you know of anyone dealing in drugs or who may be involved in other crimes, please contact the sheriff’s department’s crime tip line. “We encourage anyone to call us if they have knowledge or are suspicious of anyone selling drugs. Our crime tip line is available, not only to report the illegal sale of drugs, but any other sort of crime. That number is 464-6400. You’re encouraged to call that number and report any tips you may have that could help solve a crime,” he said.

A vacancy on the DeKalb County Election Commission has been filled.
The Tennessee Election Commission Monday appointed Richard Hearon Puckett to fill the unexpired term of Kenneth Moore, who died recently
Moore had served as one of the democratic members of the commission since 1980. His term expires next April.
Puckett, who served 42 years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will join Harry Lasser as the two democratic members of the local election commission. Lasser has served since his appointment in April, 2011. Moore had also been re-appointed to another term at that time.
During his years with the Corps, Puckett served as Ranger at Center Hill Lake, Outdoor Recreation Planner for the Nashville District Office, Resource Manager at Old Hickory, Cordell Hull, and Center Hill Lake, Area Manager for the Mid-Cumberland Area which included Cordell Hull, Dale Hollow, and Center Hill Lakes, and finally as Operations Manager for the Mid-Cumberland area. He retired from the Corps in 2005.
Puckett and his wife Ann have two daughters, Tecia and Mary Ann along with four grandchildren. Tecia is married to John Pryor. Mary Ann’s husband is Jack Barton. Over the years, Puckett has been involved in the Gideons International and other activities. He has been a member of the Tennessee Association of Professional Surveyors, the National Forester’s Association, and the Society of American Military Engineers.
The other three members of the local election commission are republicans including Walteen Parker, Barbara Vanatta, and Jim Dean. They were all reappointed by the Tennessee Election Commission in April 2011. Vanatta and Dean are in their second terms. Parker has served since 1992.

DeKalb County Schools and The Arc Tennessee have partnered to offer Student-Directed IEP Training to students between the ages of 14-22 who receive special education services. This training is part of a grant funded by The Walmart Foundation. DeKalb County Schools were selected as a site for this project because of their commitment to offer best practices to their students who receive special education services.
Gina Arnold, Supervisor of Special Education, said an informational meeting about the project is scheduled for Monday, August 20 at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at the high school. You are encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more about this project and how it can help your child. Refreshments will be served. A door prize drawing will be held for students.
The goal of the Student-Directed IEP Training is to teach students to lead their own IEP meetings to the extent that they are able, increasing the chance that the IEP truly reflects the student’s needs and wants. This Student-Directed IEP Training project is unique because students, parents/guardians, and teachers receive the introductory training as a group. This piece of the project is very important because key members of the IEP team will receive important information at the same time and begin building a spirit of teamwork at the outset of the year,
DeKalb County Schools and The ARC Tennessee are seeking students and parents/guardians interested in being a part of this training project. Much research has been done on Student-Directed IEP’s that shows noticeable growth in the students’ abilities to make choices and think more concretely about their futures. You will have the opportunity to be the only people in Tennessee to experience this training process and see the improvements in the students this year.

Two men were arrested last week in a recent home burglary on Johnson Chapel Road.
21 year old William Richard Denton and 20 year old Travis Marcus Melton, both of Johnson Chapel Road, Sparta are each charged with aggravated burglary and theft of property over $1,000. Bond for each is $10,000 and they will be in court on August 23.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that Melton allegedly broke into a residence on Johnson Chapel Road Sunday, July 29. Entry was made through a back window. Items taken in the burglary were gold chains, gold bracelet, rings, several handguns, and ammo, together valued at more than $1,000. According to Sheriff Ray, Denton assisted Melton in the burglary and gave him the combination to a safe where the guns were kept. Denton then allegedly sold the stolen items taken from the home. The case was investigated by a criminal detective of the Sheriff’s Department. Denton was arrested on Tuesday, August 7. Melton was arrested the following day.
33 year old Paul Allen Willingham of Smithville is charged with introduction of drugs into a penal institution. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court August 23. Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, August 10, Willingham came to the jail to serve a weekend sentence. Upon a search of the crotch area of his underwear, officers found three cellophane wrappers with pieces of xanax and twelve whole xanax pills, which is a schedule IV drug. The case was investigated by drug detectives of the sheriff’s department.
39 year old Rogelio Rivera Palomo of Jacobs Pillar Road, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. He was further issued citations for violation of the open container law, failure to exercise due care, violation of the implied consent law, violation of the financial responsibility law (no insurance), and failure to maintain his lane of travel His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court on August 23. Sheriff Ray said that Palomo was involved in a one car crash on Saturday, August 11. He had an odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person and he was unsteady on his feet. Palomo performed poorly on all field sobriety tasks and refused to submit to a blood test. There were several empty beer bottles and one full bottle in his vehicle. Palomo was arrested for DUI. He refused to consent to blood alcohol test.
27 year old Michael Brandon Redmon of Smithville is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,000 and he will be in court on September 13. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, August 4, a deputy responded to Highway 56 north in reference to a person who may have been involved in a burglary earlier in the night. Upon arrival, the officer made contact with Redmon, who was very unsteady on his feet. His speech was also very slurred. Due to his walking on the roadway and being under the influence, Redmon was placed under arrest in the interest of his safety and for the safety of the public.

DeKalb County was well represented at the State 4-H Roundup/All-Star Conference held recently at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Roundup is a state high school level event for 4-H members competing in project areas. To get to this level, 4-Hers must complete a portfolio and be one of five state finalists. At Roundup, they are required to do an interview along with a project display or resume.
Kayley Green, a junior at DeKalb County High School, received the Family and Consumer Science Leadership Award and will be attending National 4-H Congress this fall. Cassie Cain competed in the veterinary science project and Lydia Trail competed in the photography project and both received participation awards. Matthew Cain attended Roundup as an All-Star delegate and Hailey Perry attended as the State 4-H All-Star Scribe. Elizabeth Sanders attended in the role of State 4-H Council Member at Large.
State elections are also held while at Roundup. Kayley Green was elected as the Central Region Senior Representative on the State 4-H Council.
Another major event that occurs while at 4-H Roundup is the Vol State ceremony. Vol State is the highest level of recognition a Tennessee 4-H member may achieve. Vol State is presented to high school juniors and seniors in recognition of excellence in all phases of 4-H work, as well as service and leadership rendered in their communities. Kayley Green was presented with the Vol State Award.
More information about 4-H Roundup can be found at http://www.utextension.utk.edu/4H/roundup/index.htm. The University of Tennessee Extension offers all its programs to everyone in the community, regardless of race, sex, national origin or ethnicity.
(TOP PHOTO: DeKalb County 4-H members attending the 2012 Tennessee 4-H Congress were (left to right): Elizabeth Sanders, Kayley Green, Matthew Cain, Hailey Perry, Lydia Trail, and Cassie Cain)
(BOTTOM PHOTO: Vol State 4-H Recipient Kayley Green)

The DeKalb County High School Tigers will get the season underway next Friday night, August 17 at 7:00 p.m. hosting their border rivals from Warren County. WJLE will have LIVE coverage with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor.
Coach Steve Trapp spoke with WJLE Friday about this year’s team and the season upcoming. (PLAY VIDEO BELOW)
steve trapp from dwayne page on Vimeo.