The Mid-South Mayhem 14U Travel team recently competed in the Sandlott World Series Wood Bat Tournament. 16 teams competed in this age bracket and Mid-South Mayhem won 2nd place. Local players for the Mayhem are Cason Oakley (DCHS), Sam McMillen (DWS) and AJ Mooneyham (DMS). Season results for the team were 29 wins and 13 losses.
Front Row L-R: Luke Vance (batboy), Jackson Vance, Tyler Vandergriff, Drew Trice, Ben Vance (batboy), Bailey Kemp, AJ Mooneyham, Ethan Roberts Back Row L-R: Chad Vance (coach), Logan Fields, Kenny Dillon (head coach), Sam McMillen, Luke Turner, Cason Oakley, Paul Fields (coach).

Smithville Police have charged a 36 year old man with five counts of forgery for allegedly passing forged checks on the account of a family member at a local bank totaling $2,075.
Chief Randy Caplinger said Russell Blackwell is under a $50,000 bond and he will be in court on August 16.
According to Chief Caplinger, Blackwell passed checks in the following amounts on the following days on the account of Harold Blackwell: $475 on June 22; $300 and $600 on June 25; $350 on June 26; and $350 on June 28.
28 year old Roxanna Landis is charged with public intoxication and leaving the scene. She is under a $4,000 bond and will be in court on August 2. Chief Caplinger said Landis was a passenger with Russell Blackwell when police arrested him on a recent DUI offense and brought in his vehicle. The next day, Landis came to the city parking lot, where Blackwell’s vehicle was parked, and tried to drive off in it. But in doing so, she crashed it into a vehicle belonging to the City of Smithville. Landis then left the scene on foot. She was later arrested. At the time of her arrest, Landis was intoxicated. She had very slurred speech and was unsteady on her feet. Police had to stop the field sobriety tasks for her safety because she couldn’t stand.
36 year old Peggy Bandy is charged with domestic assault. Chief Caplinger said that on Saturday, July 7 an officer responded to a domestic disturbance at 477 West Main Street. Upon arrival, he spoke to Gary Bandy who stated that his wife had assaulted him. Bandy said while at his sister’s home, Peggy arrived saying she wanted to speak to him. While the two were on the porch, Bandy claims Peggy became violent and punched him on the side of his face and grabbed his shirt, tearing it. She allegedly threatened to kill him. The officer spoke with Peggy Bandy who allegedly admitted to hitting Gary in the face and tearing his shirt because he had pushed her. It was determined that she was the primary aggressor.
26 year old Jordan Adams is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence and cited for violation of the implied consent law. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court on August 2. Chief Caplinger said that on Tuesday, July 3 an officer responded to a residence on Cookeville Highway where a man was in a vehicle asleep at the wheel or passed out. The caller said the man had been there for about 45 minutes. Upon arrival, the officer found the man, Adams, slumped over the steering wheel. The officer awoke Adams. He had very slurred speech. Adams said he had taken prescription medication about twelve hours earlier. He submitted to but performed poorly on several field sobriety tasks. He was very unsteady on his feet. Adams refused to submit to an alcohol/drug test but a mandatory draw was done due to a prior DUI against him on September 12, 2007 in Putnam County.
One week later, on Tuesday July 10, Adams was cited for simple possession of a schedule VI controlled substance (marijuana). Chief Caplinger said Adams was stopped at the intersection of Church and North College Streets due to a warrant against him. While checking Adams, the officer found inside his shorts a plastic bag containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana. Adams allegedly tried to resist arrest.
26 year old Stephanie Bone is charged with domestic violence. Her bond is $2,500. Chief Caplinger said an officer responded to a residence at 675 Kendra Drive to a domestic call where a husband and wife were in an altercation. The man told police that his wife had allegedly assaulted him and made threats to hit and stab him. The man had marks on his shoulder and neck area and two large cuts on the right side of his chest. Ms. Bone allegedly told police that she and her husband had been fussing and that she had thrown a picture frame at him. It was determined that she was the primary aggressor.
20 year old Joseph Blair is charged with driving under the influence. He was also issued a citation for speeding. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court on July 26. Chief Caplinger said an officer stopped Blair’s vehicle for speeding on South Congress Boulevard. He was clocked at 77 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour speed zone. The officer noticed that Blair’s speech was very slurred and he appeared to be disoriented. The officer asked him if he knew where he was and Blair responded that he was in Dickson. Blair submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He also submitted to a blood alcohol test.
30 year old Nicholas Hollingsworth was cited for shoplifting at the Dollar General Store on Wednesday, July 18. He will be in court August 9. According to Chief Caplinger, a store employee told the responding officer that Hollingsworth was seen putting items into a bag. A search of the bag turned up merchandise stolen from the store.
57 year old David Lee Alwin is cited for speeding and violation of the open container law.
51 year old Roy Atnip is cited for shoplifting. He will be in court August 2. Chief Caplinger said Atnip allegedly took merchandise from Advance Auto Parts and tried to sell those items at another local business. The incident was reported to police. Atnip was confronted and upon a search, he was found to have the stolen items from the store in his possession.
Juan Luis Carrera Munoz is cited for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He will be in court on August 2. According to Chief Caplinger, Munoz asked his fifteen year old son to drive to a location across town to pick up something for him. The boy drove the vehicle and became involved in a traffic accident in front of the Dairy Queen on Broad Street. He rear ended another automobile and left the scene. The incident occurred on Thursday, July 12.

Three hundred seventy three people have voted early in the August 2 elections. Early voting ends Saturday, July 28.
The largest single day turnout for early voting so far has been the first day, Friday July 13 when 70 people cast ballots. The response each day since is as follows:
Saturday, July 14- 31
Monday, July 16- 42
Tuesday, July 17- 42
Wednesday, July 18- 53
Thursday, July 19- 55
Friday, July 20- 37
Saturday, July 21- 43
Early voting this week will be held Monday from Noon until 5 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.; Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.; and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until Noon. All early voting is being held in the first floor or basement courtroom of the courthouse near the election commission office. Election Day, August 2 voting will be from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. at all sixteen precincts in the county.
As a voter you may vote for whom you choose in the DeKalb County General Election regardless of party affiliation in the races for assessor of property, constable, or school board member. In other words, you can vote for a democrat in one race and a republican in another.
However, if you choose to vote in one of the state primaries which include the offices of State Representative, U.S. Representative, or U.S. Senator, you must declare in which primary you intend to vote. For example, if you declare your intention to vote in the State Republican Primary, you can ONLY vote for Republican candidates for State Representative, U.S. Representative, and U.S. Senator but you MAY vote for ANY candidate you choose regardless of party affiliation in the county general election (Assessor of Property, Constable, School Board)
Likewise, if you choose to vote in the State Democratic Primary you can vote
for only Democratic candidates for State Representative, U.S. Representative, and U.S. Senator but you MAY vote for ANY candidate you choose regardless of party affiliation in the county general election (Assessor of Property, Constable, School Board)
In simple terms, you can vote for a Democrat in the County General and still choose the Republican State Primary; or you may vote for a Republican in the County General and still choose the Democrat State Primary.
Local voters will be electing a new Assessor of Property in August. The candidates are Scott Cantrell and Mason Carter. Two school board seats will be filled along with five constable seats.
In the state primary, local voters will help select the party nominees for State Representative in the 40th district, the 46th district, Congressman in the 6th District and one U.S. Senator.

A 50 year old man involved in a bicycle accident Thursday afternoon on Pea Ridge Road in the Dry Creek area has died and the Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating to determine if he was the victim of a hit and run.
Dead is Tim Caldwell of Dowelltown.
According to the THP, Caldwell was riding alone on a bicycle when he apparently went off in a ditch and was thrown from the bike.
Central dispatch was notified at 4:48 p.m. The caller reported that a guy had been hit by a car on a bike. Officers arrived at the scene and spoke with Caldwell who reportedly told them that a big car with a young guy driving had been responsible.
Caldwell was taken by DeKalb EMS to a helicopter landing zone set up near the scene. He was airlifted to Vanderbilt hospital where he died on Friday.
Trooper Jeremy Wilhite and the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) of the Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating but has not yet determined whether Caldwell was the victim of a hit and run or just a tragic accident with no one else involved.

The Smithville Church of God is gearing up for back to school with plans to give away 200 backpacks filled with school supplies to students. The backpacks will be available as a part of the church’s free back to school party on Saturday, Aug 4. From 10-2 that day, the church fellowship hall and parking lot will be filled with inflatables, food, and fun for the community with the backpacks being given away on a first come-first served basis. Those interested in a backpack are urged to reserve one by registering on the church’s website www.smithvillecog.com or by calling the church office at 615-597-1419.
This giveaway comes as a part of a challenge, issued by Pastor Jeff Armstrong, for the church to reach out to the community in new ways. Pastor Armstrong instructs his church to follow the model set forth by Christ in His ministry: caring, reaching out, and helping those in need. Armstrong notes that Jesus always cared first for the physical and emotional need of those around him, enabling them to focus on spiritual necessities. He further reminds us of the biblical calling for the church to care for widows, orphans, the hungry, the lonely, and the lost.
The congregation kicked off the challenge by handing out over 2500 free bottles of water during the Smithville Jamboree and plans to continue over the next year with a series of events for all ages.
On August 22, there will be an after school youth rally for students in grades 7-12 featuring games, free food, and giveaways. There will be free transportation from school for the students for an afternoon of fun, and the evening will culminate with a youth centered service featuring the youth band and drama team and a message by youth pastor, Chris Moore.
On August 25, Gospel Bluegrass band Right on Time will perform at a BBQ dinner to raise funds for the projects of the Women’s Ministries; a $10 contribution will entitle you to a BBQ plate dinner as well as admission to the concert.
In September, the church will host a revival with Evangelist Rick Cottrell. We will also follow up this spring’s popular Princess for a Day fundraising event with Cowboy for a Day, which will offer boys a day of Wild Western fun.
October will begin with a Friend’s Day and picnic and will end with the annual Trunk or Treat Celebration featuring a free hot dog dinner for the entire family, as well as decorated vehicles and lots of candy for the kids.
November brings the Community Thanksgiving service and our annual contribution of Shoeboxes donated to the international charity, Samaritan’s Purse.
There are plans to wrap up the year in December with the annual Christmas walk-through, The Bethlehem Experience.
It is the hope of Pastor Armstrong, the staff, and congregation that these events will help the community to see Christ and his followers in a new light of caring and love.

Country artist Kalisa Ewing will perform at the DeKalb County Fair Tuesday night at the Lion’s Club Pavilion following the Little Miss and Mister pageant.
“Look in the mirror find a new reflection, those chains won’t hold you down unless you let them. Life can surprise you when you least expect it, that’s what’s so beautiful about redemption.”
With her sweet country voice and hauntingly beautiful lyrics, singer/songwriter Kalisa Ewing is no stranger to life’s surprises. Her songs are bold, fresh and honest; stories that may never have been told if not for a divine intervention of sorts.
“My mom and I got into a car accident the summer before my Sophomore year of high school and I blacked out. I remember during that time, visions of my guitar in my hands, playing my guitar and being on stage, all flashed before my eyes. That was enough to make me think a little bit harder about writing songs and what playing music meant to me.”
Kalisa grew up in the country just outside Nashville where, at age 11, she picked up a guitar and penned her first song. She credits her insatiable passion for music to her grandfather, who died of heart problems just after she was born. Kalisa’s grandfather, Owen McCarty, was a blind musician who moved to Nashville to fulfill his dreams as an artist in Music City.
Like her grandfather, Kalisa continued to search for a home in music. She took guitar lessons and began writing poetry to sharpen her songwriting skills.
“I’ve always felt a little bit like an outcast,” said Kalisa. “It seems like so many people I meet either grew up singing in church or playing music with their families. I never did any of that. Hearing stories of my grandpa, I think he was the closest person in my blood that I can say dreamed the same dream. I know it must have been passed down to me by him.”
Fast-forward through years of odd-end jobs and dead-end promises, Kalisa met industry veteran, Todd Wilkes, who recognized her unparalleled talent and opted to publish her independently. Under the helm of Wilkes and Kent Earls (Universal Music), Kalisa became the first co-venture of Wilkes’ company, KingSpirit Music, and signed a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group.
“One of my songs, ‘Redemption,’ is about everything that I’ve had to learn the hard way through the years. That’s the kind of real stories that I hope connect with people. I like to write about love, screwing things up, being a screw up, finding redemption and then living to tell about it. I write about what I’ve learned.”
If there’s one thing Kalisa knows about life’s little surprises it’s that it will bring you to where you need to be when you least expect it. It will bring you home. And that’s exactly what her music is all about.