J. Percy Priest Lake, Center Hill Lake, and Cordell Hull Lake will be participating in “Life Jackets Saves and Pays Day” at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Day-Use areas on July 12, 2014.
On July 12, any participating USACE day-use area will allow FREE one day admittance to visitors that bring a life jacket to the park. Participating parks include: J. Percy Priest Lake – Anderson Road Park and Cook Park; Center Hill Lake – Floating Mill Park, Hurricane Bridge Park, and Ragland Bottom Park; Cordell Hull Lake – Defeated Creek Park, Roaring River Park, and Wartrace Park.
“Life Jackets Saves and Pays Day” is a local event held by USACE to emphasize the importance of wearing a life jacket when around water. “Once in the park, don’t leave your lifejacket behind, WEAR IT!” says Ranger Sarah Peace. “The Corps wants everyone to have fun on the water, but most importantly we want you to be safe!”
So what are you waiting for? Grab your lifejacket, and we’ll see you at the lake!

A Collierville man lost his life Saturday afternoon on Center Hill Lake.
The body of 57 year old Stephen R. Morris was recovered in about fifteen feet of water more than three hours after he fell off a jet ski and into the water. “It’s been called a drowning and it probably was but we don’t know that for sure. They have performed an autopsy but we don’t have the results back on that yet, ” said TWRA Officer Tony Cross during his weekly program on WJLE Monday morning.
“If you went straight out from the mouth of Holmes Creek in a southeasterly direction, which is back upstream, it was about a mile across on the other side of the lake. There are a couple of small coves and they had pulled up in there on a houseboat,” said Officer Cross in describing where the incident occurred.
According to the TWRA, Morris was sitting on the back of a personal watercraft, which was attached to the house boat, when he fell off the back of it and never resurfaced. ” There were a number of folks who were on the houseboat and the front of it was actually grounded on the shore. The victim was on a jet ski which was pulled up on one of the slides or ramps on the back of the houseboat. It (jet ski) was actually not in the water. Our guess is that some sort of medical issue may have happened. He was sitting on the jet ski when he fell off into the water and went under. That was it,” said Officer Cross.
Members of the TWRA, DeKalb County Rescue Squad, and Corps of Engineers began the search at around 4:00 p.m. “We were pretty sure we had located the body maybe within an hour or so with side scan sonar. Divers were called in from the Putnam County Rescue Squad and once they arrived on the scene and went down, it probably took only eight or ten minutes for them to locate the victim,” said Cross.
TWRA Officer Cross praised members of the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad and others for their help. “I’d like to give a big shout out and thank you to members of the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad who came out. They were at the Jamboree working their booth when this happened but they all came down and helped us. The Corps of Engineers had several guys there too along with several of our guys (TWRA),” he said.

For the first time two years ago a mother and daughter competed for the most coveted prize of the Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree and Crafts Festival, the Berry C. Williams Memorial award, presented to the best overall fiddler. In a repeat from 2012, the same mother and daughter made it to the fiddle-off with the daughter again winning the showdown.
Maddie Denton of Murfreesboro, who took the Junior fiddling title earlier in the evening Saturday, went on to win the fiddle off against her mother, Marcia Denton of Murfreesboro, who had earlier won the senior fiddling competition.
Fiddler’s Jamboree Coordinator Jack Barton presented Maddie her award at the conclusion of the festival, which ended around 11:35 p.m. Saturday night.
Winners in the Saturday session of the Fiddler’s Jamboree are as follows:
Junior Old-Time Appalachian Flatfoot Dance (Ages up to 39): First Place- Chris Stewart of Lebanon; Second Place- Shawn Jones of Lyles; and Third Place Hillary Bevels of Shelbyville.
Senior Old-Time Appalachian Flatfoot Dance (Ages 40 & Over): First Place- Thomas Maupin of Murfreesboro; Second Place- Ruth Alpert of Santa Barbara, California and Third Place- Tommy Scruggs, Jr. of Hartsville
Senior Buck Dancing (Ages 40 & Over): First Place- Tammy Gay Scruggs of Primm Springs; Second Place- Ruth Alpert of Santa Barbara, California; and Third Place- Tommy Jackson of Franklin.
Senior Clogging (Ages 40 & Over): First Place-Tommy Jackson of Franklin; Second Place- Eileen Stewart of Lebanon; and Third Place- Lonnie Stewart of Fairview.
Bluegrass Banjo: First Place-Kurt Stephenson of Dyersburg; Second Place- Daniel Amick of Pleasantville; and Third Place- Joey Gipson of Manchester.
Junior Fiddlers (Ages 13-39): First Place-Maddie Denton of Murfreesboro; Second Place- Tyler Andal of Nashville; and Third Place- Hillary Bevels of Shelbyville.
Flat Top Guitar: First Place- Colin Mabry of Hixson; Second Place- Tyler Sellers of Goodlettsville; and Third Place-Elijah Jenkins of Wilder.
Contest Fiddle (Neil Dudney Award): First Place- Tyler Andal of Nashville; Second Place- Maddie Denton of Murfreesboro; and Third Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro. The Neil Dudney Award was presented to Andal by Dudney’s grandchildren, Ethan, Brandon, and Dylan Shaw and Laura England.
Bluegrass Band: First Place- Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band of Signal Mountain; Second Place- Ellis Porch of Dyersburg; and Third Place- Cross Tied of Wilder.
Senior Fiddlers ( Ages 40 & Over): First Place- Marcia Denton of Murfreesboro; Second Place- Gail Johnson of Lavergne; and Third Place- Billy Brewer of Lyles
Square Dancing: First Place-Rhythm-N-Motion of Cookeville; Second Place- Rocky Top Revue of Franklin; and Third Place- Harpeth River of Franklin.
Winners in the Friday session of the Fiddlers Jamboree are as follows:
Old Time Appalachian Folk Singing (Solo):
First Place- Christiana Joneikis of Shreve, Ohio
Second Place-Chloe Shreve of Nashville
Third Place-Sierra Ivie Tomlin of Springfield
Junior Clogging (Ages 13-39):
First Place-Gary Giles of Franklin
Second Place-Chris Stewart of Lebanon
Third Place-Katie Huntley of Loretto
Junior Buck Dancing (Ages 13-39):
First Place- Chris Stewart of Lebanon
Second Place-Jacob Campbell of Smithville
Third Place-Kris Jamison of Waverly
Old Time Appalachian Folksinging (Duet, Trio, Quartet)
First Place- Ivy Phillips and Chloe Shreve of Chapmansboro
Second Place- The Chunns of Greenbrier
Third Place- Gray and Rothwell of Smyrna
Dobro Guitar:
First Place-Rob Pearcy of Smyrna
Second Place-Elijah Jenkins of Wilder
Third Place-Robbie Harris of Rockvale
Mountain Dulcimer:
First Place-Tyler Andal of Nashville
Second Place-Christiana Joneikis of Shreve, Ohio
Third Place-Lynsey Nixon of Woodbury
Hammer Dulcimer:
First Place-Beth James of Newport
Second Place- Pamela Sanders of Sparta
Novelty Event:
First Place-Wailin Wood of Nashville
Second Place-Haint Hollow Hootenanny of Unionville
Third Place-Hillary Bevels of Shelbyville

Autoharp:
First Place- Kurt Stephenson of Dyersburg
Second Place-Bill Rothe of Estill Springs
Third Place-Bettye Kash of Cookeville
Gospel Singing (Solo):
First Place-Amanda McKenney of Cullman, Alabama
Second Place- Elizabeth Koegler of Smithville
Third Place-Sierra Ivie Tomlin of Springfield

Country Harmonica:
First Place-Wailin Wood of Nashville
Second Place- Ken Tenpenny of Murfreesboro
Third Place- Rob Pearcy of Smyrna
Old Time Banjo:
First Place- Tyler Andal of Nashville
Second Place- William See of Frankewing
Third Place- Rob Pearcy of Smyrna

Youth Square Dancing:
First Place-Main Stage Fusion of Springfield
Second Place- Main Stage Revolution of Smyrna
Third Place- Main Stage Explosion of Springfield
Gospel Singing (Duet, Trio, & Quartet):
First Place- New Hickory-Sandi Kay and Cassie Kay of Lebanon
Second Place- The Chunns of Greenbrier
Third Place- The Jenkins Family of Wilder
Mandolin:
First Place-Tyler Andal of Nashville
Second Place- Elijah Jenkins of Wilder
Third Place- Tyler Martelli of Chattanooga
Old Time Fiddle Band:
First Place-Uncle Shuffelo and His Haint Hollow Hootenanny of Unionville
Second Place- DeKalb County Hilltoppers of Dyersburg
Third Place- Flat Creek String Band of Shelbyville

A Kentucky girl won the top Jamboree award Saturday as the best fiddler in the National Championship for Country Musician Beginners.
Annabelle Watts of Philpot, Kentucky was crowned the Grand Champion fiddler and won the coveted James G. “Bobo” Driver Memorial Award, named for the man who started the children’s competition during the 1980’s as part of the annual Fiddler’s Jamboree and Crafts Festival.
Meanwhile, the “Entertainer of the Year” Award went to Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana. This award is presented to the best overall instrumental entertainer among winners in the dobro guitar, mandolin, five string banjo, and flat top guitar competition.
The National Championship for Country Musician Beginners showcases the talents of children up to age twelve in seven categories of competition.

This year’s winners are as follows:
Fiddle: First Place-Annabelle Watts of Philpot, Kentucky; Second Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana; and Third Place- Antonis Dodson of Murfreesboro
Buck Dancing: First Place- Brayden Chunn of Greenbrier; Second Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro; and Third Place- Gracie Parrish of Pleasant View
Clogging: First Place- Brayden Chunn of Greenbrier; Second Place- Isabella McCoy of Brush Creek; and Third Place- Amelia Baker of Springfield.
Dobro Guitar: First Place- Antonio Dodson of Murfreesboro; Second Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro, and Third Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana.
Mandolin: First Place-Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana; Second Place-Anna Claire Stockoff of Brentwood; Third Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro.
Five String Banjo: First Place- Axel Rico of Smithville; Second Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana; and Third Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro
Flat Top Guitar: First Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana; Second Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro; and Third Place- Antonio Dodson of Murfreesboro

Jacob Carrigan of Nashville was the overall winner of the 16th annual Fiddler 5K and One-Mile Fun Run on Saturday.
Carrigan ran the course in 16 minutes and 42 seconds.
Hope Ilias, best among women, ran the course in 20:22.

TOP MALE MASTERS (Age 40 and older): Scott Fanning of Lebanon at 17:36
TOP FEMALE MASTERS (Age 40 and older): Tracy Burtnett at 22:47

One-Mile Fun Run (age 12 and younger) winner:
TOP MALE: Joshua Burtnett at 6:55
TOP FEMALE: Elizabeth Welch at 6:45
The 16th Annual Fiddler 5K and One-Mile Fun Run featured 356 participants.
Funds raised will support Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County
Complete results are available at www.fiddler5k.com

Smithville’s own Darrin Vincent of the award winning bluegrass group, Dailey and Vincent, received the Fiddler’s Jamboree’s first ever Blue Blaze Award on Saturday.
The award was presented to Vincent by Shan Burklow of the Jamboree Marketing Committee and Alexis Grace Atnip, Miss Jamboree pageant 2nd alternate. Members of Vincent’s family joined him in receiving the award.
The Jamboree Blue Blaze Award is presented to recognize a musician who is actively cultivating a love of bluegrass music. Vincent has five grammy awards and eight IBMA awards to his credit.

“We are honored to present our first Jamboree Blue Blaze Award to Smithville local, Darrin Vincent. Darrin lives up to the core purpose of the award which is to ‘Keep the embers of bluegrass music burning for future generations,’ said Burklow. “Darrin is a talented musician and a generous, kind-hearted person. We are blessed to have Darrin and his family as a part of DeKalb County.”
Darrin Vincent started singing at age three and playing music at age six as part of his family band, The Sally Mountain Show, along with sister Rhonda Vincent. As a member of Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for more than 10 years, Darrin has won five Grammy Awards and eight IBMA Awards for Instrumental Group of the Year. He has performance and recording credits with dozens of artists including Dolly Parton, Nora Jones, Emmylou Harris, Earl Scruggs, Bruce Hornsby, Vince Gill, John Hartford, and many more. As well as producer credits on Grammy nominated projects with Rhonda Vincent, Susie Luchsinger, Cherry Holmes and Hunter Berry. He is an accomplished musician and vocalist with expert abilities to arrange and create captivating music.

Performers picked, sang, and danced all day Friday until the wee hours of Saturday morning during the first day of the 43rd annual Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree and Crafts Festival
The weather could not have been better with sunshine, low humidity, and very pleasant temperatures during the day followed by a clear cool evening.
State Senator Mae Beavers and State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver presented flags to persons who traveled the greatest distances from outside the state and the country to get here. Loretta Amberson of Tucson, Arizona received a Tennessee State flag while Mark and Marcia Estes of Thailand and formerly of Smithville were presented a United States flag. Dr. Mitchell Tatum received a Tennessee Blue Book for being the first in the audience to correctly answer a question about how many candles would be on a U.S. birthday cake this 4th of July. The answer is 238.
Jack Barton, Jamboree Coordinator also presented a plaque to WJLE Manager Dwayne Page in honor of the local radio station’s 50th anniversary and its 43rd year of broadcasting the Fiddler’s Jamboree “LIVE”. Page accepted on behalf of station owner Leon Stribling who was unable to attend. Several present and past staff members joined Page on stage to receive the award including Ralph Vaughn, Elaine Rigsby, Dean Estes, Dennis Stanley, Tom Duggin, Nick Nokes, and Dale Carroll.
Following a Jamboree welcome and introduction of local public officials, the Smithville-DeKalb County Community Chorus entertained the crowd.
Preliminaries were held in sixteen categories of music and dance competition followed by the finals featuring the top three acts in each event.
The following are the winners in each category:
Old Time Appalachian Folk Singing (Solo):
First Place- Christiana Joneikis of Shreve, Ohio
Second Place-Chloe Shreve of Nashville
Third Place-Sierra Ivie Tomlin of Springfield
Junior Clogging (Ages 13-39):
First Place-Gary Giles of Franklin
Second Place-Chris Stewart of Lebanon
Third Place-Katie Huntley of Loretto
Junior Buck Dancing (Ages 13-39):
First Place- Chris Stewart of Lebanon
Second Place-Jacob Campbell of Smithville
Third Place-Kris Jamison of Waverly
Old Time Appalachian Folksinging (Duet, Trio, Quartet)
First Place- Ivy Phillips and Chloe Shreve of Chapmansboro
Second Place- The Chunns of Greenbrier
Third Place- Gray and Rothwell of Smyrna
Dobro Guitar:
First Place-Rob Pearcy of Smyrna
Second Place-Elijah Jenkins of Wilder
Third Place-Robbie Harris of Rockvale
Mountain Dulcimer:
First Place-Tyler Andal of Nashville
Second Place-Christiana Joneikis of Shreve, Ohio
Third Place-Lynsey Nixon of Woodbury
Hammer Dulcimer:
First Place-Beth James of Newport
Second Place- Pamela Sanders of Sparta
Novelty Event:
First Place-Wailin Wood of Nashville
Second Place-Haint Hollow Hootenanny of Unionville
Third Place-Hillary Bevels of Shelbyville
Autoharp:
First Place- Kurt Stephenson of Dyersburg
Second Place-Bill Rothe of Estill Springs
Third Place-Bettye Kash of Cookeville
Gospel Singing (Solo):
First Place-Amanda McKenney of Cullman, Alabama
Second Place- Elizabeth Koegler of Smithville
Third Place-Sierra Ivie Tomlin of Springfield
Country Harmonica:
First Place-Wailin Wood of Nashville
Second Place- Ken Tenpenny of Murfreesboro
Third Place- Rob Pearcy of Smyrna
Old Time Banjo:
First Place- Tyler Andal of Nashville
Second Place- William See of Frankewing
Third Place- Rob Pearcy of Smyrna
Youth Square Dancing:
First Place-Main Stage Fusion of Springfield
Second Place- Main Stage Revolution of Smyrna
Third Place- Main Stage Explosion of Springfield
Gospel Singing (Duet, Trio, & Quartet):
First Place- New Hickory-Sandi Kay and Cassie Kay of Lebanon
Second Place- The Chunns of Greenbrier
Third Place- The Jenkins Family of Wilder
Mandolin:
First Place-Tyler Andal of Nashville
Second Place- Elijah Jenkins of Wilder
Third Place- Tyler Martelli of Chattanooga
Old Time Fiddle Band:
First Place-Uncle Shuffelo and His Haint Hollow Hootenanny of Unionville
Second Place- DeKalb County Hilltoppers of Dyersburg
Third Place- Flat Creek String Band of Shelbyville
The Fiddler’s Jamboree resumes at 9:00 a.m. today with preliminaries in the following categories:
Junior Old Time Appalachian Flatfoot dance (ages up to 39); Senior Old Time Appalachian Flatfoot dance ( ages 40 and over); Senior Buckdancing (ages 40 and over); Senior Clogging (ages 40 and over); Bluegrass Banjo; Junior Fiddlers (ages 13-39); Flat Top Guitar; Contest Fiddle for the Neil Dudney Award; Bluegrass Band; Senior Fiddlers (ages 40 and over); and Square Dancing (4 Couples-8 Total Dancers).
Preliminaries will be held in each event and then the top three finalists will be called back tonight to compete for first, second, and third place.
The winners of the Junior and Senior Fiddling competition will square off for the Grand Champion Award, the Berry C. Williams Memorial Trophy at the conclusion of the festival.
The Jamboree Blue Blaze Award will be presented at 11:00 a.m. to recognize a musician that is actively cultivating a love of bluegrass music. Darrin Vincent, of the award winning bluegrass gospel band, Dailey and Vincent is this year’s recipient.
Meanwhile, the National Championship for Country Musician Beginners will be held this afternoon during the Jamboree featuring competitions for children, up to age twelve, in the categories of Buck Dancing, Clogging, Dobro Guitar, Mandolin, Five String Banjo, Flat Top Guitar, and Fiddle.
Preliminaries will be held in each event and then the top three finalists will be brought back to compete for first, second, and third place.
WJLE will broadcast the on-stage entertainment LIVE on AM 1480/ FM 101.7 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com.
In addition to music and dancing competitions onstage, the Fiddlers Jamboree also features dozens of crafts displayed along the downtown streets, plenty of delicious foods for sale at local food booths, and lots of shade tree picking under tents around the town square.

With early voting for the August 7 elections around the corner, local residents are reminded that Tuesday, July 8 is the last day to register to vote. The same deadline applies to those who want to register as a property rights voter for the Smithville Municipal Election.
“If you are not registered but want to participate in the August 7 elections, then Tuesday (July 8) is the last day you can register in person at the election office,” said Dennis Stanley, Administrator of Elections. “Our office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each weekday and we’ll be available to process those last minute registrations.”
In regards to property rights voting, the Smithville City Charter states that “any person owning property within the corporate limits of the municipality and residing outside such limits but within DeKalb County may register to vote in municipal elections, if such property is of a residential lot size of not less than thirty-five hundred (3500) square feet or any person owning a commercial property of any size as long as there are not more than two persons per deed in either property classification.”
In addition, the charter states “Such nonresident shall furnish to the proof of ownership and lot size and location by submitting a copy of the municipality’s tax notice or such other document deemed acceptable by the .
Because of the lengthy ballot, voters are encouraged to take advantage of early voting in order to avoid possible long lines at the polls on election day.
Voters are also urged to study the sample ballot in advance before coming to the polls. You can view the sample ballot by clicking the PDF link below:
DelalbTN-PG14-NewspaperTyposFixed.pdf (107.55 KB)
Early voting begins July 18 and the last day is August 2. All Early Voting will be in the first floor courtroom of the courthouse. The hours are as follows:
Mondays– 1 p.m.to 6 p.m.
Tuesdays– 9 am. to 1 p.m.
Wednesdays– 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursdays– 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Fridays-9.a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturdays- 9 a.m. to Noon
Locally, voters will be electing a Sheriff, Road Supervisor, General Sessions Judge, County Mayor, County Clerk, Circuit Court Clerk, Register of Deeds, and Trustee along with all fourteen county commissioners, five school board members, and three persons to fill vacant constable positions.
In the 13th Judicial District, voters will elect five judges, a District Attorney General, and a District Public Defender.
Smithville and Dowelltown will be having municipal elections August 7. In Smithville a mayor and two aldermen will be elected. Three aldermen will be elected in Dowelltown.
Across the state, Democrats and Republicans will be choosing party nominees for Governor, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representatives (Congressmen), State Senators, and State Representatives, along with State Executive Committeemen and women. Primary winners will face off in the November Tennessee General Election.
Voters in August also will be asked whether or not to retain several state judges

A 47 year old Smithville man is charged with leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving after being involved in two traffic accidents Wednesday morning.
According to Corporal Travis Bryant of the Smithville Police Department, Douglas Ferrell was traveling in the outside eastbound lane on Broad Street in a 1994 Mercury when he crossed over into the inside eastbound lane and sideswiped a 2003 Nissan Sentra, driven by 23 year old Macy Nokes of Smithville, who was traveling east. The accident occurred near the high school.
Corporal Bryant said Ferrell failed to stop due to the accident and continued driving eastbound.
According to Police, Central Dispatch reported receiving calls from witnesses who saw the car traveling recklessly at speeds up to 70 miles and hour and weaving in and out of his lane.
Smithville Police Officer Matt Farmer said the second accident occurred near B & G Supply as Ferrell, still traveling east, crossed all lanes and went off the left side of the highway, crashing into a utility pole. Both Ferrell and his wife 42 year old Angel, a passenger, were taken by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Community Hospital.
The crash remains under investigation.
Ferrell’s wife phoned WJLE Wednesday afternoon to explain that Mr. Ferrell suffered a medical condition ” a seizure” while driving which was the reason for the erratic driving and the cause of the accidents.

NHC Smithville was recently awarded a grant for successful implementation of the INTERACT program. INTERACT stands for Interventions to Reduce Acute Hospital Transfers and NHC Smithville has successfully implemented the core strategies of the program. The grant was the result of collaboration between Vanderbilt and National HealthCare Corporation.
According to the INTERACT website, “INTERACT is a quality improvement program designed to improve the early identification, assessment, documentation, and communication about changes in the status of patients in skilled nursing facilities. The goal of INTERACT is to improve care and reduce the frequency of potentially avoidable transfers to the acute hospital.”
“We know from experience that unnecessary transfers to the hospital can result in a challenging situation for the patient and hospital, especially with complicated cases of dementia, acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and pneumonia,” said Melody Anderson, Director of Nursing. “If we can identify and treat a condition before it results in a transfer to the hospital, the patient gets the appropriate care and overall costs are drastically reduced. The INTERACT assessment and communication tools are helpful because they give practitioners consistent, informative data to help treat the patient as early as possible.”
“These grant funds will go towards training and equipping our nurses and CNA’s with the necessary resources to help reduce unnecessary hospital transfers,” said Clint Hall, Administrator. “We are committed to improving the quality of care for patients in DeKalb County and the surrounding communities.”
NHC Smithville offers inpatient and outpatient rehabilitative care for patients of all ages. For more information about NHC Smithville, visit www.nhcsmithville.com or call (615) 597-4284. For more information on the INTERACT program, visit www.interact2.net.