The 17th annual Fiddler 5K and One Mile Fun Run, sponsored by Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County will be Saturday, July 4, the weekend of the Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree. All proceeds from the race will be used in building another Habitat for Humanity home in DeKalb County.
The race will begin promptly at 7:00 a.m., RAIN OR SHINE. The course begins and ends on Church Street in Downtown Smithville. “We encourage anybody who is interested in doing either the one mile fun run or the 5K which is a 3.1 mile course to go to www.fiddler5k.com where you’ll find a printable registration form that provides all the details of registration and a link to online registration,” said Race Director Tecia Puckett Pryor.
(CLICK PDF LINK BELOW FOR REGISTRATION FORM)
2015 Registration Form.pdf (160.54 KB)
The direct link to online preregistration is:http://www.onestoprace.com/search/event.aspx?id=32508
Paper registrations must be submitted no later than Monday, June 29. “If you want to register by paper. If you want to print out a form and mail it in or bring it by my office, that needs to be done by Monday, June 29. If you pre-register online you need to do that by midnight Wednesday, July 1. The advantage of pre-registering is that you save $5.00 and you may pick up your packet on Friday evening, July 3 from 5-7 p.m. at the First Baptist Life Enrichment Center on Church Street, which is also the start line for the race. That’s a real perk in that you don’t have to get up quite as early on Saturday morning, July 4. You’ll already have your race bib and t-shirt and you’ll be ready to go. But you can still pick up your packet on Saturday morning. You don’t have to pick it up on Friday night if that doesn’t work for you,” said Pryor.
Participants may also sign up on race day.”The cost of race day registration is $30 and $25 for those age 18 and younger. Again, for early registration it’s $25 for adults age 19 and older and for youth its $20 for ages 18 and younger so you save a little bit of money by pre-registering,” Pryor said.
“A few years ago we went to chip timing where you have a chip on your bib and when you cross the finish line it will instantly tell you how fast you did the race. We have a gun start meaning that the start is not chip timed, everybody starts at the same time but the finish is chip timed,” she said.
“For our awards, we give an overall male award and a female award for the fastest runners. We also started giving a Masters award a few years ago which is for the fastest male and female age 40 and older. We also give out the top three awards in the age categories of nine and younger, and then go up from there in five year increments. We give ribbons for those categories. For the Fun Run, we only give awards for children who are age twelve and younger. We give overall awards for male and female and then we do the top three. Everybody gets a nice ribbon and the overall winners get medals. We also have some goodies for the first place winners,” said Pryor.
“We changed the course a few years ago. The start line is no longer on Highway 56. It starts right across from the Life Enrichment Center on Church Street and goes down town hill by the swimming pool and the golf course, up Riley Avenue by the hospital and then comes up Main Street to the finish. It’s a fairly challenging course but it’s really a beautiful course with all the trees as you go down town hill and coming up Main Street,” she said.
“A lot of kids participate in the One Mile Fun Run and we also have adults that just like to get out to walk a mile and be part of this. The Fun Run stays right in town. It does not go down town hill. We have it really well marked. Both races end right at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. In the parking lot of the funeral home is where we will be on Saturday morning so if you want to register and you haven’t by then be there by 6:00 a.m. and we’ll get you registered. If you pre-registered and didn’t pick up your packet on Friday night then come to the same place, the Love-Cantrell Funeral Home parking lot because that’s where we will be set up to start and finish,” said Pryor.
Spectators are urged to come out and cheer on the runners the morning of the race. “If you live along the race course, get out and cheer on these runners. It’s great when you’re out running and you see people out cheering for you,” she said.
For more information or copies of paper registrations call the office of Tecia Puckett Pryor at 615-597-7370 or stop by at 312 West Broad Street, Smithville.
Funds raised through the Fiddler 5K support Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County. “We hope to have a great turnout and raise a lot of money for Habitat. We hope to see everybody on Saturday, July 4,” Pryor concluded.
2015 Registration Form.pdf (160.54 KB)

The county commission will be looking to appoint judicial commissioners next month.
During Monday night’s meeting, the commission authorized the judicial committee to accept and review applications and then make a recommendation to the entire county commission in July. That committee is made up of the General Sessions/Juvenile Court Judge, Sheriff, Circuit Court Clerk, County Mayor, and a representative of the District Attorney General’s Office.
County Mayor Tim Stribling informed the county commission that an advertisement will be published seeking applicants for the three judicial commissioner positions through noon July 10. The positions are currently held by Jerry Taylor, Hoyte Barrett, and Taft Hendrixson and their pay is $884 per month.
Judicial commissioners are responsible for the issuance of criminal arrest warrants upon finding probable cause. They are subject to call at all hours of the day and night. Judicial commissioners serve at the pleasure of the county commission and their terms of office can be one year to four years.
Meanwhile, the county commission is in search of a new office for judicial commissioners to write warrants for the public. Sheriff Patrick Ray has given notice to the county mayor that he will no longer provide office space or supplies and equipment for the judicial commissioners as of June 30. After talking with him, County Mayor Stribling said Sheriff Ray has agreed to extend the deadline by one month to give the county more time to find a place.
While the county is considering other location options, Fifth district commissioner Anita Puckett made a motion that a letter be sent to the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen asking for them to provide space at city hall for use by judicial commissioners including the supplies and copier they need. The reason for making the request of the city is because the county funds all salaries of judicial commissioners who write warrants for the public and all law enforcement agencies including the Smithville Police Department. The motion was approved on an 11-0-1 vote. Seventh district member Kevin Robinson, who is employed by the city, passed.
In other business, the commission approved a request for a one year pilot program authorizing the library system to occupy a room at the county complex for a satellite location (Bookmobile) for library outreach, using books and other resources from the Liberty Library which is closing on Friday, June 26 due to lack of activity there. “We are partnering with Motlow for computer classes. We’re partnering with UT. We’re doing art classes over there. We also want to use this space to get our bookmobile started back up again and do more outreach. We’re close to the schools. We’re close to the senior centers. We’re close to preschools that we can outreach to them with the bookmobile. We can also use that as a satellite center to do our technology. We want to teach people how to use their eReaders, Nooks, etc to download READS programs from the state. We’re wanting to do more technology and that room (county complex) would give us that opportunity. We really don’t have the space in our library to do that right now,” said Library Director Kathy Hendrixson.
The commissioners approved the reappointment of Brenda Hooper and Annette Greek to the DeKalb County Library Board of Trustees for new three year terms.
County Mayor Stribling announced that he was appointing Leslie B. Enoch, II as a commissioner to the Middle Tennessee Natural Gas Utility District.
The commission adopted a continuation budget and tax rate resolution to keep county government operating until a new budget and property tax rate are approved later this summer.
A travel policy was approved for the county highway department which will be the same as used by the state and county. No such policy has ever been established for the highway department and state auditors recommended that it be done.
The commission approved a five year use agreement to allow Motlow State Community College to continue using two rooms rent free at the county complex for a classroom and computer lab.
A one year lease renewal was also approved for the Tennessee Opportunity Programs which operates out of one room at the county complex for $200 per month. The program seeks to empower migrant and seasonal farm workers and other disadvantaged persons to achieve economic self sufficiency by providing services that address their individual needs.
A county fire department 2000 Ford Expedition with 177,000 miles was declared surplus property and will be disposed of through Gov Deals.
Meanwhile, Circuit Court Judge Amy Hollars, as presiding judge of the 13th Judicial District, has sent an open letter to the county mayor and county commission asking them to approve a plan to enhance security at the courthouse. County Mayor Stribling said Sheriff Patrick Ray has been working on some suggestions and a committee may review the concerns and make a recommendation to the entire commission.
Developing a policy and criteria in posting speed limits on county roads is something fourth district commissioner Wayne Cantrell believes the commission should establish. The county often receives requests from the public to post speed limits in their neighborhoods. Cantrell is asking that the issue be discussed more indepth next month. “We’re going to have every road in the county posted if we’re not careful. I think we need to have some folks go out and look at these (roads) and make sure that they should be posted and make sure that Joe is not mad at his neighbor Jim because he feels like he is speeding down the road or something. We need to have some kind of criteria to post these roads if they even need posting. It’s getting pretty expensive too (to post road signs),” said Cantrell.

Another applicant is seeking a certificate of compliance to obtain a retail liquor license in the City of Smithville.
James E. Bradshaw of Potts Camp Road, Smithville has filed his application with the city to open a liquor store under the name “Center Hill Wine and Spirits, LLC” at 725 South Congress Boulevard at the location of the former Mexican Restaurant in the Food Lion shopping center. James E. Pendergrass of Jefferson Road is to serve as the manager of the business. Bradshaw is a former owner/manager of Pates Ford Marina
Obtaining approval for a certificate of compliance from the city is the first step in obtaining a liquor license, which must be granted by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
The first applicant, Jim Smith of 275 Gene Vaughn Road has already received approval from the city for a certificate of compliance and is awaiting final approval for a license by the state to open a liquor store at 413 East Broad Street under the name “Smithville Discount Wine & Spirits” The building is currently the location for Clair’s Consignment.
According to the regulations under the city’s liquor ordinance, applications for a certificate of compliance are to be referred to the Smithville Police Department for investigation and to the city attorney for a review (background check), who have up to thirty days to report their findings to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Once an applicant receives a certificate of compliance from the city, he must then send it to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission as part of the state requirements in making application for a liquor license.
Bradshaw’s application for a certificate of compliance is to be considered by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen at a special meeting in July at city hall.
All persons wishing to be heard on the certificate of compliance may personally or through counsel appear or submit their views in writing to the City of Smithville at 104 East Main Street, Smithville Tennessee 37166.
The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission will consider the application at a later date to be set by the TABC in Nashville. Interested persons may personally or through counsel submit their views in writing by the hearing date to be scheduled by the TABC
Other conditions set forth in the city liquor ordinance before a certificate of compliance can be issued are as follows:
An applicant must have been a resident of the city for the previous two years or a citizen of the county for three years. Anyone in a partnership must also meet the residency requirements.
No applicant convicted of a felony within ten years of filing an application may be issued a certificate.
There is no limit as to the number of stores that may operate but no retailer shall operate, directly or indirectly, more than one liquor store in the city.
Liquor stores may only be operated in locations zoned for that purpose.
No store may be located in a space of less than 1,500 square feet and the store buildings must be of a permanent type construction.
Liquor stores are required to keep in stock a minimum $150,000 inventory.
Entrances must be on the ground floor, with only one main entrance. If a store is on the corner of two streets, a door opening may be maintained on each such street.
No liquor sales are permitted for consumption on the premises.
No radios, amusement devices, or seating facilities are allowed.
In no event may a liquor store be permitted within 400 feet of any hospital, school, church, or other place of public gathering. The distances are to be measured in a straight line from front door to front door. If there is no building on the place of public gathering, the distance must be measured from front door of the liquor store to the nearest property line of the public gathering location.
The ordinance authorizes inspection fees and civil penalties for violations.

In his latest update on city crime news, Smithville Police Captain Steven Leffew has released the following report.
25 year old Gregory Allen Mayo II was arrested for domestic assault on Sunday, May 31. Officer Lance Dillard responded to a residence for a domestic assault in progress. Upon arrival he spoke with Mayo who stated he was in a fight with his sister. Officer Dillard found the victim locked in a bathroom with marks and scratches on her body and she was bleeding from her thigh. Bond for Mayo is $2,500 and he will be in court July 11.
52 year old Mark George Koch was arrested for domestic violence on Wednesday, June 3. Police were dispatched to a residence in reference to a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival officers discovered that Koch had struck the victim in the area of the face causing her glasses to fly off her head. Sergeant Travis Bryant made the arrest. Bond for Koch is $2,000.
39 year old Tyrone Dwayne Owens was arrested for DUI on Saturday, June 6. Police received a call concerning a black Jeep being driven recklessly in the area of Cox Street. While en-route Officer Will Judkins spotted the Jeep in the middle of Dry Creek Road. He stopped and spoke with Owens who had slow slurred speech and appeared to be drowsy. Owens submitted to but performed poorly on sobriety tasks. He was placed under arrest. Bond for Owens is $1,500 and he will be in court July 16.
41 year old Crissy Michelle Evans was arrested for violation of bond conditions on Tuesday, June 9. Officer Matt Farmer was informed that Evans was at a residence in Evans Manor Apartments with the victim in violation of active bond conditions dated July 14, 2014 that state she is to have no contact with the victim. This information was verified by the clerk’s office. Bond for Evans is $2,500.
30 year old Isauro Martinez was arrested for domestic violence on Sunday, June 14. The warrant states that on June 14 at approximately 2:30 a.m. Sergeant Travis Bryant and Officer Joey Myers responded to 848 Foster Road in reference to a suspicious vehicle. While on the scene the officers heard the sound of glass breaking behind the apartments. As they walked around the building the officers saw a man breaking out a window to one of the apartments located on Miller Road. They identified the man as Martinez and learned that he had been in an verbal altercation with his girlfriend. The woman said she locked Martinez out of the residence after he began drinking and became violent. The victim further told the officers that she was cut by broken glass when Martinez busted out the window trying to get back inside. Due to Martinez’s actions and behavior, the woman said she was in fear for her safety and that of her child.
43 year old Patsy Lynn McCoy was arrested on Sunday, June 14 for disorderly conduct, assault and theft. Officer Matt Farmer was dispatched to a disturbance where he found McCoy and the victim who was bleeding from a cut on his left hand. The man said that McCoy had stolen money from him. During the investigation McCoy continued to argue with the victim, neighbors and Officer Farmer. After refusing to comply with the officer’s admonition to be quite, McCoy was arrested for disorderly conduct and assault. Although McCoy repeatedly denied she had any money on her person, a search of her person at the jail turned up money belonging to the victim. Her bond is $4,500 and she will be in court on July 16.

This spring, more than 1,300 students walked across a stage at Tennessee Tech University to receive their college degrees including 22 from DeKalb County.
TTU’s class of 2015 represents 79 of Tennessee’s 95 counties, 36 states and 21 other countries. Their degrees were in 40 undergraduate and 20 graduate fields. The youngest graduate was born in 1994, the oldest in 1930.
The state’s only public technological university, Tennessee Tech University offers more than 40 bachelor’s and 20 graduate programs to more than 11,000 students on its 282-acre campus. TTU students include outstanding high-school graduates, accomplished military veterans and students from around the world, many of whom graduate debt free. With more than 200 student organizations, community service projects and intramural sports, TTU offers a full campus experience.
DeKalb County students receiving college degrees are as follows:
Brian Matthew Agee
Danny Lee Bryan
Robert Wesley Burchfield
Britney M Campbell
Elicia M Cantrell
David W Champion
Ethan B Duke
Jeffrey Alan Engler
Brady S Evans
Kendra E Foutch
Cole C Hawker
Abigail E Hendrix
Samantha K Lewis
Mary A Little
Layne T Mathis
Kristin Nicole Mick
Frank Forrest Pursell
Breanna Jo Russell
Emily Kaye Summers
Jonathan Hunter Tramel
William A Turner
Seth P Willoughby

Leadership DeKalb completed the program’s 17th year with the Class of 2015 graduation celebration this past Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at the New Life Connection Center in Smithville. The welcome was made by Jen Sherwood, Leadership DeKalb Director, and Suzanne Williams, Executive Director, Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce.
Each of the class members of the Class of 2015 had a part in the evening’s festivities, all centered around a theme of “Red Carpet Glam”. The program was MC’ed by the effervescent Rhonda Harpole. Dinner music was coordinated by Andrea Kalina. Ale Maciel recognized the leader award winners, who were announced at the chamber’s annual banquet; Legacy Leader award winners Jack & Faye Underhill, in particular for their many years of volunteer service and leadership given to the DeKalb County Fair, and Community Leader of 2014 Jeff Cantrell, for his leadership and service to the Farmer’s Market.
Each year, the class selects a community project to give back and improve DeKalb County in some way. The Class of 2014 class project final report was presented by Lisa Cripps (LD Class of 2014). Their class project was to raise funds supporting the “specials” at each of the five DeKalb County Schools. Todd Hasty of the Class of 2015 announced that the class of 2015 has chosen two projects. The first is “Bucks for Beds” which will partner with Cantrell’s Furniture and the Department of Children’s Services to help provide resources for at risk families who need beds for their children. The second class project is to revive the Youth Leadership DeKalb program at DCHS.
A fun and poignant slideshow overview of the Class of 2015 was presented by class president, Josh Issac. Norene Puckett read a thorough day-by-day explanation of the year. An original poem was recited by Lydia Trail. Participants’ biographies and program layout was compiled by Beth Adcock. Becky Thompson arranged for the decorations, Laura Stone photographer, and the banquet meal. Jen Sherwood and Suzanne Williams recognized each member of the class at the evening’s end, signifying the completion of the program. The members of the class of 2015 are: Beth Adcock, Smithville Police Department; Kalah Donnell, Wilson Bank & Trust, Alexandria; Rhonda Harpole, DTC-TV host – State of the Arts; Todd Hasty, Premier Realty at Center Hill Lake; Andrea Kalina, Federal Mogul; Ale Maciel, DCHS student/Smithville Rotary Club; Josh Issac, Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce; Norene Puckett, DeKalb Co Drug Court; Becky Thompson, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas; and Lydia Trail, DCHS student/Smithville Rotary Club.
Many thanks to Leadership DeKalb’s program presenters, sponsors and hosts throughout the year. A special thank you to the wonderful folks of New Life Pentecostal Church’s Connection Center, Family Medical Center (program copies), Kilgore’s Restaurant and Donna Hendrix for catering, DCHS for the use of their red carpets, Laura Stone for photography, and Susan Young for helping to serve the delicious meal.
Leadership DeKalb is an adult leadership enhancement program. This program is for individuals who are or show the desire for the role of community trustees. Participants will study the county in-depth; strengthen leadership skills; and build a network of fellow leaders through Leadership DeKalb classmates, alumni, presenters, and current leaders in business, services and our community. Leadership DeKalb shapes our county’s future with knowledgeable, effective and active leaders. Our next class will begin in September of 2015. For more information on being in next year’class, please contact program director Jen Sherwood at 615-464-0645 or the chamber office at 615-597-4163.

Trooper Jeremy David Sean Tramel of DeKalb County graduated from the Tennessee Highway Patrol Cadet Class Thursday evening after 20 weeks of intensive training. A ceremony was held Cadet Class 615 at the Tennessee War Memorial in Nashville, where he was sworn in by Governor Bill Haslam.
Speakers during the event included THP Colonel Tracy Trott and Chief Operating Officer – State of Tennessee Greg Adams. Others in attendance included former Tennessee Governor Winfield Dunn.
Tramel was one of 45 graduates, out of over 1,600 applicants, to graduate to the THP, and served as the Vice President of his class. He is the son of Chris and Shawn (Missy) Tramel of Liberty, and Annette and Jeff Clayton of Chattanooga. He has been assigned to the DeKalb County district.
“Congratulations to all of the trooper cadets graduating today,” Adams said. “This evening, you officially become a member of one of the most respected, the most advanced and the most forward thinking state law enforcement agencies in the country.”
“Each one of you has earned this incredible honor of being chosen to serve as a Tennessee state trooper,” Commissioner Bill Gibbons said. You are the best of the best, chosen from more than 1,600 applicants. Congratulations on this accomplishment, and represent us well as one of Tennessee’s finest.”
Trooper Mariah Woodman was named the top cadet and presented the Calvin Jenks Memorial Award for Excellence for his leadership, work ethic and academics. She is the first female to earn this honor. The award was named in honor of the late Trooper Jenks, who was killed in the line of duty in January 2007. Trooper Woodman will serve in Crocket County in the THP’s Memphis District.
“We are proud to honor the first female with the Calvin Jenks Memorial Award for Excellence,” Colonel Trott said. “It’s a remarkable compliment to be viewed by your instructors and peers as a leader. We know that you will continue to excel on the roadways and serve Tennessee with professionalism and pride.”
Bethel University also presented one $5,000 scholarship to Trooper Isaiah Lloyd. Trooper Lloyd will serve in Anderson County of the Knoxville District.
As part of their community service, Cadet Class 615, whose motto is “Sacrifice Self, Honor Others,” participated in two blood drives with the American Red Cross, collected over 900 canned goods for donation, and gifted funds to the Frankie Watson Memorial Scholarship Fund ($1,000) and Sgt. Joshua Mabe’s family ($350), who was killed in an off-duty farming accident in Hancock County on June 6.
The new graduates will now advance to a maximum of 10 weeks of field training.
(Pictured – TN State Chief Operating Officer Greg Adams, Trooper Jeremy D.S. Tramel, and Colonel Tracy Trott.)
(Pictured – Missy and Chris Tramel, Trooper Jeremy Tramel, and Annette and Jeff Clayton)

Cookeville Police arrested a Smithville man and Cookeville woman Tuesday after they were found with a meth lab in their truck during a traffic stop for following too closely to a vehicle in front of them.
40 year old Caleb Andrew Lincoln of Lee Braswell Road in Smithville and 29 year old Michelle C. Clouse of West Jackson Street in Cookeville are charged with manufacturing a controlled substance. Lincoln was also charged with driving under the restriction of being a habitual motor offender. Clouse was further charged with introduction into a penal facility. Lincoln is free on a $30,000 bond. Clouse’s bond is $10,000. They are to make a court appearance in Putnam County next month.
In his report of the incident, Cookeville Officer Dustin Hensley wrote that on Tuesday, June 16 “I observed a blue Ford Ranger following extremely close behind a silver truck heading east on Broad Street. Getting behind the blue Ford Ranger I also observed it was displaying an expired registration from April 2015. I then conducted a traffic stop at 2500 West Jackson Street (Cane Creek Apts).”
Officer Hensley’s report continued, “I approached the driver side of the vehicle and asked the male driver, who I later found out to be Caleb Lincoln, for his identification. Mr. Lincoln said he didn’t have his driver license on him and I asked him if he had a driver license and he said he did not. I then asked the female passenger who was later identified as Michelle Clouse if she had any identification and she said she didn’t. I explained to Mr. Lincoln the reason for the traffic stop and he admitted to following too close to the vehicle in front of him. I also noticed that Mr.Lincoln had a fresh red bloody area in the crevice of his right arm that he was trying to cover up with a bandage. I asked Mr. Lincoln when was the last time that he had “shot up” and he said about 10 days ago. I then asked both subjects if there was anything illegal in the vehicle and Ms. Clouse said no but Mr. Lincoln was very hesitant about answering. Mr. Lincoln then said he had some methamphetamine residue and some “rigs”.
“While waiting for my backup to arrive before searching the vehicle, a computer check of Mr. Lincoln through dispatch revealed that he had an active warrant in Putnam County and that he was an Habitual Motor Offender in the state of Tennessee. Mr. Lincoln was placed under arrest in double locked restraints with his hands behind his back. During my search of the vehicle I found in the bed of the truck a plastic “Wal Mart” bag with a plastic one gallon jug. It was ¼ of the way full of a bi-layer,, separating liquids commonly used in the “One Pot” method of manufacturing methamphetamine,” according to Officer Hensley’s report.
“At this time I had (another officer)detain Ms. Clouse in double locked restraints behind her back. I also found in the bed of the truck in a separate Wal Mart bag an empty Mason quart jar that had white residue. Inside of a yellow “Dollar General” bag in the bed of the truck was a Lithium battery that had been cut open with the Lithium strip removed, and a folded up coffee filter that had a white substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine. Searching inside of the truck, I found a “K Swiss” back pack that Mr. Lincoln said was his. Inside of the back pack was a black case with 2 used syringes, 8 coffee filters and 3 ft of hollow tubing that had a clear liquid in it. From my training at the Methamphetamine Task Force these components are commonly used to process and manufacture methamphetamine. Both subjects were transported to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office where they were charged accordingly,” wrote Officer Hensley.
“After arriving at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, (another officer) told me that a female Corrections Officer had found a small plastic bag with a white substance believed to be methamphetamine around the crotch area of Ms. Clouse. Ms. Clouse was also charged with introduction into a penal facility”, according to the police report.