In an effort to recognize achievements of students in the DeKalb County School System, WJLE is partnering with Jim Judkins, Smithville Attorney in featuring a “Classroom Champion” each week for the next several months.
The name of the student selected each week will be announced on WJLE and will be featured on the WJLE website. Each student winning will receive a plaque and a gift certificate.
“This is our way of recognizing and celebrating the achievements of the future citizens and leaders of the community. It can benefit their learning and overall school atmosphere and climate. The students’ selection will be based on academic performance, responsibility and work ethic, leadership abilities, and citizenship and character,” said Judkins.
“Jim recently approached me with his idea of recognizing students in this way and asked if we would be interested in joining him in the promotion. We were more than happy to lend our support and look forward to spotlighting a student each week,” said Dwayne Page, WJLE Station Manager.

A convicted felon is in trouble with the law again after allegedly being involved in a recent break-in at a residence on Pea Ridge Road.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW MUG SHOTS OF PERSONS RECENTLY BOOKED AT THE DEKALB COUNTY JAIL)Seagate Crystal Reports – REPOR_2.pdf (1.91 MB)
47 year old Randall Joe Swindle of Murfreesboro is charged with carrying or possession of a weapon by a felon, vandalism, theft of property over $1,000, and aggravated burglary. His bond totals $27,000.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Monday, December 5 Swindle was involved in a break-in on Pea Ridge Road. The intruder gained entry by prying open the front door, causing damage. Taken from the home were a Remington 1889 double barrel shotgun, a crescent 1900 double barrel shotgun, a sentry safe, and a jar of change. The total value of the stolen property comes to approximately $1,500.
A check of Swindle’s criminal history showed him to be a felon convicted for aggravated burglary in Franklin County.
According to Sheriff Ray, Swindle admitted to having taken the guns from the Pea Ridge residence and having them in his vehicle. He was arrested on Monday, December 12. The case was investigated by Sheriff’s Department Detectives.
22 year old John Thomas Mason of Smithville Highway, McMinnville and 35 year old Christina Love Johnson are each charged with theft of property over $1,000. Mason is also charged with possession of contraband in the jail and assault.
Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, December 19 the Sheriff’s Department received a report of a stolen 2005 Toyota Corolla, valued at $6,000. Two days later, on Wednesday December 21 Mason and Johnson were found in possession of the car in Warren County.
On the contraband offense, Sheriff Ray said that while being incarcerated Mason was gathering his jail issued items on Thursday, December 22 when he dropped a round silver container which was found to have 20 blue pills believed to be Xanax, a schedule IV drug, and 10 orange pills thought to be Opana, a schedule II drug.
In the assault case, Sheriff Ray said that on Christmas Eve Correctional officers at the jail witnessed by video surveillance Mason assault another inmate. Mason struck the victim repeatedly causing him bodily injury.
Bond for Mason is $18,500. Johnson’s bond is $10,000. Johnson will make a court appearance on January 5th. Mason will be in court on January 5th and 12th.
60 year old Samuel Wayne Fisher of Jacobs Pillar Road, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $2,500 and his court date is January 5.
Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, December 17 a deputy responded to a residence on Jacobs Pillar Road in reference to an altercation between two men. Upon arrival, the officer spoke to Fisher who said he had been arguing with his step-son and had hit him in the mouth, busting his lips. Fisher was determined to have been the primary aggressor and was placed under arrest.
27 year old Kayla Paige Kilgore of East Main Street, Dowelltown is charged with a second offense of driving on a suspended license. She was further cited for possession of a suspended license, violation of the financial responsibility law, and driving on roadways laned for travel. Her bond is $1,500 and her court date is January 12. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, December 26 a deputy stopped Kilgore’s vehicle on Highway 70 west for failure to maintain her lane of travel. Kilgore informed the officer that her license were suspended. A computer check confirmed that Kilgore’s license were originally suspended in Wilson County on June 24 for failure to appear. She was placed under arrest. Kilgore had been issued a citation three days before on Friday, December 23 for the same offense, driving on a suspended license.
29 year old Mindy Lashae Washer of Carthage is charged with driving under the influence. Her bond is $1,500 and her court date is January 12. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, December 26 a deputy was dispatched to Prichard’s Foods in Alexandria due to an unresponsive person in a vehicle. Upon arrival the officer spoke to the woman, Washer. Her speech was slurred and she was unsteady on her feet. Washer admitted to having taken two non-prescribed Xanax pills about an hour prior. She also performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.
34 year old Michael Ryan Sullivan of College Street, Smithville is cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a schedule II drug methamphetamine. Sheriff Ray said that on Wednesday, December 14 a probation check was conducted at Sullivan’s residence. Found in his possession were 0.03 grams of a white powdery substance which field tested positive for methamphetamine. Also found were several straws and a set of scales. His court date is January 5.

A Christmas Day fire at a barn on Bright Hill Road caused some damage to the structure and contents and claimed the life of a young dog.
DeKalb County Fire Chief Donny Green told WJLE that the department was notified of the barn fire at 2211 Bright Hill Road on the property of W.J. Poss at 10:19 a.m.
According to Chief Green, a passerby reportedly saw smoke coming from the metal siding barn and called a member of the Poss family. A family member then reported the fire to DeKalb 911 Dispatch.
“We had just returned home from church when a neighbor passing by the barn adjacent to dad’s called our house to inform us that the barn was on fire. While waiting on the fire department my two sons and I drove to the barn with anticipation to save the dogs and what we could. As we arrived smoke was present from each end of the barn. I opened the walk entrance door and immediately was met with heavy smoke and extreme heat. I tried numerous times to reach the point to open the roll up door in an effort and hopes to remove as much as possible. I was unsuccessful due to the intensity of both smoke and heat,” said James L. (Jimmy) Poss.
Upon arrival, firefighters learned that family members had tried to make entry to rescue two dogs inside the barn. However, the fire, smoke, and heat were too intense for them to enter. Firefighters were able to make entry. They extinguished the fire, ventilated the smoke from the barn and successfully rescued one of the dogs. The other dog was found dead.
Also removed from the barn were two tractors, a boat , and other farm implements which all had minor exterior damage. Other miscellaneous tools and materials inside the barn received significant heat and smoke damage.
Chief Green said the fire apparently started from a heat lamp that had accidentally fallen into the kennel where cedar shavings were being used for bedding. The shavings ignited and the fire spread to other parts of the barn.
Members of the DeKalb County Fire Department’s Short Mountain Highway Station, Midway Station, Tanker Truck, and Main Station responded to the call, along with DeKalb County EMS and the Sheriff’s Department.
“I want to send a very sincere thank you to all the County Firemen who left their families on Christmas day to assist our family with the barn fire,” said Poss.

The Tennessee Volunteers will meet the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl on Friday, December 30 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
WJLE will have LIVE coverage on the VOL Network starting with the Kick-Off Call-In Show at 1:00 p.m. Kick-Off is at 2:30 p.m.
“Our entire program is excited about representing the University of Tennessee at the Music City Bowl,” Vols coach Butch Jones said. “This will be a great opportunity for our players to play in a NFL stadium against a very challenging opponent in Nebraska. We have a special group of seniors that have given their all for this program and I know they are excited about a final opportunity to play together.”
The Vols, who are ranked No. 21 in the latest College Football Playoff Rankings, in the are making their 52nd all-time bowl appearance, which ties for the fourth all-time in college football history.
Jones has led the Vols to three-straight bowl games. UT took a 45-28 win over Iowa in the TaxSlayer Bowl on Jan. 2, 2015. The Vols capped their 2015 campaign with a 45-6 victory over Northwestern in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1, 2016. UT is playing in its third-straight bowl game for the first time since UT played in three bowls from 2002 to 2004. Tennessee is looking to win bowl games in three-consecutive seasons for the first time since winning postseason bowls following the 1994, 1995 and 1996 seasons.
The Vols are 8-4, marking their third-straight winning season. Tennessee has averaged 36.2 points for the season and the Vols have seen their scoring output expand to 50.2 points per game over the last four games. Senior quarterback Joshua Dobbs leads the SEC in touchdown passes (26), passer efficiency (152.6) and points responsible for (216). Junior defensive end Derek Barnett leads the SEC and is tied for sixth in the nation with 12.0 sacks and his 18.0 tackles for loss lead the league and rank 15th nationally. Barnett’s 32.0 career sacks also rank second nationally and he is tied with the late great Reggie White for the most sacks in UT history.
Tennessee and Nebraska have played each other just twice in the combined 247 seasons of football history between the schools. The Cornhuskers defeated the Vols, 42-17, in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 2, 1998. Nebraska also took a 31-21 win over UT on Jan. 2, 1999, in the Fiesta Bowl. Tennessee faces a Big Ten opponent in postseason play for the third-straight year as the Vols defeated Iowa two years ago in the TaxSlayer Bowl and Northwestern last season in the Outback Bowl.
Nebraska, which is No. 21 in the latest Amway Coaches Poll and No. 24 in the latest AP Top 25 Poll, is 9-3 and finished the regular season with the fifth-best overall record in the Big Ten. The Cornhuskers have averaged 26.8 points per game and feature an outstanding offensive line that has allowed just 11 sacks on the year, which is the fewest in the Big Ten and ties for the sixth-fewest in the nation. Senior quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. has passed for 2,180 yards with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions and has run for 512 yards and eight scores. On defense, Nebraska ranks second in the Big Ten and 12th nationally in interceptions with 16.
This year’s game against Nebraska will mark Tennessee’s second appearance in the Music City Bowl. The Vols previously played in the bowl in 2010, falling to North Carolina, 30-27, in double overtime.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol is pleased to announce the recent graduation of Sergeant Donald Dewaine Jennings from the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University. Sergeant Jennings has successfully completed the ten week Staff and Command program held in Nashville from July 25 through September 30. This program, which was implemented by the Center for Public Safety in 1983, has graduated over 16,000 students both national and internationally. Sergeant Jennings was a student in SPSC Class #403 which accommodated a total of 32 students for the ten week period.
The School of Police Staff and Command provides upper-level college instruction in a total of twenty-seven core blocks of instruction and additional optional blocks during each session. The major topics of study include: Leadership, Human Resources, Employee Relations, Organizational Behavior, Applied Statistics, Planning and Policy Development, Budgeting and Resource Allocation.
Each student is academically challenged through written examinations, projects, presentations and quizzes in addition to a staff study paper that are all required parts of the curriculum. Upon successful completion, students may be awarded a total of 6 units of undergraduate credit from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
The Center for Public Safety was established at Northwestern University in 1936 with the specific goal of expanding university-based education and training for the Law Enforcement Community. Since its inception, the Center has broadened its original objective and now provides a variety of courses and programs in the area of Police Training, Management Training, and Executive Development.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol anticipates a variety of benefits from Sergeant Jennings’ attendance at this program. Many of the program’s graduates go on to achieve a variety of leadership positions within their respective agencies.

One person received minor injuries in a rollover wreck Christmas morning on Miller Road at the intersection of Earl Avenue.
Central Dispatch was notified at 1:04 a.m.
The driver, operating an Oldsmobile Alero, was initially reported to have been entrapped but he was able to get out of the vehicle.
Members of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department and Extrication Team were summoned to the scene along with DeKalb EMS. The accident was investigated by the Smithville Police Department.
The name of the driver was not available.

Deer hunting season is nearing its conclusion in Tennessee. The gun season for deer concludes on Jan. 8 while the second Young Sportsman Hunt for 2016-17 is Jan. 14-15.
For the Young Sportsman Hunt, youth, 6-16 years of age are allowed to participate. The young sportsmen must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult at least 21 years of age who must remain in a position to take control of the hunting device.
The accompanying adult must comply with fluorescent orange regulations, as specified for legal hunters. Multiple youth may be accompanied by a single qualifying adult.
The first youth hunt of the season was held Oct. 29-20. The gun season for deer for everyone across the state began Nov. 19. Archery and muzzleloader equipment are also legal during gun season.
In addition, in Unit L counties on private lands only, antlerless deer can be hunted Jan. 9-13.
A final harvest tally for 2016-17 will be completed a few weeks following the completion of the Young Sportsman Hunt.

The American Cancer Society invites you to make a special donation in honor or in memory of a loved one during the holiday season through “Love Lights a Tree”. A special memory board has been erected on the south side of the courthouse that lists the names of loved ones.
The DeKalb County Unit of the American Cancer Society seeks your support in the “Love Lights a Tree” fundraising campaign to raise money for research to find a cure as well as cancer education and patient services. Donations may be made throughout the holiday season. The persons you honor or remember do not necessarily have to have suffered from cancer.
The names are in “honor of” and in “memory of” for a donation of five-dollars per name. Forms may be obtained at the local banks. For more information, contact Ivadell Randolph at 615- 597-5296, Lynda Luna at 615- 597-5837, Renee Cantrell at 615-684-2688, or Gail Taylor 615-597-5936.
The names of Honorees are as follows:
Billy Adcock, Timmy D. Adcock, Dean Allen, Linda Armour, Tracy Webb Baker, Sarah Ellen Colwell, Jean A. Cook, Jimmy Crawford, Helen Cripps, Phillip Wayne Cripps, Tom Cripps, Ralph Curtis, Earl D. France, Radley Hendrixson, Edie Hobson, Eddie Hobson, Chizuko Howard, Jo D. Johnson, Walter N. Johnson, Linda Judkins, Patsy Judkins, Bart Lay, Ann Pack, Charles “Toots” Pinegar, Zada Pinegar, Denise Randolph, Marion Randolph, Carolyn Sheets, Gail Taylor, Johnnie (Agee) Taylor, Nolan Turner, Betty Webb, Carolyn Walden, Sandra Wall, Craig Woodside, Denton Cooper Young, Susan L.Young, Trinity Faith Young.
Those in memory are as follows:
John D. Akin, Mai Akin, W.B. Akin, Angie Allen
Ann Barnes, Joey Barnes, Margie Barrett, Rebecca Beason, Paul Blankenship, Gladys Braswell, Louise Braswell, M.A. Braswell, Jr., Truman Braswell, Virginia Browning,
Jeremy Caldwell, Joshua Caldwell, Charles Cantrell, Clifton Cantrell, Frances Cantrell, Johnny Cantrell, Jodie Cantrell, Judy Carr, Gary Carter, Martha Cathcart, Will Allen Cathcart, Mary L. Collins, Harvey Colwell, Jr., Lynn Colwell, Arlo E. Cook, Billy J. Cook, Bob Cook, Carolyn Parker Cook, Charles D. Cook, James (Buddy) Cook, Jessie Cook, Norman Cook, Pam Baker Cook, Rubye Cook, Eva Crook, Grady Crook, Jimmy Curtis, Trena Braswell Curtis,
Billy Joe Davis, Janice Davis, Jim Solon Davis, Jimmy Wayne Davis, Tony Durso,
Ralph Eller, Homer Ellis, Roberta T. Ellis, Dean “Buddy” Emberton, Nathan Estes, Dan Evins, Eddie Evins, Jack Evins,
Billy J. France, James Alvie France, Billie Ann Malone Frazier, Johnny Frazier, Ronnie Frazier, Woodrow Frazier, Leonard M. Freeman, Leonard M. “Buddy” Freeman, Margaret Freeman,
Ed Gass, Phillip L. George, Royce L. Givens, Jr., John Paul Grubb, Leonard Gwyn
Brownie Haley, Frances Akin Haley, Wiley Hancock, Reba Hayes, Lucille Cook Harris, Roy Harris, Bobbye Harrison, Esker Harrison, Eva Harrison, Wanda Hillesheim, Edward Hobson, Ronnie Hobson, Haskel Elby Howard, Kenneth D. Howard, Anna Hughes, Marvin Hutson, Sarah Hutson,
Lamar Freeman Jackson, Bobby Joines, Johnnie Joines, Robert Joines, Annie Rhea Johnson, Linnie Johnson, Bessie Jones, J.C. Jones, McKinley Jones, Rebecca Jones, Earl Judkins, Len Judkins, Marie Judkins,
Jennifer Renea Kincaid, Emma Jo Knight, Wanda Knox, Danny Knowles, Eddie Knowles, Herman Aaron “Doc” Knowles, Lanie Knowles, Mamie Young Knowles, Mary Frances Knowles,
Olene Lockhart, Fay Lohorn, Brackett Luna, Nadine Luna, Betsy Lynam
Oleda Magness, Ida Akin Malone, J.C. Malone, Lue Autry Malone, Misty Kay Malone, T.C. McMillen, Nancy Mier, Amy Lynn Miller, Cleta Murphy, Mike Murphy,
John Newbell, June Nixon, Leonard Nixon, Lorene Nixon, Virgil Nixon,
John Lee Pack, Larry Parsley, Pauline Parsley, Dorothy Patton, Ralph Patton, Gail Pinegar, Donna Phillips,
Evelyn Ramsey, David Randolph, Avis Ray, Burnice Ray, Grady Ray, Author Redmon, Billy Redmon, Bob Redmon, Everett Redmon, Jesse Redmon, Kim Redmon, Odell Redmon, Ova Redmon, Dennis Rigsby,
Zona Selby, Sylvia Sellers, Donald Smith, Nan Smith, Virgil Smith, Christopher “Chris” Stanley, Jordan Steinbach,
Albert Taylor, Buddy Taylor, Cora Taylor, U.B. Taylor, Winnie Taylor, Shelby Tittsworth, Debbie Tuggle,
Arzie Usery,
Betty Nixon Vickers,
Ela Mitchel Walden, Gilbert D. Walden, James A. Walden, Karen Walden, Kenneth D. Walden, Robert H. (Bob) Walden, Green Wall, Maud Wall, Robert Webb, Georgie Willoughby,
Grover West, III, Van Woodside
Annie Laura Young, Annie Marie Young, J.T. Young, Magness Young, Jr.

As the launch date draws near for the new water treatment plant, the DeKalb Utility District Board of Commissioners has decided against fluoridation of the water supply to their customers.
DUD Manager Jon Foutch told WJLE Wednesday that the recent decision by the board was unanimous but that before any action was taken, notices, as required by law, were sent to customers with their monthly bills. According to Foutch, only four customers have expressed an opinion and all were opposed to fluoridation of their water supply.
“Fluoride is a naturally occurring element found in most all waters in Tennessee. Surface water as in lakes or rivers has less amounts than ground water sources. Fluoride is in other sources such as toothpaste, mouthwash and fluoride treatments from the dentist. Some dietary supplements and packaged foods also have fluoride added. Any product made with water, soft drinks, tea, coffee, or sprayed with water, such as fruits or vegetables, also has fluoride if their water source is fluoridated,” he said
“Fluoride, while regulated by the state, is not mandated as it serves no purpose in the treatment of water. It does not aid in the clarifying or disinfection of the water. It is purely an additive to the water that helps in the development of teeth in young children”.
“While tap water is perfectly safe to drink, more and more people are drinking bottled water which does not contain fluoride”.
“For many years, the normal dose of fluoride in treated water was 0.7 to 1.2 ppm (parts per million). That has been lowered to a recommended level of 0.7 ppm “to curb a rise in dental fluorosis in the United States” as stated in the article from the Journal of American Medicine,” he said.
The Journal of American Medicine Bridget M. Kuehn
JAMA. 2011;305(8):770. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.181
In a letter to Foutch, John J. Dreyznehner, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health, advised the DUD to fluoridate its water supply in the interest of good oral health. “I am concerned how a negative vote will impact the most vulnerable members of your community, in particular, the oral health of your children. Community water fluoridation is the most natural and cost-effective means of protecting residents in a community from tooth decay. While fluoride is present in all water, water fluoridation is the adjustment to a recommended level for preventing tooth decay,” he wrote.
“Seventy years of intensive scientific research and experience with water fluoridation in the United States and sixty-five years in Tennessee have proven community water fluoridation is safe and effective. It has been endorsed by numerous U.S. Surgeons General, and more than one-hundred organizations. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recognized community water fluoridation as one of the top ten public health achievements of the twentieth century. It is also exceptionally cost effective; $1 on community fluoride saves $38.00 in dental care costs,” wrote Commissioner Dreyzehner.
The City of Smithville currently fluoridates its water supply.

The Appalachian Center for Craft at Tennessee Tech has received a $425,000 grant from the Windgate Charitable Foundation to support its fine craft education programs.
“We are very honored and grateful to receive the generous support of the Windgate Charitable Foundation to strengthen the craft center studios for both current and future generations of craft artists,” said Kimberly Winkle, director of the School of Art, Craft & Design, which includes the Appalachian Center for Craft. “The Windgate gift will allow us to make great strides in attaining our goals as a leading academic and cultural center, both regionally and nationally.”
The grant includes $90,000 to fund the center’s popular high school summer intensive programs for three years. This program provides opportunities for students and teachers alike to spend an entire week creating and learning at the Craft Center. Participants spend the mornings studying one craft medium, afternoons studying a second medium, and evenings exploring additional media. Craft Center artists lead all workshops.
Based in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, the Windgate Charitable Foundation is a family foundation established in 1993 that is known for its support of the arts and education. In 2005, the foundation gave $500,000 to the craft center for student scholarships, the largest single gift ever to the center.