Students were released from school about twenty minutes later than normal this afternoon due to a medical emergency at DeKalb Middle School involving a pupil.
Due to the student’s medical condition, a helicopter ambulance was summoned to the school to airlift the youngster.
Director of Schools Patrick Cripps said traffic on campus was halted once the helicopter was enroute and students were kept at school for their safety until the helicopter left.
Other local emergency personnel were also on the scene

DeKalb Dental Center, the office of Dr. Mitch Tatum, D.D.S. is hosting an Open House of the new facility on Friday, August 12 from 3-6 p.m. at 201
South 3rd Street.
Everyone is invited to stop by to take a tour, enjoy refreshments, and register for drawings
The Chamber of Commerce also plans a ribbon cutting.
Construction was completed in late spring on the new 3,500 square foot dental center which is next to the location where the former building once stood. The center sports an attractive new look and features nine identical patient treatment rooms or operatories, new state-of- the art equipment, spacious waiting room and offices, and a down stairs storage area and break room for employees
“We’ve been in it about two months and probably about 18 months from the time we decided we were going to do it. We have a lot more space now and we’re offering more services,” said Dr. Tatum.
The center offers new high tech dental x-rays, implants and a new water filtration system among other services. “We’re going to start offering implants from start to finish where you don’t have to be referred out to have them placed. With our new Cone Beam Computer tomography Machine (CBCT) and the digital x-ray technology it provides, we can offer much more precise surgical planning and implant creation. Through CEREC Dental restoration, we use computers which includes 3D and CAD/CAM technology to provide crowns in one office visit. We also have a new Sterisil filtration system for dental unit water lines which eliminates the need for independent bottles to cleanse dental equipment and handpieces,” said Dr. Tatum
Born in Shelbyville and raised in Nashville, Dr. Tatum received his high school education from Ezell Harding and later graduated from David Lipscomb University. He and his wife Gina are the parents of three sons, 20 year old Will and Zach (twins) and 16 year old Drew.
Dr. Tatum has been practicing in Smithville for sixteen years, having bought the business from Dr. Larry Puckett. “ I found my way up here looking for a job after dental school. I started out in Woodbury as an associate for a few years and was looking to buy my own practice. Dr. Puckett, who had been practicing since 1964, was wanting to retire so he called me up one day and we started talking. We continued talking after that day off and on for probably about eight months before I bought his practice,” said Dr. Tatum.
Dr. Tatum’s wife Gina Tatum, who is originally from Spring Hill, said after they moved here so did Dr. Tatum’s parents. “We’re lucky to have them living here. They moved up here two years after we moved. Its nice to have family here,” she said.
“My dad had retired and they were trying to get out of Nashville too,”said Dr. Tatum
“And move closer to some of their grandkids,” added Gina.
Dr. Tatum said it has been a joy serving and caring for his dental patients and he is most appreciative of his loyal staff. “I’m the second newest employee,” said Dr. Tatum with a smile. ““Five of them have been here longer than me. We recently added a new assistant. I’ve been extremely lucky to have this wonderful staff, which includes two dental hygienists, two assistants, a hygiene assistant and three administrative personnel. They are all really loyal to the practice and loyal to our patients”, he said.
The Tatum’s hope you will make plans to join them for the open house of the new dental center on Friday from 3-6 p.m. at the 201 South 3rd Street.
“If you are looking for a dentist we would be glad to have you. We’ll treat you like family,” Dr. Tatum concluded.

Referendums will be on the November 8 ballot in the City of Smithville including one asking voters to permit grocery stores to sell wine and the other to allow liquor by the drink in restaurants.
The referendums were verified with the number of signatures required to get the questions on the November 8 election ballot. The election commission has approved placing the referendums on the ballot
“A wine at retail food stores referendum may only be called by petition of registered voters in jurisdictions which have held and passed either a referendum to authorize retail package stores or a referendum to authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises,” said Administrator of Elections Dennis Stanley.
“Two years ago Smithville voters approved retail package stores, thus making the city eligible for wine at retail food stores,” he said. “To call a wine at retail food stores referendum, a petition must be signed by 10% or more of the registered voters casting a ballot for governor in the last city election.”
In addition, the petition has to be filed with the election commission no later than 75 days before the upcoming November election. That requirement
was also met.
The other referendum seeks to authorize alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises in restaurants. Both referendums apply only to the City of Smithville.
“A Retail food store” is defined in the law as a business that derives at least 20 percent of its sales from the retail sale of food and food ingredients and has floor space of at least 1,200 square feet. The law requires that food sales be those types of sales taxed at the lower, 5 percent state rate, rather than the higher sales tax rate applied to sales of prepared food. It appears that this definition will prevent most convenience stores and gas stations from obtaining licenses to sell wine.
If voters approve the sale of wine in grocery stores and or liquor by the drink in restaurants, the Alcoholic Beverage Commission will be the body to issue “ licenses”.
Applicants for wine in grocery stores must submit a certificate from the city, signed by the mayor, stating that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony in the past ten years and that the applicant has a location for their business inside the city limits. If a city fails to issue a certificate to an applicant within 60 days after receiving a written application, the commission will waive the certificate requirement.
Store ownership is not required in order to receive a license, as store owners may enter into franchise or management agreements with licensees. Cities may not limit the number of retail food store wine licenses to be issued in their jurisdiction nor require that applicants reside in the city.
Grocery stores located within 500 feet of package stores may not obtain licenses to sell wine until July 1, 2017, unless the package store owner provides written permission to the commission. Any package store owner who refuses such permission cannot sell those additional items permitted by the law until such time as the grocery store obtains permission to sell wine.

Early voting for the U.S. Presidential Election and Tennessee General Election will be October 19 through November 3. Election day is Tuesday, November 8
The major Presidential candidates are Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton. Other candidates for President and electors for President will also be on the ballot.
Sixth District Congressman Diane Black of Gallatin will face Democratic nominee David W. Kent of Cottontown and Independent David Ross of White House. The term is two years.
The 6th Congressional District includes Pickett, Fentress, Cumberland, White, DeKalb, Cannon, Coffee, Wilson, Smith, Jackson, Overton, Clay, Putnam, Trousdale, Macon, Sumner and Robertson Counties and small portions of Van Buren and Cheatham counties.
In the 40th Legislative District, Republican incumbent Terri Lynn Weaver of Lancaster will be challenged by Democratic nominee Gayla Colvert Hendrix of Smithville. The term is two years. The district is made up of Smith and Trousdale counties and a portion of DeKalb and Sumner counties.
In the 46th Legislative District, Republican incumbent Mark Pody of Lebanon will be running against Democratic nominee Amelia Hipps of Lebanon. The term is two years. The district is made up of Cannon and a portion of DeKalb and Wilson counties.
The City of Smithville will have two referendums including one seeking the sale of wine in grocery stores and the other to allow liquor by the drink in restaurants.

The DeKalb County Health Department will join celebrations of National Health Center Week Aug. 7-13. The goal of this observance is to raise awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s health centers over the course of more than five decades. The theme for NHCW 2016 is Celebrating America’s Health Centers: Innovators in Community Health.
An Open House will be held at the DeKalb County Health Department on Tuesday, August 9 from 1-3 p.m. at 254 Tiger Drive, Smithville. Meet the team, take a tour of the facility, and enjoy refreshments.
The Upper Cumberland Primary Care Project provides services for more than 25,000 people in DeKalb County and across the Upper Cumberland Region annually and has been successful in:
*Reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and unnecessary visits to the emergency room
*Maintaining patient satisfaction levels of nearly 100 percent
*Reducing infant mortality rates
“For almost 30 years, community health centers in the Upper Cumberland have improved access to care,” said DeKalb County Health Director, Michael Railling. “Our health centers provide full service adult and pediatric primary care as well as preventive health services to anyone with private insurance, TennCare or Medicare, as well as those without insurance.
To learn more about the services of your local community health center, please call (615) 597-7599

An intoxicated woman found passed out behind the wheel of her vehicle Sunday was also in possession of methamphetamine.
28 year old Amanda Nicole Wright of Sparta Highway, McMinnville is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence and possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell. She was also cited for a second offense of driving on a revoked license. Her bond is $8,000 and she will make a court appearance on September 15.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Sunday, August 7 a deputy responded to the area of Keltonburg Road and McMinnville Highway where a woman was observed passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle setting in the roadway. The officer stopped and awoke the driver, Wright. She had an empty 12 ounce can of beer in her lap. She also had an open container of beer in the cup holder of the automobile. The deputy detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on Wright. Her speech was slurred and she had bloodshot eyes. Wright performed poorly on field sobriety tasks and she was placed under arrest. During a search of Wright’s vehicle, the deputy found in her purse three small individual baggies containing a clear crystal substance which tested positive for methamphetamine and an empty baggie was found with traces of meth.
46 year old Harold Eugene Cunningham is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $5,000 and his court date is September 1. Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, August 2 Cunningham allegedly assaulted his brother by threatening to kill him while aggressively displaying a wooden stick. Cunningham’s actions caused his brother to fear for his life.
Jacob James Damon of McMinnville is charged with burglary and theft of property over $1,000. His bond is $10,000 and he will be in court on August 18. Sheriff Ray said that on Wednesday, August 3 Damon broke into and stole a 1991 Nissan pickup truck valued at $1,000. In the back of the truck were various items valued at $935 which were also stolen.
Sabastian Rosalino Francisco of West Main Street, Smithville is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,000 and his court date is September 15. He was also cited for public indecency. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, August 6 a deputy was on routine patrol on Sparta Highway when he spotted someone walking in the westbound lane of the roadway. The officer stopped the man, Francisco and found that he had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person. His eyes were bloodshot and he was very unsteady on his feet. Francisco admitted to having consumed three alcoholic beverages. He was placed under arrest. While being detained, Francisco exposed himself to traffic and began urinating while standing on the side of the road ignoring the officer’s commands to stop. After forcing him to stop, the deputy placed Francisco in the patrol car.
37 year old Kenny Wayne Bly of Neil Drive, Smithville is charged with criminal impersonation and failure to appear in court. He is under a $10,000 bond and he will make a court appearance on August 25. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, August 6 a deputy was dispatched to the Dollar General Store on Nashville Highway in reference to a possibly intoxicated man who had left the store with a small child. The complainant reported that the man was driving a white Lexus. The responding officer stopped and spoke with the driver who identified himself as Terry Paul Bly. The man was unable to provide the officer with an accurate date of birth and Social Security number. A further investigation revealed that the man was actually Kenny Wayne Bly. He was placed under arrest.
34 year old Laura Elizabeth Ball of Nashville Highway, Smithville is charged with interfering with emergency calls. Her bond is $1,500 and her court date is August 25. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, August 6 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Nashville Highway in reference to a verbal argument. Before arriving on the scene, Central Dispatch advised the officer that they (dispatchers) had lost contact with the caller. Upon arrival, the officer spoke to the caller who said that she and her daughter (Ball) had been arguing. When Ball learned her mother had placed a call to Central Dispatch seeking help from law enforcement, Ball took the phone from her and wouldn’t give it back.

A Chancery Court hearing date has been set on the county’s request for a temporary and permanent injunction to have Robert Grant Manning enjoined from erecting a gate across Sunset Drive in the Belk community.
Chancellor Ron Thurman will hold the hearing Monday, August 22 at 9 a.m. at the DeKalb County Courthouse.
County Attorney Hilton Conger filed the complaint with the Chancery Court on Friday, August 5 to obtain a temporary and permanent injunction on behalf of DeKalb County Road Superintendent Wallace “Butch” Agee, the plaintiff for the county in the case.
In June, the county commission voted to take Manning to court for blocking Sunset Drive with a gate. The county’s position is that Sunset Drive is a county road. Manning apparently disputes that claim.
In the complaint filed by Conger on Friday “Sunset Drive is a gravel road which runs generally north and south through the lands of the defendant (Manning) for a distance of approximately .2 of a mile and has been on the official DeKalb County Road list since January 26, 1998.”
“The defendant (Manning) has erected a gate across Sunset Drive where it intersects with the Allen Bend Road.”
“In December 2015, the county demanded that the gate be removed and in January, 2016 the Road Superintendent removed the gate.”
“The defendant (Manning) has recently replaced the gate across Sunset Drive and locked the gate with a log chain.”
“On August 1, 2016, the Road Supervisor once again with the assistance of the County Sheriff, removed the gate.”
“At least one other DeKalb County resident owns property which is served by Sunset Drive.”
“Unless restrained the defendant (Manning) will continue to obstruct Sunset Drive.”
“Unless this Court issues both temporary and permanent injunction, Plaintiff (County) and its citizens will suffer irreparable harm, the defendant (Manning) will not be prejudiced and the probability of Plaintiff (County) prevailing is great and the injunction will be in the public interest.”
The Plaintiff requests the court to issue a temporary injunction and a permanent injunction enjoining the defendant (Manning) from obstructing or in any way impeding access to Sunset Drive .
Manning has not yet filed an answer to the complaint in court.

By a total of only 54 votes, Republican challenger Shannon Cantrell unseated incumbent Democratic Property Assessor, Scott Cantrell, in Thursday’s DeKalb County General Election. Shannon Cantrell carried 10 of the county’s 15 precincts and totaled 1,216 votes (51.1 percent) to incumbent Scott Cantrell’s 1,162 votes (48.9 percent). Despite losing out on Early and Absentee votes, 533 to 480, Shannon Cantrell more than made up the difference on Election Day, by carrying the precincts at Alexandria, the Church of Christ Annex, Dowelltown, Edgar Evins State Park, Johnson’s Chapel, Keltonburg, Liberty, Rock Castle, Snow Hill and Temperance Hall.
“Let me thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am nothing without Him. My family and friends have done so much for me. I appreciate the opportunity from the Republican Party to run. I thank the voters who came out today either way they cast their ballot. We’re pleased with the outcome and we look forward to serving for the next four years. Let me say to Scott and his family I appreciate the race that he ran and for his hard work and dedication. It was a clean race. I’m not going to start naming names but I have family from cousins to brothers and sisters, mom and certainly I want to thank my wife and my children who stand behind me whatever I choose to do. They have done that in this election as well. Thank you to everyone who has helped us along the way. We really appreciate it,” said Shannon Cantrell.
“I’d like to thank God for all his many blessings at all times and to all my family who has done so much for me during this campaign and through my life. And thanks to all those who have worked so hard behind the scenes for me. And a big, big special thanks to all who came out and voted for me. I truly appreciate it. I really do. And for my staff in the office, I couldn’t have done the last four years without them. I send out love to everybody,” said Scott Cantrell.
A total of 2,525 voted in the election including 1,402 on election day and 1,123 by absentee or during early voting.
A breakdown of the vote totals in the contested races by precinct can be found here: http://www.wjle.com/election-results
Meanwhile, Fifth District School Board member W.J. (Dub) Evins, III retained his seat, holding off challengers, Barry Mabe and Kevin Hale for a new four year term. Evins carried the Early and Absentee votes, plus the Election Day vote at the County Complex for a total of 169 votes. Mabe was next with 126 votes, while Hale finished third with 90 votes. Mabe carried the Johnson’s Chapel precinct in his unsuccessful bid to unseat the longtime incumbent.
Fourth and Sixth District School Board members, Kate Miller and Doug Stephens, were each unopposed in their election bids. Miller received 283 votes to finish out an unexpired term through August 31, 2018 and Stephens was elected to a new four year term with 174 votes.
In the city of Smithville, the three incumbent members of the city council all retained their seats, fighting off challenges from two opponents. Incumbent Shawn Jacobs led the city ticket with 420 votes, followed by fellow incumbents Josh Miller and Danny Washer, who polled 390 and 351 votes, respectively. Challenger Ronald Dale Stanley came up short with 205 votes, while Richard Steinbach tallied 109 votes.
In other local contested races, Democrat Julie Willams Young won a seat on the DeKalb County Commission in the First District, defeating Republican opponent Tom Chandler, 154 votes to 136. Chandler won the Edgar Evins State Park and Temperance Hall precincts, along with the Early and Absentee ballots, but Young dominated Chandler in the Alexandria precinct, 114 votes to 59, which proved to be the difference in the race. Young fills the seat vacated by former First District commission member, Elmer Ells Jr., who recently resigned.
In the First District Constable race, Democrat Jason Taylor won out over Republican opponent, Lee Plummer, 140 votes to 117. Taylor won two of the three precincts on Election Day, which helped overcome Plummer’s 36 to 22 edge in Early and Absentee balloting.
Constables in the remaining districts were all unopposed. They included 2nd District —Thomas Theriaque, Republican (201 votes); 3rd District —Travis Bryant; Democrat (229 votes); 4th District —Paul Cantrell, Democrat (237 votes); 5th District —Mark Milam, Democrat (295 votes); 6th district —Carl Lee Webb, Democrat (181 votes); and 7th district — Johnny King, Democrat (201 votes)
Dowelltown has a new mayor. Pam Redmon ran unopposed and received 41 votes in the Municipal Election Thursday. Meanwhile William A. (Butch) Davis was elected Dowelltown alderman. He too ran unopposed and received 37 votes. Another alderman position was to have been filled in the election but no other candidate qualified. The terms are for four years.
The Liberty Municipal Election Thursday saw Dwayne Blair, Todd Dodd, and Jason Ray each win a four year term as alderman. They were unopposed. Blair received 42 votes. Dodd had 45 votes and Ray garnered 46 votes. Joe (J.D.) Bratten was elected alderman to fill a one year unexpired term. He was unopposed and received 55 votes.
In the 40th District State House of Representatives race, Gayla Colvert Hendrix of Smithville defeated Teresa Marion of Smith County in DeKalb County in their bid to earn the Democratic nomination for the November ballot. Hendrix carried all 11 DeKalb County precincts in the 40th District, as well as the Early and Absentee ballots for a total of 448 votes to 102 votes for Marion. The 40th district includes Smith, Trousdale and part of DeKalb and Sumner Counties. Hendrix went on to win the Democratic nomination in the district and will face Republican incumbent Terri Lynn Weaver of Lancaster in the November General Election. Weaver was unopposed in Thursday’s primary election and received 831 votes in DeKalb County.
The 40th District results (District-Wide) according to the Tennessee Division of Elections website are as follows:
Gayla Colvert Hendrix:
DeKalb: 448
Smith: 325
Sumner: 202
Trousdale: 118
Total: 1,093
Teresa Marion:
DeKalb: 102
Smith: 115
Sumner:132
Trousdale: 74
Total: 423
Terri Lynn Weaver:
DeKalb: 831
Smith:942
Sumner: 2,248
Trousdale: 376
Total: 4,397
In the 46th District State House of Representative race, Amelia Hipps of Lebanon was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. She received 155 votes in DeKalb County. She will face Republican incumbent Mark Pody of Lebanon in the November General Election. Pody was unopposed for the Republican nomination Thursday and he received 270 votes in DeKalb County.
The 46th District results (District-Wide) according to the Tennessee Division of Elections website are as follows:
Amelia Hipps:
DeKalb: 155
Cannon: 244
Wilson: 1,006
Total: 1,405
Mark Pody:
DeKalb: 270
Cannon: 1,015
Wilson: 3,366
Total: 4,651
In the race for the Sixth District Congressional seat, Republican incumbent Diane Black of Gallatin carried DeKalb County with 769 votes, defeating challengers Joe Carr of Lascassas, Tommy Hay of Monterey and Donald Strong of Crossville. Carr finished second in DeKalb County with 435 votes. Hay was a distant third with 29 votes, while Strong tallied 26 DeKalb County votes.
District-Wide, Black won the Republican nomination with 33,180 votes to 16,699 for Carr. Strong received 1,358 votes and Hay had 950.
In the Democratic Primary for the Sixth Congressional seat, David W. Kent of Cottontown carried DeKalb County with 418 votes, while Flo Matheson of Crossville finished with 135 votes.
District-Wide, Kent won the Democratic nomination for Congress with 7,568 votes to 3,728 for Matheson.
The Sixth Congressional District includes Pickett, Fentress, Cumberland, White, DeKalb, Cannon, Coffee, Wilson, Smith, Jackson, Overton, Clay, Putnam, Trousdale, Macon, Sumner and Robertson Counties and small portions of Van Buren and Cheatham counties.
A breakdown of the vote totals by precinct can be found here: http://www.wjle.com/election-results

Congressman Diane Black has announced a series of town hall meetings that will be held throughout Tennessee’s 6th Congressional district during the week of August 8th – 12th.
She will have a Town Hall meeting in Smithville in the first floor courtroom of the courthouse on Thursday, August 11 at 5:00 p.m.
“I believe Tennesseans deserve a representative in Congress who is accountable to them and who listens to their concerns. In that spirit, I will be holding public town hall meetings across our region next week,” said Congressman Diane Black. “At each event, I’ll provide an update on the top issues I hear about from constituents, then we’ll give attendees an opportunity to ask me their questions directly. I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new faces as I travel our district to hear from the people I serve.”

Members of the Alexandria community joined churches and merchants on the public square Tuesday evening in a prayer service for our police, schools, community, and nation. The event drew a large crowd of concerned individuals.
Dusty Desimone of the West Main Baptist Church moderated the program, delivered a brief message, and offered prayers.
Other local ministers participating in leading prayers were Jimmy Arms of the Upper Helton Baptist Church; David Revelle of Shepherds Fortress Ministries; Ronnie Smith of the New Hope Baptist Church; Thurman Seiber of the Salem Baptist Association; and Josh Brown of Salem Baptist Church.
The program began with a recorded performance of the National Anthem followed by the audience singing along with a recorded rendition of Amazing Grace. After the message and prayers by the ministers, the crowd joined in singing with a recorded version of God Bless the USA.