The DeKalb County Democratic Party will hold a Mass Meeting for local and state Democratic candidates, Saturday, February 13, 2016, to kick off the election year. The event will take place at the DeKalb County High School cafeteria, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Meet the candidates for Constable, City Council, School Board, Property Assessor, and State Representative.
Mr. Bill Freeman, a potential candidate for the office of Governor, will be the keynote speaker. State Representative John Ray Clemmons of Nashville will be speaking for the Hillary for America campaign. Michelle Davis a volunteer with the Bernie Sanders campaign will also speak.
The event will feature live music, coffee, donuts, and conversation.

DCHS Lady Tiger Ashli Chew has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee next season.
The outstanding senior, who scored her 1,000th career point as a high school player Monday night against Upperman met with her coaches, family, teammates, and coaches from Bryan College for the signing Tuesday morning at DCHS.
“I’ve always wanted a basketball scholarship. I’ve always wanted to continue my career because I’ve worked so hard for it. I’ve gotten looks from a few different places but I went and toured Bryan and I absolutely loved it. I love everything about it. It’s a Christian school and it’s pretty close to home. It’s a place where I think I could really play and really reach my full potential. I decided the first time I went that this is where I want to go,” Chew told WJLE .
“We’re excited about Ashli. I guess I could say what is not to like about Ashli? She is an all around great kid and great student. She has a great work ethic and is a great basketball player. She is a great fit for Bryan College in what she stands for in her personal life, spiritual life, and athletic life,” said Bryan Head Coach Jason Smith.
Lady Tiger Coach Joe Pat Cope said Ashli overcame injury early in her high school playing career to become a leader in this program. “She tore an ACL her freshman year and was out her sophomore year otherwise she would probably be at 1500 points now. She has just worked so hard to battle back from that. It looks like she has a good chance to be the Valedictorian of her class. She has a 4.9 grade point average. As far as her work ethic, nobody surpasses it. I called her Saturday to talk about the signing and she was with a personal trainer in Smyrna working on her game. That’s just the kind of kid she is. Ashli is constantly in the weight room, working or shooting and that is why she is at this level,” said Coach Cope.
Ashli said reaching the 1,000th point milestone as a high school player was also a special moment. “That is really awesome. I think there has only been seven females in DeKalb County that has ever gotten 1,000 points so that itself is substantial. But as Coach Cope said I had a knee injury as a freshman and I was released in the middle of my sophomore year. When I returned I was rusty and knew it would be really hard to get my 1,000th point but I just have some awesome teammates and coaches who really push me. It’s just a really big honor to be part of it,” said Chew.
Bryan College is a Christian liberal Arts College and a member of NAIA’s Appalachian Athletic Conference. “This is my fifth year at Bryan on the women’s side. We are currently 19-3 and tied for first place in our conference. We are in a good spot. We start three freshmen so we’re still young. I only have one senior who plays significant minutes so we’re a program that is at the top of our level right now and we’re still young so we have a long way to go,” said Coach Smith.
(PICTURED ABOVE: SEATED- George Chew (father), Ashli Chew, and Lori Chew (mother); STANDING- Assistant Coach Josh Agee, DCHS Lady Tiger Head Coach Joe Pat Cope, Bryan Head Coach Jason Smith, and Bryan Assistant Coach Bryon Lawhon)

Should marina owners be exempt from payment of county property taxes?
DeKalb County officials are concerned about state legislation which if approved would exempt from property taxes, any property owned by the federal government and leased to marina owners or operators who lease the federally owned property and make in lieu of tax payments on such property.
County Mayor Tim Stribling testified before the State House Local Government Committee Tuesday morning, February 2 on the impact such a law would have on DeKalb County. He said if such legislation were adopted, DeKalb County could stand to lose thousands of dollars in personal property tax collections.
“We have eight marinas on Center Hill Lake. For us to lose this tax would amount to about two and a half cents on our property tax rate. A penny brings in about $44,000. The money we generate from the boat docks from the personal property tax is about $108,000. That money goes to our general purpose fund. The money that the Corps of Engineers gives to DeKalb County amounts to about $95,000 and that goes into our landfill. To lose this tax would be a burden on the taxpayers, on the farmers, and on the working class,” said Stribling.
“These boat docks have a tremendous value. A lot of counties would like to have what we have but they don’t and I am as proud as I can be of them. They bring in a lot of people but they also depend on our services, our emergency services, our county fire department, our sheriff’s department, our ambulance service, rescue squad, and our landfill. They (marinas) all need those services. To pay a tax on personal property is no different than anyone else operating a business. I operated a car dealership business from 1984 to 2006. We paid our real estate tax and we paid a personal property tax on our equipment inside our dealership. So this is not a tax as such that the boat dock’s think they are paying to the Corps. It’s a lease,” he continued.
“I just want you to know that this (tax exemption legislation) would affect our economy. We would have to make up that two and a half cents (local tax money) somewhere,” Stribling concluded.
(VIEW VIDEO OF ENTIRE HEARING INCLUDING COUNTY MAYOR TIM STRIBLING’S REMARKS HERE)

The bill was filed last year by Republican State Representative Cameron Sexton of Crossville and by Republican State Senator Bo Watson of Hixson but it stalled in committee. Hearings have resumed on the proposal again this year.
Under the proposed legislation, state law would be amended by adding subsection which states that
(1) If any federally owned property is leased to any taxpayer that owns or operates a marina, yacht club, dock, or similar property located on the federally owned property, and the taxpayer has entered into a payment in lieu of tax agreement with the United States or an agency of the United States, then the federally owned property, the taxpayer’s marina or similar property, and any leasehold interest in these properties, shall be exempt from taxation.
(2) As used in this subsection (f), “payment in lieu of tax agreement” means an agreement requiring that the taxing authorities receive payments or other charges directly from a lessee of the property or from any other sources on account of the property.
(3) The exemption provided under this subsection (f) shall be provided in the same manner as exemptions from taxation provided under this chapter for property owned by this state or political subdivisions and leased by private lessees making in lieu of tax payments.
In November, Circuit Court Judge Amy Hollars ruled that Cookeville Boat Dock must pay a portion of delinquent DeKalb County property taxes which it has owed since 1998. Under the law, the county cannot collect more than 10 years of the marina’s back taxes due to a 10 year statute of limitations

A man last seen alive Sunday riding a horse was found dead Monday afternoon by members of the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad about a half hour after they were summoned to start looking for him.
Dead is Micheal Minnear.
Minnear and others had reportedly been riding horses together but he later decided to go home and separated from the group. When he didn’t show up at home, a search began.
Members of the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad joined the search just before noon Monday and found Minnear’s body at the bottom of a ravine off Holmes Creek Road shortly after noon.
“We got the official page at 11:43 a.m. Monday and went looking for someone riding a horse who had been missing since Sunday,” said Joe Johnson of the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad. “We got our equipment together, spread into four groups, and started looking in the area from the Herb Cottage all the way to Cordell Love Road. At about 12:15 p.m. two of our Rescue Squad members spotted what appeared to be a horse at the bottom of a ravine on Holmes Creek Road (the road across from the Golf Course) about half a mile down the road on the right. They walked down in the woods to get a closer look and saw a red horse standing in the creek. They also noticed a body laying near the horse. Rescue Squad members converged on the scene and found it was the person we had been looking for. We did not approach the body until we called the sheriff’s department. Two Sheriff’s Department investigators, who had also been looking for him, came and did their investigation. We then got ropes and a stokes basket, lowered about 350 feet down, recovered the body, and brought it back up,” said Johnson.
Johnson expressed his appreciation to fellow Rescue Squad members for their part in the search including Dustin Johnson, who coordinated the groups in using four wheelers, gators, and trucks in covering the area.

A Washington D.C. woman was recently arrested here for being a fugitive from justice.
45 year old Fabienne Valerie Niaba is under a $50,000 bond. She appeared in court on January 28 and signed waivers for extradition. Niaba is expected to be picked up within ten days. The fugitive warrant against her is out of Virginia for a violation of probation on a grand larceny charge.
43 year old Melisha Rena Martin of Kings Court Circle, Smithville was cited on Friday, January 29 for simple possession of a schedule III drug (Hydrocodone) and simple possession of drug paraphernalia. Her court date is February 11. Sheriff Patrick Ray said that Martin was a passenger of a vehicle stopped by a deputy for a light law violation. The driver gave consent to search the vehicle and the officer found a zippered bag on the right side of the passenger seat where Martin had been sitting. Inside the bag was a pill container which held two white oblong pills believed to be Hydrocodone, a schedule III drug . Needles, a spoon, and a cut straw were also found in the bag.
38 year old Julie Darlene Wright of Cordell Love Road, Smithville is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. She will be in court on February 4. Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, January 26 a Sheriff’s Department Detective was at a residence on Cordell Love Road assisting the Tennessee Department of Correction with a home search. The Detective spoke with Wright, who lives at the residence. Several guns were found during a search of the home. Wright was convicted on a charge of sale and delivery of a schedule III drug in November 2015 and is not supposed to be in possession of any weapons.
36 year old Joseph Anthony Dockins of Lebanon is charged with driving on a revoked license. He was further cited for a light law violation and no insurance. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court February 4. Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, January 31 Dockins was pulled over in a traffic stop on Highway 70 west near Highway 53 for a tail light being out. A computer check revealed that Dockins’ license were suspended on December 8, 2014 in Wilson County for failure to file an accident report and for failure to comply with financial responsibility.

The DeKalb Prevention Coalition has re-scheduled the Recovery Church planning workshop for Friday, February 19, 2016, at the DeKalb Community Center in the History room at 12:00pm. The event will include lunch and is to help the interested churches fill out the application to become a certified recovery church as well as to answer any questions or overcome any obstacles your church or faith based organization may be facing in this process. Monty Burks, who is the Director of Faith Based Initiatives for The State of Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) will be there along with a Certified Recovery Church Pastor to help.
When you successfully complete the certification process, you will be added to the statewide recovery support network, and most importantly, opening your arms to individuals seeking substance abuse services. Church and Faith-Based Organization leadership will be trained in the following areas:
•Providing Spiritual/Pastoral Support.
•Viewing addiction as a treatable disease, not a moral issue.
•Embracing and support people in recovery and walk with them on their journey.
•Providing a visible outreach in the community.
•Sharing recovery information.
•Hosting recovery support groups.
If your church or faith based organization is interested in becoming a Certified Recovery Church please go to http://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/topic/Faith-Based-Initiatives and fill out the questionnaire or you can contact Norene Puckett at 615-215-8690 or norene.drugcourt@gmail.com.
*An RSVP is not required, but appreciated, please contact Norene Puckett.

LIVE Web Streaming of WJLE’s Radio Broadcasts will be interrupted this week.
WJLE’s long time streaming provider Live365 has gone out of business.
WJLE is in the process of contracting with a new provider. Our web streaming will resume possibly next week.

A 65 year old man lost control of his semi-tanker truck and overturned in a field off Hickman Road (State Highway 264) near Temperance Hall Sunday afternoon.
James Elliott of Decherd, Tennessee was traveling south when his 2006 Freightliner went off the right side of the highway, tore through a barbed wire fence, and overturned in a pasture coming to rest on its side. Elliott, who was pinned inside the cab of the truck, was hauling a tanker load of milk.
Members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department were summoned to perform extrication services to help get Elliott out of the rig. The Liberty Station also responded.
Elliot was treated at the scene by DeKalb EMS and then airlifted by a helicopter ambulance and flown to Vanderbilt Hospital.
The accident was investigated by Trooper Chris Delong with assistance from Trooper Sean Tramel and Sergeant Billy Prater of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
A DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department Deputy was also on the scene.

A 60 year old man operating a motorcycle was airlifted after a crash on State Highway 141 in the Wolf Creek area of DeKalb County Sunday afternoon.
Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that Donald Leftwich of Baxter was traveling east on a 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle when he lost control in a curve, went off the right side of the road, and crashed.
Leftwich was treated by DeKalb EMS but later airlifted from near the scene by a helicopter ambulance and flown to Vanderbilt Hospital.
According to Trooper Johnson, alcohol may have been a factor in the crash and charges are pending.
Trooper Johnson was assisted in the investigation by Trooper T.J. Withers of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The Cookeville Highway and Main Stations of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department were also on the scene along with a DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department Deputy.

If you want to vote in the March 1 presidential preference primary, or “SEC Primary,” you must register to vote by Monday, February 1, 2016. This election cycle the Volunteer State will join six other Southern states on March 1 to help decide who could be the next president of the United States.
“It’s important to ensure you are properly registered now so there won’t be any surprises during early voting or on Election Day,” Secretary of State Tre Hargett said.
Early voting begins Wednesday, February 10 and runs Mondays through Saturdays until Tuesday, February 23. Election Day is Tuesday, March 1. The DeKalb County Election Commission Office will be closed on Monday, February 15 for Presidents Day.
All Early Voting in DeKalb County will be at the Election Commission Office on the first floor of the courthouse (basement).
Early Voting Hours:
Mondays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesdays 9 a.m. 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.
Hargett is urging voters to take advantage of early voting if possible because of unpredictable winter weather and an incredibly long ballot.
“When you consider the number of presidential candidates as well as the number of delegates, some voters across the state will have many choices,” Hargett said.
Tennesseans voting early or on Election Day should remember to bring valid state or federal photo identification with them to the polls.
Secretary of State Hargett has certified the names of presidential candidates for the March 1 presidential preference primary, or “SEC Primary” in Tennessee.
The following candidates are on the March 1 ballot:
Republican Primary Ballot
•Jeb Bush
•Ben Carson
•Chris Christie
•Ted Cruz
•Carly Fiorina
•Jim Gilmore
•Lindsey O. Graham
•Mike Huckabee
•John R. Kasich
•George Pataki
•Rand Paul
•Marco Rubio
•Rick Santorum
•Donald J. Trump
Democratic Primary Ballot
•Hillary Clinton
•Martin J. O’Malley
•Bernie Sanders
Meanwhile, the DeKalb County Democratic Primary will be held on March 1 to select nominees for Assessor of Property and Constable in six of the seven districts of the county.
Incumbent Assessor of Property Scott Cantrell will be unopposed for re-nomination by his party in the March 1 DeKalb County Democratic Primary but he will be opposed by Republican Shannon A. Cantrell in the August General Election.
Democrat Jason C. Taylor is unopposed for Constable in the 1st district in the March 1 Primary but he will face Republican Lee Plummer in the August County General Election.
There is no Democratic candidate for Constable in the 2nd district. Republican Tom Theriaque will be unopposed for 2nd district Constable in the August General Election.
Incumbent Democratic Constables Travis Bryant in the 3rd district, Paul Cantrell in the 4th district, Mark Milam in the 5th district, Carl Lee Webb in the 6th district, and Johnny King in the 7th district will be unopposed in both the March 1 Primary and in the August General Election.
The DeKalb County Democratic Primary is being held in conjunction with the Tennessee Presidential Preference Primary on March 1.