The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has released the identity of the man who led law enforcement officers on a pursuit from Smithville to Sparta Thursday before losing his life in an officer involved shooting.
The deceased individual has been identified as 33 year old Michael Zennie Dial II from Clarksville, TN.
Meanwhile, All three White County officers injured during the pursuit have been released from the hospital.
The incident began at around 4:30 p.m. with an attempted traffic stop in the City of Smithville. Smithville Police Officers tried to pull over a pickup truck hauling a trailer. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop, and the chase by Smithville Police at speeds up to 75 miles per hour continued from the city to about one mile into White County where the pursuit was terminated. Four city patrol units reportedly gave chase. A DeKalb County Sheriff’s Deputy, who was following Smithville Police in support, ended his involvement in the pursuit at the county line. White County authorities later picked up the pursuit from Highway 70 to north on Highway 111 in Sparta, following the vehicle. The driver of the truck crashed into several of the law enforcement vehicles, hitting them on the side, and from behind.
At some point, the tires of the trailer appeared to have flattened, dumping some of the items from the trailer into the median. As the driver continued down the road, two officers, one with the White County Sheriff’s Office , and one with the Sparta Police Department, fired shots toward the truck. The truck, still hauling the trailer, veered off the highway, went down an embankment, and lodged in the tree line. The driver of the vehicle died.
Three officers, one from Sparta Police Department two from the White County Sheriff’s Office, sustained injuries consistent with being in a vehicle crash and were transported to the hospital.
TBI Special Agents are continuing to investigate and interview witnesses, and the case remains active and ongoing. At the conclusion of this investigation, the investigative case file will be turned over to the District Attorney General for his office’s review.

DeKalb West School announces its April Students of the Month. Named this month as the Best at DeKalb West are Dayton Heflin, Kindergarten; Camille Barton, 1st grade; Kaylee Kent, 2nd grade; Hudson Moss, 3rd grade; Emily Young, 4th grade; Zoi Hale, 5th grade; Caleb Dies, 6th grade; Sierra Sabatino, 7th grade, and Sydnee Hendrixon, 8th grade. Students are chosen based on academics, character, and other traits that make them outstanding among their peers.
Pictured first row left to right are Kaylee Kent, Hudson Moss, Camille Barton, Zoi Hale, and Dayton Heflin. Second row left to right: Emily Young, Sierra Sabatino, Caleb Dies, and Sydnee Hendrixson.

The Smithville- DeKalb County Chamber Annual Banquet is Thursday, April 27th starting with a Silent Auction at 5:30 PM and the Program/Dinner at 6 pm.
The Chamber will also be having their first-ever Live Auction. Some of the live auction items include a Fender Guitar signed by Barbara, Louise, & Irlene Mandrell, an Epiphone Guitar signed by Charlie Daniels, an Epiphone Guitar signed by Vince Gill, and Billy Dean’s custom rustic quilt rack and signed by him.
Irlene Mandrell will be the night’s entertainment. Get your tickets now! Only $25 per ticket or reserve a table for 7 for $175.
Call the Chamber office at 615-597-4163 or email: swilliams@dekalbcountychamber.org.

Abby Cross, a fifth grader at Northside Elementary School, is this week’s “Classroom Champion”.
The award was presented by Smithville Attorney Jim Judkins and Dwayne Page of WJLE .
Abby is the daughter of Tony and Shelly Cross and she has four siblings, Eli, Allyson, Isaac, and Silas. Her teacher is Carrie Gottlied.
She likes pigs, the color teal, lasagna, and basketball but doesn’t care for snakes, strawberries, and brussels sprout.
When she grows up, Abby said she wants to do something in pediatrics or radiology.
In an effort to recognize achievements of students in the DeKalb County School System, WJLE has partnered with attorney Judkins in featuring a “Classroom Champion” each week for the next several weeks.
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 is based on academic performance, responsibility and work ethic, leadership abilities, and citizenship and character,” said Judkins.

The parents of a 25 month old youngster who were charged with child abuse and neglect in November after testing positive for meth while caring for their toddler appeared in criminal court Monday, April 10.
36 year old Donnie Ray Gillman and 39 year old Christina Dawn Mooneyham each entered a plea by criminal information to child abuse and neglect. Gillman received a sentence of two years all suspended to probation. He must comply with DCS/ treatment. Mooneyham will be on judicial diversion and supervised probation for two years. She must continue treatment and abide by DCS requirements.
Smithville Police took a report from a case worker of the Department of Children Services on Monday, November 28, 2016 who said she had received a referral alleging that Gillman and Mooneyham had been abusing methamphetamine. During an investigation by DCS Gillman and Mooneyham tested positive for methamphetamine during a urine drug screen and both admitted to having used drugs in the home while caring for their child. A hair follicle on the child also tested positive for methamphetamine. The toddler was placed in a foster home on Wednesday, November 9.

The Liberty Mayor and Aldermen are seeking state legislative action to amend the city charter changing the timing of municipal elections so that all seats are filled in the same election every four years and authorizing the mayor and aldermen to receive pay for attending monthly city board meetings.
Under legislation by State Senator Mae Beavers and State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver, the next municipal election in Liberty would be on the first Thursday in August 2018, and every four (4) years thereafter, to fill the office of mayor and five (5) aldermen.
Under the existing charter, Liberty elects its city officials in a four year cycle but in back to back years. For example, three aldermen were elected in 2016 and this year (2017) a mayor and two aldermen are to be elected. Without a change the cycle would be repeated in the years 2020 and 2021.
In order to get all future city elections on a four year cycle, the Liberty mayor and aldermen want to reschedule this year’s city election to August, 2018 to coincide with the county general election.
Under the proposed city charter amendment, the mayor and aldermen so elected in August, 2018 shall hold their respective offices for a term of four (4) years and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. In order to have the elections for the board of mayor and aldermen coincide, the terms of the mayor and two (2) aldermen who were elected in the election held in August 2013 shall be extended for one (1) year to August 2018.
The board of mayor and aldermen, after each of their respective elections, shall take office on or before the first succeeding Monday night, at which time the board shall meet, organize, and begin the discharge of its duties.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen also want the power to authorize a payment to the mayor and each alderman for their attendance at meetings of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Such payment shall not exceed forty-five dollars ($45.00), may not be paid to the mayor or to an alderman more often than once a month, and is conditioned on the mayor and alderman’s attendance at the regular monthly board meeting.
If the Board votes to authorize payment to the mayor and aldermen, such payment shall not take effect until after the next regular election after such authorization vote has occurred.
If adopted by the state legislature, the city charter amendments must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the legislative body of the Town of Liberty.

DeKalb County Government and Justin Potter Library will be teaming with The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development to bring the Jobs4TN Hiring Event to DeKalb County.
This free employment services event will take place on Wednesday, April 26th from 9:30 am until 4:30 pm in the mobile Career Coach that will be located in the parking lot of the DeKalb County Complex at 712 South Congress Blvd in Smithville.
The Career Coach staff will be able to assist individuals in registering on the Jobs4TN job site, show them how to navigate the site of 90,000 plus jobs, create and post resumes, and search for jobs. They will give you tips on interview skills and assist you in connecting with other services if needed. No appointment necessary, just come by and check out the services they have to offer those seeking a job. For additional information contact Justin Potter Library at 615-597-4359.

A first grade teacher at Smithville Elementary School was named ” DeKalb County Teacher of the Year” and received the “John Isabell Memorial Award” Tuesday night during the tenth annual Teacher of the Year banquet at the Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church.
The award and a check for $150 was presented to Whitney Brelje by Roy Nelson Pugh of Liberty State Bank, a sponsor of the banquet, along with Director of Schools Patrick Cripps and Lori Isabell, whose husband John for whom the award is named, passed away in 2014. John Isabell was a long time educator and former President of the DeKalb County Education Association
Brelje, who is in her fourth year as a teacher, was among five local educators who were recognized during the banquet for being chosen by peers as “Teacher of the Year” at their schools. The others were Jessica Hale at Northside Elementary School; Jeanna Caplinger at DeKalb West School; Jenny Elrod at DeKalb Middle School; and Todd Cantrell at DeKalb County High School. Caplinger was unable to attend.
Hale teaches second grade. She is in her 10th year.
Caplinger is in her 23rd year. She teaches Math and Science for the 5th grade.
Elrod is in her 10th year of teaching Reading/Language Arts
Cantrell teaches Career Technical Principals of Machining I and II and Manufacturing. This is his 8th year in the classroom.
The Tennessee Teacher of the Year Program is designed to promote recognition, respect and appreciation for teachers; to stimulate interest in teaching as a career; and to encourage public involvement in education.
Administrators introduced the Teachers of the Year at their schools, remarked on how they deserved the honor, and presented them with a school bell award.
Local attorney Sarah Cripps served as guest speaker for the banquet.
School board members attending were Doug Stephens, Danny Parkerson, and Jerry Wayne Johnson.