Smithville Elementary would like to recognize our Students of the Month for May. These students were selected for their outstanding character, academics, and other traits that make them an all-around excellent student. Selected as Students of the Month for May are:
Pre-K: Luke Pedigo
Kindergarten: Misael Matuz
1st grade: Elijah Weigele
2nd grade: Allison Estes

The month of May is recognized nationally as Older Americans Month, a time when the vast contributions older adults make to their families, communities, and the nation are acknowledged.
Justin Potter Library will partner with the Alexandria and Smithville Senior Centers in the national celebration by hosting Older Americans Day. The event will be held at the DeKalb County Complex Theatre area located at 712 South Congress Boulevard in Smithville on Wednesday, May 17 at 11:00 a.m. This year’s theme is “Age Out Loud”.
The featured entertainment will be local ventriloquist David Turner. There will be displays, door prizes, goody bags, and sack lunches for the older adults to enjoy. Everyone who is an older American is invited to this free event. The library will be closed from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. for the event.
For more information, call the library at 615-597-4359.

The Tennessee General Assembly has adopted legislation sought by the Liberty Mayor and Aldermen 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.
The city charter amendments must now be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the legislative body of the Town of Liberty before they can take effect.
Under the legislation approved by the State House (88-0) and Senate (32-0), 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.
(READ THE LEGISLATION BY CLICKING THE LINKS BELOW)
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/110/Bill/HB1448.pdf
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/110/Bill/HB1447.pdf

A Smithville woman was found with methamphetamine and heroin during a probation search at her home last week.
46 year old Jamie Renee Ashford of Miller Road, Smithville is charged with possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) for resale. She was also cited for simple possession of a schedule I drug (heroin), and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond is $5,000 and her court date is May 18.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW MUG SHOTS OF PERSONS RECENTLY BOOKED AT THE DEKALB COUNTY JAIL- Intakes & Releases From: 5/01/2017 Thru: 5/08/2017)
Seagate Crystal Reports – REPOR_22.pdf (2.87 MB)
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on May 2 a detective and deputy went to Ashford’s home to conduct a probation search on someone at that residence. After receiving consent to search, the officers found a small camouflaged bag containing five bags of a crystal like substance, a set of digital scales, and corners of sandwich bags used to sell small quantities of drugs. The bags of drugs weighed 0.03 grams, 0.03 grams, 0.03 grams, 0.04 grams, and 9 grams. The officers also found 0.02 grams of heroin. Ashford admitted that these items belonged to her. She was placed under arrest.
55 year old David Harold Pack of Old Snow Hill Road, Dowelltown is charged with a domestic related aggravated assault. His bond is $10,000 and his court date is May 18. Sheriff Ray said that on April 27 a deputy was dispatched to Pack’s residence due to a physical domestic. A detective conducted an investigation and found that Pack allegedly assaulted his daughter by trying to strangle her, hitting her with a bamboo stick, and pulling her hair.
20 year old Jacob Fisher Murphy of Payton Lane, Smithville is charged with driving on a suspended license. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is June 8. Sheriff Ray said that on May 7 a deputy was patrolling Sparta Highway by Sligo bridge when he spotted Murphy driving a red Buick. Knowing that Murphy does not have a valid driver license and that he has been stopped several times for that offense, the officer pulled over Murphy and placed him under arrest. Murphy’s license was suspended for failure to appear for a trial in DeKalb County General Sessions Court on October 19, 2016.
27 year old Michael Blair Lawson of Old Hickory, Tennessee is charged with public intoxication, domestic assault, and being a fugitive from justice. His bond totals $56,500 and his court date is May 18. Sheriff Ray said that on May 6 a deputy was dispatched to Evins Mill where a man was reported to be unruly and trying to fight others. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Lawson who was unsteady on his feet and had a strong odor of alcohol on him. Lawson’s girlfiend also reported to the deputy that Lawson caused bodily harm to her child by spanking him on the butt leaving a bruise. Lawson allegedly bribed the child saying he would buy him a fidget spinner if he would not say anything to anyone about the spanking. However, the child reported it to his mother. A computer check was conducted and revealed that Lawson is wanted in Monongalia County, West Virginia for a failure to appear for a night time burglary and a third offense of driving under the influence. Lawson is to be extradited back to West Virginia.
53 year old James Grady Warner of Big Hill Road, Liberty is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $5,000 and his court date is May 18. Sheriff Ray said that on May 7 a deputy responded to a residence on Lonnie Cantrell Road due to a physical domestic. A woman told the officer that Warner pushed her into a dresser causing her to fall out of a doorway onto the ground. The woman further stated that Warner broke a dinner plate over her back and closed a truck window on her fingers dragging her about 10 feet down the driveway causing scrapes and bruises on her hands, arms, and back.

A mother has been charged with child abuse or neglect after her five year old child was found unattended on a busy highway near her home.
39 year old Tara Jane Atnip of Allen Ferry Road, Smithville is under an $8,000 bond and her court date is May 18.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW MUG SHOTS OF PERSONS RECENTLY BOOKED AT THE DEKALB COUNTY JAIL- Intakes & Releases From: 5/01/2017 Thru: 5/08/2017)
Seagate Crystal Reports – REPOR_22.pdf (2.87 MB)
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Monday, May 1 a deputy responded to a call on Allen Ferry Road where a passerby found a five year old child running in the roadway around Mount Holly Cemetery, which is on the opposite side from the home where the child lives.
Due to the child being found running in the roadway unaccompanied by an adult and her health and welfare being in imminent danger, Atnip was arrested and charged in the case.

Scholarships and other awards will be presented to members of the Class of 2017 at DeKalb County High School during the annual Senior Awards program Monday night, May 22 at 6:00 p.m. in the DCHS gymnasium.
Representatives of colleges, universities, branches of the armed services, businesses, civic groups, and other organizations will make the presentations.
Meanwhile, graduation for the DCHS Class of 2017 will be Friday, May 26 at 7:00 p.m. on the high school football field.
(Click link below to view DCHS Class of 2017 Senior Formals)
http://wjle.com/graduation/2017/page1

Ten students from DeKalb West competed in the middle school math contest at Tennessee Tech on April 27.
8th grader Jaden Johnson ranked 9th out of 61. 7th grader Victoria Rodano placed 21 out of 59 while Aly Griffith in the 6th grade ranked 12th out of 63.
Also participating in the math contest from DWS were Isaac Brown, Madison Martin, and Alex Moreno from the sixth grade; Brayden Antoniak from the 7th grade, and Ashlin Maynard, Jordan Crook, and Gracie Griffin from the 8th grade.
Pictured front row left to right are Ashlin Maynard, Jaden Johnson, Alex Moreno, and Aly Griffith.
Back row left to right are Victoria Rodano, Isaac Brown, Brayden Antoniak, Jordan Crook, Gracie Griffin, and Madison Martin.

NHC Smithville is excited about honoring National Nurses Week, which is celebrated annually from May 6th, also known as National Nurses Day, through May 12th, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
NHC Smithville would like to recognize and thank our highly skilled, dedicated nurses that exemplify the best in their profession. The Director of Nursing at NHC Smithville is Melinda Wilson. The Assistant Director of Nursing is Paulette Nichols.
Registered Nurses (RN):
Brian Cripps, April Dearmon, Alisha Hale, Molly Merriman, Cheryl Myers, Julie Sullivan, Jacqueline Taylor, and Cindy Wolter
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN):
Monica Baker, Nicole Burris, Amanda Carter, Nanci Drennan, Shalyn Eaton, Nioakah Hickman, Jessica Holland, Rebekah Johannsen, Amber Judkins, Thomas Mahler, Arianna Matthews, Cindy Milford, Kalee Mullican, Sabra Murphy, Abby Onkst, Justine Pettit, Brandon Sullivan, Julie Vincent, Angie Walker, Christy Ward, Margaret Watkins, Lindsy Winfree, Sharon Yocum, and Vicki Yost

Earlier this year, the DeKalb Prevention Coalition received a $12k grant from Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital funded by community benefit dollars to support a ‘Community Health Adventure’ for DeKalb residents. This program currently provides free healthy activities throughout the year for all ages. To date, the program has impacted 900 participants in various free activities that promote physical and emotional health including: yoga classes, art instruction, martial arts, tai chi, healthy cooking demonstrations, senior chair volleyball, senior chair yoga, walking clubs, nutrition education, along with classes provided for teens and adults with disabilities. The upcoming summer schedule will help to support summer safety including the addition of free swimming classes and water aerobics.
“The immediate success in the massive participation of the Community Health Adventure shows the great need for healthy activities that families and individuals can afford. Many families have multiple children, face income limits, or even shy away from trying new things that may pose an unnecessary financial burden to start.” said Shan Burklow, Regional Community Relations Coordinator for Saint Thomas Health, “It is our hope that this program will continue to evolve and grow to meet even more health and wellness needs that arise from communicating with the current participants. Future goals that support emotional and physical health will focus on free music instruction, life health coaches, personal training sessions, swimming lessons, and dance classes. It is so exciting to see people of all ages get healthier mentally and physically without the strain of a financial burden of any kind. Every class provided by the ‘health adventure’ is 100% free of charge including any supplies, uniforms, or special equipment that may be needed. Improving the health of the community is such an important part of what Saint Thomas Health is all about, and this program is a shining example of how we can all work together towards this goal.”
For more information on the Community Health Adventure, to volunteer, or to sign-up for available classes, call DeKalb Prevention Coalition or Justin Potter Library. Current classes are listed on the community calendar, and are updated monthly.
The DeKalb Prevention Coalition is an anti-drug coalition working to reduce dependence on harmful and potentially lethal substances such as prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. The coalition has recently broadened its reach to include the overall improvement of community health by promoting health/nutrition education and wellness activities, and they would like to thank Saint Thomas Health for making this goal possible.
Upcoming Free Health Adventure Activities & Classes:
Wednesday, May 10 at 12 noon: Community Wellness Walk – meet on Smithville City Hall side of the Courthouse
Wednesday, May 17 at 11:00 am: Older Americans Day in the DeKalb County Complex
* Wellness Wednesdays in the DeKalb County Complex:
·8am: Walking Club
·9am: Chair Volleyball
·10am: Art Classes – contact the Library to reserve your spot
·10am: Sewing Classes – contact the Library to reserve your spot
·4pm: Gentle Yoga for beginners
·5pm: Martial Arts – every Wednesday and Friday (Free in May/June – includes free uniform)
·6:30pm: Power Yoga for beginners/intermediate
·June 2017: Swimming Classes –- contact the Library to reserve your spot
·June 2017: Water Aerobics/Senior Water Aerobics – time/date TBD