DeKalb County

Dailey & VIncent Plan Inaugural Homecoming Charity Concert in Gainesboro on ... - BREATHEcast.com

Smithville News - 3 hours 30 min ago

BREATHEcast.com
Dailey & VIncent Plan Inaugural Homecoming Charity Concert in Gainesboro on ...
BREATHEcast.com
Concert tickets are $15 and are available in Cookeville at the Tennessee Bible College; in Gainesboro at Jackson Bank & Trust or by calling JB Dailey ...

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

County Planning to Address Problem of Stray Dogs and Cats

WJLE Local News - 3 hours 31 min ago

July 31, 2010 by:  Dwayne Page dogs 005.jpg

Funds are included in the proposed new county budget to hire an animal control officer, at least on a part time basis, to pick up stray dogs and cats.

County Mayor Mike Foster says $20,000 has been included in the new budget to fund the position. "We're anticipating hiring a full time, or at least a part time, employee to do that (pick up stray dogs and cats). I'm sure we don't get near as many calls as the city does, but we do get some calls that need to be answered."

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"We're going to need some policies in the event of a dog bite where the animal can be quarantined for ten days and make that the standard policy. That needs to be addressed."

" We have a lot of elderly people who have dogs that come to their house that are strays and we just need a way of dealing with it in a humane and orderly way with some rules and regulations."

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

Smithville Woman Charged with Stealing Items from Truck

WJLE Local News - July 30, 2010 - 5:10pm

July 30, 2010 by:  Dwayne Page

Smithville Police have charged a woman with stealing items from a truck parked at Food Lion last week.

24 year old Tracy Ann Thomason of 446 The Loop was arrested on Wednesday, July 28th for burglary and theft of property. On Thursday, July 22nd, Lieutenant Steven Leffew took a report from David Elliott who stated that he had parked his truck in Food Lion's parking lot. When he returned to his truck he found a female inside. Elliot asked her what she was doing. The woman then got out of his truck, got into a blue car, and left. Elliott took down the plate number of the car. He also noticed that his Ipod and other items were missing. While conducting a follow up investigation, Detective Matt Holmes spoke with Ms. Thomason and she admitted to taking the items from Elliott's truck and selling them. Bond for Thomason is $6,000 and her court date is August 12th.

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

Hurricane Bridge Rehab due for Bid Letting This Fall

WJLE Local News - July 30, 2010 - 3:54pm

July 30, 2010 by:  Dwayne Page

The rehabilitation of the Hurricane Bridge under the state's bridge bonding program is due for construction bid letting sometime this fall according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Jennifer Flynn, Community Relations Officer in the Chattanooga TDOT Office told WJLE Friday that the exact date for the bid letting has not been set but will be sometime this fall. "We're currently scheduled to let the bridge rehab project sometime in the fall of this year. We're in the process of getting our permits and everything all in order to let that project. The rehabilitation project will replace the deck at the bridge. New guardrails will be installed and it will strengthen the steel structure underneath and make the bridge a lot safer and it won't have to be weight posted anymore upon completion of the project. The estimate (to do the work) is $12 to $15 million right now but we won't really know until the bids are opened on the project and let to contract. It's part of the bridge bonding program."

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The rehabilitation of Hurricane Bridge is among the projects to be funded through TDOT's Better Bridge bonding program in the fiscal year 2010-11 state budget, which was approved by the legislature this year.

Meanwhile the county will continue to fund "flaggers" at Hurricane Bridge until the state begins work on the bridge.

County Mayor Mike Foster says the proposed new county budget includes $25,000 for this expense.

Since April 15th, the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department has posted a "flagger" on each end of the bridge to monitor traffic across the bridge, which has state posted weight limits.

Any vehicle (trucks, school buses, emergency vehicles, etc) above the posted weight limit are subject to being stopped Mondays through Fridays from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on both ends of the bridge to allow one truck to come across the bridge at a time.

In January, the DeKalb County Commission approved a plan to provide the "flaggers" through at least September and to apply for a state grant to help recoup the county's costs.

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

Lawrence Co parole violator arrested in TN - KAIT

Smithville News - July 30, 2010 - 3:48pm

Lawrence Co parole violator arrested in TN
KAIT
Lamb was recently arrested in Jackson, TN for public intoxication and was taken to the jail there where a background check showed his warrants in AR. ...

and more »

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

Smithville Police Investigate Three Vehicle Wreck at Busy Intersection

WJLE Local News - July 29, 2010 - 5:50pm

July 29, 2010 by:  Dwayne Page wreck 005.jpg wreck 011.jpg

Several people were involved in a three vehicle traffic accident Thursday afternoon at the traffic light in the intersection of Broad Street and South Congress Boulevard.

Central Dispatch received the call at 4:04 p.m.

According to Corporal Travis Bryant of the Smithville Police Department, who investigated the accident, 48 year old Carl Washer of Smithville was driving a Center Hill Nursery truck, attempting to turn left from East Broad Street onto South Congress Boulevard as 57 year old Marlene Lawera of Sparta was traveling east on Broad Street in a 1999 Ford Taurus. The two vehicles crashed in the intersection and the force of the impact caused the Taurus to push the Center Hill Nursery truck into another vehicle, a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer, driven by 38 year old Kim Roller of Smithville, which was stopped in the turning lane facing north on South Congress Boulevard, waiting to turn left onto Broad Street.

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

Five injured in head-on crash - Sparta Expositor

Smithville News - July 29, 2010 - 8:44am

Five injured in head-on crash
Sparta Expositor
A head-on, two-vehicle crash on Highway 70 (Smithville Highway), between Lucille Street and Cassville Lane, on July 23, injured five people ...

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

DeKalb County has a New Attorney

WJLE Local News - July 29, 2010 - 6:12am

July 29, 2010 judkins.jpg

DeKalb County has a new attorney.

James M Judkins now is associated in the practice of law with local attorney, J. Hilton Conger. Their address is 200 South Third Street; hours are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.; and the telephone number is 615-597-4087.

Judkins graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor of Science degree in history. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the Nashville School of Law.

His mother is LeAnn Foutch Judkins and his brother is McAllen Foutch Judkins both of Smithville. His maternal aunt is Lucy Foutch of Hermitage. His father was the late Marlon Judkins.

His paternal grandmother is Macon Knowles Judkins of Smithville. His paternal grandfather was the late H.J. Judkins. His maternal grandparents were the late Sallie and McAllen Foutch.

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

Schools to Get Slightly More Local Funds due to Growth in new Budget, but to Receive One Cent Less from the Property Tax Rate

WJLE Local News - July 28, 2010 - 3:39pm

July 28, 2010 by:  Dwayne Page

Teachers and other certified personnel and support staff are budgeted a small pay raise under the proposed 2010-11 tentative general purpose spending plan for schools, which is expected to be acted on by the DeKalb County Commission on August 10th.

The proposed $18 million budget has already been recommended for approval by the county's budget committee but it appears the property tax rate for schools will also be trimmed by one cent from 49 cents to 48 cents per $100 of assessed value. County Mayor Mike Foster says the one cent reduction will not adversely affect the school system. In fact, he says since one cent of the tax rate generates more money than last year due to growth, schools will be getting $59, 956 more in local funds this year than last year exceeding the school board's request for $33,000 in additional local monies in the new budget.

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

News: Dailey & Vincent Plan Inaugural Homecoming Charity Concert - Cybergrass

Smithville News - July 28, 2010 - 4:05am

News: Dailey & Vincent Plan Inaugural Homecoming Charity Concert
Cybergrass
Nashville, TN -- IBMA Entertainers of the Year Dailey & Vincent are proud to announce their inaugural homecoming charity concert to raise money for the ...

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

No Discounts Likely for Early Payment of Property Taxes This Fall

WJLE Local News - July 27, 2010 - 1:53pm

July 27, 2010 by:  Dwayne Page

DeKalb County property owners got a discount last fall for paying their property taxes in October or November, but don't look for that this year.

Although Trustee Sean Driver has proposed to the county budget committee that the discounts be offered again this year, County Mayor Mike Foster told the local media Friday that it is unlikely that the county could afford to do it this year, because "our fund balances are being hit a little more".

Last year, Trustee Driver proposed offering a two percent discount to those who paid their taxes in October and a one percent discount for taxes paid in November. The savings to county taxpayers, who took advantage of it, came to a total of $31,165.

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

DeKalb Fire Department Receives State Award for Training

WJLE Local News - July 27, 2010 - 10:22am

July 27, 2010 by:  Dwayne Page PICT0703.JPG

The DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department was recognized Monday night by the Tennessee State Fire and Codes Academy for being tops in the state in training.

Ed Himes, director of the Fire Service Program with the academy, presented the department a special award during the county commission meeting. "Each year the fire academy tracks the number of training hours that each fire department in this state completes. They fall into three categories. The Silver category is a fire department that trains with the fire academy less than 2,000 hours. The Gold is 2,000 to 4,000 hours and the Platinum is 4,000 hours and above.

The DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department logged 3,203 hours.

"This year the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department finished number one in the state in the training of volunteer fire fighters and number six in the state of all fire departments, including the big fire departments like Memphis who was in that top category," said Himes.

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

Court Officers Now Required to be Full Time and POST Certified under State Law

WJLE Local News - July 26, 2010 - 2:36pm

July 26, 2010 by:  Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Sheriff's Department currently has a total of four part-time deputies who serve as court officers for the General Sessions, Juvenile, Chancery, Circuit and Criminal Courts. But under state law, the department will soon be required to have only full time POST certified courtoom officers.

According to a recent opinion by the Tennessee Attorney General, based on a 2008 state law. "Deputy sheriffs are required to be certified as peace officers by the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission. Under state law, deputy sheriffs assigned to the courts must also successfully complete forty hours of POST approved basic training in courthouse security and sixteen hours of annual training."

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Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

Man Helps Himself to Someone Else's Boat, Now Charged with Theft and Vandalism

WJLE Local News - July 26, 2010 - 10:55am

July 26, 2010 by:  Dwayne Page Hendrixson.Jpg

A 24 year old man, who used somebody else's Mastercraft ski boat several times this summer without the owner's permission to entertain friends on the lake, has been charged with theft and vandalism.

Zach Ross Hendrixson of Lebanon was arrested on Monday, July 19th. The owner of the boat has taken a warrant against Hendrixson for theft of property over $1,000 and two warrants for vandalism over $10,000 for damage caused to the interior and exterior while Hendrixson was using the boat. The boat, valued at approximately $100,000, is docked at Hurricane Marina.

According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, Hendrixson took the boat out on the lake several times since Memorial Day weekend. " He has been going down there since Memorial Day, taking people out on that boat, falsely claiming it belonged to his family. He even published pictures of the outings on his Face Book account."

When the owner discovered that Hendrixson had been using the boat, he had him charged in the case.

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

Martin Riley Pleads Guilty to Burglaries

WJLE Local News - July 26, 2010 - 6:08am

July 26, 2010 by:  Dwayne Page martin riley.jpg

A 44 year old man, charged in connection with a rash of break-ins late last summer in DeKalb County, pleaded guilty to four of those Friday in DeKalb County Criminal Court and received a six year sentence, to serve one year before being released to probation.

Judge David Patterson presided.

Martin Riley entered a guilty plea to four charges of aggravated burglary and received a three year sentence in each case. Three of the cases are to run concurrently with each other but consecutive to the fourth case for a total effective sentence of six years. Under terms of his sentence, Riley is to serve one year before being released to probation. The sentence is to run concurrently with his parole violation.

Riley must make restitution to the victims in six cases, amounts of which are yet to be determined. He was given jail credit from September 15th, 2009 to July 23rd, 2010

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

Patterson Sentenced in Aggravated Assault Cases

WJLE Local News - July 26, 2010 - 5:53am

July 26, 2010 by:  Dwayne Page patterson.jpg

A 23 year old man who allegedly stabbed his wife and step-mother and assaulted his father before being shot himself in February was sentenced in DeKalb County Criminal Court Friday.

Bransford (Brad) Lee Patterson entered a plea by information to two counts of aggravated assault and received three years in each case.. The sentences are to run consecutive to each other for an effective sentence of six years. Patterson was given jail credit for 161 days served and must serve the balance of the first three years, then he will be on probation for the remaining three years.

The incident occurred on February 6th. Warrants taken against Patterson at the time alleged that he stabbed both his wife, Reba Patterson and his step-mother Lisa Patterson, with a knife causing them to be in fear of their lives. This occurred at their residence at 6270 Patterson Road in DeKalb County.

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

Vinca Sentenced in Child Sex Crime

WJLE Local News - July 26, 2010 - 5:29am

July 26, 2010 by:  Dwayne Page james vinca.jpg

A 42 year old Smithville man received a five year sentence in DeKalb County Criminal Court Friday after pleading guilty to a charge of attempted aggravated sexual battery.

James Aaron Vinca was originally charged on August 18th, 2009 with having sexual contact with a four year old child.

The case went before the DeKalb County Grand Jury in April.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said at the time of Vinca's arrest that on July 17th, 2009 Vinca was accused of having unlawful sexual contact with the child at his residence. The child is a member of his family.

Criminal Court Judge David Patterson sentenced Vinca under a negotiated settlement to five years in the Tennessee Department of Corrections to be served at 30%. He must also comply with all requirements of the sex offender registry.

Vinca was given jail credit for 269 days served.

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

Early Voting Update

WJLE Local News - July 24, 2010 - 9:53pm

July 24, 2010 by:  Dwayne Page

A total of 896 people have taken advantage of early voting for the August 5th elections through Wednesday. Three days remain, Thursday through Saturday, July 29th through 31st at the courthouse.

One hundred eleven people voted on Wednesday, July 28th including 104 in person and seven by absentee. Thirty nine voters cast ballots in the Tennessee Republican Primary, 68 in the Tennessee Democratic Primary, and four voted only in the county general election

To date, 896 have voted including 337 in the Republican Primary, 502 in the Democratic Primary, 56 in the general election only, and six in the Dowelltown Municipal election.

Early Voting will be held Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on the first floor of the courthouse.

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

DeKalb 11 & 12 Year Old All-Stars Win- 13 & 14 Year Olds Fall in State Tournament

WJLE Local News - July 24, 2010 - 9:17pm

July 24, 2010 by:  Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County 11 & 12 year old All Stars defeated Johnson City National 3 to 1 Saturday evening to claim their first victory in the state baseball tournament at Erwin, Tennessee.

According to Jeff McMillen, DeKalb County scored one run in the second inning and two runs in the fifth inning to get the win. Johnson City National scored one run in the second inning.

A.J. Mooneyham was the winning pitcher. Cason Oakley came on in relief later in the game.

Lane Davenport and Cason Oakley each had a hit in the game.

DeKalb County will advance to the next round of the state tournament on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. (eastern), 5:00 p.m. central. The tournament is scheduled to go through August 1st.

Meanwhile the DeKalb County 13 & 14 year old All-Stars lost to Madison 10 to 5 in their first game of the state Junior League Baseball Tournament Saturday in South Holston, Tennessee.

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County

Murfreesboro Man Caught Munching on Marijuana during Traffic Stop

WJLE Local News - July 24, 2010 - 4:35pm

July 24, 2010 by:  Dwayne Page

A Murfreesboro man caught with marijuana during a traffic stop last Thursday, July 22nd apparently attempted to conceal it from police by trying to eat it.

Smithville Police say 19 year old Nathan Ray King was arrested by Officer David Phillips for simple possession after stopping King's vehicle for speeding. Deputy Houston Cantrell assisted in the traffic stop. While Officer Phillips was writing the citation, Deputy Cantrell saw King eating what appeared to be marijuana. Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and recovered approximately .3 grams of what is to be believed to be marijuana. Bond for King is $1,500 and his court date is August 12th.

Meanwhile, 38 year old Maria Kathleen Smith of 1001 Earl Avenue was cited for shoplifting on Friday, July 16th by Sergeant Joey Jones of the Smithville Police Department. Smith was observed by Wal-Mart employees taking items from the store. Her court date is July 22nd.

Categories: Community News, DeKalb County