Chief Warns Against Purported Charitable Fundraising Effort on Behalf of Police Department

If you are contacted by anyone raising funds for under privileged children or any other cause in the name of the Smithville Police Department, it is not legitimate.

Police Chief Randy Caplinger said several local residents have received calls recently from someone soliciting donations on behalf of the Smithville Police Department for under privileged children. But the department has not authorized any one or group to conduct such a fundraiser

Chief Caplinger said if you should receive such a call, hang up or report it to police. But do not send money.

Meanwhile, in city crime news 27 year old Jason Lynn Knowles of Dry Creek Road is charged with driving on a suspended license Officer James Cornelius stopped Knowles for a traffic violation on Friday, October 22nd at which time a check through central dispatch revealed his driver license were suspended. Bond for Knowles is $1000 and his court date is November 4th.

33 year old Bobby Lee Anderson of Tommy Harold Street was charged on Saturday, October 23rd with hindering a secured creditor. Officer James Cornelius stopped Anderson for a traffic violation. A computer check through dispatch revealed an active warrant against him in DeKalb County. Bond for Anderson is $3,500

34 year old Sharon Kay Skinner of Sparta Highway was arrested on Tuesday, October 26th for criminal impersonation, simple possession of drug paraphernalia and for other active warrants against her in DeKalb County. Skinner was a passenger of a vehicle that was stopped for a traffic violation and when asked for her ID, Skinner said she did not have one. She also gave a false name. Upon further investigation, Officer James Cornelius discovered her real identity and a check through dispatch revealed active warrants against her. Upon search incident to arrest, drug paraphernalia was found inside an overnight bag that she had in her possession. Bond for Skinner is $3,000 and her court date is November 4th.

26 year old Jineane Cristana Wagner of Kendra Drive was arrested by Officer David Phillips on Monday, October 25th for domestic assault. According to the warrant Ms. Wagner assaulted a family member. Bond for Wagner is $2,500 and her court date is November 4th.

19 year old Royce Prater of South 3rd Street was charged with driving on a suspended license on Tuesday, October 26th. Prater was stopped for a traffic violation and a computer check through dispatch revealed that his license were suspended. Officer James Cornelius made the arrest. Bond for Prater is $1,000 and his court date is December 2nd.

34 year old Royce D McCrary of Miller Road was arrested by Sergeant Joey Jones on Thursday, October 28th for violation of probation.

23 year old Virginia Ruth Carrier of Haley Road was arrested by Officer David Phillips on Thursday, October 28th for theft of merchandise and possession of drug paraphernalia. A Food Lion employee saw Carrier allegedly taking items and putting them in her purse, before leaving the store without paying for them. A search incident to arrest revealed a needle in her purse. Bond for Carrier is $3,000 and her court date is November 4th.

26 year old Joshua Rhyan Cripps of Steeple Chase Drive was arrested on Friday, October 29th for simple possession. Officer David Phillips was dispatched to the probation office where a man had reportedly passed out. Cripps was asked by a probation officer to empty his pockets and he produced a schedule II drug. Bond for Cripps is $1000 and his court date is November 18th.

Anyone having any information on a crime is asked to please contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210 or the Tip Line at 464-6046.

Any information received that will help Smithville Police solve any criminal offense will be greatly appreciated. All information is confidential.

The Inn at Evins Mill Wins Habitat Chili Cook-Off

A great crowd turned out on Friday to enjoy chili and delicious baked goods at Habitat for Humanity's Seventh Annual Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale, which was held at the 303 Building on the square. Jason Evans of The Inn at Evins Mill won the "Best Chili" award, and "Cauldron of Fire" from the DeKalb County Board of Education followed in second place. In the Best Decorated booth contest, "Hillbilly Chili – It's a Natural Gas" from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas took top honors.

Tecia Puckett Pryor of Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County said the event raised over $3,000, which will be used toward the building of the fourth Habitat house here. "We had a great turnout today, maybe the best we've ever had. We sold a lot of pies, cakes, and cookies and raised over $3,000 toward the building of our fourth Habitat house. So we are really pleased with the cook-off today and we are thankful to all the teams that participated as well as everyone who brought out baked goods for sale and of course everyone who came out to eat chili today."

Eleven teams participated in the event, including "Blessed and Highly Flavored" from Allen's Chapel Methodist Church; "Cauldron of Fire" from the DeKalb County Board of Education; "Hot Checks Chili" from DeKalb Community Bank; "The Courthouse Gang" from the DeKalb County Officials; "Edgar Evins Chili Peppers" from Edgar Evins State Park; "Hale's Bowls of Fire" from James C. Hale for State Representative; "Hillbilly Chili – It's a Natural Gas" from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas; "The Bean Counters" from Tom Janney, CPA and Associates; "Red Hot Kilowatts" from Smithville Electric System; "Hollywood Corpse Review" from the Smithville Review, and The Inn at Evins Mill.

Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates houses in partnership with volunteers and families in need, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. To contact Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, please call 215-8181.

(Photos provided by Sharon Evans)