Andrea Coleman, Fifth Grade DARE Essay winner at DeKalb West School. Pictured with Sheriff Patrick Ray and Chief Deputy Don Adamson
Karley Knowles, Fifth Grade DARE Essay winner at Northside Elementary School. Pictured with Sheriff Patrick Ray and Chief Deputy Don Adamson
New Sign Erected Outside of County Complex
Erin Cantrell-Pryor received over $212,500 in scholarships at DCHS Thursday, the largest total award presented to any student, including a $186,000 scholarship from Cornell University
Rawlin Vanatta, owner/operator of the White Possom Grille in Smithville, talked about jobs in the culinary arts during Career Day at DeKalb West School
DCHS Class of 2013 Scholarship Recipients at Awards Day
Singer/Songwriter Sam Mullins talked to 6th-8th grade students at DeKalb West School about careers in music at the annual Career Day, coordinated by School Counselor Bill Conger.
Junior DCHS Golfer Mallory Sullivan signs with Cumberland University to play golf after she graduates. Members of her family joined Mallory at the signing Thursday along with DCHS Coach Joe Pat Cope
School Board Votes 4-1 to make cuts in Tentative Budget for 2013-14. (OLDER PHOTO) (READ STORY UNDER LOCAL NEWS)
DCHS Principal Patrick Cripps, Valedictorian Taylor Leach, Salutatorian P.J. Carroll, State Rep Mark Pody, State Sen. Mae Beavers, State Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver, and Director of Schools Mark Willoughby
Smithville Crime Stoppers Board meets with D.A. Randy York: Officer Matt Farmer, Shawn Jacobs, Randy York, Gayla Hendrix, John Daniels, Karen Caplinger, Mayor Jimmy Poss, and Phillip (Fluty) Cantrell
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society for Key Women Educators welcome new members Mandy Dakas and Kathy Bryant into the Beta Theta Chapter. Pictured with long-time members, Louise Frazier and Jenelle Pugh.
Sheriff Patrick Ray, detectives, deputies, and TBI agent Billy Miller examine Chevy Blazer pulled from the lake where Putnam County woman died after the vehicle ran into the water. (See Videos)
Chevy Blazer Pulled from Center Hill Lake at Johnson Chapel Boat Ramp. Putnam County woman died after the vehicle submerged in the water. Two others escaped unharmed (See videos)
Woman Dies After Chevy Blazer Runs off Boat Ramp and Submerges in Lake (SEE VIDEOS UNDER LOCAL NEWS)
Retiring teachers from Smithville Elementary left to right and their years of service. Ms. Jan Thomas- 35 years, Mrs. Sue Driver- 39 years, Mrs. Mary Pugh- 30 years
Cancer Survivors at Relay for Life
Presentation of the Colors by Boy Scout Troop #347 at Relay for Life
A 22 year old homeless man has been charged with the aggravated rape of two male children, ages 6 and 10 in Liberty
Sheriff Patrick Ray said Joshua Taylor Cook, who has been staying in Liberty, was arrested on Thursday, October 28th.
According to Sheriff Ray, Cook allegedly performed sexual acts on a six year old and a ten year old male child on Church Street in Liberty and then he allegedly had the two children perform sexual acts on him. These events allegedly took place on September 15th.
Cook is under a $100,000 bond and he will be in court on November 4th.
Meanwhile, in other county crime news, 18 year old Richard Lee Sloan of Douglas Avenue, Murfreesboro is charged with three counts of simple possession of a schedule II, III, and VI controlled substance.
On Tuesday, October 26th on Highway 70 in DeKalb County, a deputy assisted another officer on a traffic stop. The officer received consent to search from the owner of the vehicle and upon a pat down search of Sloan, the passenger, a bulge was found in his left front pocket. Sloan told the officer that the bulge was a cell phone. The officer checked and found the cell phone but also a plastic bag containing methamphetamine, two hydrocodone pills, and marijuana.
Sloan is under a $4,500 bond and his court date is November 4th.
31 year old Charles Barton Seals, Jr. of Old Smithville Highway, Sparta is charged with leaving the scene of an accident and disorderly conduct.
On Wednesday, October 27th, Seals was involved in an automobile accident on Sligo Bridge but left. He was stopped by an officer on Highway 70 in the city limits of Smithville, about five miles from the scene of the accident. Sheriff Ray said Seals was very loud, used vulgar language, and refused to comply with what the officer instructed him to do.
Seals is under a $3,000 bond and he will be in court on December 16th.
40 year old David Gerald Vanatta of Snow Street, Smithville, a prisoner in the DeKalb County Jail, is now charged with possession of prohibited weapons in a penal institution.
On Friday, October 29th, correctional officers at the jail were conducting a shake down. While searching Vanatta's bed, two objects were found underneath the bunk behind the front rail, including a piece of metal 12 inches long and a piece of wood with a plastic spike sharpened on the end.
His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court on November 18th.
36 year old Kevin E. Bowling, Jr. of Hillview Drive, Mount Juliet is charged with theft of property over $1,000. He is under a $5,000 bond and his court date is set for November 18th.
On Wednesday, October 27th, Bowling allegedly stole a 1958 Chevy pickup truck, valued at over $1,000 from a field on Dale Ridge Road. Bowling allegedly sold the truck at a salvage yard in Mount Juliet. The truck has been recovered.
Smithville Golf Management terminated it's lease with the city as of Saturday, October 23rd and closed the operation on Monday, October 25th. On Thursday, city officials placed "no trespassing" signs at the entrances to the golf course.
The issue is on the agenda for the mayor and aldermen to discuss Monday night, November 1st at 7:00 p.m. during the next city council meeting at city hall.
Farron Hendrix of Smithville Golf Management gave written notice to city officials of his intentions to terminate the lease in August, but the mayor and aldermen have not yet decided whether to lease the municipal golf course and swimming pool to someone else or hire a golf course manager.
Hendrix, in his notice to the city, wrote that the golf course was no longer economically viable for his operation. "We entered into the lease, not for personal gain, but with the hopes of maintaining the golf club as a non-profit entity. However, due to the downturn in the economy, extreme weather conditions, increased competition from surrounding courses, and increased expenses, we can no longer manage this city property at our own personal expense."
The aldermen recently voted to seek written proposals from parties interested in leasing or managing the operation and during the October 18th city council meeting, two were offered, including a four option proposal from Tony Poss and one from Farron Hendrix, who said he could keep the golf course open " during the transition" under certain conditions. One of Hendrix's conditions was that "The City of Smithville purchase our equipment at an appraised value."
Mayor Taft Hendrixson said the city could not purchase equipment directly from Smithville Golf Management, because of the competitive bidding requirement. He added that only new equipment could be purchased, if the city were to buy through competitive bidding. Another problem is that no city funds are budgeted this year for golf course equipment, unless the money is taken from the general fund surplus. But that is something neither the mayor or aldermen seem anxious to do.
A workshop was held on Thursday, October 21st to further discuss the proposals of Hendrix and Poss but nothing was settled. During that workshop Hendrix asked if the city would be interested in hiring Smithville Golf Management to continue managing the golf course. Mayor Hendrixson said Hendrix could put his proposal in writing and present it to the city.
On Monday, October 25th, Hendrix submitted two proposals.
Under the first option, Hendrix proposes the following:
1. The City will pay to Golf Club Management $3,000 per month to manage the Smithville Country Club (golf course and swimming pool).
2. Pursuant to T.C.A. 12-3-1003 (state law), the City will purchase Golf Club Management, LLC's mowing equipment and golf carts at an appraised value.
3. Golf Club Management will submit to the City 30% of profits received from green fees.
4. The City will be responsible for all repairs and maintenance of the equipment and property.
5. The City will be responsible for all supplies, utilities, and maintenance of the swimming pool
6. Golf Club Management will submit to the City all money received from the swimming pool gate.
7. Golf Club Management will hire needed employees to operate the swimming pool
8. The City will pay the lifeguards and a lifeguard supervisor during the hours of pool operation.
9. The City will pay the insurance for the Golf Course and the Swimming Pool.
10. The City will transfer the Smithville Country Club utilities to the City's name and will assume responsibility for the utilities beginning Monday, October 25th, 2010.
Under the second option, Hendrix proposes the following:
1. The City will pay to Golf Club Management $4,500 per month to manage the Smithville Country Club (golf course and swimming pool).
2. Golf Club Management will provide mowing equipment and golf carts, and will be responsible for all repairs and maintenance of said equipment.
3. Golf Club Management will submit to the City 30% of profits received from green fees.
4. The City will be responsible for all repairs and maintenance of the Country Club property.
5. The City will be responsible for all supplies, utilities, and maintenance of the swimming pool.
6. Golf Club Management will submit to the City all money received from the swimming pool gate.
7. Golf Club Management will hire needed employees to operate the swimming pool.
8. The City will pay the lifeguards and a lifeguard supervisor during the hours of pool operation.
9. The City will pay the insurance for the Golf Course and the Swimming Pool.
10. The City will transfer the Smithville Country Club utilities to the City's name and will assume responsibility for the utilities beginning Monday, October 25th, 2010.
