Smithville Area Local News

The Smithville Police Department has released it's crime report for the week.

37 year old Sara R Grizzle of 406 Todd Road, Woodbury was arrested on Sunday, March 7th for an eighth offense of driving on a revoked license and criminal impersonation. Corporal Travis Bryant saw a vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign on Hayes Street and Short Mountain Highway. He initiated a traffic stop at Green Brook Park and requested personal information for a citation. As he was writing the citation Ms. Grizzle informed him that she had lied and given him someone else's name because she knew that he would have arrested her for driving on a revoked license. A driver's license check of her real name revealed her license to be suspended. Ms. Grizzle was placed under arrest. Her bond is $5,000 and she will be in General Sessions Court on March 18th

47 year old Edward Lee Judkins of 4762 Jefferson Road was cited on Tuesday, March 9th for possession of drug paraphernalia. Officer Matt Farmer received a call of drug traffic at Advanced Auto. As he was speaking to the complainant, Officer Farmer was informed that the vehicle in question was seen on West Bryant Street traveling east at the intersection with South Congress Boulevard.. The vehicle pulled into the parking lot of the Dollar General store. The man in the automobile got out. Officer Farmer recognized him as Edward Judkins. He also had knowledge that Judkins was on probation. After speaking with Judkins and confirming he was on probation, Officer Farmer asked for and received consent to search his person. Judkins asked if he could put on his jacket, which was in the car. Judkins told Farmer that he could look at it first. Officer Farmer found a hypodermic needle in the pocket. The court date for Judkins is April 8th.

47 year old Ricky Lynn Cantrell of 120 B Eckel Heights, Liberty was arrested on Thursday, March 11th for public intoxication. Corporal Travis Bryant received a call in regard to a possible intoxicated person at the courthouse. Corporal Bryant made contact with Ricky Cantrell who was unsteady on his feet and had slurred speech. Cantrell said that he had taken Xanax which was prescribed by his doctor. Bond for Cantrell was set at $1,000 and his court date is April 1st.

Meanwhile anyone having information on the following offense is asked to please contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210 or the Tip Line at 464-6046.

On Saturday, March 6th Officer Scott Davis was dispatched to 1008 South College Street in reference to a suspicious person. Richard Lasser stated that he received a call from his mother who lives on South College Street. She informed him that she saw an unknown person looking around his house. Upon inspecting his home he discovered that someone had attempted to kick in his side door and basement door causing damage to the door and weather stripping. No entry was made and nothing was missing from his home.

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

The following is a legislative update from State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver

Greetings! The General Assembly is in full swing and bills are being heard left and right. One such bill, House Bill 2789 was debated at length Tuesday evening in the House Judiciary Committee. This bill, the Juvenile Sexual Offender Registry, would strengthen the state’s sexual offender laws and ensure that we as a state are completely in compliance with the federal government’s Adam Walsh Act. It would require violent juvenile sexual offenders age 14 years or older to register on a sexual offender registry.

An amendment was added to the bill due to concerns raised regarding juveniles who may not reoffend. Currently, juveniles are assessed by mental health professionals after being adjudicated for a violent sexual crime. The Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations agreed to assess the juveniles as “high-risk” and “low-risk,” with only those assessed as “high-risk” being required to register.

In addition, the bill states that a person must stay on the registry for 25 years before applying for removal. However, if the person is convicted of an additional offense, they must stay on the registry for life. These are the minimum requirements that keep the legislation in compliance with the Adam Walsh Act.

The federal government signed the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act into law in 2006. The state’s fiscal analysts say that Tennessee is eligible to receive over $50 million in grant funding, but that 10 percent of that is in jeopardy unless House Bill 2789 passes. State compliance with the Adam Walsh Act is tied to the grant money.

Thirty-two states have some form of a violent juvenile sexual offender registry. Offenses that would qualify a violent juvenile sexual offender for the registry are: aggravated rape, rape, aggravated sexual battery when coercion is involved, rape of a child with a victim at least four years younger, and aggravated rape of a child or the attempt of any of these.

After four and a half hours of discussion, the bill was deferred for one week. The legislation will be heard again in the Judiciary Committee next week and is expected to be voted on at that time.

House Bill 262 will require the written portion of the driver’s license exam to be administered strictly in English passed out the House Public Safety Subcommittee this week. The legislation was last run in 2007, and the Senate was successful in passing it with an overwhelming 22-5 vote. However, some House members blocked the measure in a House subcommittee, and the bill died on a tie vote.

I believe, along with some of my colleagues, that the law is needed for safety. Drivers who cannot read highway warning signs, traffic signs, hazard signs on other vehicles, or who cannot communicate with police or public safety personnel in the event of a serious accident or emergency are a danger to themselves and others. The bill passed out of the House Public Safety Subcommittee for the first time and will next be heard in the full House Transportation Committee.

House Bill 3221 was approved by the Senate and House Judiciary Committees this week to attack a major source of illegal drug activity in Tennessee. The bill would stiffen penalties against those who get prescriptions in another state and return to illegally distribute drugs in Tennessee.

Action on the bill follows a 96.6 percent increase in drug-related deaths, according to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Some Tennessee law enforcement officers attribute that increase to the misuse of prescription drugs by those who obtain them legally from out-of-state “pill mills.”

The most common drugs found are: OxyContin, Darvon, and Vicodin. However, drug busts in Tennessee have also included Xanax and Roxicodones. The legislation would increase the penalties for the illegal trafficking of out-of-state drugs from a Class C misdemeanor, which carries a 30-day jail term and up to $50 in fines, to a Class D felony, with 2 to 12 years in prison sentence and up to $5,000 in fines.

As we all know, every ten years the federal government takes the census. The government counts every resident in the United States as required by the Constitution. This data is then used for identifying certain communities to receive funding and to redistrict legislative and congressional seats based on population. Every household in the United States and Puerto Rico will receive a census form that residents are asked to fill out and return. If a household does not return the form, a census worker is then dispatched to the household to gather the needed information.

The Census Bureau recently sent out information regarding the types of questions that will be asked, and warning citizens to be on alert for people posing as census workers. When a census worker visits a home, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Citizens can refuse to take part, but the most important question is simply regarding the number of people who live at the address. The federal government has advised the census forms will be mailed mid-March, and ask that the forms be returned by April 1, 2010.

In Brief
House Bill 3105 passed out of the House Education Committee this week and would require local boards of education to give preference to a parent’s request in classroom placement of multiple birth siblings.

House Bill 3063 which would prohibit physicians who are on the sexual offender registry from treating children under the age of 18 years old passed out of the House Judiciary Committee this week. It will now be heard in the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee.
House Bill 2768 which would require certain DUI offenders to have an ignition interlock device placed on their vehicle moved out of the House Judiciary Committee and will be heard in the House Budget Subcommittee.

The Appalachian Center for Crafts visited us up here at the capitol this week for “Arts Advocacy Day on the Hill”. It is always wonderful to see groups from my district take an active interest in the politics that affects our daily life. As I am a big believer of the arts I was especially happy to speak to these fine folks and discuss the importance art plays in the lives of our children specifically and culture in general. We also discussed plans to bring more art awareness to the capitol by making “Arts Day on the Hill” larger in the future.

In closing, it was a delight having teachers from Northside Elementary, in Dekalb County, attend both full and sub Education Committees. I am truly impressed at the dedication these teachers have demonstrated to educating our children and find myself both grateful and honored to serve them as a Representative. Please feel free to come by my office as well. It is an honor to work for the 40th District.

State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver has announced that the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has distributed $5,100 in Arts Build Communities grants and $1,500 in Student Ticket Subsidy grants to DeKalb County institutions to nurture artists and help students experience arts and cultural events.

In partnership with the Tennessee Arts Commission and funded by the Tennessee General Assembly, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee facilitates the Arts Build Communities (ABC) and Student Ticket Subsidy grant programs.

The ABC grant program aims to strengthen communities by funding projects that nurture artists and arts organizations. The following DeKalb County organizations were awarded ABC grants: Friends of the Appalachian Center for Craft of Tennessee to provide seventh-grade students eight intensive, hands-on craft activities at the Craft Center; and the Smithville Fidders’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival to design and produce a promotional packet for the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree.

“This grant program is designed to ensure that Tennessee’s public school students have access to live performances and arts and cultural events, and I think the students of DeKalb County will really enjoy these events,” said Representative Weaver.

The Student Ticket Subsidy grant program is designed to ensure that Tennessee's public school students have access to live performances and arts and cultural events, and reimburses ticket costs for students in 35 counties The Community Foundation serves.

In DeKalb County, 600 students are participating in arts and cultural events with the help of Student Ticket Subsidy grants. The following schools received grants: DeKalb West School has received a Student Ticket Subsidy grant for students to attend Tennessee Theater Company. Smithville Elementary School has received a Student Ticket Subsidy grant for students to attend Arts Center of Cannon County.

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee oversees more than 720 charitable funds. In the past 18 years, The Community Foundation has distributed $460 million to community programs and institutions. It is located at 3833 Cleghorn Avenue, #400, Nashville, Tennessee 37215. For more information, call 615-321-4939 or visit www.cfmt.org.

Being physically active is one of the best things you can do to improve and maintain your health, yet nearly two-thirds of Americans aren’t getting the activity they need. Consider taking up walking with friends or your family by participating in Walk across Tennessee, which is an eight-week program that will spark some friendly competitions in DeKalb County. Beginning Saturday, March 27, teams of eight will compete to see who can log the most miles walking, jogging, biking, and other forms of exercise in their community. Biking or jogging teams can have a team of four. The miles walked are not literally across the state, but reported on a map posted at Greenbrook Park under shelter #1, on the Walk across Tennessee website, and other community areas.

Since everyone participates in a variety of sports, the Walk across Tennessee program also has an exercise conversion chart so that participants can count aerobics, swimming, weight lifting, etc. For example, 16 minutes of high intensity aerobics would equal one mile. According to Extension Agent April Martin, “The exercise must be intentional. For fairness, exercise cannot be counted while at work.”

There is a $3 fee per person to participate in Walk Across Tennessee. The money will be put into a “kitty” fund and the winning team will get to share the prize money.
The Walk Across Tennessee kickoff for DeKalb County is set for Saturday, March 27 at Greenbrook Park at 9:00. “Teams will keep track of their miles, which will be posted at the park under shelter #1, at other places around the community, and on the website which is http://eteamz.active.com/WalkAcrossTennesseeDeKalbCounty. Teams can be composed of coworkers, teachers, students, neighbors, etc.” Teams composed of primarily runners and/or bicyclists are limited to four team members. The eight week competition will end on Saturday, May 22.

Many people are unaware of the positive benefits of exercise. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the No. 1 problem in the United States. The risk of heart disease could be significantly reduced by regular exercise. According to the Center for Disease Control, the positive effects of physical activity are not limited to lowering the risk of heart disease. Not only does regular exercise help relieve stress and anxiety,” physically active people outlive inactive people. Participating in Walk Across Tennessee DeKalb County is not only a great way to get involved with our community, it’s a healthy habit,” Martin stated.

To participate in Walk Across Tennessee, first get a team together. Biking and jogging teams are limited to four people. Choose a team captain and name your team. Team captains need to download a captain’s packet, available at the DeKalb County Walk Across Tennessee website which is http://eteamz.active.com/WalkAcrossTennesseeDeKalbCounty/ in the handout section or stop by the DeKalb County U.T. Extension Office, 115 West Market St. Smithville, located right off the courthouse square. Each team member will need to complete a registration form which is included in the team captain’s packet or at the Walk Across Tennessee website. Individual as well as team forms should be returned to the Extension office.

“Competition kicks off on March 27, 9:00 A.M. at Greenbrook Park under pavilion one, but if people are unable to make it, they can still participate” Martin said. For more information, call the Extension office at 597-4945 or visit the website.

All of the programs of the University of Tennessee are open to all people regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, or disability.

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) has recently received information from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding 515 people who reside in DeKalb County who may qualify for additional help with their Medicare costs. This is the number of residents who may not currently be paying low co-pays at the pharmacy as well as get assistance paying their Part B premiums. The Extra Help Program (also called Low-Income Subsidy) is a program that is processed by Social Security Administration which helps certain low-income beneficiaries by paying zero dollar monthly premiums, no deductibles and very low cost share at the pharmacy. This program also eliminates the coverage gap, or as most calls it, the “donut hole.” The extra help program is valued up to $3,900.00 per year per beneficiary as well as the possibility of getting back the Part B premium which is $96.40 (for most individuals) and deducted out of SSA checks automatically.

The SHIP program can assist any beneficiary with Medicare by helping with the application process electronically. Many people in DeKalb County already qualify for the “extra help” due to the fact that they already receive TennCare or SSI benefits and therefore do not need to apply each year. For others who meet certain income and asset guidelines, the application process is easy and submitted to Social Security electronically through www.ssa.gov. The great thing about applying online is that once the application is reviewed by SSA, it is then sent to the state Medicaid office with the individual’s permission to see if they qualify to get assistance paying the Part B Premium which is called a “Medicare Savings Program.”

Many people who debate applying should do so anyway. Most people automatically assume they do not qualify because they have always been denied for other programs for making a little too much and have become tired of being told no for the smallest benefits. There are no estate recovery or recapture penalties to this benefit. An individual must have a monthly income of $1,354 or less (1,821 for a married couple) to qualify for the extra help. Having additional family members may make this amount higher. Resource (asset) limits are below $12,510 for single and $25,010 for a couple. Please note that a person’s home, car and personal possessions are not looked at. Resources, or assets, can include other properties, savings or checking accounts, certificates of deposits and cash value of any IRA’s or annuities. Due to new MIPPA laws, (Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008), the application can no longer ask for cash value of life insurance policies nor ask for value of any help provided by others to help pay monthly expenses.

If you think you may qualify for the extra help paying Part B or Part D costs, or, you know someone who may, please call SHIP for free assistance in applying at toll free 1-877-801-0044. SHIP is a non-profit program which is administered locally at Upper Cumberland Development District in Cookeville. SHIP provides free, non-biased information on all Medicare topics to beneficiaries and their caregivers throughout the Upper Cumberland fourteen counties. We are currently seeking volunteers to help us with the challenge of helping find the 310 individuals in DeKalb County. Please call (931) 432-4111 ext. 247 if you are interested in volunteering with the SHIP Program.

As clocks move ahead this weekend for daylight saving time, Tennessee State Fire Marshal and Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Leslie A. Newman would like to remind Tennesseans to change their homes’ smoke alarm batteries, as well.

“ ‘Change your clock, change your battery’ is an easy phrase to remember and practice, when you update your clocks this weekend,” says Newman. “Smoke alarms, even those that are hard-wired, should have their batteries replaced regularly and be tested monthly to ensure you have the protection you need,” Newman says. “Use this time to protect your home and family.”

A working smoke alarm will double your survival chances during a home fire by giving you the critical time needed to escape. Most home fires occur at night when people are sleeping. The smoke and toxic gases from a fire can cause you to sleep more deeply, diminishing the chances of survival.

More than 90 percent of all American homes have smoke alarms, but as many as one-third of them don’t work – because of old or missing batteries. It is critical to replace batteries regularly – even if they appear to be working fine. Twice a year is recommended. This helps prevent the warning, low-battery “chirp” emitted by alarms. All too often, alarm batteries are removed but not replaced, putting home occupants at risk. There is no way to predict when a fire will occur, and just one night in a home without a working smoke alarm can prove dangerous. Replacing batteries for daylight saving time is just one fire safety step. Here are a few more:

•Smoke alarms should be put inside and outside every room where residents sleep, and on each home level. All residents should know how the alarm sounds and what it means.

•Smoke alarms need to be cleaned and maintained according to their instructions.

•Have a fire escape plan with two ways out of every room; teach it to everyone in the home, especially children.

•When the smoke alarm sounds, get out of the home immediately and go to a pre-planned meeting place.

Many local fire departments have supplies of donated smoke alarms, and departments will help install them in the homes of the elderly and disabled. Visit www.tn.gov/commerce/sfm/. The Department of Commerce and Insurance works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee.

Senator Mae Beavers, surrounded by her Senate colleagues, announced today that she is running for another term for the State Senate seat representing Wilson, Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Macon, Smith, Sumner, and Trousdale counties. The decision came after much deliberation and prayerful consideration. There had been discussion that Senator Beavers could possibly be running for the Wilson County Mayor position; however, at the insistence of many colleagues and a multitude of constituents, Beavers has declared her desire to continue her work in serving the people of the 17th District.

“This decision is based upon my desire to serve the state,” Beavers stated. “I’m proud of what we have been able to accomplish in the state legislature in the past eight years, and I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish in the next four years, especially if we have a Republican Governor and Republican majorities in both the House and Senate. My work here is not done.”

Senator Beavers has a Bachelor of Science degree from Trevecca Nazarene University. She has worked as a court reporter and paralegal before being elected to the county commission, and more recently worked as a financial advisor. In the Tennessee Legislature she was a leader in the fight to stop the passage of a state income tax. Since being elected to State Senate, she has taken a leadership role, serving the past two sessions as the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Beavers began her public service as a Wilson County Commissioner from 1990-1994 and represented West Wilson County in the Tennessee State House of Representatives from 1994-2002. She was elected to the Tennessee State Senate in 2002 and re-elected in 2006.

DeKalb County's unemployment rate for January increased to 11.7%, up from 11% in December. The rate for January, 2009 was 11.3%.

The Labor Force for January was 9,620. A total of 8,490 were employed and 1,130 were without work.

Meanwhile, Tennessee's seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for January was 10.7 percent, unchanged from the revised December rate of 10.7 percent. The national unemployment rate for January 2010 was 9.7 percent.

County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for January 2010 show that the rate increased in all 95 counties.

Lincoln County registered the state's lowest county unemployment rate at 8.3 percent, up from 7.3 in December. Marshall County had the state's highest unemployment rate at 20.3 percent, up from 18.7 in December, followed by Henderson County at 19.9 percent, up from 18.5 percent in December.

Knox County had the state's lowest major metropolitan rate of 8.6 percent, up from 8.1 in December. Davidson County was 9.6 percent, up from 9.2 in December. Hamilton County was at 10.0 percent, up from 9.2 in December, and Shelby County was 11.4 percent, up from 10.6 in December.

A fire Thursday morning destroyed the trailer home of Shawn Pyles at 563 Adcock Cemetery Road. Pyles was renting the trailer from the owner Billy Tisdale.

Central dispatch received the call at 4:25 a.m.

Pyles and his girlfriend Melissa Genzak awoke to smoke and escaped from their burning home unharmed but three of the family pets perished.

County Fire Chief Donny Green says the fire apparently started in the kitchen area but the exact cause is undetermined, although it appears to have been accidental.

Members of the Midway, Cookeville Highway, Short Mountain Highway, Main Station, and Tanker truck of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department responded along with DeKalb EMS and the Sheriff's Department.