News

Another round?

At the request of Alderman Jessica Higgins, a proposal to change the distance requirement in the Smithville beer ordinance will be back on the agenda at the monthly meeting in February.

Mayor Josh Miller made that announcement during Monday night’s workshop with the aldermen.

“Jessica did ask me to put the beer ordinance back on the agenda for February,” said Mayor Miller. “I am not having another workshop on this. We have talked this to death in the last few months. Its either going to pass or its not going to pass. Its basically what we voted on the last time. There has to be a motion and a second and then I will call the roll. There would have to be two readings and a public hearing before it could pass,” said Mayor Miller.

During the workshop both Aldermen Higgins and Danny Washer said they had been asked by members of the public to bring the issue back up.

In September, the aldermen voted 3 to 2 against amending the city beer ordinance to eliminate the 400-foot distance requirement between a church or school and businesses seeking an on-premises consumption permit. Had it been approved the ordinance amendment would have only applied to the C-2 zone which is the downtown business district and none of the other existing regulations in the ordinance would have been changed.

Alderman Jessica Higgins made a motion to approve the amendment removing the 400-foot distance requirement and Alderman Danny Washer offered a second to the motion, but they were the only two who voted in favor. The remaining three Aldermen, Donnie Crook, Beth Chandler, and Shawn Jacobs voted against changing the ordinance.

Under the existing ordinance, the language states that “In no event will a permit be issued authorizing the manufacture or storage of beer, or the sale of beer within 400 feet of any school or church. The distance requirement shall be measured in a straight line from the primary entrance of the establishment seeking a permit to sell beer to the primary entrance of the school or church”.

During January’s regular monthly meeting last week, Bert Driver, owner of the Harvester Event Center downtown, addressed the mayor and aldermen during the public comments period asking them to reconsider the issue. Driver, who already has a city issued beer permit, said changing the ordinance regarding the distance restrictions would not only level the playing field for downtown businesses who might otherwise qualify for a permit but it would bring in more tax revenue at a time when the county is needing more funding with plans to build a new school.

The Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree & Crafts Festival Board of Volunteers wants to remind the community of the upcoming deadline for non-profit organizations to register their food booths for the July 4th – 5th, 2025 festival.

The board allows all not-for-profits to have the first chance to reserve a prime spot around the Smithville Square. Following the March 1st deadline, all for-profit vendors will be allowed to register for the remaining available spaces.

“We always make the local non-profits our first priority. We also give special consideration to those food vendors who have previously supported the Jamboree. In addition, we want to spread the word that many churches and organizations partner with an established commercial food vendor. These partnerships allow the charitable organization to make a profit, without having to gather volunteers, or bear the burden of setting up a booth. I encourage anyone who may be interested in this type of partnership/fund-raising to reach out to me prior to the February 15th deadline. It is a wonderful way to raise money for your organization.” said Jack Barton, Director of Food Services for the Jamboree.

Deadline for non-profit food booths is February 15th with payment by March 1, 2025. For more information, call the Jamboree office at 615-597-8500, email smithvillejamboree@gmail.com or message their Facebook page @SmithvilleJamboree.

The Cumberland County Jets erased a Tiger lead through the first three periods and defeated DeKalb County 45 to 40 at Crossville Tuesday night. The Lady Tigers lost 62 to 21.

The Tigers drop to 8-11 on the season while the Lady Tigers fall to 5-14. Both teams have started the district campaign at 0-2.

Friday night DeKalb County will host Upperman starting with the girls game at 6 p.m. followed by the boys contest. WJLE will have LIVE coverage.

In the girls game Tuesday night Cumberland County led 17 to 5 after the 1st period, 36 to 8 at halftime and 52 to 21 after the 3rd period enroute to a 62 to 21 win.

For DC, Avery Agee scored 8, Camille Barton 6, Brooklynn Fuson 3, and Allie Melton and Chloe Van Vranken each with 2.

For the boys, the Tigers led 12 to 2 after the 1st period, 26 to 10 by halftime, and 32 to 24 after the 3rd period but were outscored 21 to 8 in the 4th period and lost to the Jets 45 to 40.

Jordan Parker led the Tigers in scoring with 19, Seth Fuson 8, Dallas Kirby 5, Porter Hancock 4, Elliot Barnes 3, and Jon Hendrix 1.

Two and a half years after she went missing, the body of 31-year-old Brittany Miller was found Saturday by two hunters in a wooded area off Man Hill Road in the Snow Hill community.

Sheriff Patrick Ray, in an interview with WJLE Tuesday afternoon, confirmed that it was Miller’s body that was found and that the state medical examiner made a positive identification Tuesday through dental records, etc. Miller’s family has been notified.

According to Sheriff Ray this missing person case now becomes a death investigation led by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The cause of Miller’s death has not been disclosed.

“We are not disclosing how the body was found or the cause of death due to the sensitive nature of the investigation,” said Sheriff Ray.

Miller went missing on July 4, 2022 from her home on Hurricane Ridge Road and the family had not heard from her since that day. The location where Brittany’s body was found is approximately one mile (as the crow flies) from her home on the opposite side of Highway 70.

Although investigators had prayed Miller would be found alive, Sheriff Ray said he hopes the sad news of her death will bring closure to her family.

“Our department has prayed many prayers that Brittany would be found and on Saturday the Lord made a way for that to happen. To Him (God) we give the praise,” said Sheriff Ray.

In the months since Miller’s disappearance, the sheriff’s department launched an investigation and spearheaded several search efforts for her.

“Since she went missing we have done multiple search warrants, subpoenas, interviews, etc. trying to find Brittany’s whereabouts without success. The TBI and DA’s office were called in from the beginning to assist us in this missing person investigation,” said Sheriff Ray.

A massive day-long controlled ground and air search effort occurred in March 2023 led by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office which also involved the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and teams of local, regional, and state law enforcement officers, K-9 units, search and rescue volunteers among others.

The search that day covered 187 acres of mostly rugged terrain near Miller’s home on Hurricane Ridge Road where Brittany was last seen but not where her body was actually found. The place where Brittany worshipped, the Indian Creek Memorial Baptist Church, served as the command post for the search effort.

At the time of her disappearance, Sheriff Ray said Brittany was wearing a black tee shirt, possibly saying “DCHS Tigers”. She was also wearing black shorts knee length, and black tennis shoes with black “no show” socks. Brittany was 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighed 150 pounds. Her eyes were blue and she had dark brown shoulder length hair. She also had a tattoo of “Adam” across her forearm and “Tyler” on her right ankle.

A woman is charged with bringing a coffee pot to the jail containing pot (marijuana).

23-year-old Caitlin Lynn Clouse of Students Home Road is charged with bringing contraband into a penal institution. Her bond is $3,500 and she will be in court January 23.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on January 4 Clouse entered the front office of the jail offering to donate a free coffee pot to the jail annex. Correctional officers took the coffee pot and reported smelling marijuana. They searched the container and found inside a mixture of a green and brown leafy substance believed to be marijuana and tobacco which weighed 78 grams.

A convicted felon has been arrested after accidentally shooting himself with a handgun.

50-year-old Eric Trent Johnson of Joines Road, Smithville is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court January 23.

Sheriff Ray said that on December 24 Johnson, a convicted felon, had possession of a handgun which accidentally discharged, wounding him. Johnson is on state probation on a Cannon County methamphetamine conviction, and he is not supposed to have possession of a weapon.

47-year-old Brandy Mae Murphy of AB Frazier Road is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $2,500 and she will be in court January 23.

Sheriff Ray said that on January 11 a deputy was summoned to a residence on AB Frazier Road and upon arrival he spoke with Murphy and a man, her alleged victim. Both said they had been arguing over a necklace.

Murphy claimed that the man pushed her out the doorway to the home. He said Murphy scratched his back leaving marks before he moved her away from the door. The officer noticed visible scratch marks on the man’s back.

Witnesses said they saw Murphy grab the man by his neck and back during the argument. She was determined to have been the primary aggressor.

26-year-old Dakoda Lane Vance of Cookeville Highway is charged with two counts of violating bond conditions. His bond is $5,00. Sheriff Ray said that on January 7 Vance allegedly made contact with his victim in a domestic assault case in violation of his bond conditions. The next day, Sheriff Ray said while in jail a correctional officer discovered that Vance had made several phone calls over a period of seven days to the same victim in violation of bond conditions.

35-year-old Kelli Michelle Bess of College Street, Smithville is charged with aggravated assault. Her bond is $5,000 and she will be in court January 23.

Sheriff Ray said that on January 8 a deputy was called to Woodbury Highway, Liberty due to an unwanted guest. Upon arrival the officer spoke with the complainant who reported that Bess came to his home in her white Chevy SUV and pulled into a parking lot extremely quick nearly hitting him with her automobile.

State Rep. Michael Hale, R-Smithville, has proposed legislation ensuring certified campus police and public safety officers receive supplemental annual training pay, similar to bonuses already granted to law enforcement each year.

Police, campus police and public safety officers all complete the Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) commission certification training and meet identical requirements under current law, (TCA § 38-8-107(d)).

“These men and women are protecting our most valuable asset—our children,” Hale said.

House Bill 0008 would provide an $800 annual training pay supplement.

To qualify, eligible officers must complete the same annual in-service training as public police officers.

The P.O.S.T. Commission, the state agency responsible for employment standards and training for law enforcement agencies, would allocate funds to the appropriate institutions, boards and schools, ensuring the bonuses are paid to campus and public safety officers.

“By providing this supplemental pay, we can help these departments offer compensation that aligns with other law enforcement agencies, making it easier to recruit new officers,” Hale said. “This is the right thing to do for these officers and our colleges across the state.”

The 114th General Assembly convenes at noon on Jan. 14.

State Rep. Michael Hale represents House District 40, which includes Cannon, DeKalb, Jackson, Smith and part of Wilson Counties.

With more homeowners focusing less on size and more on sustainability, it should come as no surprise that tiny houses are having a massive surge in popularity. These mini dwellings are redefining how people build and live in their homes, from the property built on to the amenities inside the houses.

Currently, the City of Smithville has no “Tiny House” regulations under the zoning ordinance in a residential zone. One tiny house has already been located on Juniper Lane in an R-1 residential district.

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the Smithville Planning Commission voted to send a regulation recommendation to the mayor and aldermen for adoption. Members voting in favor were Shawn Jacobs, Glen Nichols, Meshia Johnson, Hoyte Barrett, and Brandon Miller. Donnie Crook voted no.

Under the proposed zoning ordinance amendment, Tiny Houses would be permitted only in the R-2 district as a use permitted and defined as anything 727 square feet or below restricted to only one tiny house per parcel by right. More than one tiny house must be subject to mobile home park regulations and submitted with a site plan. Tiny houses would also be subject to the city’s international residential codes including existing setback requirements.

Tiny house floor plans are designed to use every square inch of space efficiently. Typically, the kitchen, dining room, and living room are essentially the same space, but with innovative design and if more living space is desired, a loft area above could be included as a sleeping area to open up the small footprint.

In other business the planning commission voted to recommend to the city council passage of a proposed zoning ordinance amendment to permit zero lot lines for multi-family residential developments as a special exception in all districts accept R-1.

“We have had a couple of folks come in and request zero lot lines,” said Tommy Lee, Director of the Upper Cumberland Development District, who serves as UCDD staff planner and advisor to the City of Smithville. “What we have been having to do so far is send them to the BZA to get variances, but we are having more of these requests. This amendment would address that,” he said.

According to the planning commission, this amendment would primarily apply to owner occupied developments.

“Typically, if they own the property, they take more pride in ownership. They would still have to adhere to setbacks for common areas. It would just be sidewalls that would be shared,” said Lee.

Meanwhile, the planning commission voted to recommend another amendment to the zoning ordinance to clear up some language by revising the multi-family residential structures standards.

Under the proposal, 20,000 square feet is required for the first four units plus an additional 2,000 square feet per unit. The change would be to require the addition of two off street parking spaces per apartment.

A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employee played a crucial role in rescuing a kayaker who capsized on the Caney Fork River near Center Hill Dam on Dec. 31, 2024. Kevin Salvilla, natural resource program manager at Center Hill Lake, responded to the distress call, ensuring the kayaker’s safety in challenging conditions.

At approximately 12:30 p.m., Salvilla received a call from dispatch reporting a kayaker clinging to a tree in the river after capsizing. He learned that the individual was not wearing a life jacket and was submerged and showing signs of hypothermia. Salvilla, with assistance from the DeKalb County Rescue Squad, responded swiftly.

Salvilla met the rescue team at the Long Branch Day Use Area where he launched a USACE park ranger vessel and navigated downstream to reach the kayaker.

“We provided the distressed young man with a life jacket, brought him into the boat, and retrieved his equipment before returning him safely to shore,” Salvilla recounted. “He was treated for hypothermia symptoms by DeKalb County EMS and released shortly after.”

Salvilla noted that the incident occurred due to the kayaker striking submerged debris.

“Thankfully, he was able to call 911 using his phone that he was able to retrieve from his pocket,” said Salvilla. “This situation highlights the importance of being prepared, wearing a life jacket, and expecting the unexpected while on the water.”

During a visit to Center Hill, the USACE Nashville District commander presented several awards to the team and to individuals for this incident response as well as other recent successes at Center Hill.

“The rescue on New Year’s Eve highlights the professionalism and dedication this team brings to every response,” said Lt. Col. Robert Green, USACE Nashville District commander. “The team’s actions reinforce one of our core missions to serve the public and protect lives, no matter the time or challenge.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reminds everyone to prioritize safety when engaging in water-based activities, especially during colder months when hypothermia is a significant risk. Wearing a life jacket, staying aware of environmental conditions, and having emergency equipment can make all the difference.

Additionally, in areas downstream from hydropower facilities, such as the Caney Fork River, it is important to be aware of generation schedules and how they impact water conditions. Hydropower generation schedules for all facilities in the Cumberland River Basin can be found on the USACE Nashville District website.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps has announced the 2024-25 Teachers of the Year at the building level of the five schools in the county.

This year’s honorees chosen by their peers are 4th grade math and science teacher, Cathleen Humphrey at DeKalb West School, 1st grade teacher Allyson Trapp at Smithville Elementary School; Amanda Goodwin, special education teacher at Northside Elementary School, Kristen Lynch, special education teacher at DeKalb Middle School, and Dylan Kleparek (Coach K), science/chemistry teacher at DeKalb County High School.

“Our district’s Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors outstanding teachers in DeKalb County. We applaud teachers who care about our children, who devote their professional lives to enriching the lives of DeKalb students, and who demonstrate exceptional gains in student achievement. We are not just exceptionally proud of our Teachers of the Year, but we are also grateful for all of our educators in DeKalb County,” said Director Cripps.

According to Michelle Burklow, Supervisor of Instruction, “Competition for the district-wide John Isabell Teacher of the Year award continues through January and will be announced this spring. Additionally, a DeKalb County teacher will be chosen by a committee to compete at the regional level in March, and if selected the teacher will represent DeKalb County at the state level competition.”

Teachers of the Year are selected competitively through five cycles: Building, System, Field Service Core Center Region, Grand Division and State; and from three categories (levels of teaching); Grades Pre-K-4, 5-8, 9-12.

Teachers selected at each cycle receive local recognition and awards underwritten by local sources. State recognition/awards include a banquet honoring the nine State Teacher of the Year finalists and certificates of appreciation from the governor. In addition, the State Finalists and the State Teacher of the Year receive cash awards.

The Tennessee Teacher of the Year Program is designed to promote effective teaching practices by recognizing and rewarding outstanding teachers while encouraging others to join the teaching profession.

Local and state law enforcement agencies converged near Man Hill Road, Dowelltown Saturday afternoon where a body was found.

In a prepared statement, Sheriff Patrick Ray said “On January 11, 2025 at 1:01 PM a call came into Dispatch about a body that had been found off of Man Hill Road in Dowelltown. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, 13th District Attorney General ‘s Office were summoned to the scene. The body has been sent to Nashville for identification by the Medical Examiner. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department are investigating. No more details are available at this time,” said Sheriff Ray.