Smithville Elementary Names Students of the Month

August 30, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Elementary would like to recognize our Students of the Month for August. These students were selected for their outstanding character, academics, and other traits that make them an all-around excellent student. Selected as Students of the Month for August are:

PreK- Sawyer Williams, Aaron Alvarado Hernandez
Kindergarten – Bode Sykes, Brilee Fuson
1st Grade – Emmie Edwards, Scarlett Lopez (not pictured)
2nd Grade – Gracie Taylor, Jemma Bradley

The students are pictured with SES Principal Anita Puckett and SES Assistant Principal Karen France.

August 29, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Local square dance teams DeKalb Dancin’ Delights and Smithville Select competed at the Old-Time Square Dancing Jamboree at the Tennessee State Fair / Wilson County Fair on Saturday, August 26. Delights competed in the youth category (average age 15 and under) against four other teams including Little Texas and Little Harpeth from Franklin; Tennessee Rhythm from Springfield; and Triple Star Clogging Co. from Waverly. Tennessee Rhythm placed first, Delights took second, and Little Texas received third. Smithville Select competed in the adult division against two other teams. Jackson Hollow from Franklin took first prize, Select placed second, and Tennessee Dance Alliance from Mt. Juliet was third. A good time was had by all at the Entertainment Pavilion in the Fiddlers’ Grove area of the fair. The local teams represented DeKalb County well and brought unmatched energy and showmanship to the stage and were met with warm reception from the audience. Select dancer Tess Barton also won a second place prize in individual clogging in her age group.

Team members are as follows: On Select, Tess Barton, Carleigh Beckham, Izayah Dowell, Sylvia Evans, Katherine Gassaway, Kathryn Hale, Darrah Ramsey (caller), and Lillie Grace Young. On Delights: Camille Barton, Charli Cripps, Alyssa Hendrix, Aubree Johnson, Kaylee Kent (caller), Kaylee Moseley, Kenadee Prichard, and Carly Thomas. Award-winning flatfoot and buck dancer Jake Fennell from Dickson graciously filled in an open spot for Select at this year’s fair competition. Both teams are led by Mary Ann Puckett.

This event rounded out the 2023 square dance season for the local dance teams. They will work on their clogging skills through the off season and be back in square dance action next spring and summer.. A beginner clogging class will be offered beginning September 7th for anyone who would like to join the local old-time dance program. Contact Mary Ann Puckett at 615-597-8311 for more information or to sign up.

August 29, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A Smithville man is in trouble with the law for allegedly assaulting his stepson.

48-year-old Joseph Nathaniel Bragg, Jr. of North Congress Boulevard, Smithville is charged with child abuse or neglect. He is under a $10,000 bond and his court date is September 7.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said on August 21 while investigating a possible domestic on Congress Boulevard, a deputy spoke with the victim who reported that his stepdad, Bragg had grabbed him by the throat and threw him to the ground. The officer spoke with Bragg who allegedly admitted to the allegation. The victim had red marks on his neck and arms.

63-year-old Robert Nimmons of Tabernacle Road, Smithville is charged with violation of the sex offender registry. His bond is $50,000 and his court date is August 31.

Sheriff Ray said that on August 15 a deputy was summoned to 242 Tabernacle Road due to a report of a possible sex offender registry violation. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with Nimmons who said he had been living at 260 Tabernacle Road for at least three years until about a year ago when he began having medical issues. He then moved in with his sister at 242 Tabernacle Road but failed to notify or update his information on the sex offender registry. According to Sheriff Ray, there are also allegations against Nimmons regarding sexual contact with a minor who lives at one of these addresses.

53-year-old Fernando Gaona of Bessie Gribble Road, McMinnville is charged with driving under the influence. He is under a $2,500 bond and his court date is August 31.

Sheriff Ray said that on August 20 as a deputy was observing traffic on Highway 56 south, a passerby reported a vehicle heading toward Warren County that had left its lane of travel several times. The officer spotted the automobile, a beige Kia Sorento turn onto Ferrell Road and noticed it swerving all over the road. He then pulled over the vehicle on L. Hendrixson Road and spoke with the driver, Gaona whose eyes were blood shot. Gaona also had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person. The deputy asked Gaona to get out of the automobile. He admitted to having consumed five Corona beers prior to driving. Gaona submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.

33-year-old Kristin Alyss Kerrigan of Nashville is charged with driving under the influence. Her bond is $2,500 and she will be in court September 7.

Sheriff Ray said that on August 26 a deputy was dispatched to the area of Quail Point due to a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival the officer found Kerrigan asleep in the vehicle which was on the roadway with the engine running. She had an odor of alcohol on her person. The deputy asked Kerrigan to step out of the vehicle for field sobriety tasks. After the first test, Kerrigan refused to submit to any other tasks. She was determined to have been under the influence at the time.

28-year-old Sonni Michael Fullilove of Keltonburg Road, Smithville was recently named in Grand Jury sealed indictments charging him with two offenses each of possession of methamphetamine and a schedule I drug with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver. His bond totals $130,000. His arraignment date in criminal court is September 11.

27-year-old Cassondra Cheyenne Allen of Wade Street, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. She is under a $2,500 bond and her court date is September 7.

Sheriff Ray said that on August 26 a deputy was summoned to Page Drive due to a domestic violence complaint. Upon arrival the officer spoke with the victim who reported that an argument between she and Allen escalated into a physical confrontation and that Allen placed her hands around her (victim’s) neck and scratched her causing visible marks and small abrasions. The officer determined that Allen was the primary aggressor. She was placed under arrest.

54-year-old Scott Easey is charged with assaulting a first responder. Bond for Easey is $3,500 and his court date is September 14.

Sheriff Ray said that on August 27 a deputy responded to Tubbs Street to speak with Easey who was in an altercation with another involving a weapon. As the officer began to question Easey about the incident he became irate and walked toward the deputy. After the officer pushed him away, Easey smacked the deputy’s arm away from him.