Runaway from Boys Home Admits Trying to Steal a Vehicle

June 24, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A 17 year old runaway from the Timothy Hill Boys Home who broke into several vehicles overnight in the Cookeville Highway area has been taken into custody.

According to Sheriff Patrick Ray the boy left the home on Relax Drive Wednesday night but returned later and was found asleep on the property this morning (Thursday).

“On Wednesday, June 23rd at 9:49 pm, deputies were dispatched to Relax Drive at the Timothy Hill Boys Home in reference to a 17 year old runaway. The boy was last seen at the home at around 8:40 pm. Deputies collected information for a missing person report and patrolled the area looking for the juvenile,” said Sheriff Ray in a prepared statement.

Early this morning, June 24 deputies began getting calls to respond to several homes on Ponder Road, Cookeville Highway, and Briarwood Court where the break-ins had occurred.

“At around 8:45 am, deputies were notified that an employee of the Timothy Hill Boys Home found the runaway asleep on the property. After questioning him, the boy said he was trying to find a vehicle with keys in it so he could leave the state and go to Mississippi. The teen further stated that he went to a residence on Puckett’s Point Road and broke into a garage to steal a vehicle there but found no keys in the automobile. He then ventured to Ponder Road where he found keys in a truck, but it had a straight shift transmission and he could not drive it. After that the boy then went to several homes on Cookeville Highway and Briarwood Court trying to break into automobiles there before he was spotted on Allen’s Ferry Road near Stonegate by a passerby and given a ride back to Relax Drive,” Sheriff Ray continued.

“During these vehicle break-ins, the teen stole money, multiple sets of various keys, and a taser. Some of the sets of keys, money and the taser have been recovered and returned,” Sheriff Ray said.

Juvenile petitions have been taken on the boy for committing delinquent acts and he will appear in Juvenile Court July 7th.

Additional reports are still being received

June 23, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

After taking a year off in 2020 due to COVID-19, the DeKalb County Fair will be returning this year marking its 165th anniversary July 12-17 in Alexandria

The theme for this year’s fair is “Lets get the wheels turning again in 2021”.

As always there will be fun filled activities for all ages, not to mention carnival rides by Primetime Amusements, games on the midway, and entertainment on the memory lane stage.

“We are just looking forward to having a fair. Not having one last year was weird. The DeKalb County Fair has been continuous since 1856. There has always been a fair throughout the wars and everything but last year was different for us. We plan to have a good fair and a good time. Its going to be an exciting week. We have a few new food vendors coming in this year. We also have a new re-designed midway since the grandstand is gone now,” said Matt Boss, President of the DeKalb County Fair Association.

Entries for the Kenneth Sandlin Center will be taken Saturday, July 3 from 10am-2pm for non-perishable items, and the following Saturday, July 10 for perishable items from 10am-2pm. Entries must remain on display through the week of the fair and may be picked up Sunday, July 18 from 2-4 p.m. A full list of categories can be found by visiting the fair’s website at www.dekalbcountyfairtn.com.. Premium books are also available at Wilson Bank & Trust, Liberty State Bank, the Post Offices in DeKalb County, and at the UT/TSU Extension Office in Smithville.

Nightly Events are:

Monday, July 12
Cattle Show:  Ag Center- 6:00 p.m.
Demolition Derby:  TC McMillen Arena – 7:00 p.m.
Jr. Fair Princess (ages 13-16): Lions Pavilion – 6:00 p.m.
Fairest of the Fair (17-20): Lions Pavilion – following
Miss Fair Queen (21-54): Lions Pavilion – following
Lip Sync Battle (Round 1): Lions Pavilion – following
Cash Drawing: Lions Pavilion – 9:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 13
Poultry Show: Tot Kelly Barn – 6:00 p.m.
Little Mister (4-6): Lions Pavilion – 6:00 p.m.
Little Miss (4-6): Lions Pavilion – following
Mrs. Fair Queen (up to age 54): Lions Pavilion-following
Miss Senior Fair Queen (age 55 and older): Lions Pavilion-following
Corn Hole Tournament: Ag Center – 7:00 p.m.
Cash Drawing: Lions Pavilion – 9:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 14
Cooking Lamb: Ag Center (first come, first served)- 6 :00 p.m.
Kiddie Tractor Pull: Ag Center – 7:00 p.m.
Little Miss Princess (7-9): Lions Pavilion – 6:00 p.m.
Miss Sweetheart (10-12): Lions Pavilion – following
ATV/ Motorcycle Racing Part 1: TC McMillen Arena – 7:00 p.m.
Cash Drawing: Lions Pavilion – 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 15
Senior Day:  Alexandria Senior Center – 9:00 a.m.
Century Farms Awards Day : Senior Center-11 a.m.
Junior Goat Show: Ag Center – 6:00 p.m.
Baby Show :Lions Pavilion – 6:00 p.m.
youthALIVE: Lions Pavilion – following
ATV /Motorcycle Racing Part 2: TC McMillen Arena – 7:00 p.m.
Cash Drawing: Lions Pavilion – 9:30 p.m.

Friday, July 16
Toddler Show: Lions Pavilion – 6:00 p.m.
Lip Sync Battle (Finale): Lions Pavilion – following
Cash Drawing: Lions Pavilion – 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 17
Gospel Singing: Lions Pavilion – 6:00 p.m.
Super Truck/Tractor Pull: TC McMillen Arena – 7:00 p.m.
Cash Drawing: Lions Pavilion – 9:30 p.m.

Memory Lane Stage Entertainment

Monday, July 12:
6:30 p.m.: Dessa Ray
7:45 p.m.: Center Hill Ramblers

Tuesday, July 13:
6:30 p.m.: Lucas McCoy

Wednesday, July 14:
7:45 p.m.: 3 Parts Grace

Thursday, July 15:
6:30 p.m. Glen Carpenter
7:45 p.m.: Terri Lynn Weaver

Friday, July 16:
6:30 p.m.: Seth Willoughby
7:45 p.m.: The Singing Believers

Saturday, July 17:
6:30 p.m.: Travis Johnson and Trena Collins

Gate prices: $5.00 each night. Children age four and younger admitted free

Ride Arm Band Prices: $20 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and $25 Friday and Saturday

Monday-Friday: Fair Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and the Midway opens at 4:30 p.m. Exhibit Buildings Open from 5 to 9:30 p.m.

Saturday:
Fair Gates Open at 4 p.m. and the Midway opens at 4 p.m. Exhibit Buildings open from 4-9:30 p.m.

June 23, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A Dowelltown man is facing identity theft and forgery charges after trying to swindle three people.

37 year old Jason Ryan Chapman of North Mill Street Dowelltown is under a $32,500 bond for identity theft, forgery, and three theft of property counts.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on February 26, Chapman forged the name of a victim on a check from Covington Credit and then took a check issued to that victim in the amount of $556.41

On May 10 Chapman tried to obtain $1,648 on a Wilson Bank &Trust account he opened in the name of someone else without consent. Also that day he obtained $448 dollars without consent from the same victim through a Regions Bank account.

On May 28 Chapman used the identity of a third victim to open a Wells Fargo bank account.

21 year old Robert Stephen Derrick of Toad Road, Dowelltown is charged with reckless endangerment and evading arrest. His bond totals $12,500 and he will make a court appearance June 24.

Sheriff Ray said that on June 16 a deputy spotted a vehicle traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed and swerving on Midway Road. The officer activated his emergency lights and siren trying to get the driver (Derrick) to pull over but he continued speeding away before losing control and crashing near Page Drive. Because of his actions, Sheriff Ray said Derrick placed his female passenger in danger of serious bodily injury or death.

32 year old Kimberly Ann Blanchfield of Nashville Highway, Dowelltown is charged with violation of an order of protection. Her bond is $2,500 and she will be in court July 22.

Sheriff Ray said that on June 19 a deputy was dispatched to Nashville Highway due to an unwanted guest. Upon arrival he spoke with the homeowner who said that his daughter, Blanchfield, was at the residence causing problems and that she may have been under the influence. Blanchfield is under an active order of protection to keep away from her father. She was taken into custody.

A man who confronted a woman he was supposed to keep away from will be in court July 1 to answer a charge of violating a no-contact order.

47 year old Michael Lance Chancey of Sparta Highway, Smithville is under a $5,000 bond.

According to Sheriff Patrick Ray a woman called the central dispatch 911 center on June 12 after Chancey showed up at the home they shared and began arguing with her. Chancey was already gone by the time the officer arrived. A neighbor reported that he overheard the couple arguing the night before on June 11. Shortly after the deputy left, the woman phoned for help again when Chancey returned and forced himself into the residence where she had locked herself in. Chancey was still at the scene when the deputy arrived and he was placed in custody.

47 year old David Edward George of Bell Street, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. His bond is $1,500 and he will make a court appearance on July 1.

Sheriff Ray said that on June 13 a deputy was patrolling Cookeville Highway when he spotted a white Kia wrecked on the side of the road. He stopped to investigate and spoke with the driver, George who appeared to be intoxicated. George was unsteady on his feet and smelled of alcohol. George admitted to having consumed several alcoholic drinks and smoked some marijuana before getting behind the wheel to drive. George submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.