Free Fishing Day Saturday, June 6

June 3, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Tennessee’s 2020 Free Fishing Day will go on as scheduled. The day is set for Saturday, June 6 when anyone may fish free without a license in Tennessee’s public waters.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency provides the annual free day in hopes of increasing interest in fishing. The day allows anyone the opportunity to try this great outdoor sport, especially children to celebrate fishing as a wholesome and healthy recreational option. In addition, children ages 15 and younger may fish without a license beginning on Free Fishing Day through the following Friday (June 12).

This year’s Free Fishing Day will be held under unusual circumstances. Due to the coronavirus pandemic many events have been cancelled, including all TWRA-hosted events. Check TWRA’s youth fishing website for a complete list of events and cancellations. Despite having the organized events cancelled, TWRA will still stock these locations with catfish before Saturday and encourages families to go fishing at a safe distance.

“We regret that our personnel will not be able to attend or host the fishing events that we all enjoy, but safety is our top priority” said Frank Fiss, TWRA Fisheries chief. “Despite this, we have continued the stocking process and hope families can go and enjoy the day.”

The day and week are annual events in Tennessee and are great opportunities to introduce children to the enjoyment and excitement of a day on the water catching fish. The TWRA annually stocks several thousand pounds of catfish for Free Fishing Day.

Free Fishing Day and Week apply to Tennessee’s public waters, TWRA owned and operated lakes, and state park facilities. Some privately owned pay lakes and ponds continue to charge during this special day and week. Anglers will need to consult with those operators if there are any questions about a facility.

TWRA encourages all anglers to follow CDC guidelines and to recreate responsibly. Find more at: https://www.responsible-recreation.org/.

Waters stocked with catfish within TWRA, Region III counties include:
Dickert Pond at Camp Jordan-East Ridge
Grundy Lakes-Grundy SP
Kimball Pond-Kimball
Bridgestone/Firestone Lake-Bridgestone/Firestone WMA
Barren Fork Reservoir-McMinnville
Pea Ridge WMA Lake-Pea Ridge WMA
Cane Creek Park Lake-Cookeville
Kelly Lake-Standing Stone SP
Dillon Pond-Livingston
Athens Rec Park Lake-Athens
Byrd Lake-Cumberland Mtn SP
Kefauver Lake-Madisonville
Indian Boundary Lake-Cherokee National Forest

June 3, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A man who allegedly fatally shot his stepson on Halloween night last year in Liberty was indicted Tuesday by the DeKalb County Grand Jury for 2nd degree murder.

50 year old Albert Wayne Fisher, Jr. will appear for arraignment in DeKalb County Criminal Court next Tuesday, June 9 in the death of 37 year old Tyler Durden.

The shooting occurred at Fisher’s home on Eckles Heights Road in Liberty.

Since Fisher’s arrest, authorities have revealed few details about the shooting.

In a prepared statement after the shooting the TBI said “at the request of 13th District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway, TBI Special Agents joined DeKalb County deputies and investigators with the DA’s office in investigating the shooting that occurred shortly after 6 p.m. October 31. During the course of the investigation, Agents developed information that Durden approached the residence of his mother and stepfather. Fisher came to the door, and during that encounter, fired a weapon, striking Mr. Durden. The victim was ultimately transported to a Nashville hospital, where he was pronounced deceased”.

Fisher is now free on bond and has been represented by the District Public Defender’s Office.

June 3, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

After spotting a man operating a dirt bike with a non working taillight and giving chase Sunday night, a Smithville Police officer got more than he bargained for when he later found 6.6 grams of methamphetamine on the bike rider.

43 year old Byron Ray Wilson is charged with reckless endangerment and evading arrest and he was cited for possession of methamphetamine, speeding, driving on a suspended license, failure to obey a traffic control device, financial responsibility (no insurance) and use of a dirt bike on a roadway. He is under a $15,000 bond and his court date is June 18.

According to the police report, Wilson was observed riding a dirt bike on South Mountain Street and the officer tried to stop him after noticing that the bike’s taillight was not working. When Wilson failed to pull over, the officer initiated a pursuit which traversed several streets at speeds well above the posted 40 mile per hour limit. During the chase, Wilson ran 12 stop signs and crossed through private properties including yards on South College Street and the Webb House Retirement Center. The pursuit ended when Wilson fell from his bike near the post office and was apprehended before he could get away on foot. Police found on Wilson 6.6 grams of methamphetamine. No one was injured.

From the sheriff’s department, 38 year old John Brent Williams of Four Seasons Road Smithville is charged with domestic assault and resisting stop, frisk, halt arrest or search. Bond for Williams is $6,500 and he will be in court June 11

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on May 26 a deputy was called to Four Seasons Road due to a domestic assault and found a disoriented Williams. The officer placed Williams in the patrol car for his safety while conducting the domestic assault investigation. When later told he was being placed under arrest and to put his hands behind him, Williams became aggressive and tried to get out of the vehicle, stating he was not going to jail. To keep Williams from fleeing the vehicle, the officer used a chemical spray on him to stop the threat.

50 year old Royce Avon Foster of Fisher Avenue, Smithville is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,000 and he will be in court June 11.

Sheriff Ray said that on May 28 a deputy was dispatched to the area of Banks Pisgah Road where a man was observed sitting on the side of the road. The officer stopped and spoke to the man, Foster who started acting erratically. Foster began screaming while walking down the middle of the road and he picked up and threw things into the middle of the woods. He was placed into custody for his safety and that of others.

43 year old Harry Carlson McIntosh of Old Bildad Road, Smithville is charged with aggravated assault and violation of bond conditions. His bond is $7,500 and he will make a court appearance June 18.

Sheriff Ray said that on May 29 a deputy was dispatched to Old Bildad Road due to a possible domestic and upon arrival spoke with a woman who said that she and her boyfriend, McIntosh started arguing and that when she tried to make a call to report the incident, McIntosh grabbed a guitar she was holding and struck her with it causing a bump and laceration behind her left ear. The officer learned that while McIntosh and the woman have been living together he is under bond conditions from previous domestic cases against him involving the same victim.