Local Minister Declares His Innocence of Macon County Charges Against Him

September 11, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A local minister is facing charges in Macon County stemming from a domestic situation involving his daughter and runaway granddaughter.

68-year-old David Lunsford is charged with custodial interference and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He will make an appearance in Macon County General Sessions Court on September 20. He is free on a $3,500 bond.

According to Macon County authorities, Lunsford’s 14-year-old granddaughter ran away from home on August 12 during the time when her mother was supposed to have parental custody of the child. During the investigation, Macon County detectives contacted Lunsford who said he could not provide any information as to the child’s whereabouts because she had sought refuge in his church. Claiming that Lunsford did not deny knowing the child’s whereabouts, detectives charged him with custodial interference and contributing to the delinquency of a minor for basically allegedly interfering in the return of the child to her mother.

When contacted by WJLE Friday, Lunsford said he is innocent of the charges against him and denies assertions by Macon County authorities that he knew then or knows now the location of the child other than communication relayed to him that she is at a safe house undisclosed to him.

Lunsford claims he had been aware of a domestic violence environment the teen had been exposed to at home which caused her to leave and seek refuge.

According to the affidavit of complaint in the arrest warrant, On August 12, Detective Elliott Sandifer and another detective (Woodard) began investigating a runaway juvenile case. The child’s mother, according to the warrant, was supposed to have custody of the child from August 11 at 5:30 p.m. until August 18 at 5:30 p.m. but on the morning of August 12, the child ran away from her mother’s home. The child has been charged as a runaway through the Macon County Juvenile Court. On August 14, Detective Woodard spoke with Lunsford, and he (Lunsford) stated that he could not give him any information due to being the child’s pastor, and the fact that she is seeking refuge in the Church. According to the warrant, Mr. Lunsford did not deny knowing the child’s whereabouts. Therefore, according to the warrant, he was hiding the child from her mother during her rightful parenting time. Due to the fact that the child is a runaway, I (Sandifer)am charging Mr. Lunsford with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. As he did not return the child to her mother, and he aided or abetted or encouraged the child in the commission of an act of delinquency or unruly conduct. This did occur in Macon County,” the warrant stated.

Lunsford’s response to the charges is as follows:

“(The runaway) is actually my granddaughter but she is not just my granddaughter, she was converted in my church, and I Baptized her. She is a member of our church, so she is also one of my parishioners. I was under the impression that a church, based on our first amendment rights could give shelter to a teen that was fleeing domestic violence. It was a unique situation for me because I had first-hand knowledge and had witnessed the abuse so for me it was not hearsay. When I first got in the ministry and was licensed, they flat out told us that if we had first-hand knowledge of abuse and didn’t act on it that we could be held liable for that”.

Lunsford claims efforts have been made on behalf of the child through the legal system but to no avail.

“I went to court to get guardianship of my granddaughter about a year and a half ago but lost the case even though DCS had recommended that she remain with me. The child lived with me for the first four years of her life, and I have partially raised her,” said Lunsford.

The child’s mother and father, according to Lunsford are divorced and have 50/50 custody but the teen allegedly continued to experience problems at home, especially with her mom. After running away, Lunsford said the child sought refuge at his church.

“A couple of volunteers went to get her and put her in a safe house. I didn’t even go pick her up. She was then enrolled in school so she wouldn’t be truant. I contacted both of the parents the next day and told them the child had come here to seek sanctuary in the church and it was being provided for her. She is still at a safe house, not with either custodial parent, or with me,” said Lunsford.

Lunsford said he questions why authorities didn’t take the child from the safe house where she was staying and return her to her dad like they said they were going to, if custodial interference is an issue.

“I know they were just after me or they would have taken the child out of the safe house and put her with her dad like they were supposed to,” said Lunsford.

September 10, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC is a ceremony in which few are ever privileged to participate.

Bill Rutherford, a veteran and DeKalb County’s Veterans Service Officer, can now be counted among them.

Rutherford, Commandant of the Marine Corps League Detachment 1377, was part of a four-man detail from that league recently invited to lay a wreath at the tomb during a special ceremony held on Saturday, September 2. Twenty-two Marine Corps Junior ROTC students from Tullahoma accompanied Rutherford and his unit on the trip to Washington and witnessed the ceremony from a viewing area.

Laying a wreath at the tomb is a way to honor the memory and actions of every man and woman who bore arms for the country. The back of the tomb itself reads “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God.”

The most solemn ceremonies occur when the president of the United States, or the president’s designee, lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to mark the national observance of Memorial Day, Veterans Day or some other special occasion. Ceremonial wreath layings also occur during state visits of foreign dignitaries, who pay formal respects to the sacrifices of America’s veterans by placing a wreath before the Tomb. Wreath laying’s by other public figures and organizations take place at the Tomb or at the scores of other memorials throughout the cemetery, although most are not marked with the same ceremonial pomp of the state events.

Rutherford explained for WJLE how he and members of his league detachment got this special invitation.

“Some of our league members have served at the headquarters for the Marine Corps in Washington DC and one of them was actually in the band. He contacted headquarters who then contacted the sentinels, the group which is over the wreath laying ceremonies and got us permission to do it. They scheduled us for 1300 (1:00 p.m.) September 2. The Marine Corps also paid for those 22 Junior ROTC students to make the trip,” said Rutherford.

The crypt holds the remains of a man who died in World War I and rises above graves of unknown soldiers killed in action in World War II and Korea. In every other way, the identity of the remains is hidden, where they were from, what branch they served in, their rank, how they died or where. The bodies were chosen at random from among the unidentified, following a custom that had been adopted in many other allied countries after World War I. Their funerals were presided over by presidents – Harding for the World War I unknown and Eisenhower for the World War II and Korea unknowns. The unknowns represent everyone who gave everything.

“The tomb is guarded by the Army Old Guard Sentinels,” Rutherford explained. “They have a changing of the guard ceremony that they do, and everything is very sharp and snappy. During the peak season they change the guards every 30 minutes then once an hour after the peak season. The guards stand there 24/7 through storms, even one time a few years ago during an earthquake. Nothing stops them. It’s a very honored position to be on that detail,”

Rutherford described the scene as he and members of his unit walked with the sentinels down a series of steps out onto the plaza beyond the chains of the observation area before placing the wreath.

“As the four of us stood at the top of the steps, they (sentinels) came up to get us and then we came down the steps to the line where we had to stop,” Rutherford said. “The wreath was then brought around to us to be taken to the place where it was to set. We then advanced forward and laid the wreath before returning back to our spot. Then they rendered taps”.

Rutherford said it was an experience he will always cherish.

“Outside of the honor of doing it, just walking on the marble out there where few have walked and few will ever walk, was special because it’s a place normally reserved for the guards and usually something performed by Presidents and representatives from other countries. So, it was quite the honor”, said Rutherford.

“When you are standing there on that hallowed ground and they are playing taps, it does something to you. It wasn’t a sad time. It was actually a peaceful time knowing that you are able to recognize them (fallen soldiers) and be thankful for what we have and what they have given us. It was a very surreal and interesting feeling. A very somber moment. If you are someone who doesn’t hear taps quite a bit it can get to you really quick,” said Rutherford.

After the ceremony, Rutherford said he was honored to present the Sentinels a challenge coin from DeKalb County that is given to Veterans for their service.

While on the Trip, Rutherford and his group including the ROTC students took a tour of the historic city.

“We went to the Iwo Jima monument, the National Mall, the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials, WWII Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial. We also went by the White House, the Capitol, and the offices of the House of Representatives and Senate, Supreme Court and the Marine Corps Museum,” added Rutherford.

September 9, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The 2023 Homecoming Queen at DeKalb County High School is Sadie Anne Moore.

The announcement was made Thursday at DCHS. Homecoming Spirit Week Activities will be September 11-15 including a Homecoming Parade on Friday, September 15 from the school to downtown and the DCHS Homecoming Football Game against Gordonsville Friday night, September 15 at 7 p.m.

A senior, Moore is the 18-year-old daughter of Chris and Holly Moore.

Moore’s club participation and active memberships are as follows:

Sadie has been the FCA President for 2 years and a member for 4 years. She is in the Spanish Club, Beta Club, Science Club, and Service Society Club.

Athletic Participation:

Sadie has been the DCHS Football Tech Manager for 4 years.

Accomplishments/Awards:

Sadie has received awards for being Most Responsible and Loveable.

Other information (Church and Community Involvement):

Sadie is the daughter of Chris and Holly Moore, the pastors at the Smithville Church of God. Sadie is active with her youth group, the worship team every Sunday playing the piano and singing. She also helps with her church in community outreach. This involves helping serve the middle and high school teachers in appreciation for all their hard work. Sadie serves families during Christmas time, who are struggling to make ends meet by providing dinner and gifts for Christmas.

The Homecoming Attendants are:

*Senior Attendant – Ella Jane Hendrixson, 17 year old daughter of Hunter and Monica Hendrixson.

Ella is a member of the Beta Club, FBLA, Service Society, Student Government Association, Spanish Club, HOSA, and she has done a clinical internship at a local hospital.

Athletic Participation:

Ella has been a member of the Lady Tiger Basketball team for 3 years and is planning to be on the Lady Tiger Tennis Team in the spring.

Accomplishments/Awards:

Senior Class President and she was invited to the FBLA National Convention this past summer. Ella is a member of the 24+ ACT Club, made the All “A” Honor Roll, and has maintained a 4.0 GPA with honors classes along with Motlow and AP classes.

Ella plans to attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and pursue a career in Pharmacy.

*Senior Attendant – Allyson Roxanne Fuller, the 17-year-old daughter of Anthony and Amanda Fuller.

Ally is a 4 year Beta Club member, 4 year FBLA member, and a member of the Science Club, Spanish Club, and Service Society.

Athletic Participation:

Ally is a 4 year Football Cheerleader and serves as Captain this year. She is also a 3 year member of the Lady Tiger Basketball Team.

Accomplishments/Awards:

Member of All “A” Honor Roll, nominated for Miss DCHS, maintained a 4.0 GPA with honors classes and Motlow classes, NCA All-American Cheerleader and 3 time All-American nominee, and voted Most Stylish by the football team for 3 years.

Other information (Church and Community Involvement):

Ally is a member of the Upper Helton Baptist Church, an employee at GymBob’s & Infinity Athletics, and she plans to attend Tennessee Tech University and graduate to become an aesthetic nurse.

*Junior Attendant- Laurie Rigsby, 17-year-old daughter of Kevin and Bethany Rigsby.

Laurie’s club participation and active memberships are as follows:
FBLA, Science Club, Service Society, and Beta.

Accomplishments/Awards:
All “A” Honor Roll.

Other information (Church and Community Involvement):

Laurie is a member of the First Baptist Church and Active In Youth. She works at Magnolia Roots.

*Sophomore Attendant- Lilly Ann Fox, the 15-year-old daughter of Kim Fox and Dan Fox

Lilly is a member of the Beta Club and SGA

Accomplishments/Awards:

All “A” Honor Roll.

Other information (Church and Community Involvement):

Lily attends the First Baptist Church of Smithville and works at Button Willow. She is active in FBC Youth and volunteers at the DeKalb Animal Clinic.

*Freshman Attendant- McKenzie Rose Moss, the 14-year-old daughter of Jennifer Taylor and Jerry Taylor
McKenzie is a member of the FBLA Club.

Athletic Participation:

DCHS Football Cheerleader and All Star Cheerleader at Empire Elite Athletics

Accomplishments/Awards:

McKenzie was voted Class Favorite and she is an All American nominee.

She attends the Refuge Church

Homecoming Events Friday, September 15 2023

7:00-7:40 a.m.: All vehicles in parade are checked in and parked in the parking area.

7:45-9:00 a.m.: All students should be in HR at this time. Scavenger hunt videos will be shown.

8:15 a.m.: Bands performs for DeKalb Middle School at DCHS.

8:15-9:00 a.m.: All drivers and passengers will decorate cars

9:05-9:50 a.m.: Students in Gymnasium for Games

9:55-12:00 noon: Students in 4th block class.

10:00 a.m.: Band performs at Smithville Elementary.

10:10-12:00 noon: Lunch periods- 1st lunch 10:10 to 10:35 a.m., 2nd lunch 10:37 to 11:02 a.m., 3rd lunch 11:04 to 11:29 a.m., and 4th lunch 11:31 to 12:00 noon.

12:00 p.m.: Parade lines up.

12:30 p.m.: Parade leaves DCHS.

12:30 p.m.: Band performs at Northside Elementary.

1:00 p.m.: Parade arrives at Smithville Elementary School.

1:20 p.m.: Parade arrives at Northside Elementary School. Band leads parade from Northside Elementary.

1:40 p.m.: Parade arrives at the square. Pep rally and band performance on the square.

2023 DCHS Homecoming Eras (Tigers Version)

Monday: The Tiger’s “Debut”- Country/Western

Tuesday: Back to “1989”-Dress like the 80’s

Wednesday: Show your LOVE for the Tigers-Hearts, pastels, tie-dye Unless you’re “heartless”-dress like Kanye

Thursday: Meet me at “Midnight”-pajama day

Friday: We “Rep” the “Fearless” Tigers-Wear Black and Gold