McMinnville Woman Indicted for Arson Enters Best Interest Plea to Reckless Burning

August 8, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A McMinnville woman indicted almost three years ago for an arson entered a best interest plea in DeKalb County Criminal Court Monday to the lesser charge of reckless burning.

50-year-old Jan Winchester received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days all suspended to six months of supervised probation followed by six months of good behavior probation as long as there are no further issues. The amount of restitution is to be determined later.

The case was investigated by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and deputies with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.

TBI agents were requested to join deputies with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and DeKalb County Fire Department in investigating a structure fire on April 14th, 2020 in the 200 block of Lee Homer Road in Smithville. During the course of the investigation, Agents developed information that identified Winchester as the individual responsible for setting the fire.

On November 16th, 2020 the DeKalb County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Winchester with one count of Arson.

August 8, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A Classroom Hunter Education Course will be held Saturday, August 19 at the DeKalb County Fire Department’s Main Station at 782 King Ridge Road, Dowelltown.

TWRA Officer Tony Cross said the class will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The course is offered free of charge. Participants must Pre-register on-line at www.tnwildlife.org and follow the prompts.

Participants must be at least 9 years old to take the class and must attend for the entire eight-hour course.

For more information call Cross at 931-287-8427.

Under state law, every person born on or after January 1, 1969, before hunting, shall possess, in addition to all other licenses and permits required, proof of satisfactory completion of an agency approved hunter education course.

Those under 10 years of age do not need a Hunter Education certificate, but must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years of age, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device.

The basic Hunter Education Course provides firearms safety training and introduces students to their responsibilities in the fields of hunter ethics and wildlife management. The main objective of the Hunter Education Program is to reduce the potential for hunting accidents and ultimately reduce the number of hunting injuries. The course is taught according to standards established by the International Hunter Education Association. By meeting these standards the Tennessee Hunter Education program is recognized by all states, Canada, and Mexico.

The basic course is free of charge and consists of a minimum of ten (10) hours of classroom participation. Most classes generally last 12-16 hours. Students must successfully pass a written test consisting of 100 multiple choice questions. All students are required to participate in a live fire exercise. Students must attend all classes. Students need to bring their Social Security Number and a #2 pencil to the class.

Course content includes:
*Hunter ethics
•Hunter responsibility toward wildlife, the environment, landowners and the general public
•Archery and the history of modern day bowhunting
•Tree stand safety
•History of firearms
•Blackpowder and muzzleloading firearms
•Knowledge of modern firearms and ammunition
•Proper gun handling and storage
•Marksmanship fundamentals
•Hunt preparation: specific laws and various equipment
•Principles of wildlife management and wildlife identification
•Survival
•Hypothermia
•First aid

August 7, 2023
By:

State Representative Michael Hale has announced four legislative town halls across the district.

“We’re hosting these town halls so that we can meet with members of the community, hear their concerns, and create a discussion about ongoing legislation. It’s an honor to represent District 40, and I look forward to meeting with members of the community”.

Currently, there is not one planned for Wilson County. Citizens of Wilson County are encouraged to attend a town hall meeting that is most convenient for their schedules. Below, find information regarding each specific town hall meeting.

The Cannon County Legislative Town Hall is scheduled for Tuesday, September 5th at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be located at the Cannon County Courthouse (200 W Main Street #9 Woodbury, TN). Joining Representative Hale will be County Mayor Greg Mitchell and other local leaders. All are welcome to attend!

The DeKalb County Legislative Town Hall will take place on Tuesday, September 12 at 6:30 pm. Representative Hale will be meeting with County Mayor Matt Adcock, local leadership, and members of the community at the DeKalb County Community Complex.

Jackson County’s Legislative Town Hall will be held at 6:00 pm on Thursday, September 21. The location will be either the New Hope Baptist Church or Timeless Events in Gainesboro, and the official location will be announced in the coming days. Mayor Randy Heady, local leaders, and Representative Hale look forward to meeting with members of the community and hearing what is important to them.

The Smith County Legislative Town Hall will take place at the Smith County Agricultural Center on Monday, September 11 at 6:30 pm. County Mayor Jeff Mason will be joining Representative Hale and other local leadership to discuss ongoing projects in Smith County and hear from the members of the community on what still needs to be done.

For questions, concerns, or more information, email jackson.lelle@capitol.tn.gov or call 615-741-2192