“No Shave November” by the Smithville Police Department being held in Memory of Long time City Employee Phillip Eugene Wilkey

November 12, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Members of the Smithville Police Department are letting their beards grow this month for a good cause.

No-Shave November is a nationwide fundraiser for cancer awareness. This year’s observance by the Smithville Police Department is in memory of the late Phillip Eugene Wilkey, a 35 year City of Smithville employee and all proceeds will go to Joe Wilkey, a family member of Phillip who is afflicted with cancer.

Phillip Wilkey passed away in October.

All officers who choose to participate will make a cash donation. If anyone else would like to support the cause, contact the Police Department at 615-597-8210.

“At some point in time almost everyone will personally know someone afflicted with cancer. It is a privilege to work alongside fellow officers who care enough to try to make a difference,” said Police Chief Mark Collins.

As the participants let their beards grow, family and friends are encouraged to join the campaign and become more educated about cancer prevention, saving lives, and helping those fighting cancer.

“You will soon see some Smithville police officers that could use a shave, but it’s for a good cause,” said Captain Steven Leffew. “Many of our officers are very enthusiastic to take part in the fundraiser. I’m very proud to work beside such caring people,” he said.

November 12, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Two weeks ago Ricky Atnip overtook Chad Kirby as the sole leader among WJLE’s Fearless Forecasters picking college football winners and he remains in first place this week.

Atnip has compiled an overall record of 73-36 after eight weeks of the season.

Overall Chad Kirby and Darrell Gill are tied for second place each at 72-37 followed by Grant James at 71-38, Dewain Hendrixson 69-40, John Pryor 68-41, Scott Brown and Scott Goodwin each at 67-42, and Jared Davis and Will Graham each at 64-45.

Darrell Gill had the best single week record last week at 11-3 followed by Grant James and John Pryor each at 10-4, Ricky Atnip, Scott Brown, Chad Kirby, and Scott Goodwin each at 9-5, Dewain Hendrixson and Will Graham each at 8-6, and Jared Davis at 6-8.

Four forecasters hit their underdog picks last week. Grant James added 14.5 points to his total as Liberty upset Virginia Tech 38-35. Scott Brown got 3 points with Indiana’s 38-21 win over Michigan. Jared Davis picked up 3 points as Florida beat Georgia 44-28 and John Pryor got on the board with 5 points as Notre Dame knocked off Clemson 47-40.

After eight weeks Chad Kirby remains the underdog points leader with 41.5 points followed by Darrell Gill with 41, Grant James 29, Scott Goodwin 25.5, Scott Brown 22, Dewain Hendrixson 12.5, Ricky Atnip 11.5, Jared Davis 9.5, Will Graham 8, and John Pryor 5.

Today (Thursday) the Forecasters will be picking winners in the following games:

Miami at Virginia Tech, Oregon at Washington State, Wisconsin at Michigan, Florida State at N.C. State, SMU at Tulsa, Colorado at Stanford, TCU at West Virginia, Indiana at Michigan State, Penn State at Nebraska, Army at Tulane, Auburn at Mississippi State, South Carolina at Ole Miss, Vanderbilt at Kentucky and in the NFL the Indianapolis Colts at the Tennessee Titans.

Catch the Fearless Forecasters on WJLE today (Thursday) at 4:30 p.m. on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com.

The program is sponsored by the Charles D. Atnip Realty and Auction Company, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, FirstBank, DeKalb County Insurance, Davis Auto Body, Gill Automotive, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, Graham Services, DeKalb County Ace Hardware, and Dominos Pizza.

November 12, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A woman wanted in Kentucky was arrested last week in DeKalb County for being a fugitive from justice.

25 year old Brianna Joy Cumming of Robinson Road, Liberty is under a $50,000 bond and her court date is November 19.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on November 7 a deputy encountered Cumming while conducting a traffic stop on her vehicle and learned through a National Crime Information Center background check that she was a fugitive from justice out of Boone County, Kentucky. She will be extradited back there.

51 year old Shannon Eugene Tayes of Todd Lane, Dowelltown is charged with driving under the influence and cited for violation of implied consent, open container, and roadways laned for travel. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court November 19.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 7 a deputy was patrolling on Sparta Highway when he spotted a red Chevy Camaro cross twice over the white line of the road. He pulled over the car, spoke with the driver, Tayes, and noticed that his speech was slurred and that he had a strong odor of alcohol on his person. Tayes admitted to having consumed two or three beers earlier in the day. The officer spotted an open container of Budweiser in the passenger seat of the vehicle. Due to his medical condition Tayes could not complete field sobriety tasks and he refused to submit to implied consent.

44 year old Billy Jason Lackey of Whorton Springs Road, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $2,500 and he will make a court appearance November 19.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 3 a deputy was dispatched to the area of Short Mountain Highway and Whorton Springs Road due to a domestic incident. The officer spoke to both Lackey and a woman. According to her, the two of them got into an altercation during which Lackey punched her in the side of the face. Sheriff Ray said Lackey admitted to punching the woman in the face but in self defense. The woman had a large knot and a bruise on the right side of her face and was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Lackey had no visible marks on him.

29 year old Joshua Donald Watson of Chesnut Mound is charged with aggravated assault. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court November 19.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 4 a deputy was dispatched to Happy Valley Drive, Dowelltown due to a domestic incident. Upon arrival he spoke with a woman and Watson. She had red marks on the right side of her neck. The officer determined that Watson tried to choke the woman during an altercation between the two.