DeKalb County Burn Ban Lifted

November 21, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The burn ban for DeKalb County has been lifted by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Burn permits are still required to burn.

Online permits may be obtained daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Eastern and Central time zones (based on your location) for any size leaf and/or brush burn pile, as well as prescribed fires and broadcast burning, such as for forestry, agricultural, or land clearing applications. Each fire should be completely extinguished by the permit expiration. Residents with limited internet access may call the Division of Forestry burn permit phone number at 877-350-BURN (2876) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Central. Callers may experience lengthy wait times when call volume is high, so online applications are encouraged.

Permits are required by the Division between October 15 to May 15 where local municipal restrictions do not apply.

Permits will be issued when the Division of Forestry determines conditions are safe for residents to burn debris.

Online Burn Permits: https://agriculture.tn.gov/OnlineBurnPermitPublic/Home/IndexPage2

November 21, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

In his latest county crime report, Sheriff Patrick Ray reported Monday that 28-year-old Christopher Keith Lane Derrick of Floyd Drive, Smithville is charged with driving on a revoked license and evading arrest.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 15 a deputy was on patrol when he spotted Derrick driving a blue Toyota Camry. Knowing that Derrick’s license was revoked, the officer activated his emergency lights and siren to pull him over, but Derrick initially failed to stop. After a brief pursuit, Derrick finally stopped. His bond totals $9,000 and he will make a court appearance November 30.

54-year-old Billy Cooper Pruitt of Four Seasons Road, Smithville is charged with aggravated assault. His bond is $10,000 and he will be in court November 30. Sheriff Ray said that on November 16 a deputy was dispatched to Old Bildad Road due to an unwanted guest. Upon arrival the officer found Pruitt and another man in an argument. The officer separated the two men after which Pruitt grabbed a Marlin model 6022 long rifle and insisted that the other man was going to have to apologize to his wife. After the deputy ordered Pruitt to drop the gun, he complied and was then taken into custody.

44-year-old Dennis Lovett of Brazil, Indiana is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court December 7. Sheriff Ray said that on November 18 Lovett became intoxicated at a residence on Alpine Drive and then got into a domestic dispute on Glacier Drive before leaving that home. He then began knocking on other doors in the area. Upon being taken into custody, Lovett was found to have bloodshot eyes. His speech was slurred, and he was unsteady on his feet. He admitted having consumed a fifth of Crown Royal Apple.

November 21, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Fire Department responded to another structure fire just before midnight Saturday night on Moore-Taylor Road in the Midway Community.

The call came in at 11:48 p.m.

According to County Fire Chief Donny Green the owner reported that he and his wife had returned home, heard their smoke alarms, and discovered heavy smoke when they opened the exterior door. They reported the fire to the DeKalb 911 Dispatch Center.

When sheriff deputies and firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke and fire in a bedroom and confirmed that no occupants were inside. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze and keep the fire contained to the bedroom. Other areas of the home received extensive smoke, heat, and water damage. The cause of the fire is currently undetermined.

The Midway, Johnson’s Chapel, Four Seasons, Main, and Cookeville Highway stations responded along with firefighters from other stations. The DeKalb County Sheriff Department and DeKalb Emergency Medical Services also rendered assistance.