Kenlee Renae Taylor Crowned Fall Fest Queen

November 10, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The 2019 Fall Fest Queen is Kenlee Renae Taylor. 

She is the 14 year old daughter of Ken and Cindy Taylor of Smithville. Kenlee succeeds her sister, 19 year old Abigail Hope Taylor, the retiring queen from last year. 

Taylor was also awarded for having the prettiest hair and dress in the pageant held Saturday at the County Complex Auditorium sponsored by the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club.  

Mackenzie Leigh Sprague was named 1^st runner-up. She is the 15 year old daughter of Wanda Sprague of Smithville. She was also recognized for prettiest eyes. 

Meanwhile 13 year old Madison Brooke Dawson won the Autumn Sweetheart pageant. 

Dawson is the daughter of Jamie Lyn and Jarred Dawson of Smithville. She also received honors for prettiest hair and dress. 

11 year old Bailey Elizabeth Kidd was 1^st runner-up. She is the daughter of Kelli Bess and Brandon Kidd of Smithville. She was also judged to be most photogenic and to have the prettiest eyes. 

The 2019 Autumn Princess is Baylei Anne Benson, the 8 year old daughter of Karey and John Washer and Christopher Benson of Smithville. She was also awarded for prettiest eyes and dress. 

Arraya Jenae Taylor, the 7 year old daughter of Angie Taylor of Smithville, was named 1^st runner-up. She also received honors for prettiest hair, most photogenic, and the people’s choice. 

The 2019 Tiny Autumn Miss Queen is Shaniya Bates, the 5 year old daughter of Tom and Chyna Bates of Liberty. 

1^st runner-up in the pageant was Caroline Jewell Estes, the 4 year old daughter of Andy and Emily Estes of Smithville. She was also awarded for prettiest hair. 

2^nd runner-up: Alayna Hendrixson, the 4 year old daughter of Jimmy and Amanda Hendrixson of Smithville. She was also honored for being the most photogenic. 

3^rd runner-up: Nevaeh Renea Anderson, 4 year old daughter of Tori Tate of Smithville. She received the people’s choice award.

November 10, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A man charged in the fatal shooting of his stepson made a brief appearance in General Sessions Court Thursday during a video arraignment from the jail where he is incarcerated.

50 year old Albert Wayne Fisher, Jr. is charged with second degree murder in the fatal shooting of 37 year old Tyler Durden. During the hearing, the judge appointed the District Public Defender’s Office to represent Fisher  in the case. His bond remains at $500,000 and his next court appearance is December 5.

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

Authorities have revealed few details about the shooting.

In a prepared statement, the TBI said “at the request of 13^th 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”.

November 10, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Citizens of the community recently took advantage of an opportunity to get a closer look at the operation of the Sheriff’s Department and Jail.

Sheriff Patrick Ray has just completed his second Sheriff’s Citizens Academy, an eight week class intended to foster better communications between citizens and the Sheriff’s Department through education on the day to day operations. A graduation ceremony was held on the last night of the course.

The class covered simunition firearms training, investigations, traffic stops, and other subjects. Participants even got to ride along with a deputy for a night.

The class met once a week for three hours each night over an eight week period.

“One of my goals for this Sheriff’s Citizen’s Academy is to try to bridge the gap of misunderstanding and confusion between the public and Law Enforcement. By doing this, it allows each participant to see how the Sheriff’s Department works in-depth on a day to day basis,” said Sheriff Ray.

Citizens who participated in this class were Justin Braswell, Rick Goins, Jessica Leon, Danielle Reynolds, Dessa Ray, Veronica Pack, Lora Webb, Mellissa Yarbrough, Jill Davis, Carrie Meador, Gena Cripps and Dewayne Bain.

Sponsors were Wal-Mart, IWC of Cookeville, Dr. Pepper of McMinnville, and IHS Pharmacy.

The next Sheriff’s Citizens Academy will be held next spring. If you are interested in signing up for the academy call Sheriff Patrick Ray at 615-597-4935.