City Creates Hotline to Report Property Maintenance and Junked Car Violations

March 13, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Since the City of Smithville has signaled stronger enforcement of the property maintenance ordinance coupled with passage of a new junked car ordinance residents have been coming forward to report violations.

In fact, Mayor Josh Miller said there have been so many complaints in recent days that the city has decided to set up a hotline and email account just for this purpose.

To report a violation of the city’s property maintenance or junked car ordinance please text 615-684-4852 only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and include a picture of the property in violation. You may also send an email message and picture at cityofsmithville@icloud.com. Complainants will remain anonymous.

Mayor Miller said all complaints will be investigated.

March 13, 2019
By: Suzanne Williams

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber presented 4 Community Improvement Awards to Anthony and Dana Scott for their beautiful renovations to their downtown Smithville properties located at 102 W. Main Street, 106 W. Main Street, 109 W. Main Street, and 105 W. Walnut Street.

The Community Improvement Award is awarded to individuals, groups, and businesses who exhibit high standards in maintaining the beauty of our community through projects such as landscaping, recycling, clean-up initiatives, and overall care and concern for the preservation and improvement of the natural and manmade assets of DeKalb County, Tennessee.

Community Improvement Award Sponsors are Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital, Pates Ford Marina/Fish Lipz Grill, Sligo Marina & Restaurant, DTC Communications, Liberty State Bank, Middle TN Natural Gas, Optimus Pest Solutions, Regions Bank, and Wilson Bank and Trust.

If you would like to make a Community Improvement Award nomination, please email Suzanne Williams at swilliams@dekalbcountychamber.org or call the Chamber at 615-597-4163.

March 13, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A state prisoner from DeKalb County being housed in Jackson County escaped today (Wednesday) after walking away from a work detail at the landfill in Clay County.

A “Be on the lookout” or BOLO has been issued for Travis Eric Patterson who may be coming back to DeKalb County.

Patterson is a white male who stands six feet tall and weighs 170 pounds. He has blue eyes and black hair. He may be accompanied by  Jamie Christensen, a female with short red hair and hazel eyes.

Patterson may be driving a champagne colored Nissan.

If you know of Patterson’s whereabouts contact Central Dispatch at 615-215-3000.

Patterson is due to appear in DeKalb County Criminal Court on April 8 to be arraigned after being named in grand jury indictments last November stemming from a drug raid on his home on June 20, 2018.

He has been serving the balance of a four year prison sentence in a previous drug case after violating his probation.

Patterson is under indictment for the June offenses which include possession of marijuana (6 ounces) for resale, possession of a schedule II drug (15 grams of methamphetamine), simple possession of a schedule IV drug (xanax), and possession of a firearm by a felon (6 counts- six weapons).

In a prepared statement at the time of Patterson’s arrest, Sheriff Patrick Ray said that “early on Wednesday morning, June 20, 2018 officers with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, officers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol Special Operations Unit (SWAT), an agent with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and members of the 13th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office, executed a search warrant at the home of Travis Patterson”.

“The search warrant stems from the sale of illegal narcotics and the illegal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon”.

“Through their investigation, Sheriff’s Department Detectives found that Patterson, who is a convicted felon, was in possession of firearms at his home. As a safety precaution, the THP Special Operations Unit was summoned to assist in the search of the home. The THP Special Operations Unit made a forcible entry into the home after no one came to the door. Patterson finally gave himself up along with another male and female who were at the residence. No one was injured”.

“Upon searching Patterson’s residence, Sheriff’s Department officers found 15 grams of methamphetamine, 6 ounces of marijuana, an assortment of prescription pills, one rifle, two shotguns, three pistols, digital scales, glass pipes, and possible stolen power tools. Detectives also seized $427.00 in cash”.