Congressman John Rose Wins Re-Election

November 9, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Republican U.S. Representative John Rose defeated Democrat Randal Cooper in Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District race Tuesday.

Rose’s win sets him up for a third term as a representative from Tennessee, but the first under the new maps drawn by the state Republican legislature earlier this year. The newly drawn 6th Congressional District includes parts of East Nashville and Donelson for the first time.

Congressman Rose easily carried DeKalb County including all 12 precincts and the early voting and absentee totals winning with 3,901 votes to 900 for Cooper. District wide Rose won 129,311 to 65,598.

“It’s a real honor to have the confidence of the people of the 6th district,” Congressman Rose told WJLE on election night. “We saw democracy on display in this election. Its great when Americans are able to go out and express their views and vote for the candidates of their choice. Our family is so thankful to the people of DeKalb County for the opportunity to continue to represent this great county in the U.S. House of Representatives. I look forward to serving the folks of Tennessee and the 6th district for the next two years,” said Congressman Rose.

Rose won every county he represents in the 19-county district except Davidson where he lost to Cooper 32,738 to 12,254.

Here are the DeKalb County results by precinct:

Early voting and Absentee combined: Rose-1,106, Cooper-305

Election Day:
Alexandria: Rose-337, Cooper-58
Temperance Hall: Rose- 158, Cooper-31
Liberty: Rose- 293, Cooper-60
Snow Hill: Rose- 151, Cooper-32
Church of God: Rose- 351, Cooper-77
Courthouse: Rose- 329, Cooper-97
Rock Castle: Rose- 80, Cooper-19
Johnson Chapel: Rose- 187, Cooper-34
County Complex: Rose- 245, Cooper-52
Keltonburg: Rose- 233, Cooper-44
Blue Springs: Rose- 165, Cooper-28
Church of Christ Annex: Rose- 266, Cooper-63

Results in the counties of the 6th district are as follows:
Cannon: Rose-2,984, Cooper-654
Clay: Rose-1,401, Cooper- 326
Cumberland: Rose-16,902, Cooper-3,676
Davidson: Cooper-32,738, Rose-12,254
DeKalb: Rose-3,901, Cooper-900
Fentress: Rose-4,434, Cooper-599
Jackson: Rose-2,423, Cooper-637
Macon: Rose-4,098, Cooper-607
Overton: Rose-4,564, Cooper-1,105
Pickett: Rose-1,590, Cooper-326
Putnam: Rose-14,112, Cooper-4,785
Scott: Rose-2,379, Cooper-299
Smith: Rose-4,244, Cooper-888
Sumner: Rose-36,452, Cooper-13,802
Trousdale: Rose-1,634, Cooper-447
Van Buren: Rose-1,491, Cooper-315
Warren: Rose-111, Cooper-23
White: Rose-5,800, Cooper-1,118
Wilson: Rose-8,536, Cooper-2,353

November 8, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Local businessman Michael Hale is the new State Representative of the 40th District.

Hale, a Republican won the election Tuesday easily defeating his Democratic Challenger Tom Cook District Wide and in DeKalb County where he and his family reside.

In DeKalb County Hale received a total of 4,288 votes to 727 for Cook, who also lives in DeKalb County. Hale carried all 12 precincts decisively as well as the early voting and absentee totals.

District-wide, Hale won 14,852 to 2,956 and carried each of the counties in the district as follows: Cannon-3,055 to 624, DeKalb-4,288 to 727, Jackson- 2,530 to 613, Smith- 4,311 to 856, and Wilson-667 to 136.

Hale succeeds 14-year veteran state lawmaker Terri Lynn Weaver whom he defeated in the state GOP primary in August. The term of office is two years. The state legislature convenes again in January.

“This is one of the most humbling nights of my life to have come in and looks like district wide won 83.4% of the vote to 16.9%,” Hale told WJLE on election night.

“There are so many people to thank from my wife to my kids, and campaign workers who helped me all through the summer during a tough primary and then the last three months of a general election. Most of all I just want to thank the Lord for the blessings and opportunity to serve the approximately 70,000 people of the 40^th district,” Hale continued.

“My life has been a service and I have worked with the people of DeKalb County in these communities for the last 34 years through the funeral home and other service to people. I want people to know that as far as our funeral home business nothing changes there but if I can be of service or help to you as your state representative, please feel free to call me. I will be getting more information later about our office in Nashville. I just look forward to serving and helping you and supporting our faith, family, and freedom. I want the 40^th district to be the best place where people can work, live, raise a family, visit and then ultimately retire,” said Hale.

Here are the results by precinct:

Early voting and Absentee combined: Hale-1,231, Cook-245

Election Day:

Alexandria: Hale-360, Cook-44

Temperance Hall: Hale-164, Cook-25

Liberty: Hale- 309, Cook- 56

Snow Hill: Hale-168, Cook-25

Church of God: Hale-385, Cook-60

Courthouse: Hale-369, Cook 78

Rock Castle: Hale-78, Cook 18

Johnson Chapel: Hale-191, Cook-33

County Complex: Hale-287, Cook-35

Keltonburg: Hale-261, Cook-34

Blue Springs: Hale-175, Cook-25

Church of Christ Annex: Hale-310, Cook-49

November 8, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A Smithville man is facing an aggravated assault charge for attacking his boyfriend.

40-year-old Charles Allan Barnett of Shady Drive is under a $3,500 bond and he will make a court appearance November 17.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on November 1 a deputy was summoned to Barnett’s home due to a domestic assault. Upon arrival the officer spoke with a man who said that he and his boyfriend, Barnett had gotten into an argument which became physical. The man said Barnett pushed him down and began kicking him about both sides of his face before trying to strangle him. According to the victim, Barnett grabbed a rubber mallet during the altercation and threatened to kill him if he got up off the floor. Struggling to breathe the victim said he kicked Barnett in the groin after which Barnett stopped the assault and left the home. The victim had visible marks on his neck, face, and right side.

32-year-old Jacob Randall Lawrence of Eagle Creek Road, Smithville is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court November 10.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 2 a deputy was dispatched to a call of a suspicious person. Upon arrival the officer found the suspect, Lawrence highly intoxicated and wearing his pants and underwear around his knees lying in the front yard of a stranger’s residence. Lawrence admitted to having had several drinks earlier in the day.

40-year-old Joshua Leslie Johnson of Hendrixson Road, Smithville is charged with being a fugitive from justice. His bond is $75,000 and he will make a court appearance November 17. Sheriff Ray said that on November 5 officers learned that Johnson is wanted in Georgia. He was found and placed under arrest.

32-year-old David Martin Roberts of McMinnville is charged with driving under the influence. He was also cited for driving on a suspended license, violation of an open container, and no insurance. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court December 1.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 4 a deputy was dispatched to Sparta Highway due to a non-injury wreck. Upon arrival he spoke with Roberts who informed the officer that while driving he ran off the road into a ditch and he admitted to having consumed seven beers earlier in the night. In the passenger seat of the vehicle was an open half gallon container of alcohol. Roberts had a strong odor of alcohol on him. He was unsteady on his feet. Roberts’ eyes were glossy, and his speech was slurred. Roberts submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.