Pedestrian airlifted after being struck by motorist

April 4, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A pedestrian was airlifted Sunday night after being struck by a motorist in the 1000 block of Short Mountain Highway.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 24-year-old Carlos Alejandro Rueda Dehza of Smithville was walking in the right lane of the roadway when he was hit by a southbound 2018 Kia Optima, driven by 28-year-old Jody Lattimore of Smithville. After impact, Lattimore’s vehicle came to a final rest in the roadway facing north and Lattimore notified emergency responders. The pedestrian was tended to by emergency personnel before being transported by Air Evacuation.

Lattimore, a county firefighter, was reportedly responding non-emergency in his private vehicle to a landing zone in the Blue Springs community at the time of the accident.

April 4, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen held a public hearing Monday night on a proposal by the Upper Cumberland Development District to apply, on behalf of the city, for a Community Development Block Grant for transitional Recovery Housing for females including women with children. The program would be administered by the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency in partnership with the City of Smithville. No action has yet been taken to move forward.

If approved the grant would fund a transitional housing program, similar to the Emmanuel House in Carthage, for up to twelve women in recovery from substance abuse.

UCDD and UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley, who first brought the proposal to the mayor and aldermen last month provided more details about it Monday night.  In addition to the mayor and aldermen, two citizens, Marsha Darrah and Bert Driver raised questions about the program while another resident, Meisha Johnson spoke in support of the concept.

The aldermen tabled action on a resolution seeking the grant until a workshop and special meeting on April 21. If the city approves, the grant application has to be filed by April 29.

April 4, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Only two days remain for persons to get their names on the ballot for the August 4 municipal elections and the Tennessee Democratic and Republican Primaries for state and federal offices.

The deadline to qualify for the races is 12 Noon on Thursday, April 7.

City elections will be held in Smithville, Alexandria, Liberty, and Dowelltown.

Eighteen persons have been issued qualifying petitions by the DeKalb County Election Commission for municipal elections.

Petitions have been issued to the following persons for August 4, 2022 Municipal Elections:

City of Smithville:
Josh Miller-Mayor (Incumbent) (petition filed)
Beth Chandler-Alderman (Incumbent) (petition filed)
Don Crook-Alderman (petition filed)
Rhonda Tiefenauer-Alderman (petition filed)

City of Alexandria:
Lloyd D. Dyer-Mayor (petition filed)
Jana Beth Tripp-Mayor(petition filed)
Allen Lawson-Alderman
Curtis J. Rutter-Alderman- unexpired term

City of Liberty:
Audrey M. Martin-Mayor (petition filed)
Jason Hayes Ray- Mayor (Incumbent) (petition filed)
Darrell W. Johnson-Mayor
William H. Reynolds, Jr.-Alderman (Incumbent) (petition filed)
Kendra Stanford Alderman
Derek Johnson-Alderman (Incumbent) (petition filed)
Joe D. Bratten-Alderman (Incumbent) (petition filed)
James Ryan Dodd-Alderman (petition filed)
Kevin R. Mullinax-Alderman (Incumbent) (petition filed)

City of Dowelltown
Greg Fish-Alderman (petition filed)

A mayor and two aldermen will be elected in Smithville on Thursday, August 4th. Each term is for four years.

In Alexandria, voters will elect a Mayor to a full four-year term, three Aldermen each to a full four-year term; and two Aldermen to fill unexpired terms.

Liberty voters will elect a Mayor to a full four-year term and five Aldermen each to a four-year term.

In Dowelltown, two Aldermen will be elected each to a full four-year term.

Tennessee Republican Primary for State Representative 40th District (August 4th)
Michael Hale of DeKalb County- (petition filed)
Terri Lynn Weaver of Smith County (Incumbent)- (duplicate petition filed)

Tennessee Democratic Primary for State Representative 40th District (August 4th)
Tom Cook of DeKalb County- (petition filed)

Tennessee Democratic State Executive Committeewoman 16th District (August 4th)
Sheila Florida Younglove- (petition filed)

Tennessee Democratic State Executive Committeeman 16th District (August 4th)
Bobby Bush, Jr.- (petition filed)

GOP State Executive Committeeman 16th District (August 4th)
Jerry S. Anderson (Franklin County)—Duplicate petition filed

GOP State Executive Committeewoman 16th District (August 4th)
Amy Dennis (Franklin County)—Duplicate petition filed

Tennessee Republican Primary for U.S. House of Representatives 6th District (August 4th)
John W. Rose of Cookeville (Incumbent)- Petition filed

Tennessee Democratic Primary for U.S. House of Representatives 6th District (August 4th)
Randal Cooper of Nashville- petition issued
Lloyd G. Dunn of Portland- petition issued
Clay Faircloth of Nashville-petition issued

Tennessee General Election for U.S. House of Representatives 6th District (November 8)
Scott Massey of Nashville-petition issued
Christopher Monday of Cookeville-petition issued

State primary elections will be held on Thursday, August 4 for Governor, U.S. House of Representatives, and Tennessee House of Representatives. General elections will also be held for state judicial offices and applicable county offices. The Tennessee General election for Governor, Tennessee State House and Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives is November 8.

The qualifying deadline for municipal and state primary elections is Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 12:00 Noon including for Independent candidates and the withdrawal deadline is Thursday, April 14, 2022, at 12:00 Noon