One Injured in Monday Crash

February 8, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

One person was injured in a two-vehicle crash Monday on Highway 146 (Short Mountain Street) in Smithville near DeKalb EMS.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 42-year-old Steve Frame was driving south in a 2015 Chevy 3500 Flatbed when he crossed the center line into the oncoming traffic lane as 27-year-old Kayla Presley, driving a 2008 GNC Yukon, swerved left to avoid a collision. Frame then swerved back into the path of Presley and hit her vehicle head on.

Presley was transported to Cookeville Regional Hospital for treatment of injuries. Neither Frame or his passenger, 40 year old Amber Duke was injured. Frame was cited with failure to exercise due care and crossing the center line of the highway.

Smithville Police, the Smithville Fire Department, and a unit with DeKalb EMS responded to the scene, along with the THP.

February 8, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Six persons have been issued qualifying petitions by the DeKalb County Election Commission for municipal elections on Thursday, August 4 in DeKalb County.

(Click links below to view updates on other 2022 races)

13th Judicial District

County Commission and School Board

County Wide Races

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

Monday, February 7 was the first day persons could pick up a petition for the municipal elections as well as the state and federal primaries also to be held on Thursday, August 4.

Josh Miller was issued a petition Monday to seek re-election as Mayor of Smithville while incumbent Smithville Alderman Beth Chandler obtained a petition to seek election to a full term as Alderman. Chandler is currently serving an unexpired term. Meanwhile Rhonda Tiefenauer and Don Crook have picked up a petition to run for Smithville Alderman.

A mayor and two aldermen will be elected in Smithville on Thursday, August 4th. Each term is for four years. The positions are currently held by Mayor Miller, Alderman Chandler, and Alderman Brandon Cox but Cox is not seeking re-election as Alderman. Instead, Cox is in the race for the Republican nomination for General Sessions Court Judge on May 3.

Alexandria Alderman Jana Beth Tripp picked up a petition Monday to seek the office of Alexandria Mayor on Thursday August 4 while in Liberty Kendra Stanford will be a candidate for Alderman on August 4.

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.

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 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

February 7, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen Monday night paid tribute to the late Wallace Dale Caldwell, a 17-year veteran and Chaplain of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department who passed away in November.

Mayor Josh Miller presented a plaque to Caldwell’s wife, Carolyn as a way of honoring him and his years of service to the City of Smithville. Caldwell’s daughters Kitty Thomas and Tiffany Caldwell, son-in-law Tony Thomas, and granddaughter Carly Thomas were also present for the tribute.

“At the end of last year we lost one of our own, Mr. Wallace Caldwell,” said Mayor Miller in making the presentation. “This plaque is being presented in memory of Wallace Dale Caldwell. He was a man dedicated to his family, friends, and community. He served us as Chaplain and a valued member of the Smithville Fire Department as well as the Tennessee Federation of Fire Chaplains and the Tennessee Fire & Codes Academy. He also served his community as a member of the Smithville Planning Commission for many years. He will truly be missed. In his memory I would like to present to you this plaque on behalf of the city council and myself,” added Mayor Miller.

“My husband truly loved the Lord. He loved being the Chaplain. He loved being a father and husband and he absolutely loved this city. We have lived here a long time. We have been married 50 years and it would have been 51 years in March. He truly valued every fireman and he prayed for them. He prayed for this council and our mayors, whoever they might have been. I thank you very much,” said Carolyn Caldwell in accepting the plaque.