State Medical Examiner Confirms Identity of Man Found Dead Tuesday

February 4, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The identity of the man found dead Tuesday in a summer residence near Center Hill Lake has been confirmed.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that the state medical examiner’s office has made a positive identification of the man as 68-year-old Matthew Edwin Riihimaa. Neither the cause of death nor any other details have been released as the case remains under investigation.

The owner of the residence on Captain’s Point Road returned home Tuesday after being away since November and found the man’s badly decomposed body inside the premises.

Sheriff Ray issued the following statement on Wednesday:

“On Tuesday February 1, 2022, at 11:08 p.m., DeKalb Central Dispatch received a call from a person on Captains Point Road stating he found a dead body at his residence.

Officers arrived on the scene and discovered a badly decomposed body of a man in a detached sunroom of the residence. The homeowner stated he had not been to the residence since November 1st 2021.

Sheriff Ray said “It appeared the man had been living in the sunroom without the owner’s consent. The residence is a summer home and no one stays at the residence full time”.

February 4, 2022
By:

Bradley Locke has been recently appointed as the new Agency Manager of the Smithville/DeKalb Farm Bureau Insurance office following the recent retirement of Bart Lay.

Locke is no stranger to DeKalb County, born and raised on the DeKalb/Warren County line in the Green Hill area. Locke has attended church in Dekalb county for majority of his life. He has been married to his wife Caitlin for ten years, and together they have a little girl, Addison, who is two and a half years old, and is expecting another girl in May.

Locke has worked with Farm Bureau Insurance as an agent for over eight years and plans to take his experience with him while fulfilling the managerial duties in DeKalb County. “My family and I are truly blessed and grateful to have this opportunity to come back home and raise our family while serving the citizens of DeKalb County.” Locke stated. “I am passionate about my job and love helping take care of customers and providing for their insurance needs.” Locke goes on to say, “This job is very rewarding especially when a claim happens and you are able to say to a family that everything will be ok, we have you protected.”

“Farm Bureau Insurance has a great presence in Tennessee, being able to offer a wide range of insurance services such as home, auto, life, commercial and annuities while delivering great customer service.” Locke said.

“Our agents and staff are here to assist you in your insurance needs and welcome you to come by office at 865 South Congress Boulevard in Smithville, or you may reach us at 1-615-597-7751. You can also reach out to us online to get a quote or discuss you insurance questions at https://www.fbitn.com/tn/dekalb-county/smithville/dekalb-smithville-agency.

February 4, 2022
By:

DeKalb County Road Supervisor Danny L. Hale has announced his intention to seek re-election in 2022.

Mr. Hale will be a candidate seeking the Republican nomination in the May 3 DeKalb County GOP Primary.

“First, let me say it has been a true honor to serve you the wonderful citizens of DeKalb County as your Road Supervisor these last 3 ½ years”. With every job or task, there are challenges and my staff and I have accepted those challenges to do what is best for you, the citizens, of DeKalb County. In the last 3 ½ years, we have incurred several challenges to say the least. For example, 8 major disasters including 4 floods, 1 ice storm, 2 tornadoes, and straight-line winds. Those straight-line winds created a disaster from one end of the county to the other. My staff and I cut trees and debris out of 38 roads in a 33-hour period for you the citizens to keep travel on your roads,” said Hale.

“Also, it goes without saying the Covid 19 challenge for the last 2 years has caused instances of worker downfall. My heart goes out to the family of Mr. Ralph Gay for their loss. He was a wonderful man, a dedicated employee, and it was an honor to call him my friend,” Hale continued.

“My staff and I have also accomplished other tasks for DeKalb County including the following: 17 roads re-tarred and chipped or repaved, almost 700 drainage tiles installed, 7 bridges per the state of Tennessee requirements, 2 new bridges built with plans in place to build 5 more new bridges this summer”.

“With the help of our County Commission and Budgeting we have also updated some equipment to better serve the citizens and upkeep the roads”.

“My wife Donna and I live in the Dowelltown area of DeKalb County. We have been married for 40 years and are blessed with 2 sons: Justin (Julie) and Josh (Connie). We also have been blessed with 5 grandchildren Zoi, Silas, Josie, Zalie and, Zyra. My wife and I attend the Cooper’s Chapel Baptist Church in Liberty”.

“It would truly be an honor to have your continued vote, support, and prayers in the upcoming May 3rd primary and August 4th general election,” said Hale.