A Sparta man, stopped by a county officer for a traffic violation Friday, was found to have some marijuana.
39 year old Jay Anderson III of Omaha Gap Road, Sparta was arrested for driving on a suspended driver’s license, simple possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says Anderson was stopped on Highway 70 East for a traffic violation. After deputies ran Anderson’s license, he was found to be driving on a suspended license. Upon a pat down search, Anderson was found to have in his possession two marijuana cigarettes, a plastic bag containing marijuana, and rolling papers. Bond was set at $3,500 and his court date is November 29th.
Meanwhile 23 year old Paul Robert Higgins of Grand Rapids Boulevard in Naples, Florida and 23 year old Jennifer Leigh Peacock of West Road, Morrison were arrested on Sunday after Higgins’ vehicle was stopped for weaving on Highway 70 West.
Sheriff Ray says Higgins was found to be intoxicated after deputies tried to administer field sobriety tasks. Higgins was arrested for DUI 1st offense.
Peacock was a passenger with Higgins and was also intoxicated. According to Sheriff Ray, Peacock became very belligerent with the deputies. She was arrested for public intoxication. Bond for Higgins was set at $1,500 and Peacock’s bond was set at $1,000. Both are to appear in court on December 6th.

Smithville Police have made arrests for burglary, filing a false report, and driving under the influence in recent days.
Chief Richard Jennings says 38 year old Charles Eugene Thurman, Jr. of Murfreesboro is charged with burglary.
According to the arrest warrant, Thurman did enter a trailer on Short Mountain Street in Smithville without the consent of the owner and with intent to commit theft.
Thurman may also be a suspect in a vandalism on College Street.
In his report, Lieutenant Steven Leffew wrote that ” On Friday, November 9th at 5:29 p.m.I was dispatched to 1234 College Street in reference to a vandalism. Upon arrival, Melissa Thurman showed me where someone had made forced entry through the back door and poured paint on several items of furniture, broke three end tables, and cut up a couch and love seat.”
No arrests have been made in that case.
Smithville Police have also taken a report on another theft.
Officer Travis Bryant, in his report, states that “On October 31st at 3:00 p.m., I went to 522 Miller Road in response to a theft from a vehicle. Upon arrival, I spoke with Guy Peterson who advised me that he had items taken from his car. The items included a laptop valued at $1,000, a black computer bag valued at $50, a wireless Sony walkman valued at $100, and a Sony car CD player valued at $150.”
No arrests have been made.
Sandra Krammer reported a theft on Saturday, November 10th.
Lieutenant Steven Leffew, in his report, states that “On Saturday at 4:07 p.m. I was dispatched to 1100 South College Street in reference to a theft. Upon arrival, Krammer stated that someone had stolen a 40 gallon gas hot water heater and a 20 foot iron pipe. She states that the items were taken from the south side of the building. They had been outside for a couple of months.”
No arrests have been made.
44 year old Mark G. Koch of Restview Avenue, Smithville was charged with filing a false report.
According to the arrest warrant, Officer Craig Capps responded to a domestic call at 624 Restview Avenue on October 22nd, where Koch stated that his girlfriend, 42 year old Wendy Kay Goodman, had stabbed him once in the chest and once in the arm. On his statement, his girlfriend was arrested. On the court date, Koch stated that he had turned into the knife and that it was all an accident.’
Koch is under a $2,500 bond on the false report charge.
34 year old Regina C. Valdez was charged with a first offense of driving under the influence early Sunday morning, November 11th.
The arrest warrant states that Valdez was the driver of a vehicle that had been involved in a one car accident on Allen’s Chapel Road. Upon speaking with her, Officer Randy King noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on her person. She did admit to drinking earlier. She was asked to perform several field sobriety tasks in which she performed poorly. She did consent to a breathalyzer test but could not produce a sufficient sample for testing.
Her bond is $1,500
39 year old Curtis Lee Adams was charged with a first offense of driving under the influence on Saturday, November 10th.
According to the arrest warrant, Officer King stopped a vehicle traveling east on West Broad Street in Smithville for speeding, going 84 miles per hour in a 40 mile per hour zone. The vehicle stopped at the intersection of Church Street and Holmes Creek Road. Officer King spoke to the driver, Adams, and he noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on Adams’ person. He was asked to perform several field sobriety tasks in which he performed poorly. He did submit to a breathalyzer test but blew an insufficient sample three times causing the machine to abort the test.
His bond is $1,500.

A good crowd turned out for Monday morning’s Veteran’s Day observance downtown
The ceremony, held in front of the Veteran’s Memorial Monument on the south side of the courthouse, featured remarks by guest speaker Harold Martin, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, who called on our national leaders to stop the bickering and to put our country and troops first. “The men and women who marched off to World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan, knew that freedom is not free. The freedom that we enjoy has been paid for with thousands of lives, with sweat, with blood, and with immeasurable sacrifice by many thousands of American men. The coming generation needs to know about this.”
“With the present world situation being what it is, this is the time to stand shoulder to shoulder to keep America the strong, free nation that our armed forces down over the years has secured for us. Not only is it the responsibility of our military to keep our country strong, it’s also the responsibility of our elected leaders.”
“Members of Congress are currently at odds with each other. Democrats are bickering with Republicans. Republicans are bickering with Democrats and it’s time for the two to act in unison and put our country and our troops ahead of everything else.”
Rebecca Purdue sang the National Anthem to start the program and the ceremony also featured a performance by the DCHS band and a group known as “Southern Harmony” who sang a few patriotic songs. The group is made up of Mary Lynn Page, Annette Greek, Betty Martin, and Susan Parham.
Charles Olsen offered the opening prayer, Doyle Smith led the audience in the pledge to the flag, and Edward Frazier and Bill Patrick laid a wreath at the Veteran’s Monument at the conclusion of the program as Colton Rhody played taps on his trumpet.
Prior to the ceremony a Veteran’s Day parade was held featuring several local veterans, who rode together on a float. There were also horse and mule drawn wagons among other participants.
The program was sponsored by the local American Legion and VFW.

15 year old Martha Alan Webb of Smithville is the 2007 Fall Fest Queen.
She was crowned Saturday night at the conclusion of the annual pageant held at the DeKalb County High School gym, sponsored by the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club.
Webb, daughter of Alan and Lora Webb, succeeds the 2006 Fall Fest Queen, Jessica LeAnn Bain of Smithville, the 18 year old daughter of Teresa Johnson and Harold Bain.
First runner-up in the pageant was 17 year old Sarah Elizabeth McBride of Smithville, daughter of Michael and Lisa McBride.
17 year old Macy Felts was named second runner-up. She is the daughter of Rick and Kendra Guinn of Smithville.
Kristen LaCole Smartt was third runner-up. She is the 14 year old daughter of Aaron and Paula Taylor of Dowelltown.
16 year old Rosemary Apple of Smithville, daughter of Nick and Claire Apple, was the fourth runner-up.
Meanwhile, 16 year old Whitney LaRay Moss of Alexandria, daughter of Greg and Wendy Moss, was named Miss Congeniality.
Some twenty young ladies participated in the pageant.

U.S. Representative Bart Gordon is accepting applications through December 1st from DeKalb County students seeking nominations to the U.S. service academies.
The U.S. Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Military Academy all require a nomination to be considered for admission. Gordon is accepting applications from high school seniors or recent graduates who live within his congressional district, which includes DeKalb County.
“Each year, I have the privilege of nominating outstanding young men and women to the service academies,” Gordon said. “The quality of education available at the academies is among the best in the country. The competition for a nomination is tough, but I encourage anyone who is interested to apply.”
Students who are accepted to the service academies receive free tuition, room and board, as well as a monthly stipend. Upon graduation, they are commissioned as second lieutenants or ensigns in their branch of service, where they must complete a five year service obligation. The value of a service academy education is more than $300,000.
To be eligible for a nomination, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen between the ages of 17 and 23. Any interested students should contact Congressman Gordon’s Murfreesboro office at (615)- 896-1986 or download an application through his Web site at www.house.gov/bart and mail it to him at P.O. Box 1986, Murfreesboro, TN 37133

The DeKalb County Board of Education formally adopted the school calendar for the 2008-2009 year Thursday night, upon the recommendation of Director of Schools and the School Calendar Committee.
Registration for all students will be Tuesday, August 5th from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. That will be an abbreviated school day.
Thursday, August 7 will be an administrative day at all schools and all teachers must attend from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Students will not attend.
The first full day of school for all students will be Wednesday, August 6
A system wide professional development day will be Thursday, July 31st at DCHS and all teachers from all schools must attend from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
All teachers will report to their individual schools Friday and Monday, August 1st & 4th from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. each day.
Students will not attend on Monday, Labor Day, September 1st.
Schools will be closed for the fall break October 10-17
Students will be off for the Thanksgiving holiday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, November 26th, 27th, & 28th and for the winter break December 22nd through January 2nd , 2009. Friday, December 19th will be the last day students attend before winter break and that will be an abbreviated school day. Students will return after the holidays on Monday, January 5th to begin the third nine week session.
Schools will be closed for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 19th and for President’s Day, Monday, February 16th.
The spring break will be March 19th, 20th, & 23rd
Students will not attend on Good Friday and Monday, April 10th & 13th . Students will also be off on Thursday, May 21st. That will be an administrative day and all teachers must attend.
The last day of school will be Friday, May 22nd. That will be an abbreviated school day and report cards will be given to the students.
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Tuesday, October 7th and Thursday, March 12th at DeKalb County High School from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Parent-Teacher Conferences will also be held from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Thursday, October 9th and Thursday, January 29th at DeKalb Middle School, Northside Elementary, Smithville Elementary, and DeKalb West School.
Report cards will be sent home on Monday, October 6th, Thursday, January 8th, and Tuesday, March 10th.
Competency testing at DCHS will be October 7th-9th and February 10th-12th.
Gateway testing at DCHS will be December 2nd-4th and May 5th-7th. Gateway test makeup will be December 5th and May 8th.
Writing Assessment for the 5th, 8th, and 11th grades will be February 3rd. Writing Assessment make-up will be February 4th.
TCAP testing of elementary students will be April 20th-24th.
(Stockpile Days) Professional Development/Instructional Days will be held from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4th and Friday, May 1st.
Meanwhile, in other business Thursday night, the school board set the date for graduation at DeKalb County High School for Friday, May 23rd at 7:00 p.m.
Director of Schools Mark Willoughby also presented his monthly personnel report to the board.
Those employed since last month include substitute teachers Rebeckah Beck, Linda Brown, Dwayne Cornelius, Mary Edmonds, Joyce Martin, Dina Moon, Angela Osment, Gayle Pack, Debbie Parchman, Tina Paschal, Stacey Rise. Cori Sexton, Susan Shaw, Rawlin Vanatta, Shirley Ingram, Tracy Ludwig, Krystal Patterson, Tammy Rhea, and Ivadell Randolph.
Dwayne Cornelius, Wallace Cantrell, and Gregory Muskopf were hired as substitute bus drivers.
Meanwhile Lillian Lori Purnell, a teacher at Smithville Elementary School and Jennifer Agee, educational assistant, were granted a leave of absence as requested.
In her report to the board, DCHS Principal Kathy Hendrix, appealing to the radio audience, asked parents to “make sure that your children are passing all of their classes. If they are having trouble in any class, we have lots of before and after school programs available for them. We have credit recovery, grade recovery, Tiger Academy to make up time if they have missed too many days. We also have access to on-line classes. We are going to have some more classes available on-line probably around the first of the year. We may be able to incorporate them right away, Algebra I, English 12, Geometry, Econ and Government, and Gateway Math.”
“I would also like to encourage parents to please keep in touch with your child’s teachers to make sure they are being successful in their classes. If you have Internet access, every teacher has an email address. This is a very quick and easy way to keep in touch with your children’s teachers. Also, if your child has an English, Math, or Science class, we do have Homework Hotline, where if they are working on something at home, they can call that number and get help if they need it. We want every child at DeKalb County High School to be successful and we’re trying to provide every opportunity available that we can come up with to help them succeed. I also want to encourage the students to take advantage of these opportunities that we have available for them.”
“We also are providing some transportation after school now. The bus is going to leave at 4:45 p.m. over in front of the Middle School. If there are high school students, there will be drop off points. We’ll get some paper work out on that. We’re going to do everything we can to try and get your children access to these after school programs. If you need that after school ride, we need your name and address, prior to the date that you need a ride home. So please take advantage of all these things we have to offer at the high school.”
Director Willoughby added that regarding the after school transportation, “parents will need to sign a permission slip and parents of high school students will have to be at the designated drop off points when the bus arrives there.”

A 35 year old Warren County woman, believed to be an illegal immigrant, has been charged with criminal impersonation after using a Wilson County woman’s name and social security number to get a job in Smithville.
Beatris Martinez Perez of King Street, McMinnville was arrested Wednesday.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says “In January of 2006, Perez obtained a Wilson County woman’s identification and social security number and used that information to help her get a job at a factory in Smithville. Perez worked there for several months and was paid over $8,500 in wages. After the victim was notified of a problem with her tax return, she contacted the Warren County Sheriff’s Department because that is where Perez lives. Warren County Investigators in return notified DeKalb County authorities of the case when they learned that the factory where Perez was employed is in Smithville. Detectives arrested Perez Wednesday at another local factory where she had given her real name. Since she is apparently an illegal immigrant, the Federal Department of Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) will be notified to investigate Perez’ immigration status. More arrests are pending.”
Meanwhile, 29 year old Ricky Allen Ashford II of East Main Street Liberty was charged on Tuesday, November 6th with one count of theft of property under $500, one count of theft of property over $500, and five counts of forgery.
Sheriff Ray says “Detectives discovered that on October 26th, Ashford allegedly stole several checks from a relative on Wilder Hollow Road in Dowelltown. On the same day, he forged and passed a check for $80.00 at a local bank and another check for $120.00 at a store in Smithville. On October 29th Ashford passed a check for $50.00 at a local bank and on October 31st he passed two more checks, including one for $11.08 and the other for $65.00. The checks were passed at a store in Smithville and a local bank. Then on November 2nd, Ashford returned to the victim’s home on Wilder Hollow Road and stole the victim’s 1986 Oldsmobile car. The vehicle has been recovered. Bond for Ashford was set at $57,500 and his court date is November 29th.”
Also on Tuesday, deputies arrested 37 year old Jefery Overall of Oriole Drive, McMinnville for 3rd offense DUI, driving on a revoked driver’s license, possession of a schedule II drug (dilaudid), possession of a schedule IV (Xanax) for resale, and violation of the implied consent law.
According to Sheriff Ray, “Overall was involved in an accident on Banks Pisgah Road. After administering field sobriety tasks on Overall, officers discovered he was intoxicated. Overall had a revoked driver’s license for DUI and driving on a revoked license. A plastic container found in Overall’s pants pocket contained three K-4 Dilaudid and seven Xanax pills. Overall refused to submit to a blood/alcohol test. Bond was set at $22,000 and his court date is November 29th.”
On Wednesday, 40 year old Bonnie Lou Stembridge of Adams Street, Smithville and 38 year old Sonny Gene Smith of South Mountain Street, Smithville were both charged with burglary and theft of property.
Sheriff Ray says “The two went into a residence that had recently burned on Holmes Creek Road without the owner’s permission and took copper wiring. Bond for both Stembridge and Smith was set at $75,000 and their court date is November 15th. ”
Sheriff Ray told WJLE “This is not an unusual case at all. My department has investigated other cases where thieves would go to a recently burned house or building and steal the central air units, copper pipes, and wiring. By obtaining the copper this way, the protective coating on the wire is melted away and the copper is sold for a higher price.” Sheriff Ray says “if you see anyone prowling in a recently burned building, call and report it. We will check the people out just to make sure they belong there.”