DCHS Basketball Cheerleaders Win TSSAA State Championship in non-building.

The DeKalb County High School Basketball Cheerleaders are the 2008 TSSAA State Cheerleading Champions in non-building.
The TSSAA State Cheerleading Championships were held at Murphy Center at MTSU on Saturday.
Coach Walteen Parker says “We started working on our routine in November. This is our third State Championship.” The squad members are Rosemary Apple, Captain; Jessica Cook, Captain; Alison Curtis, Captain; Caroline Carter; Kendra Foutch; Amanda Ours; Perri Carter; Camry White; Tiffini Hendrixson; Allyson Judkins; Corabeth Rhody; Sydney Robinson, and Ashlee Whitehead.
Coach Parker was also presented the Coach’s Achievement Award, which is awarded to the State Champion.

Town of Liberty Shares Plenty of Christmas Cheer

The sights and sounds of Christmas were on display Sunday during the annual Liberty Christmas Parade sponsored by Liberty State Bank and the town of Liberty.
Lelan Statom, meteorologist of NewsChannel 5 served as Grand Marshal. The parade also featured floats, the DCHS band, horseback riders, vintage automobiles, tractors, and Santa Claus among many other attractions.
An entry featuring the DeKalb County Fair Little Miss Kacie Malone and her court, Monica Carlton, Makenzie Brooke Poss, and Graci Starnes won the float competition and the Liberty United Methodist Church float took second place.
Kevin Bandy won first place for best vintage automobile in the parade with his 1925 Ford T model.
Terry and Trisha Bullard won second place
In the tractor category, first place went to W.J. (Dub) White and Joe Vickers, Jr. took second place.
Jared Pyles was awarded first place in the miscellaneous category while Justin Johnson received second place.
Prizes were awarded by the Town of Liberty and Liberty State Bank.
TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS OF THE LIBERTY CHRISTMAS PARADE CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK.
http://www.wjle.com/christmas2008?filter0=43

Virgil Lee (Bud) Kirby

92 year old Virgil Lee (Bud) Kirby of Smithville died Sunday at NHC Healthcare Center. He was a retired maintenance worker for the DeKalb County School System and a member and deacon of the Mount Hope The Baptist Church. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Burial will be in Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.; Monday from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.; and Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Savage and Dolly Cope Kirby; a sister, Ruetta Close; and a brother, Clyde Kirby. Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Martella “Tee” Kirby. Three children, Doris Fuson, Deloy and his wife Diane Kirby, and Darrell and his wife Jewell Kirby all of Smithville. Six grandchildren, Teresa Johnson, Renee and her husband Brad Hennessee, Tarron and her husband Dale Johnson, Stephanie Kirby, Chad and his wife Shelia Kirby, and Chris Cantrell. Eight great grandchildren, Corey Williams, Jessica Bain, James Caplinger, Caleb Bain, Zackary Caplinger, Taylor Parker and Dallas Kirby, and Brylee Kirby all of Smithville. Two sisters, Jo Puckett of Smithville and Dale Reynolds of Hermitage. One brother, Edward and his wife Joyce Kirby of McMinnville. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. The family has asked that donations please be made to the Mount Hope The Baptist Church and the Allen Hooper Scholarship Fund, in lieu of flowers.

Smithville Christmas Parade Ushers in Yuletide Season

The town of Smithville was the scene of a yuletide celebration Saturday afternoon.
Hundreds lined the downtown streets for the annual Smithville Christmas Parade.
As always, the parade featured floats, vintage automobiles, motorcycles, local kings and queens, scouts, horseback riders, the DeKalb County High School Fighting Tiger Band, among many other entries. Of course, the highlight of the parade was the appearance of Santa Claus who rode into town on a fire engine tossing candy left and right to everyone along the parade route.
The Grand Marshal of the Smithville parade was the DeKalb County High School Football team. This year’s squad finished the season 9-3 and notched the school’s first ever state football playoff victory.
The Liberty United Methodist Church won first place in the float competition.
The Smithville Church of God took second place for their float and Girl Scout Troop #343 received third place.
The Spirit Award, presented by the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club, went to Wal-mart for their float.
The Smithville Parade is sponsored each year by the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department.
CLICK THIS LINK TO SEE MORE PICTURES OF THE SMITHVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE http://www.wjle.com/christmas2008?filter0=44

Paul Emberton

73 year old Paul Emberton of Smithville died Friday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was a member and deacon of the Sink Creek Missionary Baptist Church. He was also a farmer and a nurseryman. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Bobby Muncey and George Roberts will officiate and burial will be in the New Union Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 4:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mary Emberton; brothers, Harvey, Dean, Jessie, and Charlie Emberton; and sisters, Virginia Young, Louise Hendrix, and Jo Barber. Survivors include his wife Helen Cantrell Emberton of Smithville and several nieces and nephews. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. The family requests that donations be made, in lieu of flowers, to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses.

Troy Lee Edge

64 year old Troy Lee Edge of McMinnville died Thursday at Stones River Hospital. He was a retired factory worker and a member of the Keltonburg Missionary Baptist Church. The funeral will be Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Lash Rice will officiate and burial will be in the Burton-Ponder Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Harden Edge, Sr. and Mary Luna Edge; two brothers, Hobert and Roy Edge; and a sister, Nelda Sue Jones. Survivors include his wife, Frances Delores Edge of McMinnville. One daughter, Tammy and her husband Jordan Beddies of Paris, Tennessee. One son, Tony Edge of McMinnville. Four grandchildren, McKella, Matilyn and Brock Beddies of Paris, Tennessee and Aaron Edge of McMinnville. One brother, Ernest, Jr. and his wife Kathy Edge of Smithville. Two sisters, Paulette and Vanessa Edge of Murfreesboro. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Smithville Police Urge Businesses to Check for Counterfeit Bills

Local business owners and operators are urged to be on the lookout for counterfeit bills, especially $100 and $20 bills that may be circulating.
Smithville Police Chief Richard Jennings says a man went to DeKalb Community Bank Wednesday to change a $100 bill but the teller discovered that it was a counterfeit. The man then asked the teller to check other bills in his wallet and found that he had fourteen $20 bills that were also counterfeit for a total of $380 in fake money.
The man said he had also given a $20 bill to a female relative, which police learned also proved to be counterfeit. The woman tried to pass the bill at Save-A-Lot on Wednesday.
Chief Jennings says police do not believe the man or his female relative knew the bills they had were counterfeit, so no charges have been filed against them.
However, Chief Jennings adds that since neither police nor the man who had the bills knows where they came from, there could be more circulating, so he is urging all business people to beware.
Officers Randy King and Travis Bryant filed reports in the case.
Smithville Police have charged 32 year old Eric James Garner with two counts of simple possession of a schedule IV controlled substance. His bond totals $3,000 and he will be in court on the charges December 18th.
On November 28th, Officer Travis Bryant responded to 2638 Allen Ferry Road to a possible domestic. After speaking to Garner, who said he was having problems with his wife, Officer Bryant obtained consent to search and found in the residence a pill bottle containing five blue pills believed to be Clonazepam. Officer Bryant asked Garner if he had been taking anything and he stated “not today”, but that someone had given him some pills. He produced a pill bottle that contained 750 mg of methocarbamol which is a muscle relaxer. The bottle contained 19 pills.
In other cases, 28 year old Heather Starr Trapp is charged with theft of property under $500. Her bond is $1,000 and she was due to appear in court Thursday.
Officer Scott Davis responded to Save-A-Lot on November 24th where Trapp was accused of taking a package of baby wipes and a package of disposable razors. She allegedly hid the items on her person and left the store without paying for them.
34 year old Kyle Russell Hill is charged with filing a false report. His bond is $10,000 and he will be in court December 18th.
Detective Sergeant Jerry Hutchins, Jr. filed the charge stating that Hill falsely reported the theft of several items from his home at 835 Dry Creek Road on November 26th including a class ring, necklace with a horseshoe pendant and a horseshoe ring. Upon further investigation, it was learned that Hill had gone to a pawn shop on October 14th and pawned two items and on October 17th he pawned the other items.
47 year old Alton Ray Hinsley is charged with theft of property under $500 and public intoxication. His bond totals $2,000 and he was to have appeared in court Thursday.
Officer Scott Davis responded to a call at Wal-mart on November 25th where Hinsley allegedly put on a pair of boots and walked out of the store without paying for them. The boots were valued at $59.00. Hinsley was also intoxicated. He had an odor of alcohol on his breath, his speech was slurred, and his eyes were bloodshot and watery. He was unsteady on his feet.
36 year old Ricky Shannon Nokes is charged with theft under $500, possession of drug paraphernalia, and two counts of possession of a schedule II controlled substance. His bond totals $5,500 and he will be in court December 11th.
Officer Scott Davis responded to Wal-mart on November 25th where Nokes was observed putting several items of store merchandise on his person and attempting to leave the store without paying for them. The items were valued at $48.93.
Upon a search incident to arrest, Officer Davis found a straw containing a powdery residue in his front pocket. Nokes also had a pill bottle clutched in his hand containing six hydrocodone pills. He had no prescription for the pills.
Nokes also had a key chain with a silver pill holder and inside the pill holder was a baggie containing an unknown white substance, which later was field tested and shown to be meth.

Irvine and Silcox Named in Sealed Indictments

Two persons named in sealed indictments returned by the DeKalb County Grand Jury this week have been arrested.
31 year old Heather Irvine of Sparta Highway has been arrested on a sealed indictment charging her with one count of simple possession of a schedule II controlled substance (Oxycodone), simple possession of a schedule VI controlled substance (marijuana) less than one half ounce, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond is $10,000 .The offenses allegedly occurred on January 6th, 2008. The case was investigated by the Smithville Police Department.
Meanwhile 37 year old Tonya Silcox of West Main Street, Liberty was arrested on a sealed indictment charging her with fifteen counts of forgery and one count of theft of property over $1,000.
Silcox is accused of forging checks on fifteen occasions bearing the names of either Larry or Lori Nellist in various amounts during the months of July, August, September, and October.
The indictment on the theft charge alleges that on and between July and October 2008, Silcox forged and passed fifteen checks with a total face value of approximately $3,326 on accounts with the intent to deprive Larry and Lori Nellist of their property, constituting the offense of theft over $1,000.
The case was investigated by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.
Irvine and Silcox will be arraigned in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Monday, December 15th.

William Arnold Selvey

76 year old William Arnold Selvey of Smithville died Thursday at Centennial Medical Center. He was a retired iron worker with TVA and a member of the Smithville Church of God. A graveside service will be Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Selvey and Elsie Gave. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley Selvey. Five daughters, Yvonne Anderson, Sherry Hensley, Gail and her husband Ronald Baines, Sallie Maples, and Norma Rice all of Smithville. Seven grandchildren, Dana Davis, Corey and Eric Dickens, Jason and Caleb Baines, and Whitney Maples all of Smithville, and Daniel Evans of Georgia. Six great grandchildren. Four sisters, Lois Futch of California, Jean Larsh, Joyce and Lester Thacker all of Michigan, and Evelyn and Dean Buck of Silver Point. One brother, Gary and his wife Clair Selvey of California. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Holiday Fun Enjoyed by Many during “Christmas on the Square”

Many shared in the fun of “Christmas on the Square” Thursday evening downtown Smithville.
County officials greeted visitors at the courthouse and served refreshments during the annual open house while others got a chance to see the newly renovated Healing Stones/Lifeworks building for the first time, where most of the night’s entertainment and special activities were held. The Kiwanis Club and Leadership DeKalb greeted visitors at their booths while Thea Tippin, Susie Guerin, and Fluty and the Flutones showcased their musical talents with songs of the season.
Several stores also stayed open extended hours to accommodate holiday shoppers and many took advantage of the opportunity to have their pictures made with Santa by Double J. Photography and to have free family portraits by Studio Six Limited.
Justin-Potter Library also took part in the celebration featuring magician Bruce Amato & his “Holiday Magic” show.
More holiday events are scheduled for this weekend including the Smithville Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 6th at 1:00 p.m. The line-up begins at 11:00 a.m. at Smithville Elementary School. To enter the parade, call John Poss at 597-1135 or Jeff Wright at 597-6750.
Meanwhile, the Liberty Christmas Parade will be held Sunday, December 7th starting at 2:00 p.m. The line-up begins at 1:00 p.m. on the west end of town. There will be four categories for prizes and giveaways after the parade. Santa will be riding into town to greet the public and to visit with the children. Santa will also bring his reindeer plus other animals for everyone to enjoy petting so bring your camera or have Santa’s elves take your picture with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. For more information call 615-536-5101.
The Alexandria Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, December 13th at 2:00 p.m. The line-up begins at 1:00 p.m. on the Jim Curtis Highway or West Main Street. Call for more information at 529-2171.
Several churches in the areas are also presenting special Christmas programs this month.
The Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church presents the 4th annual Living Christmas Tree on December 6th and 7th at 6:30 p.m. This year’s performance is entitled “Hallelujah, Jesus is Born” with new songs and a light show. Come and join us for a time of Praise and Worship and Celebration for the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Watch as the 25 ft Christmas tree comes to life with inspirational music and light. Everyone is Welcome!
Covenant Baptist Church will present “You Can’t Cancel Christmas” and “Virgil’s First Christmas” on Sunday, December 14th at 5:00 p.m. Everyone is invited.
Join the congregation of the Keltonburg United Methodist Church as they present the annual LIVE Nativity. Drive by or walk through the stable and rediscover the true miracle of Christmas. Join LIVE animals, shepherds, angels, and the holy family as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The stable scene will be located at the church at 5612 Keltonburg Road on Sunday, December 21st from 6:00 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be available in the fellowship hall. For more information call 597-5682 or 597-5835. Take highway 56 south to highway 288. Follow highway 288 for 3.4 miles to the second church on the right.
A Christmas Drive-Thru at the Liberty United Methodist Church will be December 17th &18th from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The drive-thru will feature different scenes of the Life of Christ from the Prophet Isaiah, the birth, the boy Jesus, to His miracles. Come celebrate the TRUE Meaning of Christmas. Keep Christ in Christmas. Follow the signs from Highway 70, turning beside the DeKalb Lodge in Liberty. The church is located on Church Street.
The Brush Creek Baptist Church presents the “Life of Christ”….A drive thru with (14) different scenes with live animals & people depicting Jesus’ life from the birth in the Manger to His return …You never have to leave your vehicle….at 26 School House Circle, Brush Creek. To be held Saturday and Sunday, December 6th & 7th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For additional information, please call 615-683-6311 or 615-444-7972.