A 25 year old woman charged in a recent burglary and theft investigation entered a plea Monday, March 21 in DeKalb County Criminal Court.
Judge Gary McKenzie presided.
Brandi Louise Proffer Brewer entered a plea by criminal information to burglary and received a three year sentence, suspended to supervised probation. The term is to run consecutive to a violation of probation charge against her in DeKalb County General Sessions Court. Her probation will be supervised by TDOC. She was given 74 days jail credit and she must make restitution to victims in the following amounts: $170, $359, & $120.
Her husband, 27 year old Dustin Matthew Brewer entered a plea by information last month to burglary and received a three year sentence suspended to probation. He must complete the Safe Harbor Treatment Program and make restitution to victims in the following amounts: $359, $120, and $170. Brewer was given 81 days jail credit.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on or about Monday, November 9, 2015 the Brewers allegedly broke into a building on South Tittsworth Road and stole two chainsaws, an air compressor, an air tank, two wrench sets, an Impact socket, a socket wrench, a hammer drill, a jigsaw, and a 12 volt drill. The total value of the stolen items comes to $1,374. Some of the goods were recovered and identified by the property owner.
The case was investigated by a Sheriff’s Department detective.
38 year old Jessie Eugene Thomas entered a plea to aggravated burglary and theft of property over $1,000. He received a five year sentence for the aggravated burglary and two years for the theft to run concurrently with each other but consecutive to another DeKalb County case against him. The sentence is to be suspended upon payment of fines, costs, and restitution.
Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 Thomas and a co-defendant 32 year old Terra Elaine Locklear broke into a residence on Dale Ridge Road and took several tools and building materials with a total value of $1,190. During the burglary, Thomas also broke out a window valued at $425. The case was investigated by a sheriff’s department detective. Thomas and Locklear were arrested on Friday, June 26.
Locklear entered a plea last month to aggravated burglary and theft over $1,000. She received a sentence of three years for the aggravated burglary and two years in the theft case to run consecutively with each other for a total of five years. The term is also to run consecutively with another case against her. Locklear will remain in the DeKalb County Drug Court Program and she is to make restitution to victims in the following amounts $500 and $425.
40 year old Paul Carlton Woodcock, Jr. entered a plea to burglary and received a two year sentence suspended to TDOC supervised probation

Although a car parked inside a garage was destroyed, members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department were able to keep a fire from causing major damage to a home on Highway 146 south Friday night.
According to Lieutenant Brian Williams fire fighters were summoned to the residence of Thomas Perry at 3190 Short Mountain Highway just before 10:00 p.m. Friday. The residence is a rent home belonging to Larry Summers. Upon arrival firefighters saw heavy smoke and flames coming from a garage where parked inside was a 1992 Honda Accord on fire. While the garage itself is not attached to the house, there is a connecting breezeway.
They could not save the car, but firefighters were able to contain the blaze mostly to the garage area although flames also caused some minor damage to the eave of the house near the second floor.
Perry told firefighters that he returned home after being gone a short time and discovered the fire.
Members of the Short Mountain Highway, Main Station, and Keltonburg stations responded along with a tanker truck, DeKalb EMS, and the Sheriff’s Department. No one was injured.

A McMinnville woman was airlifted after a one car crash around 5:00 a.m. Friday morning on Highway 56 south at Sink Creek.
Trooper Mark Jones of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that Amanda Sowell was north on Highway 56 in a 2004 Acura when the car went off the left side of the road, into a ditchline, and struck a culvert. Sowell was treated at the scene by DeKalb EMS and then airlifted to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga.
Members of the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department and DeKalb County Fire Department were also on the scene.

A federal fugitive wanted in Corpus Christi, Texas for transporting illegal aliens has been arrested by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.
According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, 29 year old Jonathan Lee Pedigo of Long Lane, Smithville was wanted by U.S. Marshals for a pre-trial bond violation related to the offense of transporting illegal aliens. Officers learned of the federal charge against Pedigo after pulling him over for a traffic offense on Sunday, March 20
“The deputy spotted a black car run a stop sign on Ferrell Road. He stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Pedigo. A computer check for warrants through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) revealed that Pedigo was wanted by the United States Marshals Office for a pre-trial bond violation on a charge of transporting illegal aliens. Pedigo was taken into custody without bond. U.S. Marshals picked him up at the DeKalb County Jail Monday morning,” said Sheriff Ray.
In other cases, 28 year old Kevin Jay Stewart of Sparta is charged with theft of property over $1,000, possession of methamphetamine, and a fourth offense of driving while revoked. He was also issued citations for possession of drug paraphernalia and simple possession. His bond totals $13,500 and he will make a court appearance April 7.
Sheriff Ray said that on Wednesday, March 9 a deputy was dispatched to Ragland Bottom Motel to check out a car setting behind the building. Upon arrival, the officer observed the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Stewart.
According to the deputy, Stewart was wearing a necklace with a clear container attached which held .8 grams of methamphetamine and a small amount of marijuana. A hypodermic needle was found in the cup holder of the car. Stewart was unable to produce a driver license. A computer check revealed that Stewart’s license had been revoked in White County for failure to provide proof of financial responsibility on June 5, 2010. He had also been charged with driving on a revoked license on October 1, 2010 and October 13, 2011 in White County and again on March 8, 2013 in DeKalb County.
After a handgun was found in Stewart’s possession, a Sheriff’s Department Detective conducted an investigation and learned that the gun had been stolen along with three other guns with a total value up to $1,500. The guns had been taken from a home on Four Seasons Road.
55 year old Timothy Allen Presley of Bethel Road, Smithville is charged with theft of property over $1,000. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court on April 7.
Sheriff Ray said that on January 29 Presley had in his possession several construction tools valued at more than $1,000 which he had refused to return to the owner after being asked to do so over several weeks. Tools belonging to the victim found in Presley’s possession were recovered. The case was investigated by a Sheriff’s Department Detective.
48 year old Thomas David Williams of Sparta is charged with evading arrest. His bond is $25,000. According to Sheriff Ray, Williams intentionally fled from law enforcement in an older model Ford truck on January 12 after the officer activated his emergency lights. Williams was found and arrested on March 10.
37 year old Rosalino Francisco-Savastia of West Broad Street, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. He was also issued citations for no insurance and no drivers license. His bond is $1,500.
Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, March 3 a deputy responded to Sparta Highway where a vehicle was reported to be driving slowly in the wrong lane. Upon arrival the officer observed the vehicle parked in the roadway. He stopped and spoke with the driver, Rosalino Francisco-Savastia who had a strong odor of alcohol on him. His eyes were bloodshot and he was very unsteady on his feet. Field sobriety tasks could not be given due to his condition and language barrier. The officer found an empty six pack of Corona bottles in the passenger side floorboard and an empty Bud Lite can in the back seat floorboard of the vehicle.
47 year old Johnny Wayne Boles of Rocky Road, Alexandria is charged with a third offense of driving on a revoked license. His bond is $3,500
Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, March 13 Boles was involved in a property damage wreck on Rocky Road in Alexandria. A computer check revealed that his driver license were revoked for driving under the influence. He has two prior offenses of driving on a revoked license in Wilson County.

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander will be the keynote speaker at the 2016 Reagan Day Dinner hosted by the Dekalb County Republican Party. The dinner will be on Tuesday, March 22, 2016, at 6:00PM at the Dekalb County Complex.
“Sen. Alexander is a true icon in Tennessee politics and we are fortunate to have him in Dekalb County,” GOP Chair Mingy Bryant said. “As a former Presidential Candidate himself, I know he has some unique insights into our 2016 Presidential Election. Sen. Alexander has also been a strong leader in the US Senate since his election in 2002. He has devoted his life to public service and I look forward to hearing his remarks at the Reagan Day Dinner.”
Tickets for the Reagan Day Dinner are $30 per person. Table sponsorships are also available for $250. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased from Jennifer Winfree at loveboatlovefish@yahoo.com or Mingy Bryant at 615-597-2600. The DeKalb County Reagan Day Dinner is an annual fundraiser to benefit candidates for offices in Dekalb County. Local Republican Candidates in 2016 include Mr. Shannon A. Cantrell, Candidate for Assessor of Property, Mr. Lee Plummer, Candidate for Constable in District 1, and Mr. Tom Theriaque, Candidate for Constable in District 2.
For more information on the Reagan Day Dinner, go to our Facebook Page at DeKalb County Republican Party.

DeKalb Democratic Party Chairman Jordan Wilkins will be attending the Democratic National Convention at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in July as a delegate for Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
Democratic Party officers, delegates and friends of the 6th district met in Cookeville Saturday, March 19 to select delegates to attend the Convention.
Wilkins was elected first male delegate for Clinton. Leonard Steverson from Lebanon was elected as second male delegate. Bonnie Fussell from Portland was elected as first female delegate. Pat Stanton from Lebanon was elected first female alternate.
Meanwhile Michelle Davis from Cookeville was elected as delegate to represent Senator Bernie Sanders.
In addition to Wilkins, others who made up the delegation for Clinton from DeKalb County at the district meeting in Cookeville Saturday were Jimmy and Joyce Poss, Pamela and Jack Anderson, Jerry Comfort, Barbara Comfort, and Billie Ann Tubbs. Jack Barton, Joyce Hendrixson, and Pamela Jordan represented Bernie Sanders.

The DCHS Band traveled to Cookeville on Saturday, March 5 to perform in the Upper Cumberland Concert Festival held at Prescott South Middle School.
The band received top honors of a I (Superior Rating) for their performance of Concert Literature.
Bands are rated based on a number of factors and receive either a I, II, III, or IV.
The following weekend, the band took 22 select middle and high school members to the Twin Lakes Small Band Clinic. The students were mentored by expert conductors in their field in the areas of performance. Culminating their three day experience, the students performed two separate concerts(one high school and one middle school) each with nearly one hundred members.

With spring drawing near, Tennesseans are taking advantage of the mild weather to work around the home or farm. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry wants to remind citizens that if they plan to burn outdoors, a burn permit is required.
“With two of the past three years experiencing record low fire numbers, we hope to see a continuation of that trend,” State Forester Jere Jeter said. “But we need our citizens’ help. Burning leaves and brush that have accumulated around the yard or using fire to clear an old field is an efficient way to get rid of vegetation. However, it is very important that citizens practice safe outdoor burning. Requiring a burn permit is our way of making the public aware of those recommendations and helping them know when, where, and how to safely burn.”
The free burn permits are required by law until May 15, unless otherwise covered by local ordinances. Residents should check with their city and county government for any local requirements or restrictions.
Permits can be obtained online for burning of leaf and brush piles measuring less than 8 feet by 8 feet in area. The online system also provides permit access during weekend and evening hours. Access the system by visiting www.burnsafetn.org. The website is a good source of information for safe debris burning practices and fire prevention tips, including how to protect your home in the event of a wildfire.
Burning permits can be obtained from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday by calling the DeKalb County office of the Division of Forestry at 615-765-7373. In Smithville phone 615-215-3000. Burning permits can be obtained after hours and on weekends by visiting www.burnsafetn.org.
More than 387,000 permits were issued last year for outdoor burning of brush and leaves, untreated wood waste, and burning to clear land. The volume of requests on any given day can be high, so the Division asks residents to exercise patience if they experience delay in reaching a permit writer. The online system is most effective obtaining a permit for a small debris burn.
Once a burn permit is obtained, debris burners should practice common sense.
•Establish a control line around the fire, down to bare soil before conducting the burn.
•Notify neighbors and local fire departments in advance as a courtesy.
•Have tools on hand such as a leaf rake and garden hose or bucket of water to help control fire that escapes.
•Watch for changing weather conditions as winds can blow the fire in the wrong direction.
•Always stay with your fire until it is completely out. It is illegal to leave an open fire unattended.
Despite the low number of fires in 2015, escaped debris burns were still the leading cause of wildfires in Tennessee, accounting for 251 fires that burned more than 1,900 acres. The Division’s burn permit system has dramatically helped reduce the number of escaped burns since the program began in 1995. Burning without a permit is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $50.
Wildfires caused by arson were the second leading cause of wildfires last year, but damaged the most acreage, burning nearly 5,600 acres. Wildland arson is a class C felony punishable by three to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. Anyone with information about suspected arson activity should call the state Fire Marshal’s Arson Hotline toll-free at 1-800-762-3017.
For more information on the TDA’s Division of Forestry, visit www.tn.gov/agriculture/forestry. For more information on safe debris burning, visit www.burnsafetn.org.
Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry
The Division works to conserve, protect and enhance Tennessee’s forests that cover half the state and provide jobs, timber, clean water, wildlife habitat and recreation.www.TN.gov/agriculture/forestry

Morgan Faith Green is the 2016 Miss Spring Blossom.
Green, the sixteen year old daughter of Suzanne and Jon Harrison of Smithville, won the crown Saturday during the annual pageant sponsored by the Smithville Women’s Club. Green was also named Miss Photogenic.
She succeeds last year’s queen Tyra Grace Graham, the seventeen year old daughter of Kyle and Doris Graham of Smithville.
First runner-up went to Chloe Colvert White, the eighteen year old daughter of Lou Ann White of Smithville and the late Steve White.
Destiny Danielle Franklin, the sixteen year old daughter of Jennifer Ware of Smithville was second runner-up.
Aspen Nicole Flarity was third runner-up. She is the seventeen year old daughter of Doyle and Cindy Flarity of Smithville. She was also chosen as Miss Personality
The pageant featured four contestants ages sixteen to eighteen.

Thirteen year old Alexis Grace Atnip is the new Teen Miss. She won the crown Saturday at DCHS.
Atnip, daughter of Veronica Atnip of Smithville, was among four girls ages thirteen to fifteen who competed for the title during the pageant which is held each year by the Smithville Women’s Club.
Last year’s queen was Sarah Anne Colwell, the fifteen year old daughter of Trent and Christie Colwell of Smithville.
First Runner-up, Miss Photogenic, and Miss Personality went to Dasia Gurley, the thirteen year old daughter of Felicia and Allen Taylor of Smithville.
Monica Carlton was Second Runner-up. She is the thirteen year old daughter of Amanda and Leroy Hale of Smithville.
Shelby Maylee Sprague, fourteen year old daughter of Johnna and Jimmy Sprague of Smithville was Third Runner-up.