The second half of the year 2024 was just as tumultuous as the first, with the battle over jail expansion, and the fight against proposed rock quarries in the area taking most of the top headlines. There was also tragedy with DeKalb County saying goodbye to a long-time servant to the community.
The following are some of the top stories for the second half of 2024.
July 2024
Petition drive against bond issue gains steam
Actions made by the DeKalb County Commission on June 24, sparked a grassroots movement with some local residents mounting a petition drive aimed at stopping the county’s planned funding for a proposed judicial center. At issue was the issuance of bonds, not to exceed $65 million, for the development and construction of a judicial center.
Prichard indicted
A well-known Alexandria businessman was indicted last week by the DeKalb County Grand Jury for allegedly altering checks made to his business and depositing them with much higher amounts.
According to the indictment, 50-year-old Stein Edward Prichard of Brush Creek Road, Brush Creek, manager of Prichard’s Foods, is charged with four counts of forgery against two different victims.
Bond petition garners nearly double signatures needed
A petition drive aimed at stopping the county’s plan to issue up to $65 million in bonds for a proposed judicial center was delivered to County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss’ office, with 2,509 signatures on the petition to be reviewed. The County Commission can move to put the referendum on a ballot, or take no action and simply let the bond resolution fail.
TWRA asks for calm over bear sightings
The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency warned local residents not to take shots at a bear that had been sighted around the Dowelltown area of DeKalb County. For several weeks local residents along the Dry Creek valley have reported seeing, and have taken videos and photographs, of what appears to be a young black bear.
August
Blast rattles local residents
A large blast under the hill literally sent shock waves across part of the community. The explosion occurred in the Snow Hill area, and shook houses, dislodged furniture, and frightened several homeowners. SRM Concrete had attempted to start a new rock quarry on North Driver Road off of Highway 70.
Local bank employee charged with theft
A local bank employee is in trouble with the law after allegedly stealing a very large sum of money from other accounts and placing them in her own. According to Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins, 45-year-old Brenda Fuson of Old Highway 53, Liberty, was arrested for theft over $250,000.
Investigation ongoing in case of body found in cornfield
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a death after a body was found in a vehicle in a cornfield. According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department received a call of a body found on New Bildad Road, Smithville.
Duck Dynasty star migrates to DeKalb
DeKalb County is welcoming one of its newest residents after Duck Dynasty star Tim Guraedy announced he was moving to Eagle Creek. Guraedy is best known for the A& E show Duck Dynasty, where he was featured as the slow talking air conditioner repairman/radio show host known as “Mountain Man.”
Body identified; Goff arrested
The body located in a vehicle in a cornfield on New Bildad Road on August 9, has been positively identified as a young Smithville woman reported missing a week before.
On Monday, August 19, Warren County Sheriff Jackie D. Matheny, Jr. announced the arrest of Joshua Wayne Goff for abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. Goff was taken into custody, and booked into the Warren County Jail under a $60,000 bond.
Local teen drowns
DeKalb County is mourning one of its own after a local teen was reported drowned at a Grundy County swimming spot. The body of 18-yearold Kolby Jacobs was found in a lake after he went missing. The body was located on sonar in 12-15 feet of water. Investigators determined no foul play was involved in the drowning of Jacobs.
Alexandria finds itself without a police force
The transition between an old and new administration can be a trying time for all involved. The changing of the guard between aldermen and mayoral administrations can be tense for those serving, as well as for local residents, but turmoil in the town of Alexandria has left the town without a police force.
Mayor Beth Tripp said that Police Chief Travis Bryant told her at the DeKalb County Fair that his officers were already looking for other jobs.
Bond referendum headed for ballot
The DeKalb County Commission met and voted on a public referendum over a $65 million bond deal. A grass-roots movement was started after the commission voted to approve up to $65 million in bonds toward the construction of a proposed judicial center to replace the DeKalb County Jail and DeKalb Courthouse at its June meeting.
September 2024
Nashville man pleads guilty to hammer murder
The man that started the new year off by murdering his wife in Nashville, then burying her on his property in the Belk community was sentenced in court. Joseph Michael Glynn, 70, was facing charges of criminal homicide, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse, pleaded guilty to first degree murder in Davidson County Criminal Court last Wednesday. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Man charged after body found in yard
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department arrived at 163 Streamer Drive, in the Four Seasons area, and made contact with 66-yearold William Anthony Mckenzie of Streamer Drive, and found a deceased male lying in the yard, identified as 39-year-old Earl Craig Asberry Jr. of Smithville.
The warrant against McKenzie states that, “McKenzie, by his own admission, did intentionally and knowingly discharge a firearm striking the victim, Asberry, multiple times in the torso area, resulting in his death.”
Sligo Bridge honors beloved late Marina manager
A dedication ceremony was held at Sligo Bridge to unveil a new honor for a long-time fixture at Sligo Marina. The bridge was dedicated to the “King of Center Hill” Darwin Gard.
Alexandria hires new police chief and officer
The Town of Alexandria voted on a new police chief and one new officer during a special called meeting, filling some positions vacated by the former chief and officers last month. Both the chief and officer were set to start immediately. At the meeting, the Alexandria Board of Mayor and Aldermen were introduced to Kenneth (K.D.) Smith of Brush Creek, who applied for the position of chief.
Authorities respond to bomb threat
Central Dispatch received a call from a male subject stating there was a bomb in the DeKalb County Courthouse. The caller also referenced additional bombs but did not give locations at the time. The Courthouse was evacuated and searched by officers and the K-9. Authorities say that 39-yearold Matthew Dewayne Griffith of Bright Hill Road, Smithville, was arrested for filing a false report.
New quarries have residents asking for zoning
A couple of new proposed rock quarries, along with some other businesses, have area residents asking the County Commission to take another look at implementing zoning around the county. Citizens say the county needs to have a way of regulating certain businesses that are infringing on the rights and quality of life of neighboring homeowners.
October
DeKalb mourns loss of EMS Director Hale
Local residents were in shock after the announcement of the death of long-time Emergency Medical Service Director Hoyte Hale. Hale had served in the position for nearly nine years, and passed away suddenly.
A grand funeral procession that included family, friends and emergency workers and law enforcement from across the state. The mile-long parade of fire trucks, ambulances, rescue vehicles, and squad cars also featured flybys by Air Evac and Lifeflight helicopters to salute the life of Hoyte Hale.
County to consider Powers Act
With public outcry mounting over two planned rock quarries, and now a planned cryptocurrency data center near Smithville, the county commission is once again looking at the County Powers Act as a solution.
Dowelltown crash claims one
Local emergency workers and law enforcement responded to the scene of a devastating two-vehicle crash that claimed one local woman and seriously injured another. The crash occurred on Highway 70 between Dowelltown and Liberty, and resulted in one victim being airlifted from the scene.
According to a report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 34-year-old Felicia Moore was traveling east on Highway 70. At the same time, 53-yearold Nicola D. Foutch was traveling west. Authorities say that Moore’s vehicle crossed the turning lane and drifted into the left westbound lane, into the path of Foutch’s truck. The vehicles collided nearly head on.
Moore was killed at the scene and had to be extricated from her vehicle by DeKalb Fire extrication unit. Two pets were also killed inside Moore’s vehicle.
Commission votes on school, Powers Act
The DeKalb County Commission had a couple of major issues before it, including funding for a proposed new elementary school and approval of the County Powers Act and a related resolution set to limit where certain land-use businesses can operate within the county. In the end, the vote came down for the County Powers Act, 12-2 in favor.
Warren blaze fatal to Smithville man
A structure fire in the Dibrell community proved fatal for a local man. Emergency units responded to a fire at 1232 Roy Foster Rd. Upon arrival, firefighters found the house, owned by Percy and Nancy Pinegar, partially engulfed by flames and received reports victims – including an 89-year-old bedridden male later identified as Mr. Pinegar – were still inside the home. Roberts stated Mrs. Pinegar received several burns while trying to remove her husband from the fire.
November
Crashes claim one, severely injures another
A local driver suffered a horrible injury after being involved in a one-car accident on rainy and wet roads, while another crash on Monday resulted in the second DeKalb fatality in a month.
E-911 dispatchers received a call reporting a vehicle accident on Short Mountain Highway, north of Tabernacle Road. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 29-year-old Laura P. Palomo Morales was driving a Jeep Cherokee north on Short Mountain Highway, when the Jeep went off the right side of the road, then came back onto the roadway. First responders say the woman received severe injuries in the crash, including a severed hand.
On Monday, local first responders arrived at the scene of a devastating two-car crash on Sparta Highway that claimed the life of a Sparta woman.
Authorities say that 57-year-old Rhonda Wilson of Sparta was traveling east on Highway 70. At the same time, 32-year-old Jason Ervin of Four Seasons Road, Smithville was traveling west. Ervin allegedly reported that he had fallen asleep while driving, with his truck crossing the double yellow line into the path of the Wilson vehicle. While Wilson reportedly tried to avoid the crash, both vehicles collided driver’s side to driver’s side. Wilson was killed at the scene.
Back to the drawing board for jail issue
It was back to the drawing board for the DeKalb County Commission, after two referendums concerning a proposed judicial center were defeated by voters during last Tuesday’s election. Voters said “No” to up to $65 million in bonds to fund the proposal, as well as a $50 wheel tax that would have been used to offset a recent 51-cent property tax hike, implemented to fund the project.
Murders in Warren lead to manhunt in Smithville
The City of Smithville essentially went on lockdown after a triple homicide investigation in Warren County led to a manhunt and shots fired on Smithville streets. The ensuing chase for the murder suspect had local, state and federal officials searching Smithville neighborhoods on the ground and in the air.
Officers with the Warren County Sheriff's Office responded to 900 Merry Oaks Road where a deceased male had been located inside a residence. Officials soon discovered two other bodies in an outbuilding on an adjacent property being used as a residence. The deceased were identified as the homeowner, William Piechocinski, Dana Ramsden, and Otis Hawks, II. The bodies were said to have already been in a decomposition stage at the time of the discovery.
Investigators received information that the suspects may be in DeKalb County, and located them in a car at the end of Bell Street apartments. The female driving the car (Rose) rammed a DeKalb Sheriff’s Department truck operated by Chief Deputy Brian Williams, with passenger Detective Stephen Barrett, who were not hurt, but she hit a Homeland Security officer injuring his leg.
It was at this time that Warren County District Attorney Chris Stanford, who also came to the scene, opened fire at the Rose vehicle, but failed to hit the vehicle or the suspects. The suspect, Brookins, reportedly exited the vehicle and took off running on foot.
Brookins and Root have been charged with three (3) counts of Criminal Homicide and they are being held without bond in the Warren County Jail. Rose has been charged by DeKalb with Felony Evading Arrest and Aggravated Assault for hitting the agent with Homeland Security.
13th Judicial District Attorney General Bryant C. Dunaway later released a statement regarding an investigation into the shots fired by DA Standford during the Bell Street incident.
December
Public asks when county will enforce Powers Act
Several local residents are asking when the county plans to begin enforcing the recently adopted County Powers Act, stopping two planned rock quarries in Dowelltown and in Liberty. The County Commission approved the County Powers Act which established clear distance requirements on rock quarries, along with landfills, data mines, methadone clinics and adult entertainment venues, but some say there has been no effort by the county to enforce the regulations.
Warren DA charged with shooting during arrest
The apprehension of three dangerous suspects wanted in a Warren County murder case, led to the arrest of the District Attorney who was on site with law enforcement in Smithville during the arrest attempt.
During a special session of the DeKalb County Grand Jury, a sealed indictment was issued against District Attorney General of the 31st Judicial District, 43-year-old Christopher Robert Stanford of McMinnville, charging him with reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm into an occupied habitat.
Video footage of the incident was released showing the moments that led up to the D.A. firing his weapon, and a family, whose home was struck by one of the bullets, say one shot came just a couple of feet from a three-year-old girl.
Public speaks out against proposed quarry
The public spoke out against a proposed rock quarry by Jones Brothers Contractors, LLC, in the Liberty area last Tuesday, December 17, at a public hearing over the issuance of water discharge permit by the state. Those speaking against the quarry included several local citizens, and one county commissioner. The public hearing was held at the County Complex by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Mineral and Geologic Resources.
