Fire Related Death Remains Under Investigation
by: Dwayne PageJan 07, 2025
As family plan a memorial service yet to be scheduled for a man, James Brian Storie, believed to have perished in a fire last Thursday in DeKalb County, investigators are still officially withholding a name pending positive identification.
“This is still ongoing,” said Sheriff Patrick Ray. “We have not made a positive identification yet. There are steps that TBI and the sheriff’s department have to take to identify a body that is unrecognizable and that will be done by DNA testing. We have not got the results back so we are still not releasing a name with that fire death,” said Sheriff Ray.
The DeKalb County Fire Department was summoned to a mobile home fire at approximately 1:34 a.m. Thursday morning at 1419 Poss Road. The initial report to 911 dispatch was that the structure was fully involved. Upon arrival, firefighters did find the structure fully involved and collapsed.
Upon investigation, fire crews located a deceased victim inside the mobile home. The Four Seasons, Midway, Johnson’s Chapel, and Short Mountain stations responded along with DeKalb Emergency Medical Services, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s (TBI) fire investigators.
Financially Strong! (View Video Here)
by: Dwayne PageJan 07, 2025
Although the City of Smithville spent more than it took in due to onetime general fund expenditures for the year ended June 30, 2024, it remains on sound financial footing according to the latest audit report
John Poole, Hendersonville CPA, who performed the annual audit for the city, addressed the mayor and aldermen Monday night.
Poole said the audit showed no major deficiencies.
“In doing the state audit we are really trying to do three things,” said Poole. “One is to make sure we provide the state the financial information that they require in their oversight. Another thing we do that is most important to this board is to look to make sure the city is receiving the monies it should be getting whether that’s from the annual property tax, monthly utility billings, police fines, fees from the pool and golf course, etc. Also to make sure the city is getting the monies it is supposed to be getting from the state and from the county. Once we receive these monies, we are to make sure we are handling those monies in accordance with city policies and state guidelines,” explained Poole. “The city is also involved in several grant programs so we look to make sure that the grant monies we receive are handled correctly. I do believe the city is getting the money due it. Of course you will have some folks that are delinquent in payment of property taxes but the city does a good job of tracking that. It’s the same with utilities. We have some people who don’t pay from time to time but the utility department does a good job of monitoring them and making cutoffs when appropriate. As an auditor I really feel like the city is getting the monies it is supposed to be getting,” said Poole.
“The third thing we look at is making sure the monies this board authorizes the department heads to spend is done for city business and that they are following purchasing guidelines, procedures, and the way grant funds are spent. We didn’t find anything to cause a concern as to how the monies are being spent. In our opinion as auditors, we didn’t see anything that gave us any concern,” said Poole.
According to Poole, the water and sewer fund showed a surplus for the year which meets the state’s requirement that the utility be financially self-supporting.
“The change in net position for the year is $536,142 related to water and sewer (not counting grants) so we had a surplus and you certainly met the state’s threshold. When it comes to the utility fund (water & sewer) we are required by state law to show a profit. The city can’t lose money two years in a row. That is not a concern in Smithville. From a financial standpoint your utility system is in good shape,” said Poole.
As for the general fund, Poole said the net change in position showed expenditures exceeding revenues by $722,264 for the year due primarily to large one time capital outlay investments including new emergency communication radio systems for the police and fire departments along with installation of a new irrigation system at the golf course, major swimming pool repairs, as well as replacement of the Dry Creek Bridge and paving projects. Unlike the water and sewer fund, Poole said the general fund does not have to show a profit at year’s end but in this case, the city had ample funds to cover the overage. “If you hadn’t had those significant expenditures, there would have been a huge surplus but those are things we will not be doing every year,” said Poole.
As for the financial strength of the city, Poole explained that in the checking and savings accounts the city has in the general fund $5 million and CDs of over $528,000 which totals more than $5.5 million,” he said.
In the water and sewer fund, Poole said the city has a total of $6.5 million including almost $700,000 in certificates of deposit.
Smithville Police Charge Knife Wielding Man with Aggravated Assault
by: Dwayne PageJan 06, 2025
A man wielding a knife in a threatening manner was recently arrested by Smithville Police
64-year-old Bobby Moore of Smithville is charged with aggravated assault.
Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins said that on December 27 police were called to Holmes Creek Road due to a disturbance involving a man armed with a weapon. Upon arrival, officers spoke with family members and neighbors and learned that Moore had been drinking before getting into a verbal argument that turned physical. During the episode, Moore allegedly produced a knife and used it to make a slashing motion toward the victim, slicing through two layers of clothing near the stomach. Moore, who allegedly admitted to using the knife during the incident, was placed in custody. His bond was set at $17,500 and he will be in court January 9.
52-year-old Jason Holder of Murfreesboro was arrested December 18 on out of county warrants and cited for speeding, driving on a revoked license, violation of financial responsibility, and an unregistered vehicle.
Chief Collins said that an officer stopped a vehicle on Allens Ferry Road for speeding and upon conducting a warrants check, he learned that the driver, Holder had active warrants against him from Rutherford County. Holder was placed in custody and issued several traffic citations.
44-year-old Nathan Wilbert of Smithville is charged with vandalism. Chief Collins said that on December 18 police were summoned to Smithville Laundromat due to vandalism. Upon arrival officers found a glass door shattered and after reviewing a video surveillance recording identified Wilbert as a suspect. The owner of the property reported nothing missing. Wilbert had already left the premises by the time police arrived, but he was taken into custody a short time later. Bond for Wilbert is $8,500 and his court date is January 16.
57-year-old Roger Weiker of Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. Chief Collins said that on December 19 police were called to Miller Road due to a single car accident. After arrival officers spoke with the driver, Weiker and found him very unsteady on his feet and he smelled of alcohol. Weiker admitted to having consumed alcohol, but he refused to submit to field sobriety tasks. He was placed in custody. Weiker’s bond was set $1,500 and his court date is January 9.
39-year-old Crystal Bashaw of Smithville is charged with domestic assault. According to Chief Collins, police responded to a domestic in progress complaint on East Broad Street December 19 and spoke with two people including Bashaw. Officers found physical evidence of an assault and determined that Bashaw had been the primary aggressor. She was placed in custody. Bond was set at $3,500 and her court date is January 9.
26-year-old Dakota Vance of Smithville is charged with domestic assault, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a schedule II drug, and driving on a suspended license. Chief Collins said that on December 30 police were summoned to Mapco Express due to a domestic. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the complainant and reviewed video from a camera, finding evidence of an assault. Police determined that Vance was the primary aggressor, but he had already left by the time they had arrived. Vance later returned to Mapco Express and was placed in custody. His bond is $16,000 and he will be in court January 9.
48-year-old Tiffany Hendrixson of Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. Chief Collins said that on January 2 police were called to DeKalb Middle School due to a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival officers found a white Impala with the engine running and the gear in the reverse position. Hendrixson was allegedly inside the vehicle passed out with her foot on the brake. Police put the car in park and woke Hendrixson. They observed several indicators of impairment such as confusion, slurred speech, and erratic behavior. Hendrixson submitted to but performed poorly on all sobriety tasks. She was placed in custody. Her bond was set at 2,500 and she will be in court January 16.