07/27/04
Deadly week on area roads
By Chris Tramel
July is proving to be a deadly month on area roadways with the sixth and seventh traffic fatalities reported in the last week. Once again, rain-slick roads are to blame for one accident while another crash has claimed the life of a prominent Smithvillian.
Trooper Jimmy Tisdale told The Middle Tennessee Times that around 12:45 p.m., on Sunday, 18-year-old Daniel Wayne Yost and a passenger, 17-year-old Sarah Flanagan, both of Smithville, were traveling west on Highway 70 West in a 2002 Dodge Dakota pickup truck. At the same time 53-year-old Phyllis Hibdon Flory of Smithville was traveling east in a 2003 Buick Park Avenue Ultra.
Authorities say that during a heavy downpour the Yost vehicle hydroplaned on standing water and drifted into the eastbound lane, directly into the path of the oncoming Buick. The two collided on the driver's side of the vehicles.
The crash occurred in front of Aaron Tippin Outdoors and witnesses quickly notified E-911 dispatchers. DeKalb EMS, deputies with the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department, Smithville Police officers, area first responders, and Short Mountain Engine 62 and Cookeville Highway Engine 61 with the DeKalb Fire Department rushed to the scene. Warren County EMS was also called to the scene as other DeKalb EMS crews were responding to other area emergencies.
Smithville Fire Department's Extrication Unit was dispatched to the scene after Flory was found to be trapped inside the tangled wreckage of her car. Crews worked for nearly 45 minutes as they cut twisted metal in order to free the trapped victim.
A Lifeforce Helicopter was called in to transport Flory, but had to leave before the woman could be extricated. High winds, heavy downpours and lightning passing through the area at the time of the crash made air transport impossible.
Yost and Flanagan were transported to DeKalb Hospital by Warren County EMS, both with minor injuries. Flory was transported by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Authorities say that all involved in the accident were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash. The THP's Critical Incident Response Team was called in to investigate the scene.
Earlier in the week authorities responded to another fatal crash, this time a one-vehicle accident that claimed a former Smithville Mayor.
Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Steve Mackie told The Times that shortly after 2:00 a.m. Wednesday morning 54-year-old Gary "Gus" Johnson of Smithville was traveling south on Highway 56 North (Cookeville Highway), near Church Street, in a 2001 Ford Expedition.
Authorities say that Johnson went off the roadway into a grassy area, jumped a small embankment, slid across East Walnut Street, and rolled. The man was ejected during the crash.
Smithville Police Officers, Deputies with the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department, DeKalb EMS and Smithville Fire Department rushed to the scene.
Johnson is believed to have suffered a heart attack at the time of the accident. Authorities say that the man was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Troopers say there was a possibility that if the man had been wearing his seatbelt there would have been a different outcome to the accident.
THP Trooper Mackie and Lt. Jimmy Beaty are in charge of the investigation. Mr. Johnson was a former Smithville Mayor, alderman, County Clerk and Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper.
Junior Princess,
Fairest of the Fair crowned
By Lisa Tramel
Twenty-six lovely young ladies competed for the 2004 Junior Princess crown on Monday night at the DeKalb County Fair.
Christen Ashley Hale, the 16-year-old daughter of Evelyn and Craig Hale of Liberty, won the title.
First runner-up in the pageant was Jada Loftis, the daughter of Terrie and Tim Loftis of Carthage. Second runner-up was Miranda Kay Ellis, the 15-year-old daughter of Randy and Jill Ellis of Liberty.
Other girls returning in the Top Eleven were Kelli Michelle Bess, Tayler Marie Foutch, Amber Nicole Evans, Victoria Hope Martin, Rosemary Apple, Brittney Cantrell, Tiffany Shena Winchester and Macy Celeste Felts.
Miss Congeniality, who is selected by the young ladies in the contest, was awarded to Sara Vantrease of Gordonsville.
The 2004 Fairest of the Fair pageant had 14 stunning contestants this year. Crowned the winner was Miss Lindsey Victoria Burton, the 19-year-old daughter of Garlene and Tim Burton of Lancaster.
Receiving first runner-up was Allison Gail Rigsby, the 17-year-old daughter of Bonnie and Don Rigsby of Smithville. Tara Joan Griffin, the 17-year-old daughter of Tammy and Mike Griffin, was awarded second runner-up.
Miss Congeniality was awarded to Jenna LeAnne Nixon, the 18-year-old daughter of Lisa and Timmy Nixon of Smithville.
Other girls returning in the Top Seven were Lauren Danielle Lawrence, Whitney Nicole Rice, JoDee Leigh Stults and Lynsey Michelle Nixon.
Sprinkler system in
Federal Mogul fire in question
By Lisa Tramel
The blaze that destroyed Federal Mogul Distribution Center in the early morning hours of March 5, 2004 claimed an estimated $100 million in damages with 250 local jobs affected. The fire damaged the local economy and has left the company's future in DeKalb County in question. But there's another question being asked by the attorney of Joseph Lee "Rooster" Merriman, the 20-year-old charged with setting the blaze. Could the massive devastation have been avoided?
Attorney Jack Lowery is looking into information that the sprinkler system at the warehouse was not in operation at the time of the fire. "The State Fire Marshall's office indicated to me that they did not do an investigation to determine whether the sprinkler system was working or not. This fact is relevant and material to what occurred out there," Lowery told The Middle Tennessee Times. He said information has come to him that the main valve of the system was not functional at the time, although he has not yet been able to acquire the report to substantiate this claim.
Merriman was scheduled to be in court on Thursday, July 22 for a preliminary hearing on the charges of arson and attempted murder as police allege that Merriman used a candle, placed in a box in the shipping area, to attempt to smoke up the building simply as a way to get the night off work. Lowery was granted a continuance in the case until October 28, giving him time to investigate the claim of faulty sprinklers.
In an exclusive interview with The Times in June, Merriman, who has been in jail since being arrested on March 9, said that the night of the fire started as a joke, 'a joke that went bad.' Merriman concluded the interview by saying, "If I could turn back time I would. I'm real sorry for what happened. I never intended for people to lose their jobs. This has changed me completely. It's taught me to take responsibility for my actions."
Lowery says his client has accepted responsibility for his actions, being truthful from the beginning. It is an unfortunate occurrence Lowery told The Times, but Merriman never intended for it to occur.
"This was a massive fire that occurred, and the sprinkler system was not working. Had it been working, this may not have occurred," Lowery said, adding, "This is not an excuse as to why the fire started but a direct link as to why it was so massive."
With Federal-Mogul's Smithville distribution center lying in ruins from a massive fire, another question is will the automotive supplier rebuild or relocate? County Executive Mike Foster and other local officials are doing everything they can to insure that one of the county's largest employers remains in DeKalb, but the company has not yet made an announcement if it will return from Smyrna where it is currently leasing a building for its distribution center.
First day of school delayed
By Valerie Laprad
The first full day of school for the 2004/2005 year in DeKalb County will now be delayed until Monday, August 9th, according to Jim McCormick, Director of Schools. Registration will be held on Friday, August 6th which will be an abbreviated day. The schedule for staff and teachers will not change, with in-service and administrative days remaining the same.
School was originally set to begin on Wednesday, August 4th, with registration on Monday, August 2nd but the delay was necessitated due to the construction at the DeKalb County High School. McCormick explained that, "This delay will be beneficial to the system in that more time will be available to complete the construction and installation of cafeteria equipment at DeKalb County High School. Also the Transportation Supervisor will have an additional three days to ensure the safety of all school buses."
In other school related news, Director McCormick has announced that the position of Transportation Supervisor for the DeKalb County School System has now been filled. Michael Shane Cook has signed a contract to work as a mechanic at the school bus garage along with being the Transportation Supervisor.
Cook told The Times that he is a 1991 graduate of DeKalb County High School and then attended the Nashville Auto-Diesel College for one year receiving an auto-diesel technician degree.
"I feel with my knowledge and training, I can run a safe and reliable transportation system for DeKalb County," Cook said.
McCormick said that the other mechanic position at the school bus garage has not yet been filled.
Former teacher arrested again
By Chris Tramel
A former DeKalb County teacher is once again in trouble with the law after she was arrested on charges of forgery.
DeKalb County Sheriff Lloyd Emmons told The Middle Tennessee Times that 32-year-old Tonya Silcox of 388 Pine Grove Road was arrested Friday and charged with eight counts of forgery. Authorities allege that Silcox stole her mother's checkbook and used it to pass forged checks at several local businesses.
Silcox is a former Northside Elementary School third grade teacher. She was arrested in January of 2003 for allegedly forging a prescription at a Putnam County pharmacy.
Afterward an agreement was made with the Judge and Assistance District Attorney from Putnam County for the case to be dismissed under the condition that Silcox would resign her teaching position.
Silcox is currently being held in the DeKalb County jail under a $3,500 bond for each charge, or $28,000 total bond. She is due to appear in court on August 12, 2004.
Detective Mark Loring and Deputy Keneth Whitehead were the arresting officers. |
