On Thursday August 2, Cumberland Co. Voters Choose County Offices and Party Primary Choices

Cumberland County voters will make their voices heard Thursday, August 2 as they choose a new County Mayor, confirm Courthouse offices and choose County Commission and Board of Education members.

In early voting, some 6,478 ballots were cast in person or by mail.  Click or tap this link to download a full sample ballot PDF file from the Cumberland County Election Commission.

Cumberland Co. Courthouse

The polls will be open in Cumberland County from 7 AM to 7 PM on Thursday, August 2 at the regular polling locations across the county. Give your self extra time as the 127 Yard Sale is going on as well on voting day.

The two candidates for Cumberland County Mayor include Allen Foster, a current member of the County Commission who won the Republican Primary in May and Sandra Davis, an independent who has been a school teacher since 1975 and small business operator in Cumberland County.

Single Candidates for county offices include Sheriff Casey Cox, Circuit Court Clerk candidate Jessica Burgess, County Clerk Jule Bryson, Register of Deeds Judy Graham Swallows, Road Superintendent Scott Blaylock and County Trustee Kim Wyatt. All the candidates with no opposition are incumbents except Mrs. Burgess who on the primary after incumbent Larry Sherrill decided not to run.

A full list of the candidates for the County Commission and Board of Education are below.

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In addition to the County elections primaries for both the Republican and Democratic parties are on the ballot for statewide races and for US House of Representatives and US Senator.

Republican primary candidates for Governor include Diane Black, Randy Boyd, Beth Harwell, Bill Lee, Basil Marceau, Sr. and Kay White.

Democratic primary candidates for Governor include Karl Dean, Craig Fitzhugh, and Mezianne Vale-Payne.

Candidates for US Senator on the Republican Ticket include Marsha Blackburn and Aaron Petigrew. Democratic Candidates are Phil Bredesen Gary Davis and John Wolf.

For the 6th District US Congressional Seat, the candidates include Dawn Barlow, Christopher Martin Finley, Peter Hefernan and Merrilee Wineinger on the Democratic ticket with Bob Crolew, Judd Matheny, Christopher Brian Monday, John Rose and “Uturn Laverne” Vivio on the Republican side.

State Senate candidates for the 15th District are incumbent Paul Bailey for the Republicans and Angela Hedgecoth for the Democrats.

One candidate appears on each ticket for the 25th District State House seat, incumbent Cameron Sexton Republican and Anne F. Quillen on the Democratic ticket.  

Two candidates from each County Commission District will be elected to the Commission and one candidate from each of the odd-numbered BOE districts will be elected.

Candidates for First District Commissioner

Christopher D. Coleman

R. J. Crawford

Chad Norris

Sue Ann York (incumbent)

Second District Co. Commissioner

Kyle Davis

Nancy Hyder (incumbent)

Third District Co. Commissioner

Mitchell L Jenkins

John Peaslee

Rebecca H.Stone (incumbent)

Darrell G. Threet

Fourth District Co. Commissioner

Gary L. Adams

Joe Dunn

Jane Franklin

David H. Gibson (incumbent)

Charles Seiber 

Fifth District Co. Commissioner

Jack Davis (incumbent)

Terry Lowe (incumbent)

Sixth District Co. Commissioner

Clifford H. Segar

Michael E. Speich

Wendell W. Wilson (Incumbent)

Seventh District Co. Commissioner

Mark Baldwin

Jerry Cooper

Elbert Farley (incumbent)

Michael J. Hamby

Roy Turner (incumbent)

Eighth District Co. Commissioner

Jim Blalock

Deborah Holbrook

Darrell Wyatt

Ninth District Co. Commissioner

Carl MacLeod

John L. Patterson Jr. (incumbent)

Board of Education Races

BOE First District

Jim Inman

BOE Third District

Shirley French Parris (incumbent)

Jay Wright

BOE Fifth District

Tony Brock

BOE Seventh District

James Davis

Tom Delk

Rebecca Hamby

BOE Ninth District

Stace Karge
Aretie G. Patterson (incumbent)

Upcoming Meetings at Crossville City Hall.

Schedule of Upcoming Events:

July 31             12:00 p.m        City Council Closed Executive Session

August 7          5:00 p.m.         City Council Work Session

August 9          4:00 p.m.         CCCSEC (Sports Council)

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Friday at the Crossroads Back to School Edition August 3 from 4 to 8 PM

Friday at the Crossroads returns to Crossville's Downtown and Main Street Friday, August 3 between 4 and 8 PM.

Photos from previous Friday at the Crossroads.

Celebrating back to school, the public is encouraged to come downtown to enjoy entertainment, great food, shopping and activities for kids and adults.  In addition, numerous businesses, non-profits, and campaigns will have displays and be around to talk to visitors along the street.

The event will close Main Street and some of the side roads from 4 to 8 PM

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Robertson Co. Youth Pastor Charged with Inappropriate Contact with a Minor

TBI Press Release
by Leslie Earhart

NASHVILLE – Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation have obtained an indictment for a former Robertson County youth pastor accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with a minor.

In September 2017, at the request of 19th District Attorney General John Carney, TBI Special Agents began investigating allegations of sexual misconduct involving James Clinton Jones (DOB 3/12/80). During the course of the investigation, Agents developed information that Jones, while serving as a youth pastor, had inappropriate sexual contact with a female child.

James Clinton Jones

Last week, the Robertson County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Jones with one count of Sexual Contact with a Minor – Sexual Contact by an Authority Figure. Friday afternoon, he was arrested and booked into the Robertson County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

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Ongoing Joint Homicide Investigation in Bledsoe County Results in Additional Arrests

Nakayla Sullivan

Marcelino Leal

Keiven Lee Bundy

TBI Release by Susan Niland CHATTANOOGA – An ongoing and joint investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, deputies with the Bledsoe County Sheriff’s Department and officers with the Pikeville Police Department has resulted in additional arrests in the April homicide of a Pikeville man. At the request of 12th District Attorney General J. Michael Taylor, on April 20th, TBI Agents joined Bledsoe County deputies and Pikeville Police officers in a missing person investigation. Thomas R. Rogers (DOB 02/18/1988) of Pikeville had been reported missing by a family member the day before. On April 24th, a deputy found Mr. Rogers’ body in a wooded area off Valley View Road in Pikeville. During the course of the investigation, Agents and deputies developed information that resulted in Nakayla Sullivan being charged on April 26th in connection to the homicide. Through the ongoing investigation, further information was developed that indicated Marcelino Leal and Keiven Bundy also had involvement in the death of Mr. Rogers. On Monday, the Bledsoe County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Nakayla Sullivan (DOB 11/29/1992) with one count of Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder. Marcelino Leal (DOB 10/17/1995), below middle, is charged with one count of First Degree Murder, one count of Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder, one count of Employing Firearm with Intent to go Armed, and one count of Aggravated Assault. And Keiven Lee Bundy (06/07/1988), below right, is charged with one count of First Degree Murder, one count of Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder, one count of Employing Firearm with Intent to go Armed, and one count of Possession of Weapon by Convicted Felon. All three individuals were booked at the Bledsoe County Jail, where they are currently being held without bond.

Tennessee's Sales Tax Holiday July 27 through July 29

The state of Tennessee's annual sales tax holiday is held every year, beginning at 12:01 a.m. on the last Friday in July and ending at 11:59 p.m. the following Sunday night. 

During this weekend, certain goods may be purchased tax-free. 

The 2018 tax-free holiday weekend begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 27 and ends Sunday, July 29 at 11:59 p.m.

Items included in the sale are clothes less than $100, school and art supplies $100 or less and computer equipment $1500 or less. 

For more information visit the Tennessee Sales Tax Holiday Page at this link.

Smithville Mayor and Son Charged with Theft of Unlawful Wages Paid to Son.

COOKEVILLE – A joint investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and investigators with the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury has resulted in the indictment and arrest of the Smithville mayor and his son.

On March 7^th, at the request of 13^th District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway, Agents and investigators began investigating an allegation of theft from the city of Smithville, involving Mayor Jimmy Poss and his son Tony. During the course of the investigation, Agents developed information that the two men were responsible for the theft through the unlawful payment of wages from Jimmy Poss to Anthony Poss, from August 2017 through March 2018.

Jimmy Wayne Poss

Anthony Poss

On Monday, the DeKalb County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Jimmy Wayne Poss (DOB 08/05/1946), below left, with one count of Official Misconduct and one count of Theft over $2,500. Anthony Wayne Poss (DOB 07/06/1968), right, is charged with one count of Theft over $2,500. Both men were arrested Tuesday morning and booked into the DeKalb County Jail. The bond for Jimmy Poss was set at $5,000. Anthony Poss has a $2,500 bond.

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Officer injured and Driver Killed following Police Pursuit in Hamilton Co.

At the request of 11th District Attorney General Neal Pinkston, TBI Agents continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding an officer-involved shooting early this morning.

Preliminary information indicates the incident occurred after Midnight, when an officer from the Red Bank Police Department attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle that failed to yield. A pursuit ensued and law enforcement officers with both the Soddy Daisy Police Department and the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office joined in the pursuit. The vehicle fled from officers into a private drive on Burchard Road in Soddy Daisy and led pursuing officers into a wooded area. While attempting to apprehend the subjects, the vehicle struck a Red Bank officer, who ultimately fired upon the vehicle, striking the female driver and male passenger. Both subjects were taken to Erlanger Medical Center where the female driver died from her injuries. The male subject is currently in critical condition. The Red Bank officer was also treated for his injury and has been released from the hospital.

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TBI Agents and Forensic Scientists continue to gather relevant evidence and interviews in connection to this incident.

TBI Special Agents will gather any and all relevant interviews and evidence as part of this ongoing investigation. As in any case, our investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General throughout the process for his consideration and review.

Coming in August to the Crossville's Historic Palace Theatre, ABBA, Comedy, Jazz and more.

Crossville's Palace Theatre Schedule for August 2018

8/10 (Fri)     Cumberland County Rising Benefit Concert Presents: Jazz Musician Wendel Werner 7PM $15

8/11 (Sat)     Ashley Krohn “Everything ABBA” 7PM $15

8/17 (Fri)     East Valley Three in Concert 7PM $12

8/18 (Sat)     Terry King & Friends with Terri Utsey, Anthony Woolbright & Rob Baker 7PM $15

8/24 (Fri)     Christian Counseling Center Presents Comedienne Karen George 7PM $5

8/25 (Sat)    Pretty Baby Contest 9 AM

8/25 (Sat)     Movie Day with the Sons of the Confederate Veterans and the Roses of the Cumberlands

*Tickets for most events may be purchased at the Palace or online by cash, check or credit card. Palace Box Office hours are Tuesday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Events listed are subject to change.

Order by phone 931-484-6133 or by Internet at www.palacetheatre-crossville.com
Email - palace@crossvilletn.gov

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The Cumberland County Tennessee Sheriff's Department entry to the Lip Sync Challenge has arrived!

Here is the video made by the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department for the nationwide Law Enforcement Lip Sync Challenge. 

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Flooded Roads and Power Outages Reported in Cumberland County Saturday Morning.

Some power outages reported in Crossville/Cumberland County this morning after a very active night of storms.

VEC Outage Map for 7-21-18 6:30 AM

As the map above shows Volunteer Energy has a number of scattered power outages across the region. At the time this was posted 1037 customers in Cumberland Co. were without power.

We also have reports of some flooded roads and parts of Cumberland County received up to 6 inches of rain in the last 24 hours.

Flood Advisory Issued for Cumberland Co until 12:45 AM

The National Weather Service in Nashville has issued a Flood Advisory for Cumberland County in Middle Tennessee, Northeastern White County in Middle Tennessee and Central Putnam County in Middle Tennessee Until 1245 AM CDT. 

At 947 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. This will cause minor flooding in the advisory area. Doppler radar estimates more than two inches of rain have already fallen. Another 1 to 2 inches will fall in some areas. 

Some locations that will experience flooding include... Cookeville, Crossville, Fairfield Glade, Algood, Monterey, Baxter, Crab Orchard, Pleasant Hill, Hamptons Crossroads, Cumberland Mountain State Park, Slate Springs, Burgess Falls State Park, Lake Tansi, Indian Rock Lake and Bakers Crossroads. This includes Interstate 40 between mile markers 281 and 339.

NWS Warns of Enhanced Risk of Severe Storms for Crossville Area This Evening and Tonight

There is a moderate risk for severe thunderstorms across northwest Middle Tennessee, and an enhanced risk of severe storms over the remainder of Middle Tennessee, from late this afternoon into tonight. 

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop late this afternoon and evening across southern Kentucky, then spread southeast across Middle Tennessee into tonight. Damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes are all possible with these storms.

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Major Component of Work on Garrison Park Improvements gets Bid Approval by City COuncil

The Crossville City Council has approved the bid of Freitag Construction for work on the Garrison Park improvements.

Plans for Garrison Park include a playground area, a

splash pad, and restroom building and picnic pavilion.

According to the discussion at the meeting, the project is somewhat over budget and the total cost is expected to be $1,124,000 when it is completed. The playground equipment and the splash pad have both been bid separately and the bid approved includes the remainder of site preparation, sidewalk work, and construction of a restroom building, picnic pavilion and equipment room.

The total bid for the work was 554,400 by Freitag Construction. There was an optional add-on to include a standing seam metal roof for the restroom facility and initially the motion was not to include the additional cost because the project is over budget but after further discussion, the council agreed to include the better roof on the project and the bid was approved with 4 yes votes from all the council members present. Councilman Scot Shanks was not present for the meeting.

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City Manager Greg Wood said that the project would have been quite a bit more over budget had the city not down much of the work to tear down the old grandstand. The part of the project approved was estimated to cost $416,000 and the bid was $554,400. The action also included a budget amendment in the amount of $200,000 to cover the overages.

Council also approved the grant contract for $19,400 from the Urban and Community Forestry Grant to pay for part of the city's urban forester position.   

Crossville Police Chief David Beaty's Management Style Blamed for 33 Percent Turnover in 13 months

Since the previous story published about Crossville Police Chief David Beaty's employment probation, a copy of the employment performance appraisal was requested under open records procedures.

In the document, Crossville City Manager Greg Wood took Chief Beaty to task for his “outdated management style” referring to it as “draconian” and blaming it for the high level of turnover in the Crossville Police Department.

Chief David Beaty

The full copy of Beaty's employment evaluation dated May 2, 2018, and signed a day later, rates Beaty at 2.73 out of 5, placing it in the category of “improvement needed.” The 90 day probation period is up on August 1.

In 11 categories of general employment factors, 4 factors are ranked as “Needs Improvement” with scores of 2 or 2.5 and 7 are ranked as “meets expectations. The highest score was 3.5 for job knowledge. In the comments for that item, Wood remarked, “Good knowledge of police, but management style outdated. Good street cop, but not an investigator.”

Under the category of Personal Leadership, Wood rated Beaty as a 2 out of 5 with the comment, “Many complaints of 'my way or the highway' and leadership by intimidation. This is reflected in a significant increase of turnover that cannot be attributed to just pay issues.”

Leadership Ability received a score of 2 with a comment by Wood saying “Needs to bring supervisors more into the decision making process to get both buy-in and training in leadership. Promote and encourage succession within the department.”

One of the issues when Beaty initially resigned was that there was no one ready to take over the operation of the department leading to the hiring of an interim police chief.

Adherence to policy was rated at 2.5 score with comments “Need to stay within personnel policy guidelines and not freelance. Turn paperwork in, in a timely fashion.”

Under interpersonal relationships, a score of 2 was given and the comment indicated that the turnover rate of employees in the department for the 13 months was 33 percent.

The performance review concludes with a narrative by Wood on the 90 day probation period and the specific areas that need improvement:

“Negative comments made referring to staff as 'The inmates are running the asylum' are completely unacceptable and show a lack of respect for staff. If comments like that are made to me, what is being told to the officers? Retention rate lowest in years. Review of retention rates of surrounding areas, and by Chief Shoap point to the current leadership being the issue. Exit interviews all negative and many fear retaliation. Paperwork not submitted in a timely fashion or at all. Human Resources having to find out about personnel actions by word of mouth. Complaints about morale and draconian management style being received by myself and Council Members. Initiating at 90 day probation period, if retention, moral(e) and paperwork continue at unacceptable levels, termination may be considered."

A copy of the full document is available at this link. 

Previous Story on Chief Beaty.

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Results of CPD Sgt. Tim Vandever Appeal Released--Reprimand reduced by Crossville CIty Manager.

The results of the appeal of personnel action filed by Crossville Police Sgt. Tim Vandever has been released following the appeal being passed to the Crossville City Manager as the Personnel Board did not have a quorum available to meet.

Under the rules, the appeal could have been delayed or passed on to the manager at the decision of Sgt. Vandever.  He agreed to allow the appeal decision to be made by City Manager Greg Wood.

Crossville City Manager Greg Wood

CPD Sgt. Tim

Vandever

Vandever received a written reprimand following an incident that started on I-40 as Sgt. Vandever, who was off-duty, was returning from Cookeville in a vehicle with his wife. After following a vehicle Vandever said was driving erratically he called 911 on his cell phone to report the driver. Before Vandever called 911 he said the vehicle cut in front of his vehicle nearly hitting it and the driver began pouring sodas out the window on to Vandever's vehicle causing visibility problems.

Vandever was unable to get assistance from other law enforcement and ended up following the vehicle to a residence on Lantana Road. A disagreement followed with the vehicle's driver and family members before uniformed law enforcement arrived a short time later.

Sgt. Vandever received a written reprimand from his supervisor a few days later.  He appealed that reprimand to the personnel board.

The written decision by City Manager Greg Wood downgraded the reprimand from written to a verbal one. Wrote Wood, “I agree (Vandever) did put himself at a tactical disadvantage. I also agree if he had been less aggressive in the situation he likely would not have had the issues with the parents, but listening to the dispatch recordings I also understand that he may have felt this situation rose above the level of a minor offense exacerbated by his inability to get help from any uniformed patrol.”

Wood concluded, “ Based on the fact that the dispatch recordings were not reviewed prior to the reprimand and the proper procedure, according to department policy, was not followed to document and investigate the complaint, I am reducing the reprimand to verbal counseling.”

Wood also upheld the direction for counseling related to the incident.    

The City of Crossville’s K9 Cain Memorial Dog Park at Centennial Park receives Dog Park Dash $25,000 Grant

Crossville Press Release:

The Boyd Foundation will present the City of Crossville’s K9 Cain Memorial Dog Park in Centennial Park their grant award of $25,000 on Tuesday, July 17th, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at the K9 Cain Memorial Dog Park in Centennial Park.

The Tennessee Dog Park Dash, funded by the Boyd Foundation, is dedicated to building or enhancing dog parks across the state. Established in 2018, this program is helping to make Tennessee the most pet-friendly state in America alongside other major efforts from brands including Radio Systems Corporation, the parent company of PetSafe®.

Crossville’s Centennial K9 Cain Memorial Dog Park was named after Officer Cain, the K-9 Officer who was killed in the line of duty August 2017, after he was stabbed during a police pursuit. The City submitted a request and was subsequently awarded a $25,000 Dog Park Dash grant announced Friday last week.

“The enhancements planned for the Dog Park include agility equipment such as Jump Hurdles, a Tunnel House, Bridge Climb, Balance Beam, Training Platform Hill Climb, and additional benches,” according to Greg Wood, Crossville’s City Manager.

The community, including their furry friends, of course, are invited to join the celebration as he accepts the check Tuesday morning at Centennial Park.  

Crossville City Council sets Special Called meeting Tuesday July 17 at noon.

A special called meeting of the Crossville City Council has been set for Tuesday, July 17 at Noon.  The short agenda only includes two items.

In addition to the approval of the grant that funds the part-time Crossville urban forester program, the council will consider the bids for work at Garrison Park for part of the improvements.

The forester grant is for a total of $19,400 and requires some match of funds by the city. 

The bids received are for all the work to the park except the splash pad and the playground equipment installation.  The low bid of Freitag Construction is a $554,400 base bid with an add-on option of $12,000 for a metal standing seam roof.   The Project includes site preparation, a restroom building, and picnic shelter.

Meets Scheduled at Crossville CIty Hall the week of July 16

Schedule of Upcoming Events:

July 16             5:30 p.m.         Lake Commission

July 17             12:00 p.m.       City Council Special Call Meeting

July 19             12:00 p.m.       Crossville Regional Planning Commission

July 20             11:00 a.m.       Catoosa Advisory Board

Early Voting Signs on Courthouse Lawn led to discussion on possible ways of controlling them

Early Voting kicked off Friday, July 13 with 367 voters casting their ballots and will continue through July 28 for the August 2 County General Election and State and National primaries.  

Voting will continue on Saturdays from 8 AM to Noon and weekdays from 8AM to 5 PM.  

Under the rules of the County Commission Building and Grounds Committee, political signs may not be left up overnight on the Courthouse lawn and must be removed at the end of each day.  At a recent Building and Grounds meeting the Committee discussed possible changes to cut down on the number of signs and the number of parking spaces tied up with vehicles with signs. 

You can find a complete list of candidates and a link to a full sample ballot at this link. 

Political Signs Cover the Cumberland County courthouse

lawn during early voting 

Early Voting takes place in the Milo Lemmert Courthouse Annex

(Old Post Office Building) located across Main Street from the

Courthouse. 

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Public Encouraged to Recognize Crossville Natl. Guard Unit as it leaves for Deployment

UPDATE: New Departure Time is now 8:30 AM

Crossville Mayor James Mayberry has proclaimed Sunday, July 15th as the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment Day as that is the day that the Crossville unit will head out for training in preparation of deployment in Eastern Europe for about 13 months.  

Mayor Mayberry urges citizens to line the route as the unit will leave the National Guard Armory at 6 AM Sunday morning and head up Elmore Road to 127-N and then head north to I-40.  American Flags are encouraged and American Flags placed by the city line the route as well.  

The full proclamation is below:  

L-R Patrolman Kendell Hargis, City Manager Greg Wood

Lt. Col-USAF Ret, Sgt. Tejda, Capt. Seaver, 

and Mayor Mayberry.

2018 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment Day

WHEREAS, the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment is to be deployed in Eastern Europe for 13 months and are leaving for deployment from our National Guard Armory in Crossville on Sunday, July 15, 2018; and 

WHEREAS, we appreciate and honor these patriotic ladies and gentlemen; and 

WHEREAS, we desire to recognize their duty to serve our country; and 

WHEREAS, the Regiment has requested that the community line the streets for their departure on July 15 at 6 a.m., from the Crossville National Guard Armory to Highway 127 North, then to Interstate 40; 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MAYOR James Mayberry, do hereby designate and proclaim July 15, 2018 as 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment Day in Crossville, Tennessee, and do urge all citizens to join us on this day at 6 a.m. along Highway 127 North to show our support, honor, and appreciation to our troops and wish them well and a safe return home.

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