11/13/01
Local Vets honored during ceremony
By LISA UNDERHILL
A program, organized by the American Legion, the VFW and the AmVets, was held Saturday in honor of Veteran's Day on the south side of the DeKalb County Courthouse in Smithville. The Tennessee State Guard provided a Color Guard which marched through a crowd of approximately fifty onlookers as veterans saluted the Old Glory and the Tennessee State Flag.
Sergeant Major Bill Patrick opened the ceremony speaking of the origins of Veteran's Day, telling the assembled crowd, "Veteran's Day was established after the First World War. It was established first as Armistice Day to honor those veterans that served in the First World War. However, after World War II, they began to rethink the program and they decided to rename it in honor of all veterans in all wars and those that are serving today that are veterans."
William D. 'Bill' Manning, a veteran who recently passed away, was recognized during the event. Manning was the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Veteran’s Affairs under Governor Ned McWherter.
Patrick told of how Mr. Manning served his country in Vietnam and was severely wounded, losing both arms along with other injuries. "He was a soldier among soldiers," said Patrick.
Chaplain Chuck Olson led the crowd in prayer expressing thankfulness for those who served our country and Doyle Smith led the pledge of allegiance as those in attendance saluted the Stars and Stripes.
Brigadier General Billy Hawkins of the Tennessee State Guard was the guest speaker for the occasion and spoke on 'Where have all the heroes gone?'
He addressed the great courage of some of the famous heroes throughout our country's past and explained how heroes are those who display patriotism so that others may experience the freedom, recognizing the veterans in attendance.
He also recognized the firemen and policemen in the crowd, and referring to recent events, commended them on being heroes as well.
The event concluded with Bradley Johnson marking his 6th year of playing taps during the 'Laying of the Wreath' honoring the military dead of DeKalb County.
Patrick closed the ceremony by thanking all those who attended.
Wildfires keep firemen busy through dry weather
By CHRIS TRAMEL
Lack of rain and breezy conditions have made for a busy week for local firemen as several brush and forest fires have popped up across the county.
DeKalb County Fire Chief Donny Green told The Middle Tennessee Times that on Thursday, Liberty and Temperance Hall units of the DeKalb County Fire Department were called to the scene of a hay fire on Green Hill Road just south of Liberty.
Upon arrival, units found a truck with a trailer load of hay on fire. Fire crews worked to remove the burning rolls and were able to save the trailer with no major damage.
At practically the same time, fire crews were called to Poss Road where a controlled burn had turned into a small forest fire. Midway and Short Mountain units along with the Tennessee Division of Forestry responded to the scene and were able to contain the blaze before it could spread to nearby structures.
Saturday morning firemen were called by Cannon County for mutual aid assistance with a fire on Short Mountain. Authorities reported that the Forestry maintenance shed on top of the mountain had caught fire and spread across an acre of land. Blue Springs, Cookeville Highway, Short Mountain and Forestry units responded. The structure was a total loss.
Around 4:00 p.m. that same day, firemen responded to another fire on Coconut Ridge Road. Cookeville Highway, Short Mountain and Blue Springs units responded. There, firemen found approximately seven acres ablaze. Fire crews battled the blaze for four hours and were called back to the area later that evening after the fire rekindled.
On Sunday, firemen were summoned to yet another forest fire on Blueberry Trail near Ragland Bottoms. Johnson's Chapel, Midway and Short Mountain units of the DeKalb County Fire Department along with Tennessee Forestry units responded. Chief Green told The Times that approximately one acre of land was burning in a wooded area where several homes were located. The blaze even burned up against one home, but firemen were able to contain the fire before any damage could be done.
Chief Green urges anyone who plans to burn leaves or debris to wait until conditions are not as dry. The fall months are traditionally the driest of the year. Dead leaves and underbrush can quickly make any fire become wildly out of control.
Recent forest fires in East Tennessee and the death of a firefighter in Overton County have recently given the dangers of the extremely dry weather national attention. Everyone should use caution and common sense.
For more information on forest and grass fire prevention, visit the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department website at www.dekalbfire.com.
County faces dilemma over female inmates
By CHRIS TRAMEL
DeKalb County and Smithville City officials may be facing a dilemma in the very near future, what to do with its female inmates?
Though officials are not confirming that the City's Jail will be closing, all indications are that by the end of the year Smithville will be out of the jail business. Currently the Smithville Jail holds all City and County female prisoners and the DeKalb County Jail houses all City and County male prisoners.
The problem is that the County doesn't have a facility to house female inmates. The new DeKalb County Jail Annex was not designed to house male and female prisoners as State laws require that female and male inmates cannot be housed within visual and audible sight of each other. They can't see or hear each other and the new County facility would have to be renovated to meet these requirements.
The issue has arisen after the Smithville City Council's decision, last week, to amend the City's charter and change the Municipal Court's General Session's jurisdiction to one that would only enforce city ordinances and misdemeanors.
Since State laws do not require a municipality to house prisoners, City officials do not feel the need to provide a jail facility, setting the responsibility in the solely in the County's lap.
Whatever the decision over the City Jail, it will most likely be permanent. With the State's requirements over housing inmates set after the Smithville Jail was in operation, the City facility was grand fathered in, not having to meet these regulations. If the facility is closed it cannot be reopened without meeting the new requirements set forth by the State.
Smithville Police Commissioner Bert Driver told The Middle Tennessee Times, "The City Jail will have to change to a certain degree, though no firm plan is in place as of yet."
City Recorder Burnace Vandergriff says whatever happens the City and County will work together. He told the Times, "We'll try to make the transition as smooth as possible and easy for everyone. We would like to have the issue settled before the City's insurance is renewed on December 29th."
County Commissioners are set to discuss options to the jail issue on Thursday.
Several arrested on drug charges
By LISA UNDERHILL
The Tennessee Highway Patrol has made several drug arrests over the past weeks, producing one wanted fugitive.
On Saturday, November 3rd, 34-year-old Barry McDonald Graves of Clarksville was stopped for speeding near Liberty. After an investigation Trooper Brian Raymond arrested the man for driving under the influence and violation of the open container law.
Trooper Monty Terry stopped a Hickman man on Sunday, November 4th for speeding near Alexandria. After smelling alcohol, Trooper Terry made a further investigation and discovered the man to be in possession of a quarter pond of marijuana. 21-year-old Kenneth L. White of Hickman faces charges of speeding, felony possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Fifty-five-year-old James O. Saylors of Morgan Street in Smithville was also stopped by Trooper Terry for weaving and speeding on Highway 70. After smelling alcohol, Trooper Terry asked Saylors to do several field sobriety tasks, which he performed poorly. The man was arrested for DUI and a further investigation produced five hand rolled marijuana cigarettes inside the band of his hat along with a bag of marijuana found in his coat pocket.
That same day Trooper Chad Bilbrey observed 43-year-old Terry L. Perry of Lebanon driving in an erratic manner on Highway 53 on the edge of Smith County. Perry was found to be driving on a canceled driver license and a further investigation revealed that Perry was in possession of ½ pound of marijuana, over $500.00 in cash and drug paraphernalia.
On Monday, November 5th, 21-year-old Travis L. Cantrell of McMinnville Highway, Smithville, was operating a 1992 Mitsubishi on Highway 56 north and was stopped for speeding by Trooper Terry. Cantrell's driver license was found to be suspended and he was placed under arrest.
A bag of methamphetamine was found in the man's pocket and an inventory of his vehicle revealed several components used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, including tubing and vessels for cooking the drug.
Cantrell and his passenger, 22-year-old Greg Roberts of The Loop in Smithville, were arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail. The DEA responded to the scene and removed the chemicals.
On Tuesday, November 6th, 32 year-old David L. Blasingame of West Main Street in Smithville, was operating a 1980 Pontiac and was stopped for expired license plates. He was found to be driving on a suspended license. His passenger, 36-year-old Alan T. Fisher of West Main Street, Smithville, was wanted on fraud charges in Seminole County, Florida. Trooper Monty Terry made the arrests.
School Board approves articulation agreement
By VALERIE LAPRAD
The DeKalb County School Board met for the regular monthly meeting on November 8, 2001. The meeting opened with Chairman Joel Moore recognizing and expressing appreciation for the large audience present.
Consent items on the agenda were adopted including the approval of a Physical Therapy Contract with Health Sphere Wellness Center to provide services under the supervision of Special Education. An overnight trip request from the DeKalb Middle School Jr. Beta Club to attend the State Jr. Beta Convention at Opryland Hotel on November 19-20, 2001 was also approved.
The board approved an Articulation Agreement with the Hartsville Technology Center in addition to the agreement with the Livingston Technology Center. These agreements are in place to encourage students to seek post-secondary technical education. Director of Schools, Aubrey Turner, explained that articulation means that students will be able to take courses here and get credit when they go to college.
The programs available through the Hartsville Technology Center will include Automotive Technology, Business Systems Technology, Computer Operations Technology, Drafting and CAD Technology, Electronics Technology, Industrial Maintenance and Machine Tool Technology.
The programs available through the Livingston Technology Center will include Automotive Technology, Building Construction Technology, Industrial Maintenance, and Machine Tool Technology.
Since no bids were received on the advertised used copy machines for sale from Smithville Elementary, a motion was made and approved to allow Principal Jennings to dispose of these used copiers as surplus property. They will be for sale to the public "as is." It was stated in the meeting that these copiers were approximately 12-13 years old and were still in working condition.
In other business, Director Turner presented his personnel report.
Those employed this month were June Delores Taylor, substitute and/or part-time cafeteria worker and substitute custodian; Shelly Waggoner, special education assistant at DeKalb Middle School; and Sharan Barber, teacher at DeKalb High School filling a leave of absence.
2001-2002 substitute teachers were Deborah Collins, Kendra Evans and W.C. Braswell.
Those who resigned in the last month were Darryl Pedigo, custodian at Smithville Elementary; and Rebecca Satterfield, special education assistant.
Janet Trapp was granted a leave of absence as requested.
Many new improvements are in the works for the upcoming school year including, but not limited to, the school schedule. Mack Harney III said the curriculum committee had met and discussed many issues and ideas but were not ready to make a recommendation to the board. They have been discussing the curriculum and scheduling, different types of support and assistance for the students and the parents, scholarships and grants, the possible addition of courses, and ways to provide assistance to teachers.
Director Turner added, "We are looking at ways to improve test scores and improve the curriculum. Presently, we are on a block scheduling and we think that's good to a certain degree, but we think that we can modify it and improve that and we are looking at a possible AB scheduling for next year. It would allow us to do some things, I think, and it allows flexibility…through the school year." He also said he thought the Board is very receptive to looking at the calendar to see how they could better accommodate the people and the students in the system.
PTO officers were recognized by Director Turner for the tremendous volunteer support they offer the community and the individual schools. The PTO Officers recognized from the Smithville Elementary School were President Jennifer Mitchell, Vice President Cindy Webb, Treasurer Nancy Young and Secretary Carol James. The PTO Officers recognized from the Northside Elementary School were President Gail Stewart, Vice President Lora Webb, Treasurer Pat Cantrell and Secretary Melinda Willoughby. From the DeKalb Middle School, the PTO Officers recognized were President Lydia Holmes, Vice President Lisa Lay, Treasurer Robin James and Secretary Lisa Norton. The PTO Officers recognized from the DeKalb West School were President Charlie Robinson, Vice President Karen Waldon, Treasurer Tammy Crook and Secretary Tina Edwards. Special recognition was also given to Ronnie Goodwin, the Co-Chairman of the DCHS to Work Partnership Program, Don Rigsby, Co-Chairman of the Business and Industrial Coordinator, and to DCHS Student Coordinator Brenda Lee. |
