Andrea Coleman, Fifth Grade DARE Essay winner at DeKalb West School. Pictured with Sheriff Patrick Ray and Chief Deputy Don Adamson
Karley Knowles, Fifth Grade DARE Essay winner at Northside Elementary School. Pictured with Sheriff Patrick Ray and Chief Deputy Don Adamson
New Sign Erected Outside of County Complex
Erin Cantrell-Pryor received over $212,500 in scholarships at DCHS Thursday, the largest total award presented to any student, including a $186,000 scholarship from Cornell University
Rawlin Vanatta, owner/operator of the White Possom Grille in Smithville, talked about jobs in the culinary arts during Career Day at DeKalb West School
DCHS Class of 2013 Scholarship Recipients at Awards Day
Singer/Songwriter Sam Mullins talked to 6th-8th grade students at DeKalb West School about careers in music at the annual Career Day, coordinated by School Counselor Bill Conger.
Junior DCHS Golfer Mallory Sullivan signs with Cumberland University to play golf after she graduates. Members of her family joined Mallory at the signing Thursday along with DCHS Coach Joe Pat Cope
School Board Votes 4-1 to make cuts in Tentative Budget for 2013-14. (OLDER PHOTO) (READ STORY UNDER LOCAL NEWS)
DCHS Principal Patrick Cripps, Valedictorian Taylor Leach, Salutatorian P.J. Carroll, State Rep Mark Pody, State Sen. Mae Beavers, State Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver, and Director of Schools Mark Willoughby
Smithville Crime Stoppers Board meets with D.A. Randy York: Officer Matt Farmer, Shawn Jacobs, Randy York, Gayla Hendrix, John Daniels, Karen Caplinger, Mayor Jimmy Poss, and Phillip (Fluty) Cantrell
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society for Key Women Educators welcome new members Mandy Dakas and Kathy Bryant into the Beta Theta Chapter. Pictured with long-time members, Louise Frazier and Jenelle Pugh.
Sheriff Patrick Ray, detectives, deputies, and TBI agent Billy Miller examine Chevy Blazer pulled from the lake where Putnam County woman died after the vehicle ran into the water. (See Videos)
Chevy Blazer Pulled from Center Hill Lake at Johnson Chapel Boat Ramp. Putnam County woman died after the vehicle submerged in the water. Two others escaped unharmed (See videos)
Woman Dies After Chevy Blazer Runs off Boat Ramp and Submerges in Lake (SEE VIDEOS UNDER LOCAL NEWS)
Retiring teachers from Smithville Elementary left to right and their years of service. Ms. Jan Thomas- 35 years, Mrs. Sue Driver- 39 years, Mrs. Mary Pugh- 30 years
Cancer Survivors at Relay for Life
Presentation of the Colors by Boy Scout Troop #347 at Relay for Life
Smithville Police are asking for your help in solving a theft and vandalism at the Habitat for Humanity house under construction at 110 Hayes Street. The incident , which occurred sometime during the night of Wednesday, August 18th, was discovered the next morning.
Police are reporting that someone broke into a trailer at the work site and stole numerous tools. The intruder(s) also made entry to the house, causing damage to the back door. Some tools inside the house were also stolen. Taken were a 16 foot aluminum ladder, cordless drill w/charger, Bosch air compressor, 25 foot air hose, 50 foot extension cord, Delta Miter box and Makita circular saw.
The Tennessee Emergency Communications Board (TECB) has made
$2.2 million in funding available to local Emergency Communications Districts for dispatcher training.
"We've set uniform standards because we want to do all we can to improve the effectiveness of 911," said TECB Executive Director Lynn Questell. "We know many districts exceed these standards and provide additional training and support to their dispatchers. We certainly want to provide the local 911 districts with the needed funds to for this training."
"We're pleased we can provide these funds," Questell said. "Not every state has minimum requirements. And among those that do, not every state provides funding for the training. Tennessee continues to be a national leader in 911."
Brad Mullinax, Director of the DeKalb County Emergency Communications District (Central dispatch/911 center) says this extra funding allocated to the local 911 center will help offset the costs of dispatcher training. "Tennessee state law mandates that all dispatchers that receive an emergency call complete 40 hours of on the job training and a 40 hour Public Safety Telecommunicator course. Additionally, all dispatchers are required to complete annual continuing education classes to satisfy to state training requirements. Until recently these mandates were being funded locally. We are very excited about these funds that are being provided by the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board. Training has become a major portion of our budget and this will finally provide some relief for us to provide additional training to our emergency dispatchers with no costs to our taxpayers and local telephone subscribers. We currently employ 8 full time dispatchers and 5 part time dispatchers"
