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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)

State Lawmakers Honor DCHS Valedictorian and Salutatorian

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

Crowd enjoys David Turner and Friends at Relay for Life

David Turner and Friends entertain at Relay for Life

Cookeville Children's Theater performs "Seussical" at both DMS and SES

On Friday, May 10, the Cookeville Children's Theater performed "Seussical" at both DMS and Smithville Elementary School. Picture by Lisa Craig

Chamber presents Community Improvement Award to New Life Connection Center for their complete interior and exterior remodel to the former Roses retail store

DCHS Men's Soccer Team to Compete for District Tournament Championship

The Smithville Elementary School's Community Field Trip was held downtown

The Smithville Elementary School's Community Field Trip was held on the Smithville Public Square. Children shown here with County Mayor Mike Foster and Chamber Director Suzanne Williams

DCHS boys doubles team finished second in the District Tennis Tournament

DCHS boys doubles team Taylor Leach and Dylan Young finished second in District Tennis Tournament at TN Tech on Tuesday. They will play in the Regional Tournament next Monday in Chattanooga

Liberty Man Charged with Felony Theft

August 13, 2010

by:

Dwayne Page

A Liberty man, accused of stealing from Wal-mart, has been arrested by the Smithville Police Department.

26 year old Andrew Duane Maynard of Maynard Road, Liberty was picked up on Tuesday, August 10th for felony theft. Detective Matt Holmes made the arrest. On Monday, August 9th, Officer Matt Farmer took a report of a theft from Wal-Mart. A Loss Prevention associate at the store had still pictures and video of the suspect taking items out of the store on three different occasions through the Garden Center. The pictures showed the suspect sliding the items under the gate. He then drove his truck around and picked them up. After identifying Maynard as a suspect, Detective Holmes and Deputy Jodie Johnson of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department went to Maynard's home but the officers were told that he was not there, that he had gone to town. Maynard was later seen pulling away from a dumpster site on Hwy 70 West. Deputy Johnson spotted Maynard and initiated a traffic stop. Maynard was questioned about the thefts and he admitted to taking the items. He said that the items were at his house. Stolen merchandise from Wal-Mart valued at approximately $3600 was recovered at Maynard's residence by Chief Randy Caplinger, Detective Holmes and Deputy Johnson. Bond for Maynard is $5,000 and his court date is August 19th.

DeKalb County's Preliminary High School Graduation Rate at 90.6%

August 13, 2010

by:

Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County High School graduation rate continues to improve.

Jonathan Fontanez, Supervisor of Instruction for grades 7-12, told members of the board of education Thursday night that according to the state, the preliminary graduation rate is 90.6%. "The state has released our preliminary graduation rate and I want to put the emphasis on the term ‘preliminary' as the state is conducting last minute calculations of appeals on our students. The preliminary graduation rate that we have received at this time is 90.6%, which indicates that 90.6% of our students are graduating from high school. That is well above the track that we are mandated by the federal government to be on and compared with other school districts across the state, we are fairing very well additionally. I look for this preliminary graduation rate to actually be adjusted just a bit to the better as a result of some additional appeals that we submitted based on requirements, etc."

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