DeKalb County Recognizes EMS Week May 19-25

May 19, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

A week dedicated to celebrating emergency service workers is being recognized in DeKalb County.

The community relies on emergency workers to rush to the rescue, no matter what the circumstance.

County Mayor Matt Adcock has signed a proclamation designating May 19-25 as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week in DeKalb County. EMS Director Hoyte Hale joined County Mayor Adcock for the occasion.

“We are proud of our DeKalb County EMS employees, EMTs, Paramedics, First Responders and Dispatchers. They are on the front lines, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year Their commitment, dedication and bravery speaks to their character and willingness to serve others, not just this week, but every day of the year. We are honored to celebrate their service this week, and we are grateful to them every day,” said Adcock.

The proclamation is as follows:

“Whereas, Emergency Medical Services is a vital public service; and Whereas, the members of Emergency Medical Teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and

Whereas, access to quality Emergency Care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and

Whereas, the Emergency Medical Services system consists of emergency physicians, emergency nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, educators, administrators, and others; and
Whereas, the members of Emergency Medical Services teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills; and

Whereas, it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of Emergency Medical Services providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week;

Now, Therefore, I Matt Adcock, County Mayor, DeKalb County, Tennessee, in recognition of this event do hereby proclaim the week of May 19-25 as Emergency Medical Services Week.

With the theme, “Honoring our Past, Forging Our Future”, I encourage the community to observe this week with the appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities”.

Members of the DeKalb EMS Staff in addition to Director Hoyte Hale (EMT-P) are:

A-Shift:
Tony Williams-EMT-P/SUPERVISOR
Donna Melton-AEMT
Nathanial Brannen-EMT-P
Keely Ping-AEMT

B-Shift:
Kristie Johnson-EMTPCC/ICQA
Misty Green-AEMT/SUP
Dennis Sherman-EMT/PCC
Heather Billings-EMT-B

C-Shift:
Trent Phipps-EMT-P/ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Jessica Wilson-AEMT
Rachel Checchi-AEMT

D-Shift:
Matt Melton-EMT-PCC/SUP
Trevin Merriman-EMT-P
Zechariah Clark-EMT-B
Richard Kellogg-AEMT

Day Truck:
Jamie Parsley-AEMT
Akita Dodson-EMT-B

Day Truck:
William Frisby-AEMT
Dylan Goodman-EMT-B

Part-Time Staff:
Houston Austin-EMT-PCC/IC
Aspen Flarity-EMT-PCC/IC
Clayton Anstis-EMT-PCC
Matt Vaughn-EMT-PCC/IC
Kim Johnson-EMT-PCC
Marie Turpin-EMT-PCC
Terrance Hall-EMT-P
Charles Nokes-EMT-P
Daniel Summers-EMT-P
Matthew Terrell-EMT-P
Becky Atnip-AEMT
Ed Brooks-AEMT
Tony McCulley-AEMT
David Pitts- EMT-PCC
John Poss-AEMT
John Pitts-EMT-PCC
Jon Jenkins-EMT-P
Alexis Olsen-AEMT
Dylan Fisher-AEMT
Jerry Wakefield-AEMT
Wes Eldridge-EMT-B
Molly Hicks-EMT-B
Chandler Johnson-EMT-B
Jenna Wright-EMT-B

May 19, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Allie Eaton in the 6th to 8th grade category won “Best of Show” while Naziah Martinez from the 1st to 2nd grade Division captured the “People’s Choice Award” in the DeKalb Schools Art Exhibit held Saturday at the County Complex. The annual event was sponsored by the Smithville Study Club. Dianne Hawkins is the President of the club. Susan Hinton is the Art Chairman.

Students from Kindergarten to 12th grade participated in the art exhibit. All students who attended received a color certificate. All winners earned a ribbon and color certificate. First place winners also received a medal and a gift certificate from the Art Garage in Smithville.

This year’s art exhibit winners are as follows:

*Division 1- Kindergarten
1st Place- Haverly Merriman
2nd Place- Kenedie Seifert
3rd Place- Cheyenne Puckett
4th Place-Scarlet Nowak
5th Place- Lizzy Pedigo
Honorable Mention- Jayden Ladd

*Division 2- 1st-2nd grades
1st Place- Ansley Snow
2nd Place- Layla Hale
3rd Place- Naziah Martinez
4th Place-Monyca Perez
5th Place- Ashlynn Fox
Honorable Mention- Dyanna Martinez

*Division 3- 3rd-5th grades
1st Place- Katie Pedigo
2nd Place- Gavin Gillespie
3rd Place- Aroly Palamo
4th Place-Eli Diego
5th Place-Evelyn Farmer
Honorable Mention- Brian Cantrell

*Division 4 (Middle School)- 6th – 8th grades
1st Place-Allie Eaton
2nd Place-Lily Quistauard
3rd Place-Brenna McBroom
4th Place-Braylon Williams
5th Place-Eli Colwell
Honorable Mention: Isabella Williams

*Division 5- 9th-12th grades
1st Place- Nathan Hall
2nd Place- Hannah West
3rd Place- Sierra Sobotka
4th Place-Katie Linder
5th Place-Julian Kurtz
Honorable Mention- Nikki Watts

May 18, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

The season has come to a close for the DCHS Tigerette fast pitch softball team.

After losing to Upperman in the region tournament championship game in Smithville on Thursday 5 to 4, the Tigerettes traveled to Soddy Daisy for the Class 3A sectionals and lost 13 to 1 on Friday.

The Tigerettes wrap up the year at 20-14 overall with a District 7-3A championship.