News
May 12, 2025
By:
Four high school anglers from Smithville–Mason Taylor, Wesley Kent, Braeden Mangin, and Bill Stanton will represent their hometown in the Tennessee Bass Nation High School State Championship on May 30-31, launching from Sunset Marina on legendary Dale Hollow Lake.
These dedicated student-athletes will face off against the best high school bass fishing teams in the state, bringing their hard-earned skills to one of Tennessee’s most challenging and rewarding fisheries.
Adding to the excitement, Mason Taylor and Wesley Kent have already qualified for the 2025 Bassmaster High School Strike King National Championship, which will occur July 31-August 2 on Clarks Hill Lake in Evans, Georgia. Earning a spot in this prestigious national tournament is a testament to their talent and determination.
“We are incredibly proud of what these young anglers have achieved,” said Coach Taylor. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the sponsors who have supported the teams this season.
Pleasant Shade Man Charged with Attempted Second-Degree Murder in Saturday Night Shooting at Midnight Express Gentlemen’s Club
May 11, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
An investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation into a Saturday night shooting at the Midnight Express Gentlemen’s Club on Sparta Highway has resulted in an arrest.
According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, 40-year-old James Barsotti of Davis Road Pleasant Shade, believed to have been responsible for shooting an employee of the Gentlemen’s Club, is charged with one count of attempted second degree murder. He was booked into the DeKalb County jail Saturday night on a $300,000 bond and his court date is set for May 29.
The victim was transported by helicopter to a Nashville hospital, where he continues to be treated for his injuries. The name of the victim has not been released.
In his first statement Saturday night, Sheriff Ray said “a call came from the Midnight Express at 8:22 pm that someone had been shot at the club. Deputies arrived on the scene at 8:29 pm and found a male victim with a gunshot wound in the bar. The shooter was also on the scene and fighting another individual in the parking lot. The shooter was taken into custody. The shooting took place in the parking lot and the victim went back in the building. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was called in to investigate the shooting. The shooting victim was airlifted to a Nashville Hospital. The Smithville Police Department and Constable Mark Milam also assisted,” said Sheriff Ray.
Justin Potter Library Receives State Recognition for Long Running Annual “Older Americans Day” Observance
May 11, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
Justin Potter Library is being recognized by the Tennessee Secretary of State-Tennessee Archives ListServ as part of a “Senior Service Spotlight” for its long running “Older Americans Day” celebration, held each May in conjunction with National Older Americans Month.
“ListServ” provides an open forum for discussion of archives related topics and serves as a network for libraries to share ideas and learn about grant opportunities and new programs to better serve the public.
“As part of our “Senior Service Spotlight”, we’re excited to highlight Justin Potter Library and its long running, community-centered “Older Americans Day” event. This celebration honors the older adults in the community with care, creativity, and a whole lot of teamwork,” in an article posted on the “ListServ” website.
“Older Americans Day”, now in its 45th year, will be held Wednesday May 14 in the theatre area of the Mike Foster Multi-Purpose Center located at 712 S Congress Boulevard. Vendor displays will be located in the gym area from 9:00 AM until 10:30 AM with drawings for door prizes and entertainment to follow. This year’s theme is “Flip the Script on Aging”. The featured entertainment will be local ventriloquist, David Turner.
“Older Americans Day” is hosted by Justin Potter Library in partnership with the Alexandria Activities Center and the Smithville Senior Center. Everyone who is an Older American is invited to this free event. For more information, call Justin Potter Library at 615-597-4359 visit on Facebook, Instagram or the website at dekalblibraries.net.
In a letter to DeKalb Library Director Kathy Hendrixson, State Data Coordinator Christy Chandler of the Tennessee State Library and Archives, offered congratulations.
“I am writing on behalf of the Tennessee State Library and Archives to extend our heartfelt congratulations to you and the team at Justin Potter Public Library for the well-deserved recognition your library has received. You have demonstrated the value of your library through outstanding service, particularly in your long-standing commitment to serving older adults in your community through the annual “Older Americans Day” celebration”.
“To continue this meaningful tradition for 45 years is an extraordinary achievement. Your efforts to honor and uplift the contributions of older Tennesseans not only build community but also serve as a reminder of the library’s role in connecting generations and celebrating lives of experience and wisdom. Your library’s dedication is a shining example for others across the state”.
“We at the Tennessee State Library and Archives are proud to count you among the committed leaders of Tennessee’s library community. Your library’s success reflects positively on the entire system, and we are confident that your continued service will inspire others to follow your lead”.
“Congratulations again on this outstanding achievement. We look forward to seeing your continued success and the inspiring ways Justin Potter Public Library connects with its community”, wrote Chandler.
“Its always nice to be recognized especially by your peers for something we have done for 45 years but that’s not why we do it. We do it because we love and serve our community especially our older Americans. They have lived a life of service to others and are now in their golden years. We just want to recognize them for what they have contributed and are still contributing to our community,” Library Director Kathy Hendrixson told WJLE.
Although she can’t take credit for starting the program 45 years ago, Library Director Hendrixson has carried on the tradition.
“I didn’t start this (Older Americans Day observance). It started in the 1980’s and Ms. Idell Spann was probably the director at that time,” said Hendrixson. “She got it started and later Director June Vaughn continued it through the years. The program has grown. We used to have the observance in a small section of the library. We had to move the furniture to make room for maybe 50 people, and we had no vendors at the time. We added to the library (expansion) in 2003 and while we still had to move some furniture we could hold more people with a few vendors. In recent years, the event has been held at the county complex auditorium which is a much larger venue,” said Hendrixson.
The recognition, shared with other libraries in the ListServ forum, served as a means of honoring Justin Pottery library while giving others food for thought about starting their own annual “Older Americans Day” celebrations.
In the ListServ article, the following suggestions were offered based on how Justin Potter Library organizes its Older Americans Day event:
Here’s how they do it – and how you can, too:
Why It Matters
Attendees regularly express their appreciation and joy, and many return year after year. It’s more than a party – it’s a celebration of belonging, respect, and connection.
“We couldn’t do it without a great staff and library board. It’s truly a team effort.” – Kathy Hendrixson, Director
Origins and Growth
Older Americans Day at Justin Potter Library began before 2000, originally held in the library itself, with staff rearranging furniture and shelves to create space for seating and entertainment. In 2003, a library expansion allowed the program to grow—and grow it did! The event has since moved to the DeKalb County Complex, giving attendees access to the auditorium, gym, cafeteria, and Senior Center all in one location.
Attendance and Partnerships
Today, the event draws 125-140 attendees and includes 20+ vendors, ranging from the local Police and Fire Departments to healthcare providers, veteran services, and community agencies. The entire program is built on collaboration, with contributions from the Sheriff’s Department, Senior Centers, library board, and many volunteers.
Replication Tip: Identify key partners in your community or your region who share your goal of supporting older adults -senior centers, law enforcement, and local health agencies can all play a role.
Goody Bags, Lunches, and Door Prizes
Each attendee receives a thoughtfully assembled goody bag and sack lunch. Library staff and board members prepare sandwiches (chicken salad or pimento cheese – tradition matters!), while items like cakes, chips, water, and fruit are donated by businesses and senior centers. Local businesses are invited to donate promotional items and door prizes, and the response is strong – up to 60 prizes and 160 goody bags each year.
Replication Tip: Write to local businesses early and explain the purpose of your event – many are happy to donate in-kind items that promote their services while supporting the community.
Entertainment & Atmosphere
Entertainment is a highlight – from Elvis impersonators to ventriloquists, storytellers, and musical groups. The library pays for the entertainment, with costs rising over the years, but the joy it brings is well worth the investment.
Replication Tip: Explore local or regional entertainers and consider grant or local arts funding if costs are a concern.
Staying Library-Centered
Even in a large venue, the library stays front and center—offering large print materials and popular reads (like Amish fiction) that older patrons love. Staff use the event as a chance to connect attendees with resources and invite them back to the library year-round.
Marketing the Event
Promotion is ongoing and multi-channel: news releases to local newspapers and radio (WJLE), social media, and appearances on Chamber Chat—a monthly radio and local TV segment featuring library programs.
Replication Tip: Use community media outlets to reach older adults and their caregivers. Radio, local access TV, and flyers in community centers still go a long way!
