News
May 28, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
Going to trial?
A jury trial date has been set in federal court in the case of a former Alexandria city employee against the city and Mayor Beth Tripp.
(Read original story at link below)
Patricia Houser, a former town recorder, court clerk, tax collector, and backup water clerk, claims she was wrongfully terminated last fall and has sued the City of Alexandria and Mayor Tripp in her individual and official capacities for deprivation of due process under the 14th amendment and for slander, defamation, and defamation by implication, in violation of state law.
Motions for and against dismissal of the case have been filed by attorneys.
According to a court filing last month, “This case is set for a jury trial on October 20, 2026, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse, 9 East Broad Street, 2nd Floor, Cookeville, TN. Counsel for the parties shall appear for a pretrial conference in this Court on October 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in Courtroom 5D, at the Fred D. Thompson U.S. Courthouse, 719 Church Street, Nashville, TN. All lawyers who will participate in the trial must attend the pretrial conference. If a settlement is reached before two business days of trial the cost of summoning the jury may be assessed against the parties”.
Houser is seeking a jury trial; reinstatement to her position; compensatory and punitive damages; payment of lost wages and benefits; attorney’s fees, etc.
She is represented by the Nashville law firm of Biesecker, Dutkanych & Macer, LLC. The attorney for the mayor and town is A. Ryan Simmons of the Brentwood law firm of Farrar/Bates/Berexa.
Elderly Woman Airlifted After Two Vehicle Crash
May 27, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
An elderly woman was airlifted after a two-vehicle crash Friday, May 23 on Highway 56 south near Turner Road.
According to Trooper Josh Cunningham of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 83-year-old Kenneth Hennessee was traveling northbound on Highway 56 (McMinnville Highway) in a 2018 GMC Canyon as 32-year-old Abigail Judkins was southbound in a 1996 Mercury Cougar.
Trooper Cunningham told WJLE that as Hennessee attempted to turn left onto Turner Road, he failed to yield the right of way and entered the path of Judkins’ vehicle resulting in a collision. The impact caused the GMC Canyon to spin and come to rest on the southbound shoulder facing south. The Mercury Cougar came to rest in the southbound ditch, also facing south.
86-year-old Eva Judkins was a passenger with Abigail Judkins. All were injured and taken to the hospital, but Eva Judkins was reportedly airlifted from the hospital by helicopter ambulance.
The DeKalb County Fire Department, DeKalb Sheriff’s Department, and DeKalb EMS were on the scene.
DeKalb County Recognized EMS Week May 18-24
May 27, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
A week dedicated to celebrating emergency service workers was recognized in DeKalb County.
The community relies on emergency workers to rush to the rescue, no matter what the circumstance.
County Mayor Matt Adcock signed a proclamation designating May 18-24 as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week in DeKalb County. EMS Director Trent Phipps 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 speak 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:
“To designate the Week of May 18-24, 2025, as Emergency Medical Services Week (EMS Week).
WHEREAS emergency medical services is a vital public service; and
WHEREAS the members of emergency medical services 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, , educators, administrators, and others
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 the Emergency Medical Services Week; now
THEREFORE, I County Mayor Matt Adcock, in recognition of this event do hereby proclaim the week of May 18 – 24, 2025, as EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK
With the theme, We Care. For Everyone. I encourage the community to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities in honor of the EMS profession and the essential service it provides”.
Members of the DeKalb EMS Staff in addition to Director Trent Phipps (EMT-P) are:
A-Shift:
Tony Williams-EMT-P/SUPERVISOR
Donna Melton-AEMT
Becky Atnip-AEMT
Keely Ping Clark-EMT-P
B-Shift:
Kristie Johnson-EMTPCC/ICQA
Misty Green-AEMT/SUP
Dennis Sherman-EMT/PCC
Akita Dodson-AEMT
C-Shift:
Brian Campbell-EMT-PCC
Rachel Checchi-AEMT/SUP
Shaun Hale-EMT-P
Jessica Wilson-AEMT
D-Shift:
Matt Melton-EMT-PCC/SUP
Trevin Merriman-EMT-P
Richard Kellogg-AEMT
Zechariah Clark-EMT-B
Day Truck:
Jamie Parsley-AEMT
Heather Billings-EMT-B
Day Truck:
Jerry Wakefield-AEMT
Dylan Goodman-AEMT
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
Terrance Hall-EMT-P
Charles Nokes-EMT-P
Daniel Summers-EMT-P
Matthew Terrell-EMT-P
Ed Brooks-AEMT
Noah Burns-AEMT
William Frisby- AEMT
John Poss-AEMT
John Pitts-EMT-PCC
Jon Jenkins-EMT-P
Alexis Olsen-EMT-P
Dylan Fisher-AEMT
Veronica Russell-AEMT
Wes Eldridge-EMT-B
Kenneth Wells-AEMT
Chandler Johnson-AEMT
Jenna Hough-EMT-B
Emily Brewer-EMT-B
Sean Hutch-EMT-B
Matthew Lader-EMT-B
Dalton Roberts-EMT-B
