News

The DCHS Tigerette Fast Pitch Softball Team punched its ticket to the TSSAA Class 3 A Spring Fling Tournament Saturday evening with a 6 to 2 victory over the visiting Lenoir City Lady Panthers in the Sectionals round at the Danny Bond Field in Smithville.

(Click link below to view state tournament bracket)

State Tournament Brackets

Tigerette Pitcher Kora Kilgore recorded 15 strikeouts and gave up only 2 runs on 3 hits through 7 innings.

DeKalb County scored 1 run in the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th innings and 3 runs in the 6th. Lenior City was held scoreless until plating 2 runs in the 7th inning.

The Tigerettes will face McNairy Central at the Murfreesboro Sports Com McKnight Field #1 Tuesday, May 20. Game time is 1 p.m. and WJLE will have LIVE coverage with the Voice of the Tigerettes John Pryor. Listen LIVE on WJLE AM 1480/FM 101.7 and on the LIVE audio stream at www.wjle.com.

This is the 9th state tournament appearance in DCHS Tigerette Softball history.

A win and they’re in!

The DeKalb County High School Tigerettes (22-5-1) will host Lenoir City (16-14) today (Saturday, May 17) at 5 p.m. at the Danny Bond Field in the Sectionals.

The Tigerettes, District and Region Champs, with a win today (Saturday) will punch their ticket to the TSSAA Class 3A State Tournament next week in Murfreesboro.

WJLE will have LIVE coverage of today’s game with the Voice of the Tigerettes John Pryor starting at 5 p.m. Listen LIVE on WJLE AM 1480/ fm 101.7 and on the LIVE audio stream at www.wjle.com
WJLE thanks its sponsors:

• Gill Automotive
• C&S Farms
• The Realty Firm
• Love-Cantrell Funeral Home
• FirstBank
• DTC Communications
• DeKalb Prevention Coalition
• Liberty State Bank
• DeKalb Funeral Chapel
• Curtis Supply
• Wilson Bank & Trust
• Sams Tire & Auto Services

DeKalb County insurance

Caney Fork Electric Cooperative

Galaxy Ford

During Friday night’s graduation ceremony, 171 members of the DCHS Class of 2025 were urged to chase their dreams as they turn the page from the past to the future.

The commencement began an hour earlier than originally planned due to forecasts of thunderstorms and although it was cloudy and a bit windy, the rain held off during the ceremony.

Class Valedictorian Kora Kilgore reminded her classmates that while this chapter is closing, there is much more to their life story yet to be told.

“Every one of us has been writing our own story these past 4 years,” said Kilgore.” The challenges we’ve faced, experiences we’ve had, and the knowledge we gained have all shaped this chapter of our lives very differently. No matter. We can all share one part of our story. The people we met. Whether it be teachers who became our mentors, coaches who taught us the value of hard work, or friends who stuck by us through the highs and lows, we can all agree that the people we met during our time here no doubt had the greatest impact on each of our stories,” said Kilgore.

“Tonight, as we write the final page of this chapter, we’re closing a part of our lives. And while what each of us experienced was very different, we all made it here together”.

“This isn’t the end of the story, just the close of a chapter. Some of us will go into the workforce, others into trade school or college. But no matter how the next chapter looks for you, always remember the people who impacted your story. And always carry the lessons you learned with you wherever you go,” said Kilgore.

“I am glad to have experienced this chapter with all of you, and I cannot wait to see what we all write in our next one. Congratulations Class of 2025,” Kilgore concluded.

Class President Madeline Martin congratulated her fellow graduates on how far they have come, and she challenged them to go much further.

“Looking back on our journey, it is incredible to see how far we have come. We spend so much time waiting for life to begin that sometimes we forget what’s happening in the moment. If there is one thing that high school has taught me, it’s that the present moment matters more than you think, so don’t rush it. Make the most of what you have while you have it,” said Martin,

“We live in a world that measures our success in titles, test scores, and labels. However, these things do not define us. Success isn’t defined by a college acceptance or your future job. It’s showing up for those you love and getting back up after failure. It’s being kind when no one is watching or staying true to yourself in a world that tells you to be someone else”.

“We all have different paths ahead of us after tonight. Some of us know exactly what’s coming next, and some of us don’t. And that’s okay. Life doesn’t fit into one mold that everyone has to follow, so don’t be afraid of the unknown. Tonight, I urge you, don’t be defined by these four years, but let it be the foundation for your future,” said Martin.

The commencement began with a processional by the DCHS band as members of the class took their seats followed by an invocation by FCA member Andrew Dakas, a musical presentation by the DCHS Choir, and remarks by Class President Martin, and Valedictorian Kilgore. Students were recognized for Honors and Service Awards along with Motlow associate degree recipients, Distinction, Military Enlistments, and Top Rank students.

Principal Bruce Curtis awarded Kilgore as the Class Valedictorian and Martin, Salutatorian and then presented the White Rose Awards which went to Avery Agee and Ty Webb. Alissa Summers received the Citizenship Award.

The White Rose is presented to a boy and girl from the senior class with strong academic performance and contribution to the school and community and exemplary moral character.

The Citizenship Award is given to a student in the senior class who exemplifies strong academic performance and contribution to the school and community.

Diplomas were then presented to each member of the class by Principal Curtis and Director of Schools Patrick Cripps as their names were called by Assistant Principal Jenny Norris. The commencement closed with a Benediction by FCA member Seth Fuson and members of the class tossing their caps in celebration.

Members of the DCHS Class of 2025 are as follows:

Avery Nicole Avery, Brayan Aguirre Bustillo, Kevin Michael Ahlgard, Sarah Hannah Aldino, Brayden Lavaughn Alverson, Macy Lynn Anderson, Axel Abraham Aranda, Alisha Elaine Armour, Joe Donald Ashford,

Nathaniel Edward Bain, Jaden Elise Barber, Kelsie Ann Barber, Ian Kyle Barnes, Jamey Renee Bradshaw, Olle Cameron Brookshire, Cale H. Brown, Caleb Keaton Buckley, Riley Jaythan Bullard, Jocelyn Burton, Grant Alexander Buterbaugh, Autumn Grace Byford,

Adrian Alexander Cabrera Gutierrez, Tanner Glenn Cantrell, Elizabeth Ann Cardin, Stephen Chance Carter, Christopher Charlie Lynn Cartwright, Hector Cervantes, Owen Garth Coffee, Audrey Dare Collins, Landon Douglas Colwell, Martin Coronado, Raylie Danielle Cowan, Ansley Caroline Crook, Danis Manuel Cruz Villalobos, Adreana Marie Cuevas,

Andrew Jackson Dakas, Annabella Eleni Dakas, Leonardo Delgado Perales, Stephen Joseph Dibattiste, Chloe Ariel Dies, Trinity Hope Dodson, Milas Beck Driver,

Greyson Wayne Emme,

Logan Isaiah Farris, Ashton Jerome Ferrell, Kristi Rashell Flores Calderon, Shaelee Nicole Foster, Lauren Elaine Fry, Seth Wilmore Fuson,

Eden Jolene Garner, Talan Linnell Gentry, Alyssa Brooke Gilpin, Marleth-Guadalupe Godinez-Silva, Jesus Daniel Gomez, Leslie Gonsalez-Martinez, Allison Faith Marie Goodwin, Camila Granados-Cortes, Caleb Benton Gray, Zoe McKenzie Guinn, Jesus Guzman-Godinez, Miguel Alejandro Guzman-Jantes,

Addison Renea Hale, Christian Cole Hale, Macey MaKenna Hale, Maddox Christian Hale, Raven Trinity Hale, William Samuel Harris, Tryton Lee Hartle, Clayton Daniel Hattaway, Alexis Riley Hawkins, Julianna Desiree Haynes, Katya Renee Hennessee, Erick Yandel Hernandez- Dragustinovis, Darin Garcia Herrera, Jackson Ryder Hodges, Charles Ean Holland,

Makinzy Lynn Jenkins, Leah Nicole Johnson,

Hannah Grace Keith, Kora Lin Kilgore, Dallas Lealan Kirby, Katherine Irene Knowles, Victoria Lynn Knowles, Addison Isabella Kyle,

Julio Arturo Lanier, Caleb Reed Lawson, Christian Jacob Lawson,

Aidan Michael Malone, Braeden Lee Mangin, Aaron Micheal Maple, Cesar Angel Martinez Soto, Jesus Alejandro Martinez-Rivera, Madeline Aiko Martin, Ninfa Jireth Martinez Parral, Jackson Carter Mathis, Brody Daniel Matias, Ashton Brooke McClain, Conner Preston McClure, Kristopher Steven Cole McMillen, Luke Leeallen Midgett, Keara McKinsey Milligan, Sara Grace Moore, Kenley Jewel Morris, Landon Alexander Moses, Marvin Bee Mosley, Paisly Nicole Mullican, Jose Luis Muniz Guzman, Savanna Hope Murphy,

Deeanna Nicole Neal, Layla Kaye Newby, Amy Lindale Nokes,

Mara Jade Oakley,

Jesus Alan Padilla, Charlotte Joy Paladino, Jordan Dallas Parker, Megyn Kyndal Patterson, Bradley Jae Pelham, Bryna Mae Pelham, Jesus Emmanuel Perez-Almaguer,

Lucia Perez Torres, Mylie Rose Phillips, Joyce Janice Portillo, Alison Leigh Poss, Evan Michael Prichard, Christopher Aaron Pulley, Bryan Ramirez-Celaya, Abril Rangel Salazar,

Siraya Ann Ratley, Dylan Thomas Reed, Laurie Beth Rigsby, Chloe Maleah Robinson, Emily Louise Robinson, Zeva Allyse Robinson, Kobe Bryce Roller,

Kinsley Diane Savage, Kylee Layne Savage, Isaiah Lucas Seale, Julio Cesar Sebastian Santiago, Andrew Bryan Shahan, Lauren Darlene Shehane, Kane Lamont Smith,

Owen Andrew Snipes, Ayden Michael Sprague, Braden Leo Sprague, Alexis Grace Stanley, Bryson Patrick Stanley, Jonathan Thomas Stanley, Daniel Curtis Stiffler, Kerstain Sadie Irene Strawser, Jayden Austin Sturdivant, Alissa Marie Summers, Gracie Jo Summers, Kaitlyn Brooke Summers,

Jericho Dekota Taylor, Mason James Taylor, Emily Leanne Teague, Antonio C. Thomas, James David Thomas, Emma Grace Thompson, Jennifer Selina Torres Soto, Nhan Thanh Truong,

Emma Rose Valdez,

Javan Wayne Walker, Gabriella Paige Washer, Ty Rustyn Webb, Crissy Nicole White, Jaden Maddox Wildes, Katelyn Marie Williams, Kaitlyn Lu Anne Wood,

Christina Kay Youngblood and Emily Tate Young

DeKalb West School Principal Sabrina Farler and Assistant Principal Cindy Snow presented this year’s Perfect Attendance Awards at school this morning (Friday, May 16). Six students earned the prestigious award for not only being present for school every single day but not arriving late or leaving school early.

Congratulations go to 8th graders Kaden Mullinax and Adam Brown, sixth grader Karson Mullinax, fifth grader Mary Alice Moore, third grader Raylan Patterson, and second grader Canaan Davis. They each received a certificate and $50.

Commencement for the Class of 2025 is scheduled to take place on the football field of DeKalb County High School Friday night, May 16 starting at 6 p.m. (Senior Award Night Scholarship Winners from Tuesday night are noted in this story below)

WJLE and participating sponsors are presenting a photo gallery of the DCHS Class of 2025.

Click on the link below to view the senior formals.

Photo gallery

The graduation program schedule Friday night is as follows:

A processional by the DCHS band as members of the class take their seats; invocation by FCA member Andrew Dakas, musical presentation by the DCHS Choir, introduction by Class President Madeline Martin, and remarks by Valedictorian Kora Kilgore. Students will be recognized for Honors and Service Awards along with Motlow associate degree recipients, Distinction and Military Enlistments, and Top Rank students.

Principal Bruce Curtis will recognize the Class Valedictorian and Salutatorian and present the White Rose and Citizenship Awards. Diplomas will then be presented to each member of the class by Principal Curtis and Director of Schools Patrick Cripps as their names are called by Assistant Principal Jenny Norris. The commencement will close with a Benediction by FCA member Seth Fuson.

Meanwhile eighty plus members of the DCHS Class of 2025 were rewarded for years of academic and athletic achievements during Tuesday evening’s senior awards night program held in the high school gym.

The following seniors receiving scholarships and other special awards Tuesday night are as follows:

Avery Agee: Southern Landscape Supply/Diamond 9 Sports Student Athlete Scholarship

Hannah Aldino: MTSU Blue Raider Scholarship-$2,500

Sarah Aldino: DCHS Cosmetology Awards

Brayden Alverson: Gene Haas Foundation Scholarship-$2,000

Macy Anderson: MTSU Presidential Scholarship-$18,000 and Tennessee Tech University Presidential Scholarship-$16,000

Alisha Armour: DCHS Cosmetology Awards

Jaden Barber: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, DCHS Cosmetology Awards, Upper Cumberland Association of Realtors Scholarship-$250

Keslie Barber: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, DCHS Cosmetology Awards, Motlow State Community College Scholarship, Upper Cumberland Association of Realtors Scholarship-$250

Ian Barnes: Tennessee Tech University Presidential Scholarship-$16,000

Jamey Bradshaw: DCHS Cosmetology Awards

Cale Brown: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, Gene Haas Foundation Scholarship-$2,000, Tennessee College of Applied Technology McMinnville-$300

Caleb Buckley: Mechatronics/Industrial Maintenance FESTO Introduction to Mechatronics Industry Certification, Woodmen Life U.S. History Award-$50

Tanner Cantrell: Tennessee College of Applied Technology Livingston Scholarship-$1,400

Hector Cervantes: DCHS Class of 1975 Jacque Redmon Hale Memorial Scholarship-$300

Owen Coffee: United State Army Enlistment

Dare Collins: DeKalb County Board of Education Members Scholarship-$700, FirstBank Scholarship-$500, Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial Scholarship-$1,000, Motlow State Community College associate’s degree

Landon Colwell: Tennessee Tech University Presidential Scholarship-$12,000, United State Air Force Enlistment

Caroline Crook: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, Love Cantrell Funeral Home Scholarship-$350

Adreana Cuevas: Tennessee Technological University Residence Hall Award-$2,500

Andrew Dakas: Tennessee Tech University Presidential Scholarship-$16,000, Belmont Archer Presidential Scholarship-full cost of attendance, General Assembly Merit Scholarship-$4,000, Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial Scholarship-$1,000

Annabella Dakas: Belmont University Merit Scholar Scholarship-$76,000, Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial Scholarship-$1,000

Leonardo Delgado: Caney Fork Electric Essay Contest 2nd Place Winner-$100,

Chloe Dies: Cumberland University Scholarship, DeKalb County Retired Teachers Scholarship-$500

Ashton Ferrell: Mechatronics/Industrial Maintenance FESTO Introduction to Mechatronics Industry Certification, Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$12,000

Kristi Flores: Belmont University Merit Scholar Scholarship-$12,000, DCHS Cosmetology Awards

Shaelee Foster: Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital Scholarship-$500, East Tennessee State University

Lauren Fry: Cumberland University Scholarship

Seth Fuson: Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital Scholarship-$500, Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home Scholarship-$350, Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$16,000, Tennessee Technological University Rector/Henry Family Endowed Scholarship-$1,500, University of Tennessee Knoxville Volunteer Scholarship-$16,000

Alyssa Gilpin: Middle Tennessee State University Presidential Scholarship-$18,000, Motlow State Community College associate’s degree

Kalina Goodman: Caney Fork Electric Essay Contest 1st Place Winner-Trip to Washington D.C.

Allison Goodwin: Middle Tennessee State University Presidential Scholarship-$18,000, Motlow State Community College associate’s degree

Camila Granados Cortes: DCHS HOSA Scholarship-$250,

Caleb Gray: East Tennessee State University-$16,000, General Assembly Merit Scholarship-$4,000, Middle Tennessee State University Presidential Scholarship-$18,000, Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$16,000, University of Tennessee Chattanooga-$16,000

Miguel Guzman: Gene Haas Foundation Scholarship-$2,000

Samuel Harris: Jo Ellen Huffman & Ron Rogers Memorial 4-H Scholarship-$500, Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, DCHS FFA Scholarship-$250, DeKalb County Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship-$500, DeKalb County Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Scholarship-$500, DeKalb County Soil & Water Conservation District Scholarship-$1,000, Lynn Leland Johnson Memorial FFA Agricultural Scholarship-$250

Clayton Hattaway: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000

Alexis Hawkins: Tennessee Technological University Brenda Norman Albright Endowed Scholarship-$500

Jackson Hodges: Talmage Young Automotive Memorial Scholarship-$300

Charles Holland: Joe Hearn Memorial Career and Technical Education Scholarship Alexandria Lions Club-$1,000, Tennessee College of Applied Technology McMinnville-$300

Hannah Keith: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, DeKalb County Board of Education Members Scholarship-$700, Jo Ellen Huffman & Ron Rogers Memorial 4-H Scholarship-$350

Wesley Kent: DeKalb Fishing Team Scholarship-$350

Kora Kilgore: Advanced Placement Scholar & Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor, Anderson University Baptist Scholarship-$1,200, Anderson University Denmark Scholarship-$12,000, Anderson University Out of State Scholarship-$12,000, Anderson University President’s Scholarship-$68,000, Anderson University Softball Scholarship-$88,000, General Assembly Merit Scholarship-$4,000, Valedictorian

Dallas Kirby: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000

Katherine Knowles: Charles G. Berwind Foundation-$40,000, Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Scholarship-$14,000

Caleb Lawson: Allen D. Hooper Memorial Scholarship-$500, Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Scholarship-$14,000, Scottish Rite-$1,000, Tennessee Technological University Golden Opportunity Scholarship-$10,000,

Aidan Malone: Caney Fork Electric Essay Contest 4th Place Winner-$50, DCHS Class of 1966-$500

Braeden Mangin: DeKalb Fishing Scholarship-$350

Madeline Martin: American Legion & Ladies Auxiliary Girls State, DCHS HOSA Scholarship-$250, First Bank Scholarship-$500, General Assembly Merit Scholarship-$4,000, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home Scholarship-$350, Salutatorian, Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$20,000, University of Tennessee Knoxville Distinguished Tennessean Scholarship-full tuition and fees

Jackson Mathis: AMVETS Scholarship in Memory of Kurt Rust-$500, Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, DTC Communications Media Scholarship for Excellence-$1,000, First Bank Scholarship-$500, Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$12,000,

Ashton McClain: Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Scholarship-$14,000

Luke Midgett: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, Eddie Crips Memorial Scholarship-$1,000, Faulkner University Jack Zorn Scholarship-$98,400, Jo Ellen Huffman & Ron Rogers Memorial 4-H Scholarship-$500, Southern Landscape Supply/Diamond 9 Sports-$500

Keara Milligan: AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship in Memory of Sharon Rust-$250, DCHS Cosmetology Awards, Tyler Vanhoose Memorial Scholarship-$2,000

Paisley Mullican: DCHS Cosmetology Awards

Mara Oakley: Lucille Stewart Educational Award-$2,000, DCHS Student Government Association Scholarship-$250, Tennessee Technological University W. Doyle and Melford Smith Scholarship-$3,000, Vicky Terrell Memorial Scholarship for Education-$1,250

Charlotte Paladino: Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Scholarship-$14,000, “Southern Landscape Supply/Diamond 9 Sports Student Athlete Scholarship”-$500, Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$12,000

Jordan Parker: Cumberland University Academic/Athletic Football Scholarship-$84,000, Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$12,000

Megyn Patterson: Motlow State Community College associate’s degree

Bradley Pelham: Tennessee Technological University Golden Opportunity Scholarship-$10,000

Bryna Pelham: Campbellsville University Softball Performance Scholarship-$32,000, Campbellsville University Trustees Academic Scholarship-$66,000,

Evan Prichard: Love-Cantrell Funeral Home Scholarship-$350

Bryan Ramirez: Tennessee Technological Tommy Burks Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Engineering-$700

Siraya Ratley: DCHS Cosmetology Awards

Emily Robinson: Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Scholarship-$14,000, Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$12,000,

Zeva Robinson: Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raider Scholarship-$2,500

Kobe Roller: Caney Fork Electric Essay Contest 3rd Place Winner-$75, Mechatronics/Industrial Maintenance FESTO Introduction to Mechatronics Industry Certification, Middle Tennessee State University Presidential Scholarship-$18,000

Kinsley Savage: Mechatronics/Industrial Maintenance FANUC Robotics Level 1 Industry Certification

Kylee Savage: DCHS Cosmetology Awards-

Julio Sebastian Santiage: Belmont University Merit Scholar Scholarship-$76,000

Owen Snipes: Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital Stones River-$500

Ayden Sprague: Gene Haas Foundation Scholarship-$2,000

Daniel Stiffler: Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$16,000

Alissa Summers: Liberty State Bank Scholarship-$1,000

Kaitlyn Summers: DCHS Cosmetology Awards:

Mason Taylor: Bryan College Fishing Scholarship-$18,000, Bryan College Silver Academic Scholarship-$16,000, Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, DeKalb Fishing Team Scholarship-$350

Emily Teague: DCHS Cosmetology Awards

Nhan Truong: Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Scholarship-$14,000

Emma Valdez: DCHS Cosmetology Awards

Ty Webb: Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital Scholarship-$500, Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000, DeKalb County Board of Education Members Scholarship-$700, Maryville College Educator Award-$4,000, Maryville College MC Isaac Anderson Fellowship-$12,000, Maryville College Scots Legacy-$80,000, Maryville College Visit Scholarship-$1,000, “Southern Landscape Supply/Diamond 9 Sports Student Athlete Scholarship”-$500

Chrissy White: DCHS Cosmetology Awards

Jaden Wildes: Middle Tennessee State University True Blue Scholarship-$14,000

Emily Young: Tennessee Technological University Presidential Scholarship-$12,000, University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs Scholarship-$12,000

Senior Service Award Winners: Dare Collins, Andrew Dakas, Annabella Dakas, Seth Fuson, Jackson Mathis, and Charlotte Paladino

Tennessee Scholars: Kelsie Barber, Jaden Barber, Audrey Collins, Seth Fuson, Jackson Mathis, Charlotte Paladino, Andrew Dakas, and Annabella Dakas

State Representative Michael Hale Presented Awards to the Top 10 Students in the Class Rank: Kora Kilgore, Madeline Martin, Seth Fuson, Landon Colwell, Andrew Dakas, Dallas Kirby, Emily Robinson, Jackson Mathis, Annabella Dakas, and Layla Newby

Woodmen Life Presentation of U.S. Flag to DCHS

Motlow State Community College 12 or More Hours of Credit

Greeted by cheering youngsters, the DeKalb County High School Class of 2025 paid a call on Smithville Elementary and DeKalb West Schools for the Annual Senior Walk today (Thursday).

Administrators and staff at each school joined the younger students in welcoming the soon to be graduates upon their arrival by school bus. Many of the elementary kids, lined down the halls, greeted the seniors with signs, waves and high fives as the high school students passed by. Some seniors also got hugs from proud parents and former teachers.

The Senior Walk is an opportunity for high school students to return to the elementary campuses where they once attended school to stroll through the hallways in their caps and gowns. “While we hope this will inspire our future graduates, we are excited about our seniors being able to see their elementary school teachers one last time before they graduate,” said DCHS Principal Bruce Curtis.

(NOTE TIME CHANGE). The commencement program for the Class of 2025 at DCHS has been changed from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, May 16. The event is still planned to be held on the high school football field.

The county’s fiscal agent, Steve Bates, met with the budget committee for the first time this year Tuesday night to give his assessment of the 2025-26 fiscal year budget as proposed and to offer some advice for the future.

“The budget as presented (with many budget requests left out) is as good as any budget I’ve seen us do here. We could be off five percent on expenditures and three percent on revenues and still have a balanced budget,” said Bates.

The county general fund was projected to go into cash by the end of the 2024-25 fiscal year to the tune of $854,000 but as of Tuesday, May 13, 2025 the fund showed $3.1 million in budgeted but unspent money for the 2024-25 fiscal year. County officials said it is unlikely that all of that money will be expended by June 30, 2025.

For the 2025-26 fiscal year, the county general fund is projected to go into cash by $1,014,586 if all anticipated revenues come in and every penny budgeted is spent.

Bates said that too is unlikely.

“On a budgetary basis, theoretically we (county general) could be in the hole (going into cash) every year. But we keep a strong fund balance in the general fund just to meet cash flow,” he said.

Last year, the county commission adopted a budget with a 51-cent property tax increase for debt service (0.6160 total) to fund construction of a jail/judicial center through the issuance of bonds not to exceed $65 million. But that project failed to move forward after it was soundly defeated at the polls in a public referendum in November. Still the 51-cent tax increase remains as part of the overall tax rate of $2.51 per $100 of assessed value.

In February 2025 the county commission voted to adopt a detailed bond resolution not to exceed $55 million to fund construction of a new 800 student Pre-K to 2nd grade elementary school (adjacent to Northside Elementary School). The term of the bond is for up to 30 years. The projected cost to build the new 124,207 square foot facility at the latest estimate is $53,414,825. Construction has not yet begun.

The new school will be funded only by revenues from local option sales tax money (local purpose/sinking fund) designated for school construction and operation. No county property taxes will be used to fund it.

Although no further tax increase is needed, Bates is recommending that the county keep the tax levy the same (0.6160 for debt service) to not only fund a jail project but future school construction.

“You have a jail to build, and you will need to do short term borrowing for that,” Bates explained. “We don’t have a choice because there’s another school coming after this (elementary) school. As time goes on, the expenditures you are spending now on putting inmates out to other counties, that money will come back once the new jail is built. We can take interest income from capital projects and maybe bank excise income from solid waste, put it in the general fund, and then have the revenue needed to fund the extra positions that the jail requires”.

“In ten years, you are going to build another school. Its coming. You might as well get ready,” said Bates. “We can amortize this jail say over 12 years and get it paid off and then you can build that next school and let that tax levy (0.6160) fund the new school,” he said.

While new elementary school construction is to be supported through the local purpose (local option sales tax) fund, Bates said local purpose is not financially strong enough to support debt payment for two school projects at the same time.

“There is no way sales tax can build two schools,” said Bates. “If you doubled your population and your sales tax doubled you could probably fund a new school but if that happened you would have to build five schools. You are at the jump off point. You have waited too long to build and you’re playing catch up now. We have to look long term and make sure we don’t leave a future county commission in a position you have found yourself in. Let’s get the first school done because when the second school comes if its ten years down the road then you’ll be doing 20-year bonds for that school,” he explained.

Bates also offered another suggestion for the county to consider in support of future new school construction while meeting the state’s maintenance of effort funding requirement for schools.

“They (school board) are budgeting $1.3 million for another piece of land to build a new school (either high school or middle school). I would suggest the county tell the school board to take that out (of their budget) and let the county fund it out of local purpose (local option sales tax revenue) because that fund is supposed to be for things like that,” said Bates.

“They (school board) also need (local option sales tax) cash in their general-purpose school fund to operate on. I would use our restricted cash and let them keep their cash because we have to keep them funded annually at $1,910,000 (from local purpose fund). We are bumping up against the state maintenance of effort (requirement) right now. The more the state gives (schools) the more our (county funding) match goes up. Right now, we are probably within $250,000 or $300,000 of that (threshold) but the good thing is we can count what we are paying in (school) debt toward our local match,” said Bates.

As far as overall debt, Bates added that the county is in good financial condition. “You only owe $925,000. That’s the only debt you owe now,” he said.

The budget committee took no action on Bates’ suggestion. The next meeting of the budget committee will be Thursday, May 15 at 6 p.m. in the lower courtroom of the courthouse.

During the regular monthly meeting last month (April), the county commission voted to ask Treanor Architects and Bell Construction to come up with cost estimates to build a new jail complex at the current site on the public square as well as on a generic green space location. The commission also wants to know what the jail footprint and cost would look like if the county were able to purchase the additional half acre lot adjoining the jail on the east side. No project has been funded or let for bids.

Hunting, fishing and boating in Tennessee will be more expensive for outdoors enthusiasts starting July 1. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is increasing prices for licenses by 28% on average, across the board.

The decision was voted on by the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission after funding challenges for the state wildlife agency. The agency has cited a Consumer Price Index increase of 32%.

Here are the key details:

Price Increases:Boat registration (vessel renewal) fees will go up by 22%.

Most hunting and fishing license fees will increase by 28%.

Sportsman and Lifetime license fees will increase by 12%.

Structural Changes:
Instead of having supplemental licenses based on device type (gun, archery, muzzleloader), new supplemental licenses will be based on species (deer, elk, bear, turkey, waterfowl).

The trout supplemental license (stamp) will now be included in the base hunting and fishing combination license; no separate stamp needed.

Multiple Wildlife Management Area (WMA) permits have been consolidated into a single WMA permit.
No changes for resident disability licenses or fees for TWRA lakes.

Timing: If you wish to avoid the higher fees, you must renew boats or purchase licenses before July 1, 2025.

Where to Buy: DeKalb County Clerk’s office is an approved location for purchasing hunting and fishing licenses and completing vessel renewals.

A complete list of new fees and permit changes will be posted on the TWRA website prior to July 1, 2025.

“Even coming out of the pandemic, expenses just continued to grow,” said Emily Buck, the TWRA Director of Public Relations. “Our agency we were operating in about a $15 million annual deficit.”

TWRA receives around 70% of its funding through license sales. But, it also asked Governor Bill Lee for an extra boost of $30 million, which was part of the budget proposal. Only $5 million in additional funding was approved.

“While we would have loved to see that $30 million, we fully understand the need for the governor’s office and for the General Assembly to create a budget that is sustainable and works for the state,” Buck said.

“And we will take that $5 million and put it to good use.”

The TWRA said it is struggling to staff officers with a limited budget.

“We’ve held approximately 20 law enforcement positions vacant,” Buck said. “Which means if there is a boating accident on the water, we may be slower to respond. If there’s an accident in the field, we may be slower to respond. Poachers may go uncaught.”

Upcoming license fee changes can be found online. Prices will stay at the current rate until July 1.

Other changes include a new law allowing two visibility colors for hunters: blaze orange and blaze pink. Buck said it’s a nod to Tennessee’s prevalent female hunters and anglers.

In addition, Buck said there are some changes to poaching fines and a new license to go into effect in 2026, which would allow deer baiting.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Donny Green, in DeKalb and Cannon counties, reminds producers to report planted, prevented planted, and failed acres to establish or retain FSA program eligibility.

For planted crops, the following acreage reporting deadlines are applicable for DeKalb and Cannon counties for the 2025 crop year:

July 15: corn, soybeans, cucumbers, okra, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, squash, strawberries, tomatoes, watermelons, cantaloupes, peas, and perennial forage (hay and pasture)

July 31: hemp

Aug. 15: green beans

Dec. 15: fall-seeded small grains (wheat)

The following exceptions apply to the above acreage reporting dates:

If the crop has not been planted by the above acreage reporting date, the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.

If a producer acquires additional acreage after the above acreage reporting date, the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendar days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office.

If a perennial forage crop is reported with the intended use of “cover only,” “green manure,” “left standing” or “seed,” the acreage must be reported by July 15, 2025.

Producers must report crop acreage they intended to plant but, due to natural disaster, were prevented from planting. Prevented planting acreage must be reported on form FSA-576, Notice of Loss, no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date, as established by FSA and the Risk Management Agency. According to Green, the Crop Year 2025 final planting date for corn is May 20, 2025, and the final planting date for soybeans is June 15, 2025.

Producers with failed acres should also use form FSA-576, Notice of Loss, to report failed acres. For losses on crops covered by the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program and crop insurance, producers must file a Notice of Loss within 15 days of the occurrence of the disaster or when losses become apparent. Producers must timely file a Notice of Loss for failed acres on all crops including grasses.

Please visit the DeKalb/Cannon County FSA office or call 615-597-8225 to schedule an appointment to file your crop year 2025 crop acreage report. To find your local FSA office, visit www.farmers.gov .