News

Fixing the heating and cooling system at the courthouse.

During Tuesday night’s county budget committee meeting, County Mayor Matt Adcock requested $600,000 from the capital projects fund in the 2025-26 budget for a long-term solution to a long-standing problem.

For now, County Mayor Adcock said the courthouse heating and cooling units have been temporarily repaired. But instead of replacing the 55-year-old chiller boiler system, he said an HVAC engineer has taken a look and determined that the existing one can be fixed.

“I asked Lee Company to give us an estimate,” said County Mayor Adcock. “They came and got this system running again. We had no heat and cooling for a while. The gentleman from Lee Company came down, looked at it, and said I know exactly what your problem is and I think I can get it fixed (temporarily) by the end of the week. On Thursday he showed up, spent some time down there that morning, got it running, and its been running ever since. However, it is not a permanent solution. We still have the same issues we have had for the last 15 or 20 years with the system not operating correctly,” explained Adcock.

“To get a more permanent solution an HVAC engineer came and looked at the boiler chiller system and gave us a rough estimate of approximately $550,000 for the mechanical and controls components and he listed the scope of work and things that need to be replaced. He said the system we have here works but its just old and needs to be upgraded. He said we have a great system and that Tennessee Tech runs on the same system with a boiler and chiller. It runs hot and cold water through the system. He said the pipes are corroded and the fans are shot and that it has not been maintained since it was built. He is talking about gutting out what we have and replacing it with new parts. He said it would be cheaper to stick with the same boiler system that we have than to switch to an HVAC or split units. I know how people might perceive this but its only an estimate. This doesn’t mean we will go with Lee Company. This project has to be competitively bid out. We have a private act that anything over $10,000 has to be bid out but Lee Company is coming and doing another estimate. They will have somebody to help me with the drawings and schematics, but it hasn’t been bid out yet. We don’t know what the total cost will be. It might be less than $550,000 or it might be more and that’s why I am asking for $600,000 in the budget but hopefully it will be less than that,” said County Mayor Adcock.

For more than five decades, the present-day DeKalb County Courthouse has served as home to the court system, offices of local public officials, the election commission, veteran services and for meetings and other purposes.

Built in 1970 through the federal model cities program, the courthouse has served the county well and remains an active place, especially on days when court is in session, but it has also often become an uncomfortable environment due to a faulty chiller boiler heating and cooling system which causes portions of the building to be too hot in the summer and too cold during winter.

Its been a periodic problem for several years and the county has spent significant time and money trying to fix it. But recently the system completely failed and needed immediate attention at a time when replacement parts for it are no longer easy to come by.

The proposed Wolf Creek Public Safety building has not yet been developed but when it is the county will need a fire truck to serve that community.

During Tuesday night’s meeting, County Fire Chief Donny Green asked the budget committee to allocate from the county’s capital projects fund in the 2025-26 budget money to purchase either a new or used fire engine. But even if a newer fire engine is purchased, Wolf Creek would get a different truck already in the fleet.

“To be transparent the newest station doesn’t always get the newest fire truck. We put them in line of succession so it (newest truck) would go to the next one (station) that’s due to get a newer truck and then we shuffle them on down. That’s the way we have always done it and that’s the fairest way to do it,” said Chief Green.

With the support of the County’s Health, Education, and Public Welfare Committee, Chief Green laid out for the budget committee the two most immediate priority needs of the county fire department and a new or used fire truck is first on the list. Next, according to Chief Green is the need for allocating $250,000 in seed money previously committed for construction of a 2-bay public safety building on property of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wolf Creek.

“We are in the process of negotiating an agreement with the Corps of Engineers for that building,” said Chief Green.

“Based on current quotes, $231,000 should fund the proposed construction of a 2-bay public safety building at Wolf Creek with the seed money that has previously been allocated. We request that the county roll the cumulative $250,000 in seed money from capital projects into the budget for this building,” said Chief Green.

“The following immediate funding requests for capital projects that will provide the most critical overall benefits to the communities we serve are as follows,” said Green.

“A new or used fire engine purchase to allow placement of an engine at the new Wolf Creek Station that is expected to be constructed within the next 12 months. Minimum allocation for a used fire engine is $250,000. Minimum allocation for a new/demo fire engine is $450,000. A decision to buy used or new is based on the following factors,” said Chief Green.

“Availability of a quality used fire engine-with long lead times on new fire engine orders, there is a sharp increase in demand for used fire apparatus. This impacts both price and availability”.

“We cannot obligate a hold on a used/demo fire engine unless funds are allocated. The demand is high for these fire engines and vendors will not put apparatus on hold without some form of obligation to purchase”

“Lead time on build of a new fire apparatus is at least 18 months,” he said.

Chief Green said he is not opposed to the county purchasing a used fire truck, rather than new. For example, the used fire truck the county purchased from the City of Smithville in 2018 is still in use today and “it has made us a really good fire engine,” said Chief Green.

With the City of Smithville considering the possibility of replacing a 2001 engine, Chief Green said the county fire department would be interested in eventually purchasing that city fire truck.

Meanwhile EMS Director Trent Phipps is asking the budget committee to fund the purchase of a new ambulance at $275,000 which if approved would not be expected to arrive for another two to three years.

“DeKalb EMS would like to secure the funds to purchase a new ambulance, “said Phipps. “With build times being approximately two years, it is important that we purchase the next ambulance as soon as possible. I am requesting $275,000 to purchase a new ambulance that meets the standards of the current fleet,” said Director Phipps.

Budget committee member Tony (Cully) Culwell asked if it would be cheaper to fund a chassis remount rather than buy a new ambulance.

“Money is tight. I would like a quote (on chassis remount). In some of the smaller counties, that is what they are doing. We can’t compete with the big cities. We have to look for ways to cut costs,” said Commissioner Culwell.

The county is expected to take delivery this summer on another ambulance which was authorized for purchase and ordered during the 2022-23 budget year but not yet paid for at $225,000. These two ambulance purchases ($225,000 for one on the way and $275,000 for a new ambulance) puts the total EMS local capital projects funding request at $500,000 for 2025-26.

Within the last few days, DeKalb EMS took delivery on yet another long-awaited ambulance which was mostly funded through a 2023 Community Development Block Grant. Two years ago, the county applied for this CDBG grant to purchase a new ambulance at that time equipped with a Stryker automatic loading system, Pro 2 ambulance cot, Stryker Stair Chair, Zoll heart monitor, and ventilator. The grant totaled $352,497 with a 16% grant match by the county of $67,142 plus a $27,481 budget amendment which was recently approved due to higher costs putting the local expenditure for this ambulance at $94,623.

Sheriff Patrick Ray also asked the budget committee to fund four new sheriff’s department patrol cars totaling $175,000. “I don’t yet know what the state bid will be for the vehicles, but we will fund the blue lights and emergency equipment for them out of the sheriff’s department maintenance budget,” said Sheriff Ray.

The budget committee has not yet acted on Tuesday night’s budget requests.

DeKalb County residents are urged to take part in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held rain or shine. In case of rain, drive up and hand the items to an attendant on site.

The DeKalb Prevention Coalition and the Drug Enforcement Administration will host DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at two locations in DeKalb County. DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Take Back locations locally are Smithville City Hall, 104 East Main Street and the Alexandria City Hall, 102 High Street.

For more than a decade, the event has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded medications—those that are old, unwanted, or expired—that too often become a gateway to addiction. Take Back Day offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at more than 4,000 local drop-off locations nationwide. In partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed more than 8,300 tons of medication from circulation since its inception.

Collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage. For more information visit www.DEATakeBack.com.

University of Tennessee football coaching legend Phil Fulmer will be in DeKalb County next month at the 2nd Annual Man Up Dinner at Smithville First Baptist Church. The 2012 inductee into the College Coaches Hall of Fame will be the guest speaker for the event on Sunday, May 4. The dinner kicks off at 6:00 p.m. in the church’s LEC. Costs of the meal is free, but a $10 donation is suggested. A pre-dinner meet and greet with Coach Fulmer will begin at 5:00 p.m. and costs $30, which will cover the suggested meal donation. Anyone wanting to be part of the meet and greet will need to register at the church website, www.smithvillefbc.org.

During his tenure with the Volunteers, Fulmer became the 1998 National Coach of the Year and achieved 137 wins in his first 15 campaigns, tying for the fourth-most in a 15-year span in college football history. He brought home 2 SEC championships and a piece of 7 SEC East Division titles. When playing the nation’s No. 1-ranked teams, he had an impressive 5-0 record.

While Coach Fulmer was a notable foe to reckon with on the gridiron for U.T between 1992-2008, he did more than lead teams to victories. He also helped guide young men into winning lives off the field.

“When we started our program, I wanted it to be all facets,” Coach Fulmer told Smithville FBC Pastor Chad Ramsey during a recent phone interview. [Ramsey and his wife, Kathy, are huge UT fans who grew up in East Tennessee during Fulmer’s winning reign.]

“We [the coaches] were like parents away from home for them, and we told them we would get them better [athletically] and support them academically, but we’re also going to have this Christian background and attitude around our program, and we did. We influenced a lot of kids along the way. You could pour into them, but you couldn’t make them do it. We had a lot more success than we didn’t. You get into coaching, thinking I can make a difference. We’re dealing with kids’ lives. I think they would tell you they came through it at a really, really good time for Tennessee because we had that family attitude.”

Fulmer himself enjoyed a solid family upbringing in the tiny town of Winchester, Tennessee.

“I had just a magical childhood,” Fulmer said. “My dad worked two jobs all his life. My mom was a stay-at-home mom. They were the most loving Christian people you could ever imagine. Honestly, it was almost like Mayberry. We grew up Southern Baptists. Every time the church opened we were there—Sunday, Sunday night, Wednesday night. I was saved at 13.”

“I went away to college and found my Christian friends, and we’re still friends today, teammates Steve Robinson of FCA and John Keller, who went on to become a Baptist minister himself. Even now, through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, we speak and get around our young people as much as we can. My coaches in Little League, Babe Ruth and on up through high school were great influences as well.”

“When I became a coach, I wanted that to become a part of our legacy and part of our mentoring of young people as much as we could. We were the first ones in the conference to have a fulltime team chaplain in the building. They tried to do the separation of [church and] state thing, but we found a way to make it work. It’s been real important to me all my life, and I’m thankful for the people who touched my life so much growing up.”

Coach Fulmer left his charmed existence after graduating from Franklin County High School and earned a spot as offensive guard on the Vol football team.

“Going away to college was a big deal,” Fulmer said. “I didn’t have a way to pay for my education. So, if I got a scholarship, which I did, they couldn’t run me off. I was going to finish,” he said with a chuckle. “You grow a lot in college. The basics are still the same—do the right things. When I became the head coach in ’93, we started a Bible study, and we still have it going now. A group of us meet every other Monday.”

Now retired, the 74-year-old continues walking the Christian walk at his home in Maryville.

“I’m reading now 12 Ordinary Men,” Fulmer says. “It’s a fantastic book. All the apostles/disciples are heroes for all of us. The challenges that they had and the failures that they had made them into the people and leaders they were. It’s just incredible.”

Coach Fulmer will be delivering a motivational speech at the 2nd Annual Man Up Dinner at Smithville FBC Sunday, May 4. You’re invited to join the coach for “great food, a great talk, and more importantly a time for men of all ages to connect with God.”

DTC Communications is pleased to announce the appointment of Kasey Krueger as the new Chief Executive Officer of the cooperative.

With over a decade of senior leadership experience in the telecommunications industry, Krueger most recently served as Assistant CEO at Pioneer Communications in Ulysses, Kansas. His previous roles included Director of Marketing and Chief Customer Officer. He earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Management and Marketing from Kansas State University and a Master of Business Administration from Kansas Wesleyan University. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Krueger actively serves on various community, economic development, and telecommunications industry boards.

“I am excited to join the DTC family and am eager to connect with the employees and the communities we serve,” Krueger said. “DTC Communications has an established history of serving its members well, and that comes down to a dedicated Board of Directors and employees that care about their neighbors.”

Joining Krueger are his wife, Michelle, a former preschool teacher, their daughter Arrow, and son Hayes. With a lifelong commitment to cooperatives, he has a strong understanding of a member-focused business model and a deep appreciation for the cooperative spirit. “The DTC Board of Directors and leadership team have established a strong vision, and I look forward to continuing the great work that DTC has been doing,” Krueger said. “I am proud to have the opportunity to lead DTC into the future.”

“Krueger’s exceptional qualifications, strong leadership, and industry knowledge make him a tremendous asset to DTC,” said Bennie Curtis, DTC Board President. “His strategic vision and experience will be instrumental in guiding DTC’s continued growth and success while upholding our dedication to our members.”

DTC Communications is a member-owned telecommunications cooperative established in 1951. DTC provides world-class broadband and technology solutions to improve the quality of life of our members and communities in the regions we serve.

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce and the DeKalb County Mayor’s Office are proud to announce the DeKalb County Clean Up Event, taking place on Saturday, May 10th. This event is part of the nationwide Keep America Beautiful campaign and invites residents from across the county to come together to help beautify our communities.

The DeKalb Clean Up supports grassroots efforts to enhance and revitalize public spaces. Community members are encouraged to form teams with co-workers, neighbors, or organization members and post photos of their efforts—along with their team names—on the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber Facebook Page or the DeKalb Clean Up Facebook Page.

Volunteer Information:

Volunteers are asked to sign in at the DeKalb County Complex between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM on May 10th. During this time, participants will receive trash bags, rubber gloves, and bottled water. A group photo for media use will be taken at 9:15 AM.

If you cannot attend the sign-in but would still like to participate, please call the Chamber office at 615-597-4163 or text 615-464-7760 to register. Be sure to provide your name and your clean-up location.
In addition to litter collection, the event will also include flower planting to beautify the courthouse area and downtown Smithville, where local businesses will also participate in sprucing up their storefronts. Participants are encouraged to send their flower-planting or cleanup pictures to 615-464-7760 for sharing and recognition.

Community Leadership Encourages Participation

County Mayor Matt Adcock shared his support, stating:

“We invite people to come out and help clean up around our communities and highways. People are welcome to pick up litter at places of their choice, or we will be glad to assign a safe place for you.”

Suzanne Williams, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, added:

“DeKalb County’s peak tourism season is about to begin, so now is a great time to start getting things spruced up for our coming visitors.”

Dumpster Locations:

To assist with the cleanup, dumpsters will be available starting Friday, May 9th at the following locations:

• Dowelltown Community Center
• Liberty Community Center
• Alexandria City Parking Lot (behind the square)
• DeKalb County Complex Parking Lot

This event is a powerful way for residents to show pride in their communities and work together to create a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful DeKalb County.

Join us on May 10th and let’s make a difference—together!

The Town of Liberty has a new city recorder secretary treasurer

During last Monday night’s special meeting of the Liberty Mayor and Aldermen, the council voted to hire Laura Foutch to succeed veteran employee of 46 years Charolette Bratten who recently retired but has continued in the role in the absence of a successor. An earlier motion to combine the positions of tax collector with the duties of the city recorder/secretary-treasurer failed to get support for passage.

Foutch will earn a monthly salary of $800 working out of the town hall at ten hours per week.

Meanwhile the board voted 4-1 to pay Bratten for the months of March, April, and May for work already done and for Bratten’s help assisting Foutch as she takes over the job.

Questions were raised about Bratten still being on the job after resigning January 31 and for her keeping city records at home where she has conducted city business. In the absence of a successor at the time, Bratten’s employment was extended through February 28.

“I brought this up last month and I took it upon myself to keep her (Bratten) but I need to get everybody’s okay on that,” said Mayor Audrey Martin.

“Has she already been paid for March and April,” asked Alderman Kendra Stanford.

“Not until we vote on it. I haven’t written her a check,” said Mayor Martin.

The conversation between the mayor and Alderman Stanford then turned to the city records kept at Bratten’s home.

“In the February meeting when we extended her (Bratten) to February 28th she said she would have all city property (records) up here by February 28th. Have the records been brought up here yet from her house,” asked Alderman Stanford.

“Not for the last six months because we are still working trying to get everything together and up here in a timely manner,” said Mayor Martin

“But the records still need to be at town hall,” Alderman Stanford said

“And they will be,” answered Mayor Martin

“The comptroller’s report said she (Bratten) had 35 years’ worth of city records and that should have been turned over last January 2024. That’s my concern with the new recorder coming in because she needs all of this stuff to be here to do her job,” said Alderman Stanford.

“Everything will be here by the end of the month but the last six months are not here,” said Mayor Martin.

Meanwhile Mike Eaton, a realtor for Blackwell Realty and Auction addressed the mayor and aldermen requesting that the city donate back to Citizens Bank of Lafayette a portion of the parking lot of the old Liberty State Bank location at 311 East Main Street previously owned by the bank but donated to the city in 1947. The bank closed its Liberty location last summer and Eaton said the property is for sale with a buyer waiting in the wings, Tony Bates of Bates Ford in Lebanon who has also recently bought properties in Alexandria.

“Citizens Bank of Lafayette asked me to help them sell their property and we listed it at 311 East Main Street in Liberty and we have a buyer for it,” said Eaton. “During a title search it came to our knowledge that in 1947 Liberty Savings Bank gave to the town of Liberty for a dollar the parking lot so the city could have extra parking. We would like to ask for the city to quick claim that deed back over to Citizens Bank of Lafayette. The bank actually owns 18 feet from the door out which is basically the drive through window spot. That is all the bank owns and the rest of the parking lot is the town of Liberty’s,” said Eaton.

The Mayor and Aldermen have scheduled a special town hall meeting outside at the parking lot location on Monday, April 28 at 6 p.m. to get input from the public before making a decision.

Meanwhile, Liberty is in search of a new mowing and maintenance employee, a position left vacant with the recent resignation of Dale Pursell. If you are interested contact Mayor Audrey Martin at 615-648-2701

A 9th grader at DCHS prepared a winning essay in tribute to his mom and dad for the honor of “Parents of the Month” for March.

Christopher Gallegos’ parents, Tiffany and Abel Cota received a certificate from the school and a gift card for a meal at El Rancho Mexican Restaurant.

“My mom and dad are the best support I have had my whole entire life. I just wanted to show them a little appreciation and how much I love them,” said Gallegos in explaining why he wrote the essay.

“We are very proud of Christopher,” said his mom Tiffany. “He has come a long way. When he was born he had a fractured skull and needed two pints of blood so we think of him as a miracle child because he was a very sick baby. We are very honored to have him recognize us for this,” said Tiffany.

Christopher is a member of the FBLA and Spanish Clubs and math is his favorite subject in school. His future plans are to pursue a career either in the automotive industry or in construction.

Ms Cota said her husband is a contractor for Meadows Homes and she is a stay at home mom. In addition to Christopher the Cota’s have a daughter, Jasmine Gallegos.

Two women have been charged in separate cases of fraudulent use of a credit card.

37-year-old Molly Sue Lawrence of East Main Street, Dowelltown is under a $5,000 bond and she will be in court April 24.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that between February 7 and March 17 Lawrence allegedly used a Tennessee Way 2 Go card belonging to someone else to make several purchases totaling $5,432 without the consent of the card holder. The case was investigated by a detective.

Meanwhile, 39-year-old Melinda Beth Murphy of Frosty Point Road, Dowelltown is under a $3,500 bond and her court date is April 24.

Sheriff Ray said that on March 31 and April 1 Murphy allegedly used an EBT card at Walmart belonging to someone else to place several online grocery orders for pickup and delivery. The orders totaled $1,065. Murphy did not have consent of the card owner for the purchases. The case was investigated by a detective.

38-year-old Christopher Eugene Layne of Bright Hill Road is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court April 24.

Sheriff Ray said that on April 7 a deputy responded to several calls on Tabernacle Road about a man trying to get into the front door of a residence. The officer found Layne standing in a yard. He had pinpoint pupils, and he was acting erratically. For his safety and that of the public, Layne was arrested for public intoxication.

65-year-old Charles Anthony Farless of Short Mountain Road, Woodbury is charged with public intoxication. He is under a $1,500 bond and his court date is April 24.

Sheriff Ray said that on April 9 a deputy was dispatched to Pea Ridge Road where a man was reported to be knocking on doors. Upon arrival the officer found Farless unsteady on his feet. His speech was slurred and his pupils constricted. For his safety and that of the public, Farless was arrested for public intoxication.

46-year-old Gregory Wayne Roberts of Rodonna Drive, Smithville is charged with resisting arrest. His bond is $2,500 and he will make a court appearance on April 24.

Sheriff Ray said that on April 11 a deputy confronted Roberts who had active warrants against him, but he ran out the door of a camper. After a short foot pursuit, Roberts was apprehended.

35-year-old Jerry Donald Cantrell of Adcock Cemetery Road is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court May 1.

Sheriff Ray said that on April 13 Adcock allegedly spat in his mother’s face and aggressively pushed his head against her head making threats while in a vehicle on the way to Adcock Cemetery Road.

The March Teacher of the Month award at DeKalb County High School goes to Kevin Burchfield.

For winning the honor, Burchfield received a certificate from the school and a gift card for a meal at El Rancho Mexican Restaurant.

Burchfield, a veteran physical science teacher at DCHS, will soon be stepping down. He has announced his retirement with the close of the school year next month ending a 29-year career. Burchfield began his teaching duties in 1992 as a biology instructor but later took a few years off before making his return to the classroom in 1998.

Burchfield said he appreciates having received this Teacher of the Month honor and he has enjoyed his tenure on the staff at DCHS.

“Education changes about every four or five years, but its been fun and I really have enjoyed teaching here and being with the people. My students make me feel old because I had some of their fathers and mothers in my class at one time. I’m teaching the second generation,” he said.

Burchfield’s wife Penny works at Shiroki, and they are the parents of two, Erin Payne and Wesley Burchfield. They have a granddaughter, Sarah.

As for plans after retirement, Burchfield said “I have enough stuff around the house to do to last me a year but after taking a year off I might come back as a substitute teacher,” he said.