News

Smithville Elementary will hold kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year on Monday, July 21 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Smithville Elementary. (If you have already pre-registered your child you do not need to attend this event.)

Please bring COPIES of the following documents to Registration:

– Certified copy of the child’s birth certificate

– Current, up-to-date, physical examination and immunization record (These must be on a Tennessee Department of Health Certificate of Immunization, which can be obtained from
your doctor’s office or the Health Department)

– Proof of residency for DeKalb County (i.e. gas/electric bill)

* Children who register to attend kindergarten must turn five years old on or before August 15, 2025.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps has hired a total of 232 teachers and other professional personnel for the 2025-26 school year.

Cripps presented a list of the employees to the Board of Education Thursday night.

Certified personnel at each school are as follows:

DeKalb County High School:
Joey Agee, Brandy Alley, Charlotte Blaylock, Amanda Brown, Brian Cadle, Jeanine Cantrell, Todd Cantrell, Hope Carter, Lisa Craig, Eli Cross, Hannah Culwell, Bruce Curtis, Deborah DePriest, Edward Dillard, Ethan Duke, Luke Dycus, Lauren Ferrell, Amy Fricks, Amanda Fuller, Luke Green, Britney Gulley, Josh Gulley, Lesa Hayes, Bradley Hendrix, Sonja House, Ann Inglis, Alivia Jared, Angie Johnson, Jon Jones, Lindsay Kennedy, Dylan Kleparek, Brad Leach, Rebecca Miller, Lori Myrick, Jenny Norris, Morgan Oyster, Shelly Painter, Leslie Parsley, Cole Parsley, Maxwell Patterson, John Pryor, Cody Randolph, Maddison Richardson, Gabby Robinson, Melissa Ruch, Michael Shaw, Steve Trapp, Erin Turner, Stephanie Turner, Tad Webb, Barbara Weller, Brittany Weller, Emily Wheeler, Kason Wheeler, Michael Whitefield, Seth Willoughby, and Sara Young.

Northside Elementary School:
Marla Beshearse, Callie Betencourt, Linda Bush, Sandy Cantrell, Shanea Cantrell, Shaunta Cantrell, Megan Carroll, Taylor Chapman, Allison Collier, Kelsey Cornelius, Tiffany Cowart, Alisha Day, Tara Driver, Tabitha Farmer, Megan Ford, Stephanie Fuson, Amanda Goodwin, Carrie Gottlied, Amanda Griffith, Patty Hale, Jennifer Herndon, Shelly Jennings, Angela Johnson, Trey Jones, Sarah Kurtz, Lisa Mabe, Amanda Mathis, Elizabeth Miller, Diana Moon, Melissa Odom, Beth Pafford, Amanda Parker, Greg Rains, Kathy Ramsey, Amy Raymond, Bethany Rigsby, Kristen Rowland, Melissa Roysdon, Jennifer Salas, Tammy Sims, Carol Tripp, Cheryl Vandagriff, Melissa Wallace, and Kristen Van Vranken.

DeKalb West School:
Jessica Antoniak, Crystal Barnes, Vickey Barrett, Dwayne Blair, Hannah Bratton, Mollie Bratten, Whitney Brelje, Jenny Cantrell, Jeanna Caplinger, Rayanna Chapman, Trent Colwell, Kim Crook, Kayley Curtis, Rachel Desimone, Wade Dunnaway, Tonya Ellis, Sabrina Farler, Rachel Hernandez, Cathleen Humphrey, Kristen Malone, Jennifer Martin, Shelia McMillen, Leslie Moore, Amanda Mullinax, Olivia Neal, Ashley Nokes, Kelly Pyburn, Missy Sliger, Cynthia Snow, Teresa Sullivan, Susan West, Samantha Woodward, and Amy Young.

Smithville Elementary School:
Misty Agee, Ashley Barnes, Katie Barrett, Lindsey Bouldin, Priscilla Campbell, Beth Cantrell, Cayla Cantrell, Mary Cantrell, Claire Cloyd, Brittany Daniel, Amy Davis, Calista Dodson, Ashley Dugaw, Madison Elkins, Caitlin Fox, Karen France, Stephanie Hensley, Tanya Howard, Amber Howell, Kelly Huling, Elizabeth James, Ana Jarvis, Sydney Johnson, Stormy Komandosky, Emily Lattimore, Leah Magness, Stephanie Majors, Adrienne McCormick, Christina Merriman, Serah Mitchell, Chloe Mooneyham, Jacquelyn Overbey, Anita Puckett, Jane Ramsey, Amanda Rhoady, Janie Roberts, Sydney Simmonds, Brian Smith, Cristy Spears, Cynthia Stoglin, Kaylene Thomason, Allyson Trapp, Brad Trapp, Carol Tripp, Patricia Ward, Kristy Williams, Lisa Woods, Elizabeth Wright, and Crystal Young.

DeKalb Middle School:
January Agee, Josh Agee, Suzette Barnes, Kelly Birmingham, Galen Brown, Victoria Christian, Nancy Cowan, Melba Farmer, Heather Harney, Amy Hayes, Holly Hendrix, Lori Hendrix, Lorie Isabell, Sarah Jacobs-McGregor, Nikitta Johnson, Bryan Jones, Michelle Jones, Teresa Jones, Alyssa Leslie, Cameron Lester, Kristen Lynch, Martha Melching, LeVaughnda Midgett, Justin Nokes, Colter Norris, Erin Patterson, Courtney O’Conner, Scott Odom, Hunter Poteete, Justin Poteete, Deb Poteete, Candice Scrabo, Jennifer Sykes, Carson Speck, Danni Stahlke, Carol Tallent, Kitty Thomas, Cheryl Vance, Isaac Vincent, Jennifer West, and Christie Young

Central Office Staff:
Michelle Burklow, Danielle Collins, Elise Driver, Emily Estes, Randy Jennings, Joey Reeder, Lori Rogers, and Natasha Vaughn.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps has employed the 178 support staff members for the 2025-26 school year.

The personnel report was submitted to the Board of Education during Thursday night’s regular monthly meeting.

Those employed are as follows:

DeKalb County High School:
Abby Bates, Dean Broadhead, Kathy Chapman, Jamie Cripps, Rochelle Davis, Tena Edwards, Lori Gallagher, Yvonne Hale, Brooke Hutchings, Mary King, Tracy Kyle, Susan Farris, Cheryl Mach, Marsha Martin, Mike Merriman, Tera Mooneyham, Holly Moore, Sara Parker, Santos Sosa, Tim Stribling, Cynthia Taylor, Tina Templeton, and Vicky Walker.

DeKalb Middle School:
Fay Baker, Deanna Brooks, Martha Cantrell, Katie Denton, Trena Ferrell, Brittany Gard, Kecia Harden, Ester Holder, Patricia Linder, Tammy Maynard, Lacey McMillen, Lisa Norton, Brandi Patterson, Tina Pedigo, Nina Poole, and Miranda Waggoner

Smithville Elementary School:
Jennifer Adcock, Charlotte Bertsh, Jamie Bloise, Brenda Beth Cantrell, Brenda G. Cantrell, Kellen Curtis, Darlene Evans, Betty Griffith, Margie Hale, Tanya Howard, Amanda Johnson, Malia Laird, Isla Ledbetter, Talitha Looney, Rita Matthews, Chelsie May, Rebecca Parker, Lori Poss, Brenda Rigney, Jennifer Roller, Talitha Shirah, Jackie Stockling, Marie Storie, Allison Taylor, Mary-Margaret Tripp, Tammy Tyler, Harper Wallace, and Celia Whaley.

Northside Elementary School:
Kortny Blaylock, Chelsie Bryant, Doris Cantrell, Rosalinda Cervantas, Amber Cripps. Terrie Ford, Glenda Gassaway, Mary Hancock, Tamara Judkins, LaTonya Kleparek, Ivory Knauer, Ann Knisley, Crystal Moore, Angela O’Connell, Deanna Page, David Parker, Dennis Patz, Carla Pelham, Joy Troncoso, Rita Umstead, Harper Wallace, and Deneene Willingham.

DeKalb West School:
Emily Davis, Donna Driver, Makenzie Dunaway, Alex Hancock, Korin Harrod, Jessica Lieser, Nancy Mulloy, Riley Overstreet, Courtney Reynolds, Tonya Roberts, Christine Roehner, Kristi Sullivan, Danyelle Troyer, Brandi Turney, and Brandi Womack.

County Wide Positions:
Chandra Adcock, Ally Atnip, Amanda Carter, Cindy Childers, James Culberson, Debra Culver, Bettye June Dodd, Kathy Dodd, Christie Driver, Susan Farris, Wade Ferrell, Lacey Foutch, Greg Frasier, Jordon Funk, Donna Hale, Lisa Hale, Judy Hafifield, Rebecca Hawkins, Bernice Hendrixson, Dillon Hicks, Karen Kidd, Ginda Kilgore,  Terrie Kilgore, Lindsey Knight, Ashley Lawson, Maggie Lawson, Jenean Lawson, Debra London, Shirley Mathis, Greg Matthews, Kirby Morton, Melissa Pirtle, Danny Pirtle, Jr., Cindy Rhody, Frederick Sanders, Kathy Stanley, Beverly Starnes, Barbara Thweatt, Kimberly Turner, Jamie Vickers, Penny Walker, Jeff Whitefield, Joannie Williams, Mary Williams, and Aaron Young.

Transportation:
Zack Adams, Debra Bernal, Danny Bond, Dwayne Cantrell, Todd Cantrell, Debbie Eaton, Marshall Ferrell, Lori Gallagher, David Gash, Judith Hale, Melissa Hicks, Danny Jenkins, Daniel Lawson, Josh Lawson, Cheryl Mach, Scott McBroom, Mike Merriman, Ronald Merriman, Brandi O’Conner, Linda Gail Pack, Tony Poss, Kelly Pyburn, Ashley Redmon, Myron Rhody, Carol Swope, Mark Violet, Danny Washer, Angela Wilkerson, and Linda Williams.

Alexandria has a new mayor.

One day after the resignation of Mayor Beth Tripp, the town council met in special session Thursday evening and confirmed the appointment of Alderman Jeff Ford as the new Mayor of Alexandria. After the meeting he was sworn into office by the city recorder Jessica Howard.

The first order of business during the special meeting Thursday was for the aldermen to accept the resignation of Mayor Tripp which they did. With that action Alderman and Vice Mayor Bobby Simpson became mayor but he declined to serve in the role and offered his resignation as mayor which the aldermen accepted. Simpson then made a motion to appoint Alderman Ford as mayor and the aldermen approved the appointment. Simpson still remains on the board as Alderman and said he would consider accepting the reappointment to Vice Mayor.

The board of aldermen consists of Aldermen Bobby Simpson, Luke Prichard, Jonathan Tripp, Sherry Tubbs, and David Cripps. Upon becoming mayor, Jeff Ford stepped down as Alderman. Alderman Tripp was absent at the special meeting Thursday evening.

Alderman Simpson then took a moment to recognize the city hall office staff including Jessica Howard, the town recorder, property tax clerk, water clerk, and court clerk; financial officer Rhonda Conatser; and part time water clerks Dora Stranathan and Amber Ahlgard.

“A lot of people probably don’t realize the job that these girls do and the crap they have to put up with on a daily basis. They are the ones that run this town and ring the cash register in there. They are taking care of the town and about 1100 water customers. I appreciate every one of them,” said Alderman Simpson.

The aldermen then voted to authorize Mayor Ford, Aldermen Simpson and Prichard, and Financial Officer Conatser to access or sign checks on city bank accounts and to remove Mayor Tripp’s name from that list.

Police Chief Vincent Turocy and Officer Jon Jenkins were authorized to have access to the city’s drug fund and to remove the name of former Chief K.D. Smith.

In other business the aldermen restored the hours of city hall employees previously reduced by Mayor Tripp. “What this means is Beth sent some home and manipulated their schedules, and we want to restore that, so they get the paychecks they were expecting to pay their bills. I have Jessica Howard as a 40-hour employee, Rhonda Conatser as a 40-hour employee, Dora Stranathan at 24 hours and Amber Ahlgard at 24 hours”, said Mayor Ford.

According to the aldermen there is now some interest in the vacant city attorney position, and they plan to interview a Cookeville attorney and possibly others soon.

The next Alexandria mayor and aldermen meeting will be Tuesday, June 17 at 5 p.m. at city hall.

The county budget committee has completed its budget preparation for the 2025-26 fiscal year except for setting the debt service property tax levy.

During Tuesday night’s meeting, the budget committee approved the ambulance service and 911 budgets as well as an appropriations resolution and a capital improvement plan for current and future debt management but delayed action on setting the tax levy until after the jail committee meets next Monday, June 16 at 6 p.m. in the auditorium of the county complex where a recommendation could be made on the next step toward building a jail.

The current tax levy is $2.51 per $100 of assessed value which includes a debt service tax levy of 0.6160 cents. For now, the 51-cent tax increase from last year remains in the proposed 2025-26 budget but that could change by the next budget committee meeting before the final consolidated budget is submitted to the full county commission for adoption.

Steve Bates, the county’s fiscal agent, is recommending that the county keep the debt service levy the same as last year to fund a new jail and for the future construction of a second new school. According to Bates, if a jail is funded through a 12 year note rather than a 20-year bond, the county would save as much as $8 million in interest. Bates gave specifics when asked by budget committee member Tony Luna Tuesday night.

“Have you ever done the math on a 12 year note versus a 20-year bond? What is the difference in how much interest we’re paying”, asked Luna.

“Yes, let’s take the $35 million (jail construction option) you’re going to pay $44, 604,000 on the note or $53,100,000 on the bond. That’s $8,496,000 difference for eight years. That’s over a million dollars a year,” said Bates.

“Could you redo a note if interest dropped,” asked Budget Committee Chairman Jeff Barnes.

“Sure,” responded Bates.

“Can you also do that on a bond”, asked Barnes.

“Yep”, said Bates.

“What you would do is put call provisions on both of them. Typically, when investors buy a bond, they want to know if they are going to have that generated income for “x” number of years. You would probably put a 10 year call on a bond or on that note you could probably put a seven-year call or maybe five,” Bates explained.

“To reiterate, we could save the county over $8 million on a 12 year note versus a 20-year bond,” asked Luna.

“Yes”, replied Bates. “Because the further you go out the yield curve the higher the coupons get,” he added

Last week, the budget committee discussed new jail cost estimates provided by Bell Construction. When comparing the 152 bed versus 200 bed options, Bell concluded that jail construction on a new site would be from $8.6 million to $9.3 million cheaper. No cost numbers were apparently provided on the existing county property with the adjoining lot not owned by the county.

According to Rick Bruining of Bell Construction the pricing recap for the four scenarios on the DeKalb Jail Project are as follows:

*New site: 152 beds: $28,200,000
*New site: 200 beds: $34,500,000

*Existing site: 152 beds: $36,800,000
*Existing site:200 beds: $43,800,000

According to Jail Committee Chairman Larry Green, a new jail on the existing site would be a two-story structure as opposed to a one level building at a new location. More employees might also be needed to staff a two-level jail to meet state requirements.

County Mayor Matt Adcock said the Bell proposal for the existing site makes use of the property the county already owns leaving an option for future expansion on an adjoining lot the county currently does not own.

The new proposal has not been reviewed by the Tennessee Corrections Institute which has to certify it nor has Sheriff Patrick Ray had input.

There are still a lot of things missing like an armory, impound lot, evidence room, detective offices, etc. so there are still some questions on what that building would look like, “said County Mayor Adcock.

Bates presented to the budget committee last week assumptions on a jail debt service requirement on $29 million, $35 million, $37 million, and $44 million doing either 12-year notes, 20-year bonds, or 25-year bonds.

According to Bates, the debt service requirement on a new jail over 12 years would be $3, 080,000 on a $29,000,000 project; $3,717,000 on a $35,000,000 plan; $3,930,000 for a $37,000,000 option; and $4,675,000 on a $44,000,000 option.

“You could issue 12-year notes, get the jail out of the way, and then fund school #2,” said Bates. “Remember the 51 cents was never going to fund the judicial center on its own last year. It never was going to fund it alone. It was the fact that you have over $600,000 freeing up in debt service together with that money which was going to fund the project but that was defeated,” explained Bates.

“It goes back to the 12-year note. It depends on where you want to go from here. If you want to lower the tax rate in the future, then you’ll have to step up to the plate. You may not want to do it but that’s where you are at. What are you going to do? In 10 or 12 years another county commission is going to come in and have the same problem to fund school #2. Are they going to take the money that’s freed up together with contributions from local purpose and contributions from the general-purpose school fund to try to fund school #2? Or will they have a wheel tax if there is a shortfall? It’s going to be the same problem in 10 or 12 years. But I can tell you by doing the 12 year note your tax rate in the long term is going to be lower, longer. That’s the trade-off,” Bates continued.

“Look how much revenues are exceeding expenditures in 2034, by $4,219,000. If you did $7 million 30-year bonds in that year your debt service requirement would be $4, 225,000 if they could build a school for $70 million. You’re going through reappraisal next year and the tax rate is going to come down to at least $1.49 or thereabouts. You’ll go through reappraisal again in six more years. If your sales ratio is .88 you’ll come in at about $1.31 tax rate. I think we can keep a lid on expenditures until then. If we can’t then we’ll have to shift money from capital projects. We have excess money from interest income going to capital projects now and we could shift it back to the general fund to get us by. The longer you can play that game the lower your tax rate is going to be. I guess it just depends on what you think it’s worth to save a couple of pennies on your tax rate now versus 12- or 20-year bonds. If it’s just a couple of pennies you are better off doing the 12 years and being done with it. If it’s going to be 20 years, then I suggest you adopt an initial bond resolution at June’s meeting and see if you can even do bonds. You don’t have a solid waste fee. You don’t have a wheel tax. You don’t have any impact fees. You have a tax freeze for the elderly. You have done everything you can possibly do to soften it for the public,” said Bates.

The scheduled budget committee meeting for tonight (Thursday, June 12) has been cancelled.

The ambulance service budget is set for the year as recommended by the county budget committee Tuesday night.

According to the spending plan, EMS staff will get their scheduled step raises and for the first time, a step raise will be applied to EMS Director Trent Phipps whose salary has been $61,040. Based on his 18 years of service as a paramedic, Phipps’ pay will be adjusted by one percent to $61,650. The EMS budget also includes an extra $4,000 in incentive pay for medical personnel and $2,000 more in overtime for those serving as medical death investigators who respond to death calls.

Director Phipps had initially requested as one option a $5.00 per hour increase in pay for the 20 EMS medical personnel employed by the ambulance service and that his own pay be increased from $61,040 to $90,000. The idea was to put the director’s pay above the highest paid EMS employee. According to payroll records provided by a county commissioner, the highest paid EMS employee for the period of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 was $71,971 (gross amount) including hourly pay and overtime. The same employee earned $60,177 (gross amount) during the period from July 1, 2024 to April 10, 2025.

The proposed EMS budget request was later revised to include only step pay increases for personnel and for the director’s pay to go to $70,000.

During Tuesday night’s meeting, the budget committee was asked to consider raising Phipps’ pay to $70,000 and giving EMS personnel a $3.00 per hour raise in addition to the step increases.

Glynn Merriman, a member of the budget committee, made a motion to leave the regular step raises in place for the EMS workers along with the extra funds for MDIs and to keep the director’s pay at $61,040. The motion failed 4-3 with Chairman Jeff Barnes and members Mathias Anderson, Tony Luna, and Tony (Cully) Culwell voting against it and members Sabrina Farler and Daniel Cripps voting with Merriman for the motion.

According to Merriman, raising the director’s pay to $70,000 was too much at this time and he questioned the fairness in giving a $3.00 per hour increase in pay to EMS personnel without also providing it to sheriff’s department deputies even though the sheriff had not requested it.

“I know EMS does an important job and I appreciate everyone of them but if we give them a $3.00 an hour raise we need to give the deputies a $3.00 an hour raise because their lives are in danger too. That’s the way I look at it. They put their lives on the line too and he (sheriff) didn’t ask for one. I am not saying they are not worth it but if one gets it they both deserve it,” said Merriman.

After Merriman’s motion failed, Budget committee member Anderson made a motion to put the director’s pay at $70,000 and to give EMS personnel a $2.00 per hour increase plus the steps. His motion died for the lack of a second.

Budget committee member Luna then moved to leave the regular step raises in the budget for EMS personnel but to apply the step raise to the director’s position, which is something that has not been done before. Based on his 18 years of experience, Luna’s motion was to give Director Phipps a 1% increase in pay putting it at $61,650 and to include the extra $4,000 for medical personnel serving as MDIs and $2,000 more in overtime. The vote was adopted 6-1 with Anderson being the lone no vote.

Later in the meeting, Director Phipps asked the budget committee to reconsider his salary saying he had taken a pay cut when he moved from being a paramedic to director last year after the death of former EMS director Hoyte Hale. Phipps asked that his salary be at least $67,647 which is what it was as paramedic.
Budget committee member Mathias Anderson made a motion to up the director’s pay to $67,647 and to give EMS staff an extra $1.00 per hour in addition to their regular step raises. The motion failed 4-3 with members Merriman, Farler, Cripps, and Chairman Barnes voting against it. Joining Anderson in supporting the motion were members Luna and Culwell.

The total EMS budget is $1,900,615 including $803,476 in salaries for the 20 medical personnel and $188,419 in budgeted overtime pay.

In other business, the budget committee adopted on a 5-2 vote the emergency management budget which includes an $11,500 increase in the county’s longstanding contracted contribution to the DeKalb County Emergency Communications District. The total cost for that will go from $160,000 to $171,500 per year. Both the county and the City of Smithville are under contract with 911 to each fund three dispatcher positions including benefits. The Town of Alexandria also makes a 911 contribution to help fund a position.

DeKalb ECD (911) Director Brad Mullinax addressed the budget committee prior to the vote. “We have surveyed our surrounding counties and found out we are paying significantly less for starting dispatchers than counties around us and this includes Cannon, White, and Putnam. We didn’t shoot for the moon on this. Its about what they are paying in surrounding counties on average. We are proposing $18 an hour and this would be an increase to the county of $11,500 per year and to the City of Smithville as well. A starting dispatcher makes $16.56 per hour. It’s a $1.44 increase,” said Mullinax.

“Our budget is extremely tight. We have trimmed and cut. One of our biggest problems is we had significant money in cd’s gaining interest of about $50,000 a year but when we pulled out $1.1 million total for investment in radios that brought our surplus fund balance down to about $900,000. I am projecting now that we will get somewhere in the neighborhood of about $25,000 in interest versus $50,000 this year,” explained Mullinax.

“Our insurance is up because we have had more subscribers. Insurance benefits is up. That went from about $68,000 last year to $94,000 this year. The employees were told that the local match for their employee health insurance is going to increase by about $60 bucks. Their pay raise is basically going to cover their health insurance,” Mullinax continued.

“We have to give employees raises. We have to stay competitive in the job market with 911 centers in the Upper Cumberland because they will go somewhere else and it costs a lot to train a dispatcher. We have about $10,000 to $15,000 invested in a dispatcher by the time we get them fully trained up,” he said.
“Our 911 board has not yet been passed our budget for the year. That is to be acted on by June 24 and then sent to the Tennessee Emergency Communications District,” said Mullinax.

Meanwhile, the budget committee approved an increase in the 40 hour per week shared firefighter position (one position) which will go from $36,281 to $37,370. Available firefighters, who are trained and certified, rotate in and out of the position as needed and no firefighter works more than 24 hours a week.

The budget further includes funding for a new building codes inspection program. Earlier this year the county commission adopted a resolution establishing the current state building codes for the county to go by. A local part time building inspector is to be hired to administer the program. The position has already been advertised, and one person has applied. After a certified building codes inspector has been hired, the county will have to enter into a contract with him and then submit to the state a completed 14-page survey after which the county will be audited to ensure local compliance. Audits are done every three years.

County Mayor Matt Adcock said since this is a new program figuring the actual collections and costs the first year is challenging. According to Adcock, the inspector’s salary would be 65% of collections from fees.

“After one fiscal year, we will have a better idea of what to budget for next year. I’m thinking $25,000 to see where that gets us and add $1,500 in office supplies. We can amend it if needed,” said County Mayor Adcock. The proposed budget includes a projection of $40,000 in revenue from the program.

The budget committee adopted an appropriations resolution totaling $74, 448, 527 for the year 2025-26. Also approved on a 5-2 vote was a capital improvement plan. “This is a plan to look ahead to try to manage what it is you are going to do,” said Steve Bates, the county’s fiscal agent. The plan includes projections for a new jail at $35,000,000 on 12-year notes, $1.3 million for land purchase to build school #2, new elementary school construction and the purchase of an ambulance from capital projects in 2026, another ambulance purchase in 2028, and in 2036 construction of school #2. Members Farler and Culwell voted no on the capital improvement plan. Farler said she wanted to wait until after the jail committee meeting next week.

The scheduled budget committee meeting for tonight (Thursday, June 12) has been cancelled.

Alexandria Mayor Beth Tripp Resigns!

Ten months after being elected Mayor of Alexandria, Beth Tripp is calling it quits.

Mayor Tripp contacted WJLE Wednesday afternoon to announce her resignation and issued the following prepared statement in a letter addressed to the Town of Alexandria:

“Dear Town of Alexandria,

After much discussion with family, friends, and supporters please accept this as my official notice of resignation effective immediately. It has been an honor serving my community. I have always respected the board’s decision and have executed all their decisions without debate. It saddens me, that they now have issues with the decisions they have voted in town meetings and do not want to take responsibility for their actions”

“I appreciate all those who have supported me and continue to support me. I will continue to appreciate every one of you”

“Sincerely,
Mayor Beth Tripp”

The board of aldermen consists of Vice Mayor Bobby Simpson, Luke Prichard, Jeff Ford, Jonathan Tripp, Sherry Tubbs, and David Cripps.

A Sparta man is facing charges including possession of an incendiary explosive device after being arrested by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department on a unwanted guest complaint last Thursday, June 5.

22-year-old Mark Kennedy Derise Gribble, Jr. is charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless endangerment, domestic assault, possession of a firearm during a felony, aggravated burglary, and possession of explosive components His bond totals $81,000 and the court date is June 26.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on June 5 a deputy was summoned to Johnson’s Chapel Road due to a complaint of an unwanted guest. Upon arrival the officer spoke to the residents of the property who informed him that Gribble had shown up there and began beating on the door and windows before entering the home through a window intending to commit an assault. The mother of Gribble’s child, who was inside the residence, became afraid and hid in a closet to keep him from finding her.

Gribble who was outside, was confronted by the deputy and there the officer detected an odor of marijuana coming from Gribble’s vehicle. A search was conducted and found inside a suitcase in the bed of Gribble’s automobile was a round device (metal pipe) wrapped in duct tape that appeared to be a homemade silencer that fit on the end of Gribble’s Palmetto Dagger Compact 9-millimeter which was also found inside the vehicle. The search also turned up a Rossi 22 caliber, a Riley defense RKA 47 7.62×39, a Marlin Glenfield 22 long rifle, and what appeared to be an incendiary device described as a clear plastic tube containing smokeless black powder with a paper towel on both sides of it and a piece of a wick lighter cord coming out of the top. Gribble admitted to using the device to set fires. A crystal-like substance in a clear glass pipe along with a green leafy substance in a plastic pipe were also recovered during the search.

Assisting the sheriff’s department in the investigation was the state bomb squad who ensured the safety of the suspected explosive device which was found.

After being placed in custody, Gribble was asked about another call the sheriff’s department responded to on June 3 in reference to a black Dodge truck doing burnouts and shots which were fired out of the truck window from the roadway. Gribble admitted to having done the burnouts and firing the shots.

42-year-old Randy Kent Jarboe of Mclntosh Oklahoma is charged with public intoxication. He is under a $2,000 bond and his court date is June 26.

Sheriff Ray said that on June 8 a deputy responded to a call of a man spotted stumbling around close to the roadway on Sparta Highway. The officer found the man, Jarboe and stopped to speak with him. Jarboe smelled of alcohol and he admitted to having consumed a pint and a half of vodka.

51-year-old Matthew David Fayette of Yulonda Hills Road, Smithville is charged with theft of property. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court June 26.

Sheriff Ray said that from April 28 to May 13 Fayette made 28 transactions on Cash-Out using a victim’s bank account information and stealing a total of $1,655 from the victim’s account. The case was investigated by a detective.

54-year-old Aimee Deanne Jobe of North Mill Street, Dowelltown is charged with driving on a revoked license. Her bond is $2,000 and she will be in court June 26.

Sheriff Ray said that on June 3 a deputy was north on Short Mountain Highway when he spotted a black Chevrolet Silverado also traveling north. The officer checked the tag on the vehicle and found that it had been expired since May 31. He pulled over the automobile and spoke with the driver, Jobe who said she was not able to provide proof of insurance. When asked if she had a valid license, Jobe said she believed she did. However, after running information through dispatch, it revealed the license to be revoked for DUI due to alcohol and drugs in DeKalb County on January 23, 2020. She was placed under arrest for DUI 1st offense.

Two teenage sibling runaways reported missing last week were later found safe and sound at an Alexandria residence.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that “on Thursday, June 5 a deputy was dispatched to Whorton Springs Road due to a report of two missing juveniles, a 13-year-old girl from Quapaw Oklahoma and her 15-year-old sibling, a boy from Smithville. Upon arrival the officer spoke with a family member who said that the two teens had left home in Smithville. We (sheriff’s department) then reported them missing and entered their information into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). A detective was assigned the case on Thursday, June 5. He learned that the teens had gone to a residence on Shady Lane in Alexandria. The detective went there and spoke to an adult who granted permission for a search of the home. There he found the kids hiding in a bedroom closet. They were taken into custody. It is not believed that the adult there was harboring the children or even knew they were in the home,” said Sheriff Ray.

(UPDATED) Retaliation?

One of the Alexandria city hall employees who was asked by Mayor Beth Tripp to “go home” from work for the day Monday is speaking out against the mayor’s actions accusing her of retaliation.

Jessica Howard, the town recorder, property tax clerk, water clerk, and court clerk, told WJLE Tuesday morning that she believes Mayor Tripp had a reason for asking her to leave work for the day beyond what she put down on paper.

Howard claims she is a witness in a criminal summons case against Mayor Tripp and Richard Potter, the town’s water and sewer manager, who are charged with trying to get the police chief to cancel a ticket against persons in separate cases.

“I feel this is retaliation on me because I am the court clerk and Richard Potter called me and asked me to rip up the ticket. The police chief was standing there. I informed him (police chief) and he took it from there. I feel like I am being retaliated against,” said Howard.

After WJLE posted this story, Mayor Tripp contacted WJLE Tuesday afternoon to deny Howard’s allegations of retaliation saying she was unaware that Howard was a witness in the criminal summons case against her. Mayor Tripp said her only motive has been budgetary concerns and the lack of cooperation among some at city hall in getting answers about the budget. Mayor Tripp further claims special called meetings held since she has been absent were held illegally in violation of city regulations in that at least three aldermen had not requested them in writing and that in some cases neither she nor all the aldermen were made aware of the meetings. Mayor Tripp added that when she left city hall Monday the things she was observed leaving with were not city records or documents but her own personal pictures. Mayor Tripp contends that while she has been away, someone has rummaged through her office and desk and boxed up some of her things. Mayor Tripp did not explain for WJLE why she has missed city meetings of late, and she said she does not intend to resign.

Both Howard and financial officer Rhonda Conatser were sent home by Mayor Tripp Monday for the following stated reasons:

*Saving on the budget

*Not following the charter

*Not following chain of command

The mayor signed and dated the order and had both Howard and Conatser to sign it.

Mayor Tripp contacted WJLE Monday afternoon to say that she had first advised the two city hall employees by phone to work only half a day Monday apparently for budgetary reasons but found them still working when she went to city hall. She asked them again to leave for the day and then put it in writing for the reasons given and had them sign it.

“She (Mayor) did not give us any prior notice. She did not tell us we were only going to work half a day (Monday). We hadn’t heard from her since May 30,” said Howard.

“The allegation that I violated the chain of command was because I could not get a hold of her (Mayor Tripp) for two weeks and I reached out to the vice mayor, which I am supposed to do because I am the town recorder. She (Mayor Tripp) then said I posted an agenda for a special meeting and three aldermen were supposed to sign it but they posted their own agenda and four aldermen signed it,” said Howard.

Howard explained for WJLE her version of what happened Monday.

“We had not heard from Mayor Tripp since May 30 until yesterday (Monday, June 9). Ms Dora Stranathan (part time water clerk) who works with me received a phone call about 10:15 a.m. She brought the phone up to my ear because she said it was Beth calling and we had not heard from her. When she answered the phone Beth said Hey are you at the office? Dora said yes. She said is Rhonda (Conatser) there? Dora said yes. She said is Jessica (Howard) there? Dora said yes. She asked if (part time water clerk) Amber (Ahlgard) was there and she said no. Beth said Well, I am still mayor and I can still enact my mayor powers. She said I need you (Dora) to tell Jessica and Rhonda to go home. Dora just said OK. She said if there are any refusals to call me back on my mayor’s phone. Dora said OK and they hung up,” explained Howard.

“I immediately called Aldermen Bobby Simpson, Luke Prichard, and Sherry Tubbs. I told them what was going on and they said no do not leave, she cannot do that. She has to give you a written notice, so we stayed. About 15 or 20 minutes later Beth came in the office with one of her friends who was recording us. She came in the office, looked at Rhonda and she said I need y’all to go home. Rhonda said I need that in writing. Beth said OK. I turned around and said what is the reason? You need to give us a reason. Did we do something? She said no I don’t have to give you a reason. I was recording every word she said. I said actually you do have to give a reason, per charter. That’s when she wrote the note and gave it to us. We signed it and we left,” said Howard.

“I am at the hospital today (Tuesday) with my son who is having knee surgery. I won’t be back until tomorrow (Wednesday) but I am afraid she (Mayor) is probably going to try to suspend me tomorrow because I reached out and tried to clear my name,” Howard concluded.