Dr. Steven Cooper to Become a Medical Director at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga

June 7, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A longtime local physician will be ending his practice in DeKalb County soon to become a medical director at Erlanger in Chattanooga.

Dr. Steven Cooper, a member of the team at the Family Medical Center, will be taking on the new position next month. His last day here is June 30.

Dr. Cooper received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.

“I wanted to thank the citizens of DeKalb County for the last nineteen years of entrusting me with the honor of serving as one of your physicians. I have truly enjoyed my tenure in Smithville and will miss each of my patients dearly. I am leaving my practice at the Family Medical Center at the end of June to begin a new chapter in my life. I am accepting a position as a medical director at Erlanger in Chattanooga. Please know that you are welcome to stay within our practice, if you so desire. You may choose another physician (Hugh Cripps, MD; Doug Hooper, MD; Jack Rhody, MD; Will Sherwood, MD; or Kevin Rhody, MD) or nurse practitioner (Natalie Gilley, APN; Andria Keith, APN; or Brenda Tramel, APN). Thank you again for your patronage, and I wish each of you the very best,” said Dr. Cooper.

June 7, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

In 1975, a PBS film crew produced a documentary on the Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree & Crafts Festival called “Showdown at the Hoedown”.

View the two part program by clicking the links below. You might see yourself or someone you know.

SHOWDOWN AT THE HOEDOWN- part A from MOVING HISTORY RESOURCE on Vimeo.

SHOWDOWN AT THE HOEDOWN, part B from MOVING HISTORY RESOURCE on Vimeo.

June 7, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Recovery Court Thursday recognized six participants in the program for their efforts in living a clean and sober life.

“Marina Cornett moved up to Phase II in our program after being in the 1st phase for 90 days and completing all the requirements,” said Kate Arnold, DeKalb Recovery Court Coordinator. “ Marina addressed the court asking that she be allowed to phase up stating “I have learned that I am worthy and deserving of a clean and sober life and I am recovering mentally, physically, and spiritually one day at a time. I also learned that I am a strong and determined woman and I am going to work hard and receive what my new life has to offer. So look out world here I come!,” she said.

“Also our 3 aftercare graduates (Carlos Santos, Grady Murphy, and Anthony Walters), who all graduated 6 months ago in December and have completed their 6 month of aftercare, had encouraging words for the new participants in Recovery Court.  We celebrated their sendoff by enjoying some cake and sharing encouraging words with them,” added Arnold.

“We also recognized 2 participants with 1 year sobriety, Jamie Ramos and Justin Murphy. They were presented with a certificate along with a piece of jewelry representing hope and courage,” said Arnold.

(Recovery Court Celebrates Sobriety Efforts of Participants: Pictured: left to right- Marina Cornett, Rhonda Harpole (case manager), Anthony Walters, Carlos Santos, Grady Murphy, Kate Arnold (coordinator), Jamie Ramos, Justin Murphy)