DCHS Renews Awards Honoring Student, Teacher, and Parent of the Month

September 7, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County High School renewed its monthly observance Thursday of recognizing a teacher, student, and parent of the month for August.

Each received a certificate from the school and a gift card for a meal from El Rancho. A different restaurant offers a meal gift card to each month’s honorees.

Hope Carter, Comprehensive Development Classroom (CDC)/Special Education educator, was selected by the administration as Teacher of the Month while Senior Brynn Harvey is Student of the Month, voted on by the teachers. Parent of the month is Paula Diego and this honor was based on a winning essay written by her daughter, Annaly Diego, a Freshman at DCHS.

“I am very blessed,” said Harvey when told she was voted “Student of the Month. I’m excited. It makes me very happy to know they (teachers) see my efforts”.

17-year-old daughter of Jennifer Harvey and Andrew and Alyssa Harvey, Brynn said she serves as a student assistant for one of her teachers at school and helps out with another class. She is Captain of the high school tennis team and holds the Class of 2024 Reporter position.

After graduation, Brynn said she wants to attend Tennessee Tech and major in Education. She hopes to one day return to the school system as a teacher.

“Brynn was nominated by a teacher here at the school for “Student of the Month”, said DCHS Assistant Principal Thomas Cagle. “All the other teachers voted on the student of the month from that list of students and Brynn was chosen. She is awesome. Brynn helps out in so many ways with different clubs, activities, and events. She always has a great attitude and a big smile. Brynn is exceptional all the way around and I think its awesome that the teachers recognized her attributes. We are excited to have Brynn as our Student of the Month for August,” said Cagle.

Paula Diego was honored as “Parent of the Month” although she was unable to attend the recognition observance due to her having to work.

Annaly, Diego’s 14-year-old daughter, authored and submitted the essay in tribute to her mom.

“My mom has sacrificed a lot for us in our time with her and she has been one of the strongest people for us. She has always been there as our rock and to encourage and lift us up when we are down. We can talk to her about almost anything. She is the strongest person that we know. A single mom, she works two jobs and still finds a way to provide for and spend time with us and make sure we have everything we need and that we are always happy,” said Annaly.

“She is the best,” added Annaly’s 17-year-old sister Olivia, a Senior at DCHS. “I wouldn’t be where I am at without my mom,” she said.

After her high school years, Annaly said she would like to attend college at either Tennessee Tech or MTSU and one day start a small business.

“I would like to start my own business baking and crocheting because my grandmother taught me how to crochet and my mom sends me recipes sometimes”.

Annaly is a member of the Service Society, BETA, and Literature Clubs at DCHS.

After reading through all the essays, Assistant Principal Cagle said it was easy to see why Annaly’s paper stood out.

“We had several submissions for our first essay this month, but Annaly did an especially good job. The purpose of these essays is for students to be able to tell us the amazing and great things their parents are doing for them whether it be sacrifices they have made or everyday encouragement. Annaly’s essay was one that just reached out to me and (Assistant Principal) Ms Jenny Norris when we were going through all the essays. It’s a great example of the hard work and sacrifice that our parents and guardians go through for our students each and every day to be able to make their children as successful as possible while they are here at DCHS,” said Cagle.

As for teacher of the month, Cagle said it was fitting that Hope Carter get the honor because she has earned it.

“This is her second year here at the school. She took the place of Daniel Seber after he left last year to become Register of Deeds. She has done an amazing job. She came in learning while on the job. Hope and I have worked a lot together. She does amazing work with the CDC kids. The relationships she has been able to build and cultivate with those students is inspiring. She does such a good job working with them and also does a great job communicating with us (administration) and other teachers about the needs and ways we can help her help those students. We always try to find ways to make it a better day for them and she does a really good job leading that charge. We are very proud of her and grateful to have her here at the high school,” said Cagle.

“This is a blessing”, said Carter. “Its been an honor to be here at the high school and work with these kids and help them in any way I can. I love what I am doing. I wake up every day excited to be here”.

Originally from Lascassas , Carter said she moved to Alexandria about three years ago. She is a graduate of Watertown High School. Currently, Carter is working on a Master’s degree at Cumberland University. Previously she earned her bachelor’s degree in biology at MTSU.

Before coming to the high school last year, Carter spent over a year at DeKalb West School.

Carter has more reason to be excited. She recently became engaged to be married at some future date to Cody Hale.

September 7, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

John Pryor is the leader among WJLE’s Fearless Forecasters picking college football winners after the first week of the season.

Pryor has the best record at 13-2 followed by a five-way tie for second place between Grant James of the James Gang, Ricky Atnip, Jared Davis, Scott Goodwin, and Dewain Hendrixson each with a record of 12-3. Chad Kirby and Darrell Gill of the Gill Gang each went 11-4 after the first week and Scott Brown was 10-5.
Two Fearless Forecasters hit their underdog picks last week. Jared Davis got on the board with 20.5 points as Colorado upset TCU 45 to 42 and John Pryor picked up 2.5 points with Florida State’s 45 to 24 win over LSU.

Today (Thursday) the Forecasters will be picking winners in the following games:

Nebraska at Colorado, Oregon at Texas Tech, Wisconsin at Washington State, Notre Dame at N.C. State, Utah at Baylor, Ole Miss at Tulane, Texas A&M at Miami, Iowa at Iowa State, UCF at Boise State, Texas at Alabama, Arizona at Mississippi State, Auburn at California, Vanderbilt at Wake Forest, Austin Peay at Tennessee, and in the NFL the Tennessee Titans at the New Orleans Saints.

Catch the Fearless Forecasters on WJLE today (Thursday) at 4:30 p.m. on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com.

The program is sponsored by the Charles D. Atnip Realty and Auction Company, DeKalb County Ace Hardware, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, FirstBank, DeKalb County Insurance, Gill Automotive, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, Davis Auto Body, and Domino’s Pizza.

September 6, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Only weeks after being hired as Alexandria Police Chief, Travis Bryant has issued his first press release on recent crime news from Alexandria.

According to the Chief’s report, the cases from July and August are as follows:

53-year-old Jennifer Flatt of Edgewood Street, Alexandria was charged with aggravated Assault and resisting arrest. Her court date was August 3 and bond was set at $3,500.00. On July 22, officers received a call of a domestic dispute. Upon arrival it was discovered that an argument began over a television and that Flatt and the victim began fighting at which point Flatt produced a shovel and attempted to strike the victim. Flatt admitted to officers that she did pick up a shovel during the fight. As officers attempted to detain her, she spun around and tried to break free of police. She was soon after placed under arrest and transported to the jail without further incident.

41-year-old Chastity Watson of Smith Road, Smithville was charged with public intoxication. Her court date was set for July 27 and bond set at $1,500.00. On July 7, officers were alerted to a possible intoxicated female at the fair. Upon contact police identified the suspect as Watson and she appeared to be under the influence of an intoxicant.

38-year-old Eric Tramel of West Main Street, Alexandria was charged with public intoxication. His court date was set for July 18 and bond set at $1,500.00. On July 2 an officer was summoned to a suspicious man walking around in the complainant’s back yard. A short time later the officer made contact with Tramel at Gin Alley. He appeared to be under the influence of an intoxicant and admitted to using methamphetamine a short time earlier.

38-year-old Clint Kellow of Nashville Highway, Alexandria was charged with driving on a suspended license 2nd offense, possession of Schedule IV drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, and the manufacture, delivery, sale, or possession of schedule II drugs. His court date was August 10 and bond was set at $27,500. On July 27 an officer was patrolling Nashville Highway when he passed a vehicle that had failed to dim its bright lights. The officer stopped the automobile and when he approached, the driver Kellow advised him that he did not have a valid license. A computer check revealed that Kellow’s license was suspended and he already had one prior offense. During a search of Kellow’s person a pill bottle containing 3 pieces of an orange pill and one white round pill were found. In the other bottle officers found a cut straw with residue, and 3 baggies with a white crystal like substance believed to be meth. Upon a search of the vehicle a glass pipe was also found.

30-year-old Jessica Lloyd of High Street, Alexandria was charged with possession of Schedule VI drugs and drug paraphernalia. On August 31, officers were called to a residence on High Street to assist the State of Tennessee probation and parole. While speaking with the residents of the address, police found approximately 36 grams of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana. Her court date is set for September 7.

30-year old Whitten Meares of High Street, Alexandria was charged with possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia. On August 31, officers were called to a residence on High Street to assist State of TN probation and parole. Mears admitted to having in his possession 2 glass pipes, 1 digital scale with a white residue, and 1 grinder. His court date is set for September 7.

50-year-old Harold Bishop of Avant Circle, Alexandria was charged with an 11th offense of driving on a revoked license. While patrolling the area of Edgewood Street, officers observed a black Ford failing to maintain its lane of travel. The vehicle, driven by Bishop, was stopped by police and a computer check of his license verified 10 prior driving on revoked offenses. Bishop’s court date is set for September 14.

22-year-old Nicholas Allen of Garth Circle, McMinnville was charged with simple possession of Schedule VI drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. Officers stopped a vehicle on Nashville Highway for speeding. Upon making contact with the driver, the officer detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The passenger, Allen, admitted to the officer of being in possession of a green leafy substance. His court date is set for September 14.

45-year-old Jesse Potts of Maple Street, Alexandria was charged with a first offense of driving on a suspended license, a Schedule II drug offense, and unlawful drug paraphernalia. Officers stopped a green Ford Explorer and found it to be operated by Potts. Found on Potts’ person was a black case containing a small baggie with 0.7 grams of a crystal-like substance believed to be meth and a glass pipe with residue. His court date is set for September 14.

59-year-old Rita Vaughn of Callis Road, Lebanon was charged with possession of Schedule VI drugs. Officers spotted a silver Chevrolet speeding on Nashville Highway and pulled it over. After making contact with the driver, the officer detected a smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The passenger, Vaughn said she had about 12 grams of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana. Her court date is set for September 14.

24-year-old Megan Evans of High Street, Alexandria was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. On August 31, officers were called to a residence on High Street to assist the State of TN probation and parole. During the investigation officers determined that Evans was in possession or within contact of a .45 handgun. Due to the terms of her probation, she is prohibited from possession or being in contact with firearms. Her court date is set for September 7 and bond was set at $5,000.

45-year-old Lavar Bass of Shady Lane, Alexandria was charged with assault, aggravated assault, and unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon. On August 3, officers were called to Shady Lane in reference to a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival officers spoke with the victims and determined that Bass had come to the residence and started an altercation during which he pushed one victim to the ground and pointed a gun at another. Bass was located at a nearby residence and taken into custody without incident. His court date was set for August 15 and his bond set at $26,500.

43-year-old Bryan Miles who is homeless was charged with unlawful possession of Schedule IV drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. Miles was the passenger of a vehicle pulled over by police in a traffic stop. When officers asked him to exit the vehicle Miles admitted to being in possession of drugs. During a pat down of his person, Miles produced a small baggie containing 2.81 grams of a crystal-like substance believed to be meth, a small white pill, and a used syringe. His court date was set for August 24 and bond set at $20,000.

33-year-old Tyler Trusty of Upper Ferry Road, Carthage was charged with violation of an order of protection. On August 7, Trusty was stopped for a traffic violation. During the stop, officers learned that he was in possession of a handgun. Trusty is also the respondent in an order of protection. Due to the order of protection, Trusty is prohibited from possessing a weapon. The weapon was recovered by officers. His court date was set for August 24 and his bond set at $2,500.