Criminal Court Judge David Patterson to Retire June 30

April 2, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Longtime DeKalb County Criminal Court Judge David Patterson has announced his retirement.

Judge Patterson submitted a letter to Gov. Bill Lee last month announcing his plans to retire effective June 30.

The former chief deputy in the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s office was first elected to one of DeKalb County’s two criminal court judge seats in 2006 in a closely contested election against Lillie Ann Sells.

Patterson began working for former District Attorney Bill Gibson, where he spent 16 years as an assistant district attorney before deciding to seek a criminal court judgeship.

Judge Patterson narrowly unseated Judge Sells, who filed a lawsuit contesting the results, but Patterson was ultimately declared the victor of the seat which he’s held for the past 13 years and he now serves as senior judge for the district that includes Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Putnam, Smith and White counties.

Judge Patterson has presided over more than 30,000 cases based on the estimated criminal court caseload he splits with Judge Gary McKenzie.

“There comes a time where judges have to schedule for retirement,” Judge Patterson told the Herald Citizen of Cookeville. “I’ve got two grandsons.”

The next regular election for all judges, including criminal court, is 2022, so Gov. Bill Lee will appoint someone to fill Judge Patterson’s position. An election to fill the remaining two years of Judge Patterson’s eight-year term would be held in 2020.

April 2, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

When it comes to the hiring policy of county government, each department has it’s own.

Seventh district county commissioner Bruce Malone raised the issue last Monday night, March 25th during the monthly county commission meeting.

(VIEW ENTIRE COMMENTS MADE BY BRUCE MALONE DURING MEETING ON THIS SUBJECT IN VIDEO BELOW)

M2U02956 from dwayne page on Vimeo.

“I have a question. I know the sheriff’s department has rules and regulations and the school board has rules and regulations about who they can and can’t hire. I was wondering if there is any county wide policy that prohibits any elected official from knowingly hiring convicted felons, say of domestic violence, theft, or drug use. Any kind of convictions like that. Is there a county wide personnel policy,” asked Malone?

“Each office has their own personnel policies. I know the county mayor’s office usually represents the library, landfill, and election commission but each office, elected officials can have their own personnel policy,” answered County Mayor Tim Stribling.

That was all the discussion on that subject during the meeting. The county commission took no action.

April 2, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Trey Fuston, a senior at DeKalb County High School, plans to become a college graduate before receiving his high school diploma.

For two years Fuston, son of Tony Fuston and Angie Fuston, has been working toward an Associates of Science degree from Motlow State Community College and on Sunday, May 5^th he will walk the line in a Motlow commencement ceremony at MTSU in Murfreesboro, twelve days before his high school graduation on Friday night, May 17.

IMG_5334 from dwayne page on Vimeo.

Through Motlow College’s dual enrollment program, high school students like Fuston can earn college credits while still enrolled in high school. Students can take classes on a Motlow College campus, online, or even at a partner high school like DCHS.

Students who have completed their sophomore year and have met all requirements for taking the desired college courses may apply. Public, private and home-schooled students are all welcome to apply. The program gives students the chance to seamlessly transition from high school to college. The core curriculum credits transfer easily to Tennessee’s public colleges and universities while allowing students who are working on a four-year degree to save money on tuition.

“I started doing my first dual enrollment classes the summer between my sophomore year and junior year. I took two classes then and gradually went on to do more my junior and senior year. I figured it would be a good idea to try and get my associates degree before I graduate because it would give me a jump start in college and cost less in tuition fees in the future. It gave me an opportunity to go through it quicker and get things done faster,” said Fuston.

With two years of college already under his belt, Fuston will have a head start when he enrolls at UT-Knoxville this fall with a dream of one day becoming an attorney.

“I am majoring in law so after I finish the last two years of college I’ll be going to law school. I’m not sure where that will be yet. I know UT-Knoxville has a law program so I may be going there,” he said.

Fuston expects to receive the Volunteer scholarship, which is for $5,000 per year and he may be in line for others as well.

He said his experience in the dual enrollment program at DCHS has been rewarding and he would recommend it to other college bound students.

“For anybody else who would like to try to do this I think it’s a great idea and a wonderful way to further your education. I would recommend it to anyone who thinks they can do it,” he said.

Fuston is President of the DCHS Class of 2019. He was also the Junior Class President. Fuston has been a member of the FBLA club for four years and the BETA club his junior and senior years. Fuston is a member of the ACT 29+ club and among the Class of 2019’s top rank students.

As Class President, Fuston will deliver a speech during the high school commencement and while he is excited and looking forward to the moment, he might get a little emotional.

“You might see my emotions come out but my high school years have been great. I don’t think I will ever forget the memories I have made here with my friends. I have had a lot of fun times. I really think I’ll miss it,” said Fuston.