Fight Flu ’22: DeKalb Health Department to provide free flu vaccines beginning November 9

November 1, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Health Department will be offering flu vaccines to all individuals 6 months and older at the Fight Flu Event on November 9 from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the courthouse. You may walk up or drive up to receive your flu vaccine.

The Tennessee Department of Health is encouraging all Tennesseans over the age of 6 months to receive this year’s flu vaccine. Vaccinations for flu will be free on Nov. 9 at all local health departments in the state for Fight Flu ’22.

‘’Getting a flu shot is the most important thing we can all do to help prevent the flu and keep ourselves, loved ones and everyone around us healthy,’’ said Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Morgan McDonald. ‘’We know flu vaccines are safe, effective, and protect against the most common types of flu circulating, so I urge everyone eligible to receive a flu shot to do so.’’

No appointments are needed to receive a free flu vaccine during Fight Flu ‘22.. The flu vaccine will continue to be free at Tennessee’s county health departments after the Fight Flu ’22 kick-off event on Nov. 9.

The flu virus is highly contagious and pregnant women, infants, the elderly, and people with certain medical conditions are at the highest risk of severe complications from the flu. The CDC estimates up to 7.5 million illnesses, 400,000 hospitalizations, and 22,000 deaths could be prevented every year if more people chose to get the flu vaccine.

To prevent the spread of the flu virus to others, follow precautions such as proper hygiene and handwashing, cover your coughs or sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, and stay at home if you are sick.

November 1, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 6 and while you are changing your clocks, the DeKalb County Fire Department wants to remind you to change your batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms also. The message is simple and it’s easy to do. Please take a few minutes to make sure life-saving alarms have fresh batteries so you, your family, and your home are protected.

Lieutenant Dustin Johnson, the DeKalb County Fire Department’s Fire Prevention and Safety Officer, reminds DeKalb County residents that after batteries are changed in alarms, take a few extra minutes to test your alarms and remind family, friends, and neighbors to do the same. Not all smoke alarms have batteries that have to be replaced each year. Some newer model alarms have batteries that last up to 10 years. However, it is still very important to test and clean your alarms. You can clean and maintain them simply by using compressed air to remove dust residue that accumulates on alarms that can cause the alarm’s sensor to not operate properly.

Eighty percent of child fire fatalities occur in homes without working smoke alarms. It’s a tragic statistic that can be prevented. Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, testing those alarms, and reminding others to do the same are some of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. “The vast majority of our house fires happen between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most families are sleeping,” said Lt. Johnson. “Smoke alarm installation and maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. Children and senior citizens are most at risk, and a working smoke alarm can give them the extra seconds they need to get out safely.”

“A working smoke detector doubles your chance of surviving a home fire. So, why would you not want you and your family to have this protection?” For more information about fire safety, visit the DeKalb County Fire Department’s FaceBook Group page or the department’s website at www.dekalbfire.com.

If you need smoke alarms installed in your home, the DeKalb County Fire Department will provide and install them for free. Call Lt. Dusty Johnson at 615-598-2080 to schedule your free delivery and installation.

November 1, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A Smithville man has been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor for providing his teenage son an AR-15 rifle which the boy used to fire rounds from a moving vehicle.

56-year-old Karl Allen Koegler of South Mountain Street, Smithville is under a $3,500 bond and he will make a court appearance on November 10.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on October 28 a deputy responded to a call of “shots fired” from a vehicle. The officer found and confronted Karl Koegler and his 17-year-old son. Koegler said while going down the road his son fired from the vehicle several rounds of an AR-15 rifle that Koegler had provided the teen. The boy also had in his possession a Glock 9-millimeter handgun that Koegler had also provided him. The case remains under investigation.

37-year-old Melinda Beth Murphy of Page Drive, Smithville is charged with a violation of an order of protection. Her court date is November 10.

Sheriff Ray said that Murphy violated an active order of protection against her by texting the petitioner several times.

52-year-old Valeri Jean Mullins of Four-Star Loop, Smithville is charged with filing a false report. Her bond is $10,000 and she will make a court appearance November 13.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 27 a deputy was summoned to the Mullins residence due to a possible assault. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Mullins. During the investigation law enforcement officers concluded that Mullins had provided false information to them about the alleged incident. Witnesses were interviewed and all contradicted her story.

46-year-old Gregory Michael Patton of Oak Place Drive is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver and fabricating or tampering with evidence. His bond is $50,000 and will make a court appearance November 10.

Sheriff Ray said on October 28 a deputy spotted a red Ford Explorer traveling on Cripps Lane which failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Cripps Lane and Four Seasons Road. As the officer turned on the patrol car’s blue lights, he noticed that something was tossed out of the vehicle through the passenger side window. The deputy stopped and spoke with the occupant, Patton who admitted to having thrown the item out of the window. The deputy retrieved the bag on the right side of the roadway. The bag held a white substance that Patton said was methamphetamine. The bag weighed 1.15 grams. Drug paraphernalia was also recovered.

37-year-old Michael Edward Steiner of Curtis Avenue, Alexandria is charged with evading arrest. He is under a $15,000 bond and will be in court November 10.

Sheriff Ray said that Steiner was observed running from a home on Gin Alley in Alexandria after a deputy went there on October 28 to serve a fugitive of justice warrant on him. Steiner was wanted in Monroe County, Florida on an active warrant against him for a violation of probation with full extradition. His bond for that offense is $75,000.

Meanwhile the woman trying to hide Steiner from law enforcement officers, 23-year-old Allison Katherine Driver of South Church Street, Alexandria has been charged with filing a false report. Her bond is $10,000 and she will be in court November 10.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 28 a deputy tried to serve a warrant at a residence on Gin Alley in Alexandria on Michael Steiner. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Driver who said that Steiner was not there. The deputy later began watching the residence and saw Steiner running from the home. After being arrested, Steiner admitted that he had been on the premises when the officer arrived.

27-year-old David Vargas Cano of Smithville is cited for no driver license and failure to maintain his lane of travel.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 30 a deputy was patrolling Sparta Highway when he spotted a red Ford Expedition leaving its lane of travel. He pulled over the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Cano who had no driver license. Three hours later the deputy caught Cano driving again on McMinnville Highway and charged him with no driver license. He was again cited for failing to maintain his lane of travel as well as violation of the open container law. Cano’s bond is $1,500 and he will make a court appearance on November 17.

31-year-old Stephanie Michelle Mooneyham of Toad Road, Smithville is charged with criminal trespassing. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court November 17.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 30 a deputy was summoned to the Dollar General Store on Nashville Highway due to a trespassing report. Upon arrival the officer confronted Mooneyham who said she was at the store to make a purchase. The officer learned through central dispatch that Mooneyham is under an October 6 court order to keep away from the store. She was placed in custody.