DeKalb Swiftwater Rescue Task Force springs into action for first time

February 24, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A man trapped in his pickup truck near Dowelltown due to rising flood waters from Smith Fork Creek has the DeKalb County Swiftwater Rescue Task Force to thank for coming to his aid Thursday afternoon.

The man apparently tried to drive his pickup truck through the swift water on Alexandria to Dismal Road at the bridge over Smith Fork Creek, but it was swept off the road and into a ditch. After receiving the call for help, members of the DeKalb County Swiftwater Rescue Task Force responded along with others including the Sheriff’s Department and DeKalb EMS.

According to Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad Captain Dusty Johnson, he and other members of the Swiftwater Rescue Task Force formed a human wedge as they walked through the flood waters to get to the man who was then carried from his truck to safety. Although not seriously injured, the man was transported by DeKalb EMS to the hospital.

Aside from training excises, Captain Johnson said this was the first actual emergency call for the Swiftwater Rescue Task Force since it was formed last year.

The task force, led by the Rescue Squad, also includes volunteers from the DeKalb County, Smithville and Alexandria Volunteer Fire Departments and others who are specially trained and equipped for swiftwater rescues.

February 24, 2022
By:

Fourteen members of the Tennessee House of Representatives got a glimpse of what life in a wheelchair is like firsthand as part of the Team ALeX “Spend a Day in My Wheels” challenge on Wednesday, Feb. 23.

The event, organized by State Rep. Clark Boyd, R-Lebanon, challenged the bipartisan group of lawmakers to spend their workday in a wheelchair. The goal was to help make the world more inclusive by raising awareness about the difficulties that individuals who use assistive mobility devices regularly face.

“This experience has given me a better understanding of the challenges that individuals with disabilities have to overcome every day,” Boyd said. “Everything from opening doors to navigating around my office became more difficult when I was in a wheelchair. I appreciate my colleagues for participating in this effort to raise awareness about the importance of accessibility for everyone.”

“Spend a Day in My Wheels” was the idea of 16-year-old Alex Johnson, a tenth grader at Friendship Christian School in Lebanon, who approached Boyd about hosting the challenge with some of his colleagues in the General Assembly. The first event was held on Capitol Hill in 2020, but was cancelled in 2021 due to the pandemic.

A rare skeletal disorder left Johnson dependent on a walker before later confining him to a wheelchair in elementary school. He developed the idea for the challenge while in fifth grade as a way to help his classmates experience the world from his perspective.

“Until you’re in this situation, you don’t really think about counters being just too high or hallways being narrow or bathrooms not really being accessible even though they are labeled as that,” Johnson said. “I hope that those who participated see that change needs to happen and hopefully help that go through.”

The Permobil Foundation in Lebanon partnered with Team ALeX to provide wheelchairs for the challenge.

Members of the Tennessee House of Representatives who participated in the event included: State Rep. Clark Boyd, R-Lebanon, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, State Rep. Rebecca Alexander, R-Jonesborough, State Rep. Rush Bricken, R-Tullahoma, State Rep. Michele Carringer, R-Knoxville, State Rep. Jesse Chism, D-Memphis, State Rep. Tandy Darby, R-Greenfield, State Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Nashville, State Rep. Rusty Grills, R-Newbern, State Rep. Dan Howell, R-Cleveland, State Rep. Chris Hurt, R-Halls, State Rep. London Lamar, D-Memphis, State Rep. Chris Todd, R-Madison County and State Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville.

Clark Boyd represents House District 46 which includes all of Cannon and part of Wilson and DeKalb counties. He serves as chairman of the Business and Utilities Subcommittee and is also a member of the Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee, Commerce Committee, Health Committee and Subcommittee, Transportation Committee and Subcommittee and the Joint Fiscal Review Committee.

February 24, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb Saints Middle School Football Signups
DeKalb Saints Middle School Football signups are underway. Forms are available at the offices of Northside, DeKalb Middle, and DeKalb West Schools. Any 5th to 7th grader interested in playing middle school football must pick up and return the forms by the end of school on Monday, February 28. You may email justinpoteete@dekalbschools.net for more information.

Justin Potter Library Dr. Seuss Virtual Story Time
Justin Potter Library will host a Dr. Seuss Facebook Story Time on Wednesday, March 2nd at 10:00 AM. We will be reading “I Can Read with My Eyes Shut” by Dr. Seuss in celebration of his birthday. A special thank you to Random House publishers for permission to read this fun book. Please contact the library at 615-597-4359 for additional information.

DeKalb County Purchasing Committee Meeting
The DeKalb County Purchasing Committee will meet for a bid opening on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 10 a.m. in the lower courtroom of the DeKalb County Courthouse. Bids properly submitted will be opened for repair of outdoor trim work on the Dekalb E911 Building and LED Signs for the County Complex and Northside Elementary School.

House of Prayer Prayer Revival
The House of Prayer in Sparta will have a prayer revival at 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, February 25, 26, & 27 at 1846 Three Island Road Walling, Tennessee 38587. Contact Zach Murphy at 931-316-5425 if you have questions.

County Commission to Meet
There will be a workshop of the Committee of the Whole of the DeKalb County Commission on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 6 p.m. in the lower courtroom of the DeKalb County Courthouse. The DeKalb County Commission will meet in regular session on Monday, February 28, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Mike Foster Multipurpose Center.

DeKalb Tee Ball, Coach Pitch, and Girls Fast Pitch Softball Signups
The DeKalb Tee Ball, Coach Pitch, and Girls Fast Pitch Softball signups will be February 26 and March 5 at the DeKalb Community Complex from 8 a.m. until 12 noon. Tryouts for all ages will be March 12 at Infinity Athletics at a time to be announced later. Registration is $70 for the 1st child, $60 for the 2nd sibling, and $35 for 3 siblings or more which includes registration fee and concession buyout. Cash, check, and venmo accepted. Follow them on facebook for updates. The league divisions are as follows: 4-6 year old Tee Ball/Coach Pitch, 7-10 year old Girls Softball Coach Pitch, 11-13 year old Girls Softball Kid Pitch, and 14-17 year old Girls Softball Kid Pitch. Must bring proof of age and residency. Ages for the league will be determined by what age each player is as of May 1

New Hope for Hurt Hearts
Kay Quintero will be offering a seven-week class at the Smithville Housing Authority conference room (415 Jackson Street) and the Haven of Hope meeting room (301 West Main). These classes are free and open to the public. We can’t go through life without some form of hurt. The weekly classes at the SHA will begin Thursday, March 3rd at 1:00 pm. If interested, call 615-418-9562 and leave a message. Your call will be returned, and further information will be provided. A start date is yet to be set for the Haven of Hope classes, but you can call the same number for more information.

Signups for the DeKalb Youth Baseball League
Signups for the DeKalb Youth Baseball League will be Saturday, February 26 from 9 a.m. until 12 noon at the county complex in the UT Extension office. Registration fees are $65 per child and $50 for each sibling. Parents who don’t want to work the concession stand may make a $25 buyout payment. Please bring proof of player age and proof of residency. Player ages are determined by what age the player is as of May 1st. Tryouts for all leagues will be Saturday, March 5th at Infinity Athletics, 700 Walker Road, Smithville. Please like them on Facebook at DeKalb County Tennessee Youth Baseball. Debit and credit cards will be accepted, and transaction fees apply. League divisions are as follows: 7-8 year old Coach Pitch, 9-10 year old Minor League, 11-12 year old Major League, and 13-15 year old Senior League

UCHRA Commodities Distribution
The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency (UCHRA) will hold a commodities distribution for DeKalb County on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the DeKalb County UCHRA office. Sign-up will be available at the distribution site. This project is funded under a Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee.

DeKalb County School Calendar
The remainder of the 2021-22 DeKalb County School Calendar is as follows: Schools will be closed on the following dates: Spring Break March 28 to April 1; Good Friday, April 15; The last day of school will be May 23 ( Administrative Day May 20)