DeKalb Awarded Courtroom Security Grant

May 23, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Courts and Sheriff’s Department made history last year by launching a new video arraignment system. The first county in the seven county 13th judicial district to do so. It was part of an effort to beef up courtroom security. The system was funded by a grant through the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts.

In an effort to further enhance courtroom security, the county has been awarded another AOC grant. Under this grant the county will receive a total of $24,005 with no required local match to purchase four tasers for court officers, a camera and DVR system to be installed on the third floor of the courthouse to monitor the hallway in front of the courtrooms, panic buttons for the courtrooms as well as the Clerk and Master and Circuit Court Clerk’s offices, and bullet proofing for the judge’s bench in the lower courtroom.

“Sheriff Patrick Ray, Clerk and Master Debra Malone, Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin and myself met with Chancellor Ron Thurman to discuss court security and minimum courtroom security standards. There was some money still available from the Administrative Office of the Courts Courtroom Security Grant Program. I applied for a grant and DeKalb County was awarded $24,005 with no match to purchase the items requested. This brings the total DeKalb County has received from three AOC grants to $75,300. These grants lessen the financial burden on the county of meeting required minimum courtroom security standards,” said County Mayor Tim Stribling.

The equipment will be funded as a reimbursement grant which means the county must first purchase the security equipment and then provide the AOC with a receipt and any other supporting documentation.

With the video arraignment system installed last year, a judge can have the formal reading of criminal charges to an incarcerated defendant without them being in the room. The inmates are beamed into the courtroom through video chat rather than physically being transported by deputies from the jail to the courthouse.

May 22, 2020
By:

Tennessee agricultural producers who lost property due to recent natural disasters may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) physical loss loans.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers these low-interest loans to agricultural producers in Wilson County who incurred losses due to tornadoes that occurred on April 25, 2020. Approval is limited to applicants who suffered severe physical losses only, including the loss of buildings and livestock. Applications are due by Jan. 8, 2021.

“Tennessee’s hardworking ag producers feed our neighbors, the nation and the world,” said State Executive Director Mike Mayfield. “When they suffer losses because of extreme weather, helping them get back on their feet is important. We encourage those affected to reach out to their local USDA Service Center to apply for these emergency loans.”

Producers in the contiguous Tennessee counties of Cannon, Davidson, DeKalb, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, and Trousdale, are also eligible to apply for emergency loans.

Physical loss loans can help producers repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to the success of the agricultural operation, including livestock losses. Examples of property commonly affected include essential farm buildings, fixtures to real estate, equipment, livestock, perennial crops, fruit and nut bearing trees, and harvested or stored crops and hay.

For more information on FSA disaster assistance programs or to find your local USDA Service Center visit farmers.gov/recover.

May 22, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County School system’s weekly drive through “meals for kids” program at DCHS, DeKalb Middle School, and DeKalb West School ended Thursday, May 21 but the Summer Food Service Program will be June 1-30 at different locations.

Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs)

Meals will be provided, at a first come, first serve basis, at the sites and times as follows:

*MONDAYS

11:00 a.m.- 11:15 a.m.: Bell Street Apartments

11:20 a.m.-11:35 a.m.: Brookview Apartments

11:40 a.m.-11:55 a.m.: Smithville Housing Authority (Jackson Street Area)

12:00 Noon-12:15 p.m.: Short Mountain Village (Near Office)

12:20 p.m.-12:35 p.m.: Smithville Housing Authority (Morgan Drive Area)

12:40 p.m.-12:55 p.m.: Greenbrook Park (Fisher Avenue Side)

1:00 p.m.-1:15 p.m.: Evans Manor Apartments

*TUESDAYS

11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Alexandria City Site (Parking lot on Edgewood Street (Near Liberty State Bank)

11:35 a.m.-11:55 a.m.: Alexandria Housing Authority

12:10 p.m.-12:30 p.m.: Liberty Community Center

12:40 p.m.-1:00 p.m.: Dowelltown Community Center

During the drive through distribution at the schools, 57,948 school meals were served to area children. They also received food donations from local churches and the school backpack program.

“A huge “Thank you” goes to the area churches, local police force, school cafeteria and transportation employees, central office and school administration, teachers, and all others who contributed to ensure that our students had access to meals during the school closure,” said School Nutrition Supervisor Amy Lattimore.