County Mayor Signs Proclamation Recognizing EMS Week

May 21, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A week dedicated to celebrating emergency service workers is being recognized in DeKalb County.

The community relies on emergency workers to rush to the rescue, no matter what the circumstance.

County Mayor Matt Adcock has signed a proclamation designating May 21-27 as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week in DeKalb County. EMS Director Hoyte Hale joined County Mayor Adcock for the occasion.

“We are proud of our DeKalb County EMS employees, EMTs, Paramedics, First Responders and Dispatchers. They are on the front lines, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year Their commitment, dedication and bravery speaks to their character and willingness to serve others, not just this week, but every day of the year. We are honored to celebrate their service this week, and we are grateful to them every day,” said Adcock.

The proclamation is as follows:

“Whereas, Emergency Medical Services is a vital public service; and Whereas, the members of Emergency Medical Teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and

Whereas, access to quality Emergency Care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and

Whereas, the Emergency Medical Services system consists of emergency physicians, emergency nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, educators, administrators, and others; and

Whereas, the members of Emergency Medical Services teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills; and

Whereas, it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of Emergency Medical Services providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week;

Now, Therefore, I Matt Adcock, County Mayor, DeKalb County, Tennessee, in recognition of this event do hereby proclaim the week of May 21-27 as Emergency Medical Services Week.

With the theme, “When Emergency Care Begins”, I encourage the community to observe this week with the appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities”.

Members of the DeKalb EMS Staff in addition to Director Hoyte Hale (EMT-P) are:

A-Shift:
James Wes Eldridge-EMT-B
Tony Williams-EMT-P
Donna Melton-AEMT

B-Shift:
Kristie Johnson-EMTPCC/ICQA
Misty Green-AEMT
Dennis Sherman-EMT/PCC
Heather Billings-EMT-B

C-Shift:
Trent Phipps-EMT-P
Moamen Elkelany-AEMT
David Pitts-EMT-PCC
Rachel Checchi-AEMT

D-Shift:
Matt Melton-EMT-PCC
Trevin Merriman-AEMT
Aspen Flarity-EMT-PCC/IC
Jessica Wilson-AEMT

Day Truck:
Zechariah Clark-EMT-B
Keely Ping-AEMT

Day Truck:
Jamie Parsley-AEMT
Akita Dodson-EMT-B

Part-Time Staff:
Houston Austin-EMT-PCC/IC
Greta Stone-EMT-PCC/IC
Clayton Anstis-EMT-PCC
Cody Johnson-EMT-PCC
Kim Johnson-EMT-PCC
Kenny Moffitt-EMT-PCC
Marie Turpin-EMT-PCC
Terrance Hall-EMT-P
Charles Nokes-EMT-P
Daniel Summers-EMT-P
Matthew Terrell-EMT-P
Becky Atnip-AEMT
Ed Brooks-AEMT
Richard Kellogg-AEMT
Tony McCulley-AEMT
Rebecca Partridge- AEMT
John Poss-AEMT
Justin Thompson-AEMT
Jason Rice-AEMT
Alexis Olsen-AEMT

May 21, 2023
By: Bill Conger

The 2022-23 8th grade class at DeKalb West School was recognized in a special ceremony today (Friday, May 19).

Making the All A Honor Roll are Ethan Brown, Ben Driver, and Chase Young. Named to the A & B Honor Roll are Ben Barton, Hunter Ballew, Hannah Brown, Charli Cripps, Benjamin Crook, Jennifer Fortune, Olivia George, Miah Johnson, Cieanna Mitchell, Elliott Nelson, Izzy Prichard, Kenadee Prichard, Leyton Scarbrough, and Mary Jane Scott.

Receiving Academic Awards in English Language Arts (ELA) were Ethan Brown and Jennifer Fortune each with a 98.6; in Math: Chase Young, 93.6 and Izzy Prichard 95.3; Algebra I, Ben Driver, 97.3; in History Ethan Brown, 98.6 and Jennifer Fortune, 99.3; in Science, Ethan Brown, 98.0 and Leyton Scarbrough, 95.3.

The Making Tracks (Most Improved) Honors were presented to Cecil Ketchum and Wyatt Young. The recipients of the Citizenship Awards in Mrs. Mollie Bratten’s class were Ethan Brown and Charli Cripps, and in Mr. Dwayne Blair’s class, Elliott Nelson and Kenadee Prichard. The 4 PAWS Award winners, which are selected by each teacher, were Chase Young from Mrs. Bratten’s homeroom and Emily Fry from Mr. Dwayne Blair’s homeroom.

Ethan Brown earned the prestigious Amanda Mullinax Librarian’s Award. With 2239.4 Accelerated Reader points, he had the highest cumulative total again this year. He has won the award the previous two years. Also, in the 8th grade Kenadee Prichard and Hannah Brown were presented with 1,000 point certificates; Brown, Mary Jane Scott and Olivia George were the Top Readers for 8th grade and won a bowling trip; Elliott Nelson, Jennifer Fortune, and Chase Young received a $10 gift certificate for earning 800 points; Ben Driver was given a cap for 600 points; Seth Youth earned 500 points for the AR pin, and Mary Jane Scott, Kaylee Redmon, Leyton Scarbrough, Matthew Shahan, Ben Barton, and Michael Justice earned 400 A.R. points for the $5 gift certificate.

The 2023 Junior Beta Service Award was presented to Raegan Murphy with 166.5 service hours earned from May of 2022 to May of 2023. Also receiving service certificates were Beta President Ethan Brown with 34; Vice President Olivia George with 106.25, Chaplain Hannah Brown with 24.75, Secretary Miah Johnson with 52.75. Murphy was the club reporter. Ben Barton earned 27.75 hours, Charli Cripps, 64, Ben Driver 57.5, Jesse Foutch, 24.5, Cieanna Mitchell, 36, Elliott Nelson, 49.75, Izzy Prichard, 45.5, Kenadee Prichard, 52.5, Leyton Scarbrough, 31.75, and Chase Young, 37.

Congratulations to the 2021 DWS 8TH Grade Class:

Hunter Ballew, Ben Barton, Ethan Brown, Charli Cripps, Benjamin Crook, Carmello Davis, Ben Driver, Jennifer Fortune, Jesse Foutch, Thomas Foutch, Emily Fry, Olivia George, Justin Howard, Eli Johnson, Miah Johnson, Michael Justice, Cecil Ketchum, Leah LaFever, Preslee Merriman, Cieanna Mitchell, Raegan Murphy, Elliott Nelson, Kason Nichols, Izzy Prichard, Kenadee Prichard, Kaylee Redmon, Taytum Reeder, Alexis Reynolds, Leyton Scarbrough, Mary Scott, Matt Shahan, Cadyn Watford, Chase Young, Seth Young, and Wyatt Young.

May 20, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

There is a first time for everything!

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Not only did the DCHS Tiger Boys Soccer Team defeat Cumberland County for the first time this season last Thursday after three previous meetings, but they claimed their first ever Region Tournament Championship in the process and will host their first ever Sub-State game Sunday, May 21 in Smithville.

The Tigers (11-5-1) will face the East Hamilton Hurricanes in a sub-state showdown Sunday at 5 p.m. on the “Dylan Kleparek Coach K Soccer Field” at DCHS in Smithville with a state tournament appearance on the line, which would also be a first for the Tiger Boys Soccer Program. WJLE will broadcast the game Sunday LIVE.

Coach K said the Tigers’ 2-0 victory at Cumberland County Thursday was sweet revenge after losing three times this season to the Jets by scores of 3-1 and 1-0 (twice).

“This is the first time we have ever won the Region Championship and it is a special thing. It was said they (Jets) were kryptonite (since we had lost to them three times this season) so I guess that makes us Superman because we found a way to beat them for the region championship. It was tough at the beginning of the season because they seemed to have our number mentally but when we figured out they were just another soccer team we were able to handle them,” said Coach K.

“We had a really good game Thursday against Cumberland County. We came out and executed the game plan. We worked down the channel on the right and made things happen. In the second half we buckled down and made sure we didn’t give anything up and played smart. I am proud of the guys because they came out and worked hard,” said Coach K.

Both DeKalb County and East Hamilton are led by a number of seniors which should make Sunday’s game an interesting matchup.

“Its our first sub-state home game and we are really excited and looking forward to it. We are hoping to have a big crowd. This game speaks for itself. When you get this far, the next step is state, but the guys are excited and we are ready to go,” Coach K said.

“We have done a little bit of scouting on them (Hurricanes). They have 9 seniors, and we have 10 seniors and all 10 of our seniors start. They have a couple of tall, fast guys who like to cross the ball and play to the back. We’re going to have to make sure we mark up well in the box and play our game. We need to play the small passing possession game we like to play and pick out our passes. If we do that and execute well, I think we have a good shot,” said Coach K.

2023 DCHS Tigers Soccer Roster
#2-Jonathan Balderas-Junior
#3-Cooper Brown -Senior
#4-Connor Hopkins-Freshman
#5-Brayan Aguirre-Sophomore
#6-Ekow Afful-Turkson-Junior
#7-Jonathan Zavala-Senior
#8-Miguel Mata-Senior
#9-Cameron Miller-Senior
#10-Yair Mata-Senior
#11-Adan Ramirez-Senior
#12-Axel Aranda-Sophomore
#13-Aydan Bean-Junior
#14-Jaxon Kleparek-Freshman
#15-Leo Delgado-Sophomore
#16-Emilio Garcia-Junior
#17-Hector Cervantes-Sophomore
#18-Brandon Silva-Senior
#19-Jose Guzman-Sophomore
#20-Milas Driver-Sophomore
#21-Ryder Miller-Senior
#23-Giovani Palomo-Freshman
#24-Jesus Guzman-Sophomore
#25-Bryan Ramirez-Sophomore
#26-Jonathan Garcia-Senior
#27-Cesar Gaspar-Junior
#28-Cale Brown-Sophomore
#29-Erick Hernandez-Sophomore
#30-Miguel Guzman-Sophomore
#31-Connor Vance-Senior
#32-Jack Gassaway-Freshman

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