Advanced Master Beef Producer Planned

February 23, 2018
By: Johnny Barnes

DeKalb, Cannon, and Warren County Extension will once again be offering Advanced Master Beef Producers’ (AMBP) classes for those who participated in the original or advanced classes or for newcomers who wish to participate in the Tennessee Ag Enhancement Program (TAEP) cost-share in the future. This program is also an excellent opportunity for those that wish to learn more about raising beef cattle.

The classes will be held March 13, 15, 20, and 22 and will begin at 6:30 PM each night. The classes on March 13 and 15 will be held at the Centertown Community Center, the March 20 class will be held at the Warren County Livestock Market, and the final class on March 22 will be held at the Warren Farmers Co-op. As a reminder, University of Tennessee Extension provides programs in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, and resource development with University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and county governments cooperating. UT Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. Topics will include: Reproduction, Genetics, Herd Health, Quality Assurance, Grading, Market Outlook, Forages, and Weed Management.

The topics will be covered by various Extension Specialists and Industry Experts from across the state. The cost of the course will be $75 for those with current Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification which will include materials and refreshments. If you do not have a current BQA certification, that will be covered during the March 15 class. You can stop by the DeKalb County Extension office at 722 South Congress Blvd., Smithville to register or call Johnny Barnes at 615-597-4945 for more information.

February 23, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

A man charged with arson after setting fire to the home where he lived at 5078 Lower Helton Road near Alexandria in November entered a plea by criminal information in DeKalb County Criminal Court Friday.

Judge David Patterson presided.

46 year old Jason Bryan Hale received a four year sentence on the arson charge but he has been given jail credit of 107 days served and he will be on supervised probation for the remainder of the term Other charges against him were apparently dismissed including a charge of assaulting an officer and resisting stop, frisk, halt, arrest, or search.

Central dispatch received the call at 5:58 p.m. on November 8, 2017 and paged members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department. The caller alerted 911 that someone was still inside the home and that he refused to leave. It was later reported that the man had gone outside the home and was armed with a shotgun.

Sheriff Patrick Ray and officers of the Sheriff’s Department arrived at the scene and took the man (Hale) into custody. It turns out that Hale had no weapon, but he did hit an officer while being moved to safety prior to his arrest.

The home was destroyed in the blaze. The owner of the residence was Ann Greene.

Sheriff Ray said the arson warrant against Hale alleged that “he did knowingly damage the structure of 5078 Lower Helton Road by setting it on fire. Hale did have the intent to destroy the residence”.

In the warrant for assaulting an officer, Sheriff Ray said “a deputy responded to 5078 Lower Helton Road for a structure fire. Upon arrival he made contact with Hale and while trying to move him to safety Hale intentionally and recklessly struck him in the face with his right hand”.

Sheriff Ray said that in the warrant for resisting stop, frisk, and halt, “ a deputy responded to a structure fire and while on the scene as he was placing Hale under arrest for assault, he actively resisted by pulling his arms and not cooperating with lawful commands to put his hands behind his back. Hale was arrested and brought to the jail for booking,” said Sheriff Ray.

Neither the deputy nor anyone else was injured.

In addition to the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department, Sheriff’s Department, and DeKalb EMS, members of the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department and Alexandria Police Chief Chris Russell were called to provide mutual aid support.

February 23, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department will have more officers at schools Friday to help ease worries after rumors surfaced on social media Thursday that a student was planning to carry out a threat at the high school.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said the rumors proved to be unfounded.

In a prepared statement, Sheriff Ray explained how the story unfolded.

“Around 6 pm on February 22, 2018 the School Resource Officer at the High School contacted me and advised me he had a concerned parent call him. The parent said their child had overheard a student make a threat to the DeKalb County High School.

I immediately contacted a Detective from my department to investigate the complaint.

Through an investigation, the Detective and School Resource Officer found out a 17 year old DeKalb County High School student made a comment that was interpreted as a threat to the school. Both of them interviewed the student and the student said he did not make the comment. The Detective and School Resource Officer also talked to a teacher who was present at the time the comment was made. The teacher confirmed the student never said anything about harming the school.

The Sheriff’s Department has been working with the Director of Schools, Patrick Cripps, the Principal of DeKalb County High School, Randy Jennings, and school support staff along with the Assistant District Attorney General Stephanie Johnson since the investigation started.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps is reporting “Last evening we received information concerning a potential threat to DeKalb County High School. Law enforcement was contacted and an investigation has been initiated.

We would like to remind all families of DeKalb County that the safety of our students is our utmost concern and we will continue to be proactive in ensuring all students remain safe.”

Sheriff Ray said “After our investigation started, there were multiple posts going around on social media that were incorrect and causing a panic. As a result, I will have extra Deputies in and out of the schools tomorrow (Friday) and a couple of deputies placed in certain schools along with the School Resource Officers as a safeguard for our students and school faculty.”