Steve Repasy Repeats as Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital Firefighter of the Year

January 19, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The 2019 Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital Volunteer Firefighter of the Year is Steve Repasy, Station Commander of the Midway Station.

Repasy, who also claimed the honor in 2018, received the award Saturday night during the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department’s Annual Awards Banquet held at the DeKalb County Complex.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Dusty Johnson repeated as Liberty State Bank Officer of the Year and Bill Brown of the Liberty Station was selected to receive the Allen’s Allstars “Git R Done” Award. The DeKalb Telephone Cooperative (DTC) Rookie of the Year Award went to Tony Moore of the Cookeville Highway Station. The new Four Seasons Fire Station received the department’s first ever First Bank Station of the Year award.

Wilson Bank & Trust was the headlining sponsor of the banquet.

Repasy received his Firefighter of the Year Award from presenters Brad Mullinax of Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital and Assistant County Fire Chief Anthony Boyd.

In making the presentation, Mullinax said Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb is pleased to be the sponsor of the 2019 Firefighter of the Year Award and the honoree is exclusively selected from firefighters who were awarded “Firefighter of the Month” during 2019. Judges from the Spring 2019 Citizens’ Fire Academy scored the nominations based on the following considerations: Training participation, Community service, Special projects, and Actions/accomplishments that go above and beyond to promote the success and image of the department.

“Steve is no stranger to being recognized as one of the department’s top achievers and he continues to excel in all considerations used to evaluate the worthiness of earning this award. For 2019, Steve made 100% of his monthly training drills and also completed other outside training courses. He always has a positive “can-do” attitude. Whether it’s a work session, fire prevention/safety event, fundraiser, training, or fire call, you will see him there from start to finish. He does so much work behind the scenes that keeps the department running smoothly,” said Mullinax

“As for his community service, Steve is very active in the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, building wheelchair ramps for the needy, children’s reading programs at the library, and he is an active member of the Smithville Lion’s Club,” Mullinax continued.

“The DeKalb County Fire Department attempts to recognize firefighters who reflect a positive attitude of service to the department and our communities, and there is absolutely no doubt that Steve has earned the honor of being named the Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital 2019 Firefighter of the Year,” added Mullinax.

January 18, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Two men charged in separate burglaries were sentenced Wednesday in DeKalb County Criminal Court.

35 year old Michael Pierre Rose entered a criminal information plea to aggravated burglary and received a three year sentence all suspended to supervised probation. He was given jail credit from November 19 to January 15.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on November 19 Rose broke into a residence on Yulonda Hills Road and stole a camera, DVR, and monitor system along with Classic Red King tobacco sleeves and a bag of tobacco with a total value of $124. He also destroyed a window to the home during the burglary causing $150 in damage. The following day, November 20 Rose broke into a camper on Yulonda Hills Road.

Meanwhile, in a separate case, 48 year old Craig Hill entered a plea to aggravated burglary and received an eight year sentence to serve at 35% before parole eligibility. The sentence will run concurrently with other cases against him.

January 18, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Two people were injured in a Thursday night crash at the intersection of Highway 56 south and South College Street.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 25 year old Samuel D. Giles of Smithville was traveling south on State Route 56 in a 1998 Mazda 3C pickup truck as 67 year old Pamela Miller of Smithville was stopped in the turning lane of State Route 56 in a 2006 Chevrolet Traverse, waiting to turn onto College Street. As one vehicle was attempting to turn, it was struck by the other in the front end. The crash is still under investigation.

Giles was airlifted from the scene by helicopter ambulance. Miller was taken to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital and then to Vanderbilt Hospital

The crash is under investigation by Troopers Troy Withers and Jonathan Burke.