Teen Injured in Single Car Crash

August 4, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

An 18-year-old was injured in a single vehicle crash Wednesday morning on Big Rock Road.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Chrystyan Tate was traveling south in a 2014 Hyundai Elantra attempting to negotiate a curve to the right when the vehicle ran off the left side of the roadway and collided with a fence and a small plastic DTC pole. The car then came to a final rest off the left side of the roadway facing north.

Tate was injured and taken to the hospital by DeKalb EMS. A 17-year-old passenger was not hurt. Both were wearing their seatbelts.

The DeKalb County Sheriff and Fire Departments were also on the scene.

August 4, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville Mayor and aldermen are expected to adopt on 2nd and final reading an ordinance amending the city personnel policy regarding vacation time during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting which will be at 6 p.m. at city hall.

The only other issue on the agenda is the Smithville Police Department request for a grant to purchase a utility vehicle plus any other business properly brought before the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.

City attorney Vester Parsley said the intent of the amendment to the personnel policy is to clarify the language as to vacation time for city employees.

“The previous policy was unclear about whether you (city employee) had to wait until your (hiring) anniversary date (for a designated period of vacation time). We clarified that to say you don’t have to wait until your anniversary date,” said Parsley.

“The intent of the board was also that after the first six months of employment, you could get 40 hours (5 days) of vacation. In the original ordinance it talked about “weeks” but really, we were taking not about “seven” day but “five” day weeks or 40 hours so what we did was put in (specify) that after the first six months you get 40 hours (5 days) of vacation time. When you work a full year, you get an additional 40 hours (5 days) for a total of 80 hours (10 days),” said Parsley.

According to the policy, city employees who work at least 6 months from their hiring date earn 40 hours (5 days) of vacation.

Employees who serve for as long as a year (1-3 years) qualify for an additional 40 hours (5 days) of vacation for a total of 80 hours (10 days)

Employees who serve 4 years earn an additional 40 hours (5 days) of vacation time for a total of 120 hours (15 days)

Those employed 15 years or longer can take an additional 40 hours (5 days) for a total of 160 hours (20 days).

Vacation time cannot be carried over from year to year.

August 4, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb Prevention Coalition hopes to light up Greenbrook Park Friday, September 1 to honor and remember loved ones lost to overdose death.

A Purple Glow Stick Vigil and LED Paper Glow Bag Walk for International Overdose Awareness Day will be held at Greenbrook Park from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

The observance will also feature guest speakers, hot dogs and chips and free overdose reversal training for all.

If you have a loved one who has passed due to an overdose please come and write your loved one’s name or a positive message on a paper glow bag.

For more information email dekalbtnprevention@gmail.com or follow on Facebook.
This project is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee and Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services