DeKalb Health Department to Host Vaccine Clinic for Kindergarten and 7th Graders Wednesday, July 26

July 26, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Its time for parents to make sure their children are ready for back-to-school with up-to-date immunizations.

The DeKalb County Health Department will hold a vaccine clinic Wednesday, July 26 for Kindergarten and 7th grade vaccines. Please call to schedule an appointment at 615-597-7599

‘’We want all children to be safe, healthy, and ready to learn in the classroom as we get ready for another school year,” Tennessee Health Commissioner Ralph Alvarado, MD, FACP said. “Just like school supplies and proper school attire, we know back-to-school immunizations are an important part of getting ready for another school year.”

What Parents Should Know
– Kindergarteners and other children enrolling in a Tennessee school for the first time must provide schools with a complete, official Tennessee Immunization
Certificate before classes begin. The certificate must be signed by a qualified health care provider or verified by the state’s Immunization Information System.

– All current students entering seventh grade are required to give the school a limited official Tennessee Immunization Certificate showing they have had a
booster shot for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, also called a Tdap booster.

– Immunization requirements for college entry vary by institution, but teens who have had all recommended vaccines including their meningitis booster, after
they turn 16, will meet all state-run college’s requirements.

Immunizations are available from most health care providers across the state, including county health departments. The complete list of Tennessee child care and school immunization requirements can be found on TDH’s website at tn.gov/health/cedep/immunization-program/ip/vfc.

Local schools and school districts can provide information about when and how parents should provide immunization certificates.

The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.

July 25, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Kerry Davis has been re-appointed as member of the DeKalb Utility District Board of Commissioners.

County Mayor Matt Adcock informed the county commission Monday night that he has appointed Davis to full four-year term on the DUD board. The county commission voted to concur with the appointment.

Davis has been serving on the board filling the unexpired term of former DUD commissioner Joe Foutch who resigned in January 2021.

The DUD Board is made up of five members, three from DeKalb County (Jimmy Womack, Kerry Davis, and Hugh Washer), one from Cannon (Roger Turney), and one from Smith County (Danny Bass). The terms are staggered. All terms are for four years.

July 25, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A man has been indicted in child sex crimes.

The DeKalb County Grand Jury Monday returned indictments against 41-year-old George Daniel Evans for three counts of rape, four counts of sexual battery, two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child, and two counts of incest.

According to the indictment, Evans allegedly had sexual contact with two children under the age of 14 on several occasions from October 2015 to October 2021. At the time of the first offenses the children were 7 and 8 years old.

Evans was among several people indicted by the new term of the Grand Jury Monday. Twenty-seven sealed indictments were returned. Persons named in those have not yet been served.

Others indicted include the following:

Kaleigha Beth Arnold: Theft of property over $1,000, promotion of methamphetamine manufacture, evading arrest with a motor vehicle, and reckless endangerment

Keith Macwilliam Byers: DUI, DUI per se, and violation of Implied Consent

Paul Green Cantrell: Possession of a schedule II drug (meth) over 0.5 grams with intent to sell or deliver, simple possession of a schedule III drug (Buprenorphine), and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jeremy Michael Cart: Theft of Property over $1,000

Eddy Deloyd Farris: Possession of a schedule II drug (meth) over 0.5 grams with intent to sell or deliver, evading arrest in a motor vehicle, and reckless endangerment.

Johnifer Norman Ferrell and Darian Cheyene Ferrell: Drag racing.

Emma Leigh Flesher: Theft over $2,500

Jason John Grady: Vandalism under $1,000

Joseph Hunter: Vehicular assault and DUI (2nd offense)

Burnette B. Jones: Auto burglary (4 counts) and theft of property over $10,000

Megan Annette King: Aggravated criminal trespassing

Antonio Lujan: Possession of a schedule II drug (meth) over 0.5 grams with intent to sell or deliver.

Cody Murphy: Aggravated assault (2 counts)

Timothy William Patrick: Possession of a schedule II drug (meth) over 0.5 grams with intent to sell or deliver.

Angel Dawn Petrone and John Phillip Petrone, Jr: Burglary and theft of property

Bradley Shane Redmon: Theft of property over $1,000 (2 counts), burglary (3 counts), vandalism over $2,500 (2 counts), Theft of property under $500,

Maranda Rose Smith: Possession of a schedule II drug (meth) over 0.5 grams with intent to sell or deliver.

Garrett Nicolas Vallem: Aggravated assault (2 counts)

Kimberly Michelle Ward: DUI and violation of implied consent

Cheryl Denise Williams: Resisting arrest (2 counts)

John Brent Williams: Assault against a first responder and resisting arrest.

Ronald Glenn Young: DUI and DUI per se