Award Winning DCHS Senior Defensive Lineman Wil Farris to further his football career at Cumberland University

February 26, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Outstanding senior defensive lineman Wil Farris, who blazed a trail over his award-winning four-year football career at DCHS, will be aiming to do the same starting next season at the college level.

Accompanied by members of his family, coaches, and fellow Tiger football players at DCHS, Farris signed a letter of intent Monday with Cumberland University in Lebanon to play for the Phoenix.

Farris will graduate from DCHS in May as a member of the Class of 2024.

“I just felt like it (Cumberland University) was the right place for me,” said Farris. “I visited there last spring and again in the fall and I really liked it. I fell in love with the campus and the coaches are great too. I’m just really excited about this next chapter in my life. I plan to play on the defensive line for the Phoenix football team and as for my studies, it will be in criminal justice.”

Tiger Coach Steve Trapp said he is proud of Farris, who is joining a long list of talented players who have gone on to continue their football career in the college ranks after playing for him.

“Wil had a couple of different opportunities where he could have chosen to play but at the end of the day he decided to go to Lebanon and play for the Cumberland Phoenix. We already have other guys who have gone down there too,” said Coach Trapp.

“It’s a school (Cumberland) that got on Wil pretty early. They came down to see him last spring and summer and kept tabs on him. Wil seemed to enjoy the vibe they gave off and made his decision to go there and play,” said Coach Trapp.

“Wil was a four-year starter for us,” Coach Trapp continued. “He had played defensive end and left tackle and during his four years with us he always won some kind of award every single year and was named an All-Region player every year. Wil has been a decorated player for us and a good player, and we feel Cumberland is getting a very quality young man and a quality football player in him,” added Coach Trapp.

Farris said a highlight of his high school football career was as a junior in a homecoming game against Livingston Academy when he scooped up a wildcat fumble and scored a touchdown for the Tigers on a 25-yard run. DeKalb County went on to beat Livingston Academy that night 48-0.

Although he also played on the offensive line, Farris said he enjoyed playing as a defensive lineman more and that’s what he became most recognized for on the field.

In his freshman year, Farris was named Newcomer of the Year at the team awards banquet and made the All-Region 2nd Team. As a Sophomore, Junior, and Senior, Farris won the team defensive lineman of the year award and made the All-Region 1st Team.

” My high school football career has meant a lot to me,” said Farris. “Everything I’ve learned from the coaches and players and the memories and friends I’ve made have been great. I am honored and blessed to have had this opportunity,” added Farris.

February 26, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Assessor of Property Shannon Cantrell reminds you that March 1 is an important date for business owners and March 15 for applicants of the Greenbelt Program.

“March 1 is the deadline for personal property schedules. Anyone who owns a business needs to have those turned in or postmarked by March 1. If you do not turn one in at all or it is not turned in by March 1, there are penalties after that deadline. We want you to avoid those penalties, if possible,” said Assessor Cantrell.

“March 15 is the deadline for Greenbelt applications. If you do not have your form turned in or postmarked by March 15, you will not be able to qualify for the savings for the 2024 tax year,” said Cantrell.

“If you are already enrolled in the Greenbelt program, you do not have to reapply. However, if you have purchased property, added acreage to your farm, or had a name change within the last year and seek to enroll in the Greenbelt program, you need to apply by March 15 in order to get the 2024 savings. In addition to not receiving the 2024 savings, there could be a rollback tax that might apply as well. A rollback tax is the savings received on the property for the previous three years,” Cantrell said.

“Basic requirements for the Greenbelt application are that you must own a minimum of fifteen acres and be actively farming a minimum of fifteen acres and are able to produce some kind of agriculture product to the gross amount of $1,500 per year. Also, if you own fifteen acres and you do not have an agriculture product, your land may qualify under forestry. Requirements under the forestry program include a forestry plan written for the property.”

February 26, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Alexandria Police have made several recent arrests for domestic assault and drug offenses.

In his monthly media update on crime, Chief Travis Bryant reports that 20-year-old Kyle Martin of Anthony Avenue, Smithville is charged with simple possession of a schedule VI drug and possession of drug paraphernalia. Chief Bryant said that on February 3, officers stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation and while speaking with Martin, they detected an odor of marijuana coming from the automobile. After a further investigation, Martin was found to be in possession of a small amount of a green leafy substance (believed to be marijuana) and a grinder.

37-year-old Gary Tate of Sunset Point Road, McMinnville is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. According to Chief Bryant, on February 3, officers stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on Nashville Highway and confronted Tate who was a passenger in the vehicle. Tate initially refused to identify himself. Officers then conducted a search of the vehicle and found in a bag belonging to Tate, items consistent with the use of narcotics. He then identified himself as Gary Tate.

23-year-old Jhordaan Fuentes-Juarez of East Main Street, Smithville is charged with simple possession of a schedule VI drug (marijuana) and possession of drug paraphernalia. Chief Bryant said that on February 17, officers stopped Jhordaan for a traffic violation on Nashville Highway. While speaking with him, they detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. A search revealed a small amount of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana and items consistent with the use of narcotics. His court date is set for March 7.

44-year-old Tammy Rose of Hall Road, Alexandria is charged with simple possession of a schedule VI drug (marijuana) and drug paraphernalia. Chief Bryant said that on February 5, officers responded to a domestic dispute call on Hall Road and upon arrival spoke with Rose and recovered a bag containing a small amount of green leafy substance and drug paraphernalia. Rose admitted that the items belonged to her.

39-year-old Ian Simpson of Burt Burgeon Road, Woodbury is charged with simple possession of a Schedule II drug (methamphetamine). According to Chief Bryant, on January 29 an officer stopped Simpson for a traffic violation on Nashville Highway and while speaking with him, found a small amount of a crystal-like substance in his possession believed to be methamphetamine.

27-year-old Duvwon Baker of Locust Street, Alexandria is charged with domestic assault. Chief Bryant said that on February 14, officers were dispatched to a domestic dispute call on Locust Street and upon arrival confronted Baker who had been in a physical altercation with his girlfriend. She sustained injuries after Baker grabbed and pushed her down. Following his arrest officers discovered that Baker was wanted for failure to appear. His bond was set at $3,956.50.

60-year-old Shelia Zaruba of Hall Road, Alexandria is charged with domestic assault. According to Chief Bryant, on February 5 officers responded to a domestic dispute call on Hall Road and upon arrival, spoke with the victim outside the residence. After documenting the injuries, police determined that Zaruba was the primary aggressor. Her bond was set at $6,500.

43-year-old Brandon Smith of Cooper Street, Smithville is charged with manufacture, delivery, sale, or possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia. Chief Bryant said that on January 26, officers stopped a vehicle on High Street for a traffic violation and spoke to the driver, Smith who appeared nervous. He also refused a search of his vehicle. At that point K-9 Manci was deployed and as the officer approached the vehicle, Smith admitted to having drug paraphernalia in the automobile adding that he knew the K-9 would detect it. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 1.69 grams of a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine and other items consistent with the use of narcotics. Smith’s bond was set at $21,500.

35-year-old Kayla Sanders of Foster Road, Smithville is charged with manufacture, delivery, sale, or possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia. Chief Bryant said that on January 26, officers stopped a vehicle on High Street for a traffic violation and spoke with Sanders, a passenger of the vehicle. A search of items in her possession revealed approximately .26 grams of a white powdery substance believed to be fentanyl and other items consistent with the use of narcotics. Her bond was set at $21,500.