City Seeks Applicants to fill Vacancy on Equalization Board

May 11, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The City of Smithville is looking to fill a vacant seat on the County Board of Equalization from citizens who own property in the city.

The county board meets one week a year beginning June 1 from 8:30am to 4:00pm to hear real property appeals across DeKalb County. No qualifications are required, however, a real estate or construction background would be helpful. Annually, board members are required to watch a four hour training video. The county board members are paid approximately $50 per day.

If you are interested in filling this vacancy, please contact Smithville Mayor Josh Miller at 615-597-4745, ext 6.

May 10, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A 53 year old man has been charged with rape of a child from almost four years ago.

Pablo Jacinto was arrested last Wednesday, May 5 at a residence on Atnip Street. He is under a $125,000 bond and will make an appearance in General Sessions Court on May 20.

According to the warrant, Jacinto had sexual contact with his girlfriend’s daughter, who was 8 years old at the time touching her private parts resulting in penetration. This occurred several times over a period of months starting in September, 2017. The child was later removed from the home.

The case was investigated by Detective Brandon Donnell of the Smithville Police Department.

May 10, 2021
By: Bill Conger

DeKalb West School Librarian Amanda Mullinax is the recipient of Tennessee Tech University’s 2020-2021 Teacher Appreciation Librarian Award.

“It is an absolute honor to be recognized by my alma mater!” Mullinax said. “I have no idea who nominated me for this award, but I am grateful.”

The 7th Annual Teacher Appreciation Awards recognize outstanding alumni, faculty, students, and staff of the college for their dedication, contributions, and innovations.

“She makes reading fun,” DWS Principal Sabrina Farler said. “What a great asset she is to DeKalb West School and education.”

Due to COVID-19 the award recipients were honored virtually. Mullinax was asked to make a short video, answering the question why she loves being a librarian.

“I love the small moments! I love seeing students experience lightbulb moments. I love watching all the pieces of the “reading puzzle” finally come together, and it all clicks. I love when my students can express their thoughts and share their joys related to reading. For example, the student that told me this year that he liked to read online but preferred to turn the pages of a book; he said that was part of the fun! Another example would be when a particular student would ask me during carline in the morning what book we were going to read next; each time I answered you could see excitement on her face. These library moments, these small moments… these are the reasons!”

The DWS librarian has known since she was in early elementary school that she wanted to be a teacher.

“Alongside that, I have always loved books! When I was working on my undergrad degree at Tech, I had a class taught by Dr. Elinor Ross in which she showed me how literature could be enjoyed, could be celebrated, and could open doors into a world of knowledge. After her class, I found out Tech was starting an advanced degree program in library science, and I just knew that was the path for me.”

Mullinax is in her 20th year of teaching. Her first 11 years were in the classroom, and the past nine she has served as the librarian at DWS.

She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Multidisciplinary Studies (K-8), a Master’s Degree in Library Science, and an Education Specialist Degree in Reading from Tennessee Tech. She worked in the Tech Education Department library during her student teaching and assisted with the library at Union Heights Elementary School in Carthage, where she formerly taught.