Dwayne Page

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps has announced the 2024-25 Teachers of the Year at the building level of the five schools in the county.

This year’s honorees chosen by their peers are 4th grade math and science teacher, Cathleen Humphrey at DeKalb West School, 1st grade teacher Allyson Trapp at Smithville Elementary School; Amanda Goodwin, special education teacher at Northside Elementary School, Kristen Lynch, special education teacher at DeKalb Middle School, and Dylan Kleparek (Coach K), science/chemistry teacher at DeKalb County High School.

“Our district’s Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors outstanding teachers in DeKalb County. We applaud teachers who care about our children, who devote their professional lives to enriching the lives of DeKalb students, and who demonstrate exceptional gains in student achievement. We are not just exceptionally proud of our Teachers of the Year, but we are also grateful for all of our educators in DeKalb County,” said Director Cripps.

According to Michelle Burklow, Supervisor of Instruction, “Competition for the district-wide John Isabell Teacher of the Year award continues through January and will be announced this spring. Additionally, a DeKalb County teacher will be chosen by a committee to compete at the regional level in March, and if selected the teacher will represent DeKalb County at the state level competition.”

Teachers of the Year are selected competitively through five cycles: Building, System, Field Service Core Center Region, Grand Division and State; and from three categories (levels of teaching); Grades Pre-K-4, 5-8, 9-12.

Teachers selected at each cycle receive local recognition and awards underwritten by local sources. State recognition/awards include a banquet honoring the nine State Teacher of the Year finalists and certificates of appreciation from the governor. In addition, the State Finalists and the State Teacher of the Year receive cash awards.

The Tennessee Teacher of the Year Program is designed to promote effective teaching practices by recognizing and rewarding outstanding teachers while encouraging others to join the teaching profession.

Local and state law enforcement agencies converged near Man Hill Road, Dowelltown Saturday afternoon where a body was found.

In a prepared statement, Sheriff Patrick Ray said “On January 11, 2025 at 1:01 PM a call came into Dispatch about a body that had been found off of Man Hill Road in Dowelltown. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, 13th District Attorney General ‘s Office were summoned to the scene. The body has been sent to Nashville for identification by the Medical Examiner. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department are investigating. No more details are available at this time,” said Sheriff Ray.

Snow Hill Baptist Church will not be having services Sunday, January 12th. The church will resume Wednesday night Bible study at 5:00 pm.

Allen’s Chapel & Buckner’s Chapel will do a joint service at Allen’s Chapel Church, 1037 Coconut Ridge Rd, Smithville at 10:30 am. No Sunday School or Children’s Church.

Memorial Baptist Church on Dale Ridge Road will have no Sunday School, January 12 but the worship service will be held at 11 a.m.

Bethel United Methodist Church in the Blue Springs Community will have no services Sunday, January 12

Due to inclement weather, New Union The Baptist Church in the Belk Community has cancelled services for Sunday, January 12 and the scheduled singing for Sunday night.

No church services Sunday, January 12 at the Keltonburg Missionary Baptist Church.

An elderly man charged with solicitation of a minor for indecent exposure appeared in DeKalb County Criminal Court Tuesday.

78-year-old William Lloyd Woolridge entered a plea to solicitation and received a two-year suspended sentence. His name will be on the sex offender registry as a nonviolent offender.

61-year-old Shelia Zaruba entered a plea to aggravated assault and received a three-year sentence with 64 days of time served suspended to supervised probation. No fine was imposed but she must have no contact with the victim.

37-year-old Randi Dossett entered a plea to sale of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) over 0.5 grams and received an eight-year sentence all suspended to supervised probation. Dossett was fined $2,000. She was given 45 days jail credit.

32-year-old Amber Merlo entered a plea to possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) over 0.5 grams for sale and theft over $2,500. She received a total sentence of eight years. That’s eight years in the drug case and two years for the theft to run concurrently and all suspended to supervised probation. Merlo must make restitution to the victim. She was fined $2,000 and given jail credit of 139 days.

47-year-old Barry Ohl II entered a plea to two counts of sale of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) over 0.5 grams and received an eight-year sentence all suspended to supervised probation in each case to run concurrently. He was fined $2,000 and given 48 days jail credit.

42-year-old Matthew Baker entered a plea to sale of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) over 0.5 grams and received an eight-year sentence all suspended to supervised probation. He was fined $2,000 and given 47 days jail credit.

29-year-old Eric Lane Petty entered a plea to sale of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) over 0.5 grams and sale of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) under 0.5 grams. He received a total sentence of eleven years including eight years in one case and three years in the other to run concurrently and all suspended to supervised probation. He was fined $2,000. Petty was given 144 days jail credit.

25-year-old Robert Stephen Derrick entered a plea to sale of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) and received an eight-year sentence suspended to supervised probation. He was fined $2,000 and given 52 days jail credit.

37-year-old Kerry Parker entered a plea to possession of methamphetamine under 0.5 grams. He will be on supervised probation for four years. Parker was also fined $2,000.

30-year-old Ronald Glen Ragan entered a plea by criminal information to possession with intent to sell a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) over 0.5 grams. He received an eight-year sentence suspended to supervised probation and was fined $2,000. Ragan was given 44 days jail credit.

48-year-old Lynda Neville entered a plea by criminal information to possession of a schedule II drug over 0.5 grams and received an eight-year sentence all suspended to supervised probation. She was fined $2,000- and 214-days jail credit.

39-year-old Brandon Keith Thomas entered a plea by criminal information to possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) under 0.5 grams (2 counts) and received a six-year sentence in each case to serve at least 30% before his release eligibility date. The two cases are to run concurrently. He was fined $2,000 and given jail credit of 154 days.

28-year-old Rodnesha Daniels entered a plea by criminal information to theft of property over $2,500 and received a two year sentence on supervised probation subject to judicial diversion.

The statewide deer hunting season has come to a close except for the second young sportsman hunt which will be Saturday and Sunday, January 11 & 12.

During the gun season, sportsmen may also use muzzleloaders or archery equipment. The statewide bag limit for antlered bucks is two. No more than one antlered deer may be taken per day, not to exceed two for the season.

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1969 is required to carry proof of satisfactory completion of a hunter education class or be in possession of the apprentice hunter education permit along with other required licenses while hunting any species in Tennessee. Hunter education can be completed online for free along with in-person options offered by the TWRA.

“The youth hunt is the same as the statewide season,” said TWRA officer Colt Elrod. “If you are a youth and you have not killed your two bucks, or killed one and want to harvest a second buck, you can do that. Its for gun, muzzleloader, archery. Pretty much all the state rules apply but its for youth only. If you are a parent you can accompany your child on the hunt but you can’t harvest a deer. Its for youth through the age of 16. Once you are 10 years old you need to have your hunter safety credentials and if not you have to get the apprentice hunter safety license. If you are under age 13, get your Junior hunt & fish license,” said TWRA Officer Elrod.

The DCHS basketball teams opened their district season at Sparta Thursday night losing to White County. The Lady Tigers were dominated by the Warriorettes 67 to 22 while the Tigers were defeated 57 to 46.

In the girls game, DeKalb County trailed 20 to 4 after the 1st period, 41 to 10 at halftime, and 58 to 20 after the 3rd period before falling 67 to 22.

Brooklyn Fuson and Allie Melton each scored 5 points, Avery Agee and Camille Barton each scored 4, Lillie Young 2 and Jordyn Agee and Chloe VanVranken each with 1.

Meanwhile the Tigers led 11 to 10 after the 1st period and 21 to 19 at halftime. DC fell behind 43 to 36 after the 3rd period and lost 57 to 46.

Jordan Parker scored 11 followed by Dallas Kirby 10, Elliot Barnes 9, Seth Fuson 7, Jon Hendrix 6, and Logan Duke 3.

The Lady Tigers are 5-13 overall and the Tigers drop to 8-10. DCHS will travel to Cumberland County Tuesday night, January 14 and host Upperman Friday night, January 17. The girls games each night start at 6 p.m. followed by the boys games and WJLE will broadcast them LIVE.

In anticipation of wintry weather Friday, County Mayor Matt Adcock has issued a statement concerning how that could affect some county services.

“After watching the predictions from the National Weather Service and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, it is assumed appropriate to close all county buildings and services due to inclement weather. There is a high probability of a significant weather occurrence. This would include Friday, January 10th and Saturday, January 11th. This includes all facilities and services other than emergency services,” said County Mayor Adcock

“All convenience sites and the transfer station will be closed (Friday). Today (Thursday) the solid waste services will anticipate the public disposing of trash before the closure of services to come. The courthouse and the community complex buildings and services will be closed (Friday)”.

“On Sunday January 12th, we will assess the existing conditions to consider further closures or openings of all facilities and services. Stay vigilant to updates as they occur,” said County Mayor Adcock

“TEMA has declared a state of emergency. It is of most importance that the public attempt to stay off of the roadways. If an emergency situation arises, call 911. Practicing emergency preparedness before this event will help provide resources for families such as food, water, flashlights, and alternative heat sources in the event of power outages,” Mayor Adcock concluded.

Meanwhile, the DeKalb County Libraries will be closed on Friday, January 10th and Saturday, January 11th due to the prediction of hazardous weather conditions. They are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Everyone stay warm and safe.

A man who allegedly pointed a handgun and then tried to strangle his daughter is facing charges of unlawful possession of a weapon and aggravated assault.

62-year-old Lorenzo Hernandez of Dowelltown is under a $40,000 bond and he will make a court appearance January 9.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on December 28 Hernandez allegedly tried to strangle his daughter and pointed a firearm at her. A handgun, believed to have been used in the incident, was recovered from the lint compartment of a dryer. A background check revealed that Hernandez is a convicted felon in Florida on burglary, 3rd degree felony and larceny charges. His conviction date was March 12, 1993.

41-year-old Amber Nicole Macleod of Springhill is charged with aggravated assault. Her bond is $10,000

Sheriff Ray said that on January 1 a deputy was summoned to Mullican Lane due to a burglary in progress. Upon arrival the officer spoke with a man who had been stabbed. The man said Macleod had stabbed him over an argument regarding a cell phone. The man had a cut to his upper right arm near his shoulder and a cut to his left-hand ring finger.

58-year-old Howard Robert Mayo, Jr. of Liberty is charged with simple possession of a schedule VI drug and possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver. His bond is $56,500 and he will be in court January 9.

Sheriff Ray said that on December 21 a deputy pulled over a silver Ford F150, spoke with the driver, Mayo; and smelled marijuana in the vehicle. The officer asked Mayo to step out of the automobile and a search turned up from the driver door panel 3.76 grams of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana. Knowing that Mayo often kept narcotics in his wallet, the deputy asked to see the billfold and inside was 1.12 grams of a crystal-like substance thought to be methamphetamine. When asked for his driver license, Mayo only had an ID license. A background check through central dispatch revealed that Mayo’s driver license was revoked due to a Cannon County DUI on September 21, 2001.

55-year-old Jeffery Lee Bates of Old West Point Road is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $3,000 and he will be in court January 9.

Sheriff Ray said that on December 21 a deputy was dispatched to the intersection of Old West Point Road and Maynard Road where a man was reported to be lying in a ditch. Upon arrival the officer found the man, Bates passed out. Bates smelled of alcohol and when awakened became unsteady on his feet.

22-year-old Peyton Eugene Hollingsworth of Dowelltown is charged with driving under the influence. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court January 16.

Sheriff Ray said that on December 22 a deputy spotted a Toyota pickup fail to maintain its lane of travel. He conducted a traffic stop and spoke to the driver, Hollingsworth who smelled of alcohol and was unsteady on his feet. His eyes were bloodshot and watery. Hollingsworth submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He admitted to having consumed a few beers.

27-year-old Brandon Ezequiel Cotuc of Cookeville is charged with driving under the influence and no driver license. His court date is January 16.

Sheriff Ray said that on December 22 at 3:32 a.m. a deputy was patrolling Sparta Highway when he spotted a gray Honda Accord fail to maintain its lane of travel. The officer pulled over the vehicle and spoke to the driver, Cotuc whose eyes were watery and bloodshot. Cotuc was asked to step out of the automobile. He submitted to a field sobriety task but after performing poorly, he refused to undergo any further tasks.

43-year-old Shane Curtis Gardner of Sparta Highway is charged with aggravated assault and interfering with an emergency call. He is under a $12,500 bond and his court date is January 9.

Sheriff Ray said that on December 23 a deputy was summoned to Sparta Highway to investigate an aggravated assault complaint from the day before, December 22 in which a woman claimed that Gardner allegedly tried to strangle her. The woman was found to have red marks on her face and the side of her neck, bite marks on her body, and she had bruising to both of her eyes. Gardner had also allegedly taken the woman’s phone to keep her from calling 911.

41-year-old Thomas Jacob Sims is charged with being a fugitive from justice. He is under a $50,000 bond and his court date is January 9.

Sheriff Ray said that on December 26 a deputy went to E.H. Haas Road to serve an active Georgia parole warrant on Sims. Georgia authorities confirmed they would extradite Sims.

21-year-old John Isaac Brinkley of Lewisburg is charged with aggravated assault. He is under a $5,000 bond and his court date is January 9.

Sheriff Ray said that on December 26 a deputy went to Toad Road due to a report of an assault involving a gun. The officer spoke with a man who said he and Brinkley had gotten into an argument and that Brinkley had spat in his face. Brinkley then allegedly picked up a chainsaw and came toward him with it.

48-year-old James Walter Stringer of Dowelltown is charged with aggravated assault. His bond is $20,000.
Sheriff Ray said that on December 28 a deputy was summoned to a residence on West Main Street in Dowelltown due to an unwanted guest. The officer spoke with a woman who said that Stringer had rammed his truck into the back of her car to keep her from leaving. There was damage to the driver side rear bumper. Before the officer arrived, Stringer had gone back to his house and later told the deputy that he had been there asleep the whole time.

Stringer was again arrested on December 30 for violation of the sex offender registry. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court on this charge January 16. The warrant against Stringer was obtained on December 30.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 4 a detective was notified that Stringer had been operating a social media account that he had not listed in the sex offender registry. After reviewing the account, the detective was able to positively identify Stringer by the tattoos he had noted in the booking system at the jail and through prior law enforcement encounters with Stringer.

43-year-old Randy Mark Hawkins, Jr. of Cecil Hale Road, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court January 16.

Sheriff Ray said that on January 1 a deputy spotted a gray Ford F150 fail to maintain its lane of travel heading outbound on South Mountain Street, Smithville. The officer activated his blue lights but the vehicle continued a slow roll and swerved side to side in the lane. The deputy subsequently pulled over the automobile and spoke with the driver, Hawkins who smelled of alcohol and he had bloodshot watery eyes. His speech was also slow and slurred. Hawkins admitted to having been drinking. After getting out of the truck, Hawkins became unsteady on his feet. He submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.

37-year-old Landon Craig Wyatt, Jr. of Crestlawn Avenue Smithville is charged with bringing contraband into a penal institution. His bond is $7,500 and he will be in court January 16.

Sheriff Ray said that on December 31 Wyatt brought a pair of white thermals to the jail dropping them off for an inmate currently incarcerated. Correctional officer found inside the waistband of the thermals behind the tag what was believed to be buprenorphine strips.