First Graduate of DeKalb Christian Academy Honored by Tennessee General Assembly
by: Dwayne PageMar 24, 2025
The first ever graduate of DeKalb Christian Academy has been recognized by the Tennessee General Assembly.
A resolution honoring Addison McBroom, introduced by State Representative Michael Hale, has been adopted by both the state House and Senate and signed by the Governor.
The resolution follows:
“WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should pause to pay tribute to those students who, through their natural talents and unflagging commitment to academic excellence, have distinguished themselves in the classroom; and
WHEREAS, Addison McBroom is one such exceptional student, who has become the first graduate of DeKalb Christian Academy in Smithville; and
WHEREAS, Ms. McBroom made the transition to DeKalb Christian Academy in the seventh grade and quickly became a leader among the student body, offering her time to tutor and assist fellow students; and
WHEREAS, she has a heart for music, children, and helping others; she plays piano almost weekly at her church and is involved in the children’s ministry, where she serves faithfully each week; and
WHEREAS, with a clear vision for her future, Addison aspires to become an optometrist. In her junior year of high school, she enrolled in the Middle College program at Motlow State Community College, diligently pursuing an associate degree while balancing her high school coursework as well as a part-time job at Webb’s Pharmacy; and
WHEREAS, through diligent study, steady composure during examinations, and steadfast commitment of time and talent, Ms. McBroom has achieved outstanding academic success and joined the ranks of the best and brightest students in Tennessee and our country; and
WHEREAS, in her remarkable high school career, Ms. McBroom has excelled in her studies and will graduate with high honors. She has been accepted for enrollment at Tennessee Technological University, where she will pursue a bachelor’s degree before entering optometry school; and
WHEREAS, Ms. McBroom’s noteworthy achievement is a tremendous source of pride for her family, her school, and her community; and
WHEREAS, Ms. McBroom’s dedication to excellence is clearly deserving of the respect, admiration, and commendation of the members of this General Assembly; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, that we hereby commend and honor Addison McBroom on her impressive academic achievement as the first graduate of DeKalb Christian Academy and extend to her our best wishes for a happy, successful future.
Attorneys for Alexandria Town and Mayor File Motion to Dismiss Federal Lawsuit Brought by former City Employee
by: Dwayne PageMar 24, 2025
A motion to dismiss!
Attorneys for the town of Alexandria and Mayor Beth Tripp have filed a motion in federal court to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a former employee claiming she was wrongfully terminated.
Patricia Houser, a former town recorder, court clerk, tax collector, and backup water clerk, is suing the City of Alexandria and Mayor Tripp in her individual and official capacities for deprivation of due process under the 14th amendment and for slander, defamation, and defamation by implication, in violation of state law.
In the motion to dismiss filed Monday, March 17 an attorney for the town and mayor, A. Ryan Simmons of the Brentwood law firm of Farrar/Bates/Berexa stated several reasons why the complaint should be dropped. In support of the motion, Simmons claims that Plaintiff (Houser) has failed to state any viable claims against the Defendants (town and mayor); has failed to establish that she was deprived of any Constitutional right or law of the United States; that she did not possess a property interest in her employment with the Town; that Plaintiff (Houser) never requested a name-clearing hearing following her termination; that she has failed to state a claim for a substantive due process violation; and that the complaint also fails to state a claim for Monell liability against the Town. According to the motion to dismiss, the official capacity claim against Mayor Tripp is duplicative requiring dismissal; and that Mayor Tripp is entitled to qualified immunity in her individual capacity. Further, the motion goes on to allege that the complaint fails to state a viable claim under state law for defamation or defamation by implication against Mayor Tripp; that Defendant Tripp is entitled to immunity in her official capacity under the Tennessee Government Tort Liability Act; and that Mayor Tripp is entitled to absolute immunity in her individual capacity.
“Alternatively, the Court should decline to exercise supplemental jurisdiction and dismiss Plaintiff (Houser’s) state law claim. Wherefore, Defendants (Town of Alexandria and Mayor Tripp) respectfully request an order dismissing Plaintiff’s complaint in its entirety,” the motion concluded.
Houser is seeking a jury trial; reinstatement to her position; compensatory and punitive damages; payment of lost wages and benefits; attorney’s fees, etc.
Houser is represented by the Nashville law firm of Biesecker, Dutkanych & Macer, LLC.
TDOT says County’s Wolf Creek Convenience Site must be moved off state right of way
by: Dwayne PageMar 24, 2025
For years the county has maintained an unmanned garbage collection convenience center in the Wolf Creek community at the intersection of Medley Amonette Road (Highway 96) and Old Buffalo Valley Road, but its located on the Tennessee Department of Transportation right of way and TDOT wants it to be removed.
During last week’s public works committee meeting, County Public Works Director Brian Reed raised the issue about whether the Wolf Creek site could eventually become a manned site. According to County Mayor Matt Adcock, Reed later checked with TDOT and the answer was not only no, but even the unmanned site there will have to go.
“The waste container can’t be on TDOT right of way and should be removed. It may be possible to purchase land from TDOT using the excess land program. I drew a line on the picture (attached) to show a possibility for purchasing excess land. Any entrance would have to meet TDOT’s driveway manual and would be difficult to have a safe entrance this close to the intersection,” wrote TDOT District 27 Engineer Bo Hoskins in an email correspondence to Reed.
The county has 11 manned convenience sites and Wolf Creek is one of three unmanned sites. The other two are at Temperance Hall and in the Austin Bottoms community. Of the fourteen sites, the county owns all but three, Snow Hill, Silver Point, and at Alexandria.
According to Reed, the state is making a push for counties to go to all manned sites and is funding grants for that purpose.
“The state has put a priority on grants for those sites and is funding up to $125,000 with a 10% local match per site and I would like to apply for some grants in next year’s budget to eventually get rid of our unmanned sites,” said Reed.
The county has not yet come up with an alternate convenience site location for Wolf Creek.