Mother Charged with Keeping Her Child Out of School
by: Dwayne PageFeb 11, 2025
A mother has been charged with keeping her child out of school.
26-year-old Kelsey Elizabeth Steinbach of Keltonburg Road is charged with six counts of failing to keep a child in school. Her bond is $12,000 and she will be in court February 20.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on February 6 a detective received attendance records from the youth services officer for DeKalb County. In these records it states that a minor child had 65 unexcused absences in the 2024-25 school year. On December 19, 2024, the mother of the child, Steinbach signed an order acknowledging that it is her responsibility to ensure the child is attending school and the after-school program each and every day that school is in session. Steinbach knowingly and intentionally committed the act of educational neglect by not making sure the child attended school. After the order was signed by Steinbach the child missed and additional eight days of school.
34-year-old Mitchell Reed McBee of Lebanon is charged with a second offense of driving on a revoked license. His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court February 20. Sheriff Ray said that on February 7 a deputy pulled over a Chevy S-10 for a traffic violation and spoke with the driver, McBee. A background check through central dispatch revealed that his license was revoked due to a DUI charge. He also had a prior DRL offense on September 18, 2020 in Sequatchie County.
Talented DCHS QB Jordan Parker Signs with Cumberland University
by: Dwayne PageFeb 11, 2025
Jordan Parker, the 2024 DCHS Tiger Football Most Valuable Player, has announced his next move now that his high school pigskin playing days are over.
Joined by members of his family, coaches, and teammates Monday at DCHS, Parker celebrated his signing last week to join the Phoenix at Cumberland University at Lebanon after he graduates in May.
His parents are Kendall and Dallas Parker and his siblings are Auston Parker and Bryson Stewart.
Parker, the Tiger signal caller who led his team to a 6-4 season in 2024, plans to be a quarterback for the Phoenix.
“Cumberland was my closest offer to home. They offered me the most money and I thought it was a good program,” said Parker in explaining why he chose Cumberland. “I plan to study physical therapy,” he said.
Asked whether he has any special memories during his years as a Tiger, Parker said “getting to play with everybody and being around my teammates. It was really cool to get the MVP award in 2024. A lot of good players get that and I felt honored to get it,” said Parker.
Tiger Coach Steve Trapp said he is proud of Jordan and his choice to attend Cumberland.
“There will be three of our guys down there (Cumberland) next year including Jordan, Wil Farris, and Nolan Gottlied. It’s a lot of years in a row we have had some guys have the opportunity to play college ball. We are really happy for Jordan because of how he works and the type of player he is but more importantly the type of person he is. Its just good to see him get that next opportunity to continue to play,” said Coach Trapp.
During the team banquet last month, Coach Trapp reviewed Parker’s high school football career and his accomplishments.
“As a junior Jordan was an All-Region player at wide receiver and won receiver of the year and then played at quarterback,” said Coach Trapp. ” But just some statistics as a runner, in 2024 he led our team with 1,055 yards. I believe he is only the third quarterback who has rushed for over 1,000 yards. He joins Steven Jennings and Axel Aldino in that regard. Jordan led our team in rushing and in rushing touchdowns with 14 in 2024 and he passed for 1,236 yards and had 17 more touchdowns. For his career he had over 2,000 yards passing and 26 touchdowns. Defensively as a junior he started at safety and played some corner. In 2024 he got a pick against Macon County. Jordan was a 2024 team captain. A 2024 Region 4 Most Outstanding Quarterback, 2024 Farm Bureau Player of the Month, 2024 DTC All Star and DTC Player of the Game in 2024, Mr. DCHS in 2024-25, 2024 TSSAA Scholar Athlete, a 2023 team voted Receiver of the Year, 2023 All Region player, 2023 Scholar Athlete, 2022 team voted Offensive Back of the Year when he played quarterback those last nine games, and he was the 2024 Liberty State Bank Most Valuable Player,” said Coach Trapp.
Valentine Pageant Royalty Crowned
by: Dwayne PageFeb 09, 2025
McKenna Miller of Dowelltown was crowned queen of Saturday’s Valentine Pageant in the 16 to 18 year old age category. The event was held at the DeKalb County Complex Auditorium as a benefit for the Last-Minute Toy Shop.
Miller is the 16-year-old daughter of Christen and Charles Cox and David Miller. She was also the recipient of the People’s Choice honor.
The 1st runner-up was Kenadee Rose Prichard of Alexandria, the 16-year-old daughter of JoDee and Luke Prichard. She was also judged to have the prettiest eyes, hair, attire, and smile.
The pageants featured DeKalb County girls from ages birth to 18 years of age and still in school.
Meanwhile Baylei Anne Benson of Smithville won the crown in the 13–15-year-old category. She is the 14-year-old daughter of Karey and John Washer and Christopher Benson. She was awarded honors for prettiest eyes and attire.
Runners-up in this category were 1st-Kenzi MaKaya Barnes of Smithville, 15-year-old daughter of Ashley Barnes. She was also named most photogenic. Second runner-up went to Charley Loren Prichard of Liberty, 13-year-old daughter of Andy and Chrissy Prichard. She was also judged to have the prettiest hair and smile.
10-year-old MaKenna Grace Billings of Sparta claimed the crown in the category for 10–12-year-old girls. She is the daughter of Blake and Makayla Billings. She was awarded for prettiest eyes, hair, and attire.
Runners-up were 1st- Katy Jo Bowen of Liberty, 11-year-old daughter of Cody and Kim Atnip and the late Joseph Bowen. She also took home the honor for most photogenic. Second runner-up was Katie Jo Prichard of Alexandria, 10-year-old daughter of Luke and JoDee Prichard. 10-year-old Stella Grace Adcock of Smithville, daughter of Byron and Paige Adcock was the people’s choice winner while 10-year-old Maggie Hendrix of Dowelltown, daughter of Jared and Jennifer Hendrix was judged to have the prettiest smile.
Capturing the crown in the 7–9-year-old division was Aleeya Weslyn Graham of Smithville, 8-year-old daughter of Derek and Andria Graham
Runners-up in this category were 1st- Rozlyn Marie Prichard of Smithville, 7-year-old daughter of Mark and Amanda Prichard. Second runner-up was Novalee Carol Billings of Sparta, 8-year-old daughter of Blake and Makayla Billings. She was awarded for prettiest attire.
Meanwhile, Kathryn Ann Williams of Alexandria, 7-year-old daughter of Dillon and Hailey Williams was winner of the people’s choice award. Oaklynn Fayth Hale of Smithville, 9-year-old daughter of Austin Hale and Kimberly Flanagan was judged to have the prettiest hair and Wrigley Marie Jared of Smithville, 9-year-old daughter of Tim and Shelly Jared received the honor for prettiest eyes and smile. Eight-year-old Ava Leigh Elizabeth Haddock of Liberty, daughter of Donald and Kristina Haddock took home the most photogenic award.
In the age 4–6-year-old category, Taylor Elizabeth Bias of Smithville was crowned queen. She is the 4-year-old daughter of Jennifer Pyles and Brandon Bias. She was awarded for prettiest eyes and most photogenic.
1st runner-up was Elliott Quinn Prichard of Smithville, 5-year-old daughter of Mark and Amanda Prichard. She was also awarded for prettiest hair. Second runner-up was Reese Everly Leiser of Alexandria, 6 year old daughter of Sean and Jessica Leiser. Winning for prettiest attire was Peaches Bond of Smithville, 6-year-old daughter of Leslie and Randall Bond while the prettiest smile honor went to Eloise Hendrix of Dowelltown, 6 year old daughter of Jared and Jennifer Hendrix.
The winner of the age 25- 48-month category was Queen Olivia Grace Jones of Smithville, 3-year-old daughter of Chris and Teresa Jones. She also received awards for prettiest eyes, hair, attire, and most photogenic.
Runners-up in this event were 1st- Elsie Pearl Paschal of Alexandria, 3-year-old daughter of Justin and Makagan Paschal. She was also awarded for prettiest smile. Second runner-up was Evie Kate Billings of Sparta, 3-year-old daughter of Blake and Makayla Billings. Sydney Ann Barrett of Smithville, 3-year-old daughter of Stephen and Vickey Barrett received an award for people’s choice.
Indy Hart Williams of Smithville was crowned queen of the 13–24-month age group. She is the 23-month-old daughter of Brian and Stephanie Williams. She was also awarded for prettiest smile. First runner-up was Katlyn Gibbs of Sparta, 14-month-old daughter of Jana Gibbs. She was awarded for prettiest eyes, hair, attire and most photogenic.
Winning the category for 7 to 12 months was queen Willow Rose Sullivan of Doyle, the 12-month-old daughter of Kayla and Travis Sullivan. She received honors for prettiest eyes and smile.
Runners-up were 1st- Charlotte Cay Koelle of Smithville, 8-month-old daughter of Christian and Heather Koelle. She also took home awards for prettiest hair, attire, and most photogenic. Second runner-up was Halle Grace Karolyn Underhill of Smithville, 11-month-old daughter of Nick and Christian Underhill. She received the people’s choice award.
The winner of the age 1 day to 6-month division was Queen Stella Clouse of Smithville, 6-month-old daughter of Amanda Clouse and Drake Clouse. She was awarded for prettiest eyes.
Runners-up were 1st- Eliza Beth Burke of Smithville, 4-month-old daughter of Jonah and Kelsey Burke. Second runner-up was Iris Jane Grigg of Gordonsville, 5-month-old daughter of Paige and Ian Grigg. She received honors for prettiest hair, attire, and smile.