DCHS Freshman writes winning “Parents of the Month” essay for his mom and dad
by: Dwayne PageApr 20, 2025
A 9th grader at DCHS prepared a winning essay in tribute to his mom and dad for the honor of “Parents of the Month” for March.
Christopher Gallegos’ parents, Tiffany and Abel Cota received a certificate from the school and a gift card for a meal at El Rancho Mexican Restaurant.
“My mom and dad are the best support I have had my whole entire life. I just wanted to show them a little appreciation and how much I love them,” said Gallegos in explaining why he wrote the essay.
“We are very proud of Christopher,” said his mom Tiffany. “He has come a long way. When he was born he had a fractured skull and needed two pints of blood so we think of him as a miracle child because he was a very sick baby. We are very honored to have him recognize us for this,” said Tiffany.
Christopher is a member of the FBLA and Spanish Clubs and math is his favorite subject in school. His future plans are to pursue a career either in the automotive industry or in construction.
Ms Cota said her husband is a contractor for Meadows Homes and she is a stay at home mom. In addition to Christopher the Cota’s have a daughter, Jasmine Gallegos.
Two Charged in Separate Fraudulent Use of Credit Card Cases
by: Dwayne PageApr 20, 2025
Two women have been charged in separate cases of fraudulent use of a credit card.
37-year-old Molly Sue Lawrence of East Main Street, Dowelltown is under a $5,000 bond and she will be in court April 24.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that between February 7 and March 17 Lawrence allegedly used a Tennessee Way 2 Go card belonging to someone else to make several purchases totaling $5,432 without the consent of the card holder. The case was investigated by a detective.
Meanwhile, 39-year-old Melinda Beth Murphy of Frosty Point Road, Dowelltown is under a $3,500 bond and her court date is April 24.
Sheriff Ray said that on March 31 and April 1 Murphy allegedly used an EBT card at Walmart belonging to someone else to place several online grocery orders for pickup and delivery. The orders totaled $1,065. Murphy did not have consent of the card owner for the purchases. The case was investigated by a detective.
38-year-old Christopher Eugene Layne of Bright Hill Road is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court April 24.
Sheriff Ray said that on April 7 a deputy responded to several calls on Tabernacle Road about a man trying to get into the front door of a residence. The officer found Layne standing in a yard. He had pinpoint pupils, and he was acting erratically. For his safety and that of the public, Layne was arrested for public intoxication.
65-year-old Charles Anthony Farless of Short Mountain Road, Woodbury is charged with public intoxication. He is under a $1,500 bond and his court date is April 24.
Sheriff Ray said that on April 9 a deputy was dispatched to Pea Ridge Road where a man was reported to be knocking on doors. Upon arrival the officer found Farless unsteady on his feet. His speech was slurred and his pupils constricted. For his safety and that of the public, Farless was arrested for public intoxication.
46-year-old Gregory Wayne Roberts of Rodonna Drive, Smithville is charged with resisting arrest. His bond is $2,500 and he will make a court appearance on April 24.
Sheriff Ray said that on April 11 a deputy confronted Roberts who had active warrants against him, but he ran out the door of a camper. After a short foot pursuit, Roberts was apprehended.
35-year-old Jerry Donald Cantrell of Adcock Cemetery Road is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court May 1.
Sheriff Ray said that on April 13 Adcock allegedly spat in his mother’s face and aggressively pushed his head against her head making threats while in a vehicle on the way to Adcock Cemetery Road.
March DCHS Teacher of the Month honor goes to Kevin Burchfield
by: Dwayne PageApr 20, 2025
The March Teacher of the Month award at DeKalb County High School goes to Kevin Burchfield.
For winning the honor, Burchfield received a certificate from the school and a gift card for a meal at El Rancho Mexican Restaurant.
Burchfield, a veteran physical science teacher at DCHS, will soon be stepping down. He has announced his retirement with the close of the school year next month ending a 29-year career. Burchfield began his teaching duties in 1992 as a biology instructor but later took a few years off before making his return to the classroom in 1998.
Burchfield said he appreciates having received this Teacher of the Month honor and he has enjoyed his tenure on the staff at DCHS.
“Education changes about every four or five years, but its been fun and I really have enjoyed teaching here and being with the people. My students make me feel old because I had some of their fathers and mothers in my class at one time. I’m teaching the second generation,” he said.
Burchfield’s wife Penny works at Shiroki, and they are the parents of two, Erin Payne and Wesley Burchfield. They have a granddaughter, Sarah.
As for plans after retirement, Burchfield said “I have enough stuff around the house to do to last me a year but after taking a year off I might come back as a substitute teacher,” he said.