WJLE Local News
Seniors Honored for Academic and Athletic Achievement
In addition to scholarships, members of the Class of 2008 received other special honors for academic and athletic achievement during Thursday's annual Senior Awards Day Program at DeKalb County High School.
The honor students were recognized including the Class Valedictorian, Nick Winchester and the
Salutatorian, Adam Emerson
Students earning "Distinction" with a grade point average of 3.2 to 3.59 are as follows: Brittney Armour, Carla Barnes, Alisha Billings, Chase Cantrell, Tyler Cantrell, Joseph Carroll, Brent Collier, Roger Curtis, Justin Duke, Michael Elliott, Lindsy Ervin, Amber Evans, Chase Ferrell, Trey Finley, Grant Goodwin, Josh Gilbert, Lauren Hansard, Natasha Hendrixson, Katie Herman, Jake Hoover, Justin Lattimore, Jacob Moore, Trisha Neiberger, Lacey Parchman, Shaun Reed, Zack Rowland, Colt Stewart, Emily Summers
Cody Thomas, Nique Tubbs, Corey Turner, Anna Marie Walker, GeriAnna Wilson, and Kevin Woodside.
Arrest Made In October Stabbing
An arrest has been made in the stabbing of an Hispanic man last October.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says Warren County Sheriff's Investigators last week were able to capture 24
year old Juan Lorenzo Rodriguez of 500 Skyline Drive McMinnville.
He says Rodriguez attempted to allude law enforcement officers in Warren County and
was charged with other crimes there. Rodriguez was turned over to DeKalb County authorities on Tuesday, May 13th..
Rodriguez is charged in DeKalb County with attempted second degree murder. His bond was set at $2,000,000 and his court date is May 29th.
Rodriguez is currently being held in the DeKalb County Jail.
The victim, believed to be in his early 20's, was found Sunday, October 28th in the driveway of a barracks where migrant workers reside at Pirtle's Nursery on Short Mountain Road.
According to Sheriff Ray, someone at the barracks heard the man screaming in pain, discovered him lying in the driveway, and called 911
Some Second Grade Classes May Go From SES to NES To Ease Overcrowding
It appears more likely that the Board of Education, instead of obtaining portable classrooms, may move four-second grade classes from Smithville Elementary School to Northside Elementary School this fall in order to relieve student overcrowding there.
Volunteers Needed for DeKalb County Cleanup Day
DeKalb County's peak tourism season is just around the corner, so it's time to start getting things spruced up for our coming visitors.
DeKalb County Clean-Up Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 17th.
Sign-up locations are the Pamida parking lot from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and DeKalb
Community Bank, Alexandria branch from 8:30 a.m.- 12:00 noon.
Each volunteer will receive trash bags and rubber gloves. Volunteers can clean up wherever they
choose, or an area to be cleaned can be designated.
Dumpsters will also be set up at various locations across the county prior to May 17th to help give us a head start on beautifying our homes and businesses. Call the Chamber at 597-4163 for more information.
Scholarships Presented to Many Seniors During Awards Day Program at DCHS
Thousands of dollars in scholarships were awarded to members of the Class of 2008 at DeKalb County High School during Thursday's annual Senior Awards Day program.
Colleges, universities, businesses, civic groups, and other organizations presenting awards and their recipients are as follows:
MTSU Scholarships:
$5,000 Neill-Sandler & $2,500 Dr. Sidney & Elizabeth McPhee Scholarship-Lacey Parchman
$12,000 Valedictorian Scholarship-Nicholas Winchester
Full Tuition plus $4,000 Buchanan Fellowship-Adam Emerson
Cumberland University:
$2,000 Academic Scholarship through FBLA- John Malone
Vol State Community College:
$1,350 Athletic (Baseball) Scholarship -Bray Page
Martin Methodist College:
Academic and Athletic (Baseball) Scholarship- Trey Finley
University of Memphis:
Outstanding Music Performance Full Tuition Scholarship- Chase Ferrell
Tennessee Wesleyan College-
$8,000 Athletic (Golf) Scholarship-Grant Goodwin
Tennessee Tech University:
Gordon Votes to Combat Rising Gas Prices
In an effort to bring relief to consumers as gas prices rise to record highs, U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon voted for legislation Tuesday (May 13) that would suspend the fill of the nation's Strategic
Petroleum Reserve while oil prices remain above $75 per barrel.
"Gas prices near $4 a gallon are taking a chunk out of people's wallets," said Gordon. "The high prices have forced families to rethink their budgets and make tough choices about where to cut back on household expenses."
The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed legislation to halt shipments of oil to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve until the end of the year as long as prices remain above $75 per barrel. The reserve serves as the nation's emergency oil supply.
Past presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, as well as President George W. Bush, have tapped or suspended fill of the reserve in the past. After such action in 2000, the price of oil
dropped by one-third - from $30 to $20.
Boat Smart Super Saturday Sails for Fun On Area Lakes
Volunteers have teamed up with the US Army Corps of Engineers at area lakes for Boat Smart Super Saturday on May 17.
Super Saturday, the kickoff to National Safe Boating Week, May 17-23, is geared to promote boating and water safety while having fun at the lake. “Wear It,” referring to life jackets, is the primary message for boaters to follow to arrive alive after a day on the lake.
The team will be ready at boat ramps around the lake on Super Saturday to greet visitors and remind them of tips to be safe on the water. With the warmer weather and summer approaching quickly, crowds are getting back out on the lakes
A variety of volunteers participating from boaters, park hosts, clubs, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Scouts and more. Volunteers view it as a nice way to take a few hours, greet visitors, enjoy being around the lake, and feel good about knowing the information they provide may save a life.
$750,000 Federal Loan Allows CAIC to Make Loans to DeKalb Small Businesses
A $750,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development loan will allow the Cumberland Area Investment Corporation to make loans to small businesses in DeKalb County, U.S. Representative Bart Gordon said.
"In Tennessee, small businesses drive the state's economy," Gordon said. "Small businesses, those with fewer than 500 employees, employ over 44% of Tennesseans. Women represent over 35% and minorities account for over 18% of small business owners in Tennessee."
The funds will be used to create a revolving loan fund that will make small business loans in the 14 Upper Cumberland counties CAIC serves. CAIC will inject $750,000 of matching funds into the revolving loan fund to leverage the fund. Their intermediary Relending Program already has small business applications totaling almost $1.4 million on hand.
FBLA Students Win Regional and State Awards
Members of the DeKalb County High School's Future Business Leaders of America Club brought home awards from Regional and State Competitions this year.
The Regional competition was held March 6 at Cumberland University and all of the local
students placed in the top five of their competitions, making them eligible to compete at the State Competitions held in April. All students went beyond their assigned competition and
took some "open" event tests.
At the State Competitions in Chattanooga, local students competed against 1,871 students from all counties in Tennessee.
Luke Willoughby was elected State Vice-President for the 2008-2009 school year, and will represent Tennessee and DeKalb County at the National FBLA Conference in Atlanta in June.
Also this year, a DeKalb County student, John Malone, is the recipient of the Cumberland
University FBLA Scholarship.
At the Regional Competitions, the local winners are as follows:
City Businesses With Gambling Machines Now Subject to Prosecution
Businesses who have illegal gambling machines have now been warned and are now subject to being investigated by the Smithville Police Department
Smithville Police Chief Richard Jennings recently issued a news release stating that the department would begin enforcing the law regarding gambling machines as of Friday, May 9th.
Chief Jennings, in the news release, said "I have received several complaints from citizens in our community about illegal gambling devices in certain business establishments within the city limits of Smithville."
"I contacted the District Attorney General's Office and asked for a clarification of state law on possession of illegal gambling devices and their recommendation on the enforcement of the law. The Attorney General's office recommended giving ten days notice of the police department's intention to enforce the law regarding Possession of gambling devices. I have decided to follow their recommendation."
Sheriff Ray Releases Weekly Update on Recent Arrests
Sheriff Patrick Ray Monday released his weekly update on recent arrests made at the DeKalb County Jail.
Last Monday, May 5th, county detectives arrested 33 year old Tracy Dionne Schunke of Foster Road Apartments, Smithville.
Sheriff Ray says Schunke allegedly stole checks from a residence on Short Mountain Highway on April 22nd and went to a business in Alexandria and passed three checks totaling $490.
Schunke was charged with theft of property under $500 and three counts of passing a forged instrument. Her total bond is set at $16,000 and her court date is May 29th.
Also on Monday, 18 year old Josh Lorne Tate of Woodbury was arrested for simple possession of a schedule II drug (Dilaudid).
Sheriff Ray says county detectives and deputies stopped Tate at Wal-mart for suspicion of a theft and found a bottle in Tate's pocket containing three small yellow pills believed to be Dilaudid. Tate's bond was set at $1,000 and his court date is May 29th.
Mount Juliet Woman Dies From Injuries in Smithville Wreck
A 52 year old Mount Juliet woman, seriously injured in a two vehicle crash last Wednesday morning in Smithville, has died.
Trooper Dewaine Jennings of the Tennessee Highway Patrol says Donna Seat Randall died Saturday at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga where she was airlifted after the accident.
The near head-on crash occurred Wednesday morning on West Broad Street in front of the former location of Stribling Chevrolet.
Trooper Jennings says 19 year old Joshua Glen Kerley of Antioch Road, Smithville was driving west in a 2006 GMC Sierra pickup truck when he apparently fell asleep, crossed over into the eastbound lane, and struck a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse, driven by Randall.
Trooper Jennings says after making impact with the car, Kerley's truck overturned at least twice and came to rest upright on it's wheels in the eastbound lanes facing south. Randall's car wound up in the grass off the road also facing south.
The accident was reported to 911 at 5:19 a.m.
Woodbury Woman Drowns in Center Hill Lake
A 44 year old Woodbury woman has apparently become the first drowning victim on Center Hill Lake this year.
Dead is Sherry Mathis of Parch Corn Hollow Road, Woodbury.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says Mathis, her cousin (male), and two friends (male and female) were on a pontoon boat on the lake near Lakeside Resort when the incident occurred after 11:00 p.m. Friday night.
According to Sheriff Ray, "They were idling down the lake when she fell overboard."
The operator of the pontoon threw out a flotation device and then jumped in the water and grabbed her. He and the other two on board pulled Mathis back onto the boat. Her cousin began administering CPR but apparently could not revive her. She was brought back to Lakeside where DeKalb EMS picked her up. Mathis was transported to DeKalb Community Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Over $100,000 Raised During 11th Annual Relay for Life
DeKalb Countians opened up their hearts and their wallets in a big way Friday in the fight against cancer during the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
People of all ages filled Greenbrook Park for this 11th annual event to enjoy the food, games, music, and fellowship.
Co-Chair Iva Del Randolph says already $100,000 has been raised with more money still to come in.
In this overnight family-oriented event, participants walk relay-style around the track and take part in fun activities off the track. Cancer survivors took center stage during the opening ceremony to receive medallions and to give a personal testimony as to just how long they've been a survivor.
Six month old William Blair, son of Keith and Amanda Blair, and 9 year old Allison Rogers, daughter of Wes and Lori Rogers, were the honorary chairpersons for this year's Relay. Both Blair and Rogers are cancer survivors.
Board to Consider Feasibility of Portable Classrooms to Relieve Student Overcrowding at Elementary School
The Board of Education is considering the possibility of obtaining portable classrooms to relieve student overcrowding at Smithville Elementary School.
Four Retiring Teachers Honored by Board of Education
The DeKalb County Board of Education Thursday night honored four teachers who are retiring at the close of the school year.
Pam Vanatta and Sherry Bush of DeKalb Middle School and Carol Hale and Donna Davis of DeKalb West School were presented plaques of appreciation by Director of Schools Mark Willoughby for their dedication to the local school system.
Davis has been an educator for 42 years, Vanatta 40 years, Bush 32 plus years, and Hale 30 years.
Teachers who were recently granted tenure were also recognized including Ana Bain, Layra Crook, Donna Emmons, Holly Espinosa, Christina Ontiveros, Kristy Parsley, Karen Pelham, Bethany Rigsby, Fredrick Sanders, Lori Sexton, Amy Tobitt, Steve Trapp, Betsye Walker, and Vicki Wilson. Some of those teachers were not present during the meeting.
Meanwhile in other business, Director Willoughby has announced that he has employed the DeKalb County Support Staff for the 2008-2009 school year.
TDOT Commissioner Addresses Sligo Bridge Issue in Letter to County Mayor
The Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Gerald Nicely, has written a letter to County Mayor Mike Foster concerning the possible future replacement or rehabilitation of Sligo Bridge.
Foster made available copies of the letter to the local news media Thursday morning.
In the letter, Nicely states that " As I promised in our meeting in Chairman Phillip Pinion's office on May 5th, I am writing to confirm the department's intentions with respect to the Sligo Bridge. First, let me express my regret for the confusion which has led to the concerns of your community."
"As I stated in our meeting, I agree with the County's position that an 18-month closure is unacceptable and would have a severely negative impact on the area. Taken this as a given, we have two alternatives:"
TDOT May Not Close Sligo Bridge
There's good news about Sligo Bridge.
County Mayor Mike Foster says state officials have given him assurances that the bridge will not be closed over a period of months during future construction to repair or replace it.
Two Injured in Early Morning Wreck on West Broad Street
Two people were injured in a near head-on crash early Wednesday morning on West Broad Street in front of the former location of Stribling Chevrolet.
Trooper Dewaine Jennings of the Tennessee Highway Patrol says 19 year old Joshua Glen Kerley of Antioch Road, Smithville was driving west in a 2006 GMC Sierra pickup truck when he apparently fell asleep, crossed over into the eastbound lane, and struck a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse, driven by 52 year old Donna Seat Randall of Mount Juliet.
Trooper Jennings says after making impact with the car, Kerley's truck overturned at least twice and came to rest upright on it's wheels in the eastbound lanes facing south. Randall's car wound up in the grass off the road also facing south.
The accident was reported to 911 at 5:19 a.m.
According to Trooper Jennings, Kerley was enroute to his job with Jones Brothers Construction in Mount Juliet while Randall, who is employed at Raintree Manor in McMinnville, was also going to work.
Two Women Facing Drug Related Charges by Sheriff's Department
Two women are facing drug related charges in separate cases by the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department
30 year old Amy Vanderpool of Haley Road, Smithville was charged Wednesday with possession of drug paraphernalia.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says Vanderpool was at a market in Smithville when a deputy spotted her. The officer had knowledge of a violation of probation on Vanderpool and when he searched her pocketbook, the officer found three hypodermic needles and two straws. Vanderpool's bond was set a $1,000 and her court date is May 15th.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, 35 year old Kimberly Shawn Reed of Short Street, Smithville was stopped by a county deputy at the intersection of College Street and Highway 70 in Dowelltown. The officer received consent to search and Reed was found to have in her possession a pill crusher containing one pill believed to be Hydocodone and 2 ½ pills believed to be Soma.