The DeKalb County Teacher of the Year is Ina Ruth Bess.
Kathy Bryant, President of the DeKalb County Education Association, made the announcement during Thursday night’s Board of Education meeting.
A Teacher of the Year is selected at each of the five schools and one of them is chosen DeKalb County Teacher of the Year.
Ms. Bess was named Teacher of the Year at DeKalb County High School. She is now retired.
Bryant also recognized the other Teachers of the Year including Tom Hill of DeKalb Middle School, Shelia McMillen at DeKalb West School, Christie Young at Smithville Elementary School, and Carrie Gottlied at Northside Elementary School. McMillen was not present during Thursday night’s meeting.
Each teacher was awarded a cash prize and a gift from the DeKalb County Education Association.
Director of Schools Mark Willoughby presented his monthly report on personnel to the board.
Those who have resigned since last month include Rob Robinson, Special Education Assistant at DCHS; Michelle Fontanez, a teacher at DCHS, and Jonathan Fontanez, Assistant Principal at DCHS.
Those hired since the last meeting include Janet Green, part-time vision teacher; K. Wayne Taylor, substitute custodian; Helga Thompson, substitute teacher; and Viva Vickers, substitute bus assistant.
Those granted a leave of absence as requested are Kimberly Crook, teacher at DeKalb West School and Amy Fox, teacher at Smithville Elementary School.
The board was scheduled to adopt the tentative budget for 2007-08, but action was postponed until a special meeting set for June 26th at 7:00 p.m., because the final numbers from the state on funding are currently unavailable.
Judy Thomas of the DeKalb Youth Soccer League briefly addressed the board concering possible use of a field between Northside Elementary School and the Family Medical Center.
Chairman Johnny Lattimore said the board plans to meet in an informal workshop session in July to discuss the issue.
The board approved overnight trip requests for FFA students to attend a camp July 2-6 at Doyle and for the DCHS Golf Team to participate in a Golf Tournament at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina September 14-15.
Board member Charles Robinson recognized Willoughby for having done a good job during his first year as Director. Robinson and other board members applauded Willoughby on his performance. Willoughby became Director of Schools on July 1st, 2006
Author Archive: Dwayne Page
Don Chalfant, Sr.
65 year old Don Chalfant, Sr. of Smithville died Wednesday at his son’s residence. He was a member of the Buckner’s Chapel United Methodist Church, a retired TVA welder, and a Volunteer Pistole Club and I.D.P.A. member. The funeral will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Phil Tollett will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his father, Louis P. Chalfant and his wife, Marylin Kay Chalfant. Survivors include his children, Dawn and her husband Donnie Christian of Rock Island, and Donny Paul and his wife Carmella Chalfant of Smithville. Grandchildren, Lou Christian of Rock Island and Axyl Kane Chalfant of Smithville. His mother, Elizabeth M. Chalfant of Smithville. A brother, Jim and his wife Karen Chalfant of Florida. Nephews, David and his wife Suzy Chalfant of Florida, Jimmy Chalfant of Georgia, and Chris and his wife Lore Chalfant of Texas. An aunt, Ann Edelmann of New York. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. The family has asked that donations be made to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, in lieu of flowers.
Emogene Washer Niceley
81 year old Emogene Washer Niceley, a resident of Elizabethtown, Kentucky and a native of DeKalb County, died Tuesday at her residence. She was a member of the Memorial United Methodist Church for 43 years. She was an artist, a member of the Central Kentucky Art Guild, a member of the Elizabethtown Homemakers Club, and a Sales Consultant for Elizabethtown Florist for many years. The funeral will be Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Royce Martin will officiate and burial will be in Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Hood and Velma Pedigo Parsley; her first husband, Jesse Millard Washer; her second husband, Gil Niceley; and a brother, Warren B. Parsley. Survivors include three sons, Dennis and his wife Debbie Washer of Smithville, Don and his wife Barbara Washer, an Gary Washer of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. A sister, Mary Lou Wade of Ruffsdale, Pennsylvania. A brother, Paul and his wife Mary Parsley of Smithville. Six grandchildren, Joy Washer, Mallory and her husband Drew Barkley, John and his wife Charlise Washer, Caleb and his wife Mikki Bland, Lindsey Bland, and Meredith Bland. Three great grandchildren, Caitlin Washer, Gabriella Washer, and Jonathan Bland. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. The family has asked that donations be made to Jacob’s Pillar United Methodist Church, Lazarus House Hospice, or the American Cancer Society, in lieu of flowers.
Johnnie Pauline Cripps
87 year old Johnnie Pauline Cripps of Dowelltown died Wednesday at NHC Healthcare Center of Smithville. She was a retired factory worker at the Dowelltown Shirt Factory and a member of the Dry Creek Baptist Church. The funeral will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Donald Owen will officiate and burial will be in Salem Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Friday until the time of the service. She was preceded in death by her parents, John A. and Maude Rhody Cripps; a brother, Hobert Cripps; and a sister, Gertrude George. Survivors include a sister, Macon Aldrige of Pennsylvania. Four nephews, John Robert George of Florida, Harold George and Hank George both of McMinnville, and Wayne Cripps of Alexandria. Three nieces, Rebecca Vaughn of McMinnville, and two others out of state. One special friend, Alene Fuson of Smithville. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Robert Jack Bennett
80 year old Robert Jack Bennett of Hickman died Monday at his residence. The body is at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Home where the service will be Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. David Rich will officiate and burial will be in the Bennett Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Gordonsville Chapel on Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 11:00 a.m. He is survived by his wife, Edna Judkins Bennett of Hickman. Two sons, Ewin Bennett and Terry Bennett both of Hickman. A brother, Clyde Bennett of Gordonsville. Sisters, Hazel Moss of Lancaster, Gladys Williams of Hickman, Eula Cripps of the Dale Ridge Community, Winnie Overstreet of the Bowlings Branch Community, and Thelma McCaleb of Gordonsville. A sister-in-law, Lottie Bennett of Lancaster. The Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Second Annual Education Celebration Set for August 6th
The Second Annual Education Celebration for DeKalb County has been set for August 6th from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. downtown around the courthouse square.
The celebration is being organized by DeKalb County Board of Education Federal Programs Supervisor Michelle Burklow along with committee members Jennifer Mitchell, Angela Johnson, Pamela Poss, Suzette Barnes, Gina Denman, Melissa Pirtle, and Jamie Vickers.
This Education Celebration is nationally known as First Day of School America and is held annually in a lot of the bigger cities in the United States. Since 1997 the First Day Foundation organization has been assisting schools, families and communities to come together for a celebration on the First Day of each new school year to support education and begin a year-long partnership to promote student success. This is also a time that parents and students can become more familiar with the faculty, staff and PTO of the school that they are entering.
The community can support First Day in a number of ways. Community based organizations can provide materials and resources to parents to make them aware of services available to them in the community. Community leaders- mayors, city council members, clergy, businesses, corporate leaders and others can visit the schools and events and show their support. Local businesses partner with schools by donating products, services and volunteers to the First Day Celebration.
All five schools in DeKalb County will have a booth and be displaying a photo board with their staff and their individual credentials. Each school will also be represented by their school’s PTO about what the PTO does and how parents can help. The Lion’s Club Vision Screening van will be available that day for vision screenings, the DeKalb County Health Department will be represented with information, and the Tennessee Voices for Children and many other organizations will be there. School bus shuttle rides will be available. Parents are encouraged to park at Northside Elementary starting at 4:45 p.m.. There will be refreshments, inflatable jumping balloons and FREE school supplies.
This event is still in the planning stages and volunteers are needed. Business sponsors are also needed. If you would like to help with this event please call Michelle Burklow at 215-2107.
This celebration is totally free of charge to those who attend so make plans now to join the celebration, downtown Smithville on August 6th.
Odessa Sandlin Parkerson
83 year old Odessa Sandlin Parkerson of Alexandria died Sunday at DeKalb Community Hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at the New Hope Baptist Church. Ronnie Smith and Curt Wagoner will officiate and burial will be in the New Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Avant Funeral Home in Alexandria on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The body will be at the New Hope Baptist Church on Wednesday one hour prior to the service. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Pat Parkerson of Alexandria. A son-in-law, Franklin Kimbro of Antioch. Three grandchildren, Matthew and his wife Julie Kimbro of Alexandria, Kelly Parkerson of Alexandria, and Rachel Kimbro of Nashville. Great granddaughter, Keelan Kimbro of Alexandria. Sisters, Ruth Brockway of Houston, Texas and Jo Doris Flatt of Sebastin, Florida. A brother, Tony Sandlin of Detroit, Michigan. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Avant Funeral Home in Alexandria is in charge of the arrangements.
Violet Dean Jones
69 year old Violet Dean Jones of McMinnville died Monday at the Raintree Manor Nursing Home. She was disabled. Ms Jones was also a member of the Mount Hope The Baptist Church. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Garry McBride and Dwight Knowles will officiate and burial will be in the Jefferson Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. She was preceded in death by her parents, Erby and Mable Turner Jones; and a sister, Aletha Adcock. She is survived by four sisters, Thelma Earman of Harrisonburg, Virginia; Jeanette Redmon of Smithville; Rebecca Ervin of Smithville; and Jewel Wiser of McMinnville. Thirteen nieces and nephews, Joel Adcock of Smithville, Pamela Page of Smithville, Deborah Hodges of McMinnville, Penny Smith of McMinnville, Jeffery Earman of Virginia, Vicky Hartman of Virginia, Tongia Good of Virginia, Kimberly Violet of Smithville, Douglas Ervin of Smithville, Jill Phillips of McMinnville, Jan Phillips of McMinnville, Patrick Redmon of Ohio, and Tonia Bass of Smithville. Several great nieces and nephews also survive. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Local Woman Arrested on Drug Charges
A 20 year old DeKalb County woman was arrested on various drug charges Friday by the Sheriff’s Department after executing and serving a search warrant at her residence on Adcock Cemetery Road.
Arrested was 20 year old Kara Funk
Sheriff Patrick Ray says detectives, deputies, and K-9 dog Banshee found illegal drugs throughout Funk’s residence. Funk was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, syringes and a marijuana grinder, simple possession of a schedule IV drug (valium), sale and delivery of a schedule VI drug( marijuana) over 3 ounces, sale and delivery of a schedule III drug (Hydrocodone), and sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Dilaudid).
Funks’ bond is set at $125,000 and her court date is June 21st. The Tennessee Department of Revenue has been contacted for the collection of taxes on the drugs.
In other cases, 23 year old Roxanna Landis of Highland Street, Smithville was charged with DUI on Thursday, June 7th. Her bond was set at $1,000 and her court date is June 21st. Landis was observed driving on Hayes Street. She was stopped by an officer and performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.
23 year old Ryan Walden of Dale Ridge Road, Dowelltown was charged with burglary and theft of property under $500.00 on Friday, June 8th. Walden entered an outbuilding on West Main Street, Smithville without the owners consent. While inside, Walden took approximately 50 sets of deer antlers and sold them to a local business. Walden’s bond was set at $17,500 and his court date is June 21st.
32 year old Jeffery Spero of Neely’s Bend Road, Madison was involved in an accident on Highway 56 on Friday, June 8th. After the Deputy noticed a strong odor of alcohol, Spero was asked to perform field sobriety tasks which he performed poorly. Spero was charged DUI 2nd offense . His bond was set at $2,000 and his court date is June 28th.
22 year old Raymond Simpson of Church Street ,Dowelltown was charged with Public Intoxication, Resisting Arrest, and Assault on Friday, June 8th. After receiving a complaint in Dowelltown, Simpson was found in an intoxicated state having blood shot eyes, slurred speech and he was unsteady on his feet. When Simpson was told he was under arrest, he began fighting two of the Deputies. One of the Deputies was hit in the head, but did not need medical treatment. Raymond’s bond was set at $8,500 and his court date is June 28th.
Friday Radiothon Seeks Community Support, Donations for Construction of County’s Second Habitat for Humanity Home
DeKalb County’s affiliate chapter of Habitat for Humanity will hold its Radiothon Fundraiser on WJLE Friday morning, June 15th.
“This radiothon will be a main source of funds to put one local family into an affordable and decent home of their own,” says Nolan Turner, president of the local affiliate chapter. “I ask everyone who shares our commitment to help the less fortunate to consider making a donation.”
The Adams St. home will be built for Felicia Gibbs, a divorced single mother, and her children Dasia, 4, and Trystan Seth, 9 months old. Felicia grew up in Alexandria, attended DeKalb West Elementary School, and graduated from DeKalb County High School in 2001. The family met criteria used by Habitat to identify the best candidates for successful home ownership: demonstration of need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner with Habitat.
The group hopes to exceed the $25,000 raised on WJLE in August 2005. “We were overwhelmed with the response to our first radiothon, and are depending on that kind of community support once again,” says Tecia Pryor, chair of Habitat’s development committee and past president.
Radio listeners can phone in a pledge and challenge other members of the community to make a donation by calling 597-4265, 215-5316 and 215-5317 during the three hour event, hosted live on the local radio station from 9 until 12.
All money raised will be applied toward lot purchase, materials and services, with labor donated. Recipients of Habitat-built homes must make a downpayment and put in hours of “sweat equity” before construction can begin. After the house is built, they assume a 20-year interest-free mortgage for the purchase price, based solely on the price of materials and related services.
If Habitat reaches its fundraising goals, construction should begin later this summer. Estimated total costs are expected to exceed $40,000. Monthly mortgage payments should range between $200 and $300.
For more information, please contact these officers of the Habitat Board of Directors: Nolan Turner, president; Tecia Pryor, vice president and chair of the development committee; Nancy Lewis, secretary; or Glenda Davis, treasurer. You may also leave a message on the Habitat voicemail at 215-8181 and a board member will return your call.