Forty students graduated from DeKalb West School on Tuesday, May 24 during a special ceremony before administrators, students, family and friends.
Principal Sabrina Farler presented the Principal’s award to students who scored all A’s their 8th grade year. Students honored were Trenten Shores, Holly Evans, Christian Trail, Cody Antoniak, Dallas Cook, Peyton Harris, Alexis Gammons, Clayton Crook, and Haley Dies.
Picking up Academic Awards in Math were Dallas Cook with a score of 98 from Karen France’s homeroom, and Holly Evans, Haley Dies, and Trenten Shores, who all tied with a perfect score of 100, from Cynthia Wilson’s homeroom. Shores was also honored with the Tennessee Math Competition award. In Science, Dallas Cook and Makenzie Ray tied with a grade of 99 from France’s room, and Holly Evans, Haley Dies, and Trenten Shores, again all tied with 100 from Wilson’s room. In English/Language Arts: Christian Trail won with 96 from France’s homeroom and Holly Evans picked up the award with a 99 from Wilson’s homeroom. In History, Dallas Cook and Christian Trail tied with the top score of 98 from France’s room, and Holly Evans had the top score with 99 from Wilson’s homeroom. Andrea Coleman and Sara Carver won the writing awards from Wilson’s and France’s homerooms respectively.
The PAWS Most Improved award went to Taylor Gibbs in Wilson’s room and Migel Quintero in France’s class. The Citizenship awards were handed out to Holly Evans and Clayton Crook in Wilson’s room and Peyton Harris and Sara Carver in France’s room. Picking up honors from the activity teachers were Jake Isbell, Andrea Coleman, and Cody Antoniak in Art; Trenten Shores and Braeden Jett in P.E.; Chelsea Cantrell and Mariah Mofield in Computer.
Lisa Hayes presented the Georgia Young Award in honor of her mother and late DWS Cafeteria Manager to Taylor Gibbs.
Perfect Attendance awards were presented to Seth Harris, Clayton Crook, and Peyton Harris. They were present every school day, were never late and never left the school day early.
Librarian awards were given to Christian Trail with 3,360.4 Accelerated Reader points, Dallas Cook (1847), Holly Evans (1338), Mariah Mofield (1097.8), and Alexis Gammons (1014.5). Trail won the Amanda Mullinax Librarian Award for earning the most Accelerated Reader points during his school career at DWS. He won that honor for the 4th year in a row.
Junior Beta students were recognized with certificates for their service work performed for the school, church, and community this school year. Haley Dies (71.75 hours), Holly Evans (70.75 hours), Cody Antoniak (23.5 hours), Peyton Harris (23.5 hours), Dallas Cook (20.5 hours), Clayton Crook (18.25 hours), Trenten Shores (16.25 hours), Sara Carver (13.5 hours), Noah Roberts (12.25 hours), and Christian Trail (11.5 hours). A local committee also nominated Holly Evans to the National Beta Club’s Most Valuable Player award titled the John W. Harris Award, named after the organization’s founder.
The names of students who walked the line at 8th grade graduation are as follows: Cody Landon Antoniak, Elijah Thomas Aucoin, Gabriel Lewis Aucoin, Shawn Wayne Bishop, Chelsey Colette Cantrell, Ethan Laine Cantrell, Sara Beth Carver, Alaysia Chalet Christian, Andrea Coleman, Matthew Dallas Cook, Latravia Shea Cox, Clayton Nathaniel Crook, Colton Wayne Curtis, Dylan Tyler Denson, Haley Elizabeth Dies, Holly Caroline Evans, Austin Lee Foster, Taylor Lynn Foutch, Alexis Jade Gammons, Taylor Nicole Gibbs, Peyton Allen Harris, Seth Harris, Douglas Anthony Hendrixson, Preston Lee Ingram, Jake Cole Isbell, Braedon Christopher Jackson Jett, Mariah Shea Mofield, Mattalynn Hope Mofield, Juan Migel Quintero, Alleyona Rader, Makenzie Dawn Ray, Derrin Wayne Reeder, Makayla Jean Riddle, Noah Brown Roberts, Trenten Shores, Kirra Evan Smith, Dayton Nicholas Tittel, Christian Aron Trail, Justus Clint Tramel, and Kendra Shea Whitehead.

A petition has been presented to the election commission asking for a referendum in Smithville on permitting grocery stores to sell wine.
DeKalb County Administrator of Elections, Dennis Stanley, said the petition has been verified with the number of signatures required to get the question on the November 8 election ballot subject to approval by the election commission.
“A wine at retail food stores referendum may only be called by petition of registered voters in jurisdictions which have held and passed either a referendum to authorize retail package stores or a referendum to authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises,” said Stanley.
“Two years ago Smithville voters approved retail package stores, thus making the city eligible for wine at retail food stores,” he said. “To call a wine at retail food stores referendum, a petition must be signed by 10% or more of the registered voters casting a ballot for governor in the last city election.”
In addition, the petition has to be filed with the election commission no later than 75 days before the upcoming November election. That requirement
has also been met.
If the effort is successful, that will be the second liquor referendum on the ballot in November. A petition to call for an election to authorize alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises has already been turned in and Stanley said there were enough names to put the issue on the ballot.
Both referendums apply only to the City of Smithville. He also noted that no liquor referendum may be placed on the same ballot or conducted on the same day of a primary election.
“The city will conduct its normal election on August 4, but that election falls on the same day as the Tennessee State Primary,” Stanley said. “As a result, the liquor referendums must be held in November.
“A Retail food store” is defined in the law as a business that derives at least 20 percent of its sales from the retail sale of food and food ingredients and has floor space of at least 1,200 square feet. The law requires that food sales be those types of sales taxed at the lower, 5 percent state rate, rather than the higher sales tax rate applied to sales of prepared food. It appears that this definition will prevent most convenience stores and gas stations from obtaining licenses to sell wine.
If voters approve the sale of wine in grocery stores, the Alcoholic Beverage Commission will be the body to issue “retail food store wine licenses”.
Applicants must submit a certificate from the city, signed by the mayor, stating that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony in the past ten years and that the applicant has a location for their business inside the city limits. If a city fails to issue a certificate to an applicant within 60 days after receiving a written application, the commission will waive the certificate requirement.
Store ownership is not required in order to receive a license, as store owners may enter into franchise or management agreements with licensees. Cities may not limit the number of retail food store wine licenses to be issued in their jurisdiction nor require that applicants reside in the city.
Grocery stores located within 500 feet of package stores may not obtain licenses to sell wine until July 1, 2017, unless the package store owner provides written permission to the commission. Any package store owner who refuses such permission cannot sell those additional items permitted by the law until such time as the grocery store obtains permission to sell wine.

The DCHS Tigerettes lost to Waverly Central 6 to 2 in the second round of the TSSAA Class AA Girls Softball Tournament in Murfreesboro Wednesday night.
DeKalb County scored 2 runs in the 3rd inning but Waverly scored 5 runs in the 4th inning and 1 run in the 5th inning. The game was halted in the bottom of the 5th inning for a one hour rain delay.
The Tigerettes scored 2 runs on 4 hits and made 4 errors. Waverly scored 6 runs on 4 hits and made 1 error.
Kayley Caplinger and Myranda Bailiff each had a single. Katie Hall had 2 singles.
Kayley Caplinger gave up 6 runs on 4 hits through 7 innings. She struck out 2 and walked 2.
The Tigerettes will meet Chester County (28-16) in the losers bracket of the tournament Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m. at Starplex #2 field Murfreesboro. WJLE will have LIVE coverage.
If the Tigerettes win, they will face either White House Heritage or Dyersburg at 4:00 p.m. at the same location.

The DCHS Tigerettes knocked off Dyersburg 5 to 3 in the first round of the TSSAA Class AA Girls Softball Tournament Tuesday in Murfreesboro.
DeKalb County (34-4-1) will face Waverly (36-10-2) on Wednesday, May 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the Starplex # 2 field in Murfreesboro. WJLE will have LIVE coverage.
The Tigerettes scored 2 runs in the 1st inning and 3 runs in the 2nd inning while Dyersburg scored 1 run in the 1st inning and 2 runs in the 7th.
DeKalb County scored 5 runs on 7 hits and made 2 errors. Dyersburg scored 3 runs on 4 hits and made 1 error.
Kayley Caplinger, the winning pitcher, gave up 3 runs on 4 hits through 7 innings. She struck out 7 and walked 2.
Tyra Graham had 2 hits including a 2 run homerun in the 2nd inning. Lexi Bates and Katie Hall each had 2 singles and Hannah Walker singled.

A DeKalb County man was arrested twice last week over domestic incidents with his wife.
49 year old William Boyce Butler of Lee Braswell Road, Smithville is charged with aggravated assault. His bond is $10,000 and he will make a court appearance on May 26.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Wednesday, May 18 a deputy was dispatched to Butler’s residence on Lee Braswell Road in reference to a physical domestic involving a firearm. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Butler’s wife who said that she and her husband got into an argument over him being intoxicated. As she tried to leave home, Butler pushed her down and said she was not going to leave. Butler allegedly grabbed his wife and put a pistol to her head and said he would kill her. Butler was placed under arrest.
Two days later on Friday, May 20 Butler was arrested again, this time for violation of an order of protection or bond conditions. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court on May 26. After receiving a report that Butler might still be having contact with his wife in violation of his bond conditions, a deputy conducted a welfare check at the Butler residence and saw Butler drive up in a pickup truck with his wife in the passenger seat. Butler was arrested again.
68 year old Shirley Ann Gibbs of Sims Street, Dowelltown is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $1,500 and she will make a court appearance on May 26. Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, May 20 upon returning home, Gibbs noticed that all her clothes had been splattered with bleach. Also in the home were Gibbs’ daughter and a man. Gibbs became upset and started yelling at her daughter who was on a bed and the back bedroom. Gibbs also shoved the man backwards into the bathroom after observing him standing in a doorway operating a video camera. Gibbs was placed under arrest.
38 year old Agustin Martinez-Gonzalez and 31 year old Rodrigo Gonzalez-Garduno are each charged with public intoxication. Bond for each is $1,500 and they will be in court June 2. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, May 21 a deputy was dispatched to Midnight Express on Sparta Highway and upon arrival spoke with Gonzales and Garduno who appeared to be intoxicated. Employees of the club said that Gonzales and Garduno had earlier complied with requests to leave the premises but they later returned to the parking lot of the club. Upon the officer’s arrival, Gonzales and Garduno started walking down Sparta Highway. They were found to have a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on them and they were unsteady on their feet. Both were placed under arrest for public intoxication.
27 year old Daniel Lee Preston of Woodbury is charged with driving under the influence. He was also cited for a violation of the implied consent law. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court June 16. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, May 21 a deputy responded to a wreck at Sligo Marina. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Preston who said he was operating a vehicle which backed into another automobile involved in the wreck. Preston had a strong odor of alcohol on his person. His speech was slurred and he was very unsteady on his feet. Preston told the officer that he had consumed five or six beers within the previous hour or two. Preston refused to submit to field sobriety tasks and a blood test.
24 year old Roman Lopez of Bowling Green, Kentucky is charged with driving under the influence. He was also issued citations for no driver’s license, no vehicle registration, no insurance, driving on roadways laned for traffic, and violation of the implied consent law. His bond is $1,500 and he will make a court appearance on June 16. Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, May 22 while responding to a call with his lights and siren activated, a deputy started to pass Lopez’s vehicle on Dale Ridge Road when Lopez swerved into the officer’s lane of travel almost forcing him off the road. The deputy pulled over Lopez and noticed that he had a strong odor of alcohol on him. His eyes were also bloodshot. When asked to get out of the automobile, Lopez complied but stumbled onto the roadway and almost walked into oncoming traffic. The officer pulled him to safety. Due to the language barrier Lopez could not understand the deputy’s instructions for administering field sobriety tasks. No tasks were given.

In an effort to shore up revenues to help fund the operation, the DeKalb County Commission Monday night voted to raise ambulance service billing rates, effective July 1 based on a recommendation by the budget committee.
The Basic Life Support rate will go from $350 to $500. The rate for Advance Life Support will increase from $450 to $600 and the Advance Life Support 2 fee will jump from $650 to $700.
Mileage charges will also increase from $10.50 per mile to $12.00 per mile.
“The budget committee is recommending this to try and get more revenue for the ambulance service. The reason why we (county commission) are voting now is so we can get this effective July 1 with the billing company. Insurance companies will be billed these rates,” said County Mayor Tim Stribling.
The new rates will also be more in line with what other counties in the area charge. “We got some information on rates in surrounding counties. Smith County’s rate for Advance Life Support is $550, $750 for Life Support Level 2, and $450 for Basic Life Support. Smith County’s mileage charge is $13.50,” said Stribling.
“White County’s Basic Life Support rate is $346.50. Their rate for Advance Life Support Level 1 is $424 and $559 for Advance Support Level 2 and their mileage is $10.50.”
“In Warren County all runs are at a base rate of $500 except specialty runs at $650. Their cost per mile is $11.00.”
“Cannon County’s Basic Life Support is $500. Advance Life Support is $550. Life Support Level 2 is $700. Their charge per mile is $13.00,”
“Macon County’s Basic Life Support is $444. Their Advance Life Support is $527. The Life Support Level 2 is $762 and their cost per mile is $12.80,” Stribling said.
In other business, the commission gave approval for the DeKalb County Young Farmers & Ranchers to use the county complex parking lot on Friday, June 24 to register participants from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the annual “Giggin’ for Grads” frog gigging tournament that night. Proceeds will benefit the Agricuture Scholarship Fund. The weigh-in will be Saturday morning, June 25 at 1:00 a.m.
The commission granted a lease of two vacant lots owned by the county for use by the Jamboree Committee during the annual Fiddlers Jamboree in July.
A lease renewal was approved with UCHRA for office space in the county complex. The original lease was from July 11, 2011 to June 30, 2016 for $40,545 per year or $3,378 per month at $9.00 per square foot. The commission approved a new five year lease at the same rate.
Meanwhile the five member DeKalb County Board of Equalization will convene June 1, 2, 3, 6, & 7 for its yearly session to consider appeals from property owners regarding their assessments. In April the commission reappointed Phillip Hendrix and Carl Dwayne Webb to the Board while the Smithville Aldermen in May reappointed Russell Watson as the city’s representative on the board. The county commission had also appointed Robert Robinson but he later notified County Mayor Tim Stribling that he could not serve. Since then County Mayor Stribling has appointed Doyle Evans and Jimmy Goad to the board.

Fifth graders at DeKalb West School received certificates during the annual D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony held Tuesday.
The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program was conducted by D.A.R.E. Instructor and Chief Deputy Don Adamson of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.
Each student prepares an essay during the course and those with the best essays from each class are recognized and awarded. This year’s essay winners at DeKalb West School are Emma Martin and Aniston Farler. The fifth grade teachers are Jeanna Caplinger and Nadina Manganiello.
Martin was the over-all winner and she read her essay during Tuesday’s program. In addition to the award, prizes, and recognition, Martin gets to keep “Daren the Lion” the D.A.R.E. Mascot and she received a $50 check from Judge Bratten Cook II.
In addition to Sheriff Patrick Ray and Chief Deputy Adamson, others on hand for the ceremony were DeKalb West School Principal Sabrina Farler, Assistant Principal Joey Agee, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps, Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack, Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen, County Mayor Tim Stribling, Trustee Sean Driver, County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss, Assessor of Property Scott Cantrell, Road Supervisor Butch Agee and employees of the Sheriff’s Department.
Fifth graders in Jeanna Caplinger’s class are:
Cameron Bailey, Jeanine Boody, Gavin Conger, Luke Driver, Rebecca Eastes, John Ellis, Noah Evans, Aniston Farler, Lane Goss, Aly Griffith, Emily Hendrixson, Hailey Hendrixson, John Iervolino, Jr., Olivia Knowles, Devon Maxwell, Bralin Moss, Lexie Overstreet, Joel Rader, Kortnee Skeen, Jarrod Smith, Jr., and Destiny Strickland.
Fifth graders in Nadina Manganiello’s class are:
Isaac Brown, Caleb Dies, Abbi Gann, Jackson Gibbs, Bonnie Hale, Kailyn Jordan, Jamison Marlar, Emma Martin, Madison Martin, Will Mathis, Alex Moreno, Matt Nokes, Braxton Page, Audrey Pierce, Madison Tarpley, Faith Tripp, Ellie Vaughn, and Brett Walker.

The community is encouraged to rally in a show of support for fallen heroes during a Memorial Day program Monday morning, May 30 at the DeKalb County Complex.
The guest speaker will be Major Jerry Parker of Murfreesboro.
Parker is a retired vice president and director of American General Life and Accident Insurance Company in Nashville. He graduated from the University of Tennessee where he received his officer’s commission through the Army ROTC program. He served with the Fourth Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington before going to Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. Following his active duty service, he served in the Army Reserve for ten years and was discharged with the rank of major. He is a member of the American Legion Post 5 in Nashville.
Sponsored by the American Legion #122, the entertainment program will begin at 9:30 a.m. with Susan Hinton and Three Parts Grace performing followed by the main program at 10:00 a.m. featuring the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Edward Frazier, and prayers by Chuck Olsen and Larry Green. Commander William Edmonds will make welcome remarks and Judy Redmon of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary will remember the fallen. A poem in tribute to veterans will be read followed by a Memorial Day message from Major Parker. Ronnie Redmon of the American Legion will adjourn the program at the complex after which attendees will be asked to gather at the veteran’s memorial monument at the courthouse for the laying of a wreath and taps.

This May, drug courts and other treatment courts throughout Tennessee will join over 2,900 such courts nationwide in celebrating National Drug Court Month. By May 31, thousands of individuals who entered the criminal justice system addicted to drugs and facing incarceration will receive life-saving treatment and the chance to repair their lives, reconnect with their families and find long-term recovery. Treatment courts are now considered the foundation of criminal justice reform and the most effective strategy to reduce substance abuse, crime and recidivism while saving money for taxpayers. The time has come to expand these programs so they can reach every seriously addicted individual who comes into contact with the justice system.
This year’s National Drug Court Month theme is “Criminal Justice Reform in Action.” Since the late 1980’s, drug courts have paved the way for significant criminal justice reform in the US. Without the innovative, evidence-based treatment these programs provide, more than 1.4 million Americans would not be living in recovery from addiction. The expansion of the adult drug court model into other types of treatment courts that serve families, juveniles, repeat driving while impaired (DWI) offenders, and veterans is transforming how the justice system responds to addiction and mental health and proving that treatment is far more effective than punishment.
In 2003, the first drug court in Tennessee opened its doors with a simple premise: rather than continue to allow individuals with long histories of drug abuse and crime to cycle through the criminal justice system at great expense to the public, use the leverage of the court to keep them engaged in treatment long enough to be successful. Today, drug courts and other treatment courts have proven that a combination of accountability and compassion can not only save lives, but save valuable resources and reduce exorbitant criminal justice costs.
More research has been published on the effects of drug courts than virtually all other criminal justice programs combined. In 2012, the US Government Accountability Office submitted a report to Congress confirming drug courts reduce substance abuse and crime and save money. Nationally, drug courts return to the community up to $27 for every $1 invested. Drug courts reduce crime by up to 50%, and the longest study to date shows reductions lasted an astounding 14 years. Moreover, studies show that the more serious an individual’s drug addiction and the longer his or her criminal record, the better treatment courts work. This approach not only diverts individuals from a life of substance abuse and crime, but has been proven to reduce use of jail or prison beds, emergency room admissions, family conflicts associated with domestic violence and child abuse, and foster care placements.
Tennessee is now home to courts in 75 counties and in 28 judicial districts and is setting a national standard for smart-on-crime justice policies that reduce recidivism and save money. These programs keep our roads safe from impaired drivers, intervene before youth embark on a debilitating life of substance abuse and crime, give parents the tools they need to stay clean and maintain custody of their children, and ensure our veterans receive the benefits and treatment they have earned.
The DeKalb County Drug Court is committed to assisting with the intervention, treatment and rehabilitation of non-violent drug offenders who desire to change their lives and break the cycle of drug dependency. The program consists of a minimum of 52 weeks of treatment, which includes inpatient and outpatient treatment. Treatment is holistic and involves not only alcohol and drug treatment but also other activities, living arrangements, educational/vocational requirements, etc. There are 4 phases of treatment designed to help break the pattern of drug dependency and arrest.
Participants must meet weekly with a Probation Officer, Case manager and have a weekly review before the Drug Court Judge. Participants are randomly drug screened at a minimum of 3 times per week, every week. Drug Court participants attend outpatient treatment weekly at Haven of Hope Counseling, attend local NA/AA meetings and undergo individual counseling also through Haven of Hope.
The Drug Court Team meets weekly and is comprised of Judge “Butch” Cook II, Drug Court Coordinator Norene Puckett, Drug Court Case Managers Rhonda Harpole and Kristy Longmire, Asst. District Attorney Stephanie Johnson, Asst. Public Defender Allison West, Haven of Hope Counseling, DeKalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray, and Probation Officer Holly Baugh to oversee each participant’s treatment. Participants are given sanctions for infractions of program rules, but are also recognized and provided incentives for accomplishments in other areas of their lives that promote drug-free, pro-social, law-abiding, behavior.
DeKalb County Drug Court would like to thank local sponsors who have donated goods or services to the program to offer as incentives to participants: DeKalb Florist, Gentlemen’s Barber-Jackie Cantrell, Creative Styles’ Stylists- Jayrah Cooper, Misty Martin, Rhonda Moore and Emily Webb, Wild Thyme, DeKalb County Complex Gym, McDonalds, & Scentsy Consultant Kim Carr. If your business would like more information on sponsoring the program please contact Norene Puckett at 615-215-8690 or norene.drugcourt@gmail.com.
On May 15, 2016 drug court staff along with former graduates, current participants and their families and friends gathered at Greenbrook Park in Smithville for a cook-out and fellowship.

For the third year in a row and the eighth time in program history, the DCHS Tigerettes have punched their ticket to the TSSAA Class AA Softball Tournament. They defeated Red Bank 12-0 in five innings in a Sub-State game Saturday at the Danny Bond Field.
The Tigerettes (33-4-1) will play Dyersburg (39-5) in the first game of the state tournament Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at McKnight Park #1 in Murfreesboro. WJLE will have LIVE coverage.
In the game Saturday, DeKalb County scored 12 runs on 12 hits and made no errors. Red Bank was held scoreless on 1 hit and made no errors.
The Tigerettes scored 8 runs in the 1st inning and 4 runs in the 4th inning.
Kayley Caplinger was the winning pitcher.
Tyra Graham had a homerun and a double.
Hannah Walker got a double and 2 singles
Lexi Bates, Myranda Bailiff, and Kayley Caplinger each had 2 singles.
Dani Meadows singled.