Omega Apparel has a 20+ year history of producing dress uniforms for the US military and has a best-in-class reputation for quality, timely delivery, and customer service. But, does Omega Apparel really know fashion? They do now with the appointment of Shelley Sarmiento as Chief Strategy Officer and Design Director. Shelley is a 35-year fashion and apparel industry veteran who brings Omega instant credibility. One of Shelley’s signature accomplishments in her career is the founding of the White House Black Market Women’s Clothing Chain. Shelley grew the chain from 0 to 140 stores before selling to Chico’s in 2003. After selling to Chico’s, Shelley served as an Executive for Limited Brands/Victoria Secret. Shelley is also an alumnus and professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. FIT was recently ranked 3rd, as one of the most globally influential fashion universities. Shelley has local fashion connections in TN as well. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the O’More College of Design in Franklin and is an active member of the Nashville Fashion Alliance (NFA).
“Shelley is a rock star and we are incredibly fortunate to have her as an executive on the Omega Team” exclaimed Dean Wegner, President and CEO of Omega Apparel. Shelley was given 3 lofty challenges in her new role at Omega: build a full service design team to serve the fashion community, launch the Omega Brand contemporary fashion line, and build strong partnerships with the local colleges and universities. “Shelley is knocking it out of the park” continued Dean Wegner. “Not only are we servicing the local fashion industry in Nashville, but we have global customers like VF, Alfred Dunner, Golf Locker, Reese Witherspoon’s Draper James brand, and Kelly Slater’s OuterKnown brand, who are eager to partner with Omega.”.”
“I never thought I would be this excited to work for another company” shared Shelley Sarmiento. “For my entire career, I have sourced apparel overseas. I now have the opportunity to be a catalyst and help rebuild the US apparel industry, and launch a new Omega Brand that truly stands for being ‘Authentically American.’”
Shelley will share more about Omega Apparel’s strategic plans for becoming a major player in the fashion industry at the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for Omega Apparel’s new Nashville facility on Tuesday, January 12th. Nashville Mayor Barry will speak and participate in the ceremony.
Company Overview: Omega Apparel Incorporated is military veteran owned and the #1 supplier of dress trousers, slacks, and skirts for the US Military. Omega Apparel was founded in 1994 and now includes 4 Divisions: Military, Commercial, Omega Brand, and Private Label. Omega has a long history of always delivering on time and with the highest level of quality. Omega operates two Tennessee based production and design facilities in Nashville and Smithville. Omega is a principles and values based organization centered on 5 Foundations of Ownership, Customer, Quality, Efficiency, and Teamwork. Omega Apparel is both committed and proud to be 100% Made in the USA. To learn more visit http://omegaapparelinc.com/.

If you never completed high school and would like to obtain an equivalency diploma you have that opportunity in January.
A Free High School Equivalency Class Orientation will be January 19 & 20 at the County Complex at 722 South Congress Boulevard. Enter through the UT Extension/Motlow College Doors. Participants Must Attend All Sessions which begin each day at 5:00 p.m.
Linda Huddleston, Supervisor of Adult Education, and Carol Prichard, Counselor and Recruiter for the Adult Education Program urge you to participate. Mary Anne Carpenter is the class instructor
According to Huddleston, between 1,700 and 2,000 people in DeKalb County currently lack a high school diploma.
“We offer high school equivalency classes free to anybody 18 years of age and older who may lack a high school diploma. In this day and age a high school diploma is needed for anyone to go on to further training, college, university, or any kind of vocational certification. This is a pathway that many can use to finish what they once started. It (diploma) can be used to get promotions or apply for jobs. It opens a lot of doors that have never been an opportunity before for those folks who lack a diploma,” said Huddleston.
“We serve people from 18 to 70 years old. Some people come back just for the fulfillment of it. Something they didn’t have a chance to do before but it’s been a lifelong dream. Some people do it as an example for their kids. They know how important education is. They’ve lived it and they want to make sure their kids know how important it is that they finish. They want a better way to make a living. They want a family sustaining wage. That’s really our goal is to help them to get to that point,” she said.
“We offer on-going classes in DeKalb County. The classes are held in the county complex building on South Congress Boulevard. You enter through the UT Extension/Motlow College doors. We have a classroom in that section of the building. Anyone interested is asked to participate in the orientation process which gets them registered. It also gets them a placement test and lets us know how to begin to help them. Everything we do with them is free and all the instruction materials are free. But it is based on need. We need people participating in order to continue offering services in this area,” Huddleston continued.
” We meet twice a week on Monday and Thursday evenings. We have a class that meets from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. and another class that meets from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Once we see where someone tests in at the placement level we can determine if they would be in the earlier class or the later class,” she said.
“We want to fill in the gaps so we don’t try to spend a lot of time teaching what people already know. We look for what people need and focus our instruction that way. We monitor their progress and when they are ready, we will get them out as quickly as we can so they can test as soon as possible,” said Huddleston.
“We send them to a testing site once they’re ready and we help them get registered. They take the exam and then the company that makes the exam sends in the results. The state will then issue the high school equivalency diploma,” she said.
“The two closest testing sites are the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in McMinnville and the Applied Technology Center in Crossville but there are locations all across the state. Most of the people from DeKalb County go to McMinnville,” said Prichard.
“On occasion the testing dates at those sites may not work for you. If so the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development offers testing at their office in Nashville so if you are willing to make the trip and a Saturday schedule works best for you then we will help you get registered for that site as well,” added Huddleston.
“There is a cost to take the test but there is no cost for any of our services or instruction. For the Hi-Set test right now the cost is $75.00 which includes a sitting fee for the testing site. But the state of Tennessee has appropriated money and if you qualify under certain predictor tests criteria then the state will pay for your test at no cost to you. Essentially, you can come back to school for free and receive free instruction and materials and get your tests paid for if you meet all the criteria. Part of that criteria is that we give you a predictor test when you are ready for it and if you make certain cut off scores the state will pay for that test for you,” Huddleston said.
Anyone interested in taking the class may contact the Putnam County Adult Learning Center at 931-528-8685. “You may get in contact with us and we can tell you the dates of our next registration. That helps us plan for how many students we can anticipate when we come down here for the classes. We usually offer this once a month. If no one is in the office to answer the phone, just leave a message and we will call you back,” said Prichard.
“Our next orientation registration will be January 19 and 20. All you have to do is call and get on our list and we’ll give you the details and be ready to work with you when you come,” Huddleston concluded.

The DeKalb County unemployment rate for November was 6.7%, up from 6.6% in October but below 7.7% in November 2014.
The local labor force for November was 7,080. A total of 6,610 were employed and 480 were without work.
County unemployment rates for November show the rates decreased in 12 counties, increased in 59, and remained the same in 24 counties.
For the month of November, Davidson County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate at 4.2 percent. The Knox County rate was 4.4 percent, Hamilton County was 5.1 percent, and lastly Shelby County was 6.4 percent. All of these major metropolitan counties had an unemployment rate that remained unchanged from the previous month of October.
The state and national unemployment rates are seasonally adjusted while the county unemployment rates are not. Seasonal adjustment is a statistical technique that eliminates the influences of weather, holidays, the opening and closing of schools, and other recurring seasonal events from economic time series.

Students will return to school on Tuesday, January 5.
Monday, January 4 will be a stockpile day for teachers.
The remainder of the school calendar is as follows:
Schools will be closed for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 18; for President’s Day, Monday, February 15; and Good Friday, March 25.
Spring break will be March 28 through April 1
Students will not attend on Wednesday, May 25. That will be an administrative day and all teachers must attend. The last day of school will be Thursday, May 26 and report cards will be sent home.
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, March 17 at DeKalb County High School from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Parent-Teacher Conferences will also be held from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 22 at DeKalb Middle School, Northside Elementary, Smithville Elementary, and DeKalb West School.
DCHS report cards will be sent home on Tuesday, March 15 and at all other schools on Thursday, March 17. All schools will send home report cards on Thursday, January 7 and on Thursday, May 26

A bedroom fire caused some damage to a home on Cedar Drive Wednesday afternoon but a smoke alarm may have prevented greater destruction.
The fire occurred at the home of Gene and Vicky Foster at 262 Cedar Drive. It was reported at 2:50 p.m.
“A family member was at the house and discovered the fire in a bedroom closet after apparently hearing a smoke alarm alert. She alerted DeKalb 911 and the DeKalb County Fire Department was dispatched to the address. Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke coming from around the eaves of the home and located a fire in the back bedroom. Mr. and Mrs. Foster were out of town and the family member was able to get out the house safely,” said County Fire Chief Donny Green.
“Firefighters entered the home and successfully extinguished the fire in the back bedroom and then cleared the smoke from the home. The fire was contained to the bedroom and an area immediately outside the bedroom. However, the entire residence, as well as its contents, received extensive smoke and heat damage. The fire department, assisted by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, determined the fire to be accidental in nature and the likely source was an electrical connection in the bedroom wall outlet,” said Chief Green.
The DeKalb County Fire Department’s Short Mountain, Main, and Keltonburg stations responded, along with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, and DeKalb County Emergency Medical Services. The family is temporarily staying with relatives.

Four people were involved in a two car crash Wednesday night on Highway 146 near the Smithville city limits.
Trooper Chris Delong of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that 48 year old Melisa Petty of Smithville was traveling north in a 2007 Nissan Altima when she crossed into the southbound lane and struck an oncoming 1994 Ford Mustang driven by 36 year old Sunshine Martin of Smithville. Martin’s seven year old daughter was a passenger with her. Petty’s daughter, 28 year old Misty Ferrell of Smithville was in the car with her.
Members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department’s rescue team were called to perform extrication as Martin was trapped in her car. She was taken by DeKalb EMS to St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital and later transported by ground ambulance to Vanderbilt hospital. The others were not seriously injured.
Trooper Delong said Petty was cited for no insurance and for not exercising due care.
DeKalb EMS and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department were also on the scene.

A DeKalb County man was caught last week trying to get rid of some methamphetamine when officers arrived at his home to serve a warrant on him for a separate offense
41 year old Kevin Donald Bogle of Barnes Mill Road, Smithville is charged with possession of methamphetamine and tampering with evidence. His bond is $20,000 and he will make a court appearance January 21.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Tuesday, December 22 sheriff’s department detectives and a deputy went to a residence on Barnes Mill Road to serve a warrant on Bogle. While there the officers found Bogle trying to pour something from a small bag down the sink. The deputy overheard Bogle say to his brother, “I was trying to get it down the sink”. A field test determined the substance Bogle was trying to get rid of was methamphetamine with a total weight of 2.7 grams.
34 year old Shanna May Bogle of Antioch Road, Smithville is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. Her bond is $3,500 and she will make a court appearance on January 21.
Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, December 28 a deputy and detective went to a home on Antioch Road after receiving information about a felon in possession of a firearm. While there the officers spoke with Bogle who was found to be living at this residence. After receiving consent to search from the homeowner the officers found three firearms. A criminal history revealed that Bogle had a felony drug conviction in 2014.
20 year old Kevin Wade Hedgecoth, Jr. and Mitchell Allen Huffaker of Crossville are each charged with possession of a schedule VI drug for resale. Bond for each is $5,000 and they will make a court appearance on January 21.
Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, December 21 a deputy received a tip from another officer that a vehicle was possibly transporting marijuana. The officer located the automobile at the Kwik N Ezy convenience market in Smithville. The driver, Huffaker was inside the store. When Huffaker came out of the market, the deputy spoke to him. As Huffaker opened the car door to reach for his license, the deputy detected an odor of marijuana coming from Huffaker’s vehicle. Hedgecoth was a passenger. During a search of the automobile 3.17 ounces of marijuana were found in the middle console. Both Hedgecoth and Huffaker were arrested after admitting that they had put their money together to buy the marijuana.
33 year old David Allen Cobb of Luttrell Avenue is charged with vandalism. His bond is $1,500 and he will make a court appearance on January 28.
Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, December 18 while being booked at the jail, Cobb tore a water fountain from the wall. Cobb was restrained, handcuffed, and placed back in the holding cell.
23 year old Joseph Matthew Giles of Buffalo Valley is cited for simple possession. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, December 21 Giles was found to be in possession of four suboxone pills. The citation was issued by a sheriff’s department detective. Giles’ court date is January 21.
22 year old Christopher Kyle Atnip of Cookeville Highway, Smithville is cited for simple possession of a schedule III drug (suboxone). A deputy issued the citation on December 23. Sheriff Ray said Atnip was found with a plate containing a white powdery substance which Atnip allegedly said was a suboxone pill that he had crushed. Atnip could not produce a prescription for suboxone. Atnip’s court date is January 28.
19 year old Johnnie Horton of Students Home Road, Smithville is cited for simple possession of a schedule VI drug (marijuana). Sheriff Ray said that a deputy initiated a traffic stop on December 27 after spotting a vehicle with a head light out. After making the stop, the officer found a bag containing 1.3 grams of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana in a cup holder where Horton was sitting on the passenger side in the back seat. Horton will be in court on January 21.

The Chief Executive Officer of DTC Communications has stepped down
Craig Gates has announced that he is taking a new opportunity in Montana. Steve Johnson has been named interim CEO until the DTC Board names a successor to Gates.
In the latest publication of “The DTC Connection”, Gates thanked the DTC membership. “I arrived in 2011 and have spent four great years here at DTC. We made many changes to the organization during my leadership here at DTC. The most important change has been developing and living up to our mission statement to be the best service provider that adds value to all of our customers’ needs by exceeding their expectations.”
Gates also wrote “I will miss many of the people that I have come to know while here in Tennessee. Thank you members. You are what DTC is all about”.
Gates came to DTC in September, 2011 as a 27-year veteran of the telecommunications industry.
He started his career in 1984. Prior to coming here he served as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Project Mutual, a cooperative located in Rupert, Idaho.

Residents in a portion of the county seeking water services from the DeKalb Utility District turned out for a public hearing Tuesday night at the courthouse.
The purpose of the hearing was to give these residents an opportunity to express their support for the filing of an application to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development for a Community Development Block grant to help fund the extension of water lines to their neighborhood.
The county has applied for and been denied the grant twice within the last two years. But this time in order to improve its chances, the county plans to ask for a little less grant money while the DUD has committed to ante up more. The total project cost would be the same.
In January, the DeKalb County Commission is expected to adopt a resolution making application for the grant which would be $501,000 with a $120,000 local match by the DUD.
Amanda Mainord of Grassroots Planning & Consulting, grant administrator, said the project would serve at least thirty eight households on Tramel Branch, Oakley Road, Carter Lane, Old Givens Hollow, and the Dismal to Alexandria Road. Officials say many of these residents have to live with poor quality water or little or no water.
“Before we do anything else we have to have a public hearing to see what the public interest is. There are several different things we could apply for including sewer systems, water systems, fire trucks, ambulances, etc. But the consensus tonight is to apply for this water line extension project. I will be contacting residents who live on those roads over the next couple of months and the utility district will be doing well testing again to check for bacteria in the water. We will then compile all that information in an application for the grant at the end of February,” said Mainord.
“The goal of the Community Development Block Grant is to serve low income communities. We have to prove that at least 51% of the area is low income. The more people who live in the area makes our costs per person lower. Last year’s survey showed about 40 families in the area or about 113 people. I’ve been told that several other families have moved in since the last survey,” Mainord continued.
The grant application is due by the end of February. “I’ll submit the application to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. The staff there will review the applications and rank them in comparison with other grant applications for water line extension projects. They will go out and visit the area and count the number of houses. After ranking the list, they will submit it to the Governor’s office. Last year about twelve water line extension grants were approved. This year they only approved seven,” Mainord concluded.
It may be next fall before its known if the grant is approved.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security has announced that beginning January 4, 2016, Tennesseans will be able to renew their driver license every eight years instead of five years. The change will include all classifications of driver licenses and identification licenses.
To make the conversion, the self-service Kiosk in the DeKalb County Clerk’s Office will be unavailable due to scheduled system maintenance from Wednesday, December 30 at 4:30 p.m. through Monday, January 4, 2016 8:00 a.m. according to County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss.
The DeKalb County Clerk’s Office will be open Thursday, December 31 but will be closed Friday and Saturday, January 1 & 2.
The legislation to increase the renewal years was proposed during the 2015 legislative session. Senator Nicely and Representative Goins introduced the bill to help decrease wait times and improve customer traffic flow at driver services centers.
“This is another step to improve the quality of our driver services and help better serve the existing population as well as plan for future growth here in Tennessee,” Commissioner Bill Gibbons said. “It’s our goal to enhance our driver services and provide convenient options for our customers.”
The new eight year license will include all forms of driver licenses and identification licenses, including commercial driver license and motorcycle license.
“We are pleased with the support of the Governor and the members of the General Assembly who continue to work with our department to improve our driver services division to better serve our growing state,” Gibbons said.
The mission of the Driver Services Division is to promote safe, knowledgeable, and competent drivers in the State of Tennessee. For a full listing of center and kiosk locations, visit our website at www.tn./gov/safety and click on our Driver Services page.