Are you having trouble managing your diabetes? You are not alone. Your DeKalb County Health Department and Justin Potter Library is partnering together to offer the, Take Charge of Your Diabetes Program. According to Michal Deaver, Health Educator at the DeKalb County Health Department, this is a series of workshops, every Wednesday from September 16th –October 21st. from 12:30p.m.-2:30p.m. Classes will be held at the Justin Potter Library in Smithville.
Join the Take Charge of Your Diabetes Program to learn how to control your blood sugar, manage medications and prevent health problems. Get great nutrition and exercise tips. With the right information and support, anyone with diabetes can lead a healthy lifestyle.
To register or to find out more about the workshop please stop by the Justin Potter Library or the DeKalb County Health Department both located in Smithville, TN

The Tennessee Department of Transportation has scheduled a public information meeting tonight (Thursday, August 20) on a project to reconstruct State Route 56 from south of the Warren County line to Magness Road in DeKalb County.
Bids are to be opened in December.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW MAP)Dekalb 56 Location Map (EPD).pdf (307.76 KB)
The public meeting will be Thursday, August 20 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the DeKalb County Complex at 712 South Congress Boulevard in Smithville. The meeting will consist of a presentation of the project followed by a question and answer session. The public is invited to ask questions and make comments during the meeting. Representatives of TDOT will be present to answer questions on any aspect of the project.
Funding for the construction, $6.8 million, is included in the state’s 2015-16 budget under the general Expedited Project Delivery (EPD) category of the 2015-17 three year work program. However, the new stretch of highway to be built will look different from TDOT’s original, more costly plan.
Instead of building a four lane divided and five lane road, TDOT now proposes to build a two lane undivided section containing two 12 foot travel lanes and two 12 foot shoulders (10 feet paved). This proposed project will maintain corridor preservation and allow for future expansion. The project is 3.25 miles in length.
Meanwhile plans are available for public inspection at the offices of Robert Rodgers, 4005 Cromwell Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421. Phone 423-510-1138.

Many residents in the Austin Bottom community of DeKalb County met with officials of the Corps of Engineers, county commission, sheriff, and county mayor Tuesday evening at the fire station there to vent their frustrations about public nuisance issues at a boat ramp in the area.
Center Hill Lake Resource Manager Kevin Salvilla took questions and comments from the group. County Mayor Tim Stribling, Sheriff Patrick Ray, County Fire Chief Donny Green, and Fourth District County Commissioners Wayne Cantrell and Jonathon Norris were also there.
While most of the residents at the meeting said they don’t want the Putco Boat Ramp (Austin Bottom Lake Boat Access Area) closed, they would like to see more law enforcement to keep undesirables out.
Complaints range from issues of illegal drug activity, public intoxication, excessive noise during the night, using the area as a camp ground, non-boaters parking on the ramp preventing access, littering the area with beer bottles, cans, etc. One person was wounded in a recent shooting there. A contributing factor is that the lake level is lower than normal due to work on the dam which exposes more beach area for patrons to congregate.
Sheriff Ray said his officers patrol the area but residents are concerned about the time it takes DeKalb County law enforcement to respond if called. Because the community is cut off from the rest of the county due to the lake, residents say it could be as much as forty five minutes to an hour before help arrives.
DeKalb County has mutual aid agreements with surrounding counties including Putnam to assist in case of emergencies.
Officials said they would take the concerns of the community into consideration and assess options for addressing the problems.

In his latest report on city crime news, Captain Steven Leffew of the Smithville Police Department reports that 38 year old Jason Billy Lackey was arrested for domestic assault on July 25. According to Police, the victim approached Sergeant Brad Tatrow on the public square to report that she had been assaulted. The victim’s head and ear appeared to be red and swollen. Sergeant Tatrow was informed that Lackey had struck her in the head after a verbal argument turned physical. Upon investigation it was determined that Lackey was the primary aggressor and he was arrested for domestic assault. His bond is $2,500.
25 year old Christopher Brock Tatrow was arrested for violating an order of protection on July 26. Officer Lance Dillard was called to a residence concerning this matter and spoke with Tatrow who was inside the home. The victim who resides there was determined to have an active order of protection against Tatrow which placed him in violation. His bond is $2,500.
37 year old Holly Suzanne Woodside was arrested for disorderly conduct on July 27. Sergeant Travis Bryant made the arrest after witnessing Woodside cussing others as she stepped out into the public area of Center Hill Village Apartments. After being advised to calm down, Woodside became more belligerent with law enforcement. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court on August 20.
42 year old Regina C Valdez was arrested for DUI and cited for violation of implied consent on August 2. Officer Lance Dillard observed a vehicle traveling on East Broad Street crossing over the center line without properly functioning tail lights. He initiated a traffic stop and spoke with Valdez who had a strong odor of alcohol on her person. Valdez performed poorly on sobriety tasks. Her speech was slurred and she was unsteady on her feet. Valdez refused to submit to a blood test. Her bond is $1,500 and her court date is September 10.
40 year old Misty Dawn Bush was arrested on August 5 for a second offense of DUI and driving on a revoked license. She was also cited for simple possession and violation of implied consent. According to the warrant Sergeant Brad Tatrow was called to the Wal-Mart parking lot in reference to someone passed out in the driver’s seat of a vehicle. Upon arrival Sergeant Tatrow found Bush passed out with the key in the ignition. He awoke Bush. She appeared to be intoxicated and unaware of her surroundings. Her speech was slurred and her movements were slow. Bush performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Her driving history revealed a previous DUI conviction in DeKalb County in 2013. Bush was also found to be in possession of a metal vial containing a pill believed to be Oxycodone for which she had no prescription. Bush refused to submit to a blood test. Her bond is $4,500 and she will be in court on August 27.
24 year old Hillary Elizabeth Knowles was cited for shoplifting on August 6. Officer Lance Dillard responded to McDonald’s in reference to a theft which had occurred at Mapco minutes before. He initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle, driven by Knowles, that matched the description given by Central Dispatch in regard to the theft. Upon speaking with Knowles he discovered that she had taken a 12 ounce beer from Mapco without paying for it. Her court date is September 24.
35 year old Abigail Vogel was arrested on August 7 for public intoxication and cited for simple possession. Sergeant Travis Bryant was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to an intoxicated person. Upon arrival he spoke with Vogel who was unsteady on her feet. Her speech was slurred and she appeared to be trying to fall asleep while pushing a shopping cart. Due to her safety, she was placed under arrest. A search incident to arrest revealed a Suboxone strip in her possession for which she had no prescription. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court on August 20.
42 year old Carl Bryant Henry was arrested on August 9 for DUI. Sergeant Travis Bryant stopped Henry for speeding and he exited the vehicle as Sergeant Bryant approached. Henry was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred. Henry performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. His bond is $1,500 and he will make a court appearance on September 3.

After agreeing on the terms, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps signed his new two year employment contract Monday, August 17.
The deal was also signed by School Board Chairman W.J. (Dub) Evins, III and Vice Chairman Doug Stephens.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW ACTUAL CONTRACT)
DS Contract for DeKalb County BOE 2015.pdf (108 KB)
Cripps was hired by the Board on July 16 and has served in the position for the past month under a temporary contract until finishing touches could be put on the final deal subject to a review by legal counsel.
The term is for a period commencing July 17, 2015 and ending June 30, 2017.
The contract calls for Cripps’ annual salary to be $85,000 paid in twelve equal monthly installments in accordance with the policy. The Board shall evaluate the Director annually and shall review the Director’s salary annually. In no event shall the Director’s salary be reduced except as provided by law. If any adjustment in salary is made during the term of this Contract, all of the other provisions of the Contract, including its termination date, shall remain as stated herein.
Under terms of the agreement, the Board will provide a medical insurance plan for Cripps on the same terms that it is made available to other employees. The Director will be able to participate in any other insurance program offered by the Board on the same terms as any other employee of the Board.
Cripps will also be provided with an automobile and all expenses involved in said automobile for him to carry out his official duties. He may use the automobile for personal purposes not interfering with school purposes, provided he shall pay or reimburse the cost of all fuel during such use.
The Director’s year shall consist of 240 duty days of normal office hours. Vacation time should be avoided at the beginning and end of the school year. The Director serves and is on duty during regular school session. Non duty days include 10 holidays and 12 annual leave days.
Cripps shall be granted one day of sick leave for each month of contractual employment. Sick leave days shall be cumulative and unused sick leave days may be used for retirement credit in accordance with the policies of the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System,
The evaluation of the Director shall occur no later than January 31 each calendar year during the term of the contract. The board shall review with the Director his performance, progress toward established goals, and the working relationships between the Director and Board, the staff, students, and community at large; and any other matters relative to the employment of the Director.
As part of the evaluation process, by July 30 of each year, the Director will present a Strategic Plan to the Board for the upcoming school year. The plan will incorporate the results of the Director’s most recent evaluation, will identify the strengths and needs of DeKalb County Schools, and will describe the Director’s Plan of Action to reach the goals adopted by the Board.
The contract may be terminated by mutual agreement of the parties or due to the retirement, disability, or death of the director. It may also be terminated by the Board for cause pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in TCA, the Teacher’s Tenure Act. If the Board terminates the contract for cause, the Director would be entitled to no further benefits of compensation.
The Board reserves the right to transfer the Director to any position within the system; however compensation and insurance benefits included in this agreement shall remain in full force and effect for the duration of the contract as specified in Article 1. In the event the Director declines to accept the transfer, this contract shall be terminated and the Director would be entitled to no further benefits or compensation.
The Director retains any rights to tenure as a teacher that he has already acquired in the DeKalb County Schools. Even so, the Director understands and agrees that, upon the termination of his duties as Director, he will be placed in a position for which he is licensed and qualified by the Board or any subsequent director of schools. No rights to a particular position are retained by seniority or any other means, and the Board or any subsequent director of schools, as appropriate, has the sole right to determine placement. However after placement, he will return to the pay scale prior to his appointment as Director.
The Director will not hire immediate family members in new administrative roles. Prior job assignments are grandfathered.