The DeKalb County School System is about to run out of “snow days”.
Director of Schools Mark Willoughby says only one “snow day” remains to be used and any further days missed would have to be made up somewhere.
Eleven days are built into the school calendar each year for “snow days” or inclement weather and two days are included for so called “stockpile” or professional development days. On the stock pile days, students do not attend. One of the stockpile days has already been used and the other is scheduled for Friday, March 5th. Willoughby says the school board could elect to have school on the remaining stockpile day, if necessary.
If more than two days are missed, the board would have to decide how to make them up.
State law requires students to be in school a certain number of days each year.
The remaining school calendar calls for students to be off again for President’s Day, Monday, February 15th and spring break March 29th to April 2nd
Students will not attend on Friday, May 21. That will be an administrative day and all teachers must attend.. The last day of school will be Saturday, May 22nd. That will be an abbreviated school day and report cards will be sent home.
Author Archive: Dwayne Page
Larry Eugene Stanley
51 year old Larry Eugene Stanley of Auburntown died Tuesday at Baptist Hospital in Nashville. He was a Baptist and a factory worker. The funeral will be Thursday at 3:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Mike Clayborn and Michael Hale will officiate and burial will be in the Odom Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from noon until 9:00 p.m. and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 3:00 p.m. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Stanley of Auburntown. His mother, Hazel Stanley of Smithville. His father, Orgie Lee Stanley of Sparta. A brother, Donnie Stanley of Sparta. Sisters, Brenda and husband Jeff Taylor and Sandy Atnip all of Smithville. Several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews survive. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Shannon Doyle Cook
42 year old Shannon Doyle Cook of Smithville died Monday at his residence. He was a Baptist, member of the Blue Springs Masonic Lodge #373 and the Putnam County Rescue Squad. He was a paramedic for 14 years, truck driver for two years, police officer, construction worker, and a fire fighter. The funeral will be Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Glenn Burke and Rannie Phillips will officiate. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. A masonic service will be held Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Nell Hobbs Judkins; his maternal grandfather, John C. Anderson, and his paternal grandparents, Clay and Callie Lee Cook. Survivors include his wife, Laura Cook of Smithville. Children, Jessica, Cassidy, Austin and Dustin Cook all of Smithville. Step-children, Kayla, Savanna, and Ashley Hershman all of Smithville. Parents, Eddie and Faye Cook of Smithville. A sister, Kristie and husband David Gipson of Murfreesboro. Aunts and uncles, Melissa and Danny Pirtle, Janie and Paul Armstrong, Rosie and Calvin Davis, Gene and Dean Cook, Ann Miller, Doug and Janie Cook, and Fay Gilreath all of Smithville, Debbie and Rannie Phillips of Woodbury, John and Barbara Anderson of Georgia, Jo Dean Dutton of Gassaway, Beatrice Laparoose and Wilma and Bob Mykleby all of Arizona, Jimmy Cook of Nashville, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. The family asks that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses, in lieu of flowers. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Carl Edward Jernigan
Carl Edward Jernigan of 425 Nixon Way, Dowelltown, Tennessee died Monday, February 8th at Alive Hospice, Saint Thomas Hospital, surrounded by his family and friends. He was retired from the United States Air Force, where he served 25 years, and from the State of Tennessee, where he served 13 years as the Business Administrator for Tennessee Preparatory School. He was a Gideon and a faithful member of the Indian Creek Baptist Church. He will be best remembered for his compassion for others, his ability to overcome odds, his love for God, his family, and his country.
He was predeceased in death by his mother and father, Lavana Pogue (Green) Jernigan and Hugh Jernigan;brothers, Paul, Hall, and Ross Jernigan; sisters, Lector Warren and Dora Green Jones; and Kazuko Akao Jernigan, the mother of his children. He is survived by his wife, Sue N. Puckett-Jernigan, and family; Carol Jernigan Boehms and husband, David Boehms of Joelton, Tennessee, Leslie Boehms of Oak Park, Illinois; Katherine Jernigan Stroud and husband, Bob Stroud of Lebanon, Tennessee, Christina Gordon Brasher and husband, Freddy Brasher, of Lebanon, Tennessee, Jacob Balding and Kiley Brasher of Lebanon; Michael Jernigan and wife Lois Jernigan of Beaver Creek, Ohio, Adam Jernigan and wife, Rachel Jernigan of Lebanon, Ohio, Sara Jernigan of Beaver Creek, Ohio; Jason Puckett and wife, Terre Puckett of Smithville, Tennessee, Daniel Jason Puckett of Smithville, Tennessee; Shane Allen Miller and wife, Dana Cantrell Miller, of Smithville, Tennessee; Amy Marie Ashford of Jefferson City, Tennessee; See Wook Kim of South Korea; Koby Bullard, U.S. Navy and Keeli Bullard, Smithville, Tennessee; sisters: Kate Jernigan Jones of Winchester, Tennessee, Cora Green Newsome of Panama City, Florida, Mary Jernigan Inglis of Huntland, Tennessee, and Marie Jernigan Statham of Huntland, Tennessee; sisters-in-law, Stella Jernigan of Huntland, Tennessee, Ann Nixon Puckett and husband Richard Hearon Puckett of Dowelltown, Tennessee; nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
Visitation with the family will be at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home on Thursday, February 11th from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Additional visitation will be on Friday, February 12th at the Indian Creek Memorial Baptist Church, Hurricane Ridge Road, Smithville, Tennessee from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 1:30 p.m. Interment will be at DeKalb Memorial Gardens.
Donations may be made to the Lighthouse Christian Camp, the Improvement Fund at Indian Creek Baptist Church, the Gideons, or Habitat for Humanity.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Mantz Gets Eight Year Sentence on Drug Charges
51 year old Joseph Mantz,Jr. received a total sentence of eight years in the Tennessee Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to a total of eleven drug charges in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Monday.
Judge Leon Burns Jr. presided.
Mantz entered a plea to four counts of sale of a schedule II drug and he received three years in each case; four counts of delivery of a controlled substance with a three year sentence in each case; one count of sale of a schedule III drug and a two year sentence; and two counts of delivery of a schedule III controlled substance with a two year sentence in each case. Most of the sentences run concurrently but three counts run consecutively for a total of eight years.
In other cases, Mantz’s wife, 47 year old Mary L. Mantz received a total sentence of eight years, suspended to probation supervised by community corrections after pleading guilty to ten drug charges. Mantz entered a plea to three counts of sale of a schedule II drug and received a three year sentence in each case; three counts of delivery of a controlled substance with a three year sentence in each case; two counts of sale of a schedule III drug and a two year sentence in each case; and two counts of delivery of a schedule III controlled substance with a two year sentence in each case. Most of the sentences are to run concurrently but three counts will run consecutively.
33 year old Christopher E. Young pleaded guilty to theft of property under $500 and a second offense of driving under the influence. He received a sentence in each case of 11 months and 29 days to run consecutively. The sentence is to be suspended except for 45 days to serve. He will lose his drivers license for two years. Young must also pay a $610 fine, and complete the alcohol safety education program. He was given jail credit of twenty days of time served.
41 year old Donna Estes pleaded guilty to a worthless check charge. She received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days all suspended to supervised probation to run concurrently with another criminal court sentence against her. Estes must pay $75 to the economic crime fund, perform 10 hours of community service work, and make restitution of $71.78 to Food Lion.
30 year old Brandon Loader pleaded guilty to a fourth offense of driving under the influence. He received a two year sentence, all suspended to supervised probation except for 150 days to serve. Loader will lose his drivers license for five years and he must complete the alcohol safety education program and pay a fine of $3,015. He is also under an order classifying him an habitual motor vehicle offender, with three or more requisite convictions within a ten year period. This order means he has lost his driving privileges for at least three years and must petition the court in order to have them restored.
44 year old Ricky Estes entered a no contest plea to theft over $1,000 and received a three year sentence to be on probation except for one year to serve. He must make restitution in the amount of $385 to one victim and $75 to another. Estes also pleaded guilty to a fifth offense of driving under the influence and received a one year sentence. He must pay a $3,000 fine in that case. Estes was also found to be an habitual traffic offender and received a one year sentence.. All the sentences are to run concurrently and Estes was given jail credit of 260 days.
43 year old Eddie Leroy Taylor pleaded guilty to five counts of passing a forged instrument and received a two year sentence in each case to serve in the Tennessee Department of Corrections. The sentences are to run consecutively for a total of ten years but concurrently with other cases against him in DeKalb, Rutherford, and Warren Counties. He was given jail credit of 398 days.
30 year old Robert Paul Brawley pleaded guilty to theft over $1,000 and possession of drug paraphernalia. He received a four year sentence in the theft case, to be released on probation after being given credit for time served. Brawley received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days on the drug paraphernalia charge, also to be released on probation.
30 year old Ken W. Bly was found to be an habitual motor vehicle offender, with three or more requisite convictions within a ten year period. This order means he has lost his driving privileges for at least three years and must petition the court in order to have them restored.
Harold Blackwell pleaded guilty to violation of probation, was given credit for time served, and released back on probation.
Philando Darnell Fullilove was found in violation of probation after a hearing and ordered to serve the balance of an eight year sentence.
Rodney Hugo Gora pleaded guilty to a violation of probation and was ordered to serve the balance of a sentence
Mark George Koch pleaded guilty to a violation of probation, was ordered to serve ten days, and then he will be released back on probation.
Patsy Estes McCoy pleaded guilty to two counts of violation of probation and was ordered to serve one year in each case.
Billy Paul Mooneyham pleaded guilty to a violation of probation and must serve 45 days.
Mark Randall Robinson was found in violation of judicial diversion after a hearing and a sentencing hearing will be held for him on March 22nd.
Stephanie L. Vanatta pleaded guilty to a violation of probation and she must serve the balance of a four year sentence.
Tommy Pugh
51 year old Tommy Pugh of Gassaway died Sunday at his residence. He was disabled and a member of the Sycamore Baptist Church. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Wilson Williams will officiate and burial will be in the Sycamore Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. He is survived by two sons, Hunter Pugh and Benjamin Pugh of Gassaway. His parents, Jack D. and Ruth Pugh of Gassaway. Two sisters, Jackie and husband Tim Cantrell of Smithville and Lori and husband Chris Hall of North Carolina. Special friend, Martha Jane Partridge of Lebanon. Four nieces, Stephanie Kirby, Abby Cantrell, and Lydia and Alayna Hall. Two nephews, Caleb and Wesley Hall. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tommy Pugh Memorial Fund from the class of 1977 to help with the football fieldhouse at DCHS. Donations can be made at the funeral home.
Stabbing and Shooting under Investigation
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are investigating a Saturday evening stabbing and shooting which occurred at the home of 22 year old Bransford (Brad) Patterson on Patterson Road.
In a prepared statement, Sheriff Patrick Ray says at 4:57 p.m. central dispatch received the call. Upon arrival, officers found two female victims who were each stabbed once and Patterson who had suffered a single gunshot wound.
Vanderbilt Life Flight was summoned to the intersection of Patterson Road and Turner Road and airlifted Patterson to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. At last report, Patterson was in stable but critical condition. The two female victims were transported to DeKalb Community Hospital by personal vehicle where they were treated and released.
According to Sheriff Ray, Patterson had gotten into an argument with members of his family and stabbed the two females, who are also related to him. Patterson then started beating one of the wounded females. In an attempt to get Patterson under control, another family member got a pistol and fired a warning shot. When that failed, the family member then shot Patterson one time and called central dispatch.
Patterson faces multiple charges pending his release from the hospital. The case is still under investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Sheriff Ray has not released the names of the females who were stabbed or the person who shot Patterson.
Members of the Main Station and Short Mountain Highway Station of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department, the DeKalb County Ambulance Service, DeKalb County Constables Mark Milam and Johnny King, Sheriff Ray, Deputies and Detectives from the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department, and the TBI were all on the scene.
Meanwhile, in other crime news, 27 year old Roxanne Mignon White of Bill Cobb Road, Smithville was arrested on Tuesday, February 2nd for theft of property. Detectives allege that on January 1st White took jewelry and jewelry tools from a residence on Bill Cobb Road without the owners consent, including a diamond pendent, a set of gold earrings, a rope chain, a heart pendent, and some loose diamonds, and then sold them to a jewelry store in Smithville. Meanwhile on two other occasions, White took two jewelry buffing machines, two jewelry steam cleaners, a ring resizing machine, jewelry cleaner, scrap gold, and a bag of loose diamonds to another jewelry store in Smithville where she sold those items. The total value of the theft was $7,225. Bond for White was set at $10,000 and she will appear in court on March 4th.
On Wednesday, February 3rd deputies, while on patrol on Highway 70 West, stopped 21 year old Sarah Michelle Ferrell of Vickers Hollow Road for a traffic offense. When the officer asked for her driver’s license she replied that she did not have it on her. After the deputy ran a computer check, it revealed that Ferrell’s driver’s license were suspended for failure to satisfy a citation in South Carolina. Ferrell was charged with a second offense of driving on a suspended license. Her bond was was set at $2,000 and she will appear in court on February 24th..
37 year old Amy Jo Odell of Hurricane Ridge Road, Smithville was arrested on Friday, February 5th for filing a false police report. Odell came to the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office on Thursday and reported that she had been pulled over by an unknown person who then assaulted and robbed her in Dowelltown. Odell said that after being hit, she fell to the ground and did not remember much after that. Odell also gave a list of items stolen from her vehicle. After Detectives interviewed Odell she finally admitted that she had made up the story so that her doctor would prescribe her more narcotics, thinking that her medicine was stolen. Bond for Odell was set at $2,500 and she will appear in court February 11th.
On Saturday, February 6th, deputies while on patrol on Highway 70 West, stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. The driver, 20 year old Juan Pablo Garcia of Park Way Drive, McMinnville was found to be driving on a suspended license for failure to satisfy a citation in Warren County. Garcia was charged with a first offense of driving on a suspended license. His bond was set at $1,000. He will appear in court on February 17th.
Paul Kenneth Green
59 year old Paul Kenneth Green of Smithville died Friday at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was a retired truck driver and a member of the Keltonburg Church of Christ. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Eugene Adkins and Phillip Adcock will officiate with burial in Jefferson Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, John D. and Mattie Neely Green, and a sister, Elsie and husband Freddy Steinbach. He is survived by his wife, Verna Walls Green of Smithville; two sons, Kenneth Green and Randy Williams, both of Smithville; one daughter, Tammy and husband Greg Owens of Smithville; two grandchildren, Codi and Devon Owens of Smithville; five brothers, James and wife Ginny Green of Columbia, Eddie and wife Carol Green, John and wife Judy Green, Jack and wife Deanna Green, and Tommy Green, all of Smithville. Four sisters, Sarah Adcock of Murfreesboro, Joyce and husband Chester Carmen of Kentucky, Christine and husband Albert Adcock and Fay and Lelon Cantrell of Smithville. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Jim Judkins Named Chairman of DeKalb Democratic Party
The DeKalb County Democratic Party has a new chairman.
Jim Judkins was introduced as the new party leader during Saturday’s mass meeting at the high school cafeteria. The retiring chair, Faye Fuqua, who has held the post for twenty five years, made the announcement.
Judkins, selected by the party’s executive committee, said he is honored to have been chosen for this position and thanked his predecessor for the work she has done for the party. “I want to thank former Chair, or Chair Imeritus Faye Fuqua for her many years of service and devotion. She has been a teacher and an inspiration to me for many years. She means a lot to me.”
“I am humbled and honored at the trust you have placed in me. This position is one I do not take lightly. This party is steeped in tradition. It is as old as DeKalb County itself, organized in 1838. The roots of the Democrat party run deep in DeKalb County. The founder of our party, President Andrew Jackson, spent the night about 1,000 yards from where we are, in the old Beckwith Inn.”
“This party, as all previous parties, faces new challenges. We will meet those challenges fairly and diligently.”
“Although the torch has been passed, we are still DeKalb countians. We share the same values, ideals, hopes, and dreams as our forebearers. While we look to the future, we must always remember from where we have come. We are the party of Edgar Evins, Joe L. Evins, and of McAllen Foutch.”
Fuqua, in her remarks, called this a “New Era for DeKalb County Democrats”.
“In the last 100 years, we have had only five chairs: Tom Webb, McAllen Foutch, Ed Fuqua, M.T. Puckett, and myself. It is indeed an honor and I am so very proud to serve the fine people of DeKalb County and the State of Tennessee for 25 years. The Executive Committee has been very supportive of me throughout all these years and I can say that I truly appreciate that.”
“I took office in 1984, first serving as Women’s Chair and then as the first woman to serve as County Chair. I also served on the state level as the State Chair.’
Speaking of her successor, Fuqua said “Jim is very in tune with both the long-standing traditions of the Democratic Party here in DeKalb County, as well as being the youthful embodiment of what our future holds. His leadership and drive, along with the tremendous support of all the young Democrats, is exactly what we need to move strongly into the future. More than all that, Jim knows and understands the people and politics of DeKalb County.’
“Of course, our team will depend on the rest of us to continue to provide support and share the wealth of experience we have gained throughout the decades. I will continue to serve on the Executive Committee and be a presence in whatever way I can. I encourage all of you to stay strong and supportive of the Party.”
“Now I feel is it time to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders.”
In addition to Judkins being named chairman, Larry Bain, Mack Harney, and Kim Luton were all named co- vice chairs.
Members of the executive committee are Mildred Clayborn, James Hale, Faye Iverlette, Sherry Bush, Jackie Smith, George Sperry, Betsy Driver, Jordan Wilkins, Glynn Merriman, Chris Summers, Katherine Pack, Faye Fuqua, and Mike Clayborn.
Several state and local candidates also announced their intentions during Saturday’s mass meeting including the following:
(Click here to listen to the announcements of candidates for county offices)
District Attorney General: Randy York
Circuit Court Judge: Amy Hollars
County Mayor: Mike Foster
Circuit Court Clerk- Katherine Pack
County Clerk- Mike Clayborn, Glynn Merriman, and Chris Smithson
Register of Deeds- Jeff McMillen
Road Supervisor-Jimmy Sprague
County Commissioner Candidates:
(Click here to listen to the announcements of county commission candidates)
First District- Elmer Ellis, Jr.
Second District- Jack Barton
Third District- Jerry Scott, Roy Merriman, Bradley Hendrix
Fourth District- David McDowell, Jesse Baker
Fifth District- Randy Braswell
Seventh District-Larry Summers
(Click here to listen to the speeches of State Representative candidate Jamie Winkler, State Senate candidate Aubrey Givens, and State Representative candidate James Hale in that order)
State Senate Candidate: Aubrey Givens
State Representative- James Hale and Jamie Winkler (Sarah Marie Smith attended but did not make an announcement)
Governor candidates: Kim McMillan and Jim Kyle. Mike McWherter could not attend. Bert Driver spoke in his behalf.
(Click here to listen to Governor candidates speak)
Democratic candidates were not required to make an appearance during the mass meeting. All potential Democratic candidates have until noon on Thursday, February 18th to qualify for the May 4th DeKalb County Democratic Primary.
Independents for county offices also have until February 18th to qualify for the August General Election.
Candidates for state offices, Governor, Congress, State Senator, and State Representative, have until noon April 1st to qualify for the Tennessee Democratic and Republican Primaries in August.
In addition to those who announced Saturday, the following Democrats have either picked up or returned a qualifying petition to the Election Commission Office.
County Mayor:
David C. Redmon (picked up petition)
Register of Deeds:
Clarence R. Trapp (picked up petition)
County Commission Third District:
Johnathan W. Willoughby (picked up petition)
County Commission Fourth District:
Wayne Cantrell
Ronald H. Rogers (picked up petition)
County Commission Fifth District:
Johnny Ringo Colwell
Bobby R.Taylor
John D. Green
County Commission Sixth District:
Jeff Barnes
Marshall Ferrell
County Commission Seventh District:
Jimmy W. Poss
County Commission candidates running as Independents in the August General Election
Fifth District:
Lloyd Emmons (Independent) picked up petition
Seventh District:
Richard Kinsey (Independent)
Meanwhile, candidates for the Board of Education who have picked up petitions for the August General election include the following:
School Board:
First District:
John David Foutch (picked up petition)
Second District:
Charlie Robinson (picked up petition)
Third District:
Kenny Rhody
Seventh District:
Johnny Lattimore (picked up petition)
School board candidates run as non-partisans and have until noon April 1st to qualify.
Meanwhile candidates who have picked up petitions for the Smithville Municipal Election include the following:
Smithville Alderman:
Steve White (picked up petition)
Smithville Alderman:
Cecil Burger (picked up petition)
Smithville Mayor:
Taft Hendrixson (picked up petition)
Smithville Mayor:
Bruce Medley (picked up petition)
The Smithville Municipal Election will be held on June 15th to elect a mayor and two aldermen. Candidates run as non-partisans and they have until March 18th to qualify.
(Pictured second from top: Bottom row left to right: Betsy Driver, Larry Bain, Jordan Wilkins, Kim Luton, and Glynn Merriman; Back row left to right: Chris Summers, Katherine Pack, Jim Judkins, Faye Fuqua, and Mike Clayborn)
DeKalb Republican Convention Nominates Candidates for August Election
Members of the DeKalb County Republican Party held their convention Saturday morning at the courthouse.
There were no surprises.
The delegates formally nominated Republican incumbents Sheriff Patrick Ray, Trustee Sean Driver, Road Supervisor Kenny Edge, First District County Commissioner Mason Carter, and Second District County Commissioner Bobby Joines, who all announced their intentions to seek re-election in January.
These candidates will be on the ballot in the August DeKalb County General Election and will face any Democrats or Independents who may run against them.
Meanwhile, after the convention, Republican candidates for Congress, Lou Ann Zelenik and Dave Evans, spoke briefly announcing their intentions to run for the party’s nomination in the August State Primary.
Click here to listen to the speeches of Lou Ann Zelenik and Dave Evans
For more information about these candidates visit Lou Ann Zelenik’s website at http://www.votelouann.com/. Dave Evans’ website is www.daveevansforcongress.com.
(Pictured above: Left to Right- Sean Driver, Bobby Joines, Kenny Edge, Mason Carter, and Patrick Ray)