State lawmakers hosted a luncheon Wednesday, May 24 at Sundance Restaurant to honor the DCHS Class of 2017 Valedictorian Rachel Fuson and Salutatorian Hunter Robinson.
Both Fuson and Robinson were formally presented copies of resolutions paying tribute to them as adopted in the State House of Representatives and State Senate and signed by the Governor. The presentations were made by State Senator Mae Beavers and State Representatives Terri Lynn Weaver and Mark Pody. DCHS Principal Dr. Kathy Bryant and Director of Schools Patrick Cripps also attended the Luncheon.
The Joint Resolution honoring and recognizing Fuson states as follows:
“WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should pause to pay tribute to those students who, through their natural talents and unflagging commitment to academic excellence, have distinguished themselves in the classroom; and
WHEREAS, Rachel Olivia Fuson is one such exceptional student who was recently named Valedictorian of the 2017 graduating class at DeKalb County High School; and
WHEREAS, through diligent study, steady composure during examinations, and steadfast commitment of time and talent, Rachel Fuson achieved outstanding academic success and joined the ranks of the best and brightest students in Tennessee and our country; and
WHEREAS, in her remarkable high school career, she earned an exemplary grade point average while participating in a variety of extracurricular activities, including Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Science Club, Literature Club, and the Climate Crew; she is a football cheerleader and a member of Girls Scouts USA Troop 343; and
WHEREAS, her display of intellectual aptitude and ambition surely bodes well for her future success as a student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Fuson’s noteworthy achievement is a tremendous source of pride for her parents, Joe and Melissa Fuson, her school, and her community; and
WHEREAS, Rachel Fuson’s dedication to excellence is clearly deserving of the respect, admiration, and commendation of the members of this General Assembly; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED TENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, that we hereby commend and honor the 2017 DeKalb County High School Valedictorian, Rachel Olivia Fuson, on her impressive academic achievement and extend to her our best wishes for a happy, successful future.”
The resolution honoring Robinson states as follows:
“WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should pause to pay tribute to those students who, through their natural talents and unflagging commitment to academic excellence, have distinguished themselves in the classroom; and
WHEREAS, Jacob Hunter Robinson is one such exceptional student who was recently named Salutatorian of the 2017 graduating class at DeKalb County High School; and
WHEREAS, through diligent study, steady composure during examinations, and steadfast commitment of time and talent, Hunter Robinson achieved outstanding academic success and joined the ranks of the best and brightest students in Tennessee and our country; and
WHEREAS, in his remarkable high school career, he earned an exemplary grade point average while participating in a variety of extracurricular activities, including the Senior Beta Club and the soccer team; treasurer of his FFA chapter, he received the FFA state degree in March 2017; and
WHEREAS, his display of intellectual aptitude and ambition surely bodes well for his future success as a student at the University of Alabama in Huntsville; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Robinson’s noteworthy achievement is a tremendous source of pride for his parents, Lynn and Regina Robinson, his school, and his community; and
WHEREAS, Hunter Robinson’s dedication to excellence is clearly deserving of the respect, admiration, and commendation of the members of this General Assembly; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED TENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, that we hereby commend and honor the 2017 DeKalb County High School Salutatorian, Jacob Hunter Robinson, on his impressive academic achievement and extend to him our best wishes for a happy, successful future.”

The 2017 DCHS Tennessee Scholars were recognized during Monday night’s Annual Senior Awards Program at the high school
The Tennessee Scholars program encourages students to take a more rigorous and challenging course of study in high school. Students graduating as Tennessee Scholars have to maintain good academic, disciplinary, and attendance standards as well as volunteer in the community. Tennessee Scholars also choose to take rigorous courses beyond what is required to graduate. Janney & Associates CPAs generously provided the Tennessee Scholars Medals.
The following students have met all requirements for the Tennessee Scholars Program:
Callie Cripps, Chloe Cripps, Adam Ferrell, Regan Foutch, Rachel Fuson, Maegan Harris, Caitlyn Lawrence, Grace Odom, Brandon Ortega, Kristen Parsley, Rosa Payne, Skylar Pease, Lane Poss, Bailey Redmon, Hunter Robinson, Allison Rogers, Alexis Roller, Taylor Spare, Casey Vickers, and Susan Webb.
The following seniors have volunteered their time for service at least 10 hours per year since starting high school:
Caitlin Beaty, Callie Cripps, Chloe Cripps, Neely Evans, Rachel Fuson, Maegan Harris, Caitlyn Lawrence, Grace Odom, Rosa Payne, Hunter Robinson, Allison Rogers, Caleb Rowland, Maggie Turner, and Casey Vickers.

21 year old Jessica Ashley May, serving an eight year sentence for attempted aggravated child neglect stemming from the 2015 death of her 23 month old son, may have to serve at least two more years behind bars.
A parole hearing was held for May Tuesday at the Carroll County Jail where she is incarcerated as a state prisoner. The parole hearings officer who heard the case made a non-binding recommendation to the Tennessee Board of Parole that Ms. May be declined parole due to the seriousness of the offense, and that her case be reviewed again in two years.
A final decision could come within the next two weeks.
The case will now go to a board member, who will review it and cast his/her binding vote. This process continues until three concurring votes are reached, which is what is needed by law to finalize the case. There are seven parole board members.
The board members consider a variety of factors in making decisions on whether to grant parole including the seriousness of the crime, time served, victim input, the inmate’s institutional record (programs completed, educational progress, disciplinary incidents, etc.), and other factors.
May stood before Judge Gary McKenzie in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 and entered a plea to attempted aggravated child neglect, a Class B felony, and received an eight year sentence as a range I mitigated offender to serve at least 20% before parole eligibility. At the time May had already served 568 days since her arrest on May 19, 2015.
Less than a week before May’s plea, her fiance at the time, 25 year old Cody Key was handed a 45 year prison term for the beating death of May’s child, 23 month old Colten Alexander May after entering a plea in Putnam County Criminal Court to second degree murder. Key is to serve 100% of the sentence but he was given jail credit of 563 days for time served from May 19, 2015 to December 1, 2016.
Key is incarcerated at the South Central Correctional Center in Wayne County, a Tennessee Department of Correction facility.
The couple brought the child to the emergency room of Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital on Sunday morning, May 17, 2015 but he was already dead. It was determined that the child had suffered internal and other physical injuries that resulted in his death. Law enforcement officers concluded that Key had severely beaten the child and that May knew the abuse was taking place.
“I will say that Jessica May was not involved in the killing of her child, Colten May. She was not an actor in that homicide. We did charge her with neglect because of a history of abuse of the child in which she either turned a blind eye to or did nothing about it. The abuser of the child was Cody Key but Jessica May did nothing to prevent the abuse that was inflicted on the child by Cody Key and she turned a blind eye to it over a period of time. In plain language that is the gist of the circumstances as to why she was charged with neglect,” District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway told WJLE after the hearing.
May, who was pregnant again at the time of her arrest in 2015, was later transferred to the custody of the Tennessee Department of Correction due to her special needs. After giving birth, she was initially incarcerated in the Warren County Jail. Her child was placed in the custody of the Department of Children Services and is reportedly now with May’s family members.

A 54 year old man has been charged with aggravated assault for allegedly hitting his ex-girlfriend with a stick.
54 year old Joel Thomas George, Sr. of Eagle Creek Road is under a $5,000 bond and his court date is June 8.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Saturday, May 20 a deputy was dispatched to George’s residence on Eagle Creek Road due to a 911 open line where people could be heard over the phone yelling in the background. Upon arrival the officer spoke with George and his ex-girlfriend and learned that they had been in an altercation. The woman told the deputy that the two of them began arguing after she arrived to pick up her belongings. As she was gathering her things George allegedly picked up a stick from the bedroom and used it to hit her phone which was on a table, striking her hand in the process. George also allegedly used the stick to hit her in the back of the head as she was leaving the home causing her bodily harm.

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 Alex Antoniak from Jeanna Caplinger’s class and Tess Barton from Nadina Martel’s class.
Barton was the over-all winner. In addition to the award, prizes, and recognition, Barton gets to keep “Daren the Lion” the D.A.R.E. Mascot and she received a $50 check from Judge Bratten Cook II. Tish Summers made the presentation in Judge Cook’s absence.
In addition to Sheriff Patrick Ray and Chief Deputy Adamson, others on hand for the ceremony were DeKalb West School Principal Sabrina Farler, School Attendance Supervisor Joey Reeder, Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack, Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen, Trustee Sean Driver, County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss, Assessor of Property Shannon Cantrell, Road Supervisor Butch Agee, employees of the Sheriff’s Department, and a real life DAREN THE LION.
Fifth graders in Jeanna Caplinger’s class are:
Alex Antoniak, Cadon Barrett, Graceson Boyd, Alyssa Crook, Ethan Curtis, Nickolas Dandurand, Marshall Farler, Will Farris, Presley Finocchiaro, Riley Fuson, Blair Gipe, Jaxon Humphrey, Austin Nicholson, Allena O’Conner, Kayleigh Overstreet, Xavier Parker, Serenity Patterson, Hannah Redmon, Bristol Redmon, Austin Sardessai, Brooklyn Sutherland, Karly Vickers, and Hasten Waggoner.
Fifth graders in Nadina Martel’s class are:
Tess Barton, Trey Beilfuss, Hunter Cannon, Brayden Carter, Gavin Cooper, Angelina Davenport, Carson Donnell, Brynn Harvey, Zoi Hale, Ella Hendrixson, Shauna Kempf, Weslie McCowan, Melanie Ortiz, Maressa Rose, Brayden Saliski, Kolton Slager, Karson Smallwood, Ashley Sosa, Shelby Starnes, Jackson Vantrease, Hanniah West, and Ally Tarpley.

Steven Jennings and Eli Cross were the top scholarship award winners during Monday night’s Class of 2017 Awards Night program held at DCHS.
Jennings received the largest single award of $132,000 in a baseball scholarship from Ole Miss along with another $1,000 scholarship. Cross took home more than $124,000 in scholarships including a total of $114,000 from Lindsey Wilson College to further his education and football career.
Representatives of colleges, universities, branches of the armed services, businesses, civic groups, and other organizations made the presentations.
A perfect attendance award was presented to Clayton Hoyle who has never missed a day of school, left early, or been tardy during his entire four years of high school.
Scholarship recipients listed in alphabetical order according to last names and their award amounts and other honors are as follows:
*Nikolas Agee:
Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship- $1,000
DCHS FFA Tennessee State Degree Recipient
*Matthew Thomas Alderman
U.S. Marine Corps Enlistment
*Myranda Bailiff:
Union University-$56,000
*Devin Bain:
Cumberland University-$32,000
*Alexis Bates:
Union University-$44,000
DeKalb School Board Members- $700
*Erica Birmingham:
Belmont University-$16,000
DeKalb School Board Members- $700
Tennessee Governor School for the Arts
*Jordan Bowman:
Mentors Association Scholarship-$5,000
*Alec Bryan:
MTSU True Blue-$12,000
*Madison Butler:
University of Tennessee-Chattanooga MOC- $12,000
DCHS Student Council Stole Recipient
*Kayley Caplinger:
Cumberland University-$64,000
*Elliott Cook:
White Possum Grille-$500
*Caelin Crips:
Trevecca Nazarene University-$34,000
DeKalb Retired Teachers-$750
*Callie Cripps:
DCHS Literature Club-$300
Girl Scouts Gold Award
Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial- $1,000
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home-$500
University of Tennessee-Chattanooga MOC-$8,000
*Chloe Cripps:
Motlow State Community College-$4,000
DCHS Beta Scholarship-$500
Smithville Rotary Club-$750
*Eli Cross:
Lindsey Wilson College Academic- $96,000
Lindsey Wilson College Athletics-$18,000
American Legion Boys State-$350
Anthony Duane Trapp Memorial-$1,000
Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride-$500
David Wayne Alexander Memorial-$1,000
DeKalb School Board Members- $700
First Bank-$500
General Assembly Merit Scholarship-$4,000
Brandon Elder/Jolly Angels Scholarship-$2,000
*Hannah Culwell:
Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000
*Miranda Davis:
AmVets-$250
AmVets Ladies Auxiliary-$250
Elzie & Nell McBride Memorial-$500
*Maddie Dickens:
David Wayne Alexander Memorial-$1,000
*Megan Evans:
Caney Fork Electric Cooperative-2016 Essay Contest Fourth Place-$50
*Neely Evans:
DCHS PTO-$250
Girl Scouts Gold Award
*Michael Ferrarrie:
U.S. Coast Guard Enlistment
*Regan Foutch
Cumberland University TN Promise and Grant
*Peyton Frazier:
DCHS Class of 1966-$500
*Rachel Fuson:
University of Tennessee at Knoxville Volunteer Scholarship-$24,000
Tennessee Tech University Scholarship
American Legion Auxiliary Girls State-$350
DCHS Literature Club-$500
DTC McAllen Foutch Memorial-$8,000
Eastern Middle Tennessee Association of Realtors-$1,000
General Assembly Merit Scholarhip-$4,000
Girl Scouts Gold Award
Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee Agenia Clark Gold Award Scholarship-$2,500
Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital Physicians-$500
Brandon Elder/Jolly Angels Scholarship-$2,000
*Luke Green:
Tennessee Tech University-$4,000
American Legion Boys State-$350
Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride Award-$500
DeKalb County Firefighters-$500
FBLA Business Award-
Tennessee Association of Farm Service Agency County Office Employees-$500
*Katlyn Cox-Harn:
Brandon Elder/Jolly Angels Scholarship-$2,000
*Gentry Harpole:
Dailey & Vincent Helping Hands Scholarship-$1,000
*Maegan Harris:
Aubrey Turner, Jr. Memorial Scholarship-$1,000
DCHS Literature Club-$300
DeKalb County Firefighters-$500
MTSU True Blue- $12,000
*Peyton Hensley:
Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000
*Jesse Houser:
U.S. Marine Corps Enlistment
*Steven Jennings:
University of Mississippi-$132,000
Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial-$1,000
*Karen Johnson
Caney Fork Electric Cooperative- 2016 Essay Contest Second Place-$100
*Sahara Lafever:
American Legion Auxiliary Girls State-$350
Brandon Elder/Jolly Angels Scholarship-$2,000
Smithville Women’s Club-$500
*Caitlyn Lawrence:
Tusculum College-$48,000
DCHS Student Council Stole Recipient
DeKalb County 4-H Scholarship-$500
3.21 Run for Down Syndrome Awareness-$250
*Issac Martin:
Eastern Middle Tennessee Association of Realtors-$500
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home-$500
*James Mathis:
Boy Scout Eagle Scout Rank
Daughters of the American Revolution-Good Citizen Award-$50
*Ariel Maxwell:
Caney Fork Electric Cooperative-2016 Essay Contest Third Place-$75
*Cynthia May:
Tennessee Army National Guard Enlistment
*James Neubacher:
U.S. Army Enlistment
*Tayvian Nokes:
Lindsey Wilson College Academic-$40,000
Lindsey Wilson College Football-$30,000
Olivia Grace Odom:
Daily & Vincent Helping Hands Scholarship-$1,000
*Brandon Ortega:
DCHS Student Council Stole Recipient
MTSU International Merit-$32,000
*Hanah Panter:
Chattanooga State Community College-$15,000
Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial-$1,000
*Katherine Parsley:
Liberty State Bank-$500
Brandon Elder/Jolly Angels Scholarship-$2,000
*Kristen Parsley:
University of Tennessee Martin Chancellors Award-$12,000
DCHS Beta Scholarship-$500
DCHS Literature Club-$500
Mentors Association Scholarship-$5,000
Southern Landscape and Supply-$500
Brandon Elder/Jolly Angels Scholarship-$2,000
*Zack Parsley:
DCHS Student Council Stole Recipient
*Rosa Payne
Cumberland University TN Promise and Grant
*Skylar Pease:
Cumberland University TN Promise and Grant
*Alex Pedigo:
DCHS FFA Tennessee State Degree Recipient
*Jason Perricone:
Chemistry Olympiad
*Baylee Phillips:
Tennessee Tech University Scholarship
General Assembly Merit Scholarship-$4,000
Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000
Girl Scout Award
Smithville Business & Professional Women’s Club-$500
Brandon Elder/Jolly Angels Scholarship-$2,000
*Chase Phillips:
Smithville Rotary Vocational Award-$100
*Jayra Plattenburg:
Cumberland University Scholarship
*Lane Poss:
DeKalb County Soil Conservation District-$500
DCHS FFA Tennessee State Degree Recipient
DCHS Honors English IV Award
*Bailey Redmon:
MTSU True Blue-$12,000
Eastern Middle Tennessee Association of Realtors-$500
Motlow State Community College Associates Degree
Tennessee Governor’s School for Prospective Teachers
*Hunter Robinson:
University of Alabama Huntsville-$35,984
General Assembly Merit Scholarship-$4,000
DCHS Beta Scholarship-$500
DCHS FFA Tennessee State Degree Recipient
DCHS Honors English IV Award
Nissan Scholars Leadership-$15,000
Woodmen of the World U.S. History Award-$50
*Jose Rodriguez;
Music City Drum Core Selection
*Allison Rogers:
Tennessee Tech University-$20,000
General Assembly Merit Scholarship-$4,000
Eastern Middle Tennessee Association of Realtors-$500
Upper Cumberland Association of Realtors-$250
Brandon Elder/Jolly Angels Scholarship-$2,000
*Alexis Roller:
David Wayne Alexander Memorial-$1,000
*Caleb Rowland:
Lucille Stewart Memorial-$2,000
*Jacob Self:
Southern Landscape and Supply-$500
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home-$500
*Paige Snyder:
Tennessee Tech University-$6,000
*Taylor Spare:
Smithville Rotary Club-$750
Cumberland University TN Promise and Grant
*Casey Taylor:
W. Doyle and Melford Smith Scholarship-$2,000
Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000
DCHS FFA-$250
DCHS FFA Tennessee State Degree Recipient
*Reagan Taylor:
Cumberland University TN Promise and Grant
DCHS FFA Tennessee State Degree Recipient
*Jayrah Trapp:
Anthony Duane Trapp Memorial-$1,000
Belmont University-$32,000
Caney Fork Electric Cooperative-2016 Essay Contest Regional Winner-$100
Caney Fork Electric Cooperative-2016 Essay Contest Washington Youth Tour Winner
General Assembly Merit Scholarship-$4,000
Smithville Rotary Club-$750
Smithville Rotary Club Math Award-$100
*Maggie Turner:
Girl Scouts Gold Award
*Jordan Vallem:
University of Tennessee at Knoxville-$43,856
*Casey Vickers:
American Legion Auxiliary Girls State-$350
Cattlemen’s Association-$500
Comcast
DCHS FCCLA-$250
DCHS FFA-$250
DCHS FFA Tennessee State Degree Recipient
DCHS Student Council Stole Recipient
DeKalb Retired Teachers-$750
Eddie Crips Memorial Scholarship-$500
Foundation for Rural Service-$2,500
National Society of High School Scholars
DeKalb County Scottish Rite-$1,000
Smithville Rotary/Brandon Elder Memorial-$1,000
DCHS Student Council-$250
Young Farmers & Ranchers-$500
*Emily Wallace:
Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000
Girl Scouts Gold Award
Jack Loeb Arts Scholarship-$1,000
Lucille Stewart Memorial-$2,000
*Susan Webb:
American Legion Auxiliary Girls State-$350
DCHS Student Council Stole Recipient
Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital-$500
*Laraden Wiggens:
Alan Hooper Memorial-$500
*Justin Winchester:
Gene Haas Foundation Scholarship-$1,000
Motlow students at DCHS who have already earned 12 hours of college credit through dual enrollment (equivalent to one semester of college work) include Alexis Bates, Rebekah Brandt, Kaylee Braswell, Madison Butler, Kayley Caplinger, Callie Cripps, Chloe Cripps, Maddie Dickens, Rachel Fuson, Luke Green, Maegan Harris, Sahara Lafever, Caitlyn Lawrence, Olivia Grace Odom, Hanah Panter, Rosa Payne, Skylar Pease, Bailey Redmon, Allison Rogers, Alexis Roller, Jacob Self, Paige Snyder, Taylor Spare, Caitlin Spry, Casey Vickers, and Susan Webb.

Three of DeKalb’s four municipalities may soon be paying their share of the cost of property reappraisals, an expense that the county could have charged for 28 years.
Although DeKalb County has never enforced it, a state law was passed in 1989 requiring municipalities that collect a city property tax to share in the county’s costs of real property reappraisals and audits of personal property, unless an agreement is reached to waive the charge.
Assessor of Property Shannon Cantrell recently learned of the state law during a meeting of assessors and made County Mayor Tim Stribling aware of it. Cantrell also shared what he learned with members of the county budget committee, the city mayors, and the entire county commission at Stribling’s request.
It appears the county may now be prepared to require the cities to pay. The county commission discussed the issue but took no action during Monday night’s monthly meeting (May 22). However the county budget committee has recommended that projected revenue to be derived from the cities share be included in the 2017-18 budget which will be up for passage by the county commission later this summer.
“I was in a workshop at an assessors meeting in Cookeville when this subject came up. A question came up as to how many counties were doing it (charging cities). Several hands went up that were (doing it) and several hands didn’t go up. There were several new assessors there like myself. I didn’t have the answer. I didn’t know if we were doing it or not. Through the process of talking to the assessors and others, I was told it was my responsibility to gather this information and to present it to the county financial officer for the county. In our case it is our county mayor’s office. That is what I did. I gathered this information and presented it to Tim (Stribling). He wanted me to talk to the budget committee, which I did. I tried to explain it to them and then I met with the city mayors and tried to explain it to them. I did it as a favor to Tim to explain it the best I could,” Cantrell said in addressing the county commission Thursday night in an all-committees meeting.
“The law has been on the books for a lot of years. I guess its been lost through the cracks and wasn’t recognized that we should be doing it. This law was put in place because of the things the assessor’s office does that the cities are not having to such as the appeal work, the reviewing process, the adding of new construction, the taking away of blown down barns, burned houses, etc.,” the Assessor said. “All of that burden is on the assessor’s office. This law helps in having the cities pay a portion of that cost.”
Under state law, local costs of reappraisal of real properties within a city shall be paid one half by the county and one half by the city, unless there is an agreement between the city and county to waive the fees. Any city paying one half of local costs of reappraisal shall pay those costs directly to the county government with jurisdiction over the property being reappraised and shall pay those costs during the fiscal year in which the reappraisal is finalized. The cities of Smithville, Alexandria, and Liberty would be affected since they collect city property taxes. Dowelltown does not have a city property tax rate and would not be affected.
State law also requires cities to be responsible for sharing in the county’s costs of contracted personal property audits.
“We have a contract with Tax Management through the assessor’s office to do our audits. It is state mandated that you audit a certain percentage of personal property or businesses per year,” Cantrell said. “We don’t have the staff or experience to go in an audit Walker (Manufacturing) for example. We have to hire somebody to do that. That is common practice. We contracted with them in 2016 for $6400 to do our audits that have to be done. It’s the law that the cities pay a percentage of the audit costs and it is collected yearly.”
Based on 2016 numbers, Smithville’s portion would be $14,718 for real property parcels and $1,514 for its share of personal property auditing. Liberty’s costs would be $1,295 ( real property parcels) and $6.00 (personal property auditing). Alexandria’s share would be $2,814 (real property parcels) and $20.00 (personal property auditing).
“It looks like a big number for the City of Smithville and it is a big number but there is no way you (city) could hire an employee to go out and do the reviews, pick up new construction, personal property, the appeals, and all those things that go along with it for that money ($16,232). If you look at it from that perspective it’s a bargain,” said Cantrell.
According to Cantrell, the state has a formula the county must follow for calculating the cities’ share of real property reappraisals.
“Its pretty simple. You take the assessor’s budget and subtract what you pay out in audits ($6,400 for 2016) which leaves you with $199,565. Divide that number by the amount of real parcels for the entire county (18,682). That gives you $10.69 per parcel. Divide that in half and it comes to $5.35 per parcel for which the cities are responsible. The cities become accountable for their parcel count multiplied by the $5.35,” said Cantrell.
The cities’ reappraisal costs sharing based on 2016 numbers are as follows:
•City of Smithville: 2,751 Real Property Parcels multiplied by $5.35 per parcel equals $14,718
•City of Liberty: 242 Real Property Parcels multiplied by $5.35 per parcel equals $1,295
•City of Alexandria: 526 Real Property Parcels multiplied by $5.35 per parcel equals $2,814
Under state law, cities have the option of paying the real property reappraisal costs on a yearly basis or in a lump sum in the fifth year of the reappraisal cycle. “We’re on a five year cycle and the fifth year is when we finalize. Most people think reappraisal happens once every five years but the reality of it is we are in reappraisal the entirety of the five years. We just finalize it in the fifth year,” Cantrell continued.

A week dedicated to celebrating emergency service workers is being recognized in DeKalb County.
The community relies on emergency workers to rush to the rescue, no matter what the circumstance.
County Mayor Tim Stribling signed a proclamation Monday designating May 21-27 as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week in DeKalb County. EMS Director Hoyte Hale and Smithville Mayor Jimmy Poss joined County Mayor Stribling for the occasion.
The proclamation is as follows:
“Whereas, Emergency Medical Services is a vital public service; and
Whereas, the members of Emergency Medical Teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and
Whereas, access to quality Emergency Care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and
Whereas, the Emergency Medical Services system consists of emergency physicians, emergency nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, educators, administrators, and others; and
Whereas, the members of Emergency Medical Services teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills; and
Whereas, it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of Emergency Medical Services providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week;
Now, Therefore, I Tim Stribling, County Mayor, DeKalb County, Tennessee, in recognition of this event do hereby proclaim the week of May 21-27, 2017 as Emergency Medical Services Week.
With the theme, EMS: EVERY CALL COUNTS, I encourage the community to observe this week with the appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities”.
Members of the DeKalb EMS Staff in addition to Director Hoyte Hale are:
A-SHIFT
Donna Melton-AEMT
Jonathan Rudd-EMT-P
Greta Stone-EMT-PCC/IC
Allen Mason-EMT-P
B-SHIFT
Kim Johnson-EMT-P
Joey Criddle-EMT-P
David Pitts-EMT-P
Misty Green-AEMT
C-SHIFT
Trent Phipps-EMT-P
Daniel Summers-EMT-P
Tim Briggs- EMT-P
Matt Melton-AEMT
DAY TRUCK:
Jamie Parsley-AEMT
Tyler Stone- AEMT
Part Time Staff:
Cody Johnson-EMT-P
Charles Nokes-EMT-P
Jeff Cole-EMT-PCC
Stephanie Brown-EMT-P
John Hurd-EMT-P
Greg Moore-EMT-P
Bryan Locke-EMT-PCC
Michael Hollandsworth-AEMT
Becky Atnip-AEMT
Lonnie Laxton-AEMT
Wesley Slager-AEMT
Jennifer Phillips-AEMT
Jimmy Savage-AEMT
Rebecca Partridge-AEMT
Kevin Cripps-AEMT
Edward Brooks-AEMT
Daniel Webb-EMT-P
Houston Austin-EMT-PCC
Marie Turpin-EMT-PCC
Kristie Johnson-EMT-PCC/IC
Tyler Grandstaff-EMT-PCC
Jamie Vernon-EMT-P
John Poss-AEMT
Jason Rice-AEMT
Tyler Downs-AEMT
April Jakes-AEMT

Bailey Redmon, a senior at DeKalb County High School, doesn’t yet have her high school diploma, but she is already a college graduate having earned an Associate degree in History from Motlow State Community College.
“I walked the line at Motlow this month,” Redmon told WJLE. She will be walking the high school graduation line this Friday night.
Through Motlow College’s dual enrollment program , high school students like Redmon can earn college credits while still enrolled in high school. Students can take classes on a Motlow College campus, online, or even at a partner high school.
Students who have completed their sophomore year and have met all requirements for taking the desired college courses may apply. Public, private and home-schooled students are all welcome to apply. The program gives students the chance to seamlessly transition from high school to college. The core curriculum credits transfer easily to Tennessee’s public colleges and universities while allowing students who are working on a four-year degree to save money on tuition.
“I started working toward my Associate degree in my sophomore year. It was a lot of hard work and a lot of sacrifice. I missed a lot of my brother’s baseball and football games but I had a goal and went for it. After high school graduation, I plan to attend MTSU to start my junior classes. I want to get my Bachelor’s degree and then go on to get my Masters degree and PhD from some other university,” said Redmon.
Her career goal is to become a college History professor.
Meanwhile other Motlow students at DCHS who have already earned 12 hours of college credit through dual enrollment (equivalent to one semester of college work) include Alexis Bates, Rebekah Brandt, Kaylee Braswell, Madison Butler, Kayley Caplinger, Callie Cripps, Chloe Cripps, Maddie Dickens, Rachel Fuson, Luke Green, Maegan Harris, Sahara Lafever, Caitlyn Lawrence, Olivia Grace Odom, Hanah Panter, Rosa Payne, Skylar Pease, Allison Rogers, Alexis Roller, Jacob Self, Paige Snyder, Taylor Spare, Caitlin Spry, Casey Vickers, and Susan Webb.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department has nabbed another fugitive from justice.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW MUG SHOTS OF PERSONS RECENTLY BOOKED AT THE DEKALB COUNTY JAIL- Intakes & Releases From: 5/15/2017 Thru: 5/022/2017)
Seagate Crystal Reports – REPOR_24.pdf (2.35 MB)
32 year old Michael Frederick Teachout of Students Home Road, Smithville is under a $75,000 bond and he will be in court June 8.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Friday, May 19 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Students Home Road due to a wanted person complaint.
Upon arrival the officer found Teachout there. A computer check through central dispatch revealed that Teachout was wanted in Dade County, Georgia for possession of cocaine, marijuana, and possession and use of drug related objects