The Second Annual Education Celebration for DeKalb County has been set for August 6th from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. downtown around the courthouse square.
The celebration is being organized by DeKalb County Board of Education Federal Programs Supervisor Michelle Burklow along with committee members Jennifer Mitchell, Angela Johnson, Pamela Poss, Suzette Barnes, Gina Denman, Melissa Pirtle, and Jamie Vickers.
This Education Celebration is nationally known as First Day of School America and is held annually in a lot of the bigger cities in the United States. Since 1997 the First Day Foundation organization has been assisting schools, families and communities to come together for a celebration on the First Day of each new school year to support education and begin a year-long partnership to promote student success. This is also a time that parents and students can become more familiar with the faculty, staff and PTO of the school that they are entering.
The community can support First Day in a number of ways. Community based organizations can provide materials and resources to parents to make them aware of services available to them in the community. Community leaders- mayors, city council members, clergy, businesses, corporate leaders and others can visit the schools and events and show their support. Local businesses partner with schools by donating products, services and volunteers to the First Day Celebration.
All five schools in DeKalb County will have a booth and be displaying a photo board with their staff and their individual credentials. Each school will also be represented by their school’s PTO about what the PTO does and how parents can help. The Lion’s Club Vision Screening van will be available that day for vision screenings, the DeKalb County Health Department will be represented with information, and the Tennessee Voices for Children and many other organizations will be there. School bus shuttle rides will be available. Parents are encouraged to park at Northside Elementary starting at 4:45 p.m.. There will be refreshments, inflatable jumping balloons and FREE school supplies.
This event is still in the planning stages and volunteers are needed. Business sponsors are also needed. If you would like to help with this event please call Michelle Burklow at 215-2107.
This celebration is totally free of charge to those who attend so make plans now to join the celebration, downtown Smithville on August 6th.

DeKalb County’s affiliate chapter of Habitat for Humanity will hold its Radiothon Fundraiser on WJLE Friday morning, June 15th.
“This radiothon will be a main source of funds to put one local family into an affordable and decent home of their own,” says Nolan Turner, president of the local affiliate chapter. “I ask everyone who shares our commitment to help the less fortunate to consider making a donation.”
The Adams St. home will be built for Felicia Gibbs, a divorced single mother, and her children Dasia, 4, and Trystan Seth, 9 months old. Felicia grew up in Alexandria, attended DeKalb West Elementary School, and graduated from DeKalb County High School in 2001. The family met criteria used by Habitat to identify the best candidates for successful home ownership: demonstration of need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner with Habitat.
The group hopes to exceed the $25,000 raised on WJLE in August 2005. “We were overwhelmed with the response to our first radiothon, and are depending on that kind of community support once again,” says Tecia Pryor, chair of Habitat’s development committee and past president.
Radio listeners can phone in a pledge and challenge other members of the community to make a donation by calling 597-4265, 215-5316 and 215-5317 during the three hour event, hosted live on the local radio station from 9 until 12.
All money raised will be applied toward lot purchase, materials and services, with labor donated. Recipients of Habitat-built homes must make a downpayment and put in hours of “sweat equity” before construction can begin. After the house is built, they assume a 20-year interest-free mortgage for the purchase price, based solely on the price of materials and related services.
If Habitat reaches its fundraising goals, construction should begin later this summer. Estimated total costs are expected to exceed $40,000. Monthly mortgage payments should range between $200 and $300.
For more information, please contact these officers of the Habitat Board of Directors: Nolan Turner, president; Tecia Pryor, vice president and chair of the development committee; Nancy Lewis, secretary; or Glenda Davis, treasurer. You may also leave a message on the Habitat voicemail at 215-8181 and a board member will return your call.

Smithville Police are investigating a burglary early Monday morning at Jewel’s Market on South Congress Boulevard.
The offense report states that “On or about Monday, June 11st at approximately 1:19 a.m., Officer Leilani Defore was dispatched to an alarm at 1226 South Congress Boulevard. Upon arrival, Officer Defore observed that the front door glass had been shattered to gain entry into Jewel’s Market. There were lottery tickets strewn in the parking lot between the store and the car wash, south of the store. There was no sign of anyone on the premises at that time. Store owner Jewel Redmon then arrived and stated that the only thing that he could tell was missing was a case of lottery tickets. There were also pry marks on the side door where someone had attempted to gain entry and failed due to a wooden brace being across the door. Pictures were taken of the scene and Mr. Redmon was asked to call the police department when he could determine a dollar amount of the loss.”
No arrests have been made.
In other cases, Smithville Police arrested 32 year old Frank Smith of 194 Village Place in Smithville for DUI. Officers detected Smith speeding and driving erratically and confirmed their suspicions after field sobriety tests were administered. He was subsequently arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
Meanwhile, 46 year old Sandra Cool of 528 Frazier Street was arrested for domestic assault. Officers responded to the 300 block of West Broad Street due to a reported domestic fight in progress. Upon arrival they met with the victim Brian Carter who stated that Cool pulled into the parking lot and jumped out and began striking him in the face. Officers spoke to several witnesses that confirmed the story. Carter, who declined medical treatment, had numerous marks and scrapes to his neck and face area.
Cool was arrested for Domestic Assault and transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $2,500 bond.

A 20 year old DeKalb County woman was arrested on various drug charges Friday by the Sheriff’s Department after executing and serving a search warrant at her residence on Adcock Cemetery Road.
Arrested was 20 year old Kara Funk
Sheriff Patrick Ray says detectives, deputies, and K-9 dog Banshee found illegal drugs throughout Funk’s residence. Funk was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, syringes and a marijuana grinder, simple possession of a schedule IV drug (valium), sale and delivery of a schedule VI drug( marijuana) over 3 ounces, sale and delivery of a schedule III drug (Hydrocodone), and sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Dilaudid).
Funks’ bond is set at $125,000 and her court date is June 21st. The Tennessee Department of Revenue has been contacted for the collection of taxes on the drugs.
In other cases, 23 year old Roxanna Landis of Highland Street, Smithville was charged with DUI on Thursday, June 7th. Her bond was set at $1,000 and her court date is June 21st. Landis was observed driving on Hayes Street. She was stopped by an officer and performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.
23 year old Ryan Walden of Dale Ridge Road, Dowelltown was charged with burglary and theft of property under $500.00 on Friday, June 8th. Walden entered an outbuilding on West Main Street, Smithville without the owners consent. While inside, Walden took approximately 50 sets of deer antlers and sold them to a local business. Walden’s bond was set at $17,500 and his court date is June 21st.
32 year old Jeffery Spero of Neely’s Bend Road, Madison was involved in an accident on Highway 56 on Friday, June 8th. After the Deputy noticed a strong odor of alcohol, Spero was asked to perform field sobriety tasks which he performed poorly. Spero was charged DUI 2nd offense . His bond was set at $2,000 and his court date is June 28th.
22 year old Raymond Simpson of Church Street ,Dowelltown was charged with Public Intoxication, Resisting Arrest, and Assault on Friday, June 8th. After receiving a complaint in Dowelltown, Simpson was found in an intoxicated state having blood shot eyes, slurred speech and he was unsteady on his feet. When Simpson was told he was under arrest, he began fighting two of the Deputies. One of the Deputies was hit in the head, but did not need medical treatment. Raymond’s bond was set at $8,500 and his court date is June 28th.

A total of 489 people have voted in the Smithville Municipal Election with one day of early voting remaining.
DeKalb County Election Commission officials report that 471 have voted by personal appearance and 18 have voted by mail.
Early voting will be held Thursday, June 14th from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Election Day is Tuesday, June 19th from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
All voting, both during early voting and on election day, will be in the basement courtroom of the DeKalb County Courthouse.
Three aldermen will be elected, each to serve a two year term, beginning July 1st.
Incumbents Aaron Meeks, W. J. “Dub” White, and Paul Young are being challenged by Jerry Hutchins’ Sr., Shawn Jacobs, Tonya Sullivan, Willie Thomas, and Todd Van Dyne.