A bedroom fire forced a woman and three children from a home on E.H. Haas Road Wednesday evening.
Captain Anthony Boyd of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department told WJLE that the blaze was reported at around 5:30 p.m. at the home of Brooke Pedigo . Although Pedigo lives there, the house actually belongs to Ronnie and Sue Cook.

Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the residence. According to Captain Boyd, the fire was contained to one bedroom but heat and smoke spread throughout the home. Pedigo and the children were unharmed. Local members of the American Red Cross were called to assist the family with their immediate needs.
The cause of the fire is undetermined.
Members of the Main Station, Liberty, and Short Mountain Highway stations responded along with the fire department’s tanker truck. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and DeKalb EMS were also on the scene.

Your help is needed in fighting hunger and feeding hope on Saturday, May 14 by joining with the Letter Carriers (NALC) union in its 24th annual food drive–the largest one-day food drive in the nation.
The annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive permits residents to leave non-perishable food at their mailboxes for letter carriers to pick up when they deliver the mail. The drive is held each year on the second Saturday in May.
Letter carriers will be collecting non-perishable food donations for the drive from postal customers in the Smithville area as they deliver mail along their postal routes. People are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods such as canned soup; canned vegetables; canned meats and fish; pasta; peanut butter; rice or cereal next to their mailbox before the regular mail delivery on Saturday.
According to local Letter Carriers, food items can be left in your mail box for mail carriers to pick up or you may drop off your donations at the lobby of the Smithville Post Office
Carriers will bring the food to local food banks, pantries or shelters in DeKalb County. For more information, call Roger Young at the Smithville Post Office at 615-597-4781.
Last year’s drive collected approximately 71 million pounds of non-perishable food that was left in bags next to postal customers’ mailboxes. It was the 12th consecutive year that letter carriers have collected more than 70 million pounds of food, and it brought the drive’s grand total to more than 1.4 billion pounds of food collected.

Former players for both the DeKalb County Tiger and Cannon County Lion football teams will congregate at Fred Schwartz Field in Woodbury on Saturday evening, May 14, for a first-ever Alumni football game between the two schools. Kickoff of the full contact event is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. WJLE will have LIVE coverage with John Pryor.
Cannon County and DeKalb County have had a long-standing border rivalry in all sports, which spans the course of decades. In 1963, high schools in Smithville and Liberty combined to form a consolidated DeKalb County High School. Games between schools in the region were played prior to that consolidation, but the first official consolidated Cannon County – DeKalb County football game was played in the fall of 1963, which the Tigers won in Smithville, 12-0. DeKalb County won again in 1964, 39-0, in Woodbury, but the Lions claimed three straight in the series from 1965-67, before the series was suspended until the 1971 season.
The two teams tied, 6-6, in 1971, but DeKalb County gained a stranglehold in the series from that point, winning the next 15 games in the series, from 1972-2004. Cannon County won two of the next three meetings, including a 47-7 rout of the Tigers in 2005, which laid the three-plus decade streak to rest. After a Lion win in the 2007 game in Smithville however, DeKalb County took command of the series, having won the last eight meetings, including the most lopsided result in the series in 2015, when the Tigers rolled to a 69-3 rout of the Lions in Smithville.
In all, since DeKalb County’s high school consolidation in 1963, the Lions and Tigers have played 32 total times. DeKalb County holds a 26-5-1 all-time lead in the series. The Tigers are 12-4-1 against the Lions in Smithville, and hold a 13-1 advantage over the Lions in games played in Woodbury. One neutral site game was played in Baxter in 1972, which the Tigers also won.
DeKalb County averages 27.7 points per game against Cannon County, while the Lions average 9.7 points per game against the Tigers.
DeKalb County’s alumni roster features 33 players from various teams, dating back to the Class of 1993 through players who graduated in 2015.
Admission to the game Saturday evening is $10, with proceeds to benefit each school’s football program. Tickets will be available at the gate.

DCHS Tigerette Pitcher Kayley Caplinger has been named the Most Valuable Player of the District 8AA Softball Tournament.
The All-District Regular Season and District Tournament selections were announced Wednesday.
Caplinger pitched a shutout every night of the tournament and only allowed 9 hits in 4 games played with 28 strikeouts.
Members of the All District Tournament Team from DeKalb County are Tyra Graham, Dani Meadows, Katie Hall, and Joni Robinson.
DeKalb County also had its share of honors for the regular season.
Tigerette Coach Danny Bond was named Coach of the Year in District 8AA
Kayley Caplinger was selected as District Co-Player of the Year, Co-Pitcher of the Year, and Offensive Player of the Year.
The District’s Defensive Player of the Year is Tyra Graham.
Members of the All District Team from DeKalb County are Kayley Caplinger, Tyra Graham, Dani Meadows, Katie Hall, Hannah Walker, and Myranda Bailiff. Allison Maynard received honorable mention.
Maddison Parsley and Joni Robinson were named to the All District Freshman Team

The DCHS Tigerettes claimed the Championship of the District 8 AA Softball Tournament Wednesday with a 1-0 win over Livingston Academy at Upperman High School in Baxter.
Tyra Graham belted a homerun in the 3rd inning in what turned out to be the only run of the game. The Tigerettes completed the district tournament without being scored upon in four games played.
DeKalb County will host Chattanooga Christian Monday, May 16 at 5:00 p.m. in the Region Tournament at the Danny Bond Field at DCHS. WJLE plans LIVE coverage.
The Tigerettes scored 1 run on 6 hits and made no errors. Livingston Academy was held scoreless on 4 hits and made no errors.
Kayley Caplinger, the winning pitcher, struck out 14.
Lexi Bates, Kayley Caplinger, Katie Hall and Dani Meadows each singled and Joni Robinson doubled in addition to Graham’s homerun.
In the tournament, the Tigerettes defeated York Institute 13-0 on Saturday; Upperman 11 to 0 on Monday; Upperman 10-0 on Tuesday; and Livingston Academy 1-0 on Wednesday.

Graduation for the Class of 2016 at DeKalb County High School will be Friday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. on the high school football field.
The commencement program will feature the presentation of the White Rose and Citizenship Awards to members of the Class, a performance by the DCHS Chorus, and remarks by the Class Valedictorian Ashli Chew, Class President Chloe White, and DCHS Principal Kathy Bryant. Honor students will also be recognized including those who have earned top rank, honors, and distinction status. The DCHS band will perform “pomp and circumstance” as the graduates file onto the field. Bryant will present the class to Director of Schools Patrick Cripps, who will then award diplomas to the graduates as their names are called.
A total of 163 students make up the Class of 2016 at DCHS.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW SENIOR PHOTOS): NOTE THERE ARE FOUR PAGES OF PHOTOS
http://www.wjle.com/graduation-2016-page-1
Meanwhile scholarships and other awards will be presented to members of the Class of 2016 at DeKalb County High School during the annual Senior Awards program Monday night, May 16 at 6:00 p.m. in the DCHS gymnasium.
Representatives of colleges, universities, branches of the armed services, businesses, civic groups, and other organizations will make the presentations. WJLE plans LIVE coverage on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE STREAMING at www.wjle.com.
Ashli Chew is the Class Valedictorian. The Salutatorian is Max Pafford.
The following students have met requirements for top Rank:
Ashli Chew, Maxwell Pafford, Frank Oliver, Mariah Lynch, Kirkland Smallwood, Noah Parsley, Morgan Vickers, Mackenzie Keaton, Caitlin Turner, Alexander Rhody, Hailey Walker, Seth Wright, Hannah James, Christopher Bryant, Hannah Leach, Kyra Slager, Tyra Graham, Hannah Walker, Anna Malone, Jaidyn L. Huggins, Harley Johnson, Chloe White, Carlee White, Hannah Lasser, Carl Mooneyham, Jr., Caitlin Jacobs, Matthew Wright, Amber Montgomery, Hayden Plymel, Gabriella Nokes, Katherine Parker, Delaney Johnson, Haden Cripps, Elijah Hendrixson, Nicklas Patterson, Katelynn Hall, Roberto Mata, Noah Byford, and Carly Moss.
To be considered for top Rank, students must take at least 10 honors, dual enrollment, and AP courses and students must have a 21 or higher ACT composite score.
The following students have met the requirement for Tennessee State Distinction:
Jailyn Bolding, Jerica Braswell, Chase Bryant, Kaylene Ferguson, Tyra Graham, Elijah Hendrixson, Jaydin Huggins, Caitlin Jacobs, Hannah James, Delaney Johnson, Mackenzie Keaton, Hannah Lasser, Hannah Leach, Mariah Lynch, Anna Malone, Taylor Marshall, Keeley McKay, Carly Moss, Alexis Nokes, Eli Oliver, Max Pafford, Katie Parker, Noah Parsley, Hayden Plymel, Austin Poss, Alex Rhody, Kyra Slager, Kirkland Smallwood, Caitlin Turner, Christian Turner, Morgan Vickers, Hailey Walker, Hannah Walker, Carlee White, Chloe White, Matthew Wright, and Seth Wright.
Students with Distinction have met at least one of the following:
*Earned a nationally recognized industry certification
*Participated in at least one year of the Governor’s Schools
*Participated in one of the state’s All State Musical Organizations
*Been selected as a National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist
*Attained a composite score of 31 or higher on the ACT
*Attained a score of 3 or higher on at least two Advanced Placement (AP) exams
*Earned 12 or more semester hours of postsecondary (dual enrollment credit)
The following students have met the requirements for graduating with Tennessee State Honors:
Chase Bryant, Ashli Chew, Elijah Hendrixson, Mackenzie Keaton, Mariah Lynch, Anna Malone, Roberto Mata, Eli Oliver, Max Pafford, Hayden Plymel, Alex Rhody, Kyra Slager, Kirkland Smallwood, Caitlin Turner, and Seth Wright.
Tennessee State Honors students have met all of the ACT subject area readiness benchmarks. The benchmarks are: English-18, Reading-22, Math-22, and Science 23.
The DCHS Class of 2016 includes the following students:
Curtis Tyler Ackerson, Jesse Alan Adams, Juan Diego Alvarez-Tinajero, Kelly Michelle Armour, Meranda Kay Atnip,
Courtney Devonne Bain, Troy James Bodie Bain, Briana Nicole Bandy, Jennifer Mae Ann Barnes, Jasmine Kiera Beaty, John Michael Belosic, Jessica Nicole Billings, Kerra Necole Blackwell, Justin Michael Blair, Tara-Lyn Bockoven, Jailyn Paige Bolding, Jerica Elaine Braswell, Benjamin Franklin Brooks, III, Christopher Chase Bryant, Jonah Mark Burke, Noah Dallas Byford,
Alexis Paige Caldwell, Matthew Hunter Caldwell, Tavia Gayle Cantrell, Jennifer Caroline Caplinger, Brittney Lynn Carpenter, Diana Berenice Carrillo, Gavin Lee Carter, Morgan Mackenzie Castorena, Ashli Elizabeth Chew, Colby Ray Clark, Leah Payton Clark, Dakotah Raine Cool, Andrew Dwayne Cornelius, Haden Grant Cripps, Ana Karen Cuellar, Billy Lane Curtis,
Robert Lane Davenport, Erick Lee Dodd, John Gage Duggin, Miranda Lea Dyer,
Kayla Dawn Ervin, Vernon Gage Ervin, Tabitha Georgette Kelly Estes,
Kaylene Marie Ferguson, Hannah Josephine Ferrell, Aspen Nicole Flarity, Wendy Flores Amado, Kaylyn Faith France,
Caleb Mason Gantt, Krisann Rene Garmer, Rachel Nicole Gash, Sy James Gohs, Casey Dillon Gooch, Tyra Grace Graham,
Katelyn Ann Hall, Chandler Bryce Haynes, Joshua Calvin Hembree, Elijah Lee Hendrixson, Bobby Wayne Dillon Hicks, Levi Austin Horton, Jaidyn Lynn Huggins,
Caitlin Blair Jacobs, Hannah Elizabeth James, Courtney Lynn Johnson, Delaney Louise Johnson, Deveen Dakato Johnson, Garrett Drake Johnson, Harley Jade Johnson, Isabella Dae Johnson, Bruno Juarez Ramirez,
Mackenzie Danielle Keaton, Clara Talpha Knowles,
Michael Ryan LaFever, Alexander Kalb Lasser, Hannah Ashton Lasser, Hannah Elizabeth Leach, Kyle Louis Lemons, Ryan Patrick Lincoln, Ethan Cole Lomas, La-Kota Wade Luna, Mariah Nicole Lynch,
Anna Bess Malone, Taylor Nicole Marshall, Roberto Carlos Mata, Jonathan Stacy Matthews, Emerald Marie Ann McClanahan, Azya M’Kia Caperise McCoy, Keely Denise McKay, Samuel Lee McMillen, Danielle Alise Meadows, Kelly Nicole Meeks, Turner Lynn Merryman, Antonio Luis Miranda, Mary Belle Mofield, Amber Nicole Montgomery, Joseph Daniel Moon, Carl Anthony Mooneyham, Jr., Nathan Allen Moore, Tyler Allen Morton, Allison Brooke Mosley, Carly McKenna Moss, Luis Abraham Munoz-Aldino,
Gabriella Alexis Nokes,
Frank Eli Oliver, Sergio Daniel Ortiz, Ferrin Mae Outley,
Maxwell Colin Pafford, Ashley Michelle Parker, Katherine Belle Parker, Noah Scott Parsley, Nicklas Lane Patterson, Damian Clark Payne, Morgan Leanne Pedigo, Erin Nicole Perry, Katlyn Nichole Pinegar, Hayden Dewan Plymel, Alanna Marie Porras, Austin Wayne Poss, Jeff Rayburn Prisock, Braxton Darce Pugh, Jared Robert Pyles,
Maribel Lynn Quintero,
Miguel Angel Ramirez-Celaya, Daisy Vanesa Resendiz, Kaitlin Makenzie Rhea, Alexander James Rhody, Shelby Nicole Roberts, Mason Amanda Hunter Robinson, Miguel Angel Rodriguez, Esai Rey Rodriguez, Emily Rose Romo,
Brooklyn Kay Seifert, Kyra Makay Slager, Kirkland Alexander Smallwood, Haley Nicole Smith, Jorden Tyler Smoot, Emily Nicole Snider, Angeles Socorro Soto, Skyler McKenzie Stewart, Megan Elizabeth Strayn, Hailey Marie Summers,
Nathaniel Theriaque, Allen Dale Thompson, Caitlin Brooke Turner, Christian Blaire Turner,
Zackery Lane Underhill,
Yosadara Vicente, Morgan Marie Vickers,
Hailey Lynnette Walker, Hannah Renea Walker, Chelsey Ann Waters, Carlee Colvert White, Chloe Colvert White, Jordan Allan Whitehead, Brooklynn Leann Wilkerson, Hunter Eugene Wilkins, Samara Mae Williams, Hunter Lane Woods, Matthew Sheldon Wright, and Seth Ashton Wright.

Susan Hinton, Adult High School Leader and Program Supervisor, gave her annual report to the Board of Education and the Director of Schools Thursday night.
Hinton said a total of twenty three students were served during the 2015-16 school year and three graduated. “I had two new students who came in this week. This happens all the time. People are going, coming, transferring and finishing. I had three graduates. I will have a graduate on Monday (May 9) which is included in the three and she is very excited. There has been seventy two credits completed this year in my class. That’s a lot of credits,” said Hinton.
“Every year I have questions from people in the community and I would like to address a few of those. We are not a GED Class. Our Adult High School is strictly regular diploma. We teach the regular classes,” she said.
“The DeKalb Adult High School serves students from age 18 and older and some 17 year olds with special permission who dropped out of school for various reasons or left high school without sufficient credits to graduate and want to come to school in a more flexible setting which enables students (who are working or have families to take care of) to return to school and complete a regular high school diploma,” said Hinton.
How long will it take to complete the class? “This is a frequent question asked by potential students. The amount of time to complete a high school diploma will depend on how many credits a student has on their individual record from previously attended accredited schools. The amount of credits is also dependent upon the year a student started high school and what classes were required during those years,” Hinton continued.
“Some people are able to complete a course per month, but it depends on the hours a student is able to complete classes at school or online. A student is able to complete classes from any online computer as well as attend classes at the adult high school”.
“Interested students should get in touch with the DeKalb County High School Guidance Department. The student must turn in information that will allow the staff in the guidance department to send for previous records of completed classes from any schools attended. Then individually, the guidance counselor will meet with the student and outline a plan of action to complete necessary classes required for graduation,” she said.
“The student must pass each course with a 70 or above to receive each credit and a certain number of subjects must be completed in specific courses. When the student has successfully completed his or her individual program, a diploma is ordered and presented to the student”.
“Each student works at his or her own pace and receives individual attention when possible. Students who do computer classes must meet periodically with the teachers of the Adult High School to receive extra help or make sure the student is on track for completing the course within a reasonable amount of time,” Hinton said.
Hinton read an essay by one of her students. “Coming back to school was a hard decision. My mind was filled with so many ifs. What if I won’t be able to support my family? What if it’ll take forever to get my school work done because of my job? It’s very hard to work at a job and come to school, but hey, it’s totally worth it.”
“I have a 6 year old child and I am expecting another child in the fall and would want to show and prove to my children that school is important in life. I used to not care at all for school because I didn’t see the benefits of it. Now, I actually see the benefits of having a better job with fewer hours and higher pay and being able to spend more time with my family.”
“Without a diploma, there are no better jobs. I used to just go to school because my parents made me. I never really paid attention. Here at the Adult High School, I’m learning. Don’t get me wrong—I’m learning because I now actually want to learn. Mrs. Hinton is a wonderful outstanding teacher. She helps me understand and of course I can’t leave out Mr. Dub who has helped me as well. He has a great personality and sense of humor. We have some awesome teachers at the Adult High School. So I really suggest if you’re planning on coming back to school, I recommend you do, it’s very important. Maybe like I mentioned, you won’t see it now, but later you will. It’s never too late to learn and it’s not a waste of time—it’s putting time into securing a better future for you and your family”.

Several DeKalb County 4-H members recently participated in the Sub-regional Project Achievement day that was held in Cookeville. They gave presentations related to one of the 26 project areas offered in 4-H. 4th and 5th graders participate in the demonstration contest where they have to explain how to do something or how it works. 6th-8th graders participate in the exhibit contest which can be like a science project or a general information board. Both contests require the student to explain their project in 1-3 minutes to the judges. 4-H members are judged on communication skills, creativity, props, and overall appearance of the display boards. DeKalb County was well represented by the following students:
Demonstrations:
Melanie Bogle, 4th grade: 2nd place in Sheep
Jacklyn Kleparek, 5th grade: 3rd place in Electric
Caroline Tobitt, 4th grade: Participant in Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries
Zoi Hale, 4th grade: Participant in Food Science
Summer Morse, 4th grade: Participant in Food Science
Elaina Turner, 4th grade: Participant in Performing Arts and Recreation
Exhibits:
Jacob Beaty, 6th grade: 1st place in Computers and Technology
Evan Morse, 6th grade: 1st in Food Science
Raiden Griffin, 6th grade: 1st in Horse
Lily Martin, 7th grade: 3rd in Performing Arts and Recreation
For more information about 4-H programs, call the UT/TSU Extension office at 615-597-4945.
Photo Caption:
Summer Morse, Evan Morse, Jacob Beaty, Caroline Tobitt, Raiden Griffin, Lily Martin, and Jacklyn Kleparek represented DeKalb County at the Sub-regional 4-H Project Achievement Day. Not pictured: Melanie Bogle, Zoi Hale, and Elaina Turner.

A staff member at the Indian Mound Boys Home was assaulted by a teenager there Saturday, May 7.
18 year old Franklin Jared Prater of Sparta is charged with assault. His bond is $2,500 and he will make a court appearance on May 12.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that Prater allegedly assaulted a staff member with his fist. The blow to the face left a bruise on the staff member’s jaw. Prater allegedly admitted committing the assault saying he wanted to get out of the Department of Children Services’ custody.
An Alexandria man who allegedly assaulted a woman while holding a gun on her has been arrested in the case and will make a court appearance on May 12.
43 year old Timothy Dewayne Johns of New Hope Road, Alexandria is under a $5,000 bond charged with aggravated assault.
Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, May 7 a deputy responded to a residence on New Hope Road due to a physical domestic involving a gun. While speaking with the victim, the officer learned that Johns had allegedly ripped off most of the woman’s clothing and assaulted her. The deputy observed a knot on her left brow and several scrapes and red marks on her neck, hands, legs, and knees. According to the woman, Johns held a pistol to her head during the assault and then put the handgun in her mouth, saying he should just kill her. The woman claims Johns tried to choke her several times while inflicting blows about her head and body. Johns was placed under arrest.
49 year old Douglas Ray Ferrell of Midway Road, Smithville was arrested twice last week on assault charges. In the first incident, Ferrell allegedly hit his son in the head with a hammer. In the second incident Ferrell threatened to attack a deputy with a wire plant hanger while he was investigating another assault.
According to Sheriff Ray, the first offense occurred on Wednesday, May 4. A deputy was dispatched to the residence on Midway Road in reference to a domestic call. During the investigation, the officer learned that Ferrell allegedly hit his son in the head with a hammer and then chased after him with a metal pole. Ferrell was placed under arrest and charged with aggravated assault. His bond is $4,000 and he will be in court May 19.
Three days later on Saturday, May 7, Ferrell was arrested again for assault and for resisting stop, frisk, halt, arrest or search. His bond on that charge is $7,000 and will make a court appearance May 19. Sheriff Ray said that a deputy again responded to the residence on Midway Road for a possible domestic. As the officer was talking to the woman who placed the call, Ferrell ran out of the house and charged toward the deputy holding a wire plant hanger. Although the officer ordered him several times to stop and go back inside the house, Ferrell continued toward the deputy and drew back the hanger as if he were going to hit him before throwing it to the ground. But after dropping the hanger, Ferrell again approached the deputy with a raised fist in a fighting stance. Ferrell was forcibly subdued by the deputy and placed under arrest.
22 year old Lee Allen Ferrell of Midway Road, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $4,000 and he will make a court appearance on May 26. Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, May 6 a deputy was called to Midway Road for a physical domestic. During an investigation the officer learned that Ferrell had allegedly kicked a woman about the face and neck leaving marks on her face. Ferrell was placed under arrest.
25 year old Emily Kristen Kriegel of Sparta is cited for simple possession of marijuana. She will make a court appearance on May 26. Sheriff Ray said on Thursday, May 5 a deputy stopped a black car on Highway 70 east and while speaking with the passenger, Kriegel, found her to be nervous. He asked if she had any illegal substances and she produced 0.1 gram of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana from her bra and pants area.
23 year old Dakota Stith of Short Mountain Road, McMinnville is charged with theft of property over $1,000. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court on May 12. Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, April 29 Stith allegedly stole a 2001 pewter colored Chevy S-10 pickup. He was later found in possession of the truck. The case was investigated by a sheriff’s department detective.
28 year old Amanda Brooke Washer of McMinnville Highway, Smithville is charged with evading arrest. She was also issued a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia. Washer is under a $2,500 bond and she will be in court on May 12. Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, May 3 Washer intentionally fled from law enforcement officers by running from them as they were trying to serve an arrest warrant on her. Washer was forcibly taken into custody. A search of her belongings revealed two spoons with residue which field tested positive for cocaine; two used hypodermic needles; and two lighters and tissue paper.
25 year old Andrew Dayton West of Tramel Branch Road, Alexandria is charged with driving on a revoked license. He was also issued a citation for no insurance. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court on May 19. Sheriff Ray said that West was involved in a wreck on Wednesday, May 4 and during the investigation he was unable to produce a driver license. A computer check confirmed that his license were revoked in Smith County on January 28, 2014 for failure to satisfy fines and costs.

Seven four students in the L.B.J. & C. Smithville Head Start Program received certificates during a graduation ceremony held Monday at the county complex auditorium.
Parents and other family members and friends turned out for the program which featured the children singing two songs called “I’m Special” and “Goodbye Friends” and dancing to Blake Shelton’s recording of the Kenny Loggin’s classic “Footloose”.
Students in each of the four classes wore graduation caps and came to the podium to receive their certificates as their names were called.