The DeKalb County High School Band took home top honors from the Yellow Jacket Invitational in Hartsville on Saturday (Sept. 30).
The band placed first in Class C, edging past the similar size bands of Smith County and Hillwood. Senior Junior Ingram won first place as Drum Major. The 48-member unit also was awarded second in Color Guard and third place in percussion. Overall, the D.C.H.S. band was 5th out of 17 bands.
“This was the band’s best performance of the season,” says Band Director Tracy Luna. “The band continues to make great improvements from week to week.”
“The judges were composed of a great panel of expert eyes and ears,” adds Luna. “They provided a great number of comments to help the band improve.”
Luna, Assistant Band Director Dalton Hawkins, and the band will compete next on October 14 at the Middle Tennessee Small Band Championship in Chapel Hill, Tennessee.
“If the kids continue to work hard and make the kinds of improvement that they have thus far,” Luna says, “we will be competitive in our return to the Division II State Band Championship in several weeks.”

An 18 year old woman has been charged with aggravated assault for allegedly cutting a man with a knife during an argument.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW MUG SHOTS OF PERSONS RECENTLY BOOKED AT THE DEKALB COUNTY JAIL- Intakes & Releases From: 9/25/2017 Thru: 10/03/2017)
Seagate Crystal Reports – REPOR_41.pdf (3.57 MB)
Quonisha Bonique Webb of Sparta is under a $5,000 bond and she will make a court appearance October 26.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Friday, September 29 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Sparta Highway in response to a domestic complaint. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Webb and a man and learned that the two had been in an altercation. According to the man, he and Webb had gotten into an argument when she pulled a knife and cut him. Webb admitted to cutting the man but said she did it in self defense. A third party witness said she saw Webb on top of the man cutting him with a knife.
The case was investigated by a sheriff’s department deputy.
Jose Alberto-Narvaez Becerra of Jacobs Pillar Road, Smithville is charged with aggravated assault. His bond is $5,000 and his court date is October 26.
Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, September 29 a woman came to the jail and reported to a deputy that on the previous day, Thursday, September 28, Becerra grabbed her by the arms and then her throat trying to strangle her. The woman had bruising and redness due to the altercation.
The deputy filed the charge against Becerra.
35 year old Christopher Jeriel Waters of Watertown is charged with possession of methamphetamine with the intent to sell or deliver. He was further cited for driving on a revoked license (revocation due to failure to pay child support), violation of the light law, and possession of drug paraphernalia (set of digital scales). His bond is $10,000 and his court date is October 26.
Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, October 2 a deputy spotted a driver side brake light not working on a vehicle traveling on Cookeville Highway. He made a traffic stop near the intersection with Floating Mill Road and spoke with the driver, Waters. A computer check revealed that Waters has an active arrest warrant against him from Wilson County. He was then placed into custody. During a search of Waters’ person, the officer found a set of digital scales and a small clear baggie in his front right pocket that contained 1.6 grams of a clear crystal like substance which field tested positive for methamphetamine.
29 year old Kobe Bryant Allen of Midway Road, Smithville is charged with aggravated assault. His bond is $7,500 and his court date is October 12.
Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, September 26 a woman came to the sheriff’s office with her children seeking help getting away from her husband, Allen. The woman claims she was at home when Allen came in and began arguing with her. During the argument, she said Allen pulled a pistol, pointed it at her, and threatened to kill her. She further claims that Allen then punched her in the ribs and tried to choke her. Allen was placed under arrest.
37 year old Nathan Joseph Wilbert of Vandergriff Hollow Road, Dowelltown is charged with domestic assault, evading arrest, and vandalism over $1,000. His bond is $10,500 and his court date is October 5.
Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, September 23 a deputy was called to a residence on Vandergriff Hollow Road due to a possible altercation. Upon arrival the officer spoke with a woman who said that when she got out of her Chevy Trailblazer to check on her grandson, Wilbert, he ran toward her apparently in a threatening manner. As she got back inside the vehicle, Wilbert kicked the door causing more than $1,000 in damage. Wilbert’s actions caused the woman to fear for her life or bodily injury. Two days later on Monday, September 25 as a deputy was attempting to arrest Wilbert on an outstanding domestic assault warrant, he (Wilbert) tried to flee on foot after being ordered by the officer to stop because he was under arrest.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department has charged two women in separate thefts which occurred over the summer.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW MUG SHOTS OF PERSONS RECENTLY BOOKED AT THE DEKALB COUNTY JAIL- Intakes & Releases From: 9/25/2017 Thru: 10/03/2017)
Seagate Crystal Reports – REPOR_41.pdf (3.57 MB)
42 year old Crystal Alice Turner of A.B. Frazier Road, Smithville is charged with theft of property. Her bond is $4,500 and her court date is October 12.
Sheriff PatrickRay said that on August 15 Turner took a Sanyo television and DVD player from a home on A.B. Frazier Road. The TV was valued at $400. The DVD was worth $25.
The case was investigated by a sheriff’s department detective.
27 year old Sarah Jayne Davidson of Manchester is charged with theft of property over $1,000. She is under a $5,000 bond and her court date is October 12.
Sheriff Ray said that on July 14 Davidson stole a Dell M-6500 laptop valued at $2,100. The case was investigated by a sheriff’s department detective.

Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students from DeKalb Middle and DeKalb West School are getting a firsthand experience this week in conducting science experiments inside a mobile learning laboratory, called the STEMmobile.
Housed in a 53-foot tractor-trailer with self-contained power, the STEMmobile has its own heating and cooling system, a satellite uplink for Internet connectivity and workstations to accommodate about 24 students at a time. The classroom on wheels is stocked with equipment from Tennessee Tech’s Oakley STEM Center and includes iPads and/or laptops, hand-held data collection devices, and other standard STEM industrial materials and supplies for activities at each grade level. With carpet lined walls, bright lights, and industrial grade metal drawers, the STEMmobile is also equipped with stainless steel countertops under flat screen TVs for students to conduct their experiments, bringing technology to the doorsteps of the school.
The science lessons, based on Tennessee science standards developed by the Upper Cumberland Rural STEM Initiative includes electromagnets, simple machines, electric circuits, heart rate monitoring, vitamin c indicators, sail design, magnets, motion, parachutes, chromotography, and more. “We’re working experiments with simple machines,” said DWS teacher Martha Damron , whose seventh grade homeroom class was using the facility at the time WJLE visited.
Caleb Dies, Kortney Skeen, Brianna Crotzer, Jeremy Brown, and Gavin Conger participated in making an incline plane while Gabrielle Wheatley, Chevelle Lockwood, John Ellis, John Iervolino worked with a lever system, testing whether the weight was at the farthest or closest point to the fulcrum.
The STEMmobile, which began visiting schools in October, 2013, is a one-of-a-kind product of the Oakley STEM Center and Tennessee Tech University as part of the Upper Cumberland Rural STEM Initiative, a grant project funded by Tennessee’s First to the Top program. UCRSI is part of the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network, where the mission is to enhance student participation and interest in STEM subjects.
The STEMmobile is designed to help students learn more about three core STEM themes particularly relevant to rural students: water, with a focus on its importance, usage and conservation; energy, which highlights how power is generated, ways to lower consumption, green energy and long-term energy needs; and my food, my body, my health, which helps students learn more about agriculture, health, nutrition and physical fitness.
Science teachers are trained to use the learning studio at the Oakley STEM Center in order to prepare them to make the most of the STEMmobile.
For more information about the STEMmobile, please go to www.ucrsi.org.

Does talking with teens about healthy relationships make a difference? According to teens and researchers, the answer is “yes”! Studies show parents have the greatest influence over their teen’s decisions.
Let’s Talk Month is an opportunity for parents and children to learn to communicate in an open and honest manner about responsible attitudes, behaviors and other sensitive issues. Such discussions can help young people delay risky decisions and avoid unintended consequences. Research shows that adolescents prefer their parents to be their educators. Moreover, teens often need more information, guidance and open discussions with their families.
Families play a pivotal role in helping young people make healthy decisions. Most parents want the opportunity to share their values and provide their children with accurate information. But often, parents and other adults feel uncomfortable discussing specific topics and need assistance and support in starting meaningful conversations.
In recognition of Let’s Talk Month the Tennessee Department of Health is sponsoring a free workshop for parents in the Upper Cumberland area:
What: How To Be An Askable Parent
When: October 26, 2017 at 5:15 p.m.
Where: DeKalb Middle School Auditorium
Who’s Invited: Parents, Grandparents, Foster Parents, and Other Caregivers
For more information contact the DeKalb County Health Department at 615-597-7599.

Parents, children, and local businesses are invited to join the City of Smithville and the Police Department’s “Trick or Treat Halloween Downtown” Tuesday, October 31 from noon until 5:00 p.m.
Some offices in the DeKalb County Courthouse, Smithville City Hall, Smithville Police Department, Justin Potter Library, and participating businesses downtown will have candy and special treats for the children. Look for the stores and offices with a picture of an orange pumpkin on their windows. Maps will soon be available at the police department and Justin Potter Library to show parents which businesses will be taking part in the event.
WJLE will soon post a map at www.wjle.com.
For more information call Beth Adcock at the Smithville Police Department at 615-597-8210 extension 1 or check out the police department’s face book page soon for details at https://www.facebook.com/SmithvillePoliceDepartment.
This event is sponsored by the Smithville Police Department and the Smithville City Hall.
Meanwhile, the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a “Best Costume Contest” for downtown businesses and offices. Take a picture and email it to swilliams@dekalbcountychamber.org or take a photo with your phone and send it to 615.464.7760 by 1:30 p.m. on October 31. First, second, and third place winners will be presented a “Halloween on the Square Best Costume Award”, media recognition, and bragging rights.
The Smithville Volunteer Fire Department will have special treats for children Tuesday, October 31 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Stop by for a hot dog, candy, and a tour of the Smithville Fire Hall. Meet with Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker and the Smithville Fire Department Volunteers.
Other communities and churches in the county will also be observing Halloween events in late October.

The DeKalb Prevention Coalition (DPC) is spreading a message in its effort to combat prescription drug abuse. “Count It, Lock It, Drop It”.
Statistics from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) show that 55% of prescriptions are obtained free from a friend or relative. Three simple steps can make a big difference in prescription drug abuse. COUNT your pills, keep them LOCKED up, and dispose of them in the DROP box at Smithville City Hall and you won’t become an accidental drug dealer. A prescription drug take back day will be held downtown Smithville on Saturday, October 28 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
“Whatever medications you have in your house, you should keep locked up. If you don’t have a lock box, come to my office in the county complex and I will give you a lock box free. Once the medication becomes out of date or if you don’t use it all bring it by the drop box at city hall,” said Lisa Cripps, Coordinator of the DeKalb Prevention Coalition.
Cripps said she and Alexandria Police Chief Chris Russell have applied for a drop box for Alexandria to serve the western portion of the county.
Approximately fifty pounds of unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs were collected in April during the last Prescription Drug Take Back Day sponsored locally by the DeKalb Prevention Coalition. Others that participated in the day were the DeKalb County Health Department, Board of Education-Coordinated School Health, Haven of Hope, St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital, Therapeutic Intervention Inc., Dept. of Children Services, and the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth,
The Mission of DPC is to unite community leaders and citizens of DeKalb County forming strong partnerships across major community sectors with the goal of reducing substance abuse. The DPC would like to extend an invitation to all residents to become a part of the coalition. The meetings are held the last Tuesday of each month at 12:00pm. The next meeting will be October 31, at 10:30am at the UT Extension room in the county complex. For more information contact Lisa Cripps 615-580-9290 or the facebook page at facebook.com/DeKalbPreventionCoalition.

The DeKalb County Tigers battled the Livingston Academy Wildcats on the road Friday night but fell short losing 29 to 18.
The Tigers drop to 2-5 on the season and 0-2 in the region. The Wildcats improve to 6-1 and to 3-0 in region play.
DeKalb County took the lead on its first possession driving 74 yards for a score. Jesse Smith got the Tigers on the board with a touchdown run and with Andrew Fuson’s PAT DeKalb County led 7-0 with 9:12 left in the 1st period.
A 27 yard field goal by Tee Beaty put the Wildcats on the board with 6:08 left in the 1st period to cut the Tiger led to 7-3.
Andrew Fuson booted a 26 yard field goal with 5:28 left in the 2nd period to extend the Tiger lead to 10-3, capping a 64 yard DC drive.
On the ensuing kick-off, the Wildcats made a return to the Tiger 30 yard line and then drove for a score on a Wade Neely 3 yard touchdown run with 2:41 left in 2nd period. Beaty’s PAT tied the game at 10-10.
Livingston Academy grabbed the lead with 31 seconds left in the 2nd period on another 3 yard touchdown run by Wade Neely, capping a 61 yard drive. The PAT attempt was no good but the Wildcats lead 16-0 at half time.
The only score in the 3rd period came on a Mitchell Ayers 4 yard touchdown run for Livingston Academy with 6:13 left in the 3rd period capping an 84 yard drive. Beaty booted the extra point and the Wildcats pushed their lead to 23-10.
Beaty kicked a pair of 33 yard field goals in the 4th period with 10:36 to go and then with 6:45 left in the game to extend the Livingston Academy advantage to 26 to 10 and then to 29 to 10.
The last score of the game came on a 27 yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Tyler Cantrell to Braxton Linder. Cantrell added the 2 point conversion on a quarterback keeper but the Tigers could draw no closer and lost 29 to 18.
DeKalb County will host Smith County (4-2) next Friday night, October 6 in Smithville. Kick-off is at 7:00 p.m. WJLE will have LIVE coverage.