Plans Moving Forward for Fire Station in Four Seasons Community

January 23, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Plans are moving forward toward development of a fire hall in the Four Seasons community.

According to DeKalb County Fire Chief Donny Green, site preparation work began in October at the location for the new fire station, which will become the department’s 12th station. The goal is to have the fire hall constructed and in operation by mid-summer.

County Mayor Tim Stribling updated the county commission on the project Monday night.

“I received an email from the engineer Kenny Bowdin from Cookeville who said they were wrapping up their first set of preliminary drawings for the new fire hall and he had some questions. Donny answered those questions and he (Bowdin) sent another email and said he will be in touch soon to set up a review of the preliminary drawings to see if there are any comments or concerns. Its looking more like reality every day. As soon as he gets the plans and notifies us, we’ll set up a committee meeting and take a look at it and hopefully put it out for bids shortly thereafter,” said Stribling.

In 2015 the county commission set aside $25,000 as seed money for the eventual development of a new fire hall in the Four Seasons Community. In 2016 another $50,000 was added for a total of $75,000 for this project. For the current budget year (2017-18) the fund totals $100,000 with the addition of another $25,000.

The county is getting matching grant funds to purchase firefighting equipment and possibly a fire truck for use as assigned by the department

January 22, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Another man has been arrested for participating in the theft of a flare gun which was later fired into two DeKalb County Homes in December.

CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW
MUG SHOTS OF PERSONS RECENTLY BOOKED AT THE DEKALB COUNTY JAIL- Intakes & Releases From: 1/15/2018 Thru: 1/22/2018

19 year old Kylan Taylor Leeper of Man Road Lebanon was arrested on Wednesday, January 17 for theft of property under $1,000, aggravated arson, and reckless endangerment. His bond is $510,000 and he will make a court appearance on February 1.

A co-defendant in the case, 20 year old Daniel Lewis Dillard of Lee Braswell Road, Smithville was arrested in December and charged with the same offenses. His bond was more than one million dollars.

According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, Leeper and Dillard allegedly went to Walmart in Smithville on December 2 and stole the flare gun (valued at $47) and took part in firing the gun into a home on Lee Braswell Road December 4 while a woman and a minor were inside causing damage to the residence. There apparently were no injuries. They also fired the flare gun into another home on Short Mountain Highway (prior to the December 4th incident), placing the victim (woman) in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury.

Dillard was also charged with resisting stop, frisk, halt, or search. He was already on probation for a separate offense at the time of the incident.

35 year old Norman Leo Sprague of St. Johns Hollow Road, Woodbury is charged with vandalism. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is February 1.

While incarcerated for another offense at the DeKalb County Jail, Sprague allegedly tore up a mat and blanket and was informed upon his release from jail on December 4 that he had 14 days to pay $110 for the damage. After the deadline came and went without his having made payment, a warrant for vandalism was issued against Sprague.

32 year old Danny Ray Prater of Liberty is charged with violation of an order of protection. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is February 8.

Sheriff Ray said that on January 1 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Pumpkin Hollow Road due to an unwanted guest. The officer spotted Prater at the intersection of the Alexandria to Dismal Road and Pumpkin Hollow Road and stopped to speak with him. Prater admitted to having been at his mother’s home on Pumpkin Hollow Road to see his son. A computer check revealed that Prater has an active order of protection against him to keep away from his mother and child at the residence. She is the petitioner and Prater’s son is listed on the order as a protected child.

January 22, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Elementary would like to recognize our Students of the Month for January. These students were selected for their outstanding character, academics, and other traits that make them an all-around excellent student. Selected as Students of the Month for January are:

Pre-K: Lily Young

Kindergarten: Layla Ahedo Blas

1st grade: Ezalee Moore

2nd grade: Taylan Driver