News
Its Now Official! Chris Tatrow Denied Parole in 1995 DeKalb County First Degree Murder Case
April 11, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
It’s now official!
57-year-old Chris Tatrow will spend another three years in prison.
“After independently reviewing Chris Tatrow’s parole case following his review hearing held at Northwest Correctional Complex on April 8, 2025, the Board of Parole’s final decision was to decline parole due to the seriousness of the offense. His parole case will now be reviewed again in three years (April 2028). To improve chances of parole at his next hearing, the Board recommended Mr. Tatrow maintains positive institutional behavior and complete programming as recommended by his Strong R assessment,” said Dustin Krugel, Communications Officer for the Tennessee Board of Parole in a statement to WJLE Friday morning, April 11.
“Four concurring Board member votes were needed to reach a final decision. In this particular case, after independently reviewing and voting on this case, the Board eventually adopted Board member Gary Faulcon’s recommendation following the April 8 hearing,” said Krugel.
“The Board decides whether to grant or deny parole on a case-by-case basis by evaluating each inmate across a list of many different standards and criteria, including seriousness of the offense, time served, a risk/needs assessment, the offender’s institutional record, victim input, and the statements of the offender and other interested parties,” he added.
Tatrow is serving a life sentence for first degree murder in the 1995 DeKalb County murders of 26-year-old John Harry and 18-year-old Roger Zammit. He is incarcerated at the Northwest Correctional Complex (NWCX) in Lake County at Tiptonville, Tennessee.
(Click the link below to read details about the Chris Tatrow case in this 1998 Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals ruling)
DeKalb Tennis Sweeps Opponents for the Week
April 11, 2025
By: Brian Cadle
The DCHS tennis teams ended a week of away matches with sweeps over Smyrna and Upperman. The victory over Upperman was a district win, as both DeKalb teams are vying for a spot in the end-of-season district team tournament. The tournament begins April 24th and includes the top four teams with the most regular-season wins. With six matches remaining until the tournament, five are against district opponents, including Cookeville, Livingston, Cumberland County, Stone Memorial, and Warren County.
The boys’ team had three starters, Lance Duke, Ethan Brown, and Cameron Ramsey, absent from the team for an FBLA state conference for Tuesday’s Smyrna match. Sophomore Boston Cantrell and freshman Zane Starkey achieved their first-ever varsity victories. Starkey teamed with senior Luke Midgett in doubles, winning his #5 singles match. Cantrell earned the win in #4 singles. Head Coach Brian Cadle was proud of his younger players stepping up. “Bos and Zane represent the future of our program as we are losing three seniors after this season. It was exciting to see them gain invaluable experience and also lead our team to a road victory.”
Abby Joe Crook led the girls’ team this week with an undefeated 4-0 record in her singles and double matches. Kayce Hale, Crook’s doubles partner, went 3-1 for the week, with her only loss coming in singles against Upperman. Charlotte Paladino, the lone senior on the team, went 3-1 for the week, capped by two wins against Upperman on Thursday. Crook, a junior, and Hale, a sophomore, have been integral to helping the Lady Tigers achieve a four-match winning streak. “Abby Joe has shown tremendous growth in her mental game this season. She can now move past a bad shot or lost point during a match, which helps her focus forward thinking to winning.” Hale has emerged as a consistent contributor to the varsity team after beginning her playing career in the fall of 2023. “Kayce is a young lady who simply loves the game of tennis. She is an outstanding student and person who has committed hours upon hours of practice. I know that Kayce comes out to the courts with her parents at all hours to work on her game. She does not miss an opportunity to play tennis. Her dedication is paying off for her and our program.”
The Lady Tigers are now 7-3 in the season, and the Tigers have moved to 8-2. DeKalb travels to Cookeville High School on Monday to play two district matches against CHS and Livingston Academy.
School Board tables resolution accepting one time teacher bonuses as part of state’s universal school voucher program and may opt to fund them locally.
April 10, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
Tabled!
The DeKalb County Board of Education Thursday night tabled action on a resolution to accept one-time teacher bonuses as part of Tennessee’s universal school voucher program.
The vote to table was 5 to 0 with members Jim Beshearse, Jason Miller, Alan Hayes, Danny Parkerson, and Chairman Shaun Tubbs voting together. Members Megan Moore and Eric Ervin were absent.
Tabling the measure doesn’t necessarily mean defeated. After the meeting Director of Schools Patrick Cripps said the measure could still be brought back up by the board later. He said in the meantime; the school district will run the numbers and determine if the bonuses could be funded locally in the 2025-26 budget
The state program uses public money to fund vouchers that families can spend on private education expenses. It also included a component that effectively gives educators $2,000 bonuses. While the program saw criticism from educators, advocates and some leaders across the state who said it moved money away from already-underfunded public schools, it passed the legislature during a special session in February.
As part of the program, school boards across the state need to pass a resolution effectively accepting the bonuses by June 1. The Tennessee Department of Education said the bonus payments are expected to be sent to districts in July, and for each bonus, districts will receive a total payment of $2,306.60 to cover the employer share of benefits.
The bonuses will be available to full-time teachers who spend most of their days with students and who have been employed for more than 120 days, according to the state.
During the public comment period, Beth Pafford, Assistant Principal at Northside Elementary School and County Commissioner addressed the Board of Education. She is an opponent of the “Education Freedom Act of 2025”.
“You wouldn’t be having to pass a resolution to accept money for a $2,000 teacher bonus were it not for the universal voucher law,” said Pafford “What that law does is it creates a new government funded program for private schools. No accountability financially or academically. It was passed during a special session after several failed attempts during regular session. This time they added the $2,000 teacher bonus as a way to try to get more votes. For all practical purposes Governor Bill Lee and the people who voted to support the universal voucher program have created two separate systems for education. One for the privileged with no accountability and another for everybody else with all kinds of accountability. I hope you as a school board will continue to support the idea that education is not just for privileged people. Education is for everyone no matter who you are or where you come from,” said Pafford.
The proposed resolution, which has been tabled by the local school board, states as follows:
“Whereas the DeKalb County Board of Education is responsible for governing the public school system and ensuring the wellbeing of all students under its educational directives, and
Whereas, the DeKalb County Board of Education has consistently expressed opposition to school voucher programs and the redirection of taxpayer dollars intended for public education to private institutions, and
Whereas, despite widespread opposition from local education agencies (LEAs), the Tennessee School Boards Association, and many Tennessee residents, the Tennessee General Assembly passed the “Education Freedom Act of 2025” during the first Extraordinary Session of the 114th General Assembly, and
Whereas, the Act includes a provision granting a onetime payment of no less than $2,000 to public school teachers across the state, and
Whereas Section 4 of the “Education Freedom Act of 2025”, stipulates that a local board of education must formally affirm its intention to participate in order to receive the funds allocated for these teacher payments.
Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the DeKalb County Board of Education affirms its intention to participate in Section 4 of the “Education Freedom Act of 2025” for the sole purpose of securing these onetime payments for public school teachers. This resolution is strictly limited to Section 4 of the Act and should not be interpreted as endorsement or support of any other provisions within the legislation”.
Again, the DeKalb County Board of Education has tabled action on this resolution.
Meanwhile in his monthly personnel report, Director Cripps said Stephanie Turner has been granted a leave of absence as requested.
