Two Teens Injured In Fiery Crash

April 24, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Two teens were injured in a fiery crash today (Friday) on Coconut Ridge Road.

Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that a 17 year old Cookeville girl was traveling east on Coconut Ridge Road in a 2006 Kia Sedona when she lost control while trying to negotiate a curve. The vehicle ran off the left side of the road, struck a tree, and caught fire.

The driver and her passenger, 18 year old Justus Tramel of Alexandria, although injured, got out of the vehicle and walked to a residence on Savannah Drive where they called for help.

Both were taken by DeKalb EMS to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital. Tramel was later transported to Vanderbilt Hospital.

Members of the Cookeville Highway Station of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department responded and extinguished the blaze. A dog inside the vehicle perished in the flames.

April 24, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Newly released unemployment data shows the jobless rate dropped in two-thirds of Tennessee’s 95 counties including DeKalb during March 2020. The unemployment data for the month does not take into account the impact of the COVID-19 health emergency.

The federal government conducted its survey to measure the number of Tennesseans who were out of work during the second week of the month, between March 8 and 14.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development did not begin to see the unprecedented increase in unemployment claims until the third and fourth weeks of March.

The DeKalb County unemployment rate for March was 4.6%, down from 4.9% in February but up from 4.4% in March 2019.

The local labor force for March was 7,724. A total of 7,367 were employed and 357 unemployed.

Unemployment rates decreased in 61 counties during March, increased in 18 counties, and remained the same in 16 counties.

Sixty-eight counties had unemployment rates lower than 5% for the month, while 27 counties had rates that were 5% or higher.

Williamson County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate in March. At 2.6%, the new rate mirrored February’s rate.

Lincoln County recorded Tennessee’s highest unemployment rate at 7%, which is a 0.2 of a percentage point drop when compared to the previous month.

April 24, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The DCHS Tiny House may soon be sold.

During Thursday night’s monthly meeting, held by video conference due to COVID-19, the Board of Education conducted a bid opening for the sale of the Tiny House. Only one bid was received and that was from Jerry Alsup of Murfreesboro. But Alsup’s bid of $17,500 was well below the minimum bid of $22,600 established by the board which was the actual cost of construction.

The board tabled action on whether to award or reject the bid until the next meeting on May 7 to give Brad Leach, DCHS Career and Technical Education Director, an opportunity to have some input.

The board had hoped to award a bid for the sale of the Tiny House during the regular monthly meeting in March but after a month of seeking sealed bids none were submitted. In March the board voted to extend the deadline for receiving sealed bids until the April meeting.

The Tiny House was recently completed by students in the DCHS Residential and Commercial Construction Class. It is located near the Vocational School.

The 8’ x 24’ Tiny House stands up to 13 feet and 6 inches and sets on a modified trailer that can be anchored or moved from place to place.

Accommodations in the Tiny House, although compact include a living room, kitchenette, bathroom, and sleeping space.

Specific features are as follows:
● Mobility by use of a trailer
● Central heat and air unit
● Cooktop
● Solid wood cherry cabinets
● Loft bedroom
● Cherry laminate flooring
● Bathroom with shower
● Metal roof
● Cedar wood siding ( stained and finished)
● 200 square feet including loft

Meanwhile, in his monthly personnel report, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps announced that Samantha Fletcher has resigned as a DCHS teacher, Renee Willoughby has resigned as an educational assistant at DeKalb West School, and Libby McCormick is retiring as librarian at Northside Elementary School.

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