State Lawmakers Honor Two Long Time Educators Upon Their Retirement

June 29, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Two longtime DeKalb County educators, Walteen Carter Parker and Susan Frazier Hinton, have been recognized by state lawmakers on the occasion of their retirement.

State House and Senate Joint Resolutions were recently adopted by both chambers and signed by the Governor paying tribute to both Parker, a veteran educator of 38 years, and Hinton, who taught for a total of 50 years including 2 years in the local Head Start program, 25 years in the Alabama Public School System, and 23 years locally.

The Resolution to recognize Parker on the occasion of her retirement by State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver and State Senator Mark Pody follows:

WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly recognize those outstanding educators who have devoted their careers to shaping the youth of today into the leaders of tomorrow; and

WHEREAS, Walteen Carter Parker is one such estimable educator who, having distinguished herself as an exemplary teacher, is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Parker served with acumen and alacrity at DeKalb County High School for thirty-eight years, instructing and positively influencing students from all walks of life; she taught senior English language arts classes and visual arts classes, her favorites of which were Modern Literature and the Classics; and

WHEREAS, in addition to serving as a teacher at DeKalb County High School, Walteen Parker coached cheerleading for twenty-six years, leading the school to four state championships and several national championships, and she was the Fellowship of Christian Athletes faculty sponsor; and

WHEREAS, she was beloved among students and colleagues alike for her mentorship and the “touch of class” she added to all of her endeavors; and

WHEREAS, over the years, Mrs. Parker received recognition as DeKalb County Schools Teacher of the Year, Division Cheer Coach of the Year, and Fox 17 Teacher of the Week; and

WHEREAS, Walteen Parker is an active and important part of her community, participating in numerous worthy organizations, including the Smithville Study Club, which she serves as president, and the local Imagination Library committee; in addition, she currently serves as chair of the DeKalb County Elections Commission; and

WHEREAS, her many professional accomplishments aside, she is grateful for the love and support she shares with her husband, Jack, and their four wonderful children; and

WHEREAS, throughout her estimable career, Mrs. Parker has demonstrated the utmost professionalism, ability, and integrity, winning the unbridled respect and admiration of the community at large; and

WHEREAS, Walteen Parker truly epitomizes the dedicated teacher who is wholly committed to the highest ideals of public service and quality education for all, and she should be specially recognized for her manifold achievements on the occasion of her retirement; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, that we honor Walteen Carter Parker, commending her exceptional service to the children of DeKalb County, saluting her professional expertise and personal excellence, and extending to her our heartfelt wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement and every continued success in her future endeavors.

The Resolution to recognize Hinton on the occasion of her retirement by State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver and State Senator Mark Pody follows:

WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should recognize, particularly on the occasion of their retirement, those outstanding teachers who have devoted their careers to providing the highest quality education for Tennessee’s students; and

WHEREAS, Susan Hinton is one such estimable educator who, having distinguished herself as an exemplary teacher, has entered into a well-deserved retirement; and

WHEREAS, a veteran teacher with five decades of experience, Susan Hinton has served with acumen and alacrity as an educator here in Tennessee and in the State of Alabama, instructing and positively influencing students from all walks of life; and

WHEREAS, Susan Hinton received her Bachelor of Science degree from Belmont University and her master’s degree from Alabama A&M University; she has done further work on an Education Specialist degree and reading specialist certification at Alabama A&M University and Administration and Supervision certification at the University of Alabama at Birmingham; and

WHEREAS, during her extensive career, she has taught grades 1-12 and Chapter 1 Reading in Alabama, served as Director of Migrant Education in Morgan County, Alabama, taught seventh grade Language Arts at DeKalb Middle School in DeKalb County, and served as a supervisor/instructor for an adult high school for twenty years; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Hinton is certified by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as a Facilitator and Supervisor of Accreditation Studies and served on the National Education Resolution’s Commission in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, no stranger to awards and accolades, she has received numerous Teacher of the Year awards in Alabama, as well as Regional Teacher of the Year and was recognized as the Educator of the Year in Alabama in Montgomery, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Education Honor Society, she has served as president of the Morgan County (Alabama) Teachers Association, the DeKalb County Teacher Association, and Parent’s Teacher Organization and was elected to serve on the State Evaluation Committee in Montgomery, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, an organized professional who always set high expectations for her students, Susan Hinton truly served as an inspiration to her colleagues and her students alike, and her friendship and counsel are highly valued by those who are fortunate to know her; and

WHEREAS, throughout her estimable career, Ms. Hinton demonstrated the utmost professionalism, ability, and integrity, winning the unbridled respect and admiration of the community at large; and

WHEREAS, Susan Hinton truly epitomizes the dedicated teacher who is wholly committed to the highest ideals of public service and quality education for all, and she should be specially recognized for her manifold achievements on the occasion of her retirement; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, that we honor Susan Hinton, commending her exceptional service to the children of Tennessee, saluting her professional expertise and personal excellence, and extending to her our heartfelt wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement and every continued success in her future endeavors.

June 17, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A 38 year old Smithville man is facing a rape charge.

Carlos Herrera of 920 South Mountain Street is under a $50,000 bond and he will make an appearance in General Sessions Court on July 9.

According to the complaint, the offense occurred on Monday, June 22. The investigation reveals that Herrera raped a woman by using force to kiss and fondle her. He then allegedly forced her to engage in other sexual acts. All the while the victim repeatedly told Herrera “no” and “stop” and kept trying to push him away.

The police report states that ” in the early hours of June 22 Herrera did go to the victim’s house uninvited to visit with some people living there. While there, Herrera did enter the bedroom of the victim and sat down on the bed where the victim tried to push him away. Herrera did assault the victim which lasted a few minutes and once he was finished she was able to get dressed and he left”.

The case was investigated by Detective Brandon Donnell of the Smithville Police Department.

June 29, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb Animal Shelter has a variety of playful dogs available for adoption including “Margo”, the WJLE featured “Pet of the Week”.

DeKalb Animal Shelter Employee Emmaly Bennett with Margo from dwayne page on Vimeo.

“Margo is about a year and a half old and has been spade. She is a super good dog but is still very much a puppy. She loves to play especially with other dogs. If you are interested in adopting Margo please come to the shelter to meet her first and if you have other pets bring them too to make sure they are compatible because Margo is very dominate. Margo would probably be a better fit for a no kid household or homes with children age 10 or older because she is scared of small children,” said Shelter employee Emmaly Bennett.

“To adopt Margo, go to our website. www.dekalbanimalcoalition.org and look for a tab to fill out an application. Fill it out and email it back to us. We will call to set up an appointment time for you to come in and meet Margo to see if she is a perfect fit for you,” said Bennett.

The DeKalb Animal Shelter is currently only open by appointment due to Covid-19.

“We are not currently open to the public for in-person visits but all our pets are posted online. Stay up to date with us on our website, facebook page, or Instagram,” said Shelter Director Megan Moore.

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