DeKalb Jobless Rate Dropped to 3.4% in April

May 24, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Each of Tennessee’s 95 counties including DeKalb recorded lower unemployment rates in April, and each came in at or below 4.1%, according to newly released data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD).

DeKalb County’s April jobless rate was 3.4%, down from 3.6% in March but slightly above the 3.2% rate in April 2023.

The local labor force for April was 7,665. A total of 7,407 were employed and 258 were without work.

Williamson County recorded the state’s lowest unemployment rate for the month. At 2%, the rate dropped 0.2 of a percentage point from 2.2% in March.

Sevier County had Tennessee’s second-lowest rate in April, which was 2.1%, down 0.4 of a percentage point from the previous month’s rate.

While Clay and Lauderdale counties experienced the state’s highest unemployment rates, they still decreased and were below 5%. Both counties recorded rates of 4.1%, which was a 0.4 of a percentage point drop for Clay County. Lauderdale County’s rate went down 0.4 of a percentage point in April.

Bledsoe County had the second-highest jobless rate at 3.9%, which was 0.3 of a percentage point lower than the rate it recorded in March.

County unemployment rates are not adjusted to take into consideration seasonal impacts on employment such as school breaks, severe weather events, and jobs during the holiday season.

One week ago, TDLWD reported that the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate had dropped 0.1 of a percentage point to match Tennessee’s all-time low unemployment rate of 3.1%.

School is out for the year across Tennessee. Young adults ages 14-24 still have time to take part in YEP, Tennessee’s Youth Employment Program. YEP matches participants with employers who can mentor them through meaningful employment. The state-funded program allows each young person to earn up to $4,000. Local partners across the state handle the administrative duties for the hiring process, insurance, and pay the participant’s wages. Interested individuals and employers can learn more at YEPTN.com.

May 24, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

The Alexandria Police Department has made five drug arrests within the last month while charges have been brought against two others for driving under the influence and one man is facing a forgery offense.

In his monthly crime report, Alexandria Police Chief Travis Bryant said that 28-year-old Katie Turner of Lower Helton Road, Alexandria is charged with possession of a schedule I drug (MDMA), simple possession of a schedule VI drug (marijuana), possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia, and a violation of the light law. According to Chief Bryant, on April, 20 police stopped a vehicle on Brush Creek Highway for a light law violation. As the officer spoke with the driver, Turner, he detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. A subsequent search turned up in the front center console a small baggie containing a white powdery substance believed to be MDMA along with several items consistent with the use of narcotics. A baggie of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana was found in Turner’s purse. Her bond was set at $25,000.

38-year-old Jennifer Johnson of Old Highway 53, Liberty is charged with manufacture, delivery, sale, or possession of a schedule IV drug (pills), a schedule II drug (methamphetamine), two counts of simple possession of a schedule IV drug, and a schedule V drug, driving in possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving on a suspended license. Chief Bryant said that on April 22, while investigating a suspicious vehicle on Brush Creek Highway, an officer spoke with Johnson at the scene. According to Chief Bryant, Johnson, stated that her license was suspended, and narcotics were in the vehicle. A search revealed approximately 5.15 grams of a white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, and other drugs believed to be the following: a baggie containing 29 pills (5mg Valium), a pill (10mg Valium), a pill (clonazepam), and two pills (gabapentin). Several items consistent with the sale, use, and delivery of narcotics were also found during the search. Johnson was unable to provide a prescription. Her bond was set at $37,500.

30-year-old Amber Gambill of Windham Drive Smithville is charged with a first offense of driving under the influence. Chief Bryant said that on May 5 police spotted a vehicle on Nashville Highway drive into the opposite lane and the grass on that side. The officer stopped the automobile, spoke with the driver Gambill, and detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle. Gambill said she had been drinking but refused to submit to field sobriety tests. Her bond was set at $2,000.

52-year-old Larry House of New Hope Road, Alexandria is charged with a first offense of driving under the influence and possession of a handgun while under the influence. Chief Bryant said that on May 1, police stopped a vehicle for driving erratically within the city limits of Alexandria. The officer stopped the automobile, spoke with the driver House, and detected an odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle. House’s speech was slurred. After being asked to exit the vehicle to perform field sobriety tests, House came out with a firearm on him. House submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tests. His bond was set at $6,000.

53-year-old Steven Curtis of Upper Helton Road, Alexandria is charged with manufacture, delivery, sale, or possession of a schedule II drug (Oxycodone), simple possession of a schedule VI drug (marijuana) and possession of drug paraphernalia. Chief Bryant said that on May 8, police stopped Curtis on East Main Street for a traffic violation. During the stop the officer found a bottle containing 27 small blue pills believed to be Oxycodone and a small baggie weighing 11.19 grams of a green leafy substance thought to be marijuana. Several items consistent with the use of narcotics were also located. Bond for Curtis was set at $20,000.

59-year-old Michelle Curtis of Upper Helton Road, Alexandria is cited for possession of drug paraphernalia. Chief Bryant said that on May 8, Curtis was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by police for a traffic violation. As the officer spoke with her, he discovered Curtis to be in possession of items consistent with the use of narcotics. Curtis was issued a citation and will appear in court on May 24.

21-year-old Hunter Dodson of Shenandoah Trail, Lebanon is charged with manufacture, delivery, sale, and possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine), possession of a handgun during a felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Chief Bryant said that on May 11 police stopped a vehicle for a speeding on Nashville Highway. While speaking with the driver, Dodson, the officer spotted in plain view drug paraphernalia in the back seat. He then searched the vehicle and recovered 2 grams of a white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine and a loaded Springfield 1911 handgun. During the encounter, Dodson admitted that he had been selling methamphetamine. Also found in the vehicle were other items consistent with the sale and delivery of narcotics. His bond is set at $41,500 and he will appear in court on May 30.

35-year-old Sarah Ferrell of Poplar Hill Road, Watertown is charged with manufacture, delivery, sale, and possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine). Chief Bryant said that on May 18, police stopped Ferrell for a traffic violation and while speaking with her, noticed on the floorboard, a cigarette case with a baggie protruding from it. When asked what the items were, Ferrell stated that it was her medication. As she pulled the medication bottle out, the officer observed Ferrell trying to push the baggie back inside the cigarette case. A search of the case revealed a baggie containing a white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine. Her bond was set at $8,000 and she will appear in court on May 30.

23-year-old Nathan Dovell of Cookeville is charged with forgery. Chief Bryant said that on May 17, police were dispatched to Wilson Bank & Trust in Alexandria where, according to bank employees, Dovell had entered the bank with a forged check and had attempted to cash it. Police also learned from bank staff that Dovell had just cashed another check in the same amount at the Smithville bank location earlier that day. His bond was set at $10,000 and he will appear in court on May 30.

May 24, 2024
By: Bill Conger

DeKalb County’s non-profit mental health agency the Haven of Hope is expanding its services with a new program called “Finding Hope.” It’s Intensive Outpatient Therapy for people struggling with alcohol and drug addiction.

“We also have a dual component, which means that we will be addressing some mental health issues along with the alcohol and drug issue because a lot of times alcohol and drug addictions start because of mental health issues that an individual is trying to medicate,” explains Finding Hope’s Facilitator Tena Cope.

“The majority of the focus for “Finding Hope” is on not using again, learning to live a sober life,” Counselor Cope says. “Unfortunately, a majority of issues are underlying the addiction. There’s something that’s happened that’s changed the way they function. We won’t go deep into that, but they’ll learn mental health skills and learn different ways of thinking that may be contributing to their problems. If it’s real serious, that’s when we’re going to say you probably need some individual counseling.”

“For Recovery court and the community as a whole, it’s extremely important to have IOP here,” Case Manager for Recovery Court Darnell Gurley said. “I know for us we have a lot of issues with people being able to travel outside the county to attend IOP, so anything that is local that deals with co-occurring disorders as far as mental health and substance abuse is huge.”

Cope says while a huge need exists for this kind of help, a lot of people suffering from addiction don’t want to come on their own.

“They get some kind of ultimatum or are required from somebody,” Cope said. “For example, the person that maybe has not had any problems in society, their boss may see something. ‘You need to get help if you want to continue to work here.’ Or a husband or wife might say, ‘I’m fed up.’ So most people don’t come in because they realize I can’t do this on my own. It takes a little push from somewhere else.”

“We see a lot of people who are in trouble legally. The judge will say you need to go have an assessment done, trying to give them help without making them go to jail. Sometimes it’s referrals come from DCS, because they’ll realize part of the reason a report was made is because addiction around the children is involved.”

Possible candidates for the IOP program will undergo a psychosocial alcohol and drug assessment developed by the American Society of Addiction Medicine. The ASAM evaluates several areas including family dynamics, support systems, functioning in work or school, recovery environment interactions, substance use related risks, psychiatric/cognitive/biomedical conditions, intoxication, withdrawal and addiction medications. The scores from the report will determine the intensity of treatment needed beginning with Outpatient at Level 1, IOP at Level 2, Residential at Level 3 and Inpatient at Level 4.

The Finding Hope program begins on June 3. Up to 8 people can join the group for sessions that will be held on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday each week from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at the Haven of Hope, located at 301 West Main Street. Those participating in the program are required to complete 20 sessions for a total of 60 hours. For more information, call the Haven of Hope office at 615-597-4673.

Statistically, Cope says it takes on average three times in treatment to overcome an addiction, but Intensive Outpatient Therapy is a major step in finding hope for a better tomorrow.

“If they complete, they’re more likely to either stay sober, or if they relapse, they know exactly what they need to do, and they’ll try to get back into a program,” Cope said. “Once they sit in the IOP, whether they’ve completed successfully or not, they learned something, and they can’t unlearn that. In the other IOP programs I’ve worked, some drop out or they have to be discharged for noncompliance, but they come right back because what they learned the first time is just a seed for the next time.”

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