Dustin Buttram Named NASBLA State Boating Educator of the Year

May 20, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Dustin Buttram, a boating officer for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, has been named the Tennessee Boating Educator of the Year. The honor comes from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).

Buttram serves in TWRA’s District 31 and the area includes Center Hill, Cordell Hull, Great Falls and Dale Hollow reservoirs. In addition, the area also includes the busy fishing and paddling Caney Fork River.

In his position, Buttram has also embraced the challenge of providing boating education opportunities to the public. In 2018, he taught more than 20 boating safety classes and certified 207 students who are required to have the boating education by law, plus numerous others not required by law to have the certification.

In addition to teaching on Saturday mornings at marinas on Center Hill or Dale Hollow, Buttram taught classes in four high schools and for seven school fishing teams. He offered classes on weeknights for those who could not attend weekend classes.

Buttram maintains a personal watercraft and Boating Under the Influence (BUI) simulator trailer in which he designed new graphics for a wrap to make it more bright and noticeable. He took this simulator to safety fairs in Putman, DeKalb, Jackson and Cumberland counties and utilized it to educate young boaters as well as adults on the dangers of excessive drinking while boating.

Dustin attended county fairs and engaged with sportsmen and boaters. He taught a law enforcement class at Tennessee Tech University which included boating safety. He also made several visits to schools to give boating safety talks to the students.

In addition to providing boating education opportunities, Buttram patrolled on the water on enforcement boats, personal watercrafts and kayaks from which he checked more than 1,900 boats in 2018 for safety violations. He is usually the lead officer in accident investigation in his area and assisted rescue squads and sheriff’s officers in the search for drowning victims on Center Hill and Dale Hollow Lakes.

Buttram joined the TWRA in 2011, working as a wildlife officer in the Nashville area. He transferred to his current position in 2014.

May 20, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A week dedicated to celebrating emergency service workers is being recognized in DeKalb County.

The community relies on emergency workers to rush to the rescue, no matter what the circumstance.

County Mayor Tim Stribling has signed a proclamation designating May 19-25 as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week in DeKalb County. EMS Director Hoyte Hale joined County Mayor Stribling for the occasion.

The proclamation is as follows:

“Whereas, Emergency Medical Services is a vital public service; and
Whereas, the members of Emergency Medical Teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and

Whereas, access to quality Emergency Care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and

Whereas, the Emergency Medical Services system consists of emergency physicians, emergency nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, educators, administrators, and others; and
Whereas, the members of Emergency Medical Services teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills; and

Whereas, it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of Emergency Medical Services providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week;

Now, Therefore, I Tim Stribling, County Mayor, DeKalb County, Tennessee, in recognition of this event do hereby proclaim the week of May 19-25, 2019 as Emergency Medical Services Week.
With the theme, EMS, Strong Beyond the Call, I encourage the community to observe this week with the appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities”.

Members of the DeKalb EMS Staff in addition to Director Hoyte Hale are:
A-SHIFT
Donna Melton-AEMT
Jamie Parsley-AEMT
Jamie Vernon-EMT-PCC
Tony Williams-EMT-P

B-SHIFT
Michelle Haggard-EMT-B
Tim Briggs-EMT-P
Misty Green-AEMT

C-SHIFT
Trent Phipps-EMT-P
Daniel Summers-EMT-P
Justin Thompson- EMT-B
Matt Melton-AEMT

D-SHIFT
Kim Johnson-EMT-PCC
Stephanie Brown-EMT-P
Matthew Adcock- AEMT
Trevin Merriman-AEMT

Part Time Staff:
Cody Johnson-EMT-PCC
Charles Nokes-EMT-P
John Hurd-EMT-PCC
Becky Atnip-AEMT
Lonnie Laxton-AEMT
Jennifer Phillips-AEMT
Jimmy Savage-EMT-P
Rebecca Partridge-AEMT
Kevin Cripps-AEMT
Edward Brooks-AEMT
Houston Austin-EMT-PCC/IC
Marie Turpin-EMT-PCC
Kristie Johnson-EMT-PCCICQA
Tyler Grandstaff-EMT-PCC
John Poss-AEMT
Jason Rice-AEMT
Tyler Downs-AEMT
Tyler Stone-EMT-P
Greg Whaley-AEMT
Joey Pillow-AEMT
Sam Copeland-AEMT
Greta Stone-EMT-PCC/IC
Terrence Hall- EMT-P
Michelle Haggard-EMT-B
Tony McCulley-AEMT
James C. Medley-AEMT
Kenny Moffitt-EMT-PCC
Wesley Slager-AEMT
Eli Beadle-AEMT
Martin Keonna-AEMT
Kenneth Wells, Jr.-AEMT

May 19, 2019
By:

Science is coming to Smithville on opening day of the 2019 Summer Reading Program as Mr. Bond’s Science Guys bring the science of space out of orbit and into Justin Potter Library.

The five week summer reading program of Justin Potter and the Alexandria Libraries begins with an opening party Thursday, May 30 starting at 2 p.m. at Justin Potter Library. Children set their own reading goal and will receive a participating certificate and other goodies at the Final Party on June 27. All events will be held at the library except the Final Party at the county complex.

Created and operated by Keith Trehy, AKA Mr. Bond, Science Guys began 20 years ago with Trehy as the original Science Guy. He operated the company for a decade before bringing on several other science enthusiasts, thus completing the Science Guys team.

Science Guys perform science shows across the states of Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama from May to July, and get kids excited about science at the over 100 events they host.

Originally from London, Trehy was a science teacher for several years and also worked as an English teacher in countries around the world. Earning a business degree, he yearned to start his own business, so he put several fun science experiments together and took them on the road, as this was before the Internet. He adopted the nickname Mr. Bond, as a reference to chemical bonds.

He initially was part of a group called Mad Science of Nashville, but broke away and started the Science Guys shortly afterward because he wanted the freedom to run his own operation.

The Science Guys not only visit libraries with their science shows, but also host summer camps and attend birthday parties.

Each of the Science Guys has a different background. For instance, Trehy’s main Science Guy is an I.T. expert, while others are scientists from differing disciplines.

This year’s theme is “Space! A Universe of Stories,” and will include experiments about life in a space suit, rocket propulsion, centrifugal force, planets and orbits.

“Don’t worry. No library books will be harmed in the performance!” Trehy laughed.

He described his team as “edutainers” whose mission is to make science fun, cool and easy for kids of all ages. Every year, the “edutainers” cater their shows around the libraries’ summer reading program themes. Last year it was geology, the year before was superheroes and this year is space.

A Science Guys’ visit lasts approximately one hour, and Trehy said there is an entire universe of content crammed into this short time, stressing just how fun and interactive a Science Guys visit is.

“Parents will enjoy it just as much as the kids,” Trehy said. “Our mission is to show kids that science isn’t hard or scary. It’s easy and fun, and we hope to inspire these kids to grow up to chemists, architects, doctors, engineers or any other type of scientist.”

“Every year we have this challenge to cater a show to these summer reading programs,” Trehy added. “We have to engage nearly 150 kids at each show, so that’s always a fun challenge as well.”

Trehy encourages all science fans, young and old, to come out to the library and see just what a Science Guys show is all about.

Other Justin Potter Library’s Summer Reading Events:

*Thursday, June 6 at 2 p.m.: Edgar Evins State Park Rangers & Animal Friends

*Thursday, June 13 at 2 p.m.: Barry Mitchell’s Aliens, Astronauts and a Turtle in Space

*Thursday, June 20 at 2 p.m.: A Universe of Stories & Activities with DPC, Board of Education and UT Extension

*Thursday, June 27 at 2 p.m.: Final Party at the DeKalb County Complex Theater: Scott Humston’s Music, Magic, and Comedy

Alexandria Library Summer Events:

*Story Time & Activities Wednesday, June 5, 12, & 19 at 2 p.m.

For more information call Justin Potter Library at 615-597-4359

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