More Teams Needed for 2021 Habitat Chili Cook-Off and Bake Sale

October 6, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

More teams are needed for the 2021 Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County Chili Cook-Off and Bake Sale which is scheduled for Friday, October 22 from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on the DeKalb County Courthouse lawn.

Make a donation to Habitat and eat all the chili you want and vote for your favorite.

So far only 5 teams have committed to participate this year but 10 teams are needed for the event to take place. Also, the event will be canceled in the event of rain as there will be no alternate indoor rain location this year.

“Usually, we use the County Complex as a rain location. But this year, we are not comfortable hosting an indoor event due to COVID concerns. So, we plan to make a final call on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 10 a.m. If the weather looks good, we’ll host the event outside! If the weather looks terrible, we’d encourage you to cook and serve chili from your own business location, donating any proceeds to DeKalb County Habitat for Humanity,” said spokesperson Tecia Puckett Pryor.

“We also need to know by Friday, October 8 if you would like to participate with a team this year. Again we need a minimum of 10 teams committed to host the event. Each team is asked to make 5-6 gallons of chili. New teams are welcome,” said Pryor.

For more information visit the Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County facebook or call Tecia Puckett Pryor at 615-597-7370 or Alex Woodward at Wilson Bank & Trust.

October 6, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Its not often that members of the DeKalb County Ambulance Service have the task of treating as many as ten people at one time due to injuries sustained in an automobile crash but that’s the challenge they faced in September , 2019. For their heroic actions that night, DeKalb EMS has earned the Region IV “Call of the Year Award” from the Upper Cumberland EMS Directors Association.

The award was presented during the association’s annual fall symposium Tuesday, October 5 in Cookeville.

Receiving the award for the DeKalb EMS were staff members who were on the call including Kristie Johnson, Director Hoyte Hale, Trevin Merriman, Trent Phipps, Becky Atnip, and Justin Thompson. Others named in the award but not on hand for the presentation are Stephanie Brown, Daniel Summers, Rachel Chechi, and John Poss.

The two vehicle crash for which the award was given occurred on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at the intersection of Highway 56 south and Joe Tittsworth Road in Smithville. Three adults and seven children were injured.

Central dispatch received the call at 8:03 p.m.

On that night Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol reported that 52 year old Franklin Elliott of Smithville was driving north on Highway 56 in a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country minivan when he turned left onto Joe Tittsworth Road and crossed the path of a southbound 2016 Kia Soul driven by 37 year old Margaret Pedigo of McMinnville. The Kia did not have its headlights on at the time.

Elliott and passenger 34 year old Jessica Farris of Smithville were taken by private vehicle to Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital. Four children in the vehicle with them including a 14 year old girl, 16 year old boy, 8 year old girl, and a 12 year old boy were also injured and taken to the hospital by ambulances.

Three children were in the vehicle with Pedigo including a 13 year old boy, 9 year old boy, and 12 year old boy. Pedigo and two of the children were airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital and the other was taken by EMS to Cookeville Regional Medical Center where he was airlifted.

A landing zone for three helicopters including Air Evac, Erlanger Life Force, and Vandy Life Flight was set up on Highway 56 near the crash scene. DeKalb EMS responded with four ambulances and received mutual aid support from Putnam County EMS which sent two ambulances.

Members of the Smithville Police and Fire Departments also responded.

“I am proud of these employees who were nominated and received this award but I am equally proud of all other members of my staff as well. DeKalb County can take pride in our EMS staff who work hard and are dedicated to their job of taking care of others. With the changing protocols and demands placed on them due to the COVID pandemic, our staff has and will continue to meet the challenges with courage and professionalism,” said Director Hale.

The Upper Cumberland EMS Directors Association consists of the directors from the primary 911 ground ambulance services and base managers of the air medical companies in the 14 county Upper Cumberland region.

Tennessee EMS Region IV comprises Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Van Buren, Warren, and White County. Air Evac, LifeForce, and Life Flight represent the 3 air medical services in the region.

October 6, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb EMS employee Heather Billings is the Upper Cumberland EMS Directors Association’s Region IV “Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) of the Year”. The award was presented to Billings during the association’s annual fall symposium Tuesday, October 5 in Cookeville.

She was nominated by DeKalb EMS Director Hoyte Hale.

Nominees for the honor must be a current Tennessee licensed emergency medical technician or paramedic employed by or who volunteers for a Region IV ground or air service and they must exhibit professional qualities expected in this venue. Their contributions should go above and beyond whether it be in their clinical skill set or in actions that have affected the community or someone in a positive way.

In nominating her, EMS Director Hale praised Billings for her skill and professionalism.

“Nearly two years ago Heather decided to come to my office in search of a job. She had just completed the Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMT) course and was in the process of attempting to achieve her National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). It just so happened I had a position on our day truck open and she accepted it. Since that time, I have come to know and respect Heather professionally and personally. She is reliable, does her job, and never complains. Heather has a genuine compassion for others and she shows it in the care she delivers to patients. In today’s world these qualities are hard to find. I am recommending Heather for this honor,” wrote Director Hale.

The Upper Cumberland EMS Directors Association consists of the directors from the primary 911 ground ambulance services and base managers of the air medical companies in the 14 county Upper Cumberland region.

Tennessee EMS Region IV comprises Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Van Buren, Warren, and White County. Air Evac, LifeForce, and Lifeflight represent the 3 air medical services in the region.

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