Jason Tallent Death Remains Under Investigation

July 16, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Authorities have now released the name of the man who died in a mobile home fire Wednesday morning on Dale Ridge Road.

38 year old Jason Tallent perished in the blaze. He was employed by the City of Smithville and owner of In the Flesh photography.

The cause of death has not been released but authorities do not suspect foul play.

The DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department was summoned by 911 at 6:08 a.m. reporting a fully involved structure fire at 1383 Dale Ridge Road.. Members of the Liberty, Cookeville Highway, and Main Stations responded along with the Sheriff’s Office and DeKalb EMS.

Upon arrival firefighters found the mobile home fully in flames and learned that someone might still be inside. After extinguishing the blaze, firefighters discovered the remains of a body. TBI was contacted to assist the Sheriff’s Department in the investigation.

The cause of the fire has not been determined.

July 16, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Except for step increases, base pay for a particular group of county employees has not been adjusted in four years. That may soon change.

During Tuesday night’s meeting, the county budget committee adopted a proposal presented by Second District Commissioner Sabrina Farler to revise base pay of county employees who fall under two separate wage scales already in place. Both are 13-tiered plans including an administrative employee pay scale which tops out at 20 years and applies mainly to employees who work for elected and appointed county officials at the courthouse and county complex. The other plan tops out at 13 years and is for full-time library staff and senior center directors.

Under the 20-year plan, the pay increases could range from $3,744 to $4,896 annually depending on years of service, while raises for those in the 13-year plan jumping by $2,976 to $4,128. The total amount of the proposed pay hikes, including benefits, would add $129,703 in new spending to the county budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

Wage Scale 2

Wage Scale 

County Mayor Tim Stribling said total revenue generated from the hotel-motel tax, which currently helps support the solid waste fund, will be moved to the general fund in the 2021-22 fiscal year to offset the cost of the pay raises. Revenue collections of the hotel-motel tax over the last four year has averaged $128,564 a year.

A few years ago the county closed the landfill and transitioned to a transfer station for garbage collection and disposal. As a result, the solid waste fund, which still has other revenue sources, can operate without the hotel-motel tax money.

The county commission established the two pay plans beginning with the 2017-18 fiscal year. Under the 20-year administrative pay scale, employee salary calculations were based on a percentage of $68,682, the annual salary at the time for the Trustee, Clerks of the Court, County Clerk, and Register of Deeds. Entry level pay is currently $26,786, but the plan provides for 13-tiered step increases over 20 years. The top out pay is $35,028 annually.

Salary calculations for employees in the 13-tiered plan (full time library staff and senior center directors) are also currently based on a percentage of $68,682. First year pay is $21,292 and tops out at $29,534 at 13 years.

Commissioner Farler proposed that the employee salary calculations for both pay plans be revised based on a percentage of $78,282 which is now the annual salaries for the Trustee, Clerks of the Court, County Clerk, and Register of Deeds. This would put the new starting salary for a first-year employee in the 20 year administrative pay plan at $30,530 and the top out would be $39,924 at 20 years.

The new entry level base pay for full-time library staff and the senior center directors would be $24,268 with a top out of 33,662 at 13 years.

The budget committee voted 7-0 to place these revised plans, including the salary increases, in the budget it will recommend to the full commission. In addition to Commissioner Farler, Commissioners Julie Young, Jenny Trapp, Dr. Scott Little, Jerry Adcock, Jeff Barnes, and Beth Pafford voted for it.

The sheriff’s department and ambulance service each operates under its own pay scale system previously established by the county with more competitive wages and will not be affected by the budget committee’s action Tuesday night.

Wage Scale 

Wage Scale 2

July 16, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Twenty seven babies from one day to twelve months old were in the spotlight during the annual Baby Show held Thursday evening at the DeKalb County Fair.

The winners (blue ribbon first place and red ribbon runner-up) are as follows:

*Twins (1 day to 12 months): Kasen and Kaden Kincer, 9 month old twins of Daniel and Kayla Kincer of Smithville

*Boy (1 day to 3 months)
Winner: Easton Brooks Duke, 4 week old son of John and Whitney Duke of Smithville

*Girls (1 day to 3 months)
Winner: Charlotte Moore, 2 month old daughter of Jacob and Megan Moore of Smithville.
Runner-up: Wylie Kate Garrett, 4 week old daughter of Ryan and Erica Garrett of Alexandria

*Boys (4-6 months)
Winner: Ryland Vincent, 6 month old son of Seth and Kayla Vincent of Smithville.
Runner-up: Jamion Maurice Hendrix Roddy, 4 month old son of Jalissa and Damion Roddy of Alexandria

*Girls (4-6 months)
Winner: Kingsley Magnolia Hayes, 4 month old daughter of Chandler and Mackenzie Hayes of Smithville

*Boys (7-9 months)
Winner:.Wyatt Samuel Beale, 9 month old son of Ivan and Olivia Beale of Smithville
Runner-up: Chandler Chase Bain, 8 month old son of Jessica Bain of Smithville

Other participants: Callan Arthur Satterfield, 8 month old son of Carolina Noyloa and Cody Satterfield of Smithville; Marshall Hace Kilgore, 8 month old son of Clay and Mariah Kilgore of Smithville ; and Avery Reece Kilgore, 9 month old son of Colby and Taylor Kilgore of Smithville

*Girls (7-9 months)
Winner: Eleanor Rae Caldwell, 7 month old daughter of Tyler and Lyndsey Caldwell of Dowelltown.
Runner-up: Emma Rose Chapman, 9 month old daughter of Jocelyn Williams and Corey Chapman of Smithville.

Other participant:
Journee Nikole Garnett Davenport, 7 month old daughter of Darian and Travis Davenport of Smithville.

*Boys (10-12 months)
Winner: Aiden Stringer, 10 month old son of Amanda and James Stringer of Liberty
Runner-up: Tucker Higgins, 10 month old son of Sean and Brandie Higgins of Dowelltown.

*Girls (10-12 months)
Winner: Everleigh Hope Wright, 10 month old daughter of Nick and MiKayla Wright of Smithville.
Runner-up: Braylee Renee Ball, 10 month old daughter of Lane and Haley Ball of Smithville.

Other participants:
Sophia Grace Torres, 10 month old daughter of Brooke Bain and Jose Torres of Dowelltown; Everleigh Blackford, 11 month old daughter of Bobby Nichole Blackford of Smithville; Ada James Page, 10 month old daughter of Heather Page and Victor Roller of Smithville; Briley Ann Cripps, 11 month Old daughter of Corey and Kami Cripps of Smithville; Marley Kate Jones, 11 month old daughter of Isaiah Jones and Addison Hale of Smithville; Tinley Mae Brooks, 11 month old daughter of Justin and April Brooks of Smithville; and Khloe Raye Curtis, 11 month old daughter of John Curtis and Brooke Hutchings of Smithville.

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