Public invited to Informational Meeting on HOME Program Grant Tonight (Monday)

April 19, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Another informational meeting will be held tonight (Monday) for local families interested in making application for grant funding to help with home repairs.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the DeKalb County Complex on South Congress Boulevard in the auditorium. Other meetings will be April 26 at the Austin Bottom Community Fire Hall and May 3 and the Keltonburg Community Center. Please wear a mask and maintain social distancing during these events.

DeKalb County has been approved for a $500,000 HOME program grant from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) to be administered by the Upper Cumberland Development District

County Mayor Tim Stribling said HOME program funding is intended to help families of low income, senior citizens and individuals with disabilities who cannot afford to rehabilitate their homes. If approved, up to 10 homeowners could get help with issues such as leaking plumbing, unsafe flooring, faulty wiring, damaged roofs and more to bring their houses up to code.

Matt Billings of the UCDD said in some cases, families might qualify for a reconstruct if their home is in a condition to where reconstruct is more beneficial.

“It is not based on first come, first served. There is an application process and UCDD will be scoring the applications according to federal guidelines and awarding the grant funds to those most qualified until the grant runs out. No one from DeKalb County will be scoring the applicants,” said County Mayor Stribling.

During the informational meetings, interested persons can get more details about the program and pick up an application. “We will be giving out applications and explaining what documents applicants need to provide. When completed applications should be taken to Mayor Stribling’s Office in the courthouse and we (UCDD) will take it from there. There is a scoring process through the Tennessee Housing Development Agency to determine who the beneficiaries will be,” said Billings.

Grant applications must be filed by the end of May.

The HOME program is funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered in Tennessee by THDA. HOME grants must be used for the production, preservation or rehabilitation of affordable housing for low and very low income families and individuals.

April 18, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville Police Department kept busy in March.

37 year old Warren Brandon Glasby of Poss Road was arrested on March 1 for aggravated burglary, public intoxication, and resisting arrest. Police were summoned after Glasby was observed entering someone’s home. Glasby allegedly opened a door to the residence but quickly fled when the resident yelled at him. The victim contacted Central Dispatch after following Glasby to Save-A-Lot. Police arrived and confronted Glasby who had red watery eyes. He was unsteady on his feet, very fidgety and unable to remain still. After Glasby was ordered to sit down he got up and tried to run off but was taken to the ground by the officers. Glasby continued to resist and once inside the patrol car he began to kick the window at which time his feet were shackled. Glasby’s bond is $21,500 and his court date is May 13.

49 year old David Eugene Driver of Holiday Haven Road was arrested on March 2 for violation of an order of protection and he was cited for driving on a revoked license. Driver’s victim called police to report that he was trying to contact her in violation of an order of protection against him. According to the victim, Driver had been making phone calls and sending text messages. He was even trying to reach her by phone as she was talking with police. As the officer drove away after speaking with the woman he spotted Driver driving down Windham Street. Knowing that Driver had a revoked license, the officer conducted a traffic stop. Driver was then taken into custody without incident. Driver’s bond is $10,000 and his court date is May 13.

30 year old Barrett Ryan Holubek of Smith Road was arrested on March 4 for violation of an order of protection. According to police, Holubek showed up at a residence where his victim had gone to and got in a vehicle with her in violation of the order of protection against him to stay away from her. Bond for Holubek is $5,000 and his court date is May 6.

31 year old Joshua Dewayne Dishman of McMinnville was cited on March 7 for making 911 calls in non-emergency situations. Police responded to a 911 call of someone being raped but learned upon arrival that Dishman made the call because he was mad at another person there. While police were on the scene speaking with a witness Dishman called 911 again informing central dispatch that some there was selling drugs. His court date is May 13. Nine days later on March 16 Dishman was arrested for theft of property and simple possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine). Police were called to the animal clinic due to a vehicle theft. Upon arrival police spoke with the victim, who said she had gone inside the clinic to pay a bill and while inside the building, someone got in her vehicle and drove away. A short time later, the automobile was found behind a house at 304 Spring Breeze Drive where Dishman was also there taking things out of the vehicle. While being taken into custody, police found in Dishman’s pocket a gram of a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine in an Advil container. The substance tested positive for meth.

John Parsons of Juniper Lane was cited on March 9 for allowing his dogs to run at large. Police were called to Juniper Lane & Main Street where a woman had been bitten by a dog. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the woman and observed an injury to her left arm. The woman said while walking down Juniper Lane she was attacked by two dogs. After being bitten she was transported to the hospital by EMS for treatment. After the incident the owner of the dogs, Parsons, turned the animals over to the animal shelter. He had previously been cited for allowing his dogs to run at large in September and November 2019. Parsons’ court date is April 27.

33 year old Amanda Brooke Washer of McMinnville Highway was cited on March 9 for simple possession. Police observed Washer sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle passed out. A needle loaded with 35 milliliters of a clear liquid substance believed to be heroin was observed in her hand. Her court date is April 29.

57 year old William Alton Rainey of Odom Street was arrested on March 13 for evading arrest. On February 28 police tried to pull over a white and red motorcycle for speeding but the operator accelerated to speeds of more than 100 mph heading west bound toward Alexandria. The officer terminated the pursuit after obtaining information from the motorcycle and rider’s helmet which helped identify Rainey as the person on the bike. He was later arrested and taken into custody without incident. Rainey’s bond is $5,000 and his court date is May 13.

33 year old Molly Sue Lawrence of Roller Town was cited on March 14 for shoplifting. Lawrence was spotted leaving the Dollar General Store without paying for items that she hidden in a bag. The merchandise was recovered and returned to the store.

35 year old Nichole May Reynolds of Brush Creek was arrested on March 18 for driving under the influence. According to police Reynolds was involved in a single vehicle crash in which she ran off the roadway into a yard at 205 South Mountain Street causing damage to a concrete sidewalk, the yard, and a bush. Police found Reynolds to be confused as to where she was and asked her to perform field sobriety tasks. She complied but performed poorly. Reynolds refused to give a blood sample. She was taken into custody for DUI and issued a citation for violation of implied consent, due care, and financial responsibility as she couldn’t provide proof of insurance. Her bond is $1,500.

31 year old Jonathan Wade Hummel of Obie Adcock Road was cited on March 20 for theft of property. Hummel was observed on surveillance video taking a vape device belonging to Mid TN Vapor off the counter and putting it in his pocket before leaving the store. He was later located and cited for the theft. His court date is May 13.

21 year old Robert Brock Pedigo of McMinnville Highway was arrested for DUI on March 21. Police were called after a man was observed passed out at the steering wheel of a white Ford truck on Ginger Drive. Upon arrival police found the truck running and a man inside who was asleep with his foot on the brake and the gear in drive. The man was awakened and identified as Pedigo. Police learned that Pedigo had consumed 7 or 8 beers. He submitted to field sobriety tasks but performed poorly. Pedigo’s bond is $1,500 and his court date is May 13.

30 year old Justin Dale Estes of Paton Lane was arrested on March 22 for DUI and cited for a driver license violation, financial responsibility, simple possession, and drug paraphernalia. Police were summoned to 507 South Congress Boulevard where a man was observed passed out at the steering wheel of his vehicle. Upon arrival the officer found the man, Estes asleep against the driver side door. After being awakened, Estes was asked to step out of the vehicle. He was found to be unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred. Estes submitted to field sobriety tasks but performed poorly. Police learned that Estes had taken meth and consumed a few drinks prior to driving. Found in the vehicle were clear bags containing approximately 1.7 grams of crystal and about 0.9 grams of white powder along with a glass pipe containing white residue. A background check through central dispatch confirmed that Estes’ license were suspended. Estes also could not provide proof of insurance. Bond for Estes is $1,500 and his court date is May 13.

52 year old David Allen Pedigo of Dowelltown was arrested on March 22 for aggravated assault. According to police, Pedigo was involved in a motor vehicle accident and then displayed a firearm that caused the other driver to fear immediate bodily injury or death. The firearm was recovered from the scene and a statement obtained from the victim. Bond for Pedigo is $5,000 and his court date is April 29.

36 year old Crystal Dawn Grijalva of South College Street was arrested on March 23 for domestic assault and cited for simple possession. According to Police Grijalva placed her hands around the victim’s neck leaving marks after the victim refused to give her money to buy marijuana. Grijalva also damaged the victim’s room during the confrontation. While being placed under arrest, Grijalva produced from her bra a clear bag containing about 0.21 grams of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana. Her bond is $2,500.

42 year old James Summers of Rock Island was arrested on March 25 for simple possession of schedule I, II, IV, & V drugs and public intoxication. According to Police, Summers was found standing in the middle of the road near South College Street and he appeared to be disoriented and under the influence of drugs. He was placed in custody for his protection. A search incident to arrest revealed four different types of narcotics for which Summers could not produce a prescription along with 1.8 grams of a crystal-like substance believed to methamphetamine and 2.6 grams of a plant substance thought to be Psilocybin. Bond for Summers is $5,000 and his court date is May 6.

39 year old Kaite Maria Beasley of Alabama was arrested on March 30 for public intoxication. Police were called to 216 Dearman Street where a woman was observed hanging a hammock on the caller’s front porch. Upon arrival police saw the woman walking around the Nazarene church building and stopped to speak with her. The woman didn’t have an ID but she identified herself as Katie Beasley. She was confused and unsteady on her feet. Beasley was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance. For that reason and because she had unreasonably annoyed people in the area and was a danger to herself Beasley was placed in custody. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court May 13.

44 year old Jimmy Layne Estes of Andrews Street was cited on March 30 for theft of property. At approximately 3:15 pm that day Estes was observed stealing a bicycle from 625 Highland Street. The bicycle was located at about 4:54 pm and returned to the victim. Four hours following the theft Estes was cited by another officer for criminal trespassing after police received a call that Estes was at a gazebo on Highland Street. Estes has been ordered to keep away from the entire property of the Smithville Housing Authority since July 9, 2020. His court date for these offenses is May 13.

52 year old Michael Lynn Vance of Highland Street was arrested on March 31 for criminal trespassing and violation of an order of protection. Officers were dispatched to 625 Highland Street where Vance was accused of knocking on the windows of the residence. Upon arrival the officer saw Vance sitting on the front porch and stopped to speak with him. Vance said he knew he wasn’t supposed to be there but was trying to get under cover from the rain. According to Police Vance has been warned, cited, and arrested for trespassing on the property previously and there is an active order of protection against him to keep away from the victim who lives there. Bond for Vance is $7,000 and his court date is May 13.

52 year old Dickie Ray Bain of Petty Road was cited on March 31 for simple possession, violation of the light law, misuse of registration, and simple possession. Police stopped Bain for a prohibited color of tail lights and learned that the vehicle was recently purchased and had no insurance and someone else’s tag on it. Upon receiving consent to search, officers found 20 grams of a green leafy material believed to be marijuana. Meanwhile 55 year old Howard Lee Pyles of Liberty, a passenger with Bain, had in his possession 0.4 grams of a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine. Pyles was cited for simple possession of methamphetamine. Both will make a court appearance on April 22.

April 17, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Penny Schwinn, the Tennessee Commissioner of Education, visited Northside Elementary School on Friday.

Schwinn walked the halls and observed first hand the learning environment of students here. She even joined in with students on bongos during a music class.

Commissioner Schwinn was welcomed by Director of Schools Patrick Cripps along with Northside Elementary School Principal Karen Knowles, Assistant NES Principal Beth Pafford, and members of the central office staff including Supervisors of Instruction Dr. Kathy Bryant and Michelle Burklow and Federal Programs Supervisor Dr. Danielle Collins.

“I am thrilled to be here. Its been a wonderful visit. I want to make sure I am able to see what is actually happening in schools and talk to principals, teachers, superintendents and students to learn how we can better serve them,” said Commissioner Schwinn.

Although COVID-19 has forced school systems to change their methods of teaching over the last couple of years, Commissioner Schwinn said she is proud of the way educators have adapted.

“There are a lot of folks doing really hard work this year overcoming challenge after challenge but keeping the focus on students and that is exactly what you want to see. Our focus has to be on kids. That’s what I have seen in every classroom in this building.”

Commissioner Schwinn said she is concerned about a learning loss among students across the state due to the pandemic

“You have students who have been in quarantine who maybe have not had internet access who have been in and out of school buildings and all of them are progressing differently. We want to make sure we are providing them with what they need to be able to not just get to where we would always want them to be but to accelerate for next year,” she said.

Virtual learning has not been as effective as hoped in many cases.

“At the elementary level its really though. We’ve seen that its been a little more successful on the high school level statewide buts its really hard for little kids to learn on a computer and not have that adult support right there. That’s why we are really focusing on making sure that families and students feel comfortable being in school buildings so that when we are in person fully next year folks are able to really dive in,” said Commissioner Schwinn.

Still at the high school level, graduation rates are expected to be down statewide because of the pandemic.

“We are expecting some challenges with graduation rates especially for those students who are virtual. A lot of them have looked for jobs or become engaged in other things and its been hard to bring them back so we’re seeing a lot of investment coming into alternative programs. Can we offer more courses at night? Can we do more online courses for catch up? Remediation and support will be in place. It won’t impact the school district’s funding. We will still fund regardless of what their performance is but we really want to make sure that for those students who are not as engaged especially in the high school space there are a lot of options for them to get back on track,” said Commissioner Schwinn.

“I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Its going to be a hard push to the end of the year. We are focusing on summer programs but next year we are working toward getting back to normal. That is where we need to be. That’s where our students and families want to be. Its all the hard work that goes into being able to open up next school year and be ready to go and hit the ground running,” she said.

Although it was largely a social visit, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps made Commissioner Schwinn aware of the concerns and needs of DeKalb County Schools and he was glad that she came here and took the time to listen.

“The Commissioner is always willing to listen so we told her what some of our concerns are with what is going on with education and where it is headed. We explained to her that we are facing a teacher and bus driver shortage. We also talked about the amount of testing we have to do and how it is compressed at the end of the year as well as the plans we have to write each year and how much time it takes to write those plans which keeps supervisors from being able to get out into the buildings to see more of what is going on with the kids. We also discussed with the Commissioner the virtual learning challenges we have had to face as far as the number of students not completing work or failing classes and the graduation rate where we have high school students not getting credit. I appreciate the fact that she was willing to listen to our concerns,” said Director Cripps.

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