News
No Jury Trials will be conducted in Tennessee until at least February due to COVID-19
November 18, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
No Jury Trials will be conducted in Tennessee until at least February due to COVID-19.
The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an Order Tuesday, November 17 suspending jury trials from November 23, 2020 through January 31, 2021, unless an exemption is granted by the Chief Justice. The order is in response to the increased number of COVID-19 cases in the state.
In response, Criminal Court Judge Wesley Bray issued the following memorandum on Wednesday, November 18 to all the Circuit Court Clerks in the 13th Judicial District including DeKalb County and to the District Attorney General and District Public Defender Offices:
“In an effort to keep the “wheels of justice” moving and conform to the Supreme Court of Tennessee’s Order Extending State of Emergency and Suspending Jury Trials dated November 17, 2020, please know that I am available to schedule Zoom pleas, hear motions and to set and hold Bench Trials. Should you wish to do any of the above, or have suggestions to further your matters, please feel free to contact my office. I, truly understand the gravity and effect this Order has on the private practice of law. Please understand my office is prepared to facilitate moving matters forward within the confines of the new Order,” wrote Judge Bray.
Jury trials were previously suspended from March 13 – July 3, 2020. In addition, the Tennessee Supreme Court Order directs judicial districts to revisit and strictly adhere to their previously approved reopening plans; reiterates that the Court’s July 9 Order mandating face coverings for all persons who enter the courthouse for court-related business is still in full effect; encourages video conferencing whenever possible; reminds judges and attorneys that they have an ethical obligation to comply with Court Orders and the reopening plans drafted by the judicial districts; and prohibits anyone with COVID-19 from participating in an in-person proceeding. In addition, the Order directs judges to schedule and conduct in-person hearings in a manner that minimizes wait times in courthouse hallways, which often have limited space for social distancing.
The court’s order is designed to protect all of the participants in the judicial system and the public at large while keeping the courts open and accessible to carry out essential constitutional functions and time-sensitive proceedings. This is the Court’s sixth order related to the pandemic since it declared a state of emergency for the judicial branch on March 13, 2020.
Deadline Approaching to Signup for Free Thanksgiving Meal Courtesy of DESA
November 18, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
If you want a hot delicious meal delivered to your home on Thanksgiving Day you have until Thursday, November 19 to sign up.
The DeKalb Emergency Services Association (DESA), in partnership with Adoration Home Health as well as local businesses and volunteers, will again be preparing and delivering Thanksgiving meals to the needy and underserved on Thursday, November 26th.
“This year we are serving ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, and a dinner roll. We also plan to add a dessert. It will be a good meal. We are only accepting money donations this year. We can’t accept food donations because of COVID-19,” said Steve Repasy, President of the DeKalb Emergency Services Association.
“Our food preparers will come in at the county complex at about 6 a.m. Thanksgiving morning to begin cooking and preparing the meals. We will then fill the to-go trays and box them up for delivery to the homes, said Repasy.
“We feel that this is just another way our local emergency service providers and our supporters can serve our community. If you or a family member would like a hot meal on Thanksgiving Day, please call one of our numbers listed to be added to the list. We need the address, phone number, and number of persons in your household. Meals are scheduled to be delivered between 11:00 & Noon,” said Association Vice President Myra Reffue.
DESA will accept names of persons requesting a meal through Thursday November 19th. To get your name on the list, call 615-516-6662 or 615-712-4286.
Due to COVID-19 volunteers and donations will operate differently this year. If you would like to volunteer contact Myra Reffue at 615-516-6662. CDC guidelines will be followed to only allow 25 volunteers inside the building. Delivery drivers will still be needed but you will be given a time to line up and the meals will be placed in your vehicle to deliver. All volunteers will have temperature checks and must wear appropriate PPE. All donations should be monetary this year and they can be taken to Wilson Bank to be directly given to DESA or they can be given to Myra Reffue or Brandi Cantrell.
DCHS Basketball Teams Off to Great Start
November 18, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
The DCHS basketball teams got the season off to a great start Tuesday night with wins over visiting Whitehouse in Smithville.
The Lady Tigers opened with a 74 to 48 win while the Tigers ended the night with a 51 to 48 victory.
In the girls game, DeKalb County led 22 to 11 after the 1st period, 37 to 21 at halftime, and 56 to 35 after the 3rd period before notching a 74 to 48 win.
Kadee Ferrell scored 22 for the Lady Tigers followed by Megan Cantrell with 15, Ella VanVranken 13, Grace Griffin 6, Summer Crook and Xharia Lyons each with 4, Natalie Snipes and Madison Martin each with 3 and Cadee Grffith and Tess Barton each with 2 points.
The Tigers led 14 to 12 after the 1st period of the boys game and 25 to 22 at halftime. The game was tied at 33 by the end of the 3rd period but the Tigers outscored Whitehouse in the 4th period and won 51 to 48.
Jordan Young scored 13, Brayden Antoniak 12, Luke Jenkins 11, Elishah Ramos 10, and Evan Jones with 5.
DeKalb County travels to Pickett County Saturday night, November 21 with the girls game starting at 5 p.m. followed by the boys contest. Because of the Tennessee-Auburn football game WJLE will be unable to broadcast the high school games Saturday night.
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