TDOT Gives Green Light for Red Lights at Busy and Dangerous Intersection

May 4, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The Tennessee Department of Transportation has given the green light for the installation of red lights at the intersection of Highway 70 & 83 (New Home/Allen Ferry Road) near Kilgore’s Restaurant.

Although it may be several months before they’re actually installed, State Representative Michael Hale told WJLE Wednesday that TDOT has approved the project after conducting a traffic study at the busy and dangerous intersection which is about to get even busier with the opening soon of a new Bizzy Mart convenience market/truck stop there.

“I got word this week that the red-lights request has been approved. Its about a $150,000 project but its been sent to TDOT headquarters to get the process underway. I am very thankful because this is a very busy highway and intersection. The state will install the lights and then they will be turned over to the city to maintain like all other traffic lights in town. TDOT has not given a time frame for when the lights will be installed. It may be a year or more down the road. Sometimes with government the process is slow and takes time,” said Hale.

In a letter to Representative Hale, Landon Castleberry, P.E. TDOT Regional Traffic Engineer wrote “TDOT performed the turning movement count and the signal warrant analysis for the intersection.  We concluded that enough traffic exists at the intersection to warrant a traffic signal.  What’s more, we pulled crash reports from our Department of Safety database and found that the intersection has a crash rate that qualifies it for safety funding.  This is very helpful because the cost of installing a traffic signal can easily fetch around $150k. Moving forward with this good news, my intent is to submit this intersection to my superiors in TDOT HQ to approve safety funds to signalize,” wrote Castleberry.

Over the years this intersection has become a hot spot for car crashes including at least one fatality even with caution lights there. An 83-year-old woman died in a wreck there in April 2015. With another business opening up and added traffic creating more congestion, both County Mayor Matt Adcock and Smithville Mayor Josh Miller sent letters in January to State Senator Janice Bowling, State Representative Michael Hale, and officials of the Tennessee Department of Transportation to make a formal request for the red lights. TDOT responded that a traffic study would first have to be conducted to determine a need for the lights. Both Mayors Adcock and Miller said they are pleased and appreciative that TDOT has approved the project and they wish to thank Representative Hale for his help.

May 4, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County High School continued its monthly observance Tuesday of recognizing a teacher, student, and parents of the month. These honors were for the month of March.

Each received a certificate from the school and a gift card for a meal from El Rancho Mexican Restaurant in Smithville.

Kason Wheeler, a newcomer to DCHS was selected by the administration as Teacher of the Month while Freshman Alejandro Avalos Godinez is Student of the Month, voted on by the teachers. The guardian of the month is Lynda Hamilton, and this honor was based on a winning essay written by her grandson Jerett Hamilton, a 15-year-old 9th grader at DCHS.

“It’s a huge honor to be recognized,” said Wheeler when asked about how he felt being named “Teacher of the Month. “I love being here with the staff and administration. I teach PE and wellness and I am an assistant football coach,” Wheeler said.

Originally from Red Boiling Springs, Wheeler furthered his education at Tennessee Tech where he earned his undergraduate in 2019 and this Friday, May 5 he will receive his Master’s degree from Tech. He relocated from Cookeville to Smithville this past year.

“I was really blessed and fortunate to have the opportunity to move here and work with everyone including Coach Steve Trapp and the football staff and others in the PE department. I couldn’t be happier to be here,” said Wheeler.

Thomas Cagle, Assistant Principal at DCHS, said Wheeler has fit right in at the school. “Kason is an outstanding guy to have around. He is also an assistant football coach. He fills in whenever we need him to. He is a great teacher and really keeps the kids involved in the classroom whether its wellness or PE. He is always looking for ways to help us out. We couldn’t be happier to have him on board as part of our staff. Kason is really deserving of this award voted on my me, Principal Bruce Curtis, and Assistant Principal Jenny Norris,” said Cagle.

Godinez, son of Alejandra and Victor Godinez, said he is happy to have been selected “Student of the Month”.

“It feels great knowing that the teachers and staff like me and that they think I am a great example to other students in the school”.

A member of the DCHS Science and Skills Clubs, Godinez said English is his favorite academic subject, but his ambition is to one day become an auto mechanic and maybe further his education along that line in college or trade school. Godinez is also a member of the DCHS band and plays saxophone.

“Alejandro is another great example of one of our exceptional students here,” said Cagle. “He had lots of teacher nominations and was able to secure the vote from the teachers which is how we choose this award. He is a bright spot in our hallways, and we look forward to more years of Alejandro bringing more to our school and what he will do when he leaves our school. We are very excited for him and glad that we were able to share this award with him,” added Cagle.

Meanwhile, Cagle said Jerett Hamilton ‘s essay, paying tribute to his grandmother, really stood out.

“Jerett’s was just one of those essays that really shined to me when we were reading through it and we want to thank Ms Hamilton for all she does for Jerett and her other son Trace. She does an excellent job, and they are two fine young men at our school, and we can’t thank her enough for all she does for them,” said Cagle.

“I take a lot of pride in the essays for parent or guardian of the month,” Cagle continued. “I think this is really something exceptional for the students to take some time out of their day and do this because it is not for a grade or extra credit. Its nothing we make them do but they take the time out of their day to write and tell us about the amazing things that their parents or guardians are doing for them at home and outside of school that we are not aware of all the time. For them to be able to do that and to recognize their parents or guardians is something really special and I think it is really amazing that our students do this for their parents and guardians,” added Cagle.

Jerett said he wrote this essay to honor his grandmother and let her know how proud he is of her.

“I took the time to write it during my study hall. I just felt like writing it. She is always really nice. She cooks for us, picks us up and takes us places. I am proud of her,” said Jerett.

Jerett said his favorite academic subject is math and he enjoys being on the high school football team where he plays at receiver and as a defensive lineman.

He hasn’t yet decided on his future plans after high school.

Ms Hamilton said learning that Jerett had written an essay about her and that she was being honored because of it was ‘overwhelming”.

“It was a really big surprise, and I am very moved by it. I am very proud of Jerett. He has really matured more this year. Like all teenagers, there are obstacles, but he is growing,” said Ms. Hamilton.

May 4, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb West’s Kindergarten Registration for the 2023-24 school year will be Friday, May 5th from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb West School.

Please bring COPIES of the following documents to Registration:

– Certified copy of the birth certificate

– Current, up-to-date, physical examination and immunization record (These must be on a
Tennessee Department of Health Certificate of Immunization, which can be obtained from
your doctor’s office or the Health Department)

– Proof of residency for DeKalb County (i.e. gas/electric bill)

– Your child (they will be tested on registration day)

*Children who register to attend kindergarten must turn five years old on or before August
15, 2023.*

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