DeKalb Fire Dept reminds you to change your clock and change your smoke alarm battery this weekend

November 1, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 6 and while you are changing your clocks, the DeKalb County Fire Department wants to remind you to change your batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms also. The message is simple and it’s easy to do. Please take a few minutes to make sure life-saving alarms have fresh batteries so you, your family, and your home are protected.

Lieutenant Dustin Johnson, the DeKalb County Fire Department’s Fire Prevention and Safety Officer, reminds DeKalb County residents that after batteries are changed in alarms, take a few extra minutes to test your alarms and remind family, friends, and neighbors to do the same. Not all smoke alarms have batteries that have to be replaced each year. Some newer model alarms have batteries that last up to 10 years. However, it is still very important to test and clean your alarms. You can clean and maintain them simply by using compressed air to remove dust residue that accumulates on alarms that can cause the alarm’s sensor to not operate properly.

Eighty percent of child fire fatalities occur in homes without working smoke alarms. It’s a tragic statistic that can be prevented. Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, testing those alarms, and reminding others to do the same are some of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. “The vast majority of our house fires happen between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most families are sleeping,” said Lt. Johnson. “Smoke alarm installation and maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. Children and senior citizens are most at risk, and a working smoke alarm can give them the extra seconds they need to get out safely.”

“A working smoke detector doubles your chance of surviving a home fire. So, why would you not want you and your family to have this protection?” For more information about fire safety, visit the DeKalb County Fire Department’s FaceBook Group page or the department’s website at www.dekalbfire.com.

If you need smoke alarms installed in your home, the DeKalb County Fire Department will provide and install them for free. Call Lt. Dusty Johnson at 615-598-2080 to schedule your free delivery and installation.

November 1, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A Smithville man has been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor for providing his teenage son an AR-15 rifle which the boy used to fire rounds from a moving vehicle.

56-year-old Karl Allen Koegler of South Mountain Street, Smithville is under a $3,500 bond and he will make a court appearance on November 10.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on October 28 a deputy responded to a call of “shots fired” from a vehicle. The officer found and confronted Karl Koegler and his 17-year-old son. Koegler said while going down the road his son fired from the vehicle several rounds of an AR-15 rifle that Koegler had provided the teen. The boy also had in his possession a Glock 9-millimeter handgun that Koegler had also provided him. The case remains under investigation.

37-year-old Melinda Beth Murphy of Page Drive, Smithville is charged with a violation of an order of protection. Her court date is November 10.

Sheriff Ray said that Murphy violated an active order of protection against her by texting the petitioner several times.

52-year-old Valeri Jean Mullins of Four-Star Loop, Smithville is charged with filing a false report. Her bond is $10,000 and she will make a court appearance November 13.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 27 a deputy was summoned to the Mullins residence due to a possible assault. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Mullins. During the investigation law enforcement officers concluded that Mullins had provided false information to them about the alleged incident. Witnesses were interviewed and all contradicted her story.

46-year-old Gregory Michael Patton of Oak Place Drive is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver and fabricating or tampering with evidence. His bond is $50,000 and will make a court appearance November 10.

Sheriff Ray said on October 28 a deputy spotted a red Ford Explorer traveling on Cripps Lane which failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Cripps Lane and Four Seasons Road. As the officer turned on the patrol car’s blue lights, he noticed that something was tossed out of the vehicle through the passenger side window. The deputy stopped and spoke with the occupant, Patton who admitted to having thrown the item out of the window. The deputy retrieved the bag on the right side of the roadway. The bag held a white substance that Patton said was methamphetamine. The bag weighed 1.15 grams. Drug paraphernalia was also recovered.

37-year-old Michael Edward Steiner of Curtis Avenue, Alexandria is charged with evading arrest. He is under a $15,000 bond and will be in court November 10.

Sheriff Ray said that Steiner was observed running from a home on Gin Alley in Alexandria after a deputy went there on October 28 to serve a fugitive of justice warrant on him. Steiner was wanted in Monroe County, Florida on an active warrant against him for a violation of probation with full extradition. His bond for that offense is $75,000.

Meanwhile the woman trying to hide Steiner from law enforcement officers, 23-year-old Allison Katherine Driver of South Church Street, Alexandria has been charged with filing a false report. Her bond is $10,000 and she will be in court November 10.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 28 a deputy tried to serve a warrant at a residence on Gin Alley in Alexandria on Michael Steiner. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Driver who said that Steiner was not there. The deputy later began watching the residence and saw Steiner running from the home. After being arrested, Steiner admitted that he had been on the premises when the officer arrived.

27-year-old David Vargas Cano of Smithville is cited for no driver license and failure to maintain his lane of travel.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 30 a deputy was patrolling Sparta Highway when he spotted a red Ford Expedition leaving its lane of travel. He pulled over the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Cano who had no driver license. Three hours later the deputy caught Cano driving again on McMinnville Highway and charged him with no driver license. He was again cited for failing to maintain his lane of travel as well as violation of the open container law. Cano’s bond is $1,500 and he will make a court appearance on November 17.

31-year-old Stephanie Michelle Mooneyham of Toad Road, Smithville is charged with criminal trespassing. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court November 17.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 30 a deputy was summoned to the Dollar General Store on Nashville Highway due to a trespassing report. Upon arrival the officer confronted Mooneyham who said she was at the store to make a purchase. The officer learned through central dispatch that Mooneyham is under an October 6 court order to keep away from the store. She was placed in custody.

October 31, 2022
By: Bill Conger

Five seniors at DeKalb County High School marched in their final home football game last Friday night. Eli Martin, Hannah Swoape, Isaac Sasser, Serenity Burgess, and Gavin Conger are in their last year with the D.C.H.S. Fighting Tiger Band. This article features each student and their plans for the future.

17-year-old Eli Martin is the son of Tiffani and Charles Martin. Although Eli has been in band for seven years, he has only marched in guard for two seasons.

“I was interested in joining the band because ever since I was little I always liked watching them perform, and I always wanted do that too,” Martin said. “I also love instrumental music.”

The past two seasons he has marched in guard, spinning all equipment—flag, rifle, and Sabre. This year he moved his way up to Captain.

“He has earned his spot by being a role model that younger members can look up to,” Color Guard Instructor Shannon Johns said. “He has gotten better each year by practicing on his own and always being open to learning new things. Eli promotes a fun and friendly environment for the group and has been an absolute delight to coach.”

“The most challenging thing is probably having to learn new tricks and stuff for our shows,” Martin says. He adds that joining band with his best friend and fellow color guard member, Hannah Swoape was one of his favorite things about being in band as well as doing something he loves with his favorite people. Eli’s goal is to join Drum Corps International and march color guard. In the future he would like to attend flight school to be a flight attendant.

Hannah Swoape, the 17-year-old daughter of Nancy and Troy Hutchison, is the Rifle and Movement Section leader.

“I have been in band for 7 years now,” Swoape said. “I played clarinet my first year in band and ever since I’ve been in color guard, using flag, rifle, and sabre. I was interested in joining band since I got introduced to it in 6th grade when the band played for us at Northside. What I think I enjoy most are the people that make the band amazing and performing in front of people. It makes you feel powerful. One of the most meaningful experiences is getting to know everyone and they become your family. A challenging part would definitely be remembering how to march, count, and do work all at the same time.”

“Hannah Swoape is our most experienced member and has earned her title as Rifle and Movement section leader by always helping others and making sure we look good as a team,” explains Johns. “Hannah excels at all that she is taught and has been an asset to the team. We are so lucky to have her!”

After graduation, Hannah plans to pursue a career in sonography.

“I will miss performing and all of the people that made band the greatest, and Mr. Luna will always be someone I miss in band. He taught me everything I know about music.”

Isaac Sasser, 17, the son of Trey and Savanna Dodds is co-captain and keyboard percussionist. During his two years with the band, he has played piano, vibes, marimba, chimes, 1st/3rd bass drum, and cowbell.

“I initially wanted to play piano but grew to love all the percussion instruments,” Sasser said. “I love playing music, especially in sync with the band.

Sasser says one of the more challenging aspects of being a band member “had to be getting the music down as I had very little experience with music.”

He would like to continue playing music in the future, perhaps at Tennessee Tech where Sasser plans to further his education after completing two year years at Motlow State.

17-year-old Serenity Burgess, the daughter of Josh and Tristen Burgess, is the leader of the band. A 7-year band member, she earned her positon as drum major for the second year in a row.

“I was interested in joining band when I was a kid,” Burgess said. “I thought the marching band was cool. I loved seeing the band perform in the Homecoming and Christmas parades.”

Burgess has been in the band since 6th grade and has also been a member of the color guard and played flute.

“I have enjoyed the friends and family and being able to connect with people on a different level. It’s like communication through music. One of my most meaningful experiences while being in band would be getting drum major. I thought I would try out to see if I was meant for it, and it has turned out amazing.”

After graduation Burgess plans to attend Cumberland University and major in Education for a future career as an elementary school teacher. She still hopes to be involved in music whether playing her flute at home or maybe in a community band.

17-year-old Gavin Conger, the son of Bill and Alyssa Conger, is the Percussion Section leader. This year he plays marimba, drum set, snare drum, bass drum, gong and other percussion accessories. Conger has been with the band since his 7th grade year and played a variety of percussion instruments during his tenure.

“I started playing drums when I was a little kid,” Conger said. “I used boxes around the house and pots and pans my parents would let me use to bang around on.”

“I love playing set most of all and learning the grooves of some of my favorite drummers like Neil Peart of Rush and John Bonham of Led Zeppelin.”

Conger hopes to continue playing music in some capacity in the future including possibly with the Cumberland University Marching Band. He’s considering music as a minor but is undecided on his major.

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