Another Tribute to the late Hoyte Hale

November 4, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Another tribute to the late Hoyte Hale.

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen, State Representative Michael Hale, and members of the Smithville Fire Department recognized the life and service of Mr. Hale who passed away unexpectedly on September 29.

Hale had served as both DeKalb EMS Director for nine years and as a member of the Smithville Fire Department for almost 40 years. He was Deputy Fire Chief at the time of his death.

Hale’s sons and other members of his family gathered for the tribute at city hall. State Representative Hale presented them a framed copy of a proclamation in honor of Hale adopted by the State House as well as flags flown over the state capital. Fire Chief Charlie Parker and Assistant Chief Jeff Wright also presented the family a special award on behalf of the department and a flag from Hale’s graveside service.

“I believe wholeheartedly that you give honor to whom honor is due,” said Representative Hale. “Your dad served this city and county for about 40 years. He missed a lot of things with you just to serve this community and this county. This proclamation and flags are being presented tonight in honor and thanks for the time your dad served Smithville and DeKalb County,” said Hale.

“Hoyte was an outstanding member of our community serving as Deputy Chief for the Smithville Fire Department, and Director for DeKalb County EMS,” said Mayor Josh Miller.

“He was a veteran firefighter for the Smithville Fire Department for almost 40 years”.

Hoyte worked his way up through the ranks of the fire department serving first as a firefighter, then Captain and finally Deputy Chief of the department”.

“Hoyte was an eight-time winner of the Robert Eller award which is given to firefighters with the highest attendance for yearly incidents”.

“While on the fire department, Hoyte wanted to better serve his community, so he began his EMS career, first as an EMT-IV then Paramedic and then the EMS Director for DeKalb County,” Mayor Miller continued.

“We would like to recognize Hoyte’s many years of service to the citizens of Smithville and DeKalb County. Let me say to Zackary, Devin, and Quentin and to the rest of the family that we are very sorry for your loss,” added Mayor Miller.

“Hoyte’s passing has left a hole in our department and he is missed,” said Fire Chief Parker.

“Hoyte was more than just a firefighter. He was a friend to all. The City of Smithville and the Smithville Fire Department wanted to do something to honor his legacy with a small token of our appreciation. This recognition award is in honor of the life and service of Deputy Chief Hoyte Hale from 1985 to 2024. In remembrance of your unwavering commitment and dedication of almost 40 years of service to the citizens of Smithville and the Smithville Fire Department”, said Chief Parker.

State Representative Hale also plans to present a framed copy of the proclamation and a flag to be hung in the Smithville Fire Hall in honor of Hale’s service.

By:

DTC Communications, in partnership with the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), is honored to announce a grant award of $4917.03 to DeKalb Middle School to expand its General Music Program. This grant will allow the school to purchase new classroom instruments and instructional materials, enhancing music education resources for current and future students.

DeKalb Middle School’s music teacher, Hannah Bratton, expressed the school’s gratitude, stating, “The DeKalb Middle School Saints want to sincerely thank the Foundation for Rural Service for the generous Community Grant awarded to our general music program. This grant allows us to purchase classroom instruments and instructional materials that will support all of our current and future students. Students will enjoy playing on high-quality instruments as they develop their love of folk music, and we are excited to see the community’s love of music grow as a result of this charitable contribution. When we received the call, it felt like a prayer had been answered because the students will now have access to the music education they deserve. Thank you, FRS and DTC, for your support.”

The General Music Program at DeKalb Middle School emphasizes core music skills, including rhythm, music literacy, and composition, inspiring students to develop a lifelong love of music. With the new resources provided by this grant, students will have more opportunities to play high-quality instruments, and broaden their understanding and enjoyment of music. DTC Communications is proud to be a part of this meaningful initiative.

“At DTC Communications, we believe that investing in our local schools and students enriches our entire community,” said Chris Townson, CEO of DTC Communications. “This partnership with FRS reflects our shared commitment to empowering young learners to explore the arts and reach their full potential.”

November 4, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

A Cookeville man, wanted for violation of the sex offender registry (five counts), was arrested last month after trying to evade and resist arrest.

50-year-old Nathan Lee Pack is under a $7,500 bond and he will be in court November 7.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that October 22 deputies pulled over a blue Hyundai and when the vehicle stopped a passenger door opened and Pack got out and took off running. Officers identified themselves and gave several verbal commands for Pack to stop but he refused. After a lengthy foot pursuit Pack was ordered to the ground and to place his hands behind his back but he refused. Pack was subsequently taken into custody. Pack allegedly tried to flee because he had warrants against him from DeKalb and Putnam Counties.

28-year-old Miguel Arroyo, Jr. of Lebanon is charged with a violation of an order of protection. His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court November 7.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 23 deputies were summoned to the Floating Mill Campground where Arroyo had gotten into an argument with a woman he was ordered to keep away from, and that he allegedly made threats against her regarding a firearm. A background check confirmed the no contact order based on an aggravated assault arrest against him in Wilson County. Officers recovered a 5.56223 AR rifle.

55-year-old John Michael Turner, Sr. of AB Frazier Road is charged with a domestic related aggravated assault. He is under a $7,500 bond and his court date is November 13.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 25 a deputy was called to AB Frazier Road where someone had reportedly been hit by a vehicle. Upon arrival a deputy spoke with a man who reported that Turner had come onto his property with his truck and ran into his girlfriend’s vehicle. When the man (victim) tried to intervene to keep Turner from running into the vehicle, a verbal altercation ensued, and Turner allegedly struck the man (victim) in a blue Nissan Frontier causing the victim to fear seriously bodily injury.

51-year-old Scottie Lynn Sykes of Allens Ferry Road is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court November 7.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 25 a deputy was called to a residence on Allens Ferry Road and upon arrival spoke with a woman who reported that she and Sykes had gotten into an argument during which Sykes allegedly threw a Mountain Dew bottle hitting her in the forehead causing a gash.

23-year-old Anna Danielle Skelton of Silver Point is charged with domestic assault. She is under a $3,500 bond and will be in court November 7.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 25 a deputy was dispatched to Midway Road due to a report of a physical domestic in the road. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Skelton and a man. Skelton told the officer that she and her boyfriend had been arguing during which she pushed and hit him. The man confirmed that Skelton had struck him and pinched him on the arm. He had a red and purple mark on his left forearm.

34-year-old Timothy Ryan Lawson of Poss Road is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court November 14.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 27 a deputy was summoned to Poss Road and upon arrival he spoke with a woman who said that she and her husband, Lawson got into an argument which turned physical when Lawson allegedly struck her in the face causing her nose to bleed and made a place on the inside of her lip.

42-year-old Jimmy Joel Farris of Page Drive is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver. His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court November 14.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 27 a deputy was patrolling Midway Road when he spotted a red minibike traveling down the road. He stopped the bike and spoke with the operator, Farris. After giving the officer consent to search his person, found inside his right-side pants coin pocket was a clear baggie with a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine with a baggie weight of a half gram.

56-year-old Curtis Lee Adams of Midway Road is charged with driving on a suspended license. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court on November 14.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 27 a deputy spotted Adams operating a motor vehicle on the roadway. Knowing that his license was suspended, the officer pulled him over and a background check confirmed that his license was suspended for failure to appear on April 7. Adams was arrested on September 30 for the same offense.

28-year-old Preston Scott Whiteaker of Smithville is charged with driving under the influence and driving on a suspended license. He is under a $5,000 bond and his court date is November 14.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 27 a deputy was patrolling Nashville Highway and pulled over a Chevy Impala. The officer spoke with the driver, Whiteaker and a background check revealed that the tag on the vehicle was expired and his driver license was suspended for failure to pay fines on December 21, 2019. Whitaker’s speech and movements were slow. His eyes were red and he smelled of marijuana/hemp. He admitted to having smoked THCA prior to operating a vehicle. Whiteaker submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.

35-year-old Jose Rolando Delafuente of Jennings Lane is charged with driving under the influence. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court on November 14.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 28 a deputy was traveling north on South Congress Boulevard when he spotted a red Chevrolet Silverado leave its lane of travel several times. The vehicle was also traveling at 50 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour speed zone. The officer pulled over the automobile at Mapco Express and spoke with the driver, Delafuente who smelled of alcohol. His eyes were red and watery and his speech and body movements were slow. He submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Delafuente admitted to having consumed alcohol prior to driving.

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