Circuit Court Clerk Urges Patrons to Limit In-Person Office Visits for their Safety During Coronavirus Threat

March 16, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin is asking that anyone having business with her office please temporarily limit in-person visits to protect yourself and others due to the threat of the coronavirus.

“While our office will remain open and continue to serve the public during normal business hours, we would ask that if your business is not of an emergent or immediate nature, that you temporarily limit your visits. We are using caution and these are simply preventive measures. We appreciate your patience and assistance in this matter,” said Martin.

Customers can still do certain business and make payments via the DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk website by clicking the link below and following the prompts.

http://www.dekalbtennessee.com/circuitcourtclerk.html

By order of Tennessee Supreme Court Ruling, In Person Court Proceedings have been temporarily suspended until March 31, 2020. Due to this order In—Person court proceedings and hearings scheduled for this timeframe that are not of an emergent or immediate nature will not be held until after March 31, 2020. If you have an attorney – you should contact your attorney to potentially reschedule your court date. This suspension applies to all DeKalb County Courts including General Sessions, Circuit, Chancery, Criminal, Child Support, DCS, Juvenile Court, and the City of Smithville Municipal Court.

Accordingly, Martin said that all persons summoned for the new Grand Jury and term of court March 30 are not to report that day but will need to call 615-597-5711 extension 6 for further jury information after 5 p.m. March 31.

Meanwhile, District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway has announced that the hearings on the Child Support Docket for Wednesday, March 18 have been cancelled due to the State Order suspending In-Person Court Proceedings. The Child Support Office is in the process of attempting to contact all parties involved in those proceedings about the cancellation. It is not certain as of this date as to when the hearings will be rescheduled. “It is very important that all parties involved on this docket contact the child support office to update their addresses and phone numbers so that we can make sure they are advised of the new date when that is determined. The phone number is 931-528-8598,” said Dunaway.

March 16, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Government continues to monitor developments and updates from federal and state public health officials related to the coronavirus. As of this date, all county offices are open regular hours. If business cannot be conducted by phone or online, the public is asked to limit access to public buildings for business purposes only. Do not enter a facility if you are not feeling well.

County emergency services are operating as normal.

Staying informed is critical, as well as not spreading false information and rumors. Persons with concerns about their health should contact their primary healthcare providers or call the COVID-19 Public Information Line 877-857-2945, which is available from 10am–10pm CST daily.

You can also visit the following websites for additional information:
Centers for Disease Control
Tennessee Department of Health
US Department of State (DOS) Travel Advisories
As a reminder, common health practices are important to reducing the spread of this virus. These include:
•Washing hands (over 20 seconds) and frequently
•Covering cough or sneeze
•Avoiding touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
•Staying home if you are sick
• Staying away from people who are sick

For more information on COVID-19, please visit: https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html.

Meanwhile, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office is restricting public access to the facility until further notice due to the threat of the coronavirus.

“Our number one priority is to prevent possible exposure to staff as well as inmates therefore we have placed the sheriff’s office and jail on a soft lock down which means that the general public will not be able to enter the facility. The front door to the lobby will be locked. Anyone in need of an officer or services such as a warrant must press a button at the front door which will ring for a correctional officer who will meet you at the door to offer assistance,” said Sheriff Patrick Ray.

For all non-emergency issues please call 615-597-4935.

“Tuesday night church services and family visitations with inmates at the jail will be prohibited except for online visitations and the inmate roadside litter pickup program will be suspended until the threat subsides,” said Sheriff Ray.

“Offenders brought into the jail will undergo established protocols during this time and rather than an in court appearance, video conferences will be arranged for defendants needing an immediate hearing before a judge for certain matters such as bond conditions, etc.,” he added.

“To keep the jail from being infected, regular wipe downs are being conducted throughout the jail and cell areas”.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” added Sheriff Ray.

DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin is asking that anyone having business with her office please temporarily limit in-person visits to protect yourself and others due to the threat of the coronavirus.

“While our office will remain open and continue to serve the public during normal business hours, we would ask that if your business is not of an emergent or immediate nature, that you temporarily limit your visits. We are using caution and these are simply preventive measures. We appreciate your patience and assistance in this matter,” said Martin.

Customers can still do certain business and make payments via the DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk website by clicking the link below and following the prompts.

http://www.dekalbtennessee.com/circuitcourtclerk.html

By order of Tennessee Supreme Court Ruling, In Person Court Proceedings have been temporarily suspended until March 31, 2020. Due to this order In—Person court proceedings and hearings scheduled for this timeframe that are not of an emergent or immediate nature will not be held until after March 31, 2020. If you have an attorney – you should contact your attorney to potentially reschedule your court date. This suspension applies to all DeKalb County Courts including General Sessions, Circuit, Chancery, Criminal, Child Support, DCS, Juvenile Court, and the City of Smithville Municipal Court.

Accordingly, Martin said that all persons summoned for the new Grand Jury and term of court March 30 are not to report that day but will need to call 615-597-5711 extension 6 for further jury information after 5 p.m. March 31.

Meanwhile, District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway has announced that the hearings on the Child Support Docket for Wednesday, March 18 have been cancelled due to the State Order suspending In-Person Court Proceedings. The Child Support Office is in the process of attempting to contact all parties involved in those proceedings about the cancellation. It is not certain as of this date as to when the hearings will be rescheduled. “It is very important that all parties involved on this docket contact the child support office to update their addresses and phone numbers so that we can make sure they are advised of the new date when that is determined. The phone number is 931-528-8598,” said Dunaway.

March 16, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Schools will be closed Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, April 3 due to the coronavirus threat.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps told WJLE that the final decision to close schools came after Governor Bill Lee’s statement today (Monday) urging every school district in Tennessee to close as soon as practically possible.

“We have decided that we are going to close schools starting Tuesday, March 17 and that will run through April 3. We will not be in school,” said Director Cripps.

All planned school related trips, extracurricular activities, and sporting events are also canceled during this time.

“We still have 4 inclement weather days left we can use and then we’re off anyway for spring break next week, March 23-27. Schools will remain closed March 30 through April 3 and it’s not clear yet if the state will require us to make up those days,” Cripps continued.

“We will still monitor the situation. Our goal is to be back in school Monday, April 6. I do encourage parents to stay in communication with their teachers so they can keep up to date with work assignments. If we are out of school beyond April 3 we will have to get more work out to our students so they can keep up their skills. We have already sent out packets. I know some of the schools sent the packets out on Friday but students will be getting packets to keep up with their work assignments while they are out of school,” said Director Cripps.

“We are also coming up with a plan on how we can get food to our students while we are closed. It will be a meal program. We will provide more details through an all-call out to families over our messenger. Expect that in the next day or so in order that we can still provide meals for those who need it,” added Director Cripps.

Other admonitions:

*Teachers are advised to check email daily
*Teachers will be available to parents remotely
*No student should be on any school campus while schools are closed.

Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued the following statement regarding statewide school closure:

“As the response to COVID-19 evolves, I urge every school district in Tennessee to close as soon as practically possible, with all schools expected to close by Friday, March 20, 2020 at the latest. Schools should remain closed through March 31, 2020 to further mitigate the spread of this infectious disease and we will issue further guidance prior to March 31. Superintendents and local leadership have the full support of my administration to determine effective dates for closure this week as they evaluate what is best for families within their respective districts. We understand the tremendous burden school closure places on families and we will continue to work with both the federal government and school districts to ensure we continue essential supports like meals for students in need. Every Tennessean has a role to play in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and I urge Tennesseans to be quick to help neighbors as new needs surface with the closure of schools.”

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