Sheriff Presents Donated Cell Phones to Genesis House for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence

January 17, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

When people get a new phone, their old one often collects dust in some drawer in their house because they aren’t sure what to do with it. For victims of domestic violence, a donated cell phone can be their lifeline. A phone allows them to call 911 if they need help.

Throughout the year, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department serves as a drop off point for cell phones which are collected there and donated to the Genesis House in Cookeville. On Thursday, Sheriff Patrick Ray presented Keesha Williams of the Genesis House 290 cell phones which, according to Williams, have a value of $7,250.

“We are a collector of cell phones for the Genesis House. We ask people to bring their old cell phones to the jail. We take those cell phones and present them on behalf of DeKalb County to the Genesis House. We don’t need the phone charger or case. The only thing we need is the phone. Genesis House will refurbish those phones and erase all data on them except for the ability to call 911 and give them to victims of domestic violence,” said Sheriff Ray.

Williams said the Genesis House appreciates the donation of these cell phones and they will be put to good use.

Genesis House is a non-profit organization in Cookeville dedicated to offering services for victims of domestic and sexual violence all across the country and within its service area.

Services include a 24-hour hotline, shelter, hospital accompaniment, individual counseling, transitional housing, support groups, advocacy, crisis intervention, community education and outreach, community referrals, and court advocates for nine Tennessee counties (Putnam, White, Smith, Jackson, Overton, DeKalb, Clay, Pickett and Macon).

“We are a service provider for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We have a shelter located in Putnam County. We do court and legal advocacy. We offer food, clothes, hygiene products, diapers and wipes for people in their domestic situation. We service the nine surrounding counties of Putnam including DeKalb and we have bar advocates that go to each court in the counties. We have a 24 hour hotline so there is always someone to answer the phone regardless of the time. We are always there to provide our services. Our shelter in Cookeville houses up to 25. I am the housing advocate. I help my clients with all their housing needs. I help them find apartments and transportation in finding apartments, and rental assistance programs. We also do case management and planning. We are here to listen and to guide victims in the direction they need to go. If they want to press charges we will explain what they need to do through legal advocacy” said Williams.

According to Sheriff Ray, domestic violence incidents are typically the most dangerous types of calls to which an officer can be called.

“In the latest survey I found from the Violence Policy Center, Tennessee ranks 4th in the country for the rate in which men kill women in a domestic related homicide. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reported that 77,846 domestic violence cases occurred in 2017 and that females were three times more likely to be victimized. That accounts for 71.5% of the reported victims. The 2018 statistics are not yet available,” he said.

“If you are a victim of domestic violence we want to help you. If it is an emergency situation call 911 and somebody will come to you. If it is a non emergency you may call me at the sheriff’s department at 615-597-4935 or you may call our dispatch line at 615-215-3000. The Genesis House also has a 24 hour crisis line at 931-526-5197,” said Sheriff Ray.

January 17, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Todd Perry returns as the featured artist on “Jammin’ at the 428” this morning (Friday) on WJLE.

The program will air at 8:30 a.m. following the “Old Time Country Community Radio Show”

Jim Hicks, the host of the show, will interview Perry and showcase his music on today’s program.

“We are glad to get Todd back to do another show with is. We always have a great time hanging out with him. Todd has been working on a project recording his songs. We hope the listeners will enjoy the show. Thanks for your support and love for the show,” said Hicks.

To hear this show click the link below or click the dropdown box under the “Community” section of the WJLE homepage near the top and look for “Jammin’ at the 428”.

Jammin at the 428 January 17

Perry records at Rick Scruggs’ Studio in Smithville, also known as the 428.

January 16, 2020
By:

The Tennessee Regional eBook and Audiobook Download System (R.E.A.D.S.) announced today that they achieved a record-breaking four million digital book checkouts in 2019, a milestone for Linebaugh Public Library, Blount County Public Library, Williamson County Public Library and other local libraries in the state. The DeKalb County Libraries had 1648 READS Downloads in December. This accomplishment illustrates the continued growth and importance of lending of eBooks and audiobooks along with the creative ways libraries have served their communities with digital services.

Tennessee R.E.A.D.S. is one of 73 systems around the world that surpassed one million checkouts through Rakuten OverDrive, the leading digital reading platform and its award-winning app Libby (complete list here).

“We are encouraged to see an increasing number of Tennesseans using this innovative and educational service,” said Tre Hargett, Tennessee Secretary of State “The popularity of this system is evident, and we will continue to do our part to promote and support programs that serve our citizens well.”

Linebaugh Public Library, Blount County Public Library, Williamson County Public Library and other Tennessee R.E.A.D.S. libraries have been providing readers 24/7 access to eBooks and audiobooks for several years. Reader interest and usage has grown every year, reflecting popular trends and interests both locally and across the country. In 2019, the highest-circulating title across both formats Tennessee R.E.A.D.S. readers borrowed through OverDrive was Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. The top-circulating genre, romance, represents the most popular in a vast catalog that also includes mystery, thrillers and children/young adult.

The top 5 eBook titles borrowed through Tennessee R.E.A.D.S.’s digital collection in 2019:
1. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
2. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
3. Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts
4. Educated by Tara Westover
5. Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks

The top 5 audiobook titles borrowed through Tennessee R.E.A.D.S.’s digital collection in 2019:
1. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
2. The Whistler by John Grisham
3. Memory Man by David Baldacci
4. Camino Island by John Grisham
5. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Named one of Popular Mechanics’ 20 Best Apps of the 2010s and one of PCMag’s Best Free Software of 2019, Rakuten OverDrive’s Libby app seamlessly connects first-time and experienced users with the digital collections of libraries. Readers may browse the library’s digital collection, instantly borrow titles and start reading or listening for free with a valid library card.

Readers can use any major device, including iPhone®, iPad®, Android™, and Windows®. With the Libby app, readers can also “send to Kindle®” devices and apps. Titles automatically expire at the end of the lending period. There are no late fees. Readers can also download titles onto Libby for offline use.

Visit https://reads.overdrive.com/ or download the Libby app to get started and borrow eBooks and audiobooks anytime, anywhere.

About Tennessee R.E.A.D.S.
TN R.E.A.D.S. serves 4.3 million people in more than 90 counties across the state. It is provided by the Tennessee Regional Library System, which is a part of the Tennessee State Library & Archives, a division of the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office.

About Rakuten OverDrive
OverDrive is the leading digital reading platform for libraries and schools worldwide. Named one of Popular Mechanics’ 20 Best Apps of the 2010s and one of PCMag’s Best Free Software of 2019, the award-winning Libby is the “one-tap reading app” for libraries. We are dedicated to “a world enlightened by reading” by delivering the industry’s largest catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and other digital media to a growing network of 43,000 libraries and schools in 76 countries. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, Ohio USA and owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten. www.overdrive.com

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