An annual prayer for our schools observance will be held Sunday, July 29 at DeKalb County High School starting at 2 p.m.

Parents, church leaders, educators, and community leaders are invited to attend this special “BACK 2 SCHOOL -CALL 2 PRAYER” gathering. Information from the past year and projections related to the new school year will be presented.

Prayers will be offered by pastors and youth pastors for each school in DeKalb County and for school sponsored activities. A special prayer will also be offered for law enforcement agencies.

Instead of a closing prayer, those present will be asked to go to the geographical location of each school and pray. A prayer of blessing and protection will be offered for the students and faculty for the school year.

Two convicted felons have run afoul of the law again.

31 year old Timothy Kwaun Couser, Jr. of Jacksonville, Florida is charged with carrying or possession of a weapon, driving under the influence, fugitive from justice, and possession of a handgun while under the influence. He was also cited for violation of the implied consent law, driving on a suspended license, and no insurance. Couser’s bond is $86, 500 and his court date is July 26.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said on Thursday, July 12 a deputy was dispatched to Short Mountain Highway where a vehicle had run off the roadway and became stuck in a field. Upon arrival the officer spoke to the driver, Couser. He had a strong odor of alcohol on his person. Couser’s speech was slurred. He was unsteady on his feet and his eyes were glossy. He performed poorly on sobriety tasks but refused to take a blood test. A search warrant was obtained to get a blood sample from Couser. Found in his back pack was a 25 caliber pistol. A background check through the National Crime Information Center revealed that he is a convicted felon for a 2017 aggravated assault in Jacksonville, Florida and that he is also wanted in Maryland on active warrants for burglary and theft.

Meanwhile 59 year old Susan Pirtle Green of Seven Springs Road, Smithville is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. Pirtle’s bond is $5,000 and her court date is July 26.

Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, July 12 officers of the sheriff’s department assisted Tennessee Department of Correction officials in conducting a probation search at Green’s residence on Seven Springs Road. Green was found to be in possession of a Ruger handgun, an AR15, and a 12 gauge shotgun. A criminal history check revealed that Green is a convicted felon.

47 year old Chad Everette Knowles of the Loop Circle, Smithville is charged with resisting stop, frisk, halt, arrest or search. Knowles’ bond is $1,000 and his court date is August 9. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, July 2 while driving down Midway Road, a deputy saw a man wearing dark clothes walking in the roadway. He recognized the man, Knowles and stopped to speak with him. During the conversation, Knowles kept reaching in his back pocket. The deputy ordered Knowles to put his hands on the hood of the car but he turned and ran down Midway Road. He was taken into custody and charged in the case.

18 year old Ryan William Martin of McMinnvile Highway, Smithville is charged with violation of an order of protection. His bond is $3,500 and he will make a court appearance on July 26. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, July 5 Martin messaged a minor through facebook in violation of an active order of protection under which is to have no contact with her.

35 year old Gennie Lynn Norrod of McMinnville is charged with driving under the influence. She is under a $1,500 bond and her court date is July 26. Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, July 13 a deputy received a call from central dispatch of a reckless driver on Nashville Highway. He responded and spotted a white Nissan van matching the description. The officer made a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, Norrod. She had a strong odor of alcohol on her person and she performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Norrod was placed under arrest.

33 year old Jon Christopher Smith of Buffalo Valley is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence. His bond is $3,000 and he will make a court appearance July 26.

Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, July 14 a deputy spotted a gray Nissan Altima driving in the wrong lane. He stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Smith. He had a strong odor of alcohol on him and he performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. A computer check revealed that Smith had a prior DUI offense against him in Putnam County on September 28, 2011. Smith was placed in custody.

52 year old Howard Lee Pyles of Bratten Street, Liberty is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $3,500 and his court date is August 9.
Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, July 14 a deputy responded to a physical domestic call on Bratten Street in Liberty. Upon arrival the officer spoke with a woman who said that her husband, Pyles had assaulted her by jabbing her in the face with a tube of chalk leaving an abrasion on her left cheek. The next day, July 15 Pyles was served with an order of protection which barred him from the victim’s home or having any contact with her. He was found there on Monday, July 16 and arrested for violating the order. Pyles’ bond on that charge is $7,500 and his court date is July 26.