Student Charged with Making Social Media Threat Toward Teacher

February 26, 2018
By: 2

A 13 year old juvenile, who is a student at DeKalb County Middle School, has been charged with a delinquent act of making threats toward a Middle School teacher. A juvenile petition was taken against the teen on Monday, February 26.

According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, the juvenile made the threat on social media to another person about pointing a weapon at a teacher earlier this month.

“Due to Friday’s school threat, the school staff at DeKalb Middle School spoke to students and advised them everyone was ok, but if they ever heard a rumor or knew about someone who was going to do harm to the school, to tell someone,” said Sheriff Ray.

“A student told school staff about the threat toward the teacher today (Monday),” he said.

The school staff then advised the School Resource Officer, who then contacted Sheriff Ray.

“I contacted Detectives with my department who started an investigation. During interviews and after obtaining social media messages, Detectives were able to determine the student did make the threats,” Sheriff Ray continued.

According to Sheriff Ray this incident is totally unrelated to the unfounded rumors of social media threats made against the high school which surfaced late last week.
The juvenile is currently being held in the Putnam County Juvenile Detention Center.

Sheriff Ray says “I am very proud of the student who reported this incident to the school staff. It took a lot of courage for them to tell someone. I, along with my Department, are committed to ensuring that all students and school staff are safe. Any threats of this kind will not be tolerated. I ask all parents to talk with their children about these kinds of threats and to monitor their child’s social media conversations. If a threat is discovered, please report it to law enforcement immediately. I also encourage all students to talk with the School Resource Officer or school staff about any threat they hear,” he concluded.

February 26, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

After losing their home and all belongings in an August fire, tragedy has struck the Nathan and Kimberly Hale family again.

The 5th wheel camper of the Hale’s who live on Lower Helton Road, Alexandria was destroyed by fire Thursday night, February 22. The family had been living in the camper since the loss of their three bedroom home at 5093 Lower Helton Road in August. The first fire occurred while the Hale’s were away to attend a church service in Carthage.

The Hale’s are asking for help from the community to get them back on their feet.

“On Thursday night February 22, a fire started close to the electrical panel in the camper. My husband, myself and our dogs got out and we managed to save most of our medications and my insulin; however, when Nathan tried to go back in to get his wallet and important papers, the roof started falling in on him. In his wallet was every bit of money we had put away that our church helped raise in hopes of being able to buy a vehicle, $600 cash. My husband is disabled and we’ve been waiting for 2 years for a determination for his disability claim,” said Mrs. Hale.

“I have set up a gofundme link (www.gofundme.com/kim-nathanhale). We also have a checking account at Wilson Bank and Trust in my husband’s name, Robert Nathan Hale, and donations can also be sent through PayPal using my email address kimberlyhale011317@gmail.com.” said Mrs. Hale.

“Thank you in advance for your help. God bless you.” she concluded.

February 25, 2018
By: Bill Conger

“I believe most people truly value learning, and literacy is at the heart of learning,” Event Coordinator/School Librarian Amanda Mullinax says of the community response. “I am grateful that families are taking the time to work this event into their already busy schedules!”

Doors open at 5 o’clock. Look for possible guest appearances by The Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2, Alice, and The Mad Hatter. Activities will include a young illustrator, a local puppeteer, an escape game, visit to Wonderland, a book walk and much more. Children’s author Mike Shoulders will be back by popular demand.

His presentation will be educational and entertaining as he reads, raps and does a few magic tricks. At the heart of what Shoulders does is his desire to encourage families to read together.

“Parents are their child’s first and constant teachers,” the retired educator adds. “What they do at home is as valuable as what teachers do in school. Families need to celebrate books and not see them as a challenge. There are three ways to have a comfortable life: inherit a ton of cash, win the lottery, or be an avid reader to grab those best paying jobs later in life.”

WJLE talked with Shoulders about entering the world of writing for children.

WJLE: After a solid career in education, why were you interested in pursuing writing for children?

Shoulders: While I was a fourth grade teacher for 13 years, I read aloud to my students every day. Reading aloud to children is the #1 best way to get them to love books and therefore, read books. Ten years before retirement, I began pursuing a personal goal of publishing a book. It took five years, but led to my second career as a children’s author. I still see myself as a teacher as I share the writing process with students as part of my employment.

WJLE: You spent many years teaching others and a few years ago it became your turn to learn again in a different area. What did you have to learn to make yourself a publishable and marketable writer?

Shoulders: The first thing I learned is the average “first sell” by an aspiring author is five years. Sure enough, it took me four years and ten months – very close to five years. I guess I’m a “Solid Average” kinda guy. I learned that selling a manuscript was (approximately) 10% writing and 90% marketing. Anyone interested in selling a book has to know which publishers are buying and selling which kinds of books. A writer has to match a manuscript with an appropriate publishing house.

Any time I got the chance, I attended conferences on writing. I heard many editors say they receive a large percentage of manuscripts that are just not right for what they publish. Aspiring authors must research the marketplace.

One of the best pieces of advice I learned is just because your manuscript was rejected doesn’t mean it won’t be bought by another publisher. It’s important to keep a manuscript in the mail. It’s just as much about persistence as it is talent. If one is persistent, talent will develop.

WJLE: How does the writing process work for you?

Shoulders: I’m ashamed to say it, but I have to be in the mood to write. On the occasions I’m not in the mood or am not feeling it, I usually read instead…A LOT ! ! ! I fill my day with reading because writers ARE readers. Writing is solitary. Each writer must find where they write the best. I will often get my favorite Starbucks drink and sit near the river or a creek and write. When I’m writing – and in a groove – I’ll usually write for about four hours a day. I have other things that occupy my time. I have to make travel plans to speak at schools and conferences. I have hotel rooms to book. I have questions to be answered. J

WJLE: What’s your next project?

Shoulders: I’m trying to sell a book about “The Legend of the Christmas Pickle.” It’s been rejected multiple times already. The way I look at it is I’ve narrowed down which company is going to publish it by eliminating several companies. Recently, I sent the manuscript to a *former* editor of mine who is no longer editing for a publishing house. She gave me a piece of valuable information to make my story stronger. I resent it to her and she said she loves it. What she was telling me is the manuscript is salable, but I just have to have faith and be persistent.

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