Norene Puckett Stepping Down as Recovery Court Coordinator

April 18, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The Coordinator of the DeKalb County Recovery Court Adult and Juvenile Programs is stepping down.

Norene Puckett, who has held the position since July 2013, is relocating out of state. She submitted her resignation letter to General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Bratten Cook, II on April 15. Her last day is April 26.

Thirteen years after its beginnings in DeKalb County, the Recovery Court program (formerly known as Drug Court) has grown and is making a difference in the lives of more people, juveniles and adults. Recovery Court for adults, started by Judge Cook in 2006, provides an alternative to incarceration for eligible non-violent offenders, who are deemed substance dependent. Judge Cook began the recovery court program for juveniles in 2002.

Prior to her appointment as Recovery Court Coordinator, Puckett served for five years as a probation officer on the adult team working for CPS Community Probation Services. Puckett has also been a member of the Recovery Court Advisory Committee, under the auspices of the Tennessee Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and was Vice President of the Tennessee Association of Recovery Court Professionals.

“I have been working in DeKalb County two months shy of 11 years and have poured my heart and soul into the programs I have worked with in DeKalb County and throughout the State of Tennessee. It is my hope that the conversation in our community and the State at large has changed around the topic of addiction and recovery and more people get the help they need,” said Puckett.

“To our participants past, present, and future, I will take a piece of you with me. Your lives have inspired me and I’m so proud of the hard work you have done to get your lives back. Remember everything you have learned in our programs and apply the skills to your lives. Know that you are loved. Know that you can always turn to the recovery court teams for support. I will be helping train my replacement from afar, but I will always keep the programs close to my heart,” she continued.

“Thanks for letting me serve and for always supporting me! You all have made these past 11 years something I will always treasure! I love you,” added Puckett.

In her letter to Judge Cook, Puckett expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to serve the program.

“I cannot express adequately in words my appreciation for all I have learned and had the opportunity to do throughout my career working in DeKalb County and under your supervision. I truly value the experiences I’ve gained through working with the program and hope to see the stigma surrounding addiction and mental illness diminish in our community. It is my hope that through my work the people of DeKalb County truly understand more about the disease of addiction and have better access to the treatment they need,” said Puckett.

Team members who oversee the program locally in addition to Judge Cook and Recovery Court Coordinator Puckett are Sheriff Patrick Ray, Assistant District Attorney General Stephanie Johnson, John and Kay Quintero from Haven of Hope, primary treatment providers; Assistant Public Defender Scott Grissom, Probation Officer Jami Hood, Juvenile Case Manager Katie Parker, and Adult Case Manager Rhonda Harpole.

The team will soon be accepting applications and screening candidates for the position.

The Recovery Court Coordinator job description is as follows:

The Coordinator will participate fully as a Recovery Court Team member and is responsible for the manager/administrative aspects of the program (including preparing budgets/grants), participant relations, public relations, collaboration with other community agencies, database management, and the facilitation of all meetings. The coordinator oversees the weekly docket for Recovery Court, will oversee the data entry and assessments. This person is responsible for orientation of all new participants and maintains file management. The coordinator will provide support and structure to all participants. This person is responsible for orientation of all new team members and will ensure that the program is serving the targeted population and enrollment. The Coordinator will be responsible for yearly Title VI training of staff and oversee the program is operating in compliance with the Title VI Civil Rights Act. They will monitor the participant’s weekly progress and will be required to submit a weekly report on each participant during Recovery Court. They shall serve as an inter-agency and inter- departmental liaison for correspondence, reports, case records, and all other related matters. Following input from the team, they will make policy decisions affecting the day-to-day operations of the Court. Bachelor’s degree required or 4 years commensurate experience with the Criminal Justice system, Alcohol/Drug treatment or the Mental Health field.

April 18, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A deputy pulled over a vehicle last Friday for a traffic violation but discovered much more after talking to the driver and his two passengers.

44 year old James Lynn Owen of Twilla Lane, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence and cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and 0.2 grams of methamphetamine. Owen is under a $1,500 bond.

35 year old Ashley Nicole Owen is charged with tampering with evidence and cited for simple possession of a schedule II drug (Hydrocodone), 0.2 grams of the schedule II drug Methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia (a needle). Her bond is $3,500 and she will make a court appearance May 2.

41 year old Jessica Renee Owen is charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule II drug (Oxycodone) and tampering with evidence. She was further cited for simple possession of 0.2 grams of the schedule II drug Methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia (a needle and 2 glass pipes with residue). Her bond totals $13,500 and she will make a court appearance May 2.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Friday, April 12 James Owen’ vehicle was stopped on East Broad Street for a display of registration violation. While speaking with Owen, the deputy noticed that his speech was very rapid and stuttered. His eyes were red and glossy and his pupils constricted. As Owen got out of the vehicle, he was unsteady on his feet and fidgety. He performed poorly on field sobriety tasks and although he submitted to implied consent for a blood test, a search warrant was obtained for a blood sample. A search of his vehicle turned up 0.2 grams of meth from the console of the car, glass pipes, and Oxycodone.

Ashley Owen was a passenger with James and as she got out of the automobile, the deputy saw Ashley put something in her mouth, believed to be a pill before swallowing it. The officer found other pills on Ashley including Hydrocodone along with a needle.

Jessica Owen was also a passenger and had on her person a bottle of 51 pills believed to be Hydrocodone. Owen, who had no prescription for the drugs, has been convicted before for the sale and delivery of the schedule II drug Oxycodone. As Jessica got out of the vehicle, she too put a Hydrocodone pill in her mouth and tried to swallow it but the officer was able to retrieve it. He also found in her possession a needle and glass pipes with residue.

April 18, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider four candidates when it meets on May 21 in Cookeville to select nominees for the criminal court judge vacancy in the 13th Judicial District, which covers Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, and White Counties. This vacancy was created by the upcoming retirement of the Honorable David A. Patterson, who will end his service effective June 30, 2019.

The applicants are:
Rebecca Brady of Cookeville
Wesley Thomas Bray of Cookeville
J. Michael Shipman of Cookeville
Jeffrey A. Vires of Crossville

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will interview the applicants on May 21 at Tennessee Technological University, Whitson-Hester School of Nursing – Bell Hall, 10 W. 7th Street, Cookeville. The meeting will include a public hearing starting at 9 a.m. CDT, during which anyone may express their opinions in opposition to the applicants. The Commission is expected to vote immediately following the interviews and forward three names to Governor Bill Lee for his consideration.

Completed applications of all the candidates can be found on TNCourts.gov.

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