FAFSA Now Available for Tennessee Students, Tennessee Promise

January 18, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available for Tennessee students, including recent changes to make it easier than ever to apply for financial aid to support a college education.

While the FAFSA typically launches in October on StudentAid.gov, this year the launch was delayed by the U.S. Department of Education due to program updates to improve online functionality.

The Tennessee Promise FAFSA deadline has officially moved to May 15, 2024 to accommodate the late opening and to allow students extra time to complete the form.

“The FAFSA is now available for all Tennesseans” said James Snider, Director of Tennessee Promise at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. “Now is the time to finalize your plan to pursue education after high school. We are hopeful that we will continue to lead the nation in our FAFSA Completion efforts.”

An average of 350,000 Tennesseans complete the FAFSA each year. This crucial form is used to determine state and federal grants eligibility, as well as a requirement for the Tennessee Promise
scholarship.

The revised FAFSA will be shorter for some families, with certain information automatically filled in based on tax returns along with changes in the formulas used for aid calculations. However, the delay in launching the FAFSA means that students can expect to receive their loan and scholarship packages later than usual, reducing the time available for evaluating competing offers before making enrollment decisions.

Here are some key takeaways for Tennessee students:
What’s new this year?
• The updated FAFSA is expected to be shorter for some individuals, with the U.S. Department of Education predicting that some may need to answer as few as 18 questions, taking less than 10 minutes.
• Changes may require students to report information for spouses or stepparents not considered in previous years.
• The elimination of the “sibling discount” in aid calculations may affect some families negatively, but others may see an increase in aid. The U.S. Department of Education estimates that an additional 610,000 students from low-income families nationwide will be eligible for federal Pell Grants.

How can students prepare?
• To complete the FAFSA, students and contributors to their family income, including parents and spouses, should create online accounts at StudentAid.gov. Creating these accounts in advance is recommended to save time before completing the FAFSA.
• Required information includes names, dates of birth, email addresses, and Social Security numbers for all parties filling out the FAFSA. Tax information should transfer automatically from
the IRS with family consent; however, having tax returns, child support records, and current balances for cash, savings, and checking accounts ready is advisable. Families should also know
the net worth of their investments and businesses.
• A student starting classes in the fall of 2024 will fill out the 2024-2025 FAFSA form although aid calculations will be based on tax filings from 2022.
• Families are cautioned to only submit the FAFSA through the official government website (StudentAid.gov) and never pay to submit the free form.

How will students know what aid they’ll get?
• Students can share their information with up to 20 colleges and trade schools, an increase from previous years. Early submission is encouraged, as some schools have priority deadlines for
grants and scholarships. The deadline to remain eligible for the Tennessee Promise scholarship is May 15, 2024.
• After completing the FAFSA, students should expect communication from the schools they’ve applied to. However, due to late opening this year, any communications from campuses will be delayed until early February at the earliest. Families are warned against accepting unexpected offers of financial aid, as they could be scams. The U.S. Department of Education advises
verifying the legitimacy of offers by checking with the school’s financial aid office when in doubt

January 16, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Several arrests have been made recently by the Alexandria Police Department on charges ranging from fugitive to drug offenses.

51-year-old Tara Perkins of Weatherly Drive, Lebanon is charged with manufacture, delivery, sale, and possession of a schedule II drug (Methamphetamine) and possession of a schedule V drug (Gabapentin), and simple possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Alexandria Police Chief Travis Bryant said that on December 14, officers stopped Perkins for a traffic violation and while speaking with her, they suspected she was in possession of narcotics. K-9 Manci was deployed, and a search of the vehicle yielded approximately 3 grams of a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, 33 white pills believed to be Gabapentin, a small amount of marijuana, several hypodermic needles, small baggies and a pipe. Her bond was set at $45,000.

35-year-old James Ketcherside and 53-year-old Yvonne Ketcherside of Edgewood Street, Alexandria were arrested on December 31 for being fugitives from justice. Officers learned that both were living at this Alexandria residence and were wanted in Missouri for parole violations. As officers arrived, they spoke with the homeowner who gave them consent to search. James Ketcherside was found in an upstairs bathroom trying to hide from officers while Yvonne Ketcherside was locked in a bedroom closet. After about an hour, both were taken into custody. Dispatch then sent a confirmation to authorities in Missouri and officers were advised to hold the Ketcherside’s for extradition. Yvonne Ketcherside stated to officers that she had been on the run for 4 years. Their bonds were set at $75,000 each.

36-year-old Trevan Lawson of James Court, Gordonsville is charged with possession of a schedule V drug (Gabapentin), manufacture, delivery and sale of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine), and possession of drug paraphernalia. On January 9, Officers were summoned to check on a suspicious vehicle at the car wash on West Main Street. As officers approached the vehicle, they detected a strong odor of marijuana and discovered that Lawson was the driver. A metal container was found under the seat during a search which contained approximately 2.41 grams of a crystal substance thought to be methamphetamine, a scale, several clear baggies, and a baggie containing 9 white pills believed to be Gabapentin. Officers also found a used pipe and a set of scales in the glove compartment. Lawson’s bond is set at $20,000 and he will appear in court on January 25.

35-year-old Amanda Wuest of Hillcrest Circle, Gordonsville is cited for possession of drug paraphernalia. Wuest was a passenger in the suspicious vehicle on West Main Street. Officers learned while speaking with her that she was in possession of a piece of aluminum foil and a cut straw both with residue. She admitted that the items were used for narcotics. Her court date is set for January 25.

33-year-old Kelsy Thiem of Evelyn Circle, Portland is charged with DUI and reckless endangerment. On January 3, an officer got behind a vehicle and noticed it swerving and failing to maintain its own lane of travel. He then stopped the automobile and spoke with Thiem who had an odor of alcohol on his person. Thiem’s 7-year-old son was in the vehicle with him. The officer asked Thiem to step out of the automobile to perform field sobriety tasks and discovered that his speech was slurred and that he was unsteady on his feet. Thiem admitted to having consumed a couple of drinks. He performed unsatisfactorily on the field sobriety tests. Thiem was also cited for failing to maintain his lane of travel and failure to provide proof of insurance. His bond was set at $10,000.

January 16, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

A Liberty mother who lost her daughter 21 years ago continues to honor her memory each Christmas by helping others through “The Tree of Precious Memories”.

Through community donations, Audrey Martin said “The Tree of Precious Memories” has touched many in need both young and old. With each donation in honor or remembrance, a name is placed on an ornament for the tree and lifted up to the Lord in prayer on Christmas eve. The Tree is set up every Thanksgiving at Martin’s front door for all to see and its taken down on New Year’s Eve.

“I started this project with the Lord after the death of my daughter Gidget DeShealea Ashford Patterson, who passed away in 2002. Gidget was a kind and loving person who never met a stranger. Through her death God told me to help the children and of course I asked How? And within 3 months after her passing the Tree of Precious Memories was born,” said Martin.

“Through the years the donations by all have helped many children and some elderly that I am told need help. It could not have been possible without the support of the devoted and caring people of DeKalb County and surrounding areas,” Martin explained.

“This past year the Tree was so beautiful with all the names of loved ones, those who have passed or in Honor of those in need of prayer. It was once again a great success and I was very much humbled to see so many people step up to help those in need,” explained Audrey.

“Every name on the Tree goes with every gift that is given to those in need. The Tree of Precious Memories has helped to ease my pain with the loss of Gidget and it has helped others in ensuring the precious memories of their loved ones live on,” Martin said.

“The Tree of Precious Memories is made possible through the loving and caring people like you and I would like to take this time and thank all who donated to the Tree of Precious Memories this past year and who they thought of in prayer, honored, or remembered,” said Martin.

Emma Flesher, Memory of Gidget and Rachael Richardson

Gerald and Peggy Tate, Honor of Lainey Rose Tate

Clear Fork Methodist Church, Prayer for Israel

Ms. Sherell, Memory of Dorothy Long

Charotte Bratten, Memory of Louise, Charlie, and Chuck Sparks

J.D. Bratten, Memory of Larry Bratten

Jacob Hale, Honor of Gloria Hale

Alexandria Methodist Church, Prayer for the White family

Paul and Judy White, Prayer for Cody White and family

Brush Creek Methodist Church, Prayer for all

Gary Crook, Honor of Noelle

Mr. & Mrs Scott Haugh, Prayers for everybody

Ms. Kyra, Memory of Robert Watkins

Tammy Pack, Memory of Billy Pack

Amanda Vaughn, Memory of Effie Lee Ellis

Melody Carpenter Jaquinta, Honor of Mary Jane Carpenter and Craig Carpenter

JC Driver, Prayers for all in need

Debra Malone, Prayer for the world

Sean Driver, Memories of Onie Driver, Ethel Gothard, Jean Clayton, and Peggy and Joe Hale

Brittany, Memory of Helen Wilson

Shannon Cantrell, Memory of Prentice Cantrell

David Taylor, Prayer for all the Taylor family

Dewain (Ace Hardware), Prayers for Walt Stock

Danny Hale, Prayers for the world

Steve (dispatch S-Dept.), Honor of Jeffery Sean

Pokey, Prayers for DeKalb County Sheriff Dept.

Buck & Buck Attorney, Prayers for Frank Buck

Vester Parsley, Memory of Josie and Clayton Parsley

Bratten (Butch) Cook, Prayer for family

Daniel Seber, Memory of James and David Seber

Alexandria Auto Parts, Memory of Jack Underhill, Prayers for Faye Underhill

Suzanne Slagger, Memory of Judy Robertson

Woodbury Ins. Agency, Memory of James Hancock, Brenda Hord

Cantrell’s Furniture, Prayers for Stacey

B&G Supply, Prayers for family

Woodbury Funeral Home, Prayers for the world

Charles & Judy Anderson, Prayer for our Military Soldiers

The Tree went up with In Memory of Gidget Ashford, Bobby Charles Martin, Donna Kay Florida, Sandra Lee Brown, Jim and Novella Brown, Susie Gerrell Merriman, and Julana Martin.

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