Ashley Reynolds was recently elected FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) state vice president of STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Events for the upcoming year. Reynolds, a junior and current chapter president of FCCLA at DCHS, competed for the honor at the recent state leadership meeting held in Chattanooga, March 21-23. In addition to her active campaigning during the 3-day event, Reynolds was also required to complete a detailed application, an oral interview and a written test.

In her new position, Reynolds will serve her chapter and the state association in various duties relating to the many and varied competitive STAR events held by FCCLA. For the past two years, Reynolds has competed in the Advocacy STAR event, focusing on the topics of teen pregnancy and the dangers of texting while driving. During last year’s national competition, Reynolds brought home the silver award.

“We want to congratulate Ashley and support her as she represents her chapter, school and community across the state and nation as a state officer,” DCHS FCCLA adviser Linda Parris said. “Our records indicate that Ashley is the first state officer elected from DCHS since the organization changed its name in 1999 from Future Homemakers of America. If anyone has knowledge of a state officer being elected from DeKalb County prior to this time, please let me know.” Parris may be contacted at: lindaparris@dekalbschools.net.

A Smithville man has been indicted by the DeKalb County Grand Jury accused of committing several burglaries and thefts from March through October, 2017.

24 year old Ryan Davis Taylor of Holmes Creek Road, Smithville is under indictment for burglary (6 counts), theft over $10,000, theft over $2,500 (2 counts), auto burglary, theft over $1,000 (2 counts), theft under $1,000 (4 counts), vandalism under $1,000 (2 counts), and aggravated burglary.

Taylor will be arraigned in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Monday, April 9 at 9 a.m.

The cases against Taylor are as follows:

*On March 20, 2017, Taylor allegedly unlawfully entered the habitation of a victim and stole a safe, knives, cash, a CD player, and several guns valued at over $1,000 constituting the offenses of aggravated burglary and theft over $1,000

*On June 18, 2017, Taylor allegedly entered a building other than a habitation of a victim and stole several musical instruments, cameras, CDs, video games, and jewelry valued at over $10,000 constituting the offenses of burglary and theft over $10,000.

*On July 14, 2017, Taylor allegedly entered a barn on Game Ridge Road, Smithville causing damage to it and took several hunting bows, hunting clothes, a computer, bullets, reloading equipment, rods and reels, and lights, valued at over $2,500 constituting the offenses of burglary, theft of property over $2,500, and vandalism under $1,000

*On August 8, 2017, Taylor allegedly stole a Rough Rider .22 caliber single 3 action revolver valued at under $1,000 constituting the offense of theft under $1,000

*On September 8, 2017, Taylor allegedly unlawfully entered a building other than a habitation of the victim and stole a Murray lawnmower and Craftsman pressure washer valued at under $1,000 constituting the offenses of burglary and theft under $1,000.

*On September 30 and October 3, Taylor allegedly entered a GEO Metro vehicle and stole a custom built AR-15, Craftsman tool set, drill, floor jack, Garmin GPS, and boots and glasses, valued at over $1,000 constituting the offenses of auto burglary and theft of property over $1,000.

*On October 3, Taylor allegedly entered a shed, cut a padlock and chain secured to a generator, and stole the generator, two log chains, grease gun, spud bar, an adjustable wrench, and rubber handled pliers all valued a under $1,000 constituting the offenses of burglary, vandalism under $1,000, and theft of property under $1,000. He returned to the same shed on October 5 and allegedly broke in and stole a 22 rifle, 22 pistol, Milwaukee band saw, a Rothberger threading set, Makita angle grinder, Makita drill, Makita Skill saw, Laser mark saw, three chainsaws, floor jack, extension cord, and grease fitting valued at over $2,500 constituting the offenses of burglary and theft of property over $2,500.

*On October 6, Taylor allegedly entered a residence on Allen Ferry Road and stole various jewelry, TV, coffee pot, keys, remotes, laptop, and a tablet, valued at over $1,000 constituting the offenses of burglary and theft of property over $1,000.

A Smithville man who was seriously injured in a pickup truck crash last week has died.

70 year old Robert Page passed away Monday night at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga. The body is at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Arrangements are incomplete.

The accident occurred Tuesday night, March 27 on Dale Ridge Road (Highway 96) about a mile from Highway 70.

According to Trooper Sean Tramel of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Page was driving south in a 1993 Nissan pickup truck when he went off the edge of the roadway while going around a curve. As the truck slid sideways, Page overcorrected and the vehicle clipped the end of a guardrail before going down an embankment. The truck then crashed into a tree.

Although there were no eye witnesses to the wreck, Trooper Tramel said Richard Summers, a resident closeby, heard the crash but didn’t see the truck at first when he went outside his home to investigate. A short while later, Summers spotted the truck from the lights of a passing car on the highway and alerted authorities.

Members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Team were summoned to the scene to perform extrication as Page was trapped in the truck.

Page was taken by DeKalb EMS from the scene to a helicopter landing zone on Highway 70 at the top of Snow Hill. From there he was airlifted to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga.

Members of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department were also at the scene of the crash to provide traffic control and other assistance.

The investigation was conducted by Trooper Tramel and THP Sergeant Eric McCormick. Trooper Tramel said Page was wearing his seatbelt.