Plans Underway for Annual “Trick or Treat Halloween Downtown”

October 1, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Parents, children, and local businesses are invited to join the City of Smithville and the Police Department’s “Trick or Treat Halloween Downtown” Wednesday, October 31 from noon until 5:00 p.m.

Some offices in the DeKalb County Courthouse, Smithville City Hall, Smithville Police Department, Justin Potter Library, and participating businesses downtown will have candy and special treats for the children.

Look for the stores and offices with a picture of an orange pumpkin on their windows. Maps will soon be available at the police department and Justin Potter Library to show parents which businesses will be taking part in the event.

For more information call Beth Adcock at the Smithville Police Department at 615-597-8210 extension 1 or check out the police department’s face book page soon for details at  https://www.facebook.com/SmithvillePoliceDepartment.

This event is sponsored by the Smithville Police Department and the Smithville City Hall.

Meanwhile, the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a “Best Costume Contest” for downtown businesses and offices. Take pictures with your phone and send them to Suzanne Williams at 615-464-7760 by 1:00 p.m. on October 31. First, second, and third place winners will be presented a “Halloween on the Square Best Costume Award”, media recognition, and bragging rights.

The Smithville Volunteer Fire Department will have special treats for children Wednesday, October 31 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Stop by for candy and a tour of the Smithville Fire Hall and the fire trucks. Meet with Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker and the Smithville Fire Department Volunteers.

October 1, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

A Dowelltown man is facing charges of aggravated criminal trespassing and vandalism.

Christopher Daniel Gibbs is under a $7,000 bond.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on August 26 Gibbs returned to the property of a residence on Blue Springs Road even after being warned earlier by the owner to keep away. While there, Gibbs allegedly pried open the locked back door of the home causing damage to the point that the owner could no longer secure the door.

28 year old Eddie Jacob Maynard of West Main Street, Alexandria is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $4,500.

Sheriff Ray said that on September 19 a deputy responded to West Main Street, Alexandria due to a domestic altercation. Upon arrival the officer spoke to a woman who reported that her son’s father, Maynard awoke irritated thinking she had his phone. Maynard grabbed her hair and pulled her outside. The woman produced a clump of hair she claims Maynard pulled from her head and she had red marks on her chest from the altercation. Maynard was placed under arrest.

57 year old Donald Gene Rigsby of Bethel Road, Smithville is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence. Rigsby’s bond is $20,000 and his court date is October 4.

Sheriff Ray said that on September 17 a deputy responded to Banks Pisgah Road where a man was observed passed out behind the steering wheel of a car. Upon arrival the officer awoke the man, Rigsby. He had a strong odor of alcohol on his person. His speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. Rigsby submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He was arrested for a prior DUI offense on July 25, 2018.

40 year old Candy Nicole Redmon of McMinnville Highway, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. She is under a $3,500 bond.

Sheriff Ray said that on September 10 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on McMinnville Highway due to a domestic assault. Upon arrival the officer spoke to a woman who stated that her daughter, Redmon had gotten into an argument with her and then grabbed her right arm causing bodily harm.

Seagate Crystal Reports

October 1, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The high school graduation rate in DeKalb County was at 93.7% for the 2017-18 year and though it was down slightly from the previous year it exceeded the state graduation rate by 4.6%.

The DeKalb County graduation rate for the 2016-17 year was 95.41%. Two years ago, the rate was 97.58% for the 2015-16 year and 95.8% three years ago for the 2014-15 year.

Education Commissioner Candice McQueen announced today (Monday) that the 2017-18 high school graduation rate held steady at 89.1 percent, which is the highest graduation rate on record for Tennessee. This year, more than 56 percent of districts with high schools saw their graduation rates improve when compared to last year’s rates.

“Our schools and districts should be proud that once again we have hit our state’s highest graduation rate on record while still holding our students to high expectations,” Commissioner McQueen said. “By continuing to raise the expectations, we are signaling that Tennessee students are leaving high school with the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and the workforce. This graduation rate is a testament to the work being done by teachers and students in schools across the state.”

Under the Haslam administration, Tennessee has set high expectations for both students and educators, and students have made significant gains as a result. As part of this work, the state transitioned to a more rigorous calculation for graduation rates in 2011, and even under the new criteria, rates have continued to rise.

Additionally, the state raised the bar for graduation expectations when the State Board of Education included participation in the ACT or SAT as a graduation requirement for Tennessee students.  This year’s results are the first to reflect this change in accountability.

For the 2017-18 school year, the most notable gains and overall achievements in the state are:

9 districts improved their graduation rates by 5 percentage points or more. The districts with the most significant gains were Union City (9.4 percentage points), Richard City (8.7 percentage points), Van Buren County (8.4 percentage points), Sequatchie County (7.6 percentage points), and Bledsoe County (6.5 percentage points).

44 districts—over one-third of the districts in the state with high schools—have graduation rates at or above 95 percent, up from last year.

106 districts—nearly 81 percent of the districts in the state—have graduation rates at or above 90 percent, up from 98 districts last year. Richard City, Oneida SSD, Alcoa City, and Morgan County all had graduation rates at or above 99 percent.

22 schools across 15 districts had graduation rates of 100 percent.

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