Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour Shows Off New Sign

April 19, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Members of the “Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour” group, Chamber leaders, and local public officials gathered at the site of a new road sign Tuesday funded by Robin and Kristie Driver, owners of Center Hill Realty and Chalets.

The new sign, located at North Congress Boulevard and Church Street, will let tourists and others arriving in Smithville know that the annual studio tour, hosted by local crafters and artisans, is held on the last full weekend of every October. The tour began in 1999. This year’s event will be October 25-27. Artists will be demonstrating their craft mediums and offering handcrafted shopping opportunities at every stop on the tour.

In 2018, the tour featured more than 30 individual artists at 14 studio stops.

Pictured: left to right: Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, Jessica Higgins, Robin Driver, Kristie Driver, Smithville Mayor Josh Miller, Kathy Hendrixson of Justin Potter Library, Smithville Alderman Gayla Hendrix, Crafters and Artisans Claudia Lee, Lauren Bryant, Abraham Pardee, Sherri Cratty, Rob Harvey, and Louis Colombarini.

April 19, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb Animal Coalition is closing its Restore known as “The DAC Benefit Place” April 27 and with it will go the primary fundraising source for the shelter.

The coalition has been operating the Restore for more than three years at 110 West Walnut Street but the building has been sold. The new owner plans to put a restaurant there. With no new location in which to move the Restore will be closing April 27.

In the meantime, the DAC is holding a huge indoor yard sale Friday and Saturday, April 19-20, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to move the remaining merchandise and everything must go. All proceeds will benefit the animal shelter.

“The store has been the DAC’s primary fundraiser for the 3 1/2 years it has been open. All merchandise is donated and all workers are volunteers. Use of the building was generously donated by Donnie and Robin Driver so utilities were the only expenses. All proceeds go to the DAC Shelter. Among the big items that have been purchased with money from the store are a tractor-trailer container which holds a year’s supply of dog and cat food, a stainless steel dog tub and quick drier, a stainless laboratory examination table, medicines, vet bills, supplies; and most recently, store funds are paying for chain link exercise runs for dogs,” said a spokesperson for the DAC.

Although the DAC Shelter will remain in operation, the loss of this revenue source will have an impact.

“The loss of funding from the store will be a huge hit for the DAC. We have other ongoing fund raisers, such as contribution cylinders, memorial bricks and donations, and grants, but we are going to have to work extra hard to find a project that will equal our income from the store. I do want to thank the Drivers and all the volunteers who worked so hard to make the store a success. And I hope everyone will come to our yard sale these next two weekends and buy a lot of stuff, whether you need it or not,” said a DAC spokesperson.

Every item will be marked down to rock-bottom prices. Merchandise includes household items, small kitchen appliances, pots, pans, cutlery, bedding, curtains; electronics, printers, radios, tv’s, computer monitors, CD players; furniture, dining tables, side tables, coffee tables, chairs; clothing, shoes; decorative items, crafts, pictures, books, games, toys, Easter baskets and Easter decorations.

The animal shelter, located at 186 Transfer Station Road behind Tenneco Automotive is staffed by two full time employees who work for the coalition but are paid by the City of Smithville. Although the shelter is open to the public only three days a week on Thursday and Friday from noon until 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon the employees and volunteers care for the animals seven days a week.

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.

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