News
December 9, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb County High School’s Career & Technical Education (CTE) Department is getting a grant for $102,000 to enhance programs being offered to students.
Supporting Postsecondary Access in Rural Communities (SPARC) grants from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) are awarded to distressed and at-risk counties in the state, as designated by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) index of economic status.
During its regular monthly meeting Thursday night, the DeKalb County Board of Education gave its blessing for the grant.
SPARC is a targeted grant program for high school and adult learner populations with a specific focus on Career & Technical Education (CTE). SPARC aims to address the associated education and workforce factors that designate them as economically distressed and to remove common postsecondary education access barriers in rural counties.
According to Brad Leach, Career and Technical Education Director at DCHS, the funds will enhance, among others, the agriculture and cosmetology programs at DCHS and industry certification tests for students.
“This grant is due to the economics of our county. We did qualify this year for this grant and there are certain criteria we have to meet concerning our workforce and economics. The grant is for $102,000 and we will use this grant to make improvements in our agriculture program as well as our cosmetology, advanced manufacturing and I even have a part in there for transportation for industry certification,” said Leach.
In his monthly report on personnel, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps announced that employees Lauren Ferrell, Tina Gash, and Sara Young have been granted a leave of absence as requested and that Transportation Supervisor Michael Agee and Educational Assistant at Smithville Elementary School Jennifer Gay have resigned.
Director Cripps thanked Agee and Gay for their years of service to the school district.
The school board also approved a request for the DCHS girls basketball team to participate in a Christmas Tournament at Maryville December 27-30.
Dowelltown City Lights Contest December 12-16
December 8, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
The Town of Dowelltown will host the 22nd annual City Lights Contest December 12-16.
If you are a resident of Dowelltown and you want to be judged, please have your Christmas lights lit and on display every night that week from 6 to 9 p.m. Houses will be judged at different times throughout these days. Winners will be announced, and awards presented on December 17.
Winners will receive:
*1st, 2nd & 3rd Prize for Best Overall Scene
*1st, & 2nd Prize for Best Door or Porch
*1st & 2nd Prize for Best Window
The event is sponsored by DTC Communications, Wilson Bank & Trust, and by Liberty State Bank
Former Law Enforcement Officer Indicted for Sex Crimes Involving a Minor
December 8, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
A former law enforcement officer in DeKalb and other counties has been indicted on sex crimes involving a minor.
39-year-old Dustin James Farris of Star Drive, Sparta (DeKalb County) was arrested this morning (Thursday) for solicitation of a minor by electronic means, sexual exploitation of a minor (2 counts), and sexual contact with a minor by an authority figure.
A special called session of the DeKalb County Grand Jury met Wednesday and heard testimony against Farris and found probable cause to indict him. A sealed indictment was returned against Farris by the Grand Jury.
Bond for Farris was set at $100,000 and he will appear for arraignment in DeKalb County Criminal Court on January 18, 2023.
Farris’ latest employment was with the Overton County Sheriff’s Department where he served as a School Resource Officer. He had also formerly been employed as an officer in recent years by the DeKalb, White, Putnam, and Cannon County Sheriff’s Departments as well as a Child Support Investigator in the 13th Judicial District.
Count 1 of the indictment alleges that “between the dates of May 31, 2022 and July 24, 2022 in DeKalb County, Farris did unlawfully by means of oral, written, or electronic communication, electronic mail or Internet service, including webcam communications, directly or through another, to intentionally command, hire, persuade, induce, or cause a minor to engage in simulated sexual activity that is patently offensive or in sexual activity, where such simulated sexual activity or sexual activity is observed by that person or another and that Farris is 18 years of age or older (than the victim)”
Counts 2 & 3 of the indictment allege that “between the dates of May 31, 2022 and July 24, 2022 in DeKalb County, Farris did unlawfully display to a minor, or expose a minor to, any material containing simulated sexual activity that is patently offensive or sexual activity if the purpose of the display can reasonably be construed as being for the sexual arousal or gratification of the minor or the person displaying the material”.
Count 4 of the indictment alleges that “between the dates of May 31, 2022 and July 24, 2022 in DeKalb County, Farris engaged in unlawful sexual contact with a minor when the defendant at the time of the offense was in a position of trust or had supervisory or disciplinary power over the minor by virtue of the defendant’s legal, professional, or occupational status and used the position of trust or power to accomplish the sexual contact. The defendant intentionally touched or kissed the minor’s lips with the defendant’s lips and such touching can be reasonably construed as being for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification”.
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