DeKalb County Cadet gets his wings – by jumping out of a plane (View video here)

July 27, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Fresh off a grueling 13-day Air Force Academy Freefall training course, Levi Driver of DeKalb County is flying high.

The young Air Force ROTC Cadet of the Nashville Detachment 790 earned his wings (Parachutist Badge) in June – quite literally – by jumping out of a plane, five times solo.

The hair-raising feats were part of the Air Force Academy Freefall (AFAFF) program conducted at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs CO.

Son of Brad and Kelly Driver, Levi is a 2021 DCHS graduate, student at MTSU and member of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Tennessee State University. A 4-year program that develops leaders by preparing students to become officers in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force while earning a college degree.

“I do full time school at MTSU but on the side I do Air Force ROTC training out of Nashville Detachment 790 at TSU,” said Driver. “We spend a week during school one to two days getting leadership training and developing ourselves to become the next officers in the US Air Force. It takes four years because you must have a degree to do it. With this you are able to do unique opportunities like my trip to Colorado Springs for this free-falling exercise”.

Driver was one of only a few Cadets selected for this round of regional parachutist training.

“They split it up into regions from across the United States and selected 12 people from out of our region. I was honored to be selected for one of those slots out of all the ROTC Cadets across the nation,” said Driver.

The course consists of strenuous physical training, conditioning, ground school, and five freefall jumps from 4,500 feet above ground level. Cadets completing all five jumps are awarded a basic parachutist rating.

Driver, who had never skydived before said the experience was a real thrill.

“I left out on Saturday, June 11, got to the airport, said my goodbyes to family and then headed off for this two-week trip,” said Driver. My training dates were June 13th-24th. I had never even traveled by myself before, so I was super excited. When I got to the academy, they showed us around and then on the morning of June 13th, we had to get up at 0500 hours to begin our ground training which is learning all the procedures and what to do if something goes wrong,” Driver said. “One of the exercises we went through was a wind tunnel drill that shows you what it feels like with wind against your body during a jump, so we could know what we are doing and what to expect so we don’t freak out. By the time the day comes for your jump, you are ready,” Driver continued.

“I can’t explain the feeling of the freefall except it’s a big adrenaline rush,” said Driver. “We were flying in a twin otter and each of us had to jump out from the plane solo. I was fourth of fifteen jumpers. From the point of the jump all the way to the ground, it felt like 10 minutes but in reality, it was only about 3-4 minutes. It was a unique opportunity, and it took a lot of courage. I guess I was just crazy enough to do it,” said Driver.

Earning that Parachutist Badge was a proud moment for Driver, and it has influenced his career plans.

“It was a great experience. I will cherish those wings for the rest of my life especially if I go into the Air Force as an officer. I will be able to keep those wings on,” said Driver.

During his first two years of college, Driver plans to complete his basic ROTC training and one day become commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force.

“I am majoring in computer science with a minor in military science and would like to get into the Munitions and Missile Maintenance program,” said Driver. In this program, officers formulate and implement maintenance procedures that ensure Air Force arsenals are always fully stocked, highly functional and ready to be deployed.

July 27, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A woman who decided to take a nude swim in the pond of a private nursery has been charged with public intoxication.

41-year-old Christie Dawn Bouldin of Sparta is under a $2,000 bond and her court date is August 11. Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on July 21 a deputy responded to Simpson’s Nursery where a woman was observed swimming nude in their pond. Upon arrival, the deputy spoke with the woman, Bouldin, whose behavior was abnormal, and she could not stand still. Bouldin also became very belligerent while speaking to the deputy. For her safety and that of the public, Bouldin was placed in custody.

40-year-old Brandon Scott Dale of McMinnville is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence. His court date is August 11. Sheriff Ray said that on July 23 a deputy received a call about a reckless driver on Sparta Highway (Highway 70). The deputy responded and spotted a red Ford F-150 swerving in the roadway (failing to maintain its lane of travel). After conducting a traffic stop, the officer spoke with the driver, Dale, and observed that the man’s eyes were glassy and that he had a strong odor of alcohol on him. Dale also had an open container of whiskey setting in the passenger seat. Dale admitted to having consumed some alcohol earlier in the night. Dale refused to submit to standardized field sobriety tasks. He was then placed under arrest.

32-year-old Jerry David Cantrell of Adcock Cemetery Road, Smithville is charged with violation of an order of protection and resist, stop, halt, search or arrest. He is under an $11,000 bond and will be in court on August 11. Sheriff Ray said that on July 23 Cantrell had gone to an address on Adcock Cemetery Road and beat on the door of the residence several times. Authorities say that Cantrell is under an active order of protection, ordering him to stay away from the residence. As the deputy was attempting to place Cantrell under arrest for the violation, he fled on foot but was later captured.

July 26, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

An annual prayer for our schools observance will be held Sunday, July 31 at all the individual schools in DeKalb County starting at 2 p.m.

“Back to School Call to Prayer 2022” is organized by Smithville AG (First Assembly of God) at all five schools where there will be a pastor to lead attendees in a group prayer.

“There is something special when God’s people come together and pray,” said Smithville AG Pastor Iain Swisher.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians‬ ‭5:16- 18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬”.

“We encourage you to choose the school of your choice to gather for this special time of prayer for the students and faculty for this coming school year. Everyone is welcome,” added Pastor Swisher.

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