K-9s used in overnight search of DCHS buildings after another threatening note

September 24, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Law enforcement officers converged on DeKalb County High School Monday night using K-9’s for a walk through of the buildings and grounds after a threatening note targeting DCHS turned up at a school in Putnam County.

The search involved school administrators, the Sheriff’s Department, and Smithville Police, along with the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Putnam County Sheriff’s Department using their K-9 dogs, and DeKalb Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Charlie Parker.

The search produced nothing threatening or suspicious.

Last month security was beefed up at the high school after a threatening note was found in a restroom.

The school district sent out an all-call to students, parents, faculty, and staff Monday night making them aware of the latest threat.

In a prepared statement, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps said “late in the day on September 23, Putnam County’s school administration notified DCHS Principal Randy Jennings of a letter found at one of their schools that made a threat to DeKalb County High School. After assessing the information, we contacted local law enforcement at which point trained outside agencies were contacted and explosive device trained K-9 units from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Putnam County Sheriff’s Department were utilized to search and clear the buildings and grounds. Putnam County School Resource Officers are investigating the threat and the information they received. At this point, school officials and law enforcement have deemed the DCHS campus a safe environment”.

“We would like to remind all citizens of DeKalb County that the safety of our students is our utmost concern and we will continue to be proactive in ensuring all students remain safe. If those responsible for this threat are located, they will be prosecuted for their actions,” Cripps continued.

“The DeKalb County School system would like to thank Chief Mark Collins and the Smithville Police Department, Sheriff Patrick Ray and the Sheriff’s Department, Emergency Management Director Charlie Parker, the Tennessee Highway Patrol and other outside agencies for their timely response and assistance in ensuring the safety of the students in DeKalb County,” said Director Cripps.

September 24, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Since taking office over a year ago Road Supervisor Danny Hale has been working to maintain and improve county roads but he draws the line when it comes to providing gravel or working on private roads and driveways.

The reason is because state law forbids it.

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, Road Supervisor Hale addressed the county commission on the issue to let them know where he stands and he passed out copies of the state law regarding the matter. Hale said from the beginning of his term he put the word out that he would not violate the law and run the risk of being prosecuted. Still, Hale says some people don’t understand and continue to ask for services he can’t deliver.

“I get calls from people wanting driveways graveled and stuff that we can’t do. So if you (county commissioners) get any calls from your people (constituents) I am just letting you know what the law is and that there are consequences for doing things you are not supposed to do. There are cases where Road Supervisors in Tennessee have been prosecuted,” said Hale.

Only roads listed as “County Roads” approved by the county commission are eligible. Not all roads in the county are “approved” county roads even if they appear on 911 maps or others. City streets and state highways are also not eligible for work by the County Highway Department.

Under state law, “one of the main duties of the chief administrative officer of county highways (Road Supervisor) is to exercise supervision over the construction, repair and maintenance of county roads and he must be careful not to work on private roads. State law forbids the use of any county highway materials or equipment to improve or repair private roads, with the limited exception for school bus and postal vehicle turnarounds. A chief administrative officer (Road Supervisor) who authorizes or knowingly permits county equipment to be used for private purposes is guilty of a misdemeanor”.

“All roads running through a county are not county public roads. Some are private roads; others are state highways or city streets. Private roads are the most difficult to distinguish from county public roads. Private roads are generally one of two types. First, a private road may be one used by only one or a few property owners, such as a driveway; or second, it may be a road which the landowner allows the general public to use but which has never been formally accepted by the county legislative body as a county road, or which the landowner has never given the public any rights, either expressed or implied”.

“Cases where this law has been broken include the Robertson County Highway Department. The Road Supervisor there was indicted in 1993 on 9 counts of accepting money for work on private roads. The Pickett County Highway Department was fined $13,205 in 2016 for using county materials/equipment for private roads. In Grundy County, the Road Supervisor is currently under indictment on 6 counts of using county materials/equipment on private roads in 2018,” said Hale.

September 24, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

County Mayor Tim Stribling was re-elected Chairman of the County Commission Monday night.

Sixth district member Jeff Barnes, the longest serving member of the commission at 17 years, was named chairman pro temp.

The County Commission reorganizes each September naming a chairman and chairman pro temp to serve for the ensuing 12 months.

Although the County Mayor is typically selected to serve as chairman, the commission could opt to name one of its own for that role.

Members of the commission are Julie Young and Dennis Slager in the 1st district, Sabrina Farler and Myron Rhody in the 2nd district, Jenny Trapp and Bobby Johnson in the 3rd district, Scott Little and Janice Fish-Stewart in the 4th district, Jerry Adcock and Anita Puckett in the 5th district, Jeff Barnes and Matt Adcock in the 6th district, and Bruce Malone and Beth Pafford in the 7th district.

The commission meets in regular monthly session on the fourth Monday night at 6:30 p.m. in the downstairs courtroom of the courthouse.

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