Former DMS Student Now the School’s Teacher of the Year (VIEW VIDEO HERE)

February 26, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

First in series of five stories.  2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Justin Nokes once walked the halls of DeKalb Middle School as a student. Today he is one of the school’s most outstanding teachers.

Now in his eighth year, Nokes serves as seventh grade World History educator and is head coach of the Saints and Lady Saints Soccer Teams.

IMG_4440 from dwayne page on Vimeo.

Nokes is also this year’s Teacher of the Year at DeKalb Middle School and is in the running with four other educators for DeKalb County Teacher of the Year. Such an honor is something Nokes had not anticipated.

“I was very surprised and honored to even be nominated. There are a lot of great teachers here at DeKalb Middle School and they are all deserving,” said Nokes.

A graduate of DeKalb County High School, Nokes furthered his education at Tennessee Tech where he graduated in 2011 with a Bachelors Degree. Last May Nokes earned his Masters degree in Educational Technology at Tech.

Nokes cites several people who influenced his decision to enter the teaching profession but none so much as his late mother, Karen Jacobs, who spent more than 30 years as an educator, most of that time at Northside Elementary School.

“I always lived and grew up in the school system and I have loved every minute of it. I am glad and blessed to be here at DeKalb Middle School,” said Nokes.

“A lot of people have influenced and helped me along the way including my wife Macy who also teaches school. I remember too when I was younger how that Ron Rogers and Steve Officer with the 4-H programs really encouraged me to be a 4-H counselor in high school,” said Nokes.

Asked how he would react if named DeKalb Teacher of the Year, Nokes said “It would be a huge honor and I would be at a loss for words because I know the quality of teachers that we have from kindergarten to high school. I would be honored,” he said.

The overall DeKalb County Teacher of the Year winner will be announced during the twelfth annual Teacher of the Year banquet next Tuesday, March 5 at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center.

In addition to Nokes, this year’s honorees are first grade teacher Vicky Hawker at Smithville Elementary School; fifth grade teacher Cheryl Vandagriff at Northside Elementary School; Jessica Antoniak, a sixth grade math and science teacher at DeKalb West School; and Linda Parris, a family and consumer sciences/culinary arts teacher at DeKalb County High School.

WJLE will be featuring each of the five Teachers of the Year at the school level through next Tuesday.

February 26, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A McMinnville woman has been arrested for breaking into a residence in the Jefferson Community and stealing almost $29,000 worth of items including a truck.

25 year old Lara Cheyenne Rigsby of McMinnville is under a $60,000 bond for theft of property, vandalism over $1,000, forgery, and aggravated burglary. Her court date is March 7.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on December 18, 2018 Rigsby forged a check for $200 and less than a month later on January 13, she broke into a home on Jefferson Road and stole a Kenmore electric range, Maytag washer and dryer, a mini-fridge, a 32 inch Samsung TV, a Dell computer, a Brothers sewing machine, leather rocker recliners, vases, wood art, a John Deere riding mower, 2007 Nissan Frontier, mantle clock, 22 caliber Smith & Wesson pistol, leather gun case, an electric tile saw, weedeater, leaf blower, air compressor, nail gun and other miscellaneous items totaling $28, 839 in value.

While committing the crimes, Rigsby also damaged the 2007 Nissan Frontier, an Acorn stair lift, stair rail, small vanity, picture frames, painted glass panel, door jam, and two walls. The total amount of the damages comes to $5,882.

The case was investigated by Sheriff’s Department Detectives and some of the items including the truck have been recovered.

February 26, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Three members of Boy Scout Troop 347 were honored by the County Commission Monday night for earning the Eagle Scout Award.

The commission adopted resolutions paying tribute to Jonathan Birmingham, John William Stephens, and Friedrich J.M. Dodge.
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For their Eagle projects, Birmingham built and installed a children’s playground at the Smithville Church of God, Stephens built and installed benches at the DeKalb County Complex, and Dodge built and installed a new sign at the Smithville Rotary Club.

County Mayor Tim Stribling presented copies of the resolutions to the Eagle Scouts.

The resolutions state” Whereas, it is fitting that the DeKalb County Commission and the DeKalb County Mayor should announce their respect and honor in the young people of our community who so capably fulfill their requirements and duties to reach lofty goals and levels of achievement.

Whereas, Jonathan Birmingham, John William Stephens, and Friedrich J.M. Dodge performed all the years of tasks to earn the highest honor bestowed by the Boy Scouts and have climbed to a level in scouting reached by very few and earned the Eagle Award.

Whereas , the DeKalb County Commission and County Mayor wish to thank Eagle Scouts Jonathan Birmingham, John William Stephens, and Friedrich J.M. Dodge, their families, fellow Boy Scouts, and volunteers who helped them complete their projects.

Now, therefore be it resolved by the DeKalb County Commission and DeKalb County Mayor to honor Jonathan Birmingham, John William Stephens, and Friedrich J.M. Dodge on this 25th day of February, 2019.

Be it further resolved that this announcement be spread across the record of this meeting and preserved as a lasting part of our appreciation to Eagle Scouts Jonathan Birmingham, John William Stephens, and Friedrich J.M. Dodge.

Adopted this 25th day of February, 2019.

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