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Convicted Felon and Another Man Caught with Meth During Traffic Stop

March 20, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Two men pulled over during a traffic stop Sunday were found with methamphetamine. One of them is a convicted felon.

56-year-old Howard Robert Mayo, Jr. of Liberty is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver; unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon; and a second offense of driving on a revoked/suspended license.

37-year-old Eric James Cox of Oakley Road, Liberty is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver.

Bond for Mayo is $84,000 while Cox is under a $50,000 bond. Both will make a court appearance April 6.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on March 19 a deputy pulled over a Ford F150 and spoke with the driver, Mayo and a passenger, Cox.

When asked by the deputy if they had any illegal items on them, Mayo said he had methamphetamine in his wallet. The officer found 2.01 grams of a white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine. Mayo also informed the deputy that there was a 22-caliber rifle in the vehicle and that he was a felon. A loaded Savage 22 long rifle was found in the rear passenger compartment of the truck. A background check through central dispatch confirmed that Mayo is a convicted felon for a previous offense of sale and delivery of a schedule III drug and that his license is revoked due to a conviction for that offense on April 5, 2018.

During the traffic stop, Cox pulled from his wallet a clear baggie containing 0.89 grams of a white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine.

23-year-old Alexander Paul Spore of Bethpage is charged with driving under the influence. His bond is $2,500 and he will make a court appearance April 6.

Sheriff Ray said that on March 18 a deputy spotted a vehicle traveling westbound on Nashville Highway which failed to maintain its lane of travel several times. The officer pulled over the automobile and spoke with the driver, Spore whose eyes were red and glassy. Spore was unsteady on his feet. His speech was slurred, and he had a strong odor of alcohol on him. Spore submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.

46-year-old Tony Ray Bain of Short Mountain Road, McMinnville is charged with a third offense of driving on a revoked license.

Sheriff Ray said that on March 3 a deputy pulled over a BMW due to expired registration and spoke with the driver, Bain. The officer learned after checking through central dispatch that Bain’s license was revoked. He has two prior convictions for the same offense.




D.C.H.S. Winter Guard In Top Three

March 19, 2023
By: Bill Conger

The D.C.H.S. Winter Guard placed second at the Columbia Central Winter Guard Competition on Saturday (March 18). The Guard was less than a point away from finishing first in their group of 10 teams. They placed first in equipment and general effect.

“These kids continue to impress with their growth and enthusiasm for this fun show,” Winter Guard Coach Shannon Johns said. “We literally made changes until the last five minutes of rehearsal the night before the contest! Yet, somehow they were able to implement the changes and impress the judges with their performance. It really shows that when you love what you do, it isn’t a chore as much as a commitment to your passion. This team’s hard work has truly paid off and given them great memories along the way. To say I am proud just doesn’t seem strong enough to convey the pure joy of this season.”

“When you work hard at something you reap rewards,” Band Director Don Whitt says. “This is exactly what our Winter Guard team has done. Every one of our students is super talented and extremely gifted. They each have something to offer. They are reaping the rewards for an outstanding performance. Way to go Tigers! I’m so proud of you!

The Winter Guard travels to the state championship on Friday, March 31 in Bowling Green, Kentucky.




AP Access For All Success Spotlight: DeKalb County High School

March 18, 2023
By:

The DeKalb County High School AP (Advanced Placement) program was recently highlighted in the AP state newsletter.

That published report is as follows:

“AP (Advanced Placement) Access for ALL is excited to spotlight DeKalb County High School in Smithville, Tennessee for its ingenuity and dedication to bringing AP courses to its students.

In DeKalb County High School’s second year of AP Access for ALL (APAA), more than 50 students are enrolled in and passing APAA courses, up from three students in APAA’s inaugural year.

“This is a great opportunity for students to advance their coursework,” Tara Mooneyham, Site Coordinator for Online Learning at DeKalb County High School. “We don’t offer AP courses in-house, so any AP courses they take are through APAA. These online courses allow students to get a better sense of how it might be in college.”

To ensure students taking APAA courses succeed in their classes, Mooneyham oversees a Distance Learning Lab course for APAA students to work on their virtual AP courses during school hours.

“This in-person class gives them five hours a week at school to work on their AP courses. This helps them succeed in their classes, as it helps them time manage their courses along with after-school activities, sports, and jobs.”

DeKalb County High School seniors Sheridan O’Connor and Robert Wheeler both said their classes are going great, and opening doors to opportunities they previously didn’t have access to.

“The courses are challenging for sure, but I’ve been able to adjust and am doing all right,” Wheeler said. Wheeler is currently enrolled in AP Biology, AP Psychology, and AP Government.

“It’s really opened up opportunities because we’re from a small rural school where AP isn’t offered,” Wheeler said. “APAA has shown me what the workload is going to be like in college, which is a lot more work than my high school classes. Thanks to APAA, I know I’m not going to be overwhelmed next fall since I already have an idea of how my courses are going to go.”

O’Connor said she agrees the challenge of AP courses in high school is setting her up for success as she prepares for her freshman year of college at the University of Tennessee Knoxville.

“I’m typically a student where things come easy to me, but these classes have forced me to sit down and study and really get to know the material, which is going to prepare me for my college courses,” O’Connor said.

O’Connor said she intends to study political science in college and credits her APAA courses for exposing her to ideas beyond what her school offers.

“The classes have helped me to grow and think for myself and establish my own opinions on things,” O’Connor said of her AP Government, AP Statistics, and AP Art History courses. “If you’re self-motivated and have the desire to learn more as a person, APAA will help you beyond what you can do in a high school setting. No one is holding your hand, so you have to have the initiative to get the assignments done. As will happen in college, it’s up to you to do the work.”

At AP Access for ALL, we are proud of all our DeKalb County High School students, and the staff who are encouraging them to make APAA a priority. The dedication of staff members, and perseverance from students, are excelling students toward prosperous futures.

We can’t wait to see how students at DeKalb County, and all our AP Access for all students, succeed in their postsecondary endeavors”.




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