DeKalb County’s Sonni Fullilove has been named the boy’s Defensive Player of the Year in District 8 AA while Tiger Coach Lynus Martin is the Boy’s District Coach of the Year.
The All-District selections were announced Friday.
Livingston Academy’s Mason Ramsey is the District’s Most Valuable Player for boys while Cannon County’s Abby Sissom took the MVP honor for girls.
For the boys, Colton Blevins of York Institute was named Freshman of the Year and Wade Eldridge of Livingston Academy is the Most Improved Player in the district.
Jordan Hollis of Cannon County is the girl’s Defensive Player of the Year in the district. Ola Obie of Central Magnet was named the district’s Most Improved Player. Casey Gregory of Smith County is the Freshman of the Year and Micheal Dodgen of Cannon County received the Girl’s Coach of the Year honor.
In addition to taking the Defensive Player of the Year award, Sonni Fullilove of DeKalb County was also named to the All-District’s 1st Team along with Braxton Atnip. Stephen Howell was named to the 2nd Team. Ethan Roller made the 3rd Team and Lucas Phillips and Will Molander received Honorable Mention.
Loren Cripps of the Lady Tigers made the All-District 3rd Team. Ashli Chew and Morgan Pedigo were selected to the All Freshman Team and Chelsea Lewis received Honorable Mention.
The following are the All-District selections for both boys and girls in District 8AA
GIRLS
MVP- Abby Sissom, Cannon County
Defensive Player of the Year – Jordan Hollis, Cannon County
Most Improved Player – Ola Obie, Central Magnet
Freshman of the Year – Casey Gregory, Smith County
Coach of the Year – Micheal Dodgen, Cannon County
1st Team
Callie Hackett, Smith County
Ola Obie, Central Magnet
Claudia Smith, Central Magnet
Ashley Wright, York Institute
Abby Jakes, Cannon County
2nd Team
Marley Sells, Livingston Academy
Claudia Hull, Upperman
Sydney Staggs, Livingston Academy
Casey Gregory, Smith County
Kailey Winningham, Livingston Academy
3rd Team
Ashley Brewer, Central Magnet
Kat Carter, Upperman
Jordan Hollis, Cannon County
Raven Wright, Smith County
Loren Cripps, DeKalb County
All Defensive Team
Jordan Hollis, Cannon County
Ashley Wright, York Institute
Raven Wright, Smith County
Rachel Reeder, Livingston Academy
Taylor Meadows, Livingston Academy
Callie Hackett, Smith County
Claudia Hull, Upperman
All Freshman Team
Casey Gregory, Smith County
Jacquelin Carpenter, Smith County
Kelly Davis, Cannon County
Kylea Carver, Central Magnet
Ashli Chew, DeKalb County
Morgan Pedigo, DeKalb County
Skylar Looper, Livingston Academy
Kellie Lamb, Livingston Academy
Sarah Eldridge. Upperman
Honorable Mention
Madison Walkup, Cannon County
Rebecca Faulkner, Cannon County
Chelsea Lewis, DeKalb County
Taylor Meadows, Livingston Academy
Rachel Reeder, Livingston Academy
Allison Conder, Smith County
Katelyn Butler, York Institute
Mallory Hull, York Institute
Hannah Burke, York Institute
Haley Attkinson, York Institute
BOYS
MVP – Mason Ramsey, Livingston Academy
Defensive Player of the Year – Sonni Fullilove, DeKalb County
Most Improved Player -Wade Eldridge, Livingston Academy
Freshman of the Year – Colton Blevins, York Institute
Coach of the Year – Lynus Martin, DeKalb County
1st Team
Braxton Atnip, DeKalb County
Sonni Fullilove, DeKalb County
Brock McCoin, Livingston Academy
Jordan Craighead, Smith County
Joe Jones, Upperman
2nd Team
Cory Henley, Cannon County
Tyler McWilliams, Upperman
Stephen Howell, DeKalb County
Wade Eldridge, Livingston Academy
Jared Case, Upperman
3rd Team
Corbin Patton, York Institute
Kevin Craighead, Smith County
Cody Devillanueva, Upperman
Ethan Roller, DeKalb County
John McBride, York Institute
Honorable Mention
Lucas Phillps, DeKalb County
Will Molander, DeKalb County
Wyatt Slagle, Upperman
Dalton Dronebarger, Upperman
Dylan Hedgecloth, Upperman
Jacob Day, York Institute
Byron Matthews, York Institute
Jamal Carter, Smith County
Sam Holliman, Smith County
Beau Carr, Smith County
Creed Hayes, Livingston Academy
Bennett Fouts, Central Magnet
Coyle Gregory, Central Magnet
Camron Huff, Smith County
Bubba Jolley, Livingston Academy
Tanner Larson, Cannon County
Jarrett Melton, Cannon County
All Defensive Team
Creed Hayes, Livingston Academy
Brock McCoin, Livingston Academy
Jared Cox, Upperman
Kevin Craighead, Smith County
Tanner Larson, Cannon County
All Freshman Team
Colton Blevins, York Institute
Camron Huff, Smith County
Ben Guffey, Upperman
Dylan Linder, Livingston Academy
Peter Hollars, Livingston Academy

Kelsey Jones and Corey Morris, both of McMinnville, were named queen and king during recent homecoming activities at Motlow College, according to Sheri Mason, assistant director of student services and Student Government Association sponsor.
Jones and Morris were nominated for the honors by members of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society at Motlow’s McMinnville Center. Jones is studying criminal justice at the college and will graduate in May. Morris, who also will be among the May graduates, is a political science major.
Other nominees for queen and king were Courtney Michaels of Hazel Green, Ala.; Andrew Mustin of Fayetteville; Jaya Harwell of Smithville; Tyler Glenn of Morrison; Catherine Chappell of Tullahoma; Ange’lica Looney of Smyrna; and Presley Owen of Tullahoma. Homecoming was held on Motlow’s Moore County campus and was sponsored by the SGA, which hosted a photo booth and distributed free pompoms and megaphones to attendees

The Infinity Athletics All Star team, the Stunners, brought home 2nd Place at the Jamfest Cheerleading competition at Nashville Municipal Auditorium on Saturday, February 2nd.
Pictured are:
Malia Stanley, Kaitlyn Fish, Kailey Herron, Alley Sykes, Shaunta Koegler, Chloe Sykes, Katherine Malone, Rachel Rhody, and Leah Davis.
Coached by Avarie Maynard and Jennifer Sykes

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), in a meeting recently with Maj. Gen. Michael Walsh of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Capitol hosted by U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), said that he will explore writing legislation to change the law in order to stop the Corps’ current plan to restrict access to dam tailwaters along the Cumberland River. Alexander urged Maj. Gen. Walsh to consider alternatives that would keep people safe when dams are spilling while allowing full access to the tailwaters when the dams are not spilling.
Of the meeting, Alexander said, “The tailwaters are only dangerous when the water is spilling through the dam, and when it’s not, tailwaters provide some of the best fishing areas in the U.S., attracting thousands of fishermen and creating hundreds of jobs in Tennessee and Kentucky. For example, water spills through the Center Hill dam about 14 percent of the time. The most logical solution would be to make the area safe when the danger exists: To close the tailwaters to fishing 100 percent of the time would be like keeping the gate down at the railroad crossing 100 percent of the time – the track is not dangerous when the train is not coming, and the tailwaters are not dangerous when the water is not spilling through the dam.”
Alexander sent a letter to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy, voicing his “strong opposition” to the Corps plan that would divert $2.6 million in federal money toward barriers restricting access to the tailwaters. In the letter, Alexander highlighted the importance of the fishing areas, both recreationally and economically: “The Cumberland River system is enjoyed by Tennesseans and visitors from around the world, and the open access of the Cumberland River system is critical to our recreational fishermen and is an important part of Tennessee’s economy.”
Alexander is the senior Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, which has jurisdiction over the Army Corps of Engineers.
The full text of the letter is below:
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ decision to restrict access to fishing areas in tailwaters below dams on the Cumberland River system.
On December 6th, I met with Lt. Colonel James DeLapp, Commander of the Nashville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to discuss the proposed restrictions. While I understand the importance of improving boater safety, the Corps is planning to divert previously appropriated federal funding to implement the proposed restrictions. I received a list of projects in the Nashville District that will be affected by the Corps’ decision, and I am very concerned about some of the proposed actions which include delaying maintenance activities and reducing services at recreation areas.
I also want to make you aware that the Corps’ actions will have a significant impact on fisheries in Tennessee and Kentucky, and the Corps’ proposed restrictions are opposed by both state wildlife agencies. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Tennessee Wildlife Federation believe that further restricting access to tailwater areas is unnecessary, and I agree with them. You should consider reasonable alternatives to improve public safety, not unilaterally prohibit access to some of the highest quality fishing areas in my state. Changes should only be considered after a thorough review of all public comments and suggestions, which will not happen if the Corps proceeds according to their proposed timeline. I am concerned that the proper environmental assessment has not occurred, and I am evaluating legislative options to prevent the Corps from going forward.
I would like to talk with you directly about the Corps’ decision before the Corps takes any further action. The Cumberland River system is enjoyed by Tennesseans and visitors from around the world, and the open access of the Cumberland River system is critical to our recreational fishermen and is an important part of Tennessee’s economy.
Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to meeting with you.
Sincerely,
Lamar Alexander
United States Senator

With a local principal calling for more School Resource Officers, the school board has scheduled a workshop for Monday, February 25 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss options for strengthening school security, including the possibility of asking the state legislature and county commission to help fund more SRO officers.
DeKalb County currently has one School Resource Officer at DCHS. The four other schools do not have an SRO.

During Thursday night’s school board meeting held at DeKalb West School, Dr. Gayle Redmon, Principal at Northside Elementary School said its time for the school board to act. “While I am aware that the funding for School Resource Officers is not an item that comes out of the school budget, I would like to make an appeal to the School Board to request from our County Commissioners, a School Resource Officer in each of our schools in DeKalb County,” she said.
(VIEW THE ENTIRE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING THURSDAY NIGHT BY PLAYING BOTH VIDEOS BELOW-PARTS 1 & 2)
M2U00996 from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Referring to an incident in Warren County Thursday, Dr. Redmon said “today (Thursday), we had a report of a threat made by a student in another county (Warren County) and our school (NES) was fortunate enough to have an officer assigned to our school for most of the day as we maintained a high alert status. The presence of this officer made everyone at Northside feel safer and more secure,” she said.

“While it saddens me that we must make this request, I believe it is imperative that we think in terms of being proactive rather than reactive,” said Dr. Redmon.
“Research does indicate that a School Resource Officer would be instrumental in protecting students and staff in the event that we were to ever to have an intruder in our school who intended to do harm to students or an adult. I am aware of only one incident in which an SRO officer was killed in a school shooting. Most of the attacks in schools occur where there is not an SRO present. In instances where there has been an SRO present during a violent attack at school, the officer has been able to signficantly limit the harm to innocent people,” she said
“In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for example in 2011, a student entered a school with two pipe bombs in his backpack. He then shot and wounded the School Resource Officer. But the officer was able to stop that student before he could do any further harm,” said Dr. Redmon.
“In our own state of Tennessee, in Sullivan County a 62 year old man came in and confronted a principal. He put a gun in the principal’s face. The School Resource Officer intervened and was able to calm the man down at least until more officers could arrive, at which time that man did draw the gun on the SRO and he was shot by those officers,” she said.
“Examples like that could go on and on.”
“The one thing that really sticks out in my mind at all the school safety and security meetings I have attended in our own county or at Tennessee Tech and other places is that each of the schools reported having one thing in common and that was that they never thought that a shooting would occur at their school,” she said.
“I believe an SRO is needed at every school. I believe they would be able to protect our schools. I think they could coordinate the response better for other police resources and maybe help us to address crime and disorder problems as they occur and further help prevent such crimes,” according to Dr. Redmon.
“I believe an SRO would be able to take action immediately against unauthorized persons on our school property. In addition, I think they would be a deterrent to bullying in our schools,” she said..
“I believe the presence of SRO’s in our schools would be invaluable an immeasurable if they were able to save even one life,” concluded Dr. Redmon.
“I concur with Mrs. Redmon,” said Danny Parkerson, Principal at DeKalb West School. “Schools have changed. Our society has changed. An SRO Officer in the schools just has a calming affect if nothing else. I’ve been to ball games and had SRO Officers attend our ball games and it makes an unruly fan, ruly,” said Parkerson.
First District member John David Foutch said the school board has been discussing ways to improve school security for several weeks. “The day after Sandy Hook, we started working on this,” said Foutch. ” We’ve talked to local law enforcement departments. In our own county, we’ve gone a long way. We’ve got people interested in taking those jobs (SROs). What we are lacking mainly is funding. If you will talk to your county commissioners, we’ll talk to our legislators. To get this funded and off the ground, we need people at home standing behind us. This is something we’re trying to make happen but we can’t make it happen on our own. We need everybody’s help,” said Foutch.
“In the workshop prior to this meeting, we were already discussing some of these issues,” said Board Chairman Johnny Lattimore. ” I think Mr. (Mark) Willoughby is going to be checking into the costs and we will be making recommendations. Some of our board members will be attending the “Day on the Hill” (State Legislature) in just a few days and they will be talking to some of our legislators about such things as being able to help fund some of those (SROs) and a lot of other things we need to do to upgrade our security systems at the schools,” said Lattimore.
Fourth District member Billy Miller proposed having a workshop on school security, but to open it up to the community so that more people, including local law enforcement officers and business persons could offer up ideas. “I do think it is a community responsibility for us to look at this,” said Miller. ” I would make a proposal that we have a workshop to come up with solutions. It needs to be an open workshop to include the Sheriff’s Department, the Police Department, First Responders, local businessmen, and the community. If we come together as a community I think we can get way ahead on this problem. If we have the community involved in this, maybe we can come up with a solution and maybe be able to put more SRO’s into the school system. It’s not going to solve all our problems but it’s a start in the right direction. I would like to see this board step up for the community and have the community involved,” said Miller.
Chris Allen, a concerned parent and owner of two local businesses addressed the school board offering an idea on how to pay for more SRO’s. ” I’ve thought about the funding for the SRO’s. If every working citizen in DeKalb County who works in the county would commit to having one penny an hour deducted off of their pay, that would fund an SRO Officer for each school in the county. I don’t know how difficult that would be to do but it wouldn’t have to come out of anybody’s budget. I don’t know how it could be implemented or even if it could be a private thing instead of through the state or the county,” said Allen.
Board Chairman Lattimore said the school system could not implement such a plan and that Allen would have to contact the county commission or state legislature about his proposal. “That would be something that would have to be taken up by the county commission or the state legislature,” said Lattimore. “How ever the SRO’s are funded, the taxpayers will have to pay for that. Right now all of our county taxes are through property taxes so if the county commission pays for it (more SRO’s) then that’s probably how they would do it is add to the county property taxes. I recommend that you talk to your county commissioners and maybe you can send in an email to your state representatives too and let them know about your idea. They are the ones who actually tax us so that’s where that would have to come from,” said Lattimore.

With the Tiger’s 85-60 victory over the Chattanooga Patriots Thursday on Senior Night, Coach Lynus Martin reached a milestone with his 200th career coaching win.
Coach Martin’s overall record is now at 200-117, dating back to when he took over during the 2002-03 season. This is his 11th season with the team. Coach Martin has a 67-59 district record. His post-season record is 12-16. He has won one Regular Season District Championship (this year), finished as District Tournament runners-up twice (2010-11 & 2011-12) and appeared in the Region Tournament five times.
Coach Martin has also been selected to coach in the Basketball Coaches Association of Tennessee All-Star Game in Murfreesboro on Saturday, March 16. Tiger seniors Braxton Atnip, Sonni Fullilove and Stephen Howell have all been selected to play.
The regular season for the DCHS basketball teams ends Saturday night. DC travels to Gabriel Christian Friday night for games starting at 6:00 p.m. and at Gordonsville Saturday night with action getting underway at 6:00 p.m. WJLE will have LIVE coverage. The District Tournament begins next week at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville
Coach Martin’s year-by-year records are as follows:
2012-13: 25-4
2011-12: 26-7
2010-11: 23-8
2009-10: 16-12
2008-09: 19-12
2007-08: 14-12
2006-07: 20-11
2005-06: 14-18
2004-05: 21-7
2003-04: 12-15
2002-03: 10-11 (Coach Martin took over for former DCHS Coach Danny Bond after first three games were played)

The DeKalb County Board of Education formally adopted the school calendar for the 2013-2014 year Thursday night during the February meeting held at DeKalb West School
Registration for all students will be Thursday, August 1. That will be an abbreviated school day from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.
Friday, August 2 will be an administrative day for teachers only
The first full day of school for all students will be Monday, August 5
A system wide professional development day will be Monday, July 29 at DCHS from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
All teachers will report to their individual schools on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 30 and July 31 from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Students will not attend on Monday, Labor Day, September 2.
Schools will be closed for the fall break October 14-25
Students will be off for the Thanksgiving holiday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, November 27, 28, & 29 and for the winter break December 23 through January 3. Wednesday, December 20 will be the last day students attend before winter break and that will be an abbreviated school day. Students will return after the holidays on Monday, January 6.
Schools will be closed for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 20 and for President’s Day, Monday, February 17.
Schools will be closed for spring break March 24-28
No school for students on Good Friday, April 18 and Memorial Day, Monday May 26.
The following are designated as Early Release dates: Friday, October 4; Friday, February 14; Friday, March 7, and Friday, March 21
Students will not attend on Tuesday, May 27. That will be an administrative day and all teachers must attend. The last day of school will be Wednesday, May 28. That will be an abbreviated school day and report cards will be sent home.
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Tuesday, October 8 and Tuesday, March 11 at DeKalb County High School from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Parent-Teacher Conferences will also be held from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Thursday, October 10 and Thursday, March 13 at DeKalb Middle School, Northside Elementary, Smithville Elementary, and DeKalb West School.
DCHS report cards will be sent home on Monday, October 7 and at all other schools on Tuesday, October 8. Report cards to be sent home from all schools on Tuesday, January 7. DCHS report cards to be sent home Monday, March 10 and at all other schools Tuesday, March 11.
ACT Test for the 11th grade will be Tuesday, March 4
Writing Assessment for the 5th, 8th, and 11th grades will be February 3-7.
TCAP testing of elementary students will be April 28 through May 9
Meanwhile, Director of Schools Mark Willoughby presented his monthly report on personnel.
The following were employed since last month:
Tabitha Farmer, Maranda Moore, and Judy Redmon as substitute teachers
Rebecca Parker, Education Assistant at Smithville Elementary School replacing Bonnie Rigsby
Holly Espinosa, Special Education Teacher at DeKalb West School
Regina Campbell, Special Education Teacher replacing Rickey Cross at Northside Elementary School
Leave of Absence:
Donna Knowles, Educational Assistant at Northside Elementary School, leave as requested
Shelly Jennings, teacher at Northside Elementary School, leave as requested
Taleen Lambert, teacher at DeKalb Middle School, leave as requested
Amanda Mullinax, teacher at DeKalb West School, leave as requested
Resignation:
Rickey Cross, Special Education Teacher at Northside Elementary School
In other business, the board adopted a resolution of appreciation in honor of principals and assistant principals.
The resolutions is as follows:
“Whereas, principals and assistant principals have a great amount of responsibilities including leading, observing, evaluating, mentoring and much more; and
Whereas, principals and assistant principals are exceptional leaders who provide support and guidance to students, teachers, and other school employees in our district; and
Whereas, our principals keep the focus clearly on established goals for the school and its students; and
Whereas, our principals create strategies for making their schools the very best they can be; and
Whereas, principals seek support from parents and community so their students get the very best education possible; and
Whereas, principals strive to enhance the learning and working environment for everyone in the school;
Now, therefore be it resolved that the DeKalb County Board of Education hereby adopts February 14, 2013 as Principal Appreciation Day in all of our schools; and
Be it further resolved that the Board expresses deep appreciation to principals and assistant principals in our system and encourages the students and staff to join us in expressing appreciation to the leaders of DeKalb County Schools.
The board gave permission for the Beta Club of DCHS to attend the National Beta Club State Convention to be held at Gaylord Opryland Hotel on April 1-3. The purpose of the convention is for the student members to compete with other high schools in the state in various academic and non-academic events.
The school board voted to accept sealed bids to sell declared surplus property including folding mobile cafeteria tables- bench seats, wood construction, with laminated finish and metal base (72 x 30 each section). The property is to be sold as is with no guarantee of usefulness or warranty. Bids will be accepted until March 14 to be opened during the regular monthly school board meeting that night. The board reserves the right to reject all bids should it be more profitable to sell as scrap.

Unless Congress intervenes, the United States Postal Service plans to stop delivering and collecting letters and other first-class mail on Saturdays beginning August 5, although packages will continue to be delivered.
The Postal Service expects to generate cost savings of approximately $2 billion annually, once the plan is fully implemented.
David Walton, spokesman for the Tennessee District of the United States Postal Service, in a telephone interview with WJLE Thursday, said once implemented, mail delivery to street addresses will occur Monday through Friday. Packages will continue to be delivered six days per week. Mail addressed to PO Boxes will continue to be delivered on Saturdays. Post Offices currently open on Saturdays will remain open on Saturdays so that customers can drop off mail or packages, buy postage stamps or access their post office boxes. “What this means is, customers who are getting mail now to their homes delivered six days a week Monday through Saturday, that is going to change,” said Walton. ” They will now get their mail delivered Monday through Friday. What we’re doing is taking away the letter mail. We’re not going to be delivering letter mail anymore six days a week. Now we are going to keep delivering packages. I know medicines are usually sent by priority mail. They are considered packages. We know that is a big concern to customers. So nothing will change as far as medications. They will still be delivered six days a week. If you’ve got a P.O Box, there won’t be any changes for you. You will still get your mail six days a week. For post offices, there is going to be no changes to those as well. If you’ve got a post office that you use that is open on Saturdays, it will still be open on Saturdays,” said Walton
“The Postal Service is advancing an important new approach to delivery that reflects the strong growth of our package business and responds to the financial realities resulting from America’s changing mailing habits,” said Patrick R. Donahoe, Postmaster General and CEO in a prepared news release. “We developed this approach by working with our customers to understand their delivery needs and by identifying creative ways to generate significant cost savings.”
Over the past several years, the Postal Service has advocated shifting to a five-day delivery schedule for mail and packages. However, recent strong growth in package delivery (14 percent volume increase since 2010) and projections of continued strong package growth throughout the coming decade led to the revised approach to maintain package delivery six days per week.
“Our customers see strong value in the national delivery platform we provide and maintaining a six-day delivery schedule for packages is an important part of that platform,” said Donahoe. “As consumers increasingly use and rely on delivery services — especially due to the rise of e-commerce — we can play an increasingly vital role as a delivery provider of choice, and as a driver of growth opportunities for America’s businesses.”