Almost 2,000 Vote Early in DeKalb County

If early voting is an indication, more DeKalb Countians seem to be interested in the November election than either the DeKalb County Democratic Primary in May or the DeKalb County General Election and Tennessee Primaries in August.

A total of 1,989 people took advantage of early voting in DeKalb County from Wednesday, October 13th through Thursday, October 28th. The largest single day turnout in that two week period came yesterday (Thursday, October 28th) when 334 cast ballots, including 329 in person and five by absentee.

In May, a total of 1,148 DeKalb Countians voted early in the local Democratic Primary and in August 1,397 cast ballots early.

The total vote in May(early voting/absentees and election day combined) was 2,907 compared to 3,739 in August (early voting/absentee and election day combined).

In the Presidential election two years ago, a total of 7,190 DeKalb County voters turned out including 4008 early voters and absentees combined and 3,182 on election day.

On Tuesday, November 2nd DeKalb County voters will make their choices for State Representative, State Senator, Congressman, and Governor. Voters will either vote "yes" or "no" on whether the Tennessee Constitution should be amended guaranteeing the right to hunt and fish in this state.

Polls at all sixteen precincts in the county will be open Tuesday, November 2nd from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. WJLE will have LIVE election return coverage starting at 7:00 p.m. on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and at www.wjle.com.

Cantrell Airlifted After Wednesday night Crash

A 21 year old woman was airlifted to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga after a one car crash Wednesday night around 7:49 p.m. on Highway 146 near the old Kilgore's store location.

Trooper Allen England of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said that Porsche Cantrell of Smithville was driving north in a 2005 Pontiac Grand AM when she left the roadway on the right (east side) and hit a mailbox. She overcorrected and went back across the highway, struck the end of a driveway culvert and overturned, rolling over sideways several times. Cantrell was ejected.

Cantrell was airlifted from the scene by a helicopter ambulance and flown to Erlanger Hospital

Members of the Short Mountain Highway Station of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department were on site to set up the helicopter landing zone. DeKalb EMS and the Sheriff's Department were also there.

Trooper England said the accident remains under investigation and charges are pending.