Local News Articles

A law known simply as “the photo identification” law was one of several topics of discussion at a recent seminar attended by the state’s election officials, including Dennis Stanley, DeKalb County Administrator of Elections.

In addition, Stanley was one of the speakers at the two-day seminar and his lesson on media relations will now be part of the training program for newly-appointed administrators.

“Obviously, the new photo I.D. law was hot topic of discussion,” Stanley said, “and election officials had many questions relating to the measure, which passed this year and will go into effect January 1, 2012.”

Beginning with all elections held next year, voters will be required to produce a government issued photo I.D. before they will be allowed to vote on the voting machine. If no photo identification is provided, the voter will vote a provisional ballot and the voter will have two business days to return to the election commission office and show a valid photo I.D. or the ballot will be rejected.

Stanley said there are two exceptions to the I.D. requirement. The voter can sign an oath stating he/she is indigent or an oath stating a religious objection to being photographed. After signing the oath, the voter will vote on the machines.

Also, the law does not apply to voters who vote absentee, are hospitalized or in a licensed nursing home.

A valid photo I.D. includes a Tennessee driver’s license, U.S. passport, Department of Safety photo I.D. card, state or federal employee photo identification card, a photo I.D. card issued by the federal government or other state and a U.S. military photo I.D.

“Keep in mind,” Stanley said, “a college photo I.D. is not considered a valid I.D. for voting purposes.”

To assist voters who do not currently have a proper photo I.D., the Department of Safety will issue an I.D. for voting purposes only at no charge beginning next month (July 1).

“Under a separate bill that passed the legislature, a voter can go to the Department of Safety (driver’s license stations) and sign an affidavit stating the requested photo I.D. is for voting, that he/she is a registered voter and the voter does not have a valid government issued photo I.D. card for voting. Once the form is signed, the department will issue the photo at no charge,” Stanley said.

Much more information will be released well in advance of next year’s elections, he said.

Members of the DeKalb County Fair Association are busy preparing for this year's edition of the Grandpa Fair of the South which is set for Monday through Saturday July 18th through July 23rd.

With the theme "DARE2FAIR..It's a Sweet Ride ", this year's DeKalb County Fair will feature a fun filled week of activities including rides by the Family Attractions Amusement Company and two new events, Mud Drag Racing on Thursday night and the Lawn Mower Derby on Friday night as part of the Demolition Derby.

Fair Manager Jeff McMillen said these new events should add even more excitement to an already entertaining fair. "The Mud drag racing is basically four wheel drive vehicles that run on a 150 foot track. They run against a clock. They're not actually lined up side by side. It's a time event. This is the best new attraction we've added in the last couple of years. We took away the four wheel drive rock climbing (Off Road Challenge) because it just wasn't drawing the number of spectators that we thought it should. We feel like this event will fill in that gap for us," said McMillen.

"Probably one of the most interesting things we'll have this year is the lawn mower derby. During the demolition derby we've always had this down time between classes so this year we have added a lawn mower derby," said McMillen.

"Another event that we are working on is the corn hole tournament. That has become a popular thing in our community and across the state. We're going to try to put that together. Hopefully, it will be in a tent so that if it rains we can go ahead and have it anyway," said McMillen.

The fair will be bringing back the Open Rodeo, the Demolition Derby, and Super Tractor and Truck Pull, Go Kart Racing, Four Wheelers and Motorcycle Racing, DeKalb Idol, the Vintage Fashion Show, and many other popular attractions.

Jeff McMillen from dwayne page on Vimeo.
The Off Road Challenge will not be part of this year's fair line-up of events

McMillen urges fair goers to take the time to enjoy lots of delicious foods from the food booths and stop by to see the many commercial, agricultural, and women's exhibits.

Play following YouTube video clip of Mud Drag Racing (similar to event coming to DeKalb County Fair)

The Kenneth Sandlin Center will be open Monday through Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Play following YouTube video clip of Lawn Mower Derby (similar to event coming to DeKalb County Fair)

All Non- Perishable exhibits ONLY will be accepted Saturday, July 9th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. All Perishable items ONLY will be accepted on Saturday, July 16th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Premium books are now available at DeKalb Community Bank, Liberty State Bank, Prichard's Foods in Alexandria, the Chamber of Commerce Office, the U.T. Extension office and at libraries and post offices in DeKalb County. It can also be downloaded from the fair website as well at www.dekalbcountyfair.us.

Take a stroll down Memory Lane and enjoy nightly entertainment at the Memory Lane Stage in Memory Village, sponsored by DeKalb Community Bank. The DeKalb County Fair Memory Lane Stage Line-Up is as follows:

The following events are scheduled:

Monday, July 18
6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Donny Barthelemy
7:45 p.m.- 8:45 p.m. Burden Rock Band

Tuesday, July 19
6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.: Born for This-Zachary Allen
7:45 p.m.-8:45 p.m.: Kingdom Reign-Zachary Allen

Wednesday, July 20
6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.: Lil John-Magician
7:45 p.m.-8:45 p.m.: Mercedes Luna

Thursday, July 21
6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.: The Evermean Evergreen Cloggers
7:45 p.m.-8:45 p.m.: Terri Lynn Weaver

Friday, July 22
6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.: Ronnie Wison Band
7:45 p.m.-until?: The Mid-State Cloggers

Saturday, July 23
6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.: Pickin Friends
7:45 p.m.-8:45 p.m. Abigail Rose

Monday, July 18th: National Anthem at 5:45 p.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion; Cattle Show at 6:00 p.m. at the Tot Kelly barn; Rodeo at the T.C. McMillen Arena at 6:30 p.m.; Junior Fair Princess Pageant for contestants ages 13-16 at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Fairest of the Fair Pageant for contestants ages 17 to 20 at the Lions Club Pavilion. $1000 cash giveaway at 9:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 19th: Visit from WSMV's Snowbird; the Little Mr. and Miss Pageant for contestants ages 4-6 at 6:00 p.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion with a concert by The Springs to follow; Go-Cart Racing at 6:00 p.m. at the T.C. McMillen Arena; and a Horse Show at 7:00 p.m. at the Grandstand; $1000 cash giveaway at 9:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 20th: Little Miss Princess Pageant for contestants ages 7-9 at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Miss Sweetheart Pageant for those ages 10-12 at the Lions Club Pavilion; Four Wheeler and Motorcycle Racing at 6:00 p.m. at the T.C. McMillen Arena; $1000 cash giveaway at 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 21st: Senior Citizen Day activities at 9:00 a.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion; 4-H Chick Chain Show at 5:00 p.m. at the Tot Kelly barn; Junior Goat Show at 6:00 p.m. at the Tot Kelly barn; a Baby Show at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Vintage Fashion Show at the Lions Club Pavilion; and Mud Drag Racing at the T.C. McMillen Arena at 7:00 p.m.; $1000 cash giveaway at 9:30 p.m.

Friday, July 22nd: Toddler Show for contestants 13 months to 47 months at 6:00 p.m. followed by DeKalb Idol Final Competition at the Lions Club Pavilion; a Super Truck and Tractor Pull at 7:00 p.m. at the T.C. McMillen Arena; and a Demolition Derby/Lawn Mower Derby at 7:00 p.m. at the Grandstand; $1000 cash giveaway at 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 23rd: Horseshoe Tournament at the Tot Kelly barn at 1:00 p.m.; Gospel singing at the Lions Club Pavilion at 6:00 p.m.; Super Tractor and Truck Pull at 7:00 p.m. at the T.C. McMillen Arena: and a $1000 cash giveaway at 9:30 p.m.

One thousand dollars in cash will be given away each night, Monday through Saturday at 9:30 p.m. at the Lion's Club Pavilion and you must be present to win. If no one presents the winning ticket within three minutes, the money will be saved and given away on Saturday night in increments of $1,000. Your fair admission ticket is your ticket for the cash drawing.

Rides on the Midway will be provided by the Family Attractions Amusement Company. Unlimited rides will be available each night for $18.00. Wednesday will be Discount Ride Night- Arm Bands Only for $14.00

Admission to the fair is $3.00 per person. Children age four and younger will be admitted free! Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Parking is Free!

Every night is T-shirt night! Wear any DeKalb County Fair T-shirt from ANY YEAR and ask for your ticket to win the newest fair T-shirt during the cash giveaway at 9:30 p.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion. Request tickets at the gate.

Sign up to compete in the DeKalb Idol competition Monday through Thursday backstage at the Lions Club Pavilion from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. The registration fee is $10.00. The final competition will be Friday, July 22 at 7:00 p.m. following the Toddler Show at the Lion's Club Pavilion. You could win a $300 cash prize and a $100 People's Choice Award.

For more information, call 529-FAIR or visit on-line at www.dekalbcountyfair.us.

Members of Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County have helped build HOPE for three partner families within the last four years and they would like to reach out to another family this year.

If you would like to experience the dream of home ownership you are invited to attend an information meeting and application fair on Thursday, June 9 from 6-7 p.m. at the Smithville First United Methodist Church Family Life Center next to Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Applications must be completed and postmarked by June 30.

The third Habitat home on Hayes Street in DeKalb County was completed last summer for Kim McCowan and her grandchildren. The other two, completed within the last four years for the Denise Perry and Felicia Gibbs families, are located on Adams Street.

Laura Stone, member of Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, said Habitat works in partnership with people in need to build affordable housing. The houses are then sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. "It's a great opportunity for those who may not otherwise be able to afford a home to actually get in their own home. There's zero percent interest on it. You have to meet three criteria. The basic things are that you have to be in need of a house due to inadequate or substandard housing that you currently live in which may not have enough rooms for you, there may be structural issues or heating and cooling issues," said Stone.

"Secondly, you must have an ability to pay for the house. Your mortgage, property taxes, and insurance are all included together. We have income guidelines for that and they range anywhere from a one person family in which you can't make more than $17, 875 a year all the way up to an eight person family who can't gross over $33,000," said Stone.

"You also must have a willingness to participate and partner with Habitat. What that means is you must have a certain number of sweat equity hours. That number is 500. What you would do is come out and assist in the construction of your own house and or work with some of our volunteer functions that we have including our chili supper, our Fiddler 5K, and things like that. This is where you get in your sweat equity time. All of our current homeowners have helped in building the next house so its an ongoing thing where everyone gives back," said Stone.

Stone further explained that partner families don't necessarily have to build on the Habitat site. "People have a misconception that they have to build where we're building. If you have a lot or if someone has donated land to you, we can build on that land. We can go anywhere in the county. The only problem would be if you have property in an area that is under building codes or restrictions. Our houses generally do not meet the square footage guidelines for most restricted housing areas. We're a little bit under that. But basically, anywhere you have a lot or if someone wants to give you a place to build, we can build on that for you," said Stone.

As a partner family, you may also have some input on what your new home will look like.

In addition to providing an opportunity for affordable home ownership, the efforts of Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County also help put money back into the local economy and tax base." Sixty eight percent of the building supplies of our house in 2010 was purchased in DeKalb County. We paid out about $6,000 to local subcontractors. We did have a lot of volunteer work, but we did have to pay for some things. Homeowners also pay city and county taxes just like everyone else. We've generated about $3,000 in DeKalb County taxes to date with our three other homes, so we do give back to the community," said Stone.

Although money is raised through grants and local fundraising efforts, corporate and individual donations are vital to the continuation of Habitat's work. Another $15,000 will be needed to complete the next house. Your contribution can make a difference. You may send a donation to Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County at Post Office Box 750, Smithville, TN. 37166.

Hours are set for the operation of the Smithville Municipal Swimming Pool.

Currently, the pool is open from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Although he apparently has the authority to set the hours under his lease agreement with the city as tenant of the pool and golf course, Tony Poss felt like he had to come before the mayor and aldermen Monday night to make sure it was okay to keep the pool open as late as 8:00 p.m. especially since Mayor Taft Hendrixson had the issue on the agenda Monday night for discussion, at the request of at least one alderman.

Previous tenants have apparently closed the pool around 5:00 p.m. each day, but Poss said because there have been so many patrons since the pool opened on Memorial Day, there is a need to keep it open til 8:00 p.m. Poss added that since the city can't provide lifeguards for private pool parties, keeping the pool open longer still gives the public a chance to enjoy it after hours. "We're keeping it (pool) open right now from eleven until eight o'clock at night. We've had a good response with it. The public seems to appreciate what we've done. We're doing it kind of as a courtesy to the public. We're definitely not getting rich at it. We're doing it because we want to. We're doing it kind of because we've been requested to do it. Since we couldn't do private parties we've cut the prices down where they (public) can come in for two dollars a head until eight o'clock. The public is welcome. It's not private. I'm just trying to put this issue to rest because it just seems to keep coming back up over and over. We have churches, ball teams, and others wanting to use the pool so can we stay open until eight o'clock? Its your employees. Its your pool. We're trying to run it as efficiently as we can. The pool is clean. I promise you that. I'm taking care of the filters. I'm monitoring the chlorine and ph. I'm very proud of what we've done over there. When we're not maxed out at six or seven o'clock, we send lifeguards home. We're trying not to abuse the system but we do have to have a minimum of three lifeguards there at all times. Its not our decision. It's a decision by the state" said Poss.

Mayor Hendrixson responded "Tony I'm very proud of what you've done and if you have patrons that stay until eight o'clock, that sounds good to me". The aldermen seemed to agree.

Under terms of the lease, Poss hires the lifeguards at the pool but the city must pay their salaries. "The tenant (Poss) shall be responsible for the operation of the Smithville Swimming Pool, to include the hiring of certified lifeguards, however the landlord (City) shall pay their salaries during all hours of operation". However during a discussion last month on how many lifeguards would be needed the aldermen informed Poss, based on a legal opinion by city attorney Vester Parsley, that while the city would be responsible for paying lifeguards during regular hours, it could not use public funds to pay lifeguards during private pool parties after hours.

Meanwhile, if the pool remains a popular attraction after school starts, the aldermen may consider amending Poss's lease to allow him to keep it open for a few hours in the late afternoons or evenings and on weekends for a few extra weeks.

The lease currently states that "the tenant (Poss) agrees to open the pool to the general public on a daily basis beginning with Memorial Day until the first day of the school year as designated by the DeKalb County Board of Education. The tenant (Poss) further agrees to provide at least one day of "FREE" swimming to school children K thru 12 who have successfully passed their most recent school year."

That free swimming day or "Report Card Day" was held on Memorial Day, the opening day of the swimming season.

Several people attending Monday night's meeting were apparently there in support of keeping the pool open longer. Among them was Poss's mother, Joyce Poss, addressed the aldermen "There's a lot of families that don't get off from work until four or five o'clock. Some of them work out of town. This way they can spend time with their children at the pool. While they're there, they can have family time. It also gets a lot of children off the street. The children are going to do something. We need to make sure we have things for our youth to do. Our senior citizens will want to use the pool for exercise reasons. I ask you to keep the pool open until eight o'clock so that everybody can use it," said Poss.

Senior Sneakers, as in the past, will be allowed to use a portion of the pool as early as eight a.m. each day without lifeguards on duty for exercise purposes.