News
Meeting a Budget Request Halfway
June 7, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
Meeting a budget request halfway!
The county budget committee Tuesday night adopted the election commission budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year but denied a request by election administrator Dustin Estes for a second full time employee for his office. Instead, the committee voted to fund a part time position at $18,096.
Estes, as he had done in April, tried to make his case for the second full time deputy and he cited statistics to back up his request.
“I am requesting to add one deputy to my staff. I operate with a staff of one,” said Estes during his previous remarks in April. “Some statistics to back up the need for the extra support, from 2017 to 2025 we have seen a 21% growth in our voter rolls,” explained Estes. “In the last four years DeKalb County has increased 8% in its total residents and our voter rolls have increased 11%. Looking at similar counties to DeKalb County, Smith County has two deputies. I think they have operated with two deputies for some time. Adding a second deputy would potentially alleviate any comp time and it would also support our office in vacation and sick time. We have been fortunate so far but with a staff of one I feel like we run the risk during election time. Heaven forbid but if something were to happen to myself or that one person during an election, we would really have liability with such an important task,” explained Estes.
The budget committee’s recommendation will be included in the 2025-26 budget subject to final adoption by the full county commission later this summer.
Meanwhile plans are moving forward to eventually relocate the election commission office from the courthouse to unused office space at the county complex. In January a budget amendment in the amount of $110,000 was appropriated from the fund balance of capital projects. A bid was recently awarded to make the renovation, and the work is expected to be completed perhaps by the first of July.
Chamber Announces 24th Annual “Jamboree Project Welcome Mat” Contest
June 6, 2025
By:
The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the 24th Annual “Jamboree Project Welcome Mat” contest, held in conjunction with the 54th Annual Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival. This cherished tradition invites local businesses with changeable signs or marquees to display fun, festive, and welcoming messages to greet the thousands of visitors expected during this year’s Jamboree.
Chamber Director Suzanne Williams highlights the value of this initiative, saying, “With thousands of visitors coming into town for our 54th celebration, this is an opportunity to show our guests that we appreciate them and welcome their business.”
All businesses are encouraged to take part in Project Welcome Mat. To recognize their creativity and community spirit, awards will be given in the following categories:
Best Worded
Most Original
Most Creative
People’s Choice Award
Winners will receive a commemorative plaque and media recognition for their outstanding efforts.
To enter, businesses should submit a photo of their sign to the Chamber by Friday, June 20 at 12 PM. Entries can be emailed to director@dekalbcountychamber.org or texted to 615-464-7760.
Let’s join together to extend a warm DeKalb County welcome and showcase the hospitality and charm that make Smithville and the Jamboree experience unforgettable.
California man charged with theft
June 5, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
A California man has been charged with a recent theft.
43-year-old Benjamin James Einfeldt of Fresno California is charged with theft of property. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court June 12.
Sheriff Ray said that on June 1 a deputy was dispatched to Dale Ridge Road on an unwanted guest complaint. Upon arrival the officer spoke with the victim who reported that he lived at the residence with the owner and his son, Einfeldt. According to the victim, he and Einfeldt began arguing after Einfeldt tried to destroy the house. The victim further stated that Einfeldt carried a handgun everywhere he went. The deputy confronted Einfeldt behind the house and asked about the gun. Einfeldt said the weapon was on the truck bed. A background check of the serial number revealed that the gun had been reported stolen in Cumberland County, Tennessee. Einfeldt was placed under arrest.
37 year old Wesley Hall Scott of McMinnville is charged with evading arrest in a motor vehicle, a 5th offense of driving on a revoked or suspended license, and reckless endangerment. His bond totals $20,000
Sheriff Ray said that on September 9, 2024 a deputy was patrolling Sparta Highway when he spotted a black motorcycle without a license plate. The officer activated his blue lights and sirens signaling for the bike to pull over but instead it sped up and crossed the double yellow line in curves almost hitting other automobiles head on. As the motorcycle crossed into White County the deputy terminated the pursuit and radioed the White County Sheriff’s Department. Later the White County notified the DeKalb officer that the motorcycle operator had ditched the bike and took off on foot. The local deputy assisted the White County officers in searching for Scott and he was found hiding in the woods. When asked why he ran, Scott said because he was on probation and he did not have a driver license. A background check of his license confirmed they were revoked with four prior offenses.
62-year-old Johnny Michael Howard of Billings Road, Sparta is charged with aggravated criminal trespassing and possession of a handgun while under the influence. He is under an $11,000 bond and his court date is June 26.
Sheriff Ray said that on June 2 a deputy was dispatched to Howard Redmon Road to assist EMS where a man and woman had gotten into an altercation. The officer spoke with the man, Howard who smelled of alcohol. His eyes were bloodshot and watery. Howard said he had been drinking. The deputy found a 38-caliber special revolver on his person and learned that Howard had gone onto the property at Howard Redmon Road without consent which caused Howard and the homeowner, 54-year-old Cassandra Lynn Dykstra to get into an altercation.
During the incident Dykstra assaulted and EMT. Her bond for assaulting a first responder is $10,000 and she will be in court June 26.
Sheriff Ray said that while speaking with EMS workers, the deputy called to the scene learned that Dykstra and Howard man had gotten into a physical altercation and that as an EMT tried to get in between them the EMT was assaulted by Dykstra injuring her left wrist.
