Community Calendar

A Native American artifacts show will be held Saturday, July 27 at the Mike Foster Multi-Purpose Center from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and proceeds will go to the county complex for minor touchup repairs. Admission to the event is free. Parents come and bring your children.

The artifacts show will feature displays ranging from arrow heads to pottery and some items will be available for sale or trade. “We will have 70-eight-foot tables full of artifacts displays. We sell the table (space). It cost $15 for the table per person and that money goes to pay for all the expenses of the show and any money left will be donated to the complex,” said Mike Foster, one of the event organizers.

“We will have people there with displays from various states including Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Alabama to name a few showing arrow heads, beads, pottery, and much more. We will also be giving a few awards for outstanding displays,” said Foster.

The show is sponsored locally and by the Volunteer State Archaeological Society, a non-profit educational organization devoted to the study of prehistoric America. This society is one of the largest of the independent state societies affiliated with Central States Archaeological Societies.
For more information contact Mike Foster at 615-418-5957.

Applications are now being accepted for the Leadership DeKalb Class of 2025. The program begins in September 2024 and will run through May 2025, followed by a graduation celebration in June.

Anyone who lives or works in DeKalb County that wishes to learn more about county and state government, education, economics, issues, and successes, all while developing personal leadership and teambuilding skills, is welcome to apply. Participants must be committed to attendance, and the time requirement is one day a month except for one overnight trip to the State Capitol in March.

"We are seeking a diverse and dedicated group of 12 individuals from across the county," said Leigh Fuson, Leadership DeKalb Director. "The tuition cost is $225 and helps to supplement meals, materials, and transportation. Employers and organizations may wish to sponsor a participant, or limited scholarships are also available. After successfully completing the program, you will have gained an in-depth knowledge of DeKalb County and have a network of leaders and friends".

"To receive an application or for more information, please email leaddekalb1@gmail.com or call the Smithville-DeKalb Chamber of Commerce at 615-597-4163. Applications are also available online at www.dekalbtn.org. You may also pick up an application at the Chamber of Commerce office located in the DeKalb County Complex. Businesses wishing to sponsor a meal or be included on the program may also contact us. The deadline to apply is August 23, 2024. You can follow our Facebook page to get a glimpse of past and future class activities," said Fuson.

It’s nearly back to school time!

The DeKalb County Ministerial Association is pleased to announce that there will be a back-to-school prayer gathering on August 4th in the DeKalb County high school gym at 2:00pm.

This prayer event will consist of two parts. First, there will be a gathering at the high school gym at 2:00 where local ministers will lead a time of prayer for administration and leadership, faculty and staff, students, parents/guardians, and extracurricular activities/athletics. The second part will consist of smaller groups gathering at each of the public schools in DeKalb County to pray specifically for that school.

The back-to-school prayer event is held annually on the Sunday before the first day of the school year. It is sponsored and led by the DeKalb County Ministerial Association.

Families in DeKalb County can get a helping hand with their back-to-school needs thanks to the annual Back to School Education Celebration hosted again this year by the Smithville First Baptist Church (FBC).

This Back-to-School Bash event will be held Thursday, August 1 starting at 6 p.m. at the church’s Life Enrichment Center downtown.

Pastor Chad Ramsey said other churches, businesses, etc. will be joining in the effort to provide free school supplies to families. Tables or booths will be set up inside the Life Enrichment Center gym and to help prevent duplication of services, they will each offer different types of supplies from pencils, paper, back packs, etc. Participants will line up at the door and enter after being handed information describing what they will find at each table. Families will walk through and get what they need from each booth. Most of the activity will be held inside.

“For many years the education celebration was an event that was held on the public square but for the last three years our church has hosted it at our gym which we call the Life Enrichment Center (LEC) which is right across from our main building so that rain or shine we get to pass out school supplies. Although we host and put it together this is a community event,” said Ramsey.

“This year we again have asked the teachers and principals what the main things are needed and from that we have updated the list in order that each child can walk out of there with things they need, and the amount needed,” he added.

If your business or group wants to host a table, contact the church at 615-597-4275.

A Homecoming & Revival is scheduled at Mt Pisgah Free Will Baptist. Bernard Houk will preach during the homecoming service Sunday, August 11 with a singing by Journey Home. Meanwhile the Revival will be August 12-16. Clayton Lee will be preaching nightly at 7 p.m.  The church is located at 7516 Short Mountain Highway

A Blood Assurance Drive will be held Monday, August 12 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital, 520 West Main Street Smithville in the Bloodmobile. For more information call Trudy Cody at 931-239-9411 or visit www.bloodassurance.org/stdh.

Meanwhile another Blood Assurance Drive will be Wednesday, August 14 from 8 a.m. until 12 noon at the Family Medical Center, 302 North Congress Boulevard, Smithville on the Bloodmobile. For more information call Michiko Martin at 615-597-4395 or visit www.bloodassurance.org/familymc

Remember to eat a good meal, bring your ID, avoid energy drinks, and drink extra water. One donation can save three lives. All donors will receive a “Save 3 Lives” tote while supplies last. Donors who give twice between May 1 through August 31 will be entered into a drawing to win Dollywood tickets and hotel credit.

The Mount View The Baptist Church of Christ at Four Seasons Road will have a Revival Sunday, July 21 through July 27. Services will be at 6 p.m. Sunday night and at 7 p.m. all other nights. Eric Wood will be preaching. The pastor is Andy Estes. Everyone is invited

The DeKalb Prevention Coalition hopes to light up Greenbrook Park Saturday, August 24 to honor and remember loved ones lost to overdose death.

A Glow Vigil Walk for International Overdose Awareness Day will be held at Greenbrook Park (large pavilion) from 5:00 p.m. until dusk. Glow material will be provided.

The observance will also feature recovery testimony, music, a skit performance, dinner and refreshments, community resource tables, and free overdose reversal training.

For more information phone Jennifer Matthews at 615-215-2024 or email dekalbtnprevention@gmail.com or follow on Facebook.

This project is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee and Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

County Commission Meetings

Purchasing Committee

Date: 07/31/2024

Time: 12pm

Location: County Complex Arcade Room

Topic: County Purchasing

DeKalb County Schools will re-open Thursday, August 1 for registration.

Students will attend for 90 minutes (abbreviated day from 7:45 a.m. until 9:15 a.m.). to sign up at their schools.

The first full day of school will be Monday, August 5.

Professional Development at the individual schools will be July 29-31.

Friday, August 2 will be an administrative day for teachers only. Students will not attend on Friday, August 2.

The 2024-25 DeKalb County School Calendar is as follows:

DeKalb County students and teachers will have a full week off for fall break October 14-18, Thanksgiving November 25-29, and spring break March 24-28, and a two-week winter break for Christmas December 23 to January 3. December 20 will be an abbreviated day (7:45 a.m.-9:15 a.m.). Students will return to school after the Christmas holiday on January 6, 2025. Schools will also be closed for Labor Day September 2, Dr. Martin Luther King Day January 20, President’s Day February 17, Good Friday. April 18, and Monday, April 21. The last day of school will be May 23, 2025 (abbreviated 7:45 a.m.-9:15 a.m.). May 22 will be an administrative day.

Report cards will be issued at all schools on October 8, December 20, January 9, March 18, and May 23.

Parent teacher conferences will be held at all schools from 3-6 p.m. on October 10 and March 20.

The DeKalb County Election Commission has expanded and made more uniform the hours of early voting for the upcoming August 1 elections.

The early voting period begins July 12 through July 27.

Sample Ballot

Early voters may cast ballots at the courthouse in Smithville during a six-hour period on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Tuesdays from 12 noon until 6 p.m. Early voting on Saturdays will be from 9 a.m. until 12 noon as in the past. No early voting on Sundays.

In Alexandria, early voting will take place on two dates, Tuesday July 16 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and on Tuesday, July 23 from 12 noon until 6 p.m. at the Kenneth Sandlin Center on the DeKalb County Fairgrounds.

Previously early voting periods during the week in Smithville were for four hours at a time and three hours on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the election commission has released the sample ballot for the elections on Thursday, August 1 which will include the DeKalb County General Election, Municipal Elections in Smithville, Dowelltown, and Alexandria, and the Tennessee Republican and Democratic Primaries.

The Voter Registration Deadline is Tuesday, July 2. The deadline to update an address on voter registrations is Friday, July 26.