Order of the Eastern Star Makes Donation of Water to First Responders

July 26, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The members of the Eastern Star of DeKalb Chapter # 488 recently participated in a statewide project to help communities by providing bottled water to First Responders and Police organizations located throughout the area. Water was delivered to the Liberty Fire Department, Alexandria Police, Fire and EMS Departments, Gassaway Fire Department and Smith County EMS.

According to a spokesperson, it is the desire of the local DeKalb Chapter #488 Order of Eastern Star to be involved and helpful to the different service departments in our community. The Tennessee Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star suggested one way to perform this was to provide water to those service organizations within our chapter area. The project was very successful and allowed DeKalb Chapter #488 to express our sincere appreciation to the organizations for the many hours they spend in service to our communities.

July 26, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Tennessee Department of Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher made a stop in Smithville as part of his visits to four counties Thursday.

State Tourism Commissioner Mark Ezell was originally scheduled to join Hatcher on the tour but he was unable to attend.

The meeting, hosted by State Senator Mark Pody and State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver at the county complex, offered local residents a chance to meet the commissioner and learn more about the state of agriculture in Tennessee.

“This is the third of four stops we have been on and the number of people who have turned out has been great,” said Commissioner Hatcher.

Although farmers generally are optimistic, Hatcher said there are concerns because farm income is down.

“In the agriculture community most people are telling me that farm income is down 50% so they are really struggling in all aspects of the industry but they are optimistic because of the Governor we have. He is hugely supportive of agriculture and the department of agriculture and that makes my job a lot easier. There is optimism even though right now farm income is down,” he said.

So what has led to this downturn in farm income?

“There are a multitude of factors. The trade war with China hasn’t helped as far as the commodities go with the crops and soybeans and Tennessee also exports a lot of hardwood to China and that has had an impact and then there is the dairy industry where we have seen fluid milk consumption decline but that is a supply and demand thing so it’s a combination of factors,” added Commissioner Hatcher.

The market for beef cattle and poultry remain strong in Tennessee and Hemp production is growing which could someday make it a leading cash crop in the state

“Hemp could be an alternative to tobacco and maybe one of those cash crops that will really help but we need to be cautious going into it. Farmers, especially tobacco farmers are well suited to growing it because they are used to the labor and they know the drill on it. In general we have the technology and innovation to improve precision agriculture as we move forward with better planting devices and things that save on resources like fertilizer, fuel, and seed so change is everywhere. People don’t always like change but change is coming,” added Commissioner Hatcher.

A resident a College Grove, Hatcher brings a lot of agriculture experience to his role as commissioner being a 10^th generation farmer .

“I am a veterinarian by trade but farmer by life. My family is still in the business. My son has taken over that while I am in this role because I want to devote 100% of my time to it. Agriculture runs deeply with me and I care deeply about it. It is my passion and I love this job because I get to travel across the state and visit with farmers. I have found them to be innovative, versatile, and thrifty,” he said.

Members of the DeKalb County Fair Association presented Commissioner Hatcher with a gift basket filled with home grown and produced products like bread and jars of jelly, honey, and even a DeKalb County Fair tee shirt in appreciation to the Tennessee of Agriculture for providing a grant which made possible a new 18,200 square foot Agriculture Center building at the DeKalb County Fair, part of which has been completed and was used for the first time last week during the annual fair.

July 26, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Tennessee’s once-a-year sales tax holiday weekend is now underway this weekend Friday, July 26 through Sunday, July 28.

During this holiday period, shoppers can save nearly 10 percent on more than 150 different items, including clothing, school supplies and computers, as students prepare for the back-to-school season. State and local taxes will not be collected on exempt items that cost $100 or less per item and computers that cost $1,500 or less. For a full list of tax-exempt items, visit our website www.tntaxholiday.com.

The sales tax holiday weekend is for everyone, not just students or even just Tennesseans. Anyone who wants to shop in Tennessee during the last weekend of July will be eligible to save on sales tax.

“The sales tax holiday means hard-earned dollars go back into the hands of Tennessee families,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “We encourage everyone to participate and take advantage of the savings during what can be an expensive time of year.”

Tennessee law provides for a sales tax holiday each year during the last weekend in July. This year, the sales tax holiday begins Friday, July 26 at 12:01 a.m. and ends Sunday, July 28 at 11:59 p.m.

“This is an important savings opportunity for everyone. We want to remind people about it because it only happens one weekend a year,” Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano said.

For more information about the sales tax holiday, including frequently asked questions, please visit www.tntaxholiday.com.

The Department of Revenue is responsible for the administration of state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws, as well as the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The Department collects about 87 percent of total state revenue. During the 2018 fiscal year, it collected $14.5 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $2.8 billion in taxes and fees for local governments. To learn more about the Department, visit www.tn.gov/revenue.