Local Anglers shine on Dale Hollow Lake. Dekalb Fishing Team

June 2, 2025
By:

Local anglers Mason Taylor, Wesley Kent, Braeden Mangin, Bill Stanton, and Slade Bennett recently competed in the two-day Tennessee State year-end Bass Fishing Championship.

Taylor and Kent had a strong showing, weighing 29.77 lbs over the two days and finishing 14th overall out of a highly competitive field-earning a scholarship check for their performance. Their season-long consistency also earned them a top 10 state ranking, finishing 10th overall in Tennessee for the year.

Taylor was also honored with the prestigious Hunter Northcut Scholarship and earlier this year signed with Bryan College, where he will continue his bass fishing career at the collegiate level.

Mangin and Stanton also represented the team weighing in 1.98 lbs, contributing to a strong team presence at the tournament and Bennett got some state tournament experience.

May 31, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

No confidence!

Alexandria Mayor Beth Tripp is on the hot seat with the Board of Aldermen and during a rare Saturday special called meeting the town council, in the absence of Mayor Tripp, cast a “no confidence” vote in her leadership.

The vote was 4-0 with Aldermen Sherry Tubbs, Bobby Simpson, Luke Prichard, and Jeff Ford all voting together. Alderman Jonathan Tripp, Mayor Tripp’s husband was also absent.

After the meeting WJLE made an attempt to contact Mayor Tripp for a response but was unable to reach her.

The aldermen, with this vote, are hoping Mayor Tripp will get the message and offer her resignation.

“We have four aldermen out of five that has no confidence in our mayor,” said Alderman Sherry Tubbs. “We don’t feel she is doing the job that she was elected to do. She has failed every citizen in the city, and we need to remove her and get over that hurdle and even when we get over it we’ll still have a lot of problems but with time we will get to where we need to go,” she said.

According to Alderman Tubbs, Mayor Tripp does not lead city government with transparency regarding issues the aldermen need to be briefed on including financials and there are other concerns.

“Under her (Mayor Tripp) so much has happened. There has been no oversight of bills, bills paid. We’re talking $42,000 bills that we (city) have paid that we (aldermen) knew nothing about. We’re not saying its wrong there is just no transparency and three of us (aldermen) voted for and supported her,” Alderman Tubbs continued.

“We have a business district that would like to flourish better, and they are not being supported by the mayor. We have citizens that go to her, and she is rude and disrespectful. We have aldermen that she won’t pick up the phone and talk to. We want someone to be a fill in mayor until the end of her term and that’s one year and four months. But the first thing we need to do is get a city attorney and no attorney is going to come here until she (Mayor Tripp) is gone,” said Alderman Tubbs.

Alderman Jeff Ford explained that while the board is not unified on every issue, they are united against Mayor Tripp.

“This board does not always agree. We have some big differences, and we have had big differences since day one, but we are all together on this because we all see that the town needs to be governed and managed better,” he said

Members of the town council are not the only ones unhappy with Mayor Tripp. Many city residents have also lost confidence in the mayor’s ability to lead including some who supported her in the election last August. The small meeting room was filled with people Saturday and most voiced their displeasure with Mayor Tripp.

A symbolic “no confidence” petition is now being circulated to possibly force her removal from office through any proper legal channels that may be available should she not resign.

The petition states that “We, the undersigned residents and stakeholders of the Town of Alexandria, Tennessee, formally express our lack of confidence in Mayor Beth Tripp. We believe that Mayor Tripp’s actions and/or inactions are not in the best interest of the Town of Alexandria and that her continued leadership undermines the well-being, integrity, and proper governance of our community”

“We respectfully call for her immediate resignation or appropriate removal by lawful means and urge town leadership and authorities to take action in response to this petition”.

‘We are asking her (Mayor Tripp) to step down. If she does not, we are going to get an attorney, take signatures, and we are going to go in front of a judge and ask the state comptroller’s office to help us and have her removed,” said Alderman Tubbs.

Mayor Tripp was elected in August 2024 to fill the remaining two years of an unexpired term. She received a total of 88 votes to win the seat. Tripp’s name was the only one on the ballot for mayor, but an active write-in campaign was staged by two others, Rodney Allen Lawson, who received 64 votes and Russell “Rusty” Allen Bradshaw who had 18 write-in votes.

Meanwhile, the aldermen voted Saturday to appoint former Alexandria Mayor and Alderman David Cripps to fill the alderman position left vacant after the recent resignation of Alderman Tiffany Robinson who herself was appointed last August to fill the unexpired two-year term.

A former appointed aldermen Margaret Stevens earlier in the meeting had asked that she be considered for the alderman appointment to succeed Robinson.

The aldermen also voted to hire Addison Crawford of Cookeville as a full time Alexandria police officer.  With the addition of Crawford, Alexandria now has three full time and three part time officers

Shawn Richardson was also hired by the aldermen to assist with garbage pickup and mowing

May 31, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

Oral arguments in the case of Tinsley Properties, LLC and others versus Grundy County over provisions of a county powers act there were heard at the Tennessee Supreme Court Thursday. No ruling is expected right away but the court’s decision could be significant not only for Grundy County but DeKalb County and perhaps statewide with similar County Powers Act issues.

In October, 2024 the DeKalb County Commission adopted a County Powers Act patterned after Grundy County’s resolution which, among other provisions, established a 5,000 foot minimum distance requirement between such operations as rock quarries and residences, churches, schools, etc.

Tinsley Properties, LLC, a quarry company, filed a lawsuit against Grundy County in Chancery Court and in September, 2022 the Chancellor there sided with the county. The ruling was appealed and upheld. Now it’s made it to the state supreme court.

Specifically, the Grundy County case concerns the validity of a county resolution prohibiting quarries and rock crushers within five thousand (5,000) feet of a residence, school, licensed daycare facility, park, recreation center, church, retail, commercial, professional or industrial establishment. The plaintiff landowners (Tinsley) argued that the county failed to comply with the requirements in Tennessee’s county zoning statute, Tennessee Code Annotated 13-7-101 to -115. In the alternative, they argued that state law expressly preempted local regulation of quarries. However, the county argued that it was exercising its authority to protect its citizens’ health, safety, and welfare under the county powers statute, Tennessee Code Annotated 5-1-118. The trial court granted summary judgment to the county on the ground that it had no comprehensive zoning plan. This appeal followed.

In April, County Attorney Hilton Conger informed the DeKalb County commission about the Grundy County case and urged all to go online to view the oral arguments before the state supreme court (May 29) especially since the issues are so similar to DeKalb County’s County Powers Act.

Under the regulatory resolution, which was approved by the county commission on October 28 “No quarry, rock crusher or gravel pit, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment, or methadone clinic may be located within 5,000 feet of a residence, school, licensed daycare facility, park, recreation center, church, retail, commercial, professional, or industrial establishment. Measurements shall be taken from the nearest recorded property line of the business to the nearest property line or boundary of the foregoing”.

(The entire actual regulatory resolution as adopted by the DeKalb County Commission is as follows:)

A Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of DeKalb County, Tennessee to regulate Quarries, Rock Crushers, Gravel Pits, Cryptocurrency Mining, Landfills, Adult Entertainment and Methadone Clinics.

Section 1. Purpose

It is the purpose of this resolution to regulate the operation and location of rock crushers and/or quarries, gravel pits, cryptocurrency mining, landfills, adult entertainment and methadone clinics in the unincorporated areas of DeKalb County, Tennessee in order to promote the health, safety, economic development and the unincorporated areas of DeKalb County, Tennessee.

Section II. Definitions

The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this Resolution:

(a) Blasting.  The term “blasting” shall denote a method of loosening, moving or shattering masses of solid matter by use of explosive compounds to prepare stone for crushing, building stone or other purposes.

 (b) Clerk means the County Clerk of DeKalb County, Tennessee.

 (c) Commission means the Board of County Commissioners of DeKalb County, Tennessee, which is the legislative body of DeKalb County, Tennessee.

(d) County means DeKalb County, Tennessee.

(e) Gravel Pit.  The term “gravel pit” shall mean any activity or enterprise, the purpose of which is to remove naturally occurring deposits of sand and gravel from the earth by excavating including topsoil and overburden removal.

(f) Person.  The word “person” shall mean any individual, partner, corporation, company, trustee or association, together with the respective servants, agents and employees thereof.

(g) Quarry.  The term “quarry” shall mean activity or enterprise, the purpose of which is to remove rock material from the earth by blasting and/or excavating including topsoil and overburden removal.

 (h) Residence means a place, in which a person lives or resides; a structure serving as a dwelling or living quarters. Residence includes but is not limited to single-family and multiple family dwelling units including without limitation, houses, apartment buildings, condominiums, dormitories and mobile and modular homes.

  (i) Rock-Crusher.  A rock crusher shall mean any device, machine, apparatus or equipment used either individually or in conjunction with any other device, machine, apparatus or equipment for the purpose of crushing, grinding, breaking or pulverizing rock or stone.

(j) Rock Crushing.  Operation of a rock crusher.

(k) Site.  The term “site” shall mean any separately described parcel of land with an individual real property tax, map and parcel number.

(j) Adult Entertainment. Any entertainment that is intended to be viewed by adults only. It refers to activities involving the direct provision of sex related services, such as prostitution, strip clubs, and sex related pastimes like pornography and sex movies. It can also include the exhibition or performance of specified sexual activities or the exposure of specified anatomical areas.

(k) Cryptocurrency Mining. A process that validates transactions and adds them to a blockchain.

(l) Blockchain.  A process in cryptocurrency mining that adds a link to each block of transactions to form a chain. Each block contains a set amount of cryptocurrency.

(m) Ledger Records the creation and movement of coins in the blockchain.

(n) DIY Supercomputers. A high-speed computer or series of computers used to mine bitcoins.

(o) High Decibel Noise. Sound which ranges in a level from 75-95 decibels. Normal human hearing range is 0-20 decibels.

(p) Landfill. A system of trash and garbage disposal.

(q) Methadone Clinic. A treatment center for opioid addiction using but not limited to Methadone and   Suboxone.

Section III. Application for License

 No person shall operate a quarry, rock crusher/ gravel pit, Cryptocurrency mining, landfills, adult entertainment and methadone clinic without first obtaining the following from the County Clerk of DeKalb County Tennessee  a standard Business License and a permit for the operation of a quarry, rock crusher or gravel pit, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic

All state and or federal permits required and necessary to operate such an enterprise or activity regarding a quarry, gravel pit, or rock crusher, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic shall be a prerequisite before obtaining an initial permit or business license to operate such an enterprise or activity from the County Clerk.

An applicant for a license shall furnish the following to the County Clerk in order to apply for a Permit to operate a quarry, rock crusher or gravel pit, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic:

(a)  An application for a business license or permit to operate a quarry, gravel pit, or rock crusher,

cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic.

(b)  A copy of the Permit issued by the State of Tennessee for the applicant to operate a quarry, gravel       pit, or rock crusher, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic at the proposed site of the quarry, gravel pit, or rock crusher, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic, for which the applicant is seeking the permit;

(c)  A copy of the applicant’s deed or lease to the property on which the quarry, gravel pit, or rock crusher, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic is proposed to be operated.

(d)  A map which shows the physical extent of the quarry or gravel pit operation, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic as to area and depth, along with a description of the act cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic along with activities to be conducted on the property; and

(e)  A non-refundable application fee of $150.00.

Upon receiving the foregoing information, the County Clerk will forward it to the Office of the County Mayor, who will determine whether the site of the proposed quarry, rock crusher or gravel pit, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic meets the location requirements provided for in this Resolution and report his/her findings to the County Clerk within ten (10) days.

(f)  If a corporation or company is exempted by the state of Tennessee from requiring a business license or permit, the corporation or company must still comply with the distance requirements in Section VIII of this resolution.

SECTION IV – ISSUANCE OF LICENSE.

If the Mayor’s findings confirm that the site of the proposed quarry, rock crusher or gravel pit, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic meets the location requirements, the County Clerk shall forthwith issue the standard Business License and Permit to quarry, rock crusher or gravel pit cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic.

If the Mayor’s findings reflect that the site of the proposed quarry, rock crusher or gravel pit, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic does not meet the location requirements, the County Clerk shall within ten (10) days notify the applicant that the application must be denied due to the failure of the proposed site to meet the location requirements.

 SECTION V – FEES.

• Application Fee for Permit to Operate a Quarry, Rock Crusher or Gravel Pit, Cryptocurrency Mine, Landfill, Adult Entertainment or Methadone Clinic. A non-refundable fee of $150.00 shall be paid to the clerk at the time of filing the application and required accompanying materials.
• Initial Fee for Permit to Operate a Quarry, Rock Crusher or Gravel Pit, Cryptocurrency Mine, Landfill, Adult Entertainment or Methadone clinic. If the license is granted, the applicant shall pay an initial license fee of $100.00.
• Renewal Fee for License to Operate a Quarry, Rock Crusher or Gravel Pit, Cryptocurrency Mine, Landfill, Adult Entertainment or Methadone Clinic an annual fee of $100.00 shall be required to renew a Permit to operate a quarry, gravel pit, or rock crusher, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic.
• . The failure to pay the annual renewal fee shall not constitute a forfeiture or ground for revocation of any Permit granted under this Resolution provided such failure is rectified upon notification by the County Mayor.

The foregoing fees shall be in addition to the fees required for a standard Business License.

SECTION VI – ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE AND REVIEW

• As used in this section, “application” means: An application for a Permit to operate a quarry, gravel pit, or rock crusher, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic.
• Whenever an application is denied, the County Clerk shall notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for such action; such notice shall also advise the applicant of the applicant’s right to request a hearing before the County Commission.
• If the applicant desires to request a hearing before the County Commission to contest the denial of an application, such request shall be made in writing to the County Mayor within ten (10) days of the applicant’s receipt of the notification of the denial of the application. If the applicant timely requests such a hearing, a public hearing shall be before the County Commission at the next regularly scheduled County Commission meeting, which is at least ten (10) days from the date the request for hearing is received in the Mayor’s Office.

SECTION VII- APPLICABILITY OF RESOLUTION TO EXISTING BUSINESSES/GRANDFATHER CLAUSE.

The distance requirements set forth in Section VIII of this Resolution shall not apply to quarries, rock crushers or gravel pits, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinics in existence and in operation on October 28, 2024. Such quarries, rock crushers or gravel pits, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic may continue to operate at the site where they are located on October 28, 2024. The owners of such quarries, rock crushers or gravel pits, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic in existence and in operation on October 28, 2024 will (i) pay the annual fee for a Permit to operate such enterprises as provided in Section V of this Resolution; (ii)  continue to maintain such quarry, rock crusher or gravel pit,  cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic  in active operation at the site where it is currently located; and (iii)  submit an application to the County Clerk to continue the operation of the quarry, rock crusher or gravel pit, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic, accompanied with a map which shows the physical extent of the quarry, rock crusher or gravel pit, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic, operation as to the area, along with a written description of the current activities being conducted on the property and the location where the current activities are taking place.

The grandfather protection provided in Section VII applies only to the site where the current quarry, rock crusher or gravel pit, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic was in operation on October 28, 2024. The grandfather protection provided by this Section VII may not be transferred or used to operate a quarry, rock crusher or gravel pit, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic. at any site or location other than the site or location where the quarry, rock crusher or gravel pit, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic is currently in operation.

The grandfather protection provided by Section VII shall be forfeited only for the failure to continue to maintain such quarry, rock crusher or gravel pit, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic in active operation at the site where it is currently located for a period of thirty consecutive days. Failure to pay the annual fee, submit an application, map and/or description of activities shall not constitute a forfeiture of the grandfather protection provided by this Section VII provided such failure is rectified upon notification by the County Mayor. Likewise, failure to pay the annual renewal fee shall not constitute a forfeiture of any Permit granted under this Resolution provided such failure is rectified upon notification by the County Mayor.

 SECTION VIII – PERMITTED LOCATIONS

  Except as otherwise proscribed in this Section VIII, quarries, rock crushers and gravel pits, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic may be located in unincorporated areas of DeKalb County, Tennessee.

(B) No quarry, rock crusher or gravel pit, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone     clinic may be located within five thousand (5,000) feet of a residence, school, licensed daycare facility, park, recreation center, church, retail, commercial, professional or industrial establishment. Measurements shall be taken from the nearest recorded property line of the business to the nearest property line or boundary of the foregoing.

 SECTION IX – SEVERABILITY

 If any provision of this resolution is deemed invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the other provisions of this Resolution.

SECTION X – APPLICABILITY

• This resolution shall apply only in the unincorporated areas of the county.
• Nothing in this resolution may be construed to as prohibiting or in any way impeding any incorporated municipality in the county from exercising any power or authority the municipality may lawfully exercise, including the regulation of sexually oriented businesses.
• Nothing in this resolution shall preempt an ordinance, regulation, restriction or license that was lawfully adopted or issued by any incorporated municipality in the county prior to the enactment of this resolution, or prevent or preempt any incorporated municipality in the county from enacting and enforcing in the future other lawful and reasonable restrictions, regulations, licensing, zoning or other civil or administrative provisions concerning the location, configuration, code compliance or other business operations or requirements to operate a quarry, gravel pit, or rock crusher, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic.

This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage by a two-thirds vote of the Commission, the public welfare requiring it.

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