DeKalb COVID Death Count Remains at 17

October 23, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The number of DeKalb County COVID-19 related deaths is 17.

According to the daily snapshot of DeKalb County as of Thursday, October 22 provided by the Tennessee Department of Health, 17 people with COVID-19 have died since March while the number of active cases is now at 62.

(Click Link Below for DeKalb County Report)

https://covid19.tn.gov/data/dashboards/?County=Dekalb

There have been 690 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 since March in DeKalb County , 27 have been hospitalized, and 611 are now inactive or have recovered. Over the last seven days, (October 16-22), DeKalb County had an average daily case count of 37 or 25.8 per 100,000 residents per day. Over the last 14 days, (October 9 to October 22), DeKalb County’s average case count was 77 or 26.8 per 100,000 residents per day. For the 14 days prior (September 25 to October 8 ), the case count was 61 or 21.3 per 100,000 residents per day.

Over the last 7 days DeKalb County has averaged 60.57 tests per day (295.6 tests per 100,000 residents) and over the last 7 days the average percent positive was 9.9%.

The Tennessee Department of Health and Tennessee’s Unified Command Group has announced the launch of a new website to provide COVID-19 data, additional health information and relevant updates to Tennesseans. The site is now available at COVID19.tn.gov.

“This new site will help Tennesseans quickly and easily find important information as they navigate decisions for themselves and their families,” said Governor Bill Lee. “We are committed to acting in the most transparent manner possible and are continuously working to ensure we provide timely and relevant data.”

The new COVID19.tn.gov website is designed to streamline and simplify some of the most frequently requested COVID-19 data for both desktop and mobile users. The site offers dashboards and daily reports with state and county-level information including case counts, hospitalizations and tests conducted.

“We’re pleased to offer this new tool to help Tennesseans make decisions about activities for their families, businesses and communities as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “We continue to promote data transparency and provide up-to-date information to Tennesseans to protect their health and prosperity.”

The site offers a screening tool for individuals to assess their risk of COVID-19 and practical tips on how to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Tennessee communities. A comprehensive map of testing sites across the state is also included. Information is tailored for groups such as individuals, families, educators and business owners.

The new COVID-19 website supplements information that will remain available on the TDH agency page. TDH will continue to provide updated COVID-19 case counts at 2 p.m. Central time daily.

October 22, 2020
By:

The Smithville Christmas Parade and Christmas on the Square will be celebrated together on Saturday, December 5th. The Smithville Parade begins at 4 PM with the line-up beginning at 3 PM at a new location. To practice safety measures and to help with social distancing, the parade line-up will be at the New Life Connection Center, 750 S. Congress Blvd., Smithville. The parade route will leave from New Life Connection Center onto South Congress Blvd. to the Downtown Smithville Square. Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker says, “This new line-up location will give people and vehicles more room to park and spread out including parking at the DeKalb County Complex and on both sides of the road to the New Life Center.”

Immediately after the Smithville Parade, Christmas on the Square will begin around 5 PM. According to Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, there will be some changes this year to the Christmas on the Square event. “We don’t have all the information yet for everything that will be happening, but we are working together to help ensure that we have a fun and safe event for all who attend,” says Williams.

Here is the Christmas on the Square latest information. More to follow as we get closer to the event.

* Smithville City Hall – Festive outdoor Christmas lights on the outside with cookies to eat and decorations to see on the inside. For safety precautions, folks will enter the City Hall building through the Smithville Police Department entrance on the south side of the building and exit through the front main entrance. Going one direction will help people to maintain social distancing and no face-to-face contact.

*DeKalb Courthouse – Large Christmas trees will be decorated on both sides of the exterior of the courthouse. You will be able to view the beautifully decorated interior trees, as well, through the glass.
*Christmas Shopping at our Fabulous Downtown Stores – There will be lots of specials and extended hours for shopping making it a great night to pick out wonderful and unique Christmas presents!

*“Live” Windows Contest in Downtown Businesses/Offices – Many of our downtown windows will have “live” scenes in their beautifully, decorated windows from 5 to 6 PM. YOU CAN VOTE for your favorite “Live” Display Window. Take a picture and post your favorite on the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber Facebook Page. The live display window with the “Most Likes” will get points added to the judges’ tally sheet. Chamber Director Suzanne Williams and Smithville Mayor Josh Miller will be presenting 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places along with a “Chamber Choice” award for the “Live Window” contest. Mayor Miller is personally donating $250 to the top winning store’s favorite charity.

*Justin-Potter Library – The library plans to have Santa this year but will likely be set up outside. More details as we get closer to event.

*Smithville Electric – The lights will be shining bright at Evins Park’s Open-Air Stage beautifully decorated by Smithville Electric employees.

*DeKalb Animal Shelter Pet Photos with Santa – Beginning at 5 PM for a $10 donation, you can have your pet’s photo made with Santa. The location is 301 N. Public Square at the office of Attorney Gayla Hendrix.

October 22, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Road Supervisor Danny Hale said L. Hendrixson Road in the Blue Springs Community will be closed to through traffic on Friday, October 23 beginning at 7:30 a.m. until a tile replacement project is completed.