2020 DCHS Tiger Yearbook to be Released Soon

May 27, 2020
By:

The 2020 Tiger Yearbook will be distributed to those who have reserved a book at DCHS on Wednesday, June 3, from 10:00am – 12:00pm.

If you have purchased your book on layaway, you may pay the balance with Cash when you pick up your book. After 12:00pm, the extra books will go on sale, first come, first served, for $85.00 Cash. The reserved list will be posted on the DCHS website and in each Google classroom.

Please contact advisers Debi DePriest or Donna Emmons if you have any questions.

May 27, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

New hours have been announced for COVID 19 testing at the DeKalb County Health Department on Tiger Drive in Smithville.

Starting tomorrow, Thursday, May 28th testing will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. every day, Monday through Friday.

No appointment is necessary and there is no charge to you for this service.

Additional information about Tennessee’s testing sites is available for each county on the Tennessee Department of Health website at www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov/remote-assessment-sites.html.

There are many things DeKalb County residents can do to reduce the impact of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water (or alcohol-based hand rub) for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing;

•Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands;

•Stay home when you are sick;

•Cover your coughs and sneezes with your arm or a tissue;

•Clean and disinfect objects (e.g., cell phone, computer) and high touch surfaces regularly; and,

•Practice social/physical distancing from others.

•Wear a facemask when in public.

TDH has additional information available at www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated information and guidance available online at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Visit the Tennessee Department of Health online at www.tn.gov/health.

May 27, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Dr. Scott Little has been named to the DeKalb County Budget Committee.

County Mayor Tim Stribling announced the appointment during Tuesday night’s regular monthly county commission meeting. Dr. Little, who serves the 4th district, will succeed Dennis Slager from the 1st district who recently resigned as member and chairman of the budget committee. Slager is still a member of the county commission.

Meanwhile, 6th district commissioner Jeff Barnes, a current member of the budget committee, will now serve as its chairman.

Other members of the budget committee are Sabrina Farler, Anita Puckett, and Jerry Adcock.

The budget committee will soon be meeting with the county’s financial advisor Steve Bates to prepare a new spending plan for the 2020-21 fiscal year.

Bates has been working for the county in this role as a contracted service for several years. He was brought in during the administration of County Mayor Mike Foster and has stayed on under County Mayor Tim Stribling.

According to the budget, Bates is paid $15,000 a year for his services. In past projects, Bates has also earned a commission for his involvement in the sale of bonds on behalf of the county.

But does the county really need Bates to help prepare its annual budgets?

First district county commissioner Julie Young raised the question Tuesday night during the regular monthly meeting of the commission. Young said others could be called upon to do the same service as Bates and save the county money.

Seventh district commissioner Bruce Malone said the County Technical Advisory Service (CTAS) is available to assist the county in preparing budgets at no cost.

County Mayor Stribling explained what Bates does for the county.

“We use him as a finance person to help us do our budgets and to project ahead what we might need in revenues, expenditures, and maintenance of effort for the schools. He helps us prepare our budgets,” said Stribling.

Funds are already budgeted this year (2019-20) for Bates’ services. The county commission took no action Tuesday night.