Upcoming Community Calendar Events

March 10, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

New Hope The Baptist Church at Cassville
A Gospel Singing will be at the New Hope The Baptist Church featuring Right on Time Saturday, March 14 at 6 p.m.. The church is located on New Hope Road near Cassville Elementary School. For more information call 931-261-4558. Meanwhile the group Midnight Cry will be the featured singers there on Saturday, April 11 at 6 p.m.

Covenant Baptist Church
By Faith will be performing at Covenant Baptist Church on Sunday, March 15 at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Smithville #374 Order of the Eastern Star Officer Installation

Come celebrate Installation of the Smithville #374 Order of the Eastern Star Saturday, March 14 at 101 Market Street starting at 2 p.m. Eighteen officers will be installed including Worthy Patron Dr. Robert Atnip and Worthy Matron Guylene Atnip.

Smithville First United Methodist Church
Attention all grandmothers! Attention all parents of small children! If you have young children or grandchildren between the ages of two and eight year old, you are invited to bring them and yourself to a free light supper for all attending followed by only one flannel board Bible story. The whole supper and program will last about an hour. The purpose of this effort is to teach the children about Jesus and God’s love for us so they can know that they can call on God when life gets hard. Please plan to attend with your children or grandchildren and not drop them off and return. The menu will be a light meal provided by the Sunday school classes. If you can’t attend; please pray for these children. The first supper will be March 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Christian Fellowship Center next to Love Cantrell Funeral Home. There will be three more suppers on March 18, April 1, and April 8.

Mount Pisgah Free Will Baptist Church
A Revival will be held March 9-13 at the Mount Pisgah Free Will Baptist Church at 7 p.m. nightly. Andy Patterson will be preaching.

Board of Education Meeting

The DeKalb County Board of Education will meet in regular monthly session Thursday, March 12 at 7 p.m. at the Ernest Ray Education Center. A work session will be held prior to the meeting at 6 p.m.

The agenda for the meeting is as follows:
*Consider and act on bids for the Tiny House
*Consider and act on surplus bids for CTE sewing machines
*Consider and act on school board policies on 1st reading
*Consider and act on the use of Haven of Hope Counseling Services in local schools
*Consider and act on an AAU Basketball Team using the Northside gym for practice
*School updates and committee reports
*Personnel report from the Director of Schools
*Any other business properly presented by a member of the board.

The consent agenda is as follows:
Consider and act on budget amendments
Consider and act on an overnight trip request for the DCHS Band to attend the SCGC Championship in Bowling Green, Kentucky March 27-28
Consider and act on DMS Jr Beta additional fundraisers
Consider and act on an overnight trip request for the DMS Band to attend the Middle School Honor Band at the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama March 19-20.
Consider and act on an overnight trip request for the DCHS FBLA to attend the State Convention in Chattanooga April 5-8.

Saint Jude Benefit Auction and Fundraiser
A Saint Jude Benefit Auction and Fundraiser “Bearing the Burden, II” will be Saturday, March 21 at the DeKalb County Complex hosted by the New Home Missionary Baptist Church with participation from surrounding area churches. The event begins with a gospel singing by Right on Time at 4 p.m. followed by a chili supper at 4 p.m. and an auction at 5:30 p.m. You may donate today at www.fundraising.stjude.org/NewHomeBaptistChurch.

Free NARCAN Training
A free training on the use of the opioid reversal drug NARCAN (Naloxone HCL) will be Wednesday, March 18 at 6 p.m. at the Laurel Hill Baptist Church, 7551 Sparta Highway. Located approximately 1.4 miles east of Sligo Bridge on the left side of the road setting on the hill in DeKalb County. Participants will receive knowledge on when and how to use the drug NARCAN; an opioid overdose reversal kit, which contains 2 units of NARCAN nasal spray; gloves; quick reference guide with pictures on how to administer the drug NARCAN; and a medication lock box. This training is free to anyone who would like to attend. The event is sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services.

Father-Daughter Dance for Habitat for Humanity
Fathers and daughters of all ages will be making memories and helping support Habitat for Humanity during the first ever Father-Daughter Dance for this cause.
Tickets are on sale now at all banks in Smithville for the event to be held Saturday, April 4 from 6- 9 p.m. at the DeKalb County Complex.

Spokesperson Holly Moore said the dance is a way to honor fathers and encourage strong father-daughter relationships while raising funds for a great cause.
“Its not about how well you dance but about fathers and daughters making memories and having fun together. You can come dressed all decked out or casual,” said Moore.

“The cost is $20 per person and its open to all ages and if you are in a situation where your father has passed away or is not available, you may attend with another male relative such as an uncle or grandfather. In addition to dancing the event will include a dinner, one professional photo, a chocolate fountain, a fun photo booth, and you will get a cute gift bag. I want to thank everyone who purchases a ticket because all proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity which is a wonderful organization,” Moore continued.

WJLE Radiothon for the DCHS Class of 2020 Project Graduation
A WJLE Radiothon to raise money for the DCHS Class of 2020 Project Graduation will be Friday, March 27 from 9:00 a.m. until noon.

High school seniors and parents on the Project Graduation committee will be answering phones, taking pledges during the drive. Any member of the Class of 2020 is urged to stop by the station to make an appearance on the radiothon to talk about their school activities and future plans.

Last year’s event raised $8,100 easily surpassing the goal of $5,000.

Project Graduation is an all night drug-free, alcohol-free graduation party for members of the DCHS Class of 2020 committed to having a safe, wholesome, yet entertaining celebration together for the last time as a class. The event begins following the graduation ceremony on Friday, May 15.

Call 615-597-4265 during the Radiothon to make your pledge from 9:00 a.m. until noon on Friday, March 27. Listen LIVE on FM 101.7/AM 1480 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com.

DCHS Boys Soccer Schedule
The 2020 DCHS BOYS SOCCER SEASON SCHEDULE is as follows:
Regular Season:
Tuesday, March 10: *Stone Memorial-Away: 6:30 p.m. followed by JV game
Thursday, March 12: Smyrna-Away: 4:30 p.m. followed by JV game
Monday, March 16: *Upperman-Home: 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 17: *Cumberland County-Away: 6:30 p.m. followed by JV game
Friday, March 20: Sunday, March 22: Smoky Mountain Cup: TBA
Tuesday, March 31: *Livingston Academy-Away: 6:30 p.m. followed by JV game
Thursday, April 2: Warren County-Away: 6:00 p.m. followed by JV game
Thursday, April 9: *Upperman-Away: 6:00 p.m. followed by JV game
Tuesday, April 14: *Cumberland County-Home: 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 16: *Stone Memorial-Home: 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21: *Livingston Academy-Home: 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 23: White County (Senior Night)-Home: 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28: Lebanon-Away: 6:00 p.m. followed by JV game
Thursday, April 30: Merrol Hyde-Home: 5:30 p.m.
POST SEASON:
Monday, May 4: 1st Rounds of District Tournament-TBA
Tuesday, May 5: 2nd Round of District Tournament- Cumberland-TBA
Thursday, May 7: District Championship- Cumberland-TBA

DeKalb County Cattlemen’s Association Spring Meeting
The DeKalb County Cattlemen’s Association will be hosting their Spring Meeting on Thursday, March 19th at 6:00 PM. The meeting will take place in the auditorium of the DeKalb Community Complex. A meal will be served followed by our program. The guest speaker for the night will be Brett Jones and he will be speaking on soil fertility. All current members and new members are welcome. Annual dues are $20 and can be paid at the door. If you haven’t attended before and are interested in Beef Production or Agriculture, please come join us. Meetings typically take place seasonally and a meal is served. We involve a variety of guest speakers that present information beneficial to anyone involved in the Agricultural Industry. Please e-mail jbarnes1@utk.edu or call 615-597-4945 for more information.

Regular 911 Board Meeting
The Regular 911 Board meeting will be March 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the 911 building on South Mountain Street in Smithville.

Local Effort Underway to Lend a Hand to Victims of Putnam County Tornado
The DeKalb County Government, City of Smithville, and the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce are helping to coordinate efforts to help collect needed items for the Cookeville-Putnam County Tornado victims.

“We have had such an outpouring of requests to help, that we wanted to give our community a local opportunity to give” said Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, “County Mayor Tim Stribling contacted the Cookeville Community Center, and they expressed so much gratitude for DeKalb’s offer of assistance.”

The current list of needed items include:
•Baby Items: formula, baby food, diapers (all sizes), & baby wipes
•Toiletries: deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, razors, feminine products, lotion, soap, toothbrushes/paste, hairbrushes, combs
•Non-perishable food items
New items:
•Plastic Totes
•Flashlights
•Batteries
•Work Gloves
•Latex Gloves
•First Aid Item
•Pillows
•Towels
•Laundry Detergent
No Longer Accepting:
•Clothes (of any kind)
•Water Bottles
•Pillows
•Blankets
•Toilet Paper
•Pet Supplies
•Furniture
•Kitchen Items
•Cleaning Supplies

During their regular business hours, drop-off locations include the DeKalb Courthouse Main Floor, Smithville Police Department (located downstairs in Smithville City Hall), and 3 locations at the DeKalb County Complex including the County Register of Deeds office, Community Center area, and the DeKalb Senior Center.

Please make all donations by Tuesday, March 10th. All donations will be collected to deliver to Cookeville on Wednesday morning.

DeKalb County Grand Jury to Meet Monday, March 30th
The next term of the DeKalb County Grand Jury will meet on Monday, March 30th. “It is the duty of your grand jurors to investigate any public offense which they know or have reason to believe has been committed and which is triable or indictable in the county. Any person having knowledge or proof that an offense has been committed may apply to testify before the grand jury subject to the provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated 40-12-105. The foreman in this county is presently Ms. Katherine Pack, 1 Public Square, Room 201, Smithville, Tennessee, 37166. The grand jury will next meet on Monday, the 30th day of March at 9:00 a.m.. You may be prosecuted for perjury for any oral or written statement which you make under oath to the grand jury, when you know the statement to be false, and when the statement touches on a matter material to the point in question.

DeKalb County Health Department Blood Assurance Drive
A DeKalb County Health Department Blood Assurance Drive will be Friday, March 27 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The bloodmobile will be in the parking lot of the health department. All donors will be given a FREE “Happy Camper Southern Blood Donor” t-shirt. All donors will also be entered for a chance to win 2 tickets to the NCAA Men’s Championship game. To schedule an appointment, go to bloodassurance.org/dekalbhealth or contact Ashby Woodward at 615-597-7599 or Ashby.Woodward@tn.gov. Please remember to EAT A GOOD MEAL and drink additional water and bring a photo ID. Blood Assurance is the SOLE blood provider for our local hospitals.

DeKalb County Neighbors Helping Neighbors Blood Assurance Drive
A DeKalb County Neighbors Helping Neighbors Blood Assurance Drive will be Monday, March 23 from 12 noon until 5 p.m. at the County Complex Senior Citizens Center inside the Bloodmobile. All donors will be given a FREE “Happy Camper Southern Blood Donor” t-shirt. All donors will also be entered for a chance to win 2 tickets to the NCAA Men’s Championship game. To schedule an appointment, go to bloodassurance.org/dekalb or contact Jimmy Poss at 615-464-7426 or jimposs72@yahoo.com. Please remember to EAT A GOOD MEAL and drink additional water and bring a photo ID. Blood Assurance is the SOLE blood provider for our local hospitals

Story Time at Justin Potter Library
There will be a Story Time for children at Justin Potter Library on Friday, March 13th at 10:00 AM. Sanda Ayers the author of “Tommy Tractor Adventures” will be the guest reader along with the book’s illustrator Emory Larson. Please come and join us for a fun morning at the library. For further information call 615-597-4359 or visit us on Facebook and our website: www.dekalblibraries.net.

The 2020 DCHS Baseball Schedule
This season’s schedule is as follows:
March 9: Grundy County-Home: 5:00 p.m.
March 13: Cumberland County Tournament-Kingston: 5:00 p.m.
March 14: Cumberland County Tournament-Cumberland: 10:30 a.m.
March 14: Cumberland County Tournament-Bledsoe: 1:00 p.m.
March 16: Smith County-Away: 4:00 p.m.
March 17: Smith County-Home: 5:00 p.m.
March 19: Cumberland County-Home: 5:00 p.m.
March 21: White County-Away: 12 Noon (JV after)
March 23: Warren County-Away: 6:00 p.m.
March 24: Grundy County-Away: 5:30 p.m.
March 30: Cannon County-Home: 5:00 p.m.
March 31: Cannon County-Away: 5:00 p.m.
April 1: Trousdale County-Home: 5:00 p.m.
April 2: Monterey-Away: 5:30 p.m.
April 6: Watertown-Home: 5:00 p.m. (JV after)
April 7: Watertown-Away: 5:00 p.m. (JV after)
April 9: Bledsoe County-Home: 5:00 p.m.
April 10: Central Magnet-Away: 5:00 p.m.
April 13: Upperman-Home: 5:00 p.m. (JV after)
April 14: York-Away: 5:00 p.m.
April 17: Stone Memorial-Home: 5:30 p.m. (JV after)
April 20: Livingston Academy-Home: 5:00 p.m.
April 21: Macon County-Away: 5:00 p.m. (JV after)
April 23: Trousdale County-Away: 5:00 p.m.
April 25: Central Magnet-Home: 11:00 a.m.
April 27: Stone Memorial-Away: 5:30 p.m. (JV after)
April 28: Monterey-Home: 5:30 p.m.
May 1-5: District Tournament-TBA

2020 DCHS Tennis Schedule
The 2020 DCHS Tennis Schedule has been announced.
A pre-season scrimmage will be Tuesday, March 3 at home against Van Buren County starting at 3:30 p.m. with the season opener at Cookeville on March 9 at 4 p.m.
The schedule is as follows:
March 3: Van Buren County- Home: 3:30 p.m.
March 9: Cookeville-Away: 4:00 p.m.
March 12: Cookeville-Home: 3:30 p.m.
March 17: Cumberland-Away: 3:30 p.m.
March 19: Watertown-Away: 3:30 p.m.
March 30: Covenant Academy- Home: 3:30 p.m.
March 31: White County- Home: 3:30 p.m.
April 2: Warren County-Home: 3:30 p.m.
April 6: Cannon County-Away: 3:30 p.m.
April 9: Livingston-Home: 3:30 p.m.
April 13: Watertown-Home: 3:30 p.m.
April 14: Warren County-Home:3:30 p.m.
April 16: Van Buren County-Away: 3:30 p.m.
April 17: Cannon County-Home: 3:30 p.m.
April 23: Rhea County-Home: 3:30 p.m.
April 29-30: Individuals @ Cookeville- TBA
May 1: Individuals Finals @ Cookeville-TBA
May 4: Girls Team Semi-Finals- TBA
May 5: Boys Team Semi-Finals-TBA
May 6: Team Finals @ Cookeville-TBA

L.B.J.& C. Head Start Seeking Applications to Serve Children 3-5 Years of Age
L.B.J.& C. Head Start is currently accepting applications to provide free comprehensive child development services to children 3-5 years of age for all children including children with disabilities in a full day program. School Readiness and the well-being of children is the primary goal at L.B.J.&C. Head Start.

L.B.J.&C. Head Start also focuses on family well-being. Head Start assists families in obtaining their GED, furthering education, seeking employment, obtain affordable housing, and much more.

Let L.B.J.&C. Head Start provide your family with the head start you need to succeed!
For more information contact: Smithville Head Start Center at 615-597-5168.

Book Sale at Alexandria and Justin Potter Libraries
The Alexandria and Justin Potter Library’s Book Sale will start on Friday, February 28th and will continue through Saturday, March 28th. There will be books, audio books, videos and magazines for sale at great prices. The libraries are accepting donations of books and movies that are in good condition for their book sale. They request no textbooks, magazines or encyclopedias, please. Come by and check out what the libraries have to offer. For additional information, contact Justin Potter Library at 615-597-4359 or the Alexandria Library at 615-529-4124. Visit us on our website dekalblibraries.net or Facebook.

DeKalb Middle School Golf Team Matches
Tuesday March 3rd, @ 4:00 (HOME)-Smithville Golf Course. Playing against Watertown and Davidson Academy.
Friday, March 13th @ 4:00 (HOME)
Playing Smith County
Tuesday, March 17th @ 4:00 (HOME)
playing Watertown & Davidson Academy
Monday, March 30th (AWAY) Lebanon County Club
Playing Walter J Baird, Winfree Bryant, Watertown, & Davidson Academy in Lebanon.
Friday, April 3rd (AWAY) Cookeville Golden Eagles Golf
@4:00 playing Smith County.
Tuesday, April 7th (HOME) @ 4:00
Playing Watertown.
Monday, April 13th (AWAY) Lebanon Country.
@4:00 playing Walter J Baird & Winfree Bryant.
Tuesday, April 21 (HOME) @ 4:00
playing Davidson County
Friday, April 24th (HOME) @ 4:00
Playing Watertown & Smith County.

DeKalb County School Calendar
The remainder of the 2020 school year is as follows:
Schools will be closed for Good Friday, April 10 and Spring break March 23 through March 27

Students will not attend on Wednesday, May 20. That will be an administrative day and all teachers must attend. The last day of school will be Thursday, May 21 and report cards will be sent home.

DCHS Graduation will be Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m.

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, March 19 at DeKalb County High School from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Parent-Teacher Conferences will also be held from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 at DeKalb Middle School, Northside Elementary, Smithville Elementary, and DeKalb West School.

Report cards will be sent home on Monday, March 16 and Thursday, May 21.

March 10, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

It’s time to be counted!

DeKalb County residents should receive an invitation this week to complete the U.S. Census. A process done every 10 years required by the U.S. Constitution to count the nation’s population

“You can expect to see the first mailers of an invitation to respond between March 12 and 20 either on-line or over the phone. We officially begin the count on April 1,” said Gabe Powell, Partnership Specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau.

It’s important for residents to complete the questionnaire because billions of dollars are on the line for the Midstate. How the count is done has changed since the last census was taken 10 years ago.

“For the first time ever, we are going to allow the internet option in order to respond to the census survey. It will be available March 12,” said Powell.

If you don’t answer the questions online, there will be the old-fashioned knock on the door, but even that has changed.

“Census takers will have iPhones and tablets this time in order to collect the data. Everything is automated, goes through secure servers and uploaded,” said Powell.

Responding to the census is important. Here’s why every person matters in the count.

“A lot of people don’t realize that each person correlates to dollars that come back to the community,” said Powell.

“Those federal dollars help things like schools, hospitals, roads and all types of infrastructure.”

All households receiving an invitation in the mail will receive a second letter in the mail shortly after reminding them to respond. Then, households that still haven’t responded will receive a series of additional reminders, including a paper questionnaire in mid-April. Census takers will follow up with households that don’t respond to collect responses in person.

10 Questions about the 2020 Census

The U.S. Constitution requires a com¬plete count of the nation’s population every 10 years, but many people do not realize how it works and how important the census is to our community.

1. What is the Census?
The U.S. Census is one of the foundations of our form of government and it’s the first census in the world that was created to give the people power over their government rather than for taxation or conscription into military service. Article 1, Section 2 of the United States Constitution establishes that a national census will be taken every ten years for two specific purposes.

First, each state is be equal in the Senate, but representation in the House of Representatives is based on population, so the number of representatives each state has in Congress is based on the official census population.

Second, the constitution establishes that the census will be used to apportion direct taxes, meaning that part of our federal tax money is redistributed back to the states based on their population. More than $675 billion is returned to local communities each year to support services everyone uses such transportation, health care, education, communication and public safety. These resources are essential to the well-being of all of our neighbors.

2. Why is the 2020 Census important?
Everyone living here benefits from a complete and accurate count to ensure that the services they use – from roads and schools to emergency medical care – are adequately funded. When some folks aren’t counted, it reduces the community’s ability to plan for and provide services that benefit everyone. Because a nationwide count of every person in the United States only occurs every ten years, the results of the census affect us for the next decade.

3. When will the Census begin?
In Mid-March most households will receive a letter from the U.S. Census Bureau inviting them to respond to the 2020 census. Additional mailings will happen roughly each week until the household responds to the Census or a census-taker is able to collect the information in person.

4. How do you respond to the census?
Responding to the census is easy, it’s confidential, and it’s important. For the first time, people will have the option of responding to the census online using their smart phone or a computer, or they can respond by phone, by mail, or when a census-taker comes to their door.

5. What questions are asked on the census form?
The census questionnaire asks just a few questions about each individual living in the home and takes just a few minutes to respond. The householder will need to provide the name, age, sex and race for each person and their relationship to the householder.

6. Should I list relatives and people living here who aren’t related to me?
It’s very important that you include include everyone living or staying in the home, regardless of the person’s age or relationship to the householder. Anyone who does not live most of the time in another place where they will be counted should be counted in your home. Be sure to count infants and young children in the home, whether they are in your custody or not.

7. Will my answers be available to law enforcement, social security, welfare, IRS, immigration, etc.?
Information provided to the U.S. Census Bureau is completely confidential and will not be released to anyone. Under federal law, census responses cannot be shared with any other government agencies and can never be used against you in any way. There are no exceptions.

8. Is this email/phone call from the Census Bureau real?
Please be aware that the Census Bureau will not contact you by email and will only call you on the phone if they need to verify information you provided. If you receive an email about the census, please delete it and do not respond. Also, the census will not ask you for your full social security number or for any financial information such as banking or credit information.

9. How can I help ensure my community is counted?
Conducting the census is a massive undertaking. We encourage everyone to join us in spreading the word. Talk with your friends and neighbors and any community organizations you meet with and tell them how important it is to you all that they respond to the census. Help your community understand that the census is easy and confidential.

10. Should I apply for a job as a census-taker?
If you have extra time, consider applying to work as a census-taker. It’s a very flexible job that is based on your availability and it pays a great wage plus mileage reimbursement. Your extra time during the day or evenings and weekends could help bring more of our federal tax money back to fund schools, roads, healthcare, public safety and other services we all rely on every day.

Just about anyone can be a census-taker… some do it for some extra money, others do it to be part of history, others out of civic duty, and others for fun because they enjoy getting to know more of their neighbors. Whatever your motivation, please apply to help shape the future of your community.

• Census-takers work on their own schedule based on their availability so it’s easy to do this in addition to your other responsibilities. Much of the work will take place afternoons, evenings and weekends.

• You will be visiting homes that have not responded to the census on their own to help ensure that everyone is counted.

• Hiring is happening now. Work will likely run from training and preparatory work in February and March, to field assignments for three to eight weeks between April and June.

• Applicants must be 18 or older, have a valid email address, and have access to reliable transportation.

• Other requirements, details, and the online application are available at 2020census.gov/jobs

March 9, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting a Sobriety Checkpoint on March 13th on US 70 in DeKalb County.

Impaired driving is a serious crime that kills more than 16,000 people and injures 305,000 others every year in the United States. Troopers will evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. Troopers will target those who operate a vehicle while impaired and take corrective actions for other violations observed while ensuring the protection of all motorists.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol recognizes that sobriety checkpoints are highly visible and effective tools in the battle against impaired driving.