County and Cities may get Local Government Recovery and Rebuilding Direct Appropriation Grants

March 5, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County and the four cities within the county may be getting another financial shot in the arm later this year thanks to the Governor and the State of Tennessee.

Gov. Bill Lee has included “Local Government Recovery and Rebuilding Direct Appropriation Grant” allocations in his Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget proposal which will be considered for passage by the Tennessee General Assembly.

State Senator Mark Pody told WJLE Thursday that under the proposal, DeKalb County would receive an allocation of $657, 519 and the cities would get the following amounts:

*Smithville: $136,914

*Alexandria: $52,144

*Liberty: $37,221

*Dowelltown: $38,796

If approved funds will be available after August 1, 2021. Funding is based on population as published by the US Census Bureau (as of July 1, 2019).

Local jurisdictions will receive a direct appropriation letter via email from the department of Finance and Administration no later than July 31, 2021. Information about the process for accessing the grants will be included in the letter.

The grants are one-time funding and are to be used exclusively for one-time expenses as opposed to annually recurring expenses. Funds may not be used to support recurring expenditures such as salaries, debt issuance or existing programs and/or services. Use of funds for new building construction is not allowed, outside of permitted spending categories.

Funds may be used as a match to leverage other funds. No local funding match is required.
Funds can be used on multiple projects.

March 5, 2021
By:

The Tennessee Housing Development Agency is allowing renters and landlords to apply for up to 12 months of cumulative rent and/or utility payments through its new COVID-19 Rent Relief Program.

The COVID-19 Rent Relief Program was developed to support renters who are, or have been, struggling to pay rent, utilities or other home energy costs due to loss of income resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

“The pandemic has had a tremendous impact on the livelihoods of countless Tennesseans,” THDA Executive Director Ralph M. Perrey said. “This program is designed to help people stay in their homes by covering eligible rent and/or utility costs they are unable to pay due to the challenges presented by COVID-19.”

THDA will administer this program in 91 of Tennessee’s 95 counties. Renters in those counties who have experienced economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and earn less than 80 percent of the area median income may be eligible for this assistance. For example, in DeKalb County, a 4-person household making less than $43,850 annually could qualify for this funding. More details on eligibility are available online or individuals can call (844) 500-1112.

To start the application process, a landlord or tenant should access the online portal or call the COVID-19 Rent Relief Call Center at (844) 500-1112. Both landlords and tenants will be required to provide verification and documentation as proof of eligibility. Once approved, payments will be made directly to the landlord or utility company on behalf of the tenant. Individuals can monitor the status of their application and payment through the online portal.

THDA received $384 million in direct funding from the U.S. Treasury to administer the emergency rent relief program in 91 of Tennessee’s 95 counties. Davidson, Knox, Rutherford and Shelby counties will administer their own rent relief programs.

For more information on the THDA COVID-19 rent relief program, or to apply for assistance, visit thda.org/covidrentrelief or call (844) 500-1112.

March 4, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Desmond Nokes has been one of the brightest stars on the DCHS Tiger football team over the last four years. Soon he will be advancing to the college ranks where he hopes to shine just as brightly as an athlete.

Family and friends joined Nokes Wednesday at DCHS where the senior signed a letter of intent to play for the UT Martin Skyhawks.

Nokes, who has left his mark at DCHS as a gifted football player on offense, defense, and as a kick returner, said he is anxious to further his skills at the college level.

“UT Martin for me was the best option I had as far as financially and the highest level football I can play at as far as offer wise so that is why I chose them,” said Nokes.

As for his studies, Nokes said he may explore music therapy and or possibly theology.

Nokes’ talents on the field contributed to many Tiger victories over the last three years including the game winning touchdown pass reception over Macon County in October to earn the Tiger program its first ever regular season region football championship in school history.

“He has played a lot of football for us. He was sprinkled in there as a freshman but ever since his sophomore year he has been a consistent name on the field. He has made plays in all three phases of the game. Twice in his career he was named All Region Return Man of the Year so he had a lot of plays on special teams. These last two years he really became a playmaker on offense as a wide receiver. This past year he averaged over 20 yards a catch so when he was catching the football it was big plays. His catch to touchdown ratio was also huge. He sealed the region win for us at Macon County with a touchdown catch late in the fourth quarter. Defensively he also helped us in a way that we didn’t have to worry about one side of the field as far as the passing game goes. Not a lot of people tested him. He was a student and technician of the game and worked extremely hard,” said Tiger Coach Steve Trapp.

With Nokes’ signing, that brings to four the number of DCHS football players from the 2020-21 senior class who will be playing at the college level including Axel Aldino (University of Central Missouri), Tyzaun Ladet (Bethel University), and Evan Jones (Tennessee Tech).

“ This class now has four guys who are going to play college football. We have never had that many before from one class. I am super proud of all of them for what they have meant to us. They accomplished a lot and they set the bar pretty high for every senior class coming behind them,” said Coach Trapp.

Team and All-Region Awards for Desmond Nokes are as follows:

*2018 Team Defensive Back
*2018 All-Region Most Outstanding Returner
*2019 Team Defensive Player of the Year
*2019 All Region Most Outstanding Returner
*2020 All Region Offensive MVP
* 2020 Team Offensive Player of the Year

The UT Martin Skyhawks football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Tennessee at Martin in Martin, Tennessee. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision and are members of the Ohio Valley Conference. The school’s first football team was fielded in 1925, while known as Hall-Moody Junior College. The team plays its home games at the 7,500 seat Graham Stadium. They are coached by Jason Simpson.