U.S. Census Staff Coming to Alexandria to Offer Mobile Questionnaire Assistance

August 24, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County wants to make sure YOU are counted in the 2020 Census. Accurate Census counts are critical to our community’s future, determining federal representation and how state and federal funding are allocated.

U.S. Census Bureau Staff will be back in DeKalb County at Prichard’s Foods in Alexandria Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, August 24, 26, & 28 for mobile questionnaire assistance to help people respond online to the 2020 Census. Look for them from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on those days.

The current DeKalb County self response rate to the census is at 50.3% which is approximately 12% below the Tennessee average. Self response rates for the cities are as follows: Liberty-49.2%, Alexandria 55.2%, Smithville 57.4%, and Dowelltown 57. 4%. The final county wide response rate for 2010 was 62.3%.

The Mobile Questionnaire Assistance (MQA) program is part of the Census Bureau’s final push to encourage people to complete the 2020 Census before beginning door-to door efforts at non-responsive households. At MQA events census response representatives will help people complete the census on a provided tablet or on their own device and can assist with any questions.

Assistance will be provided while practicing state and local social distancing protocols. All census workers have been trained in social distancing protocols and issued personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks to be worn during MQA support. During all outreach efforts, staff are identified with an ID badge with their name, photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark seal, and an expiration date. They will have an official Census Bureau issued bag and tablet. MQA locations will have banners bearing the 2020 Census logo. Residents can continue to respond to the Census online or by phone via www.my2020census.gov or 1-844-330-2020. Likewise, anyone in need of assistance for completing the Census can visit one of the MQA sites in your community.

August 23, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Keeping up with your vehicle registration has been made easier and more convenient.

DeKalb County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss said the free Auto Assistant App available through the Tennessee Department of Revenue’s Software provider allows users to manage all of their vehicle’s registrations and renewals in one place.

“With this app, you are able to present instant electronic proof of registration, receive notifications of renewal dates, and easily renew your registration. The instant proof of insurance will display your insurance provider, policy number, effective date, etc. Your registration will display full details of your registration including owners, expiration date, title number and VIN. For vehicles with recalls, it will itemize each recall viewable by drop down selection. This app lets you program in as many vehicles, trailers etc. as you wish simply by inputting the plate number and title number both found on your registration,” said Poss.

By online renewing, the transaction will be processed by the next business day and mailed directly to the customer. Once your renewal is processed it will immediately appear on your app. This is now an acceptable legal proof of registration/renewal via your app for law enforcement until your paper copy arrives in the mail.

“You DO NOT have to renew online to use this app. However; online or over the phone renewals are charged card processing and mail fees. Please help spread the word and share the app. If you would like information or assistance regarding or downloading this app please give our office a call,” added Poss.

“We have had questions from a few people about renewal reminders via mail. These renewal reminders are provided from the state and not local County Clerk’s offices. The state is still currently mailing these out but if you are not receiving yours let us know and we will request a correction from them in an attempt to rectify any issues. Our office can also set email reminders if you request it or you may log onto tncountyclerk and select DeKalb County to request the email reminder at your convenience. There are now more options available than ever to track your registered personal property. Feel free to contact our office with any questions or assistance regarding your registration,” said Poss.

June 2, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The Tennessee Highway Patrol investigated a three vehicle crash Saturday at the intersection of Highway 70 & 96 in Liberty but no one was injured.

Trooper Troy Withers of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said 36 year old Ty Garber of Lascassas was behind the wheel of a 2010 GMC Sierra on Highway 96 at the intersection attempting a left turn to head west on Highway 70 when his truck T-boned an eastbound 2017 Isuzu Carvana driven by 45 year old Charles Haje of Clarkrange. The impact forced the Carvana to sideswipe a Honda minivan driven by 29 year old Arthur Kinsey who was trying to turn left from Highway 70 onto Highway 96.