Early Voting Dates and Times Set for May 3 Primaries

March 17, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Election Commission has set the early voting hours for the May primaries

Early voting begins April 13 and runs through April 28 and will be held at the DeKalb County Courthouse in Smithville and limited hours at the Fairgrounds in Alexandria.

Early voting hours in Smithville are as follows: Mondays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Thursdays 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to Noon.

Early voting hours in Alexandria will be Tuesday April 19th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday April 25 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

All properly registered voters can vote early at either location. Early voting will not be held on Good Friday.

March 17, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb Prevention Coalition will be hosting the Tennessee National Guard Counter Drug Task Force’s Stashed Away Trailer in the parking lot of the DeKalb County Complex on Tuesday, March 29.

The trailer is a mobile display designed to simulate a “typical” teenager’s bedroom, complete with all the paraphernalia and imagery one would expect to see but not necessarily understand from today’s younger culture. In the room, attendees will learn the meanings of signs, symbols and clothing, common hiding spots, and other precursors that can be tips for otherwise unsuspecting parents. The goal is to empower adults with the knowledge and tools to make an impact when talking to youth and to deter them from substance use and abuse.

“Everyday parents and guardians easily miss the signs of youth substance abuse. The Stashed Away Trailer is a substance abuse awareness event for parents. The trailer replicates a teenager’s bedroom and the potential items that can be indicators of experimentation with drugs and alcohol,” said Jennifer Matthews, Director of the DeKalb Prevention Coalition.

Prior to the walk through of the trailer, participants are asked to attend a meeting to become better informed about detecting the signs of youth substance abuse.

“Officers will have a presentation on current youth trends. DPC will also give an update on prevention efforts we have for the month of March,” said Matthews.

Youth today have more opportunities with less education on the danger of illegal substances. Newer substances become more readily available to a wider market. Many times, substances are disguised as everyday objects to covertly conceal them inside a simple can of soda or a hairbrush. Parents and teachers who are not informed as to what things mean to a user can be the difference between a child/youth progressing in the cycle of substance use and abuse. This program will educate parents and teachers of youth (primarily preteen and teenage at-risk youth) on the warning signs to identify potentially dangerous behaviors and lifestyle choices as well as how to intervene for a more positive outcome on behalf of those young targets before their life choices become terminal decisions. Drugs, violence and crime don’t discriminate against gender, skin color, religion or affiliation. Everyone can fall victim, and everyone is responsible to educate the next generation. At the conclusion of the experience, attendees will be provided with valuable resources such as: contact information for local prevention coalitions, substance abuse counselors, specific informational brochures, and much more. This will allow parents and teachers to continue fighting on behalf of their youth with the information gained from the experience.

The meeting will be Tuesday, March 29th at 12-Noon with a free lunch provided in the UT Extension training room at the Community Complex. Enter the building through the UT Extension double doors. The first room on the right is the training room. The training is free, and the lunch is free. The stashed away trailer will be in the large parking lot of the Community Complex until 2 p.m. that day.

If you are interested in attending the meeting, you may email the coalition at dekalbtnprevention@gmail or send a facebook message so they can have an estimate for lunch.

March 16, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Dylan has been living at the DeKalb Animal Shelter for a long time. In fact, he has been there longer than any other pet. And while Dylan is welcome there, he needs a forever home.

Will you be that loving, caring family who gives him such a home?

You can adopt Dylan this week. He is the WJLE/DeKalb Animal Shelter featured “Pet of the Week”

“Dylan is our longest shelter resident. He has been with us eight months. He is a three-year-old Shepherd mix. Dylan is really good on a leash. He behaves well and loves to play. He is very dominant, so he needs to be the only dog in the household but if you have another dog we are open to having a meet and greet with them. He is great with people especially kids. Dylan is also sponsored by our “friends of “ organization so his adoption fee has been reduced to $100. He is neutered and is up to date on all his vaccinations. Dylan is micro-chipped and ready to go,” said Shelter Director Emmaly Bennett.

“ If you are interested in adopting Dylan go to our website at https://www.dekalbanimalsheltertn.com/ and fill out an adoption application and we will call you to set up a time for you to come in and meet him,” said Bennett.

The shelter is now open Monday-Friday from 8 to 4 and Saturday from 8 to 12 on Transfer Station Road behind Tenneco Automotive.