DeKalb County Early Voting Turnout Hits Record High

October 30, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County hit a record high for early voting turnout at 5,089 for the November 3 election.

The early voting period ended Thursday with 510 casting ballots including 487 in person and 23 by absentee. That brings the 14 day total from October 14-29 at 5,089 (4,635 in person and 454 absentees), up by 1,097 over the early voting/absentee turnout of 3,992 for the 2016 Presidential election. DeKalb County has 12,509 registered voters.

Election day voting on Tuesday, November 3 will be from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. at all 15 precincts in DeKalb County.

Safeguards are in place to help protect both workers and voters during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Dennis Stanley, Administrator of Elections the largest precinct vote turnout was the courthouse precinct at 53.1% while the lowest precinct vote was Belk at 18.7%.

Voting by precinct compared to the number of registered voters by precinct is as follows from October 14-29:

Alexandria: 407 voted (registered voters in this precinct 1,320 (30.8 % voted)

Temperance Hall: 177 voted (504 registered voters in this precinct (35.1% voted)

Edgar Evins State Park: 19 voted (100 registered voters in this precinct (19% voted)

Liberty: 169 voted (544 registered voters in this precinct (31% voted)

Dowelltown: 182 voted (535 registered voters in this precinct (34% voted)

Snow Hill: 280 voted (710 registered voters in this precinct (39.4% voted)

Church of God: 836 voted (1,812 registered voters in this precinct (46.1% voted)

Rock Castle: 39 voted (188 registered voters in this precinct (20.7% voted)

Courthouse: 938 voted (1,766 registered voters in this precinct (53.1% voted)

Johnson’s Chapel: 206 voted (532 registered voters in this precinct (38.7% voted)

County Complex: 663 voted (1,347 registered voters in this precinct (49. 2% voted)

Belk: 73 voted (389 registered voters in this precinct (18.7% voted)

Keltonburg: 217 voted (576 registered voters in this precinct (37.6% voted)

Blue Springs: 192 voted (628 registered voters in this precinct (30.5% voted)

Church of Christ Annex: 691 voted (1,558 registered voters in this precinct (44.3% voted)

Voting totals for the 14 days of early voting were as follows:

*Wednesday, October 14- 528 cast ballots including 287 in person and 241 by absentee.

*Thursday, October 15 – 320 voted including 303 in person and 17 absentees

*Friday, October 16- 340 including 336 in person and 4 absentees

*Saturday, October 17- 268 including 247 in person and 21 absentees

*Monday, October 19- 362 which was 346 in person (including Webb House residents) and 16 absentees.

*Tuesday, October 20-326 including 317 in person and 9 by absentee

*Wednesday, October 21- 356 including 328 in person and 28 by absentee

*Thursday, October 22- 375 voted including nursing home residents and 3 absentees.

*Friday, October 23-419 including 403 in person and 16 by absentee

*Saturday, October 24-299 all in person

* Monday, October 26- 342 including 312 in person and 30 by absentee

*Tuesday, October 27- 336 including 303 in person and 33 by absentee

*Wednesday, October 28- 308 including 295 in person and 13 by absentee

*Thursday, October 29- 510 including 487 in person and 23 by absentee

October 29, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A 41 year old Smithville man lost his life in a two car crash Thursday morning on Dale Ridge Road (Highway 96) near Jones Lane.

Dead is Bryan E. Clark.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Clark was traveling south in a yellow 2003 Toyota Celica when he crossed into the oncoming lane while negotiating a right curve and struck a northbound maroon 2010 Dodge Avenger driven by 33 year old Echo M. Hicks of Sparta. 38 year old Virgil Willis of Brush Creek was a passenger with Hicks.

Clark, who was not wearing a seatbelt, died at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash. Hicks suffered non-incapacitating injuries. Willis was not hurt. Both Hicks and Willis had their seatbelts on at the time of the crash.

Trooper Troy Withers of the Tennessee Highway Patrol conducted the investigation assisted by Trooper Jonathon Burke and Trooper Dylan Palmer.

Clark’s death marks the 6th traffic fatality of the year in DeKalb County.

October 28, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The 9th annual “Smithville Boo Bash” is scheduled for Friday, October 30th, 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Due to Covid-19 businesses are encouraged to set up outside.

The City plans to block off streets around the public square starting at 11:30 a.m. Friday morning.

“We will be conducting this event as safely as we possibly can which means that we encourage parents to incorporate masks into your child’s costume,” said Beth Adcock of the Smithville Police Department.

“Events have been cancelled since March and we want the citizens of DeKalb County to have something to look forward to. We know some have been staying home and that children and parents are ready to get out and enjoy themselves so we ask that everyone keep safety in mind and have fun. We are looking forward to this years Halloween event,” she said.

Any business that would like to set up a tent and participate, contact Beth Adcock at 615-597-8210 ext 1.

During the Smithville Halloween Boo Bash, the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber will be sponsoring the Best Costume Contest and Best Decorations for participating Smithville businesses and offices. To enter, take a picture with your cellphone and send it to 615-464-7760 by 1 PM on Friday, October 30th. Winners will be presented a “Boo Bash” Best Costume or Best Decoration award, local media and social media recognition, winner announcements on the November WJLE Chamber Chat Radio and DTC TV program, and most important – “bragging rights!”

Justin Potter Library will host a Facebook Live Storytime on Friday, October 30th at 10:00 AM. Please join us for a story about “Bats at the Library” by Brian Lies and then come to town from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM for the Downtown Halloween “Boo Bash”. We are looking forward to giving away goodies in front of the library to the little trick or treaters dressed up in their favorite costumes. Please call the library at 615-597-4359 or visit us on Facebook or our website at www.dekalblibraries.net for more information.