Community Calendar Cancellations

April 4, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

COURTHOUSE AND COUNTY OFFICES TO BE CLOSED FOR GOOD FRIDAY

The DeKalb County Courthouse and the County Complex County Offices will be closed Friday, April 10, 2020 in observance of Good Friday. The County Clerk’s office will also be closed Saturday, April 11, 2020.

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING FOR APRIL CANCELED
The regular monthly meeting of the DeKalb County Board of Education for Thursday, April 9 at the Ernest Ray Education Center has been canceled.

SMITHVILLE MAYOR AND ALDERMEN TO MEET
The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen will meet in regular monthly session Monday night, April 6 at 6 p.m. at city hall. The only item on the agenda is a status report on the current state of city operations both current and future due to COVID 19.

EDGAR EVINS STATE PARK CLOSED
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) today announced it will close all 56 Tennessee state parks including Edgar Evins and state-owned state natural areas to the public effective April 4 through April 14, in support of Gov. Bill Lee’s Executive Order 23. This is a complete closure of facilities and access to all Tennessee State Parks and Designated State Natural Areas. “We decided to close the parks in support of Governor Lee’s Executive Order 23,” TDEC Commissioner David Salyers said. “The health and safety of Tennessee citizens is all of our top priority right now.” Tennessee State Parks officials will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.tnstateparks.com.

GOD’S FOOD PANTRY CLOSED
God’s Food Pantry at 430 East Broad Street, Smithville is closed. In order to assure adherence to CDC Corona Virus COVID-19 guidelines revised food giveaway procedures will be developed to protect both those served and the volunteers. These procedures need to take into account that several hundred people receive food on each of the twice a month scheduled pantry days. “Up to this point, persons have always entered the pantry for their food however, this is no longer viable given the number of persons served. In addition, limited outside space makes it difficult for vehicles to be lined up and loaded with food boxes. In consideration of these issues, a revised system might encompass assigning time slots alphabetically and over a different time frame. We are planning on having a revised system in place for the April 17th scheduled food pantry which will be announced,” said Pat Zornow. “It is important to note that volunteers are still available to provide food. We are asking persons who consider their situation an emergency to please call the pantry at 615-597-4540.and leave a message. Within the past week over 60 families have received emergency food boxes,” she added. “Thank you and we apologize for any inconvenience but everyone’s health is of utmost importance. Remember, call 615-597-4540 and leave a message if you need food now,” Zornow said.

COUNTY CLERK PUBLIC FORUM CANCELED
County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss was scheduled to host a public forum on April 9th at the county complex to provide information on available services but the meeting has been canceled.

GOSPEL SINGING FOR RELAY FOR LIFE
The Gospel Singing for Relay for Life scheduled for April 11 at the County Complex has been postponed until further notice.

SNOW HILL BAPTIST CHURCH FOOD MINISTRY TO BE HELD SUNDAY, APRIL 5
Snow Hill Baptist Church will have its food ministry on Sunday, April 5 at 4 p.m. as a drive through ONLY. Line up on the left side of the church.

HAVEN OF HOPE COUNSELING
Haven of Hope Counseling office is not open to the public at this time but is staffed to receive your phone calls and to make teletherapy appointments. Counselors are serving clients through a HIPPA compliant website. However, if the client does not have internet, they are talking with them by phone. They know there is a lot of stress related to the coronavirus and they are here to help. Please call 615-597-4673 if they can be of assistance.

NO TRASH PICKUP IN DOWELLTOWN ON SATURDAYS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Dowelltown Mayor Pam Redmon has announced that the City of Dowelltown will have no trash pickup on Saturdays until further notice. “Do not save your trash. When we resume, only 3 garbage bags per house will be picked up and cannot weigh over 30 pounds. Bags that are torn or not securely closed will not be picked up. We are sorry for this inconvenience and hope this will not last long,” said Mayor Redmon.

CANCER SURVIVORS AND CAREGIVERS RECEPTION DINNER POSTPONED
The annual Cancer Survivors and Caregivers Reception Dinner scheduled for April 16 at the Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church Gym has been postponed until further notice.

DEKALB RELAY FOR LIFE POSTPONED
The 23rd annual DeKalb County Relay for Life has been rescheduled for Friday evening, May 29 at Green Brook Park due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s event had been set for Friday, May 1. Anyone wishing to make a donation may send it to Iva Dell Randolph at 787 Keltonburg Road, Smithville 37166.

OLDER AMERICANS DAY CANCELED
Justin Potter Library has canceled the Older American’s Day Celebration that was scheduled for May 6th due to the Covid-19 virus. We have made this decision to make sure our most at risk citizens are kept safe. “We will decide later whether to reschedule this event for this year or wait until next May. We want to thank the businesses and individuals that already have door prizes or items for the goody bags. We ask them to please store them away for use when this event is rescheduled. Thank you for your understanding during this health crisis,” said Library Director Kathy Hendrixson.

SMITHVILLE GOLF COURSE AND GREEN BROOK PARK CLOSED EXCEPT FOR WALKING TRAIL
Smithville Mayor Josh Miller announced Monday that the Municipal Golf Course and Green Brook Park (except for the walking trail) are now closed to the public due to the threat of the COVID-19. “The City of Smithville as far as our government has stepped up. No one is currently allowed in our city buildings and we just made the call to close our golf course. That was a hard decision because it is an open air facility but the golf course is closed. The shelters, playground area, and restrooms are also closed at Green Brook Park but the walking trail will remain open. Again, we are trying to do all we can as a city but we know we can’t make people stay at home. My advice is that if you don’t have to go somewhere, don’t,” said Mayor Miller.

UCDD OFFICE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
Effective Monday, March 23, the Upper Cumberland Development District office will be closed to the public. Our staff will continue to assist clients primarily via phone and email. Essential services such as nutrition will continue. Individuals seeking assistance through programs and services offered by UCDD are encouraged to contact the office by calling (931) 432-4111.

UCHRA OFFICES CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
Effective Monday, March 23, all UCHRA offices will be closed to the public. Staff will continue to assist clients primarily via phone and email. Individuals seeking assistance through the Low-Inome Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) should contact their local office via phone. Transit services will continue to operate in order to provide individuals with transportation to and from medical appointments, the grocery store, and other needs. All scheduled commodities events during this time will continue as scheduled. For more information, please contact your local UCHRA office or call (931) 528-1127. To reach UCHRA Transit Services, call 1-833-UC TRIPS (828-7477) or visit www.ucpublictransit.com.

COURTHOUSE AND OFFICES IN COUNTY COMPLEX CLOSED TO IN-PERSON BUSINESS
The DeKalb County Government continues to monitor developments and updates from federal and state public health officials related to the coronavirus. Beginning Friday March 20th, the DeKalb County Courthouse and the main entrance of the County Complex County Offices will be locked in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Employees are still reporting to work but residents who need to do business with them are urged to call first. Signage is posted on doors with phone number of each office for people to call. They will inform you how your business will be handled. The County Clerk’s drive thru window is open.

MIKE FOSTER MULTI PURPOSE CENTER CLOSED
The Mike Foster Multipurpose Center is closed. This will include the exercise room. If you have rented a room, you can reschedule or request a refund.

DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOLS CLOSED THROUGH FRIDAY, APRIL 24
DeKalb County Schools are closed through Friday, April 24 due to the coronavirus threat. All planned school related trips, extracurricular activities, and sporting events are also canceled during this time.

DEKALB COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM CLOSED
The DeKalb County Library System is closed until further notice, and as deemed appropriate by local, and federal health agencies. “Please know that closing the libraries was not an easy decision, but one that was made to ensure the wellbeing of the community and the library staff during this pandemic.We want to continue to serve the community as long as possible with the following services,” said Library Director Kathy Hendrixson: Wi-Fi will be available outside the buildings as usual. The Tennessee READS Digital Downloads is available at all times for audiobooks, ebooks and other online materials by going to the link on our website at dekalblibraries.net. You need an active library card for use. There are special options on the READS site for those they do not have library cards. The Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL) is also available. You can renew and reserve materials by logging into your account on our website or calling the library at 615-597-4359 Monday through Friday from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm. If you reserve an item we will call you and assign a time for curb side pickup during our revised hours at Justin Potter Library. All items can be returned in our outside book drops. Fines will be waived during the time the libraries are closed for this situation. Please check us out on Facebook for more information,” added Hendrixson.

COUNTY CLERK ENCOURAGES PUBLIC USE OF DRIVE-THROUGH WINDOW FOR SERVICES
County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss reminds patrons that all of its transactions in the County Clerk’s Office will be completed by the drive-thru service beginning today (Friday, March 20). As a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus, we are offering online and drive-thru service for the safety of our customers and employees, based on recommendations from the CDC and the Tennessee Department of Health. We recommend utilizing online services available at www.tncountyclerk.com whenever possible. While DeKalb County Clerk’s office is implementing the CDC’s recommended social distancing practices, we are still committed to serving you. Full staff will continue working normal business hours providing services for both businesses and citizens. In-person services are currently Not available. Please contact our office for assistance. Our phone number is 615-597-5177. We apologize for the inconvenience during this time. Office Hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

DEKALB SENIOR CENTER CLOSED
The DeKalb Senior Center is closed to the public. If you need assistance, call 615-597-7575 and leave a message.

ALEXANDRIA SENIOR CENTER CLOSED
The Alexandria Senior Center is closed

SMITHVILLE CITY HALL BUILDING CLOSED BUT DRIVE-THROUGH WINDOW OPEN
Although Smithville residents will not experience an interruption of city services, they will have to do city hall business at the drive-through window until further notice. The Smithville City Hall building is closed to the public for in-person visits or any business transactions. This will apply to the city hall offices of the mayor, city administrator, public works, police, tax, or water and sewer department. City officials will still be working normal business hours but if you have a need you will have to call city hall at 615-597-4745 or the police department at 615-597-8210 or you may stop by the drive through window to speak to a city employee. Payments may also be made at the drive through window, by phone, at the city hall night depository, or online at www.smithvillecityhall.com.

CIRCUIT COURT CLERK ENCOURAGES PUBLIC USE OF ONLINE SERVICES
DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin is asking that anyone having business with her office please call 615-597-5711 or conduct business online if possible. Customers can do certain business and make payments via the DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk website by clicking the link below and following the prompts. http://www.dekalbtennessee.com/circuitcourtclerk.html

COURTS CLOSED TO IN-PERSON PROCEEDINGS
By order of Tennessee Supreme Court Ruling, In Person Court Proceedings have been temporarily suspended until April 30, 2020. Due to this order In—Person court proceedings and hearings scheduled for this timeframe that are not of an emergent or immediate nature will not be held until after April 30, 2020. If you have an attorney – you should contact your attorney to potentially reschedule your court date. If you feel your matter is an emergency and can’t wait please call the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. This suspension applies to all DeKalb County Courts including General Sessions, Circuit, Chancery, Criminal, Child Support, DCS, Juvenile Court, and the City of Smithville Municipal Court. Also no driver safety school will be held April 2. It has been re-scheduled to May 7. All persons summoned for the new Grand Jury and term of court March 30 will need to call 615-597-5711 extension 6 for further jury information after 5 p.m. April 30.

DEKALB SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESTRICTING PUBLIC ACCESS
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office is restricting public access to the facility until further notice due to the threat of the coronavirus. “Our number one priority is to prevent possible exposure to staff as well as inmates therefore we have placed the sheriff’s office and jail on a soft lock down which means that the general public will not be able to enter the facility. The front door to the lobby will be locked. Anyone in need of an officer or services such as a warrant must press a button at the front door which will ring for a correctional officer who will meet you at the door to offer assistance,” said Sheriff Patrick Ray. For all non-emergency issues please call 615-597-4935. “Tuesday night church services and family visitations with inmates at the jail will be prohibited except for online visitations and the inmate roadside litter pickup program will be suspended until the threat subsides,” said Sheriff Ray. “Offenders brought into the jail will undergo established protocols during this time and rather than an in court appearance, video conferences will be arranged for defendants needing an immediate hearing before a judge for certain matters such as bond conditions, etc.,” he added.

OTHER CANCELLATIONS
*The New Union The Baptist Church has canceled all services for the month of April

*All services and meeting at Keltonburg United Methodist Church are cancelled through April 26, 2020.

*Easter in the Park by the Smithville Church of God has been canceled April 12

*Whorton Springs Baptist Church is suspending services until further notice. Sunday Services will be via “FaceBook” Sunday at 11am and by home delivery of DVD’s . Wednesday Night Bible Study will also be conducted on Facebook at 6pm.

*The Keltonburg Missionary Baptist Church has canceled all services until further notice.

*Keltonburg United Methodist Church has cancelled all services through April 5th.

*New Hope The Baptist Church of White County is cancelling services including the April 11 singing.

*Temple Independent Missionary Baptist Church is cancelling services until further notice

*Mount Pisgah Free Will Baptist Church is cancelling all services until further notice

*The Smithville AG will not be having any services or functions at their physical location through April 30

*The Father-Daughter Dance to benefit Habitat for Humanity April 4th has been canceled. It will be rescheduled later in the year

*The Harlem Wizards fundraising basketball game to benefit the DeKalb Middle School Junior BETA Club set for April 9th has been cancelled.

*Chamber of Commerce Banquet April 30th has been canceled.

The following churches in the Salem Baptist Association have suspended services until further notice:
Shiloh Baptist, Snow Hill Baptist, Memorial Baptist, Mt Zion Baptist, Wolf Creek Baptist, Dry Creek Baptist, Plainview Baptist, Lakewood Baptist, Indian Creek Baptist Church will have drive-in services, Covenant Baptist has a regular Sunday program on WJLE at 10:30 a.m.

The following churches will have services on facebook/live. To watch you need to go to their Facebook page and “like” their page: Dowelltown Baptist, Malone’s Chapel Baptist, Prosperity Baptist, Salem Baptist, Upper Helton Baptist, West Main Baptist, Calvary Baptist, Elizabeth Chapel Baptist, Mt Herman Baptist, New Home Baptist, Outreach Baptist, Smithville First Baptist, Whorton Springs Baptist, Auburn Baptist Church, Woodbury First Baptist, Pleasant View Baptist, and Lakewood Baptist Church will be online via the church website.

April 4, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, April 1st officially started the 2020 Census. You should have received your Census form in the mail. Your help is needed to make sure there is an accurate population count.

The U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. Responding to the 2020 Census is easy, safe and important, and is key to shaping the future of communities. Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and informs legislative district boundaries. They also inform how hundreds of billions of dollars in public funds are allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers to communities for public services and infrastructure like hospitals, emergency services, schools and bridges each year over the next 10 years.

36.2 percent of households across the nation have responded to the 2020 Census since invitations began arriving in mailboxes March 12-20. Response rates are updated in the map daily seven days a week so that the public can see how well their community is doing compared to the nation and other areas.

The Census Bureau is strongly encouraging the public to respond to the 2020 Census online using a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet. You can respond online or by phone in English or 12 other languages. There are also 59 non-English language guides and videos (plus American Sign Language) available on 2020census.gov ensuring over 99% of U.S. households can respond online in their preferred language. It has never been easier to respond on your own — all without having to meet a census taker. This is really important with the current health and safety guidance being provided by national, state and local health authorities.

When you respond:

• Respond for where you live.

• Include everyone who usually lives and sleeps in your home as of April 1, even if they are staying somewhere else temporarily. This includes relatives, friends, roommates and anyone else who lives and sleeps in your home most of the time — even children under age five and babies born on or before April 1, even if they are still in the hospital.

• Count college students where they live while attending school. If they live on campus in university/college housing such as dorms or fraternity/sorority houses, they will be counted by school officials and do not need to respond. However, if they live off campus in private housing or apartments, they should respond to the census on their own using their off-campus address even if they are currently staying elsewhere.

• Find additional answers about “Who to Count” at 2020census.gov.

You can use the Census ID from your invitation or provide your address when you respond. Then, please make sure your friends, family and social networks know about the importance of responding and encourage them to complete their census. Responding now will minimize the need for a census taker to follow up and visit your home later this year.

Some households — in areas less likely to respond online — have already received a paper questionnaire along with their first invitation. Households that have not responded online or by phone will receive a paper questionnaire April 8-16.

For more information, visit 2020census.gov.

Please note: Based on continuing assessments of guidance from federal, state and local health authorities, the Census Bureau is suspending 2020 Census field operations to April 15, 2020. The Census Bureau is taking this step to help protect the health and safety of the American public, Census Bureau employees, and everyone who will go through the hiring process for temporary census taker positions. The Census Bureau continues to evaluate all 2020 Census field operations, and will communicate any further updates as soon as possible.

The 2020 Census is open for self-response online at 2020Census.gov, over the phone by calling the number provided in your invitation, and by paper through the mail.

Remember, you can reply 3 different ways:

Online at https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/responding-online.html

Phone – 1-844-330-2020

Mail it back

The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how federal dollars will flow into communities every year for the next decade. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location. School lunches, grants that support teachers and special education, support for emergency services, programs for older adults, and highway projects are just a very few examples of federal funding supporting the county.

Your participation is critical to making sure DeKalb County receives its share of federal funding. Every person counts!

Visit www.2020census.gov for more information.

April 3, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) today announced it will close all 56 Tennessee state parks including Edgar Evins and state-owned state natural areas to the public effective April 4 through April 14, in support of Gov. Bill Lee’s Executive Order 23. This is a complete closure of facilities and access to all Tennessee State Parks and Designated State Natural Areas.

“We decided to close the parks in support of Governor Lee’s Executive Order 23,” TDEC Commissioner David Salyers said. “The health and safety of Tennessee citizens is all of our top priority right now.”

Tennessee State Parks officials will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.tnstateparks.com.