Mike Foster to make another run for County Mayor

December 6, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A former DeKalb County Mayor is hoping to make a return to the office where he served for three terms from 2002 to 2014.

Mike Foster has announced that he will be a candidate for nomination in the DeKalb County Democratic Primary on May 3, 2022. The primary nominee will run in the County General Election in August 2022.

Foster’s formal announcement is as follows:

“I would like to take this opportunity to announce my candidacy for nomination of DeKalb County Mayor in the Democratic Primary on May 3, 2022″.

“I am the son of the late Richard and Alice Foster of Smithville. I attended and graduated from DeKalb County High School, as did my wife and children. Following high school, I earned a B.S. in Plant and Soil Science, with additional studies in Fish and Wildlife Management from Tennessee Technological University”.

“My wife Wanna (Finn) Foster earned her B.S. and Master of Arts Degree from Tennessee Tech and taught 1st grade in the DeKalb County School System for 30 years. Wanna and I have two children. Our daughter, Kelli earned her B.S. from M.T.S.U and a Masters Degree from Tennessee Tech. Our son, Lee graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Music Business with Mass Communications and Marketing Minors”.

“I worked for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency as an Officer, Sergeant, Assistant Supervisor, and for 26 years as Area Supervisor for an eight county Area. My duties there included preparing and managing a budget for the eight counties, Law Enforcement, supervising and evaluating Wildlife and Boating Officers, inventory and maintenance of equipment, as well as many other things as the need arose”.

“Following my tenure with the T.W.R.A., I served as DeKalb County Mayor until 2014. Duties there also included Budget prep and management, maintenance of county property not assigned to other Elected or Appointed Officials, grant applications, working with all other Officials to remodel or construct County Buildings necessary for the benefit of our County. I am extremely proud of the accomplishments the County Commission and I were able to achieve with the help and involvement of all other County Officials. In the next weeks, I would like to discuss these things with you, but most importantly your ideas for the future”.

“One of the best examples of decisive leadership, is the ability to bring people together. Our County Mayor, County Commissioners, and all elected, or appointed officials must work together, and collectively be involved, informed, and decisive when dealing with our county’s business or our citizens’ concerns”.

“I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible, and discussing your ideas, views, and visions. I also want to share with you my pragmatic views about the need for the County Commission and Officials to work together as a team to address issues and needs. I believe very strongly in the importance of proper maintenance of County buildings, equipment and vehicles”.

“I continuously see the need for openness for transparency in every decision we make as a team,” said Foster

December 6, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County School District reported 5 positive cases of COVID on Friday, December 3 which is down from 7 cases two weeks ago.

There were 2 positive cases on Monday, November 29 including1 each at DeKalb West School and Northside Elementary School. By Friday, December 3 there were 5 cases district-wide including 3 at DeKalb Middle School and 1 each at Northside and Smithville Elementary School.

The number of those under quarantine increased from 19 on Monday, November 29 to 23 by Friday, December 3.

According to Attendance Supervisor Joey Reeder, there were 8 under quarantine at DeKalb West School, 5 at DCHS, and 3 each at DeKalb Middle and Smithville Elementary on Monday, November 29. By Friday, December 3 the number increased to 23 district-wide including 7 at DeKalb West School, 5 at DCHS, 4 each at DeKalb Middle and Smithville Elementary, and 3 at Northside Elementary School.

The district reported 2 absences among the staff on Friday, December 3 due to a positive case or quarantine including 1 each at Northside and Smithville Elementary School

Meanwhile the number of active COVID cases in DeKalb County as of Friday, December 3 was 60 with 9 new cases.

There have been 77 deaths in DeKalb County since the pandemic began in March 2020 and 114 have been hospitalized.

At last report 43.8% of the DeKalb County population had received at least one dose of COVID vaccine and 38.3% were fully vaccinated.

Over the last seven days, (November 26 to December 2 DeKalb County had a case count of 38 for a daily case rate of 26.5 per 100,000 residents.

For the most recent 14 days, (November 19 to December 2) DeKalb County’s case count was 64 for a daily case rate of 22.3 per 100,000 residents.

For the 14 days prior (November 5-18), the case count was 38 for a daily case rate of 33.2 per 100, 000 residents.

From March 5, 2020, to December 2, 2021, DeKalb County has had a total of 4,328 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 for a daily case rate of 33.2 per 100,000 residents.

Over the last 7 days the average percent positive was 12.2%.

December 6, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Santa made another appearance in DeKalb County on Sunday night for the Alexandria Christmas Parade.

The town’s annual holiday tradition, held for the second consecutive year after dark, gave onlookers a chance to experience the spirit of the season under the glow of lights along the parade route from West Main Street to the downtown square.

The parade made its way into town led by Alexandria Police Chief Chris Russell. The Parade also featured floats, the DCHS band, vintage automobiles, horseback riders, ATVS, fire trucks, Mr. and Miss DeKalb County Michael and Tara Hale, State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver, Smithville- DeKalb Rescue Squad, DeKalb EMS, Santa Claus, and more.

Ricky and Ria Baker served as Grand Marshals

In the float category, Eric Kinslow won 1st place. For best vintage automobiles, Mike Stallard and Justin Paschal tied for 1st place. Stallard had a 1957 Dodge Power Wagon Pickup and Paschal a 1964 Chevy C10.

In the ATV category, Lucas Nugent and Joshua won 1st place

Drawings for prizes followed the parade.