Gas Prices Soaring!

October 21, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Gas prices in the Smithville area continue to climb.

The highest price for a gallon of regular gas is at DeKalb Market at $3.19. The cheapest is at Village Market and Highway 56 Market and Deli at $3.05 per gallon. All other locations around Smithville were $3.09 per gallon as of Thursday morning according to their outdoor signs.

The average gas price in Tennessee has increased by double digits for the second straight week, AAA said Tuesday.

Gas prices across the state have jumped 10 cents since last Monday, bringing the average price of gas in Tennessee to $3.12. That’s 22 cents more expensive than one month ago and $1.18 higher than this time last year.

AAA spokeswoman Megan Cooper said in a press release that prices likely will continue to climb in the coming months.

“Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like drivers will be finding relief at the pump any time soon,” Cooper said. “Global supply concerns continue to keep upward pressure on the price of crude oil, which is now closing daily above $80 per barrel.”

October 20, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Who makes the best chili in DeKalb County? Find out on Friday, October 22nd when Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County hosts a Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale.

Chili will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the DeKalb Courthouse Lawn. For a cash donation, eat all the chili you want and vote for your favorite chili and the best decorated booth. Delicious baked goods prepared by members of local churches will also be for sale. Take out is also available.

“We are looking forward to another great day of good food and fellowship at the chili cook-off,” said Alex Woodward, president of Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County. “The proceeds from the Chili Cook-off will be used towards building another Habitat house with a DeKalb County family, so we hope everyone will come out and eat lots of chili for a great cause!”

Thirteen teams will be competing in the Chili Cook-off this year: “Hot Checks Chili” from Wilson Bank and Trust; “Gas It Up Chili” from DeKalb Market; “The Courthouse Gang”- the DeKalb County Officials ; “FirstBank First Choice Chili” from FirstBank,; Smithville Electric System; Adoration Home Health; “Top Gunners” from AMVETS Post 101; “Legal Limit Spice” from Tecia Puckett Pryor, Attorney/Center Hill Title LLC, “Brandon Cox for Judge”- Brandon Cox, Attorney; “Smithville FBC: Divine Intervention Chili” from the First Baptist Church, “Tennessee ‘Meats’ Texas from Button Willow, DeKalb County Veterans Services, and DeKalb County Constable Mark Milam.

In 2019, “Pick It or Ticket” from the Smithville Police Department took Top Chili Honors. The Best Decorated Booth Award went to “MTNG-Take a Chance Chili” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas. The Golden Spoon Award went to “The Courthouse Gang” from the DeKalb County Officials, who raised an additional $180.00 for Habitat in cash donations at their booth. A total of nearly $4,500 was raised during the event.

Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates houses in partnership with volunteers and families in need, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged.

For more information on the Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale, contact Tecia Pryor at 615-597-7370. To contact Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, call 615-215-8181.

October 20, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

How should DeKalb County spend its $3.9 million allocation in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act?

That was on the minds of the county commission and county mayor during a workshop meeting held Tuesday evening at the county complex. Mark Farley, Executive Director of the Upper Cumberland Development District and Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency spoke at the meeting to provide some guidance and to answer questions on possible uses of the funds to mitigate the community’s challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under ARP guidelines, the county is allowed to draw down half the money this year for projects or programs after March 3, 2021 when the ARP Act was signed into law.

“The money has to be obligated by December 31, 2024 and completely expended by the end of 2026,” said Farley.

In addition to the county’s allocation, the school district and the municipalities are getting their own share of ARP funding.

“There are really three or four ways to spend this money and those have a lot of flexibility. Money can be spent on things regarding economic or safety aspects affected by COVID-19. In some cases building projects may be allowed that expands distancing. Money can be used to reward essential employees who have worked throughout this period of time when there was a lot of uncertainty. They can be rewarded for their due diligence in coming to work. Funds may be directed to address mental health issues and high rates of suicide or other health care concerns. Money could be put toward benefitting senior citizens and non-profit groups. Broadband along with water and sewer projects could be funded which would be very beneficial to DeKalb County,” said Farley.

Asked if the county’s share of ARP funding could be put toward a new school or jail project, Farley said its possible but not a given. “Schools have their own pot of money with strings attached to that. Funds could possibly be put toward a new school building if it affects distancing and creates more space to spread students out but the money would have to be spent within the time constraints,” he said.

“Jails are a little tricky. You have to document what has happened with COVID. If they have had a wing shut down at the jail and that has caused massive overcrowding in part of it, that is something that should be looked at. If they are just increasing their capacity because crime is up that would not apply,” he said.

Farley admonished the county mayor and commission to identify priorities and levels of funding each should receive.

“You have a unique opportunity to make a huge impact on the future of DeKalb County with how you spend this money if you are strategic about it. Most communities will be able to put in place two or three different projects that will be talked about 30, 40, 50 years down the road. This is what you need to be thinking about. How do we impact future generations,” said Farley.

Farley added that while a final ruling has not yet come down on everything that qualifies for the funding, the federal government has been flexible on some things.

“In every step that they have released guidance they have loosened the restrictions. We are encouraged thinking that when that final rule comes there are some things today that we don’t think qualify that may be eligible at that point. We just don’t know what that is and to what degree,” said Farley.