DeKalb County Soil Conservation District to Host Public Forum on NRCS Farm Bill Programs

September 22, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Every year the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) seeks public comment on how NRCS farm bill programs are administered in conjunction with DeKalb County Soil Conservation District. The County SCD will be holding an open forum on Friday, October 15th at 10:00 a.m. at the County Complex History Room. Also attending will be Johnny Barnes, the County Ag. Agent. Agricultural producers and concerned citizen of DeKalb County are invited to the meeting to give input as to what priorities NRCS should give to addressing the following resource concerns for 2022:

• Aquatic Habitat
• Concentrated Erosion
• Degraded Plant Condition
• Field Pesticide Loss
• Field Sediment, Nutrient, and Pathogen Loss
• Fire Management
• Livestock Production Limitation
• Pest Pressure
• Soil Quality Limitations
• Source Water Depletion
• Storage and Handling of Pollutants
• Terrestrial Habitat
• Wind and Water Erosion

For meeting info contact Pamela Hale at DeKalb County Soil Conservation District.
615-597-8225
Pamela.hale@tn.nacdnet.net

USDA is an equal opportunity lender and employer.

If you need special accommodations, please call Pamela Hale.

September 22, 2021
By:

Principal Summer Cantrell has issued a challenge to the teachers of Smithville Elementary School to read 500 books to each homeroom class by the end of the school year! The challenge is off to a great start and hundreds of books have already been read. Each classroom is keeping a chart to mark off a book for each book that is read to their class. The teachers and students have embraced this challenge, and the students are enjoying it as well.

September is National Literacy Month, which is a time to celebrate the importance of literacy, encourage young people to visit the library, pick up a good book, and explore new worlds. The importance of reading aloud to children was demonstrated in a two-year study that was completed by the US Department of Education. Results of the study indicated that the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children. Reading aloud to children increases listening skills, expression, inflection, vocabulary, comprehension, visualization skills and background knowledge.

Take time to share the reading experience with the children in your life. Read a book with your child and then ask them questions about the book. Talk about your favorite books and authors, and ask your young readers about theirs. You might be surprised how much fun it can be for both you and the children in your life.

You are encouraged to take your young readers to the library, get some great books, and sit down together to read out loud. Help your more advanced readers find books they’ll enjoy on their own. You can even set up an account with one of the local libraries to borrow e-books that can be downloaded to smartphones, tablets, or laptops. Kids can get new books to read sitting in their living rooms. The staff at the Justin Potter Library or the Alexandria Library will be happy to help you gain access to the many e-books they have available for check out.

Smithville Elementary is super excited about the 500 book challenge and knows that great and fun memories will be made for the Wildcats at SES! A school-wide celebration will be held in May when the first ten classes reach the 500 book mark. Join in on the fun by reading a book to a Wildcat today!

September 21, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Attorney William T. “Will” Ridley, a Republican, has announced his candidacy in 2022 for the Circuit Court Judge, Part 1 position in the 13th Judicial District. The seat is currently held by Democratic Judge Amy Hollars.

Ridley and his family make their home in Cumberland County. His wife, Tiffany, is a fourth-grade teacher at Stone Elementary School, and they have two daughters, Rylee, age 5, and Madison, age 2.

“As the owner and operator of the Law Office of William T. Ridley, I love helping my clients find success,” Ridley said.

Ridley has represented clients from across the Upper Cumberland in a variety of civil and criminal issues. In addition to his private practice, Ridley also serves as the Crossville City Attorney and the Crossville Tax Attorney.

“My family and I are active members of Cumberland Fellowship Church in Crossville. We love our church and our small group. I enjoy spending time with my family, working to improve our farm in Grassy Cove, and spending time on the lake,” Ridley said.

He has also volunteered to serve as the special judge in Cumberland County General Sessions Court when the judge is unavailable.

Ridley was a founding member of the Young Professionals Alliance, past vice president of the Cumberland County Republican Party, advisory member for Friends of the Trials, and serves pro bono as an administrative hearing officer for the Crossville Housing Authority. Ridley has also served as a special master in Chancery Court and was appointed by Governor Bill Haslam to serve as Special Attorney General handling condemnation cases on state road projects in the city limits of Crossville.

“I want to give back to my community and serve the people I live among,” Ridley said. “Circuit Court Part 1 has been held by a democrat for as long as anyone can remember. I want to give the people of the Upper Cumberland a conservative choice on the ballot in August of 2022.”

Ridley is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and obtained his law degree from the Nashville School of Law. He worked full time while attending law school at night. Before becoming an attorney, he was a field representative for Congressman Scott DesJarslais and legislative assistant to state Sen. Ken Yager.

“These jobs taught me valuable skills that I use every day — how to listen to people and help solve their problems,” Ridley said.

The 13th Judicial District includes Putnam, Cumberland, Pickett, White, Clay, DeKalb and Overton counties.

“I believe that the courtroom belongs to the people, and the Judge works for the people. If I am elected, I promise to always remember who I work for and treat everyone with respect while making fair and impartial decision,” Ridley said.

Ridley will be on the Republican Primary ballot in the May 3, 2022, election and the Aug. 4, 2022, general election.