News

Its been two months since the jail committee of the county commission met and it may be a little while longer before they meet again.

A scheduled meeting for tonight (Monday, January 6) has been postponed due to an illness that prevents Bob Bass, Deputy Director of the Tennessee Corrections Institute from being present.

On December 4, the TCI Board of Control met and voted to keep the DeKalb County Jail certified (52 male beds) under a plan of action to address deficiencies at the jail. At the last meeting, the jail committee voted to pursue a plan to build a new jail, rather than a judicial center, but the location has not yet been identified, whether on the existing site or some other property.

In November, DeKalb County voters soundly rejected a referendum to issue bonds for up to $65 million to build a 190-bed jail/ judicial center.

State Representative Michael Hale has introduced a bill which would allow local schools and public charter schools to display the Ten Commandments on school property.

Hale is the sponsor of HB0047 which was filed last month. Under the bill, schools will be able to display the Ten Commandments, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Constitution of Tennessee, the Bill of Rights, or other “historically significant documents.”

The bill allows schools to place the display in a “prominent location” in each school building to “educate students on the historical significance and common cultural heritage the documents have on the principles of the LEA or public charter school, this state, or the United States of America.”

Schools will have access to printed versions to be made available -if not already available- to them free of charge and each school will decide the size and placement of the display.

Representative Hale’s bill states as follows:

Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 20, is amended by adding the following as a new section:

(a) Local boards of education and governing bodies of public charter schools, as defined in § 49-13-104, may allow schools in the LEA and public charter schools to display the Ten Commandments, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Constitution of Tennessee, the Bill of Rights, a resolution honoring the history of a school in the LEA or the public charter school, or other historically significant documents in a prominent location in each school building in order to educate students on the historical significance and common cultural heritage the documents have on the principles of the LEA or public charter school, this state, or the United States of America.

(b) LEAs and public charter schools are encouraged to display the historical documents using wall posters or other hard copy, printed versions that are made available to the LEAs or public charter schools free of charge.

(c) Each local board of education and each governing body of a public charter school shall determine the size and placement of the display authorized in subsection (a).

(d) As used in subsection (a), “prominent location” means a school entryway, cafeteria, or common area where students are likely to see the display. SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.

The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen Monday night recognized Smithville Police Officer Nik Agee for having received an Impaired Driving Enforcement award from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO).

Officer Agee, who earned the honor for his dedication in keeping impaired drivers off the roadways, was presented the THSO award on December 12 at the Cumberland Law Enforcement Liaisons Holiday Network Meeting in Cookeville.

During Monday night’s meeting, Mayor Josh Miller commended Officer Agee.

“On behalf of the City of Smithville, mayor and board of aldermen we would like to recognize and congratulate you on receiving the Tennessee Highway Safety Office Impaired Driving Enforcement Award for District VI December 12, 2024. The commitment and dedication you have displayed exemplifies your exceptional work ethics. You have strived to make a difference for the citizens of Smithville and on this day, January 6 2025 you are hereby formally recognized and commended for distinguished service,” said Mayor Miller.

“He is a fine officer and a compliment to our department. Ever since he got here he has gone to work and done a good job,” said Police Chief Mark Collins.

THSO recognizes law enforcement from different agencies who may have saved a life through their extraordinary efforts to reduce alcohol and drug-impaired driving.

The Smithville Police Department is proud of Officer Agee for demonstrating proactive policing and his dedication to traffic safety.

Meanwhile, the aldermen approved Fire Chief Charlie Parker’s request to promote Assistant Chief Jeff Wright to the rank of Deputy Chief.

“Jeff is currently serving as assistant chief on the department. He has been a member for 39 years and is well qualified for this deputy chief position. The main reason for this is that it gives him full authority in my absence.” said Chief Parker.

The aldermen also approved the current roster of firefighters, most of them volunteer, who are serving the city fire department in 2025.

“Each year in January we get an approved roster from the city council as to our current membership. We are at an all-time high right now of members including several new firefighters this past year. I hope we continue to grow,” said Chief Parker

Organizers of the PatchworkUC Christmas Regifting Event are seeking nominations through January 20 for this year’s quilt ministry recipient.

“Our quilt ministry is held in conjunction with the Regifting Event in December,” said spokesperson Kim Walker. “The children decorated a quilt square that’s later used to make a quilt which is given to someone experiencing a life challenge. Three quilts are being given out this year from past Regifting Events. One is a lap quilt that was donated by a quilter.

To nominate someone access the link below.

https://forms.office.com/r/KxQsdmTaAS

“We are also looking for quilters that would like to volunteer to administer/make the quilts from DeKalb County,” said Walker. “All the past quilts were created by volunteers from other counties”. You may call Kim Walker 931-212-7567 for more info or email patchworkuc@outlook.com.

Back to school!

DeKalb County students and teachers will return to school Monday, January 6 now that the winter break is coming to an end.

The remainder of the 2025 DeKalb County School Calendar is as follows:

DeKalb County students and teachers will have a full week off for spring break March 24-28, Schools will also be closed for Dr. Martin Luther King Day January 20, President’s Day February 17, Good Friday. April 18, and Monday, April 21. The last day of school will be May 23, 2025 (abbreviated 7:45 a.m.-9:15 a.m.). May 22 will be an administrative day.

Report cards will be issued at all schools on January 9, March 18, and May 23.

Parent teacher conferences will be held at all schools from 3-6 p.m. on March 20.

Local and state investigators are probing a possible fire-related death in DeKalb County

The case is under investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

The DeKalb County Fire Department was summoned to a mobile home fire at approximately 1:34 a.m. Thursday morning at 1419 Poss Road. The initial report to 911 dispatch was that the structure was fully involved. Upon arrival, firefighters did find the structure fully involved and collapsed.

Upon investigation, fire crews located a deceased victim inside the mobile home. The Four Seasons, Midway, Johnson’s Chapel, and Short Mountain stations responded along with DeKalb Emergency Medical Services, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s (TBI) fire investigators.

The name of the deceased has not been released.

A discussion but no vote!

During Tuesday night’s regular monthly meeting of the Alexandria mayor and aldermen, Mayor Beth Tripp opened up a discussion about the county’s request for the municipality to extend its sales tax agreement through 2055 to help fund a new elementary school.

Although the aldermen did not discuss it among themselves at this meeting and there was no vote taken, Mayor Tripp gave the public a chance to express their views and a couple of people did questioning how extending the agreement would be in the best interest of Alexandria. Under the county’s terms, the cities including Alexandria have until January 1 to act on extending their sales tax agreements.

The aldermen in both the cities of Smithville and Liberty have voted to extend their sales tax agreements with the county. In Smithville, it was made conditional on the county issuing bonds for a new school within one year.

“I want to bring up the sales tax that Smithville (DeKalb County) is wanting to extend with us. If the public would like to speak on that whether they want us to do it or not to do it its open for discussion,” said Mayor Tripp.

“I’m Margaret Stevens of West Main Street. I have read up on it and I was just wondering what the advantage is. That’s for the school,” asked Stevens.

“Yes” replied Mayor Tripp.

“So that’s for the school but I am told that it will not be to the advantage of anybody in Alexandria,” said Stevens.

“Well, the money that is set aside that was agreed upon has helped build onto the west school and done other things for the west school that did not at that time benefit Smithville kids, but they (county) did it anyway because we had an agreement with them. So, if we want future endeavors on building things down here (west school) I am just asking for opinions right now,” said Mayor Tripp.

“That’s me. I’m just asking too if it will be an advantage”, Stevens replied.

“I’m for the people and I want the best for my residents and that goes for everyone who lives here whether you are for me or not I want the best for everybody. Everyone’s opinion matters,” said Mayor Tripp.

“Mayor you might mention the city already has a sales tax contract with the county for another 13 years which you can’t change,” explained City Attorney Vester Parsley.

“What they (county) are asking the cities to do, and they have asked every city in the county to contribute extra money from their sales tax to go to the school funds which would not only help build schools but also do other things that are beneficial to schools. Its true that what they are really talking about primarily right now is building a new elementary school in Smithville to replace the old Smithville Elementary School but over the years the money has been used some for the west school. I think that front addition was all built through that money and that debt has been retired. That was money that came from (sales tax) in Smithville, Alexandria, Dowelltown, and Liberty”, said Parsley.

“My name is Bobbie Ford and I live on Cumberland Avenue in Alexandria. As far as the sales tax goes, I am a teacher. I do not teach in DeKalb County, but I am a teacher, and I understand the money. I do not think that is a good idea for Alexandria to do (extend sales tax agreement) because I think that benefits our citizens. We could use that tax money for so many things here in our community. I would like to see that money used here in the community before we send it out. We are already giving them tax money,” said Ford.

“Keep in mind we are still under contract to do it for another 13 years,” replied Mayor Tripp.

“That’s great but I think we shouldn’t add to that and keep it here in our community,” added Ford.

Under the existing sales tax agreements with the county, which are set to expire in 13 years on July 16, 2037, the cities turn over to the county for schools a greater percentage of their local option sales tax collections than they would otherwise be required to do. That money goes into what is called the Local Purpose Tax Fund for Schools to help fund school operation and debt. Officials say the county must be able to count on that extra sales tax money coming in from the cities over the life of a 30-year bond up to $55 million in order to cover the costs of a new school without having to use or raise property taxes to fund it.