WJLE’s “Fearless Forecasters” are returning for another season of college pigskin prognosticating next Thursday, August 31 at 4:30 p.m.
This season’s regulars are Dewain Hendrixson, Scott Brown, Chad Kirby, Jeff James, Ricky Atnip, John Pryor, Joe Goodwin, and Darrell Gill.
The “Fearless Forecasters” pick who they believe will win in fifteen of the biggest or most interesting college football games of the week.
They also make an underdog selection each week, picking a team they think will win, even though that team is not favored to win.
The program is sponsored by Liberty State Bank, DeKalb County Ace Hardware, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, DeKalb County Insurance, DeKalb Tire and Service, the Charles D. Atnip Realty & Auction Company, and Sir Pizza Xpress of Smithville
Catch the “Fearless Forecasters” LIVE on WJLE weekly starting next Thursday, August 31.

The DeKalb Prevention Coalition (DPC) has just gotten their first business partner for their Count It, Lock It, Drop It initiative.
Jimmy Poss and his team at the DeKalb County Clerk’s office will be wearing the Coalition’s t-shirts once a week and directing patrons to the prevention office if they are in need of a lock box. DPC’s message is simple; COUNT your pills, keep them LOCKED up, and dispose of them in the DROP box at Smithville City Hall and you won’t become an accidental drug dealer!
DPC would like to thank Jimmy Poss and his staff for helping to get their message out! A special thanks to Blue Cross & Blue Shield of TN for sponsoring the t-shirts!

Donations are being accepted on behalf of a DeKalb County family who lost their home and all belongings in a fire Sunday evening.
The residence of Nathan and Kim Hale at 5093 Lower Helton Road near Alexandria was destroyed by the blaze which was reported at 6:02 p.m. about an hour after the family had left to attend a church service in Carthage.
If you would like to help this family go to the following GoFundMe campaign link.
https://www.gofundme.com/375cgxak
An account in the name of Robert Nathan Hale has also been opened at Wilson Bank & Trust in Alexandria to receive donations.
The “Our Church is the Light of the World Church” in Carthage, where the family attends, will also be accepting contributions on Friday August 25th from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at 68 Cookeville Highway, Carthage, TN 37030. The pastor is Billy Smith and his phone number is 615-735-1533. You may reach the family by calling 615-580-0912.
“I will be eternally grateful to God that my family is safe and uninjured. However, to rebuild our home, we need as many prayers and help as possible. I am grateful for any help you can provide,” said Kim Hale.

A special election will be held to fill the unexpired term of State Senator Mae Beavers.
Beavers will be stepping down as of September 1 to devote full time to her gubernatorial campaign. She still has more than a year left in her current senate term.
“Under state law, the timing of Senator Beavers’ resignation will trigger a special election because the 2018 general election is over 1 year away. In fact there will be both a primary and general election likely held this calendar year,” said DeKalb County Administrator of Elections Dennis Stanley.
“The first step is for the governor to issue what is called a “writ of election” (or order) and then a primary must be held between 55 and 60 days afterward. The General Election for that seat must be held 100 to 107 days after the governor’s order,” Stanley said.
“Depending on when the governor issues the ‘writ’, the primary could be held in late October and the general election could be held in late November or early December,” he continued.
Early voting dates would also be held for both elections.
“We will know more about the timing in the coming days,” said Stanley.
Senator Beavers represents the 17th State Senatorial District which includes Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Macon, Smith, and Wilson counties. She was first elected to the State Senate in 2002 and is in her fourth term, which expires in 2018.

DeKalb County experienced a 5.4% growth in tourism in 2016 compared to the previous year. Out of the 95 TN counties, DeKalb County had the 2nd highest percentage increase.
Governor Bill Haslam and Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Kevin Triplett announced Wednesday that visitors spent a total of $44.99 million in DeKalb County, an increase of 5.4% compared to the previous year, generating a total of $2.69 million in state and $6.04 million in local tax revenues, increases of 7.2% and 6.0%, respectively. A total of 320 DeKalb Countians are employed in tourism-related fields. These figures place DeKalb County third in total travel-related expenditures in the Upper Cumberland region behind the much larger Putnam and Cumberland counties.
Tennessee tourism’s direct domestic and international travel expenditures reached an all-time record high of $19.3 billion in 2016, up 4.7 percent over the previous year, as reported by the U.S. Travel Association.
Chamber Executive Director Suzanne Williams was thrilled when she received the report. Upon hearing the news, Williams said, “The economic impact of tourism on DeKalb County is huge. We are so fortunate to have Center Hill Lake, Edgar Evins State Park, Appalachian Center for Craft, and our many diverse businesses that fuel our tourism revenues including our annual events such as the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival, DeKalb County Fair, Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour, and other local music and art events. Our small town charm, friendly people, and scenic beauty make DeKalb County a desirable place to live, work, play, and raise a family and all these factors keep our visitors coming back year after year.”

Tennessee State Senator and conservative Republican candidate for Governor Mae Beavers has announced that she will resign her seat in the legislature effective Friday, September 1st at noon. Beavers also disclosed key additions to her gubernatorial campaign team.
“It is with mixed emotions that I am announcing that next Wednesday (August 30th) at noon, I plan to deliver a letter to Governor Bill Haslam and Lt. Governor Randy McNally informing them that I am resigning from the State Senate,” Beavers said. “My travels across our state to campaign for Governor should not deprive the taxpayers of the 17th Senatorial District of the devoted and consistent conservative representation they have come to expect.” By resigning now, a special election can take place later this year and ensure that the 17th District has a “fully focused representative in place the day that session begins.”
Since 2003, Beavers has represented the 17th District, composed of Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Macon, Smith, and Wilson (and previously Sumner and Trousdale) counties. Previously, she represented Wilson County as county commissioner from 1990-1994 and then as a state representative from 1994 through 2002. Beavers has consistently been recognized as one of the most conservative and effective legislators throughout her public service. She also received the most statewide votes as delegate for President Donald Trump during the 2016 Republican presidential primary and was chosen as Tennessee Delegation Chairman by her fellow delegates to the Republican National Convention.
“It has been a honor to serve in the Tennessee Senate for almost fifteen years,” continued Beavers. “It is therefore with a heavy heart, but also with great excitement, that I resign my Senate seat and look forward to a new phase in my campaign to be Tennessee’s next Governor. I have always taken my duties in the state legislature extremely seriously, and I have concluded that it is simply not possible for anyone to run a statewide grassroots campaign while effectively serving during legislative session.”
Beavers also announced key additions to her campaign organization saying, “I’ve been blessed to be able to assemble a top-tier team of conservative talent.”
Emerging Horizon Group will helm the campaign as general consultant. The group’s principal, Mike Shirley, has worked with the National Rifle Association, the Republican National Committee, Rick Perry’s 2012 presidential campaign, Gov. Rick Scott of Florida, and Dr. Kelli Ward’s closely watched primary challenge against John McCain in 2016. Stephen Sebastian, who most recently worked with former South Carolina Governor and now Congressman Mark Sanford, will serve as lead consultant on the race.
Osborne, Shell, & Miller Advertising, which will coordinate messaging and advertising for Beavers, has run more than one hundred political campaigns in Northeast Tennessee including Congressman Phil Roe’s historic upset victory in 2008, the first time in 58 years an incumbent congressman had been toppled in a Tennessee primary. Heavily outspent, Roe overcame a 43 point deficit in the polls in the final 5 weeks of the campaign to become the 1st District’s sole successful primary challenger since 1930 who had not previously held the seat.
The Hines Digital team will handle online fundraising, advertising, organizing, and social media. Hines’ clients have included Rick Santorum’s presidential campaign, the Young Republicans National Committee, Young Americans for Liberty, and the Republican parties of California, Florida, Maryland, and Wyoming, Theresa May’s campaign for Prime Minister, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Before becoming a Republican, Hines helped develop Howard Dean’s pioneering digital strategy in the 2004 presidential race.
Capital Square Funding Group, whose team members have worked with Ron Paul, Chris McDaniel, Ted Cruz, and Roy Moore in various capacities, will be assisting Beavers with fundraising.
“Senator Beavers’ time in public service has been marked by dignity and decency and quiet but unwavering determination,” Sebastian said. “We’re confident that her concrete convictions and amazing accomplishments will cut through the avalanche of slick campaign season rhetoric and attract the kind of conservative firepower we’ll need to win.”
Beavers concluded, “We’re running a grassroots, citizen-powered campaign to hold the line for Tennessee’s future, and it’s resonating because of my record. There are more than enough conservative voters to elect a conservative Republican statewide for the first time in Tennessee’s history.”

State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver, a Republican, will have an opponent in the GOP Primary next August.
Smith County native and small business owner Chad Williams has announced his candidacy to unseat Weaver, the five term incumbent. He will be seeking the GOP nomination for Tennessee’s 40th District House of Representatives seat in August, 2018.
In a press release, Williams said he was raised just outside of the Lancaster community and has resided in the 40th district a majority of his life.
“Time and time again, I have been asked, ‘Why do you want to run?’ At this point, the district is very unhappy with the representation they have been receiving in Nashville. My roots are deep within the 40th district, and I find it disheartening to see and hear how unhappy the voters are with the results they are getting.”
“After much prayer and consideration, I have decided to take this major step in my life. Conservative values are the backbone of this district, and I will carry those same principles to Nashville. Additionally, some core foundations of our communities have been neglected, including infrastructure, public education and small businesses. I will take precedence to make those aspects top priority.”
Chad is the son of Keith and Julie Williams, also of the Lancaster community. Williams owns the Lebanon Antique Mall where his parents manage the day-to-day operations. He currently attends Tennessee Tech University where he studies political science with a concentration in legal studies. He plans to further his education in law school upon graduation in the spring of 2018.
Williams is an active member of the Southside Lions Club of Gordonsville – an affiliate of Lions Club International. He also holds membership in two Masonic Lodges in Smith County (New Middleton #249 and Carthage #14). Williams attends Lancaster United Methodist where he is active in leadership and serves the role of treasurer.
Williams will be touring the 40th district, which consists of Smith, Trousdale and portions of DeKalb and Sumner counties. He stated, “I am really excited to begin meeting with the people across the district. I am especially excited to speak with our civic and business leaders to discuss the issues facing our area.”

Skygazers got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a rare total solar eclipse as it swept across a narrow corridor of 14 states from Oregon to South Carolina on Monday afternoon.
For a few moments, DeKalb County was in the path of near total darkness just before 1:30 p.m.
Spectators from states across the country, including NASA researchers and astronomers drove hundreds of miles to DeKalb County. Some flew in at the Smithville Municipal Airport.
“We’ve never had this many airplanes in Smithville before,” said Joe Johnson, Operator of the Smithville Municipal Airport.
“By noon we had approximately 34 landings and we had about 30 more who had called wanting to come in and we’re trying our best to park them. We can handle about 75 to 80 aircraft by parking them in the grass,” he said.
“We’ve had them fly in here from Texas, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and more,” Johnson added.
Stephanie Osborne from Huntsville, Alabama was among those who flew in at the airport. She is an astronomer who has worked 20 years at NASA.
“It’s darn near smack on the center line of the totality path,” when asked why she chose to come to Smithville to view the eclipse.
Greenbrook Park was also filled with people from across the country who gathered there for the viewing. Among them was Matt Johnson, also a NASA employee.
“ I came here because I wanted some place that was out of the way off the main highway to avoid traffic,” he said.
Johnson explained what he does for NASA.
“The Space Shuttle is getting a replacement called the SLS and I work on GNC, Guidance Navigation Control. I make sure it goes where it is supposed to go,” said Johnson.
Many enjoyed free goodies and entertainment while waiting for the eclipse during the Downtown Block Party hosted by the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce, Justin Potter Library, St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital, the DeKalb County Government, and the City of Smithville.
Center Hill Lake and Edgar Evins State Park were also places to be for the solar eclipse. Motorists coming from Interstate 40 were lined up on Buffalo Valley Road Monday morning waiting to enter the park to get a good spot for this once in a lifetime event
Visitors also gathered at the scenic overlook on Highway 56 north (Cookeville Highway) including some from Pennsylvania, New York, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Scott and Lamanda Taylor of Franklinton, Louisiana were among those at the overlook. They arrived in DeKalb County Sunday after an eight hour drive from home.
Although Scott has an uncle with a cabin on Center Hill Lake, this was the Taylors’ first visit here and their sole purpose in coming was to get the best view of the solar eclipse. They were among those parked at the scenic overlook.
“Its something that doesn’t happen too often that we in this country have an opportunity to see. Its something I didn’t want to miss,” Scott told WJLE.
“We are very excited about this,” added Lamanda.

After the big event, the Taylor’s said they planned to head back home. “We’re going to head on back. Gotta go back to work tomorrow,” said Scott.

Menda Holmes, chairman of the Wilson County Tea Party and an avid opponent of Governor Haslam’s gas tax increase, has announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination to represent the 46th District in the Tennessee House of Representatives.
The district is currently represented by State Rep. Mark Pody (R-Lebanon), who has announced he will not run for re-election, but will instead run for the State Senate seat currently held by State Senator Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet). Beavers is not running for re-election, but instead is one of five candidates seeking the Republican nomination for governor.
“As a self-employed business owner and the daughter Albert McCall Sr., owner of D.T. McCall and Sons, Holmes has been a resident of Wilson County for the past 28 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Trevecca University and is the mother of two grown children. Holmes lives in the southwestern part of the county with her husband, Howard, and they are both active members at New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro,” the Lebanon Democrat reported.
She has served as the chairman of the Wilson County Tea Party for the past four years. During that time, the Tea Party played host to top conservative leaders who spoke on a wide variety of issues that affect Tennesseans. She also worked in the legislature to research bills for Pody and served on the executive board of the Wilson County Republican Party.
Holmes described herself as a strong supporter of the biblical values and constitutional principles that make Tennessee great. As an advocate for state’s rights, religious liberty, the right to life and the Second Amendment, she said she would work to continue to advance the conservative principles Pody stood for during his four terms in the House. Her campaign theme, “Keeping the Promise,” follows the footsteps of President Donald Trump to fulfill the promises made during the campaign with real action and not to cave in to special interests,” she said.

Construction repairs are set to begin on the Veterans Memorial Bridge on South College Street in Smithville within a few days.
“The contractor plans to have the project staked by this Monday, August 28 and will begin work the day after the Labor Day holiday period,” Jennifer Flynn, TDOT Community Relations Officer told WJLE Tuesday.
In June, the Tennessee Department of Transportation awarded the contract to Mid-State Construction Company, Inc. of Livingston for $222,894.68.
The project is scheduled to be completed by October 31, 2017.
TDOT let bids for the project Friday, May 12 and Mid-State was the only bidder. In the February 10 letting, Mid-State bid $238,600.58 but there were no other bids and TDOT rejected it as too high.
The bridge has been closed since Monday, June 27, 2016 when a county landfill truck hit it causing major damage. The bridge was hit again last month by a freightliner car hauler.