Construction on the new DeKalb County Administrative Office Complex, formerly known as the Town and Country Shopping Center, is progressing and work on the offices of the four county officials who plan to move out there may be completed within three weeks.
Moving day from the courthouse to the new building for Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen, Assessor of Property Timothy “Fud” Banks, Trustee Sean Driver, and County Clerk Mike Clayborn is now set for Thursday, August 18.
The portion of the building being leased by the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency has already been finished and officials of UCHRA have moved in there.

The remainder of the building, which is not expected to be completed by next month, will remain under construction.
County Mayor Mike Foster, in an interview with WJLE Thursday, said the county has spent to date $1-million 808-thousand 580 dollars on the renovation of the building and is still expected to spend up to another $700,000 before it is finished.
The total project is expected to cost the county around $3.2 million. The purchase price was $750,000 and the cost of construction to renovate the complex is $2-million 523-thousand 416.
When the county bought the building, Foster said a decision was made by the county commission to borrow up to $5-million dollars. By doing so, the county was able to pay off existing debt at that time of more than two million dollars and finance the cost of this building project. While the repayment schedule is now at fifteen years, rather than six years under the former debt repayment plan, Foster said the county’s yearly payments are less with a better interest rate. Plus, he said the county is getting the added benefit of having tenants in the new building (UCHRA) which will be paying rent to the county for a number of years.
“The money we set aside when we borrowed the five million dollars was to pay off some debt that the county already had and that was paid off,” said Foster. “We then set aside three million dollars for the building to do the upgrades and what not. We borrowed the money by bond issue at three percent for fifteen years locked in. So by borrowing the money at three percent versus 5.8% (under the former loan) that saved us some money. Of course, doing it under a fifteen year loan rather than a six year loan (under the former debt repayment schedule) really changed the amount we pay. We already owed over two million dollars, so that was paid off. The rest of the money was designated for upgrading that building and buying it. So we paid ourselves (county) back out of that five million dollars, the $750,000 that we gave for it (building). We are now in the process of doing the renovations and the bid to do that work (renovation) was $2,337,000. But we did some upgrades on insulation and energy saving devices throughout the building so we added a little bit to it ( change orders totaling $186,416) so it’s (total renovation project) is $2,523,416,” said Foster.
“One company (Cambridge Constructors, Inc. of McMinnville) is doing the work and they are subbing it out. In our specs we specified that 40% of the equipment had to come from DeKalb County and they have hired some local workers too as laborers because a percentage of them had to be local too,” said Foster.
He continued “In the process, we have rented three or four spaces in there (building) that’s going to bring in about $50,000 a year to help offset the costs. That $50,000 a year will be a continuous thing. Its not just a one time thing. Our payments (under former loan) on what we already owed was $469,000 a year but only for six years. The payment on the new building is $409,000 but for fifteen years. If we take the revenue we’ll be receiving and use it for debt payment. If you did it (calculated it) that way, that would lower it (debt payment) to about $355,000. But you could also use it (rental payments from tenants) for utilities because there’s going to be some utility costs out there. But either way, we’re still about $55,000 better off than we were. We also cut the animal control officer position that was in the budget ($25,000) and moved it out there as somebody (director) to oversee the building along with a lot of volunteers. So it’s a net gain actually of a little bit of money, rather than spending more money, except we’ll be paying on it for fifteen years rather than six years the other way,” said Foster.
Foster said he still believes this is a good investment for the county.”We had to have more space for people in the courthouse. We had bought the lot here in town and had intended to use it for that purpose, but it was probably going to cost from $1.1 million to $1.5 million to build a new building over there. We later learned about this building (shopping center complex). So the county commission voted to buy it and do some renovation on it and move four of the county (courthouse) offices out there, Register of Deeds, Assessor of Property, Trustee, and County Clerk,” said Foster.
In March, 2008 the county commission voted to purchase a small lot, about eight tenths of an acre, near the public square as a possible future location for a courthouse annex. The county paid $125,000 for the property on a three year note.
Foster insists that this new building project is not the reason the county is seeking a proposed increase in the tax rate.

DeKalb is one of only four counties in the state that experienced a drop in the unemployment rate for June
County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for June show that the rate increased in 91 counties. The four counties that decreased were DeKalb, Hawkins, Moore and Smith.
DeKalb County’s jobless rate for the month of June was 10.3%, down from 10.6% in May but still higher than 9.6% in June, 2010.
The local labor force was 10,400 in June. A total of 9,350 were employed and 1,070 were unemployed.
DeKalb County’s unemployment rate for June was fourth lowest among the fourteen counties of the Upper Cumberland region as follows:
Pickett County- 15.1%
Van Buren- 13%
Clay- 12.5%
Warren- 12.2%
White- 12.2%
Jackson- 12%
Fentress- 11.8%
Cumberland- 11.4%
Overton- 11.3%
Macon- 10.8%
DeKalb-10.3%
Cannon-10.2%
Putnam-9.7%
Smith-9.6%
Meanwhile, Tennessee’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for June was 9.8 percent, up slightly from the May revised rate of 9.7. The national unemployment rate for June 2011 was 9.2 percent, up from the May revised rate of 9.1 percent.
Lincoln County registered the state’s lowest county unemployment rate at 6.8 percent, up from the May rate of 6.1 percent, followed by Williamson County at 7.2 percent, up from 6.6 percent. Scott County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 20.9 percent, up from 20.7 percent in the previous month, followed by Lauderdale County at 15.7 percent, up from 14.9 percent in May.
Knox County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 8.0 percent, up from 7.4 percent in May. Hamilton County was 9.2 percent, up from 8.2 percent the previous month. Davidson County was 9.1 percent, up from 8.5 percent in May, and Shelby County was 11.1 percent, up from the May unemployment rate of 10.0 percent.

The Tennessee Department of State has launched a campaign to educate citizens about the new photo identification requirement that will go into effect for elections held in the state after Jan. 1, 2012.
After that date, people who wish to vote will be required to show photo identification when they arrive at the polls. Accepted forms of identification include any photo ID issued by the State of Tennessee –
including drivers’ licenses – and photo IDs issued by other states or the federal government, including U.S. passports, government employee identification cards and military ID cards.
The law, a safeguard against voter fraud, allows people who forget to bring photo IDs to the polls to cast provisional ballots and provide their county election officials with proof of identity within two business days after an election. People who vote absentee are not required to show photo IDs. And people who have religious objections to being photographed may sign oaths acknowledging their identities.
People who can’t afford other forms of photo identification may get a state-issued ID, free of charge, at drivers’ license offices around the state.
“I believe this new requirement is a common sense step that will increase public confidence in our elections,” Secretary of State Tre Hargett said. “Requiring photo IDs will decrease the chances that an eligible voter can
be impersonated by someone else at the polls. As a voter, I want to know that my ballot counts just the same – no more, no less – as any other eligible voter. Photo IDs help ensure people aren’t casting more than one
ballot – and that those who are ineligible to vote don’t cast ballots at all. For those reasons, photo IDs are one more tool we can use to help combat voter fraud.”
The Tennessee General Assembly approved the photo ID requirement during this year’s legislative session. Sen. Bill Ketron and Rep. Debra Maggart were the prime sponsors of the legislation.
The Department of State includes the Division of Elections, which will be spearheading the outreach effort to citizens. As part of that effort, the Division of Elections has provided local election officials with information about the new requirement that will be distributed to people casting ballots in municipal elections being held around Tennessee this
year. Also, information about the new law will be posted on the Department of State’s web site.
Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins said those are only two of the many ways the department will be using to get its message out to the public.
“It is very important to us that people understand this new requirement so they are not surprised when they get to the polls next year,” Coordinator Goins said. “I am encouraging election officials and other leaders in Tennessee’s 95 counties to help us spread the word about photo IDs. I invite civic groups and other organizations to contact our office for information that they can distribute to their members – and to invite their county administrator of elections to come to a meeting to explain how the new law will work.”
Secretary Hargett and Coordinator Goins also plan to make the new law a recurring theme during their public speaking appearances around the state.
“I strongly believe that citizens of our state are comfortable with the idea of showing photo IDs in order to vote – just as they must do to board a plane, cash a check or perform any number of routine activities,” Secretary Hargett said. “A poll conducted last month by Rasmussen Reports indicated that 75 percent of people across the country support the photo
ID requirement – with only 18 percent against it. Other polls have shown even stronger support for photo IDs, so we feel people clearly understand the benefit of making this change in order to help protect the integrity of our elections.”
To view answers to some frequently asked questions about the new law, go
to http://www.tn.gov/sos/election/IDRequirement.20120101.pdf

The Alexandria Aldermen adopted the city’s new budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year on first reading Tuesday night.
Second and final reading passage will be scheduled following a public hearing at the next meeting on Tuesday, August 23 at 7:00 p.m. at city hall.
The city’s property tax rate is established at .7896 cents per $100 of assessed value.
The budget includes higher water and sewer rates. A separate ordinance adopting the new rates was approved by the aldermen following a public hearing, prior to action on the budget ordinance.
Under the plan, the minimum bill for Alexandria water and sewer customers will increase by a total of ten dollars per month, going from $29.50 to $39.50.
The rate for Alexandria water customers will increase from $14.75 to $19.75 for a minimum bill up to 2,000 gallons. Customers will pay an extra 70 cents per additional 100 gallons of usage. The minimum sewer bill up to 2,000 gallons will also increase by $5.00, going from $14.75 to $19.75.
Water customers outside the corporate limits will see their rates jump from $21.30 to $28.52 per month for a minimum bill of up to 2,000 gallons. Customers will pay an extra 70 cents per additional 100 gallons of usage per month.
The City of Alexandria purchases its water supply from the Smith County Utility District.
City officials have said one of the reasons for the rate increase is due to higher costs being passed on to Alexandria from the Smith County Utility District. However during the public hearing, concerned resident and former Alexandria Mayor Danny Parkerson questioned why the rate of increase to city subscribers was much more than the increase to the city from the Smith County Utility District.
Aldermen explained that the city water and sewer fund has been running in the red for the last two or three years because there hasn’t been a rate increase for sometime, and that the state is now forcing the city’s hand. Aldermen said if the city does not get the water and sewer fund back in the black to make it self supporting soon, then the state could set rates for the city, which could be much higher than the rate increases in this plan.
Parkerson also suggested that some action be taken by the city to lessen the burden of this rate increase on the town’s elderly who are on fixed incomes. Aldermen said later they may address that suggestion at another meeting in the near future.
The Alexandria budget projects General Fund Revenues at $323,404 including $80,546 from current property taxes; $11,000 from delinquent property taxes; and $24,000 from the beer tax along with intergovernmental taxes of $60,000; licenses and permits $500; fines $72,000; Utility in lieu of tax $9,358; other revenue $1,000; and remaining revenue $65,000
General Fund expenditures are budgeted at $316, 404 as follows:
Administrative salaries: $32,032
Audit: $4,000
Election expense: $2,000
Insurance & security bond: $12,000
Legal: $20,000
Office supplies: $5,000
Park & recreation: $600
OASI: $4,000
Equipment & supplies: $5,000
Building maintenance: $7,000
Parade/Halloween: $1,000
Senior citizens civic center: $5,000
Unemployment taxes: $6,000
Utilities & telephone $4,000
Total:$107,632
Police Department
Salaries: $85,860
911: $21,660
Gas & Oil: $15,000
Office supplies: $3,000
Repairs: $3,000
Materials & supplies: $500
Vehicle maintenance: $8,000
Equipment & supplies: $7,000
Total: $133,242
Fire Department:
Grant match: $5,000
Gas & Oil: $1,000
Total: $6,000
Total General Fund Expenditures: $316,404
Industrial Development Fund
Revenue: $20,632
Expenditures:
Marketing: $2,000
Equipment: $3,000
Other expenses: $15,632
Total: $20,632
Regions-Seay Church
Revenue: $3,340
Expenditures: $3,340
State Aid Fund Budget:
Income
State Gasoline & Fuel Tax: $42,000
Expense
Automobile expense & gas: $3,000
Materials & supplies: $3,000
Payroll expenses: $300
Equipment repair: $1,000
Purchase of equipment: $4,000
Utilities: $10,000
Total: $22,300
Water and sewer fund operating revenues are projected at $577,632. Total operating expenses are budgeted at $532,551
Water/Sewer Fund Operating Revenues
Water: $427,020
Sewer: $139,517
Penalties: $4,500
Other Income: $6,600
Total: $577,632
Operating Expenses
Office Supplies: $5,500
Water Supplies: $19,000
Water Samples: $480
USDA Bonds: $26,000
Audit: $2,450
Annual dues: $2,000
Utilities (Gas, Electric, Phone): $47,000
Water Purchased: $234,243
Salaries: $32,656
Advertising: $300
Bad debts (returned checks): $1,500
Sewer supplies: $11,000
Sewer samples: $11,000
Insurance: $12,000
Professional services (Accountant, Attorney): $12,000
Postage (General, Bills): $4,000
Contracted services: $83,422
Contracted labor: $25,000
Miscellaneous: $3,000
Total: $532,551

Although he is a strong believer in the lawful rights of gun owners, an incident at the DeKalb County Fair last week convinced Alexandria Police Chief Mark Collins that handguns should be banned during the fair.

During Tuesday night’s city council meeting, Chief Collins asked that the Alexandria aldermen adopt an ordinance making possession of handguns illegal at the DeKalb County Fair. Although the fairgrounds are leased and operated by the DeKalb County Fair Association, the property belongs to the City of Alexandria.
The cause for concern arose last Monday night when a patron at the fair reported losing his handgun from the holster he was wearing while on one of the carnival rides. Chief Collins said some of the rides were shut down for a short period of time as members of the Alexandria Police Department, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, carnival workers, and fair association volunteers searched for the weapon.
Chief Collins said he was fearful that the gun might have been picked up by a teenager or a small child.
It turns out that the man had not even brought the gun to the fair in the first place. During the search at the fairgrounds, Chief Collins asked the man to return home just to make sure he had not left the gun there. While conducting a search at home, the man found his gun.
The aldermen plan to honor Chief Collins’ request but have deferred action until the next meeting in August when an ordinance can be prepared and presented by City Attorney Vester Parsley, Jr. The ordinance may also ban handguns at other events on city properties.

A 26 year old Smithville man, named in an April grand jury sealed indictment charged with child abuse of a youngster under age six, has been granted judicial diversion.
Kenneth Brian Ring appeared before Judge Leon Burns, Jr. Monday in DeKalb County Criminal Court. Judge Burns granted Ring’s petition for judicial diversion for a period of two years, all suspended to probation. Under terms of the judicial diversion, Ring must report to the Tennessee Department of Corrections Board of Probation and Parole and obey all requirements of this board; complete fifty hours of community service; complete and alcohol and drug assessment and follow any recommended treatment; and he must compete the SAV program GED classes, and Mediation.
The indictment against Ring alleged that “On or about December 18th, 2010 Ring intentionally and knowingly did, other than by accidental means, treat a fifteen month old child, in such a manner as to inflict injury, constituting the offense of child abuse.”
The case was presented to the April term of the grand jury by Detective Matt Holmes of the Smithville Police Department.
Judicial diversion is a type of probation. Under terms of judicial diversion, defendants agree that they are going to be convicted of the crimes for which they are on probation. Should the defendants not complete the probation, they in effect have a conviction hanging over their heads while they are on probation, and if the defendants fail at probation, then it becomes a conviction, and the judge can have a sentencing hearing and sentence the defendants to jail. Should the defendants complete the probation they are eligible to have their entire record cleared of the charges.
39 year old Donald Perry, Jr pleaded guilty to sale of a schedule II controlled substance and received a six year sentence in community corrections, a type of probation. He was given jail credit of 110 days and fined $2,000.
37 year old Andre Wakefield, charged with sale of a schedule II controlled substance, pleaded guilty and received a six year sentence, all suspended but ninety days to serve with the remainder on state probation. He was fined $2,000.
33 year old Samuel W. Walker pleaded guilty by information to one count of burglary, one count of theft under $500, and one count of theft over $1,000. Walker received a four year sentence in two of the cases and 11 months and 29 days in the other. All three sentences are to run concurrently and all suspended to time served since April 13. He must also make restitution of $2,000.
According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, Walker was arrested on Wednesday, April 13th charged with taking four shotguns from a residence on Maple Lane without the owners consent on January 1st. The stolen guns were then sold.
Meanwhile in a separate case, Walker is alleged to have committed an aggravated burglary of a residence on Cripps Lane with the intent to commit a theft on August 29th. Entry was made through a back door. He allegedly took four shotguns and several other items from the home with a total value of $5, 575
37 year old Sharon Groshon Malone pleaded guilty to three counts of delivery of a schedule II controlled substance. She received a three year sentence in each case all to run concurrently with each other. She is to serve a total of 110 days with the balance on probation. She was also fined $2,000 and must undergo an alcohol and drug assessment. The sentence is also to run concurrently with a violation of probation in General Sessions Court. Malone was given jail credit since April 6.

A DeKalb County prisoner, in jail on theft charges, briefly escaped from custody Sunday night after being taken to the hospital to be treated for chest pains.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that 26 year old Shannon Lee Anderson of West Main Street, Auburntown was apprehended shortly after his escape at the home of his girlfriend on Foster Road in Smithville.
Both Anderson and his girlfriend 22 year old Kayla Rena Sanders are each charged by the sheriff’s department with two counts of theft of property under $500. Anderson was further charged with felony escape. Bond for Anderson is $15,000 and Sanders’ bond is $5,000. They will be in court on August 4.
Sheriff Ray reports that on July 4 Anderson and Sanders allegedly went to homes on Echols Heights in Liberty and at South Mill Street in Dowelltown where they allegedly took a 30/30 rifle from each residence, valued at less than $500. Both Anderson and Sanders were arrested late Saturday night, early Sunday morning.
After being taken to the emergency room of DeKalb Community Hospital for treatment of chest pains Sunday night, Anderson briefly escaped from custody. According to Sheriff Ray, while being discharged to be returned to the jail, Anderson told the correctional officer in charge of him that he couldn’t come back to jail and he ran out the door of the hospital. Anderson was apprehended a short time later at Sanders’ residence on Foster Road.
In addition to the charges by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, Anderson has also been charged in a separate case by the Alexandria Police Department.
Alexandria Police Chief Mark Collins reports that on Saturday, July 23 , Sergeant Chris Russell arrested Anderson on one count of aggravated burglary and one count of theft over $1000. The arrest was the result of a joint investigation between the Alexandria Police Department and the Dekalb County Sheriffs Department into several burglaries in Alexandria and in the county. Chief Collins said that on or about July 21, Anderson allegedly entered a home on Curtis Avenue in Alexandria and allegedly stole four guns. Anderson then sold the guns to someone in Wilson County. Most of the guns have been recovered . Anderson’s Bond in the Alexandria case is $10,000 and he will be in court August 4.
In other recent crime news, 31 year old Paul Allen Willingham of East Webb Street is charged with aggravated burglary and theft of property over $1,000. Bond for Willingham is $10,000 and he will be in court on August 12
Sheriff Ray reports that on August 29, 2010 Willingham and a co-defendant, Samuel Walker, drove to a residence on Cripps Lane. While Walker allegedly broke into the home, Willingham allegedly stood watch. Taken from the home were four shotguns and several other items all valued at more than $1,000. Willingham is accused of sharing in the proceeds of the theft with Walker. Willingham was arrested on these charges on July 18th.
26 year old Joshua Lynn Mullican of Keltonburg Road, Smithville is charged with violating an order of the drug court, evading arrest, and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond totals $5,000 and he will be in court on July 28th. He is being held without bond on the drug court violation.
Sheriff Ray reports that on July 18, deputies went to a residence on Tommy Harrell Street to serve a warrant on Mullican for a violation of a drug court order. After the officers arrived, Mullican fled on foot to Snow Street, where he was apprehended. Upon doing a pat down search of Mullican, deputies found a hypodermic needle on him.
40 year old Vickie Lenae Alvis of Sparta Highway, Smithville is charged with public intoxication. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court on August 4.
Sheriff Ray reports that on July 20, the Sheriff’s Department received a call that someone was lying beside the roadway on Highway 70. The woman, Alvis, had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on her person and she was very unsteady on her feet. She was arrested for safety reasons.
26 year old Robert Justin Luna of Joe Turner Road, Smithville is charged with initiation of a process to manufacture methamphetamine. Luna’s bond is $50,000 and he will be in court on August 4.
Sheriff Ray reports that his department has received several complaints recently of suspected drug activity by trespassers at a vacant home on Barnes Mill Road. Faced with this information, the owner of the property gave the sheriff’s department consent to search the premises. On July 20 while conducting a check of the residence, deputies noticed a vehicle parked on the side of the road near the home, belonging to Luna. Upon arrival, officers saw in plain view some rubber tubing in the automobile. Other items were also found on the property. According to Sheriff Ray, two other females were there with Luna and they told officers that Luna had been manufacturing meth beside the creek. He said evidence was found to support their claims.
45 year old Mark Alan Goodson of Midway Road, Smithville and 42 year old Dickie Ray Bain of Nicky Lane Smithville are each charged with two counts of theft of property under $500. Bond for each is $5,000 and they will be in court on August 4.
Sheriff Ray reports that on July 20, Goodson and Bain went to a business on Highway 70 east and allegedly stole a metal beam, valued at under $500. The next day, July 21 they went back to the business and allegedly stole two more metal beams, also valued at less than $500. The beams were sold at a local recycling center. They were arrested on July 21.
31 year old Gilberto Alonzo Domingez of Circle Drive, Dowelltown is charged with driving on a suspended license. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court on August 10. He is being held without bond for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) because he is an illegal immigrant.
Sheriff Ray reports that on July 22 a deputy spotted a vehicle run a stop sign on West Main Street, Dowelltown. The officer pulled over the vehicle. A computer check of Domingez’ drivers license found them to be suspended for failure to satisfy a citation in DeKalb and Wilson County.
40 year old Jerry Lynn Barrett of West Main Street, Lebanon is charged with driving on a suspended license. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court August 4.
According to Sheriff Ray, Barrett was operating a motor vehicle on Highway 70 when he was stopped for violation of the light law on July 22. A computer check revealed that Barrett’s license were suspended for failure to satisfy a citation earlier this year in Wilson County.
62 year old Curtis Charles Jones of Oak Drive, Smithville is charged with allowing animals to run at large. His bond is $1,000 and he will be in court on August 4.
Sheriff Ray reports that on July 24 the sheriff’s department received a call about a horse running at large on Lakeview Drive. Deputies responded and saw a horse in the road. The complainant said the horse belonged to Jones. According to Sheriff Ray, other officers have talked to Mr. Jones on previous occasions about his horse being out and have advised him that he needs to keep the horse put up. Jones was charged because the horse was creating a road hazard.

The summer vacation for DeKalb County students is almost over.
Registration for all students, not previously registered, will be Monday, August 1st. That will be an abbreviated school day from 7:45 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, August 2nd will be an administrative day
The first full day of school for all students will be Wednesday, August 3rd.
A system wide professional development day will be Monday, July 25th at DCHS and all teachers from all schools must attend from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
All teachers will report to DCHS for a system wide professional development on Tuesday, July 26th . All teachers will report to their individual schools on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday July 27th, 28th, & 29th from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. each day.
Second and Third Grade “Meet Your Teacher Night and Open House will be held at Northside Elementary School on Monday, July 25 at 6:00 p.m. at the gymnasium. Parents, please take advantage of this opportunity to come by and visit the school and meet with your child’s homeroom teacher for next year. Students who attend will not have to return to school until the first full day of school on Wednesday, August 3.
DeKalb Middle School will have 6th Grade Orientation on Tuesday, July 26. If your child’s last name begins with letters A to K, please be present at 6 pm and letters L to Z will be at 7 pm. This will be an informational meeting, and students will register and have an opportunity to meet their teachers and tour the building
The 9th grade Registration and Open House will be Thursday, July 28 at DCHS starting at 4:00 p.m. featuring activities for the students. Parents will need to be there at 6:00 p.m. They will be finished at 7:00 p.m. Students who attend on this date will be given their schedules. They will not be required to come to school on Monday, August 1. They will start on the first full day Wednesday, August 3.. If you have any questions, please call Ms. Painter at 597-2247 or e-mail at spainter1@k12tn.net
Meanwhile. the Sixth Annual First Day of School Education Celebration for DeKalb County will be held on Monday, August 1st from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. downtown around the courthouse square.

Elizabeth Koegler of Smithville was the winner of the DeKalb Idol competition held Friday night at the DeKalb County Fair in Alexandria.
Six contestants competed for the title and Koegler was among the top three called back after the first two rounds.
Ashlee Whitehead of Smithville received second place as well as the Peoples Choice Award and $100. Olivia Wright of Smithville received third place.
As the winner of DeKalb Idol, Koegler received a $300 cash prize.
Shan Burklow hosted the program which also featured a panel patterned after American Idol judges.
DeKalb Idol is sponsored by DTC Communications.

(Top Photo: DeKalb Idol Winner Elizabeth Koegler (left), 1st runner-up and Peoples Choice Winner Ashlee Whitehead (right)
(Bottom Photo: left to right, DeKalb Idol Emcee Shan Burklow, 2nd Runner-up Olivia Wright, DeKalb Idol Winner Elizabeth Koegler, and 1st runner-up and Peoples Choice Winner Ashlee Whitehead)

Winners of the annual Toddler Show were announced Friday evening at the DeKalb County Fair.
This year’s recipients are as follows:
Twins (13 to 47 months)
Winners: Jesse and Thomas Foutch, the 34 month old sons of Michael and Nicki Foutch of Liberty
There were no other entries in this category
Girls (13 to 18 months)
Winner: Anali Garcia, the 17 month old daughter of Cardelly and Hector Garcia of Smithville
Runner-up: Emma Brooke Taylor, the 13 month old daughter of Britta Strayn and Chad Taylor of Smithville.
Other participants in this category were:
Katelyn Brown, the 14 month old daughter of Robert and Sarah Brown of Smithville
Khloe Parsley, the 18 month old daughter of Shawna Parsley of Smithville
Graciella Marie Johnson, the 13 month old daughter of David and Patricia Johnson of Dowelltown
Karah Jo Ford, the 15 month old daughter of Amanda Ford of Smithville
Savannah Faith Stibil, the 14 month old daughter of John and Glenda Stibil of Smithville
Madison Grace Bogle, the 17 month old daughter of Travis Bogle and Holly Owen of Smithville
Alexia Mae Whitefield, the 16 month old daughter of Jason and Savannah Whitefield of Smithville
Haiden Lei Boehm, the 15 month old daughter of Melissa Boehm and Chip Robinson of Smithville
McKenzie Mullican, the 17 month old daughter of Christy Mullican of Smithville
J.J. Wiggins, the 17 month old daughter of Eddie and Beth Davis of Brush Creek
Lillie Grace Close, the 14 month old daughter of Daryl and Angela Close of Smithville
Destiny Faith Murphy, the 14 month old daughter of Kenneth and Stephanie Murphy of Smithville
Jaiden Rose Tramel, the 15 month old daughter of Sebrena and Travis Tramel of Alexandria.
Olivia Buehler, the 17 month old daughter of Joseph and Kristal Buehler of Smithville
Boys (13 to 18 months)
Winner: Landon Franklin, the 16 month old son of Heather Owens and Anthony Franklin of DeKalb County
Runner-up: Christian Lance Martin, the 17 month old son of Shane and Susan Martin of Alexandria
There were no other entries in this category
Girls (19 to 24 months)
Winner: Lillie Grace Anderson, the 23 month old daughter of Caitlyn Anderson of Smithville and the late PFC Billy Anderson
Runner-up: Kenzi Foutch, the 20 month old daughter of Ashley Foutch and Justin Maggart of Smithville.
Other participants in this category were:
Tatum Harper Reynolds, the 22 month old daughter of David and Danielle Reynolds of Alexandria
Jessa Nevaeh Sanders, the 21 month old daughter of James and Misti Sanders of Smithville
Carla Alizabeth Ferrell, the 23 month old daughter of Charles and Meghan Ferrell of Liberty
Addison Leann Lattimore, the 21 month old daughter of Tony and Lindsey Lattimore of Alexandria
Nevaeh Elizabeth Brown, the 24 month old daughter of Elizabeth Rose Smith of Smithville
Boys (19 to 24 months)
Winner: Abram James Koegler, the 24 month old son of Brian and Leticia Koegler of Smithville
Runner-up: Matthew Thomas Blankenship, the 22 month old son of Jon and Samantha Blankenship of Alexandria
Other participants in this category were:
Jaxsen Theryn Speaks, the 21 month of son of Justin and Donna Speaks of Smithville
Aiden Jay Lawson, the 22 month old son of Holly Michelle Lawson of Liberty
Ivan Curtis Hutchins, the 24 month old son of Autumn Hutchins and Thomas Vaughn of Smithville
Girls (25 to 30 months)
Winner: Makenlee Grace Gard, the 25 month old daughter of Nathan and Brittney Gard of Dowelltown.
Runner-up: Lillie Grace Young, the 26 month old daughter of Michael and Crystal Young of Smithville.
Other participants in this category were:
Gracelynn McKeown, the 27 month old daughter of Kelly McKeown of Smithville
Jaycee Kaylin Daley, the 27 month old daughter of Megan Linder and Jaykub Daley of DeKalb County
DeShea LeeAnn Carter, the 26 month old daughter of Cynthia Diane Carter of Smithville
Boys (25 to 30 months)
No entries

Girls (31 to 36 months)
Winner: Evey Lynn Burchett, the 35 month old daughter of Brandon and Rachel Burchett of Baxter
Runner-up: Danica Hope Collier, the 36 month old daughter of Britany and Matthew Collier of Smithville
The other participant in this category:
Leah Elizabeth Trapp, the 33 month old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Trapp of Smithville
Boys (31 to 36 months)
Winner: Jacob Stewart, the 34 month old son of D.J. and Megan Stewart of Smithville
Runner-up: John Summers, the 33 month old son of Robin and Leighann Summers of Smithville.
There were no other participants in this category.
Girls (37 to 47 months)
Winner: Isabella Faith Rackley, the 42 month old daughter of Jessica and Gordon Rackley of Smithville
Runner-up: Autumn Belle Grace Redmon, the 47 month old daughter of Joseph and Brittney Redmon of Dowelltown.
Other participants in this category were:
Cadence Morgan Reynolds, the 47 month old daughter of David and Danielle Reynolds of Alexandria
McKenna Reece Miller, the 39 month old daughter of Christen Hale and David Miller of Dowelltown
Jayde Renee Lester, the 44 month old daughter of Aaron and Karen Lester of Smithville
Bailey Elizabeth Kidd, the 41 month old daughter of Brandon Kidd and Kelli Bess of Smithville
Madison Rae Anderson, the 46 month old daughter of Brittany Haley and Shelby Anderson of Alexandria
Ava Faith Pack, the 39 month old daughter of Andy and Jessica Pack of DeKalb County
Kennedi Clark, the 46 month old daughter of Jason and Dana Clark of Cannon County
Cali Beth Agee, the 44 month old daughter of Kevin and Jennifer Agee of Smithville
Addison Haven Wix, the 44 month old daughter of Garry and Stephanie Wix of Carthage
Ashlyn Naylor, the 44 month old daughter of Lloyd and Mandy Naylor of Smith County
Averie Nicole McMinn, the 41 month old daughter of Amanda and Nathan McMinn of Dowelltown
Jayme Linn Hayes, the 45 month old daughter of James and Amy Hayes of Smithville
Carleigh Isabella Beckham, the 41 month old daughter of Nikki Beckham and Bryan Brannon of Smithville
Jolene Eve Stover, the 42 month old daughter of Jason and Erica Stover of Lancaster.
Boys (37-47 months)
Winner: Jaxson Parker, the 42 month old son of Richard and Tonya Parker of Smithville.
There were no other entries in this category