Kelly Services has over 100 jobs available at Federal Mogul
They’re taking applications on Tuesday, and Wednesday, February 17th &18th at the First United Methodist Church located at 102 West Church Street, in Smithville, in the Christian Fellowship Center.
Jobs pay $8-10.17/hour. If you are at least 18 and have some manufacturing
experience, you are encouraged to apply. Bring a friend and you may be eligible to earn a referral bonus to boot!
Be sure to bring 2 forms of ID. Remember, you can apply in person on Tuesday and Wednesday at the CFC at the First United Methodist Church from 9am until 6:00pm.

A total of thirty seven students will be competing during the Sixth Annual DeKalb County Spelling Bee Friday night, February 20th at 6:30 p.m. at DeKalb County High School.
WJLE plans LIVE coverage
Students from DeKalb Middle School, DeKalb West School, and Northside Elementary School recently competed at the school level to become eligible for the county competition.
Along with students from twenty nine other counties, the first and second place winners in the DeKalb County Spelling Bee will compete in the Tennessean Regional Spelling Bee on March 4th at Belmont University in Nashville.
The winner of the Regional Spelling Bee will compete in the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. May 26th through May 28th with all expenses paid by the Tennessean Newspaper.
The purpose of the County Wide Spelling Bee is to help students improve spelling skills, increase vocabularies, learn concepts, and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives.
Participants in this year’s County Wide Spelling Bee are:
Northside Elementary School:
Fourth Grade- Sara LeFever and Baylee Phillips
Fifth Grade-Chase Bryant, Hailey Cannon, Caleb Fox, Morgan Cross, Kaitlin Rhea, and Kyra Trapp
DeKalb Middle School:
Sixth Grade- Peter Antoniak, Amber Baute, Brandon Chapman, Haley Davis, Lenzi Dickens, Justin Johnson, Julie Little, Makalee Ruch, Makayla Starnes, Alex Thompson, and Jacob Washer.
Eighth Grade-Jessica Acuna, Kyra Dickens, and Martelia Tallent
DeKalb West School:
Fifth Grade- Morgan Vickers and Hailey Walker
Sixth Grade- Leah Burchfield, McKenzie Gann, and Bruce Wilson
Seventh Grade- Cara Mosely, McKenzie Poteete, Crystal Vickers, Evan Ward, and Dylan Young
Eighth Grade- Nathan Gohs, Amy Hastings, Taylor Leach, Justin Manley, and Austin Miller

The DeKalb County School System has announced that three educators, Kathy Lawrence, Carrie Gottlied and Linda Paris have been selected “Teachers of the Year” locally and will compete for regional honors in the Tennessee Teacher of the Year Program.
Dr. Carol Hendrix, Supervisor of Instruction for grades 7-12, made the announcement during Thursday night’s school board meeting. “Again this year, we’re going to participate in the Teacher of the Year process, which begins on the school level, moves to the system level, the regional level, and finally to the state level. As we did last year, we had an individual from out of the county to select the Teachers of the Year at the system wide level.”
“In pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, we have Karen Knowles from Smithville Elementary, Crystal Young from Smithville Elementary, Kathy Lawrence from DeKalb West School, and Kathy Bryant from Northside Elementary School. Kathy Lawrence was chosen on the system wide level and will go on to the regional level.”
“In grades 5 through 8, Carrie Gottlied from Northside Elementary, Pat Allen from DeKalb West School, Pat Barnes from DeKalb Middle School, and Vicky Terrell from DeKalb Middle School were chosen and Carrie Gottlied will be going on to the regional level.”
“In the 9th through 12th grade, which is DeKalb County High School, we have two teachers, Leslie Rice and Linda Paris and Linda Paris was chosen to go on to the regional competition which will be February 27th. Should they win there, they will go on to the state level in March. Last year we had a teacher who was Teacher of the Year at the regional level, Lisa Cripps. She did go to the state and did very well there.”
The Tennessee Teacher of the Year Program is designed to promote recognition, respect and appreciation for teachers; to stimulate interest in teaching as a career; and to encourage public involvement in education.
This program is sponsored annually by the Tennessee Department of Education and the Niswonger Foundation.
The Tennessee Teacher of the Year represents Tennessee at the National Teacher of the Year competition, which is sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers and Scholastic, Inc.
Teachers of the Year are selected competitively through five cycles: Building, System, Field Service Center Region, Grand Division and State; and from three categories (levels of teaching); Grades Pre K-4, 5-8, 9-12.
Teachers selected at each cycle receive local recognition and awards underwritten by local sources. State recognition/awards include a banquet honoring the nine State Teacher of the Year finalists and certificates of appreciation from the Governor. In addition, the State Finalists and the State Teacher of the Year receive cash awards from the Niswonger Foundation.
Meanwhile, the local school system has been approved for a $6,000 Model Dropout Prevention Program grant.
The announcement was made by Dr. Danielle Collins, Federal Programs Supervisor, during Thursday night’s school board meeting.
Under the program the school system plans to initiate a Family Math Night for parents and students who attend the fourth grade at Northside Elementary School. Officials say they are concerned about consistently low math scores in fourth grade and the probable history of these students’ parents who dropped out of school. A Math Night for parents and students would provide an opportunity for parents and students to learn grade appropriate math skills together in an effort to promote positive learning and parental involvement. First Bank will partner with the school system in offering this program. Skills such as addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication in conjunction with balancing a checkbook will be taught to parents and students. Other standards such as percentages, place value, and ratios will be covered in real world scenarios.
Director of Schools Mark Willoughby presented his monthly update on personnel.
Those employed for the 2008-09 school year since last month include Charles Rodgers, a teacher at DeKalb County High School and Charles L. Cantrell, a substitute custodian.
Matthew Carpenter, Sara Jared, and Jalene Vanatta have been named substitute teachers.
Elizabeth Redmon has been transferred to DeKalb West School as an educational assistant and Tena Edwards has been transferred from Federal educational assistant to General Purpose..
Wendy Bowling, a Smithville Elementary School Educational Assistant has been granted a leave; Kitty Thomas, teacher at DeKalb Middle School; Truitt Hale, custodian at DeKalb Middle School, Sabrina Kirksey, teacher at Northside Elementary; and Mary Joines, a bus assistant have all been granted a leave of absence as requested.
Alisha Cheatham, part-time speech pathologist has resigned.
In other action, the board voted to ask permission from the county commission to bid three new school buses for delivery in August 2009 including one 72 passenger and two 78 passenger buses to be funded in the 2009-2010 general purpose school budget. Plans are to have the buses seat belt ready along with installation of a three way camera system for better viewing of students in the front, middle, and back of the buses.
Brad Leach, CTE Director requested the board to approve programs of study for career and technical education. The state is requiring that all career and technical education programs have a program of study in place for the 2009-2010 school year. Under the program, students in career and technical education must choose a career cluster and complete at least three course offerings (credits) in a program of study. For example, if a student chooses the career cluster- Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics, he or she must complete three of the following course offerings in the Automotive Technology program of study: Transportation Core, Brake Systems, Steering and Suspension, and Engine Performance.
Leach says students will declare a program of study during the eighth grade registration for high school and begin by taking the introductory course in their freshman year. “All eighth graders coming in will have to declare some type of program of study. The one thing about putting this in the freshman academy again is that a 10th, 11th or 12th grader who is wanting to take an introductory course will not be mixed in with those freshmen. The freshmen will be by themselves in this introductory course. If a student wants to take an introductory course, we will have to create a class for them. We’ll probably have to do this the first year to pick up the 10th graders that are in the freshman academy now. We do have some dual credit/post secondary college offerings for students. Hopefully, by this fall every program of study will have some type of post secondary/articulation or dual credit agreements that students will be able to use their credits in high school in order to go onto college and it will satisfy some of those requirements for college credit.”
The board granted Leach’s request.
Dr. Bill Tanner, Principal at Smithville Elementary School, updated the board on the new computer lab at the school. “At the elementary school our computer lab is used daily on the fast forward reading program and also with intervention programs with our children who are not reaching the levels they need to reach in reading. Our computers had gotten to the point where they couldn’t be fixed anymore so I talked to Brad Mullinax (Technology Coordinator) and Mr. (Mark) Willoughby (Director of Schools) and we decided we would replace the towers. It was going to cost around $30,000 to replace everything so we decided we would go ahead and replace the towers. I talked to the PTO people and they agreed to replace the monitors with flat screen monitors. We also got some new headphones. So I’d like to thank the school board, Mr. Willoughby, and the PTO. We have a new computer lab at the elementary school and I’d like to invite each and everyone of you to come and visit it and see our new computer lab.”
In routines business, the board granted approval for an overnight trip for members of the Health Occupations Students of America Club to attend a state conference in Chattanooga March 23rd through 25th .
An overnight trip request was approved for the DCHS boys soccer team to attend an invitational soccer tournament at Franklin County High School in Winchester on Saturday, March 21st through Sunday, March 22nd.
The DCHS boys soccer team was granted permission to play a soccer match at Jackson County during school hours on Monday, March 30th. Permission was also granted for an in school match to be played at home on Tuesday, March 24th with Jackson County.
The board approved a request for members of the FCCLA club to attend a state leadership meeting April 7th-9th at the Opryland Hotel.
Members of the FFA were granted permission to attend the state convention in Gatlinburg March 29th through April 2nd.
The board granted permission for a fundraiser at DeKalb Middle School. All proceeds from the candy sale February 23rd through March 27th will be for the general account.
The board also authorized a trip for board members to attend the “Day on the Hill” Legislative Conference February 24th.
The school board meeting next month will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10th instead of Thursday, March 12th.

According to the U.S. Travel Industry Association, tourism spending in DeKalb County is continuing to grow at a good pace. The most current data report (2007) shows travel-related expenditures brought $34,360,000 to DeKalb County, which is a 7.3% increase from the previous year.
DeKalb County Tourism Fast Facts:
• In the 14-county Upper Cumberland region, DeKalb County received the third highest amount of tourism dollars & was first in increased percent change (7.3% increase).
• Tourism activity in DeKalb County produced $7.17 million in worker income/paychecks (a 7.6% increase from the previous year), $4.46 million in local county tax revenues (7.3% increase), $1.92 million in state tax revenue (6.7% increase), & 270 jobs (2.8% increase).
• Tourists spending in the county created $12,219 daily in local county tax revenues, $5,260 daily in state tax revenues, and $19,644 daily in worker paychecks.
• On an average day in DeKalb County, visitors spend over $94,000.
• The tax relief per household in DeKalb County due to tourism dollars is $913.52.
Sources: TN Dept. of Tourism, U.S. Travel Industry Assoc. & the University of Tennessee’s Tourism Institute
Thanks to everyone who attended the Chamber Annual Membership Banquet. We had over 200 in attendance. Our appreciation goes to the 2009 Leadership DeKalb Class for serving the food, Dan & Layna McCorkle for sharing their musical talents, and Boy Scout Troop #347 for the flag presentation. We are so grateful for our corporate, silent auction, and door prize sponsors who make our banquet possible. We appreciate FirstBank for sponsoring our incredible keynote speaker, Micheal Burt & express our deepest gratitude to our Corporate Sponsors — Center Hill Realty, DTC Communications / DTC Wireless, DeKalb Community Bank, Liberty State Bank, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, & Tenneco. Congratulations to Charlie Parker for receiving the Leadership Alumni’s “Community Leader of the Year” Award & to Ben Chapman of Lighthouse Christian Camp for being presented with the “Legacy Award.”
This year’s Leadership DeKalb class, Leadership Director Jen Sherwood, and I will be traveling overnight to Nashville for an in-depth and practical hands-on experience at the Capitol during the State Government session in March. Our many thanks go out to Middle Tennessee Natural Gas and The Inn at Evins Mill for sponsoring February’s Economic and Community Development Session.
One of the top priorities of the Chamber is to help promote local events. Help us keep our 2009 Community Calendar of Events up-to-date. Please email us at dekalbtn@dtccom.net or call 597-4163 to let us know of any events, programs, or opportunities you have coming this year.
Mark Your Calendars for all the great upcoming opportunities:
• WJLE Chamber Radio Program – 1st Wednesday of every month at 8:30 AM
• Feb 19th – Justin Potter Library’s “Teen Writers’ Program” (teen 13-18) at 3:30 PM
• Feb 20th – Cub Scouts Pack 347’s second annual “Friday Nite Open” – Pinewood Derby race open to the community: cub scouts, former cub scouts, family members, etc. Weigh-in begins at 5:30 p.m. Race will begin at 7 p.m. Location – First United Methodist Fellowship Building. Entry fee – $5. For more information contact Jen Sherwood at 597-4851 or Richard Judkins at 597-4213
• Feb 21st – The 2nd Annual Father/Daughter Date Night sponsored by the DCHS Football Cheerleaders from 6:30 to 9:30 PM at Smithville Church of God – Tickets: $25 includes dinner, dance, & photo. For more info or to purchase tickets, call Judith Hale at 464-7810 or Vanessa Winchester at 615-948-9543
• Feb 24th – DeKalb County “Spay Day” – For appt. or more info, call 464-1196 or 464-6104
• Feb 28th – Justin Potter Library’s Story hour (for children 3-10) at 10:00 AM with FCCLA Club and author Barbara Ebel, MD. Doctor Barbara will read her non-fiction children’s book about Chester, the therapy dog, who will be at her side. Activities and book signing to follow.
• March 4th – Re-Opening of Stella Luna Art Gallery
• DeKalb Community’s Bank’s Financial Solutions Education Series – FREE & open to the public
o February 23 – Budgeting Solutions
o March 2 – Saving Solutions
o March 9 – Credit Use & Fraud Solutions
o March 16 – Investing Solutions
o March 23 – Smart Spending Solutions
o Times: 6:30 to 7:30 PM at their Smithville office
o To register or for more info, call April Martin at 597-4945.
• The Appalachian Center for Craft is taking registrations for all of their 2009 Workshop Sessions – For more info, go to: http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/wkshops.html or stop by the Chamber for a Workshop Catalog.
Join our efforts in working together to promote our great county and its businesses. For a membership application or community improvement nomination form, call the Chamber at 597-4163 or visit us at 301 North Public Square, Smithville.

The Smithville Police Department will be conducting sobriety checkpoints and enhanced traffic enforcement on Friday in an ongoing effort to provide safer roadways for the public. The Smithville Police Department will continue to work with the Governors Highway Safety Office in an effort to keep our roadways safe.
The Governor’s Highway Safety Office is Tennessee’s advocate for highway safety. This office works with law enforcement, judicial personnel, and community advocates to coordinate activities and initiatives relating to the human behavorial aspects of highway safety.
The GHSO’s mission is to develop, execute, and evaluate programs to reduce the number of fatalities, injuries, and related economic losses resulting from traffic crashes on Tennessee’s roadways. The office works in tandem with the National Highway Safety Administration to implement programs focusing on occupant protection, impaired driving, speed enforcement, truck and school bus safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety and crash data collection and analysis. Programs administered by the Governor’s Highway Safety Office are 100% federally funded.

Donny Green, County Executive Director for DeKalb County Farm Service Agency alerts producers that sign-up ends February 27, 2009, for the Crop Disaster Program (CDP), which provides payments for 2005, 2006, or 2007 crop-year losses due to a natural disaster.
“DeKalb County Farm Service Agency has issued over $750,000 for 2005-2007 crop losses in DeKalb County,” said Green. “We encourage qualified farmers to take advantage of this assistance.”
Crop producers who did not have crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program coverage during the year of the disaster are not eligible for compensation.
The ending date of February 27 applies to the receipt of a signed and completed FSA-840 application along with supporting documentation and required forms available at your county FSA office. No late filed applications will be approved.
More information on CDP and other USDA disaster assistance programs is available at the DeKalb County Farm Service Agency (FSA) office by calling 597-8225, extension 2, or visiting the office at 647 Bright Hill Road in Smithville. Information can also be found on FSA’s Web site at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.