Several young people from as far away as Switzerland, Wales, Australia, and England paid a visit to the DeKalb County Fair Friday evening.
Members of TrekAmerica, a group of young international sightseers who want to experience North America, are currently on a three week tour of the country, having left recently from Los Angeles enroute to New York City.
TrekAmerica offers small group adventure tours to those from other countries who want to
discover this continent. Participants get to explore America on trips that take them to big cities, National Parks, beaches, small towns and many places away from the tourist routes.
(NEW RIDE AT THE FAIR)
M2U00789 from dwayne page on Vimeo.
The Grandpa Fair of the South will end its week long run tonight (Saturday)
Admission ticket holders will have at least nine chances to take home $500. There was only one cash winner Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night and no winners at all Thursday and Friday nights.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MUD RACES HELD FRIDAY NIGHT from dwayne page on Vimeo.
A total of $4,500 will be given away tonight in increments of $500 each starting at 9:30 p.m. at the Lion’s Club Pavilion.. You must be present to win. All the cash will be given away tonight.
Meanwhile, other activities taking place today include the following:
Horseshoe Tournament at the Tot Kelly barn at Noon.; Gospel Singing at the Lions Club Pavilion at 6:00 p.m.; Super Tractor and Truck Pull at 7:00 p.m. at the T.C. McMillen Arena:
Take a stroll down Memory Lane and enjoy nightly entertainment at the Memory Lane Stage in Memory Village, sponsored by DeKalb Community Bank. The DeKalb County Fair Memory Lane Stage Line-Up is as follows:
Saturday Night July 28
6:30-7:30 p.m— Mid State Cloggers
7:45-8:45 p.m— Evermean Evergreen Cloggers
Rides on the Midway will be provided by the Family Attractions Amusement Company. Unlimited rides will be available for $18.00.
Admission to the fair is $4.00 per person. Children age four and younger will be admitted free! Gates open at 4:00 p.m. Parking is Free!
For more information, call 529-FAIR or visit on-line at www.dekalbcountyfairtn.com.

Josh Issac of Smithville was the winner of the DeKalb Idol competition held Friday night at the DeKalb County Fair in Alexandria, sponsored by DTC Communications.
Fifteen contestants competed for the title and Issac was among the top three called back after the first two rounds. As the winner of DeKalb Idol, Issac received a $300 cash prize.
Erica Melton of Auburntown received second place and $200.
Ashlee Whitehead of Smithville received third place and $100 as well as the Peoples Choice Award and $150
The program was hosted by Tom Duggin of MyDTC3 TV along with Chelsie Young of MyDTC3’s Talkin’ Country program.
(Pictured left to right: Chelsie Young (Idol Co-Emcee), Josh Issac (Idol Winner), Erica Melton (2nd place), Ashlee Whitehead (3rd place and People’s Choice Winner), Tom Duggin (DeKalb Idol Emcee)

Winners of the annual Toddler Show were announced Friday evening at the DeKalb County Fair.
First place winners received a blue ribbon. Red ribbons went to those receiving second place.
Toddler Show Girls 31-36 Months (See Local News for Names) from dwayne page on Vimeo.
(Click Link Below to View Videos of the Toddler Show)http://www.wjle.com/videos-fair-july27
This year’s recipients are as follows:
Girls (13 to 18 months)
Winner: Cora Marie Cox, the 16 month old daughter of Brandon and Whitney Cox of Smithville
Runner-up: Sienna Avalee Luna, the 14 month old daughter of Joseph and Heather Luna of Smithville.
Other participants in this category: Joelle Madison Cool, the 13 month old daughter of Aaron Cool and Sarah Lincoln of DeKalb County; Madyson Laine Hale, 15 month old daughter of Cory and Ashley Hale of Alexandria; Miranda Cheyenne Lattimore, 13 month old daughter of Brenda and Wayne Lattimore of Smithville; Anna Belle Merriman, 14 month old daughter of Jake and Joyce Merriman of Smithville; Mia Nicole Hall, 15 month old daughter of Bradley and Lacy Hall of Alexandria; Emily Claire Harris, 14 month old daughter of Chad and Kari Harris of Smithville; and Baylei Anne Benson, 17 month old daughter of Christopher and Karey Benson of Smithville
Boys (13 to 18 months)
Winner: Kyler Edward Turner, 13 month old son of Henry Turner and Felisha Cantrell of Gassaway
Runner-up: Justin Michael Hearn, 14 month old son of Tyler and Ashley Hearn of Brush Creek.
Other participants in this category: Brayden Willmore, 13 month old son of Austin Willmore and Laura Sullivan of Liberty; Collin Harper, 17 month old son of Kimberly Bilbrey and Jordan Harper of Smithville; and Justis Nokes, 17 month old son of Toby and Jamie Nokes of Smithville
Girls (19 to 24 months)
Winner: Aubrey Isabella Lasser, 23 month old daughter of Richard and Ashley Lasser of Smithville
Runner-up: Ella Grace Kirksey, 23 month old daughter of Graden and Sabrina Kirksey of Smithville
Other participants in this category were: Helen Marie Hale, 22 month old daughter of William and Rebekah Hale of Liberty; Heaven Grace Farris, 21 month old daughter of Joel and Jessica Farris of DeKalb County; Emily Johnson, 21 month old daughter of Clint and Dedee Johnson of Smithville; Lillian Hope Miller, 23 month old daughter of Josh and Amy Miller of Smithville; and Lakelyn Brooke Nelson, 23 month old daughter of Dustin and Kristian Nelson of Smithville
Boys (19 to 24 months)
Winner: Adonis Earls, 19 month old son of Rebecca Lawrence of Liberty
Runner-up: Hunter Allen Moore, 24 month old son of Clayton and Crystal Moore of Smithville
Other participants in this category were: Bryson Wade Johnson, 21 month old son of Keith and Brandy Johnson of Smithville; Andrew Reece Cathey, 22 month old son of Shawn and Cindy Washer and Jennifer Cathey of Smithville; Weston Rowland, 19 month old son of Natasha White and Jon Rowland of Smithville; Braxston Dewayne Carter, 19 month old son of Bethany and Keith Carter of Smithville; and James Wayne Redmon, 23 month old son of Kristie Shehane and Donnie Redmon of Smithville.
Girls (25 to 30 months)
Winner: Maci Raye Parsley, 27 month old daughter of Jason and Misti Parsley of Smithville
Runner-up: Annali Garcia, 29 month old daughter of Hector and Cardelly Garcia of Smithville
Other participants in this category were: Destiny Faith Parker, 26 month old daughter of Kenneth and Stephanie Murphy and Larry Murphy and Joy Parker of Smithville; Olivia Buehler, 29 month old daughter of Joseph and Kristel Buehler of Smithville; Graciella Marie Johnson, 26 month old daughter of David and Patricia Johnson of Dowelltown; Karah Jo Ford, 27 month old daughter of Joseph Wann and Amanda Ford of Smithville; Savannah Stible, 26 month old daughter of John and Glenda Stible of Smithville; and Chloee Cantrell, 28 month old daughter of Rocky and Andrea Cantrell of Smithville
Boys (25 to 30 months)
Winner: Brayden Chance Nicholas, 25 month old son of Tamirah Vanatta Lance of Smithville
Runner-up: Levi Hamilton Cripps, 26 month old son of Kevin and Liz Cripps of Alexandria.
Girls (31 to 36 months)
Winner: Lilly Grace Anderson, 35 month old daughter of Caitlin Anderson of Smithville and the late PFC Billy Anderson
Runner-up: Kenzi Foutch, 33 month old daughter of Ashley Foutch and Justin Maggart of Smithville.
The other participants in this category: Tatum Harper Reynolds, 34 month old daughter of David and Danielle Reynolds of Brush Creek; Katelee Ramsey, 34 month old daughter of Dewayne and Candy Ramsey of McMinnville; Jessa Nevaeh Sanders, 33 month old daughter of James and Misti Sanders of Smithville; Jasmine Elizabeth Smith, 33 month old daughter of Flesha Smith of Smithville; and Nevaeh Elizabeth Brown, 36 month old daughter of Elizabeth Smith and Matthew Brown of Smithville
Boys (31 to 36 months)
Winner:Jaxsen Theryn Speaks, 34 month old son of Justin and Donna Speaks of Smithville
Runner-up: Austin Merriman, 35 month old son of Jake and Joyce Merriman of Smithville
Girls (37 to 47 months)
Winner: Leah Elisabeth Trapp, 45 month old daughter of Jeremy Trapp and Jenny Trapp of Smithville
Runner-up: Lillie Grace Young, 38 month old daughter of Michael and Crystal Young of Smithville
Other participants in this category were: Lynnlee Elizabeth Reed, 41 month old daughter of Craig and Heather Reed of Smithville; Izzy Prichard, 37 month old daughter of Andy and Chrissy Prichard of Liberty; Kaylee Brook Kent, 47 month old daughter of Kevin and Beth Kent of Dowelltown; Alexis Faith Reynolds, 41 month old daughter of Keith and Teesha Reynolds of DeKalb County; and Harlie Elmore, 45 month old daughter of Aaron and Kristy Elmore of Wilson County.
Boy (37-47 months)
Winner: Jacob Marlin Stewart, 46 month old son of D.J. and Megan Stewart of Smithville
There were no other entries in this category.

County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for June 2012 show the rate increased in all 95 counties. In DeKalb County the rate jumped to 8.3%, up from 7.8% in May but still below the rate of 9.8% in June, 2011.
The local labor force for June was at 10,040. A total of 9,210 were employed and 830 were without work
DeKalb County’s unemployment rate for June was third lowest in the fourteen county Upper Cumberland region. Here’s how they rank highest to lowest
Van Buren- 13.2%
Picket County- 13%
White- 12.1%
Clay-10.2%
Warren-9.9%
Cumberland-9.5%
Fentress-9.4%
Jackson-9.4%
Overton-9.1%
Putnam-8.8%
Cannon-8.5%
DeKalb-8.3%
Macon-8.2%
Smith-7.7%
Tennessee’s unemployment rate for June rose to 8.1 percent, up from the May revised rate of 7.9 percent. The national unemployment rate for June 2012 was 8.2 percent, unchanged from May.
The state unemployment rate is seasonally adjusted while the county unemployment rates are not. Seasonal adjustment is a statistical technique that eliminates the influences of weather, holidays, the opening and closing of schools, and other recurring seasonal events from economic time series.
Knox County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 6.7 percent, up from 6.0 percent in May. Davidson County was 7.3 percent, up from 6.7 percent the previous month. Hamilton County was 8.3 percent, up from 7.4 percent, and Shelby County was 9.7 percent, up from the May unemployment rate of 8.8 percent

Early voting ended Saturday for the August elections with a total of eight hundred seventy six people having taken advantage of it from July 13-28 at the courthouse. That is up slightly from August, 2008 when 807 people voted early/absentee and up from the 719 who voted early/absentee in the local Democratic and Presidential Preference Primary in March of this year. Two years ago in August, 1,474 voted early/absentee.
During the two week early voting period in this election, a total of 373 people cast ballots in the Tennessee Republican Primary and 371 voted in the Tennessee Democratic Primary.
The largest single day turnout for early voting was on the next to the last day, Friday July 27 when 119 people cast ballots. The response each day was as follows:
Friday, July 13-70
Saturday, July 14- 31
Monday, July 16- 42
Tuesday, July 17- 42
Wednesday, July 18- 53
Thursday, July 19- 55
Friday, July 20- 37
Saturday, July 21- 43
Monday, July 23-79
Tuesday, July 24-53
Wednesday, July 25-73
Thursday, July 26-87
Friday, July 27-119
Saturday, July 28- 92
In the August election four years ago, a total of 2,256 voted including 807 early voters/absentees and 1,449 on election day. Voter turnout was only 17.2% in DeKalb County on that day.
During the local Democratic Primary and Presidential Preference Primary in March of this year,
2,598 voters cast ballots, including a total of 1,879 on election day and 719 either by early voting or absentee ballot.
A total of 3,816 people voted in the August election two years ago including 2,341 on election day and 1,474 during early voting or by absentee ballot.
If you are properly registered to vote and did not participate in early voting, you can cast ballots on election day, Thursday August 2. All sixteen precincts in DeKalb County will be open Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. WJLE will have LIVE election return coverage starting at 7:00 p.m. on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com.
As a voter you may vote for whom you choose in the DeKalb County General Election regardless of party affiliation in the races for assessor of property, constable, or school board member. In other words, you can vote for a democrat in one race and a republican in another.
However, if you choose to vote in one of the state primaries which include the offices of State Representative, U.S. Representative, or U.S. Senator, you must declare in which primary you intend to vote. For example, if you declare your intention to vote in the State Republican Primary, you can ONLY vote for Republican candidates for State Representative, U.S. Representative, and U.S. Senator but you MAY vote for ANY candidate you choose regardless of party affiliation in the county general election (Assessor of Property, Constable, School Board)
Likewise, if you choose to vote in the State Democratic Primary you can vote
for only Democratic candidates for State Representative, U.S. Representative, and U.S. Senator but you MAY vote for ANY candidate you choose regardless of party affiliation in the county general election (Assessor of Property, Constable, School Board)
In simple terms, you can vote for a Democrat in the County General and still choose the Republican State Primary; or you may vote for a Republican in the County General and still choose the Democrat State Primary.
Local voters will be electing a new Assessor of Property in August. The candidates are Scott Cantrell and Mason Carter. Two school board seats will be filled along with five constable seats.
In the state primary, local voters will help select the party nominees for State Representative in the 40th district, the 46th district, Congressman in the 6th District and one U.S. Senator.
ATTENTION VOTERS OF THE EDGAR EVINS STATE PARK (1-3) PRECINCT
THE LOCATION WHERE YOU NORMALLY VOTE ON ELECTION DAY HAS BEEN MOVED WITHIN THE PARK. DUE TO A BUILDING ISSUE, THE VOTING LOCATION WILL BE AT THE CABIN COMPLEX, CABIN C-6.
THERE WILL BE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE PARK, INCLUDING AT INTERSECTIONS. IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE DEKALB COUNTY ELECTION OFFICE AT 615-597-4146 OR THE STATE PARK MANAGER’S OFFICE AT 931-858-2114.

The 2012 achievement scores for DeKalb County show several areas of improvement over last year’s TCAP results, according to Director of Schools Mark Willoughby.
The Tennessee Board of Education on Thursday released district breakdowns of TCAP test results. The data show district-by-district results for each subject of the 3-8 Achievement Tests and High School End of Course exams.
“In grades 3-8, the DeKalb County School System improved in Reading and Language Arts, Math, and Science,” said Willoughby. “This improvement means that more students scored proficient and advanced on this year’s TCAP. The leading subject with the most improvement over 2011 was Math. In Social Studies, 81.4% of our students performed at the proficient or advanced level,” he said.
“DeKalb County High School also increased the percent of proficient and advanced students for the End-of-Course achievement tests for 2012 for the academic areas of Algebra I, Algebra II, and Freshman English. US History had 94.1% of students to score proficient or advanced,” said Willoughby.
“Overall, the increased rigor of the standards and the higher bar set by the state for proficiency has been embraced by the teachers and administration. These changes have led to increased achievement for our students as well as students who are more prepared for college and careers. Math will continue to be a focus for us in the coming year,” he said.
Growth over last year represents the difference between 2010-11 and 2011-12 in terms of the number of students who scored proficient or advanced. The following show combined grades 3-8 student performance
DeKalb County:
Math:
(42% of students performed at the proficient or advanced level)
(3.9% growth over last year)
Reading:
(49.4% of students performed at the proficient or advanced level)
(0.7% growth over last year)
Science:
(63% of students performed at the proficient or advanced level)
(0.9% growth over last year)
Social Studies:
(81.4% of students performed at the proficient or advanced level)
(-0.2% growth compared to last year)
End of Course 9-12 student performance
Algebra I:
(55.2%)
(2.9% growth over last year)
Algebra II:
(20.6% of students performed at the proficient or advanced level)
(7.2% growth compared to last year)
Biology I
(56.7% of students performed at the proficient or advanced level)
(-13.3% growth compared to last year)
English I
(67.4% of students performed at the proficient or advanced level)
(4.7% growth compared to last year)
English II
(59.2% of students performed at the proficient or advanced level)
(-4.6% growth compared to last year)
U.S. History
(94.1% of students performed at the proficient or advanced level)
(-3.9% growth compared to last year)

Babies from one day to twelve months old were the center of attention during the annual Baby Show held Thursday evening at the DeKalb County Fair.
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SEE VIDEOS OF BABY SHOW THURSDAY)http://www.wjle.com/videos-fair-july26
The winners (blue ribbon first place and red ribbon runner-up) are as follows:
Girls (1 day to 3 months)
Winner: Paizlee Dae Taylor, three month old daughter of David and Susan Taylor of Dowelltown
Runner-up: Elissia Frazier, two month old daughter of Resha Nichols and Eric Frazier of Putnam County
M2U00773 from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Boys (1 day to 3 months)
Winner: Billy James Clark, three month old son of Bryan and Nikki Clark of Smithville
Girls (4-6 months)
Winner: Jacie Rea Sosa, four month old daughter of Noe and Megan Sosa of Smithville
Runner-up: Brylee Michelle Key, six month old daughter of Shannon and Holly Key of Alexandria
Other participants in this category: Karcsi Elizabeth Malone, four month old daughter of Darrell and Jerri Lin Malone of Smith County; Lyra Dell McMinn, four month old daughter of Amanda and Nathan McMinn of Dowelltown; Addison Peden, five month old daughter of Amanda McClure and James Peden of Smithville; and Saylah Nevaeh-Grace Harris, four month old daughter of Christi and Jamie Harris of Watertown.
Boys (4-6 months)
Winner: Brantley Elliott Brooks, five month old son of Lydia Price and Justin Brooks of Smithville
Runner-up: Eastyn Sutton, four month old son of Hailey and Keith Sutton of DeKalb County
Other participant in this category: Dalton Brantley Howell, four month old son of Crystal Baker and Joey Howell of Smithville.
Girls (7-9 months)
Winner: Kendall Marie Faye Walker, seven month old daughter of Tim and Joanie Walker of Warren County
Runner-up: Cierra Leann Cox, nine month old daughter of Andrew and Suzanne Cox of Smithville
Other participant in this category: Aila Odom, eight month old daughter of Josh and Macey Odom of Dowelltown
Boys (7-9 months)
Winner: Julian Michael Johnson, eight month old son of Alexander Johnson and Lauren Lawrence of Alexandria
Runner-up: Ty Morris, eight month old son of Kate Pack and Jimmy Morris of Smithville
Girls (10-12 months)
Winner: Callen Alizabeth Tramel, twelve month old daughter of Caleb and Hillary Tramel of Smithville
Runner-Up: Trinity Grace Knowles, ten month old daughter of Carolyn and Jonathon Knowles of Dowelltown
Other participants in this category: Hayley Skye McKeown, eleven month old daughter of Sarah Ross and Jimmy McKeown of Dowelltown; Kenzie Nichole South, twelve month old daughter of Tiffany Burchfield and Anthony South of Smithville; Kinslee Marie Adams, eleven month old daughter of Kayla Miller and Jordan Adams of Smithville; and Aubree Bruno, ten month old daughter of Jenna Bruno and Chris Pack of Smithville
Boys (10-12 months)
Winner: Brayden Beauliew, eleven month old son of Traci Brown and John Beauliew of Alexandria
Runner-Up: Logan Gard, eleven month old son of Nathan and Brittney Gard of Dowelltown
Other participants in this category: Gabriel Michael Johnson, ten month old son of Jessica Johnson of Dowelltown and Jonathan Cain Hall, eleven month old son of Cayden Cantrell and Jonathan Hall of DeKalb County.

If someone comes to your door trying to pressure you into buying a home security system, Chief Randy Caplinger urges you to report that to the Smithville Police Department.
According to Chief Caplinger, the police department has been receiving complaints from some who have felt uncomfortable with the sales pitch made to them. As part of their high pressure tactics, Chief Caplinger said these people will mention names of prominent citizens in the community who have bought their product, using that as a means of persuading the prospective buyer to make the purchase as well. “Several young college age people have been in here going door to door selling home security systems,” said Chief Caplinger. ” The company they are representing is AMP Security but a lot of people are misunderstanding thinking they are affiliated with ADT Security company, which they are not. They are working for a company called Vector Security out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. AMP Security is out of Utah,” he said
“According to the complaints we are getting, a lot of the people (homeowners) are being pressured to buy these systems and being told by the salesmen that someone they (homeowners) know has already purchased this system, and has (referred the salesmen) to them (homeowners). What we are finding is, the people’s names they (salesmen) are using did not buy the systems,” said Chief Caplinger.
“We would ask that if anyone comes to your door trying to sell you a security system, and they tell you that someone you know sent them, before purchasing that system, we ask that you actually call that person (you know) and ask if they actually bought the system and if they know anything about it and find out what the up front cost is. Make sure you know exactly what you are paying for up front and what is going to be involved in this because with the contracts we have looked at, there is only a three day clause in there to actually back out of that contract and to have that equipment removed,” he said.
“If you feel pressured in any way to buy that system and you are unsure, just contact us and we will speak with these people,” said Chief Caplinger.”We already know who they are. We have their names. People are telling us they are being pressured. They feel uncomfortable. It sounds real good to them and it may be a good deal but we want people to feel comfortable. They are using some of the prominent names in Smithville, telling them that these people have already purchased these systems, which they haven’t. If you feel uncomfortable in any way, don’t purchase anything. Tell them you want to check further. Call the police department and we will send an officer out there to make sure everything is okay,” said Chief Caplinger.