The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development has released the most current tourism numbers, and DeKalb County has the highest percentage increase in every tourism category for the 14-county Upper Cumberland region. The most current numbers show DeKalb County is up 8.3% from the previous year for a total of $39.34 million. That equals a $4.63 million increase over the previous year. These figures place DeKalb County third in total travel-related expenditures in the Upper Cumberland behind the much larger Putnam and Cumberland counties.
Travel-related employment was up 4.6% for a total of 270 jobs. Travel-related payroll increased 6.5% totaling $7.064 million. DeKalb County tourism dollars generated $2.180 million (8.4% increase over previous year) in state tax receipts. And an additional $5.1 million (9.5% increase) was collected for local tax receipts.
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 blessed to have Center Hill Lake, Edgar Evins State Park, and the Appalachian Center for Craft, as well as great events such as the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival, Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour, and other local music and art events. The small town charm, friendly people, and scenic beauty that you find from Smithville, Dowelltown, Liberty, and Alexandria keep people coming back and make it a desirable place to live, work, play, and raise a family.”
In Tennessee, only 44 of the 95 counties had an increase in all travel-related categories including domestic travel expenditures, employment, payroll income, and local and state tax receipts. DeKalb County was not only one of those counties but had the highest percentage growth in the Upper Cumberland region in every category.
This study was conducted by the Research Department of the U.S. Travel Association for the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. For more information on tourism opportunities in DeKalb County, go to www.dekalbtn.com.

A local land developer plans to look into the possibility of building a truck stop and restaurant if his land near the intersection of Highways 70 & 83 (New Home Road) is annexed into the City of Smithville
Ed Young is one of six county property owners just outside the west end of town who would like their land annexed into the City of Smithville.
Young made his request known during Monday night’s meeting of the Mayor and Aldermen “I am an absentee owner. But if you incorporate that into the city and we get that sewer pipe in I will do the research on what it takes to put in a big truck stop with a restaurant. I did a deal like this years ago with Shell. I put up the property (elsewhere). They put up the building and I got a percentage. I don’t know if it will fly now but I will know actually what it takes to build one. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You put it together and I’ll find the two million dollars to build it,” he said.
Young has other properties in town including the old shell station, discount tobacco, and donut shop buildings on Broad Street. He also owns the old Smithville Freight Lines property which he currently has under development and is trying to restore.
If approved, the properties of Young, Mike Foster, Dr. David Foutch, Pat Walls, John Kilgore, and Jim Beshearse would be annexed. The area includes almost seventeen acres on the south side of Highway 70 from the existing city limits to near the intersection of Highway 83 (New Home Road). It would take in the Kilgore’s restaurant property, which belongs to Foster; Dr. Foutch’s Eye Care office; and parcels of land belonging to Kilgore and Beshearse. Facing the Old Snow Hill Road, the residential properties of Beshearse, Walls, and Foster would be annexed. On the northside of Highway 70, another fourteen acres of undeveloped land belonging to Young would be annexed along with the old Beshearse grocery store building, which still belongs to the Beshearse family. Young’s property is located across the highway from Kilgore’s Restaurant.
John Kilgore, owner of Kilgore’s Restaurant, told WJLE Monday that being in the city would be a great benefit to him as a tenant and to Foster, the property owner. “The reason we’re wanting to get it annexed here is we can pick up the utilities like the sewer system to make it a better functional place because it’s a restaurant and it should not be set up to run on septic lines. We’re wanting to pay the (city) taxes in order to be able to get the sewer,” he said.
Kilgore, who owns two and a half acres of undeveloped land between the properties of Dr. Foutch and Jim Beshearse on Highway 70 said his desire is to one day build a restaurant on that site.
Dr. Foutch told WJLE that while he has no strong feeling about annexation, he does not oppose it and would welcome the city services.
Although he would have to pay city taxes, Beshearse said the benefits of being in the city appeal to him with city police, fire, and sewer services along with garbage pickup. Beshearse added however that he has no complaints with the county fire department which he says does a good job too.
Due to a state moratorium on annexation, the city cannot take the initiative on its own without a request. The property owners have to petition the city for annexation. “We have not gone out and sought these people for annexation. They have come to the city and asked to be annexed in. These are all voluntary annexations,” said Mayor Jimmy Poss.
State law halts in progress forced annexations of residential and farm property by Tennessee towns and cities prior to April 15 until May 15, 2014, unless a city can persuade county commissions to approve them.
New annexations of such property are banned during the same time frame unless property owners want to become part of a city.
That’s intended to provide time for the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations to study how a 1999 urban planning law, intended to bring order to annexations, has worked. TACIR serves as a forum on state and local issues.
Mayor Poss and the aldermen only brought the issue up for discussion Monday night. The Smithville Planning Commission will take it up during its next meeting, which has been rescheduled for Thursday, October 17 at city hall. If the planning commission gives a favorable recommendation for annexing these properties, the measure will go back to the aldermen for approval by ordinance.
State law also requires that all annexations include a Plan of Services (POS). The POS outlines those services, such as sewer, that will be made available to the land being annexed and the timeframe within which services and/or amenities will be provided.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department has charged a father and son with aggravated assault after a disturbance last week.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said 24 year old Clinton Lane Cope of Midway Road and his father 52 year old Timothy Lane Cope of Smith Road will be in court October 10.
Both Clinton and Timothy Cope are charged with aggravated assault. Timothy Cope is also charged with disorderly conduct. Bond for Clinton Cope is $2,500. Timothy Cope’s bond is $4,000.
According to Sheriff Ray, a deputy was called to the home of Clinton Cope on Wednesday, October 2 in answer to a disturbance call. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with two other persons in the home who said that both Timothy and Clinton Cope had awaken them from sleep. Timothy Cope was said to be swinging a ball bat at one of the persons in the home while Clinton Cope was swinging his fist at him (same victim).
After hearing from the two persons in the home and observing the behavior of both Timothy and Clinton Cope, the officer placed both father and son under arrest.
Timothy Cope was further charged with disorderly conduct after failing to heed the officer’s orders to go outside the residence and wait. Sheriff Ray said Cope initially did go outside but he came back in the home and began yelling. The officer sent Cope outside a second time, but he came back in yet again.
47 year old Jeffery Allan Matthews of Sparta Highway is charged with being a fugitive from justice. He is being held without bond and his court date is October 10. Sheriff Ray said Matthews was recently checked locally to determine if he had a valid drivers’ license. A computer check revealed that Matthews had an active arrest warrant against him in Martinsville (Morgan County) Indiana for failure to appear . Officials of the Morgan County, Indiana Sheriff’s Department have said they plan to seek extradition of Matthews back there.
47 year old Mark Owen Alvis of Sparta Highway is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court October 10. Sheriff Ray said that on or about Thursday, October 3 a deputy responded to a call of someone driving through the complainant’s yard. Upon arrival, the officer made contact with Alvis who had a strong odor of alcohol on his person and he was unsteady on his feet. According to Sheriff Ray, Alvis admitted to drinking and taking five hydros. He also allegedly admitted to driving through the complainant’s yard and going across Brent Taylor Road. Alvis submitted to but performed poorly on all field sobriety tasks. He was placed under arrest and transported to the jail for booking.
28 year old Frank Andy Checchi of Hooper Street, Smithville is charged with driving on a suspended license. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court on October 10. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, October 7, Checchi was operating a motor vehicle on Highway 70 when he was stopped by an officer who had prior knowledge of Checchi having a suspended drivers license. A computer check confirmed his license were suspended for failing to satisfy a citation in DeKalb County.

A head-on crash this morning (Monday) on Highway 53 near the DeKalb line in Smith County claimed the life of a 68 year old woman and injured two other persons.
Dead is Wanda Williams of Brush Creek
Trooper Terry Seay of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that Williams was a passenger of a 2008 Mercury Marquis, driven by her husband, 71 year old Doras Williams. A family member said the crash occurred only a short distance from the Williams’ Brush Creek area home.
According to Trooper Seay, the Williams’ were traveling south on Highway 53 when their car was hit head-on by a northbound 2008 Ford Fusion, driven by 26 year old Jeramie Reed of Dowelltown, who had pulled into the southbound lane to pass a van. It was reportedly foggy at the time.
Mrs. Williams died at the scene. Mr. Williams was taken to Riverview Regional Medical Center-North in Carthage. Reed was transported by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Community Hospital and later taken to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville.
Trooper Seay said the injuries to Mr. Williams and Reed were not believed to be life threatening.
Trooper Jimmy Tisdale and members of the THP Critical Incident Response Team assisted Trooper Seay in the crash investigation. Charges are pending.
Members of the Smith County Sheriff’s Department, Fire Department, and EMS responded along with DeKalb EMS, Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department, DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Rescue, and the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department.

State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver says she supports U.S. House Republicans in their efforts to get Senate Democrats and the Obama administration to make changes in or delay full implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
Weaver was in Smithville Friday for her monthly “Coffee and Conversations” town hall meeting.
The federal government has been in a partial shutdown since last Tuesday, October 1 as neither House Republicans or Senate Democrats have been willing to compromise on the budget to fully fund the government.
“As far as what the shutdown is doing, I say stand strong,” said Representative Weaver. “This really makes us look at our priorities. The American people do not want Obama Care. I just encourage them (House Republicans) to stand strong. They have taken a look at every department. They are starting to whittle away things that are a waste. The taxpayers are frankly tired of toting the note. Will it affect Tennessee? We are okay right now. I have not heard any complaints from any departments yet,” she said.
However, Representative Weaver became concerned when she learned from constituents and business owners in the area that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was closing boat ramps below the dam due to the government shut down.
Corps officials told WJLE Friday that while all day-use areas on the lake are officially closed, they are not gated and no barriers will be erected to prohibit public access. Campgrounds, however are gated and now closed to the public. Typically campgrounds close for the season by the end of October each year anyway.
On the issue of education, Representative Weaver said she recently toured schools in her district to get a first hand account of how the new standards are affected them. “After touring the schools in district 40 last month, it afforded me quality time with teachers, students, administrators, principals, and coaches. The new standards that have been put in place in our public schools have created a benchmark as to what is expected for our students to know by a certain grade level, so as to prepare them to be productive citizens in the workforce that awaits them,” said Representative Weaver. ” Schools in the 40th are hard-working. Proof? Three schools last month, two in Smith County and one in Trousdale, were awarded with having the most progress and performance. “Reward” schools is how the Tennessee Department of Education refers to them. These teachers and students have rolled up their sleeves and made significant improvements. It was such an honor to present these schools with state banners at last month’s school board meetings,” she said.
“Certainly the setting of higher goals in achievement is a good thing; however, my concern is the content of what is being taught in our public schools. Vladimir Lenin, the Russian Communist who understood the power of controlling schools, is quoted as saying, “Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted.” Seed is being sown into the hearts and minds of our children and we as parents, teachers, and yes, even legislators, in my humble opinion, should have a say in the choice of textbooks that infiltrate our schools. No Child Left Behind opened the floodgates and removed our local control, which birthed Common Core; in all its dangerous data-gathering, continuous testing, and the never-ending funding, these standards will cost our local schools. Tennessee got the one-time federal funding that Race to the Top provided, alright, and what comes with the package deal continues to unravel, more federal footprints. It grieves me that education has turned into some assembly line of car parts all manufactured in the same procedure, ignoring that each child is uniquely created by their Creator to fulfill His purposes. When I see the children in the district, I can only pray that their parents and grandparents will be watchmen on the wall when it comes to what is being taught to their very impressionable hearts and minds,” said Representative Weaver.
Another issue Representative Weaver said she is concerned about is Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, otherwise known as women harming their unborn babies with prescription drugs. “Medical professionals are outraged that there is no law to cover this,” said Weaver. ” With Tennessee being number one in the nation overmedicated with prescriptions, is it any wonder there is such a growing number of babies being born addicted? East Tennessee Childrens Hospital hosted a very informative conference which I attended, meeting numerous others who work hands-on in this heartbreaking episode of prescription drugs. Awareness is turning the lights on. It is my hope that we as a state put something in place that would decrease the number of babies being born addicted and get mothers on their way back to total wholeness,” she said.
On highways and bridges, Representative Weaver said she is pleased with the progress being made in this district and throughout the state. “A ribbon-cutting occurred on Hurricane Bridge in DeKalb County in August, the Cordell Hull Bridge is moving along nicely, as is the 109 Bridge in Sumner County.” said Weaver. “I was asked about the 109 HWY and what can be done to expedite the four lanes from Interstate 40 to Gallatin. Traveling that stretch of road almost daily, it could not be soon enough. Attending Region 2 and Region 3 Summit meetings that provide TDOT’s mission statement, we can be proud that we are spending less per capita than any other state in the nation; Tennessee is second, Texas being first, for best infrastructure in the nation; and we are one out of five states with no debt. We are fiscally conservative indeed; however, there are some serious transportation revenue issues looming and we can no longer keep our head in the sand concerning how we fund our roads and bridges going forward. Gas tax no longer meets the needs, and federal funding is even iffy. Visit the 25-Year Long-Range Transportation Plan website, take the survey, and share your thoughts on transportation needs and how we can keep Tennessee moving, www.tdot.state.tn.us/transportationplan,” Representative Weaver admonished.
Working to make Tennessee friendly for new businesses is also priority, according to Weave. “Forbes magazine released its 2013 “Best States For Business” ranking this week, and we moved up the list to number 15, nine spots better than last year. To be employed and able to provide for one’s family is a blessing, indeed. To have businesses relocate because they can thrive and grow in our state, thus being able to hire more individuals, is a testimony that we are on the right track. It is with a grateful heart that we thank the folks of Zwirner Equipment Company for opening their new facility in Trousdale. Investing $750,000 that will create 24 new jobs is an answer to prayer for many here in the 40th district. I pray blessings of prosperity and success on all Zwirner’s endeavors. Any one interested in applying with Zwirner can email to this address: eric@zwirnerequipment.com,” said Representative Weaver.

A 62 year old man was airlifted after a one car rollover accident Saturday night on Highway 56 south near Webb Lane.
Lieutenant Randy Maynard of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that Donald Wayne Cantrell of 1212 Ferrell Road was driving south on Highway 56 in a 2000 Volkswagen Beetle when the car went off the right side of the road, struck a culvert and overturned, The car hit another culvert and came to rest upside down on the edge of the highway. The accident occurred around 11:38 p.m.
Cantrell was treated by DeKalb EMS. He was later airlifted by helicopter ambulance from near the scene and flown to Vanderbilt Hospital. His injuries were not believed to be life threatening.
Lieutenant Maynard said a medical condition may have contributed to the accident.
Members of the Blue Springs and Keltonburg Stations of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department were also on the scene along with officers of the Sheriff’s Department.

Local emergency responders tested their readiness during a mock disaster Friday afternoon at DeKalb County High School.
Charlie Parker, DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator, told WJLE that the exercise involved a simulated school shooting, in which an intruder entered the high school building and wounded ten victims. While some teachers were still present, the drill was conducted after school hours when students had already gone home. Participating volunteers played the role of the shooter and victims.
“We simulated having an intruder in the high school with a weapon who was shooting victims,” said Parker. “The shooter ended up being wounded and he was a victim too. The school went into a lock down mode. We did want some interaction with teachers so they were there to simulate the lock down procedures. But because of the sensitivity of it with other recent (actual) school shootings, we really didn’t want students there. It’s hard to notify all parents ahead of time and we didn’t want any upset parents. We had the SRO officers, police department, and sheriff’s department to come. We didn’t run a full scale exercise where they would have gone in and took down a perpetrator. We may do that at another time. We did simulate the shooting and victims in the school and how the emergency responders would get to them, triage them and then transport them to the hospital for treatment,” he continued.
Parker said DeKalb Community Hospital staff also participated in the exercise. “Part of this drill is for the hospital for part of their accreditation. They have to simulate disaster situations. An influx of several patients could put them into an emergency situation so we did this (drill) partly for them to practice their procedures in the event of an actual emergency,” said Parker.
Overall, Parker said he thought the drill was helpful. “It seemed to go very well. We set out to practice several things. I think we learned several things along the way. Everybody learned a little something and learned a few things we can improve on. I think it was a great success,” said Parker.
The exercise was organized by members of the Local Emergency Planning Committee. The purpose of the committee is to analyze, plan, prepare, and mitigate for disasters both natural and manmade that could potentially occur in DeKalb County.
The Local LEPC is comprised of the combined efforts of city and county elected officials, law enforcement, emergency management, fire departments, EMS, Rescue Squad, hospital, nursing home, utilities, business, industry, media, Red Cross, school system, churches, and civic organizations. This committee meets on a regular basis to work on plans, share information and conduct exercises to make a safer and stronger community.

Due to the government shutdown, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District closed all of its campgrounds and day-use parks including those on Center Hill Lake as of noon on Friday, October 4 . The district previously announced it intended to keep these areas open as originally scheduled. However, officials say support to recreation areas can no longer be sustained as the district progresses through its orderly shutdown.
Center Hill Lake campgrounds are located at Floating Mill, Ragland Bottom and Long Branch. Day-use areas are at Floating Mill, Ragland Bottom, Hurricane Bridge, Holmes Creek, Long Branch, Buffalo Valley, and Johnson Chapel.
Campgrounds, primarily for use by reservations only, are for those who want to spend a night or longer on the lake. Many campgrounds offer boat ramps, shower houses, bathrooms, washers & dryers, dump stations, and typically have grills, fire rings, picnic tables as well as other amenities. Campgrounds are gated and during the government shutdown, public access to them will be denied. Typically campgrounds close for the season by the end of October each year anyway.
For persons who wish to spend the day or maybe an hour or two at the lake, the Corps provides day-use areas. Many day use areas have amenities such as swim beaches, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, and launching ramps. Camping is not permitted in day use areas. Day-use areas are not gated and while they are officially closed during the government shutdown, no barriers will be erected to prevent public access to them.
The Corps sincerely regrets the inconvenience and impact this decision may have on customers who have been looking forward to visiting the district’s parks and campgrounds.
“We know that this is a time of year when many vacationing families are using or planning to use Corps recreation facilities, and we will reopen them for public use and enjoyment as quickly as possible,” said Lt. Col. John L. Hudson, Nashville District commander.
Corps parks leased to partner agencies and concessionaires will remain open, but cannot be supported by the Corps while the shutdown is in place.
Customers on site prior to the closure going into effect were to be required to vacate campgrounds and parks not later than noon on Friday, October 4. Customers required to vacate campsites early are to receive a partial refund for any unused portion of their reservations. Customers may elect to leave reservations open for possible use after the shutdown is lifted. To request a refund please contact the reservation customer service at 1-888-448-1474 (TDD 1-877-833-6777). If the customer chooses to do nothing, the reservation service will automatically cancel reservations after their departure date during the shutdown period.