DeKalb County residents will have the opportunity to donate Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes, beginning Monday, November 13.
Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse is the world’s largest Christmas project that collects and distributes gift-filled shoeboxes for needy children around the world.
Since 1993, the project has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 146 million children in more than 160 countries and territories. This year’s goal is to send gifts to 12 million children worldwide. Also, to help offset shipping costs, participants are asked to donate $9 per shoebox gift. They will receive a tracking label, enabling them to learn the destination of their shoebox gift.

The week of November 13th through Monday, November 20th, is National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child. The drop-off/relay center for this area is located at the Indian Creek Baptist Church, 967 Hurricane Ridge Road, Smithville, Tennessee, and is a convenient place for churches, clubs, schools, businesses, and individuals to bring their filled shoe boxes.
The local drop off center will be open, as follows:
*Monday, November 13 through Friday, November 17 – 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
* Saturday, November 18 – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
*Sunday, November 19 – 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
*Monday, November 20 – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
You may select from the above dates and hours to deliver your filled shoe boxes to the center.
This holiday season you can experience the true meaning of Christmas with a child in need by simply packing your shoeboxes with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and other small gifts.
For further information please contact:
Sue Puckett:
615/597-7370 (office)
615/597-7325 (home)
615/464-7700 (cell)suepuckett@dtccom.net (e-mail)
For more information, including guidelines for shoebox gifts and an option to virtually “Build a Box,” visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ

Only 147 of the 10,084 active voters in DeKalb County took advantage of early voting in the 17th Senatorial District Special Primary election.
Thursday was the last day for early voting. Election day is November 7.
“We knew the turnout would be low because this phase of the balloting was a primary and neither candidate was opposed. In addition, people are just not accustomed to voting in odd-numbered years,” said Dennis Stanley, Administrator of Elections. “As for election day, the turnout may be a little better, but far below the normal number of voters.”
But election officials are anticipating a larger turnout for the General Election, which is set for December 19th.
“Because the candidates will be squaring off against each other, we anticipate a better turnout for the General balloting, Stanley said. “And the fact that election day is so close to Christmas, we anticipate a much better turnout for early voting.”
The following is a breakdown of the early voting numbers:
TOTAL 147
In person—124
Absentee/Nursing home—23
Total votes in Republican Primary—91
Total votes in Democratic Primary–56
The polls will open at 8 a.m. November 7 and close at 7 p.m.

Sixty pounds of unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs were collected on Saturday, October 28 during the Prescription Drug Take Back Day sponsored locally by the DeKalb Prevention Coalition.
“This year the poundage really means medication weight because we were required to take the medication out of containers before weighing. We had a steady flow from the community with 28 bringing in medication for disposal. Thank you to our 19 volunteers from the DeKalb County Health Department, DeKalb County Coordinated School Health, along with the Smithville Police Department and Chief Mark Collins,” said DeKalb Prevention Coalition Coordinator Lisa Cripps.
The next Take Back will be in April but until then remember a drop box is located inside the Smithville City Hall Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. for collection of medication.
Statistics from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) show that 55% of prescriptions are obtained free from a friend or relative. Kristina Clark, the Executive Director of Count It! Lock It! Drop It! states “Parents and family friends become accidental drug dealers by leaving medications out on counters, unlocked and/or unmonitored. Three simple steps can make a big difference in prescription drug abuse.” The DPC’s comprehensive community plan for prescription drug abuse prevention, “Count It! Lock It! Drop It!” encourages residents to frequently count their pills, properly lock them, and drop any unused, expired or unwanted pills in the drop box.
The Mission of DPC is to unite community leaders and citizens of DeKalb County forming strong partnerships across major community sectors with the goal of reducing substance abuse. The DPC would like to extend an invitation to all residents to become a part of the coalition. The meetings are held the last Tuesday of each month at 12:00pm. For more information about DPC or child abuse awareness, please contact Community Outreach Liaison Norene Puckett at (615) 215-8690 or the facebook page at facebook.com/DeKalbPreventionCoalition.

Local law enforcement officers took part in training recently on the proper use of administering Naloxone (Narcan)
Participating were members of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, Alexandria Police Department, and the Smithville Police Department.
Naloxone has been proven to be an extremely effective medication that stops opioid overdoses and saves lives. The training was given by Tommy and Suzanne Angel, Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists for the State of TN Region 3 North.
Narcan Nasal Spray is recommended for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose.
“Narcan is a medication used to block the affects of opioids, especially in overdoses. It can be sprayed into the nose of a person who has overdosed and it usually takes about two minutes to work,” said Sheriff Patrick Ray. “After administering Narcan to someone who has overdosed, the person will regain consciousness and at times might be aggressive. We have been told that it may take two or more times of administering Narcan to someone who has overdosed on fentanyl before we can revive them.”
Sheriff Ray said his department recently received a grant to pay for training and kits with a supply of Narcan.
“I applied for a grant for the purchase of Narcan for the sheriff’s department and jail. We hope to have at least two units of Narcan per patrol car and two units of Narcan in every first aid kit in the jail. This grant will provide Narcan to us for free as well as refills until the available grant funds are exhausted.” he said.
In 2015, 1,451 Tennesseans died from opioid overdoses. The data for 2017 will likely be higher. This epidemic affects everyone. If you or someone you know is in active addiction help is available. Recovery is real! There are more than 25 million people in long-term recovery, and there are many pathways to get there. For Help call the TN Redline 24/7 to get started at 1-800-889-9789.
“With the introduction of Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid pain reliever that is 50 times more powerful than heroin with a fatal dose being just the size of a grain of sand, we are thankful to have our law enforcement personnel trained and in the near future carrying Naloxone”, said Lisa Cripps, DeKalb Prevention Coordinator.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) reminds consumers that Open Enrollment for insurance coverage on the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) begins Nov. 1, 2017. As the enrollment period is shorter than in years past, Tennesseans are strongly encouraged to review their options and begin preparation for the new policy year.
Tennessee consumers will have access to marketplace coverage for 2018 no matter where they live. However, consumers in 79 of 95 counties will only have one carrier option. The 2018 marketplace will include:
·Cigna providing coverage in Memphis and surrounding counties.
·Cigna and Oscar providing coverage in Nashville and surrounding counties.
·Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee (BCBST) providing coverage in Knoxville and surrounding counties.
·BCBST and Cigna providing coverage in Johnson City and surrounding counties.
·BCBST will be the only exchange carrier providing coverage in parts of the state not mentioned above.
Humana will no longer be in the Tennessee individual market. In addition, BCBST, Cigna, and Oscar will be the only Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant individual market options for consumers purchasing coverage outside of the FFM.
“Tennessee’s individual insurance market remains challenged,” said TDCI Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “However, it is important to remember that health insurance coverage is available everywhere in the state. We continue to encourage consumers to shop for the best available plan for their individual situations and preferences. Our Department has a team ready to answer any questions about the insurance-buying process. Current Humana consumers, in particular, should review coverage options as the federal government may auto-enroll them in a new policy with a new carrier if they have not enrolled in a plan before the end of open enrollment.”
Tennesseans may preview 2018 plans and prices today. And to help consumers with enrollment or payment issues or network questions, TDCI has posted contact numbers for each of the carriers on the FFM on its website. The Department has also made available carrier presentations that overview their 2018 plan benefits on its website.
The Department emphasizes the need for consumers to carefully review plan networks. If you like your physician, make sure he/she is included in the plan network and check carrier directories for local hospitals to ensure easy access to ‘in-network’ services, where possible. Several plans provide tight networks and/or limited out-of-network benefits. To avoid unexpected and unpleasant balance bills, always see network providers.
Important dates:
November 1, 2017: First day to enroll, re-enroll, or change a 2017 insurance plan.
December 15, 2017: Open Enrollment ends.
January 1, 2018: 2017 coverage starts for those who enroll or change plans by December 15.
Questions about Open Enrollment? Contact us at 1-800-342-4029 or (615) 741-2218.

Winners have been announced for the “Best Halloween Costumes for Downtown Smithville businesses/offices sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
•1st Place – A-1 Salon – Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
•2nd Place – Smithville Police Department and Smithville City Hall – Disney characters
•3rd Place – DeKalb Recovery Court
“A big thanks to the Smithville Police Department, City of Smithville, DeKalb Courthouse offices, Smithville Fire Department, Justin Potter Library, and downtown Smithville businesses for participating in the Halloween on the Square event. A special recognition to the Halloween event coordinator, Beth Adcock,” said Chamber Director Suzanne Williams.