The dates have been set for the special elections to fill the vacancy in the 17th Senatorial district.
Governor Haslam issued a “writ of election” today (Friday) setting the Primary date for November 7th and the General Election for December 19th.
The vacancy was created with the resignation of Mae Beavers who announced she was devoting all of time to her campaign for governor.
“We anticipated these would be the dates of the special elections, and now that we know for sure we can officially begin the tasks that are required by law and make final preparations,” said Dennis Stanley, DeKalb County Administrator of Elections.
The qualifying deadline for candidates is Noon September 28th. Winners of the respective primaries will then square off in the general election along with any independent candidates that qualified by the deadline.
Early voting for the November 7th special primary will be held from October 18th through November 2nd. The exact hours will be set Monday night by the local election commission.
Early voting for the special General election will be November 29th through December 14th.
“We want to remind potential new voters that the last day to register to vote in the November primary is October 10th,” Stanley said. “And we want to remind election workers to mark the election dates on their calendars and be expecting a letter in the near future announcing the dates for training.”
If you are interested in becoming a poll worker, please contact the DeKalb County Election Office at 615-597-4146.

The DeKalb County Tigers will renew an old rivalry tonight as they travel to Watertown to take on the purple tigers.
Game time is 7:00 p.m.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO HEAR TIGER TALK WITH COACH STEVE TRAPP AND PLAYERS HUNTER FANN, PAXTON BUTLER, AND ISAAC CROSS)
http://www.wjle.com/audio/tiger-talk-september-8
The Tigers are 0-3 with losses to Warren County 26 to 10, Upperman 49 to 27, and Stone Memorial 38 to 16.
Watertown is 1-2 with a season opening win over Gordonsville 20 to 0 and back to back losses to Mount Juliet Christian 42 to 21 and Trousdale County 42 to 6
Tiger Coach Steve Trapp said he is hoping for a good performance from his team in tonight’s game.”It’s not that the guys do not have the ability to play the type of football that we want. It’s just getting them in the right position and getting them mentally correct but ultimately they have to get out on the field with a strong desire and passion to be the greatest football players they can be each and every play. Our effort is good. We’ve never had to question their effort but mentally we’re still trying to get everybody on the same page and playing a good brand of football,” said Coach Trapp.
Coach Trapp also talks about what he expects from Watertown.”Defensively, they are very similar to our defense. Coverage wise it looks like its pretty similar. I expect them to step up their pressure game because we’ve got four new offensive linemen out there. They probably have seen film on every game we’ve played this year. I expect them to probably blitz a little bit more than what they have shown on tape. Offensively they really do want to spread the field with a lot of screen game and jet sweep game. I don’t know if they throw it down the field quite like we want to do. Its more horizontal stuff. They try to out leverage you and get more people to the point of attack so our defense really has to make sure we’re aligned well and running to the football fast,” added Coach Trapp.
Kick-off is at 7 p.m. and WJLE will have LIVE coverage on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor and Luke Willoughby.
WJLE’s Pre-Game shows begin with “Coach to Coach” at 5:00 p.m. featuring former UT football coach Phillip Fulmer and former UT assistant coach Doug Matthews with broadcaster Larry Stone talking Tennessee and SEC football.
“Coach to Coach” is followed by “Murphy’s Matchups at 6:00 p.m., a look at Tennessee High School Football from Murphy Fair with commentary on games and coaches interviews.
“Tiger Talk” airs at 6:30 p.m. with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor interviewing Coach Steve Trapp and Tiger players Hunter Fann, Paxton Butler, and Isaac Cross.
The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. with play by play coverage on WJLE with John Pryor and color commentary by Luke Willoughby

The Smithville Municipal Golf Course remains closed but to help the city get it back open and operating, the owners of RiverWatch Golf & Resort have offered to refurbish the course and to maintain it for at least a year.
The mayor and aldermen discussed the proposal in a work session Thursday evening and are expected to make a decision during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting.
Tony Poss, the former tenant who had a 10 year lease to operate the golf course and swimming pool, recently notified the city that he was ending his agreement. The nine hole golf course and pool have been closed since Poss’ departure.
The mayor and aldermen have said they don’t intend to lease the golf course/swimming pool again but to hire someone to manage it for the city.
RiverWatch apparently does not seek to operate or manage the facility on a day to day basis but to provide qualified professional service, equipment, and staffing for renovations and maintenance of the golf course, practice greens, and driving range. The cost to the city based on a 12 month contract with RiverWatch would be $74,115. Two and three year contract options are also available.
“My recommendation is to let them (RiverWatch) do this for a year to give them a chance to get it up and going. It will give us (city) a chance to apply for a grant. With a grant we might be able to buy equipment, put in a water system, and re-do the pool and tennis court,” said City Public Works Director Kevin Robinson.
Under terms of the proposal, RiverWatch would provide the following services:
*Daily onsite golf course maintenance management
*Aerification process
*Top dressing greens
*Fertilization/Chemical applications (application equipment provided by RiverWatch)
*All equipment for day to day operations for golf course (greens mower, tee mower, fairway mower, walk blower, PTO blower and a PTO driven gang unit rough mower)
*RiverWatch will maintain all sharpening and adjusting of reels and blades during the contract period.
The city’s responsibilities under the proposal would be as follows:
*City supplies working irrigation system
*City supplies all course related liability insurance
*City supplies all chemicals, sand, special project rental equipment and general maintenance and expense. (This includes all wear items, such as reels, belts, bed knives, oil changes, nuts, bolts, fuel, etc.)
*City is responsible for all fuel for all equipment
*City agrees to provide three pool laborers per week as needed to assist in non-skill specific course maintenance.

The DeKalb Utility District was recognized Thursday by the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce for two milestones, it’s golden anniversary and for the recent launch of the new water treatment plant.
The Chamber held a ribbon cutting for the new facility located at 300 Yulanda Hills Road and presented a Milestone Award to the DUD celebrating 50 Years.
Members of the DUD Board were on hand for the occasion including Chairman Roger Turney, Danny Bass, Jimmy Womack, and Joe Foutch, Board member Hugh Washer was absent. Others at the ribbon cutting in addition to Chamber Director Suzanne Williams and President Isaac Gray were DUD Manager Jon Foutch, DUD attorney Keith Blair, and DUD water plant operator Andy Jacobs.
For the first time in its 50 year history, the DUD is now producing water on its own for the 5,300 customers it serves in either all or portions of DeKalb, Smith, Cannon, and Wilson counties.
DUD, which had been buying water from Smithville for many years, officially cut ties with the city in June.
The 2.0 million gallon per day water treatment plant (all under one roof) is the centerpiece of the project which also includes a new raw water intake structure and pump station on the Holmes Creek Embayment of the lake, an 18-inch diameter raw water transmission line from the pump station to the water plant, an 18-inch diameter finished water transmission line along Holmes Creek Road, Allen’s Ferry Road, and U.S. Highway 70; and new 8-inch diameter water distribution lines along Dry Creek Road, Game Ridge Road, Turner Road, Willis McGinnis Road, and Sparta Highway (Highway to Midway).
DUD Manager Jon Foutch said the plant is built for future expansion if the need should arise. “We are permitted through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to pull 2.0 million gallons per day. Our plant can treat up to 3.0 million gallons per day. Currently, our average use is between 900,000 and 1.0 million gallons per day,” he said.
The project was funded at $16-million dollars however the DUD has not spent its total allocation.
Fund sources for the project included $5 million in loans at 2.75% interest over 38 years and $1.25 million in grants from USDA Rural Development. The utility was also approved for $500,000 in grant funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission; two loans through the State Revolving Fund Loan programs in amounts of $2 million and $7 million at .6% interest over 20 years; and a $500,000 forgiveness (grant) from the State Revolving Fund Program.
In October, 2014 the DUD awarded bids on the project. W&O Construction Company, Inc. of Livingston got the bid to build the water plant at $6.9 million. Judy Construction Company of Cynthiana, Kentucky performed construction on the raw water intake at $4.1 million and Hawkins and Price, LLC of Wartrace, Tennessee was awarded the bid for construction of the 18 inch Raw and Finished Water Transmission Lines at $1.8 million.
The original project cost was estimated to be $12-million dollars. To cover the additional costs, the DUD requested and was approved for a $4,000,000 loan increase to the Drinking Water Fund loan. (part of the funding package as referred to above)
The new DUD water treatment plant has two full time certified operators. In addition to Foutch, the General Manager, the DUD is staffed by five employees who answer service calls and maintain the distribution lines, three office employees, and an office manager. The utility is overseen by a five member board of directors including Roger Turney of Cannon County, who is the Board Chairman; Danny Bass of Smith County, and Joe Foutch, Hugh Washer, and Jimmy Womack of DeKalb County.
The DeKalb Utility District currently maintains more than 400 miles of main water lines in its four county service area.

A Smithville man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting his mother.
27 year old Michael Joseph Lee of Estes Street, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $5,000 and his court date is September 14. Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Monday, August 28 Lee allegedly assaulted his mother by kicking her in the face and chest causing red marks. It was determined that Lee was the primary aggressor.
52 year old Kanday Kay Fish of Old Snow Hill Road, Dowelltown is charged with driving under the influence. She was also cited for failure to maintain lane of travel. Her bond is $1,500. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, August 28 after receiving a call from central dispatch to be on the lookout for a reckless driver, a deputy spotted a vehicle matching the description while traveling south on Anthony Avenue. After observing the vehicle travel into the oncoming lane of traffic, the officer stopped it and spoke with the driver, Fish. According to the deputy, Fish could barely keep her eyes open. Her speech was slurred and she was very unsteady on her feet, After performing poorly on field sobriety tasks she was placed under arrest.
43 year old Jason Bradley Cripps is charged with driving under the influence and a second offense of driving on a revoked license. His bond is $4,500 and his court date is September 14. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, August 28 a deputy was notified by corrections officers at the sheriff’s office that someone had driven to the jail without a license. Upon arrival the deputy spoke with a man, Cripps, who was sitting in the passenger seat of a white car. The officer reviewed video from a surveillance camera which showed that Cripps had driven to the jail and parked. He then exited the car on the driver side and then re-entered the vehicle on the passenger side. The officer knew that Cripps’ license were revoked. Cripps’ eyes were glossy and bloodshot with pinpoint pupils. His speech was slow and slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. Cripps submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He was placed under arrest. Sheriff Ray said Cripps had come to the jail to pick up Kanday Fish. Cripps’ license were revoked in 2006 for failure to file a property damage accident report.
38 year old James Cary Hicks, Jr. of Clear Fork Road, Liberty is charged with resisting stop, frisk, halt, search, or arrest. Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, September 1 a deputy went to Hicks’ residence to serve a warrant on him. Upon the officer’s arrival, Hicks ran out of a side door. The deputy identified himself and gave repeated commands for Hicks to stop but he refused. Hicks was later arrested.
35 year old Dustin Lee Mason of Greenbrier is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is September 14. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, September 4 a deputy was called to Pates Ford Marina due to someone causing problems there. Upon arrival the officer spoke with the man, Mason who had a very strong odor of alcohol on his person. His speech was slurred. His eyes were glassy and he was very combative. Mason went back to his campsite as ordered by the officer but he later returned to the marina before the deputy left. Mason was placed under arrest.
30 year old Brittany Nicole Kane of Ashland City is charged with public intoxication. Her bond is $1,500 and her court date is September 14. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, September 4 a deputy was called to Pates Ford Marina due to someone there causing problems. Upon arrival the officer spoke with the woman, Kane who had a very strong odor of alcohol on her person. Her speech was slurred. Her eyes were glassy and she was very combative. Kane was placed under arrest.

Losing a child is unspeakably painful and perhaps the most devastating ordeal a parent could have to encounter.
Tyler and Jessica Cripps of Alexandria know what that’s like. Their daughter Paislee Cheyanne Cripps was stillborn on May 3, 2013. Their hearts were broken. Their world was shattered.
But during their grief they received the love and support of family, friends, church, and the community in such a way that it inspired Tyler and Jessica to help other parents mourning infant loss. As a result, Paislee’s Foundation was formed by the Cripps’ along with their friend Wesley McCubbin.
Paislee’s Foundation is a non-profit organization. Its purpose is to support those whose lives have been touched tragically within the past six months due to stillbirth, infant loss, or child loss up to three years old. Through the foundation, families can receive funds to assist them with funeral costs or other expenses. More than 40 families have been served since the foundation was established in October, 2013.
One of the annual fundraisers held to support the foundation is set for next month, the Paislee’s Foundation Craft & Home Show. This 4th annual event will take place on Saturday, October 14 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. inside the Kenneth Sandlin Building at the DeKalb County Fairgrounds in Alexandria.
Admission is free and there will be plenty of free parking. Donations will be accepted for the foundation.
Thirty eight vendors had booths at the Craft & Home Show last year and more are expected this year.
If you would like to set up an inside booth as a craft vendor the cost is $25.00 for a 10’x8’ space. Outside space is also available. Demonstrations are welcome.
All proceeds fund Paislee’s Foundation. No one associated with the foundation gets paid. All funds collected go to support those grieving from still birth and infant loss.
For more information call or text Darcie Cripps at 615-464-5139 or email paisleesfoundation@gmail.com
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PAISLEE’S FOUNDATION)http://www.paisleesfoundation.org/

Former State Senator Mae Beavers was in Smithville today (Wednesday) to donate her framed collection of Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree posters and Center Hill Dam print to the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce.
“Since I have moved out of my (senate) office we thought the place for these to be was the Chamber office in the courthouse,” said Beavers
Beavers has resigned her state senate office to devote full time to running for Governor.
Chamber Director Suzanne Williams stated, “I am so excited to have this Jamboree and Center Hill Lake art at the Chamber office. This generous gift will be displayed proudly to be enjoyed by many for years to come. What a beautiful addition to our office!”
The Jamboree posters included the 40th, 41st, 42nd, 43rd, 44th, 45th, & 46th festivals
Pictured l-r:
Front: Jerry Beavers, Smithville Mayor Jimmy Poss, Mae Beavers, Chamber Board Members Kathy Hendrixson and Jane Brown
Back: State Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver, DeKalb Co. Administrator of Elections Dennis Stanley, Chamber Director Suzanne Williams