Rep. Michael Hale announces $1.4M in community development grants for DeKalb, Jackson and Cannon counties

December 27, 2023
By:

State Rep. Michael Hale, R-Smithville, today announced $1,402,497 in community development grants for projects in DeKalb, Jackson and Cannon counties from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD).

The funding is part of TNECD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

DeKalb County received a $352,497 CDBG for the purchase of an EMS project.

Gainesboro in Jackson County received a $630,000 CDBG for a sewer system project.

Cannon County received a $420,000 CDBG for a self-breathing air packet project.

“This significant investment is funding life-saving and essential projects,” Hale said. “These projects will improve the public health and safety of residents and visitors in the area, and I’m grateful each community applied for the grants. I thank TNECD for their work allocating these funds.”

DeKalb County will purchase a 2025 Ford F-350 Type 1 ambulance, a loading system and cot, a defibrillator, a ventilator, two digital radios, and a chest compression system.

Gainesboro will replace roughly 3,500 linear feet of sewer collection lines to reduce inflow and infiltration in the town’s sewer collection system.

Cannon County plans to purchase a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for the fire department, which will replace 15-year-old SCBA’s.

TNECD approved $36.6 million in grants to 78 communities across the state for projects in categories including public health and safety, community infrastructure, community revitalization, water system improvements, and sewer system improvements.

The allocation of CDBG funds is based on priorities set through the public meeting process at the local community level. The CDBG program is funded through HUD and administered in Tennessee by the Department of Economic and Community Development.

State Rep. Michael Hale represents House District 40, which includes Cannon, DeKalb, Jackson and Smith counties and part of Wilson County.

December 27, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps has announced the 2023-24 Teachers of the Year at the building level of the five schools in the county.

This year’s honorees chosen by their peers are 1st grade teacher, Crystal Barnes at DeKalb West School, Kindergarten teacher Misty Agee at Smithville Elementary School; Kathy Ramsey, 4th grade ELA (English, Language, Arts) and Social Studies Teacher at Northside Elementary School, Lori Hendrix, an 8th grade History teacher at DeKalb Middle School, and Debi DePriest, a government teacher at DeKalb County High School.

These educators have accumulated the following years of teaching experience prior to this year: Barnes-5 years, Agee-17 years, Hendrix- 20 years, Ramsey-11 years, and Depriest-28 years.

“Our district’s Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors outstanding teachers in DeKalb County. We applaud teachers who care about our children, who devote their professional lives to enriching the lives of DeKalb students, and who demonstrate exceptional gains in student achievement. We are not just exceptionally proud of our Teachers of the Year, but we are also grateful for all of our educators in DeKalb County,” said Director Cripps.

According to Michelle Burklow, Supervisor of Instruction, “Competition for the district-wide John Isabell Teacher of the Year award continues through January and will be announced this spring. Additionally, a DeKalb County teacher will be chosen by a committee to compete at the regional level in March, and if selected the teacher will represent DeKalb County at the state level competition.”

Teachers of the Year are selected competitively through five cycles: Building, System, Field Service Core 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.

The Tennessee Teacher of the Year Program is designed to promote effective teaching practices by recognizing and rewarding outstanding teachers while encouraging others to join the teaching profession.

December 27, 2023
By:

The DeKalb County Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Christmas eve at around 3:38 a.m. on Old Bildad Road.

Firefighters arrived and determined the occupants had safely evacuated. Fire crews found heavy fire in the laundry room, but made a successful attack and contained the blaze to the laundry room. The remainder of the double wide mobile home received extensive smoke and heat damage. The origin of the fire was determined to be in the clothes dryer.

Approximately two hours after firefighters had left the scene, a passerby discovered flames coming from the home and reported it to DeKalb 911 dispatch. When fire crews arrived the second time, the home had extensive fire throughout and was totally destroyed. None of the surrounding property was damaged.

Responding were the DeKalb Fire Department’s Keltonburg, Belk, Blue Springs, Short Mountain Highway and Main stations along with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and DeKalb EMS.