Habitat Chili Cook-Off to Feature 13 Teams

October 20, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Who makes the best chili in DeKalb County? Find out on Friday, October 22nd when Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County hosts a Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale.

Chili will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the DeKalb Courthouse Lawn. For a cash donation, eat all the chili you want and vote for your favorite chili and the best decorated booth. Delicious baked goods prepared by members of local churches will also be for sale. Take out is also available.

“We are looking forward to another great day of good food and fellowship at the chili cook-off,” said Alex Woodward, president of Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County. “The proceeds from the Chili Cook-off will be used towards building another Habitat house with a DeKalb County family, so we hope everyone will come out and eat lots of chili for a great cause!”

Thirteen teams will be competing in the Chili Cook-off this year: “Hot Checks Chili” from Wilson Bank and Trust; “Gas It Up Chili” from DeKalb Market; “The Courthouse Gang”- the DeKalb County Officials ; “FirstBank First Choice Chili” from FirstBank,; Smithville Electric System; Adoration Home Health; “Top Gunners” from AMVETS Post 101; “Legal Limit Spice” from Tecia Puckett Pryor, Attorney/Center Hill Title LLC, “Brandon Cox for Judge”- Brandon Cox, Attorney; “Smithville FBC: Divine Intervention Chili” from the First Baptist Church, “Tennessee ‘Meats’ Texas from Button Willow, DeKalb County Veterans Services, and DeKalb County Constable Mark Milam.

In 2019, “Pick It or Ticket” from the Smithville Police Department took Top Chili Honors. The Best Decorated Booth Award went to “MTNG-Take a Chance Chili” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas. The Golden Spoon Award went to “The Courthouse Gang” from the DeKalb County Officials, who raised an additional $180.00 for Habitat in cash donations at their booth. A total of nearly $4,500 was raised during the event.

Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates houses in partnership with volunteers and families in need, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged.

For more information on the Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale, contact Tecia Pryor at 615-597-7370. To contact Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, call 615-215-8181.

October 20, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

How should DeKalb County spend its $3.9 million allocation in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act?

That was on the minds of the county commission and county mayor during a workshop meeting held Tuesday evening at the county complex. Mark Farley, Executive Director of the Upper Cumberland Development District and Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency spoke at the meeting to provide some guidance and to answer questions on possible uses of the funds to mitigate the community’s challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under ARP guidelines, the county is allowed to draw down half the money this year for projects or programs after March 3, 2021 when the ARP Act was signed into law.

“The money has to be obligated by December 31, 2024 and completely expended by the end of 2026,” said Farley.

In addition to the county’s allocation, the school district and the municipalities are getting their own share of ARP funding.

“There are really three or four ways to spend this money and those have a lot of flexibility. Money can be spent on things regarding economic or safety aspects affected by COVID-19. In some cases building projects may be allowed that expands distancing. Money can be used to reward essential employees who have worked throughout this period of time when there was a lot of uncertainty. They can be rewarded for their due diligence in coming to work. Funds may be directed to address mental health issues and high rates of suicide or other health care concerns. Money could be put toward benefitting senior citizens and non-profit groups. Broadband along with water and sewer projects could be funded which would be very beneficial to DeKalb County,” said Farley.

Asked if the county’s share of ARP funding could be put toward a new school or jail project, Farley said its possible but not a given. “Schools have their own pot of money with strings attached to that. Funds could possibly be put toward a new school building if it affects distancing and creates more space to spread students out but the money would have to be spent within the time constraints,” he said.

“Jails are a little tricky. You have to document what has happened with COVID. If they have had a wing shut down at the jail and that has caused massive overcrowding in part of it, that is something that should be looked at. If they are just increasing their capacity because crime is up that would not apply,” he said.

Farley admonished the county mayor and commission to identify priorities and levels of funding each should receive.

“You have a unique opportunity to make a huge impact on the future of DeKalb County with how you spend this money if you are strategic about it. Most communities will be able to put in place two or three different projects that will be talked about 30, 40, 50 years down the road. This is what you need to be thinking about. How do we impact future generations,” said Farley.

Farley added that while a final ruling has not yet come down on everything that qualifies for the funding, the federal government has been flexible on some things.

“In every step that they have released guidance they have loosened the restrictions. We are encouraged thinking that when that final rule comes there are some things today that we don’t think qualify that may be eligible at that point. We just don’t know what that is and to what degree,” said Farley.

October 20, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb Prevention Coalition invites the community to take a visible stand against drug abuse by celebrating Red Ribbon Week from October 23-31.

The Red Ribbon Campaign is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation, reaching millions of young people during Red Ribbon Week with the message to choose a healthy lifestyle.

This year’s theme is “Drug Free Looks Like Me”!

Red Ribbon Week is an ideal way for people and communities to unite and take a visible stand against drugs.

To help promote Red Ribbon Week, the community is urged to display red ribbons on your mailboxes or outside doors and to support “Wear Red Day”, October 26 or another more convenient day. Be sure to snap a picture of your group and post it to your facebook page to raise awareness and please tag DeKalb Prevention Coalition and also use #RedRibbon, #DEARedRibbon) If you have an outside sign, post this year’s theme on it for the week. The DeKalb Prevention Coalition will supply the Schools with red ribbons for the mailbox and prizes for the in school activities.

In 1985, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique S. “Kiki” Camarena was killed by drug traffickers. Shortly after his death, citizens from his hometown of Calexico, California, began wearing red ribbons to remember him and commemorate his sacrifice.

The first official Red Ribbon Week celebration was created by the National Family Partnership in 1988. NFP continues to coordinate the campaign for families, schools and communities across the nation each year. Since then, the red ribbon has symbolized a continuing commitment to reducing the demand for illicit drugs in our communities.

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