News
Unemployment Rates Drop in 88 Tennessee Counties Including DeKalb
April 5, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
More Tennesseans were on the job in February than the previous month as 88 of 95 counties including DeKalb reported a decline in their unemployment rates, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) announced today.
DeKalb County’s unemployment rate for February was 3.9%, down from 4.3% in January but up slightly from 3.7% in February 2024. The local labor force for February was 7,880. A total of 7,575 were employed and 305 were unemployed.
In two Tennessee counties, unemployment rates in February were the same as in January. Five counties saw an increase.
Eighty-four Tennessee counties recorded unemployment rates of less than 5%. The remaining 11 counties had rates greater than 5% but less than 10%.
Williamson County reported the lowest unemployment rate for the month at 2.6%, a decline of two-tenths of a percentage point from the previous month.
Four counties — Cheatham, Wilson, Robertson, and Rutherford — had unemployment rates of 2.7%. Macon and Knox counties followed with rates of 2.8%.
Cocke County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate for February at 6.6%, a drop of four-tenths of a percentage point from the previous month.
Pickett County had the next-highest rate at 6.3%, a decline of seven-tenths of a percentage point. Lewis County followed with a rate of 5.9%. Its rate in January was 4.1%.
Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has remained steady at 3.7% for six consecutive months. The national rate in February was 4.1%.
Unlike the statewide rate, county rates are not adjusted to account for seasonal impacts on employment.
Job seekers can work one-on-one with a career specialist — at no cost — at one of Tennessee’s American Job Centers. Find a list of locations here.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training can help remove barriers to employment through funded education, skills training, and supportive services.
Live a little, love a little with “Libby”
April 5, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
Live a little, love a little with “Libby”
“Libby,” the WJLE/DeKalb Animal Shelter featured “Pet of the Week” is a four-year-old female mixed breed dog. She is very sweet and cuddly. Libby is sponsored so her adoption fee is only $90. She has been spayed and is up to date on vaccinations and when she is adopted Libby will be up to date on her flea and tick preventions.
If you are interested in meeting Libby, fill out an application on the animal shelter website or come in. Visit https://www.dekalbanimalsheltertn.com/ or call 615-597-3647.
The shelter is open Mondays-Fridays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Transfer Station Road off Highway 70 east behind Tenneco.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day April 26
April 5, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
DeKalb County residents are urged to take part in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The DeKalb Prevention Coalition and the Drug Enforcement Administration will host DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at two locations in DeKalb County. DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Take Back locations locally are Smithville City Hall, 104 East Main Street and the Alexandria City Hall, 102 High Street.
For more than a decade, the event has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded medications—those that are old, unwanted, or expired—that too often become a gateway to addiction. Take Back Day offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at more than 4,000 local drop-off locations nationwide. In partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed more than 8,300 tons of medication from circulation since its inception.
Collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage. For more information visit www.DEATakeBack.com.
