News
September 30, 2018
By: Bill Conger
The DeKalb County High School Fighting Tiger Band took home the top trophy Saturday at the Yellow Jacket Invitational in Trousdale County. Under the direction of Tracy Luna and Assistant Band Director Jonathan Holland, the marching unit won 1st place band, 1st place percussion, 1st place field commander for Axel Rico, and 3rd place color guard in its division.
“All year I have tried to instill in the kids a work ethic that rivals big bands,” says Director Tracy Luna. “We are not in search of trophies, but rather personal excellence. Our mantra all year has been #bestsmallband. “
The band will perform its “Phantom of the Opera” themed show again at Friday’s away football game in Smith County. Two more band competitions are coming up in October.
DeKalb Middle Cross Country Teams Finish Strong in the McCallie Invitational
September 30, 2018
By: Kristen VanVranken
The DeKalb Middle School girls and boys Cross Country teams competed with an outstanding performance at the McCallie Invitational on September 29th in Chattanooga. Out of a competitive field of 12 teams the girls placed 2nd and the boys finished 4th.
Aaron Gottlied captured the title of the boys varsity race conquering the two mile course with a time of 11:32. “Two sub 6:00 minute miles back to back is an extremely challenging thing to do…there are only a handful of middle school runners in the state that are doing this right now. It was a much deserving and exciting win for him” said Coach Kristen VanVranken.
Running strong behind Gottlied and rounding up the boys varsity was: Cooper Brown 20th 12:55, Caleb Gray 21st 13:01, Kaleb Spears 23rd 13:06, Cameron Miller 43rd 13:46, Andrew Tramel 51st 14:17, and Cale Brown 60th 14:34.
The girls varsity, led by Katherine Knowles, had 4 runners in the top 20! Knowles finished 6th 13:47, Zoe Keys 7th 13:49, Mylie Phillips 14th 14:46, Madeline Martin 15th 14:49, Emily Young 22nd 15:38, and Summer Morse 27th 15:57. “Our varsity consists of 6 sixth graders and one seventh….you just don’t see this type of running and performances from such a young team. They are such a special group of girls…with limitless potential,” said VanVranken
In the JV races Liam Wallace led the boys with a time of 16:43, followed by Erick Hernandez 17:06, Robert Wheeler 17:25, and Ethan Spears 24:25.
Darrah Ramsey led the girls JV with at time of 18:00, Sylvia Evans 18:34, Alexa Hernandez 19:32, and Mara Oakley 22:05.
Its Time to Pay Your County Property Taxes
September 30, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
DeKalb County property owners are receiving their tax notices in the mail for the year 2018 bearing the “Maroon” school color of Smithville Elementary School. Last year it was Northside Elementary School “Green”. Two years ago the notices bore the color DeKalb Middle School “Blue” and three years ago it was DCHS “Black and Gold”.
Property taxes will be due and payable starting Monday, October 1, 2018 through February 28, 2019 before any interest becomes due on March 1, 2019.
“Your notice will be the color “Maroon” on an 8 1/2 X 11 sheet of paper, with information on the front and back. For 2018, the tax rate stayed the same as the 2017 tax year at 1.8335% of $100.00 of your assessed value,” said Trustee Sean Driver.
The Trustee’s office offers at this time up to 6 different options to pay your property tax:
( 1.) Come in person to the office to pay,
( 2.) Mail in your payment
( 3.) Pay online at www.tennesseetrustee.org, then select DeKalb and follow the instructions to the next screens. The Vendor (Business Information Systems) accepts Discover, MasterCard, Visa, or American Express. The Vendor convenience fee of 2.75% on the total tax bill will apply and fees are subject to change for using credit/debit cards. Also, a $2.75 fee will be assessed on an e-check payment of any amount.
(4.) A QR (Quick Response Code) is also on your notice to access the website www.tennesseetrustee.org. with your smart phone.
(5.) A Dropbox is located on the outside of the building at the County Complex (County Offices Section) for your convenience after hours or on weekends.
(6.) Partial Payments are accepted and you the taxpayer sets the amount to pay.
“Take a good look at your property tax bill and study what we offer in the trustee’s office and to where the property taxes are being spent on the pie chart on the back of the notice,” Driver said.
Eligible taxpayers may also qualify for the Tennessee State Tax Relief Program.
This program was implemented in 1973 and it has a few changes every year. For the 2018 tax year, you can qualify for Tax Relief if:
(a.) Your DeKalb County home is your primary residence,
(b.) You are 65 years old (or older) as of December 31, 2018, or totally and permanently disabled as by the SSA or another qualifying agency, and
(c.) Your 2017 Annual Income of all persons on the deed and their spouses did not exceed $29,270.00.
“If the State of Tennessee qualifies you for a Tax Relief, then you can receive a rebate up to $118.00 for 2018. You must pay your 2018 tax bill IN FULL to start the application,” Trustee Driver explained.
The State of Tennessee also offers Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans and the surviving spouses of a disabled veteran.
“You must provide proof from the Veteran’s Administration that you have a 100% service-connected disability. You or your spouse will NOT have to report any income to apply as a disabled veteran or the widow or widower of a disabled veteran. If the State of Tennessee qualifies you as a disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, then you can receive a rebate up to $745.00”
“The Trustee’s office will start accepting applications for the Tax Relief Program on October 1, 2018 through April 5, 2019. If you would like to inquire more about a possible tax relief, come by the County Complex in the Trustee’s office at 732 S Congress Blvd-Room 103, Smithville, TN 37166 or call us at 615-597-5176,” Trustee Driver concluded.
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