Chamber Seeks More Funding From County

April 11, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce is asking for more financial support from the County.

Chamber Director Suzanne Williams addressed the county budget committee last Monday, April 3 at the courthouse asking for an increase from $25,000 to $60,000 in the county’s annual contribution to the chamber, a non-profit organization, established to promote local economic development and tourism. The Chamber is governed by its own board of directors and officers. Three years ago, the county raised its annual contribution to the Chamber from $17,500 to $25,000. The City of Smithville provides $15,000 each year. The Chamber is also supported by membership dues and fundraisers.

Chamber Director Williams said DeKalb County’s Chamber remains one of the lowest funded in the state and could use the extra money to support its budget and mission. In addition to promoting DeKalb County and raising funds for the Chamber Williams said she also spends much of her time writing and administering grants for the county among other tasks.

“Despite the fact that we have such high tourism dollars and bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant money and save $75,000 being in the state’s Three Star Program, the DeKalb County Chamber is one of the most underfunded Chambers in the whole state. For example, Smith County has $10 million in tourism dollars, and they give their Chamber $42,500. Clay County gets $4.76 million in tourism dollars and their Chamber gets from them over $140,000. The Clay County Chamber gets all the county’s hotel/motel tax including a tax on houseboat rentals,” said Williams.

“I ask you to seriously consider contributing $60,000. That money you invest is not a donation. Although the Chamber is listed under donation (in county budget) we are anything but a donation. You (county) will get that back several times over (tourism and grant dollars),” Williams added.

Williams said Tourism in DeKalb County grew by 30% in 2021 and ranks third among the 14 Upper Cumberland Counties behind Putnam and Cumberland.

The budget committee has not yet acted on the request.

April 10, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Another record breaker!

During a three-hour WJLE radiothon Monday morning, April 10 which was also LIVE streamed on the Awakening facebook page, the community rallied in support of the DCHS Class of 2023 with pledges and donations totaling a record breaking $13,390 for the next Project Graduation event which will be held following the graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 12. The fundraiser broke the previous Project Graduation radiothon record of $12,785 set last year.

The radiothon was hosted by DCHS Teacher John Pryor and former high school teacher Chris Vance. Many members of the class took part in the program either on air or from behind the scenes. A special thanks to Jordan Atnip and Daniel Leslie who set up the LIVE facebook streaming broadcast from the WJLE Studios which was telecast on the Awakening facebook page and shared by others.

To add extra fun and excitement, members of the class agreed to take challenges to sing, do pushups, and to gulp down pickled pigs feet and spoonfuls of baby food, dog food, and more.

Students and parents said they could not have been more pleased with the outcome of the radiothon and wish to thank all the local banks and businesses as well as churches, and others in the community for the tremendous support and pledges.

“Project graduation is a night for all of our seniors to get together after graduation in a safe environment to hang out with their friends and celebrate all they have done the last four years,” said Ally Atnip, Secretary of the parent committee. “ We have been meeting along with the seniors about every month and some of our fundraisers we have had this year include strawberry sales, signs you may see on the side of roads or in front of houses, cutlery, wreaths, goodies with Grinch over the Christmas break, and we have a car show coming up Saturday, April 15 at the high school parking lot,” said Atnip.

“For this year’s Project Graduation, the kids will come in between 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. after graduation. We will have a lot of fun things for them. We will have food, a 40-foot obstacle course, a 50-foot two lane slide and New Frontiers will come out and set up archery and regular laser tag, nine squares, and life size jenga. It’ll be a great time for the kids to hang out and be together,” said Atnip.

April 10, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A Smithville man found with images of child pornography on his mobile phone over two years ago was sentenced last Monday, April 3 in DeKalb County Criminal Court.

57-year-old David Yoyden Drennan entered a plea to sexual exploitation of a minor and received an 8-year sentence to serve at 100% with the possibility of 15% good time. His name will be added to the state’s sex offender registry. He was given jail credit of 808 days. The offense occurred on January 13, 2021.

According to District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway, “Investigators with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office began to investigate a tip that Drennan was in possession of photographic and video images of children which are sexual in nature. The ICAC unit with the Cookeville Police Department also assisted in the investigation”.

“As the investigation progressed, evidence was discovered showing that Drennan had in excess of 50 images of child pornography on his mobile telephone”.

In other cases, 54-year-old Ricky Murphy entered a plea to driving under the influence and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days all suspended to supervised probation except for 48 hours to serve. He was fined $350 and will lose his driver license for one year. He is to report to jail or enter a DUI center by May 2.

32-year-old Jeremiah Martin entered a plea to sale of a schedule II drug under 0.5 grams. He received a 4-year sentence all suspended to supervised probation. The sentence is to run concurrently with a Coffee County case against him. Martin was fined $2,000. He was given jail credit of 513 days.

38-year-old Jessica Dyal entered a plea to possession with intent to sell under 0.5 grams of methamphetamine. She received a 4-year sentence all suspended to supervised probation and was fined $2,000. Dyal was given 21 days jail credit.

52-year-old David Driver received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days all suspended to supervised probation for violation of probation. The sentence is to run concurrently with a Cannon County case against him.

61-year-old Troy Klingbeil entered a plea to a 3rd offense of driving under the influence. He received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days all suspended except for 150 days to serve. Klingbeil was given credit for time served. He will lose his driver license per Department of Safety regulations and his fine is $1,100.

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