Early Voting Ends Saturday

July 28, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The August 4 elections are one week away and early voting ends Saturday. To date 1,870 have cast ballots including 1,785 in person and 85 by absentee including votes cast by residents of the Webb House and NHC Healthcare Center.

The total turnout for the municipal elections to date is as follows: Smithville Municipal Election- 492; Alexandria 57, Liberty 29, and Dowelltown 21.

In the state primaries a total of 1,542 have voted in the Republican Primary and 316 in the Democratic Primary with 102 having voted only in the County General Election without participating in either primary.

176 voted Wednesday including 159 in person and 17 by absentee/Webb House/NHC. Of the total Wednesday, 134 voted in the Republican Primary, 31 in the Democratic Primary, and 11 in the General Election Only.

The turnout for the Municipal Elections Wednesday is as follows:
Smithville-39
Alexandria-2
Liberty-4
Dowelltown-3

Early Voting is today (Thursday) from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until Noon at the DeKalb County Courthouse.

July 27, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

It’s time to get ready to save, with three sales tax holidays in 2022.

The Tennessee General Assembly approved two additional one-time holidays this year, in addition to the traditional sales tax holiday that takes place each year at the end of July. During these holiday periods, Tennesseans do not have to pay state or local sales tax on certain items, saving up to 10 percent on some purchases.

“During this time of record inflation and high prices, we’re proud to be able to put money back in the pockets of Tennesseans,” Gov. Bill Lee said. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of these savings opportunities.”

“We want Tennesseans to know about these holidays so they can take advantage of this tax relief,” Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano said.

The details of the three sales tax holidays are:

Clothing, School Supplies, and Computers (July 29- July 31): During this holiday weekend, clothing prices under $100, school supplies priced under $100, and computers priced under $1500 are exempt from sales tax. Online purchases are included.

Food and Food Ingredients (August 1- August 31): During this month-long holiday, food and food ingredients may be purchased tax free. Food and food ingredients purchased from a micro market or vending machine remain subject to sales tax. Food ingredients do not include alcoholic beverages, tobacco, candy, dietary supplements, and prepared food.

Gun Safes and Safety Equipment (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023): The legislature extended this holiday an additional fiscal year. During this period, retail sales of gun safes and certain gun safety devices are exempt from sales and use tax.

Learn more information about all the sales tax holidays by visiting www.tntaxholiday.com . You can also email revenue.support@tn.gov or call 615-253-0600 with questions.

July 27, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Fresh off a grueling 13-day Air Force Academy Freefall training course, Levi Driver of DeKalb County is flying high.

The young Air Force ROTC Cadet of the Nashville Detachment 790 earned his wings (Parachutist Badge) in June – quite literally – by jumping out of a plane, five times solo.

The hair-raising feats were part of the Air Force Academy Freefall (AFAFF) program conducted at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs CO.

Son of Brad and Kelly Driver, Levi is a 2021 DCHS graduate, student at MTSU and member of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Tennessee State University. A 4-year program that develops leaders by preparing students to become officers in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force while earning a college degree.

“I do full time school at MTSU but on the side I do Air Force ROTC training out of Nashville Detachment 790 at TSU,” said Driver. “We spend a week during school one to two days getting leadership training and developing ourselves to become the next officers in the US Air Force. It takes four years because you must have a degree to do it. With this you are able to do unique opportunities like my trip to Colorado Springs for this free-falling exercise”.

Driver was one of only a few Cadets selected for this round of regional parachutist training.

“They split it up into regions from across the United States and selected 12 people from out of our region. I was honored to be selected for one of those slots out of all the ROTC Cadets across the nation,” said Driver.

The course consists of strenuous physical training, conditioning, ground school, and five freefall jumps from 4,500 feet above ground level. Cadets completing all five jumps are awarded a basic parachutist rating.

Driver, who had never skydived before said the experience was a real thrill.

“I left out on Saturday, June 11, got to the airport, said my goodbyes to family and then headed off for this two-week trip,” said Driver. My training dates were June 13th-24th. I had never even traveled by myself before, so I was super excited. When I got to the academy, they showed us around and then on the morning of June 13th, we had to get up at 0500 hours to begin our ground training which is learning all the procedures and what to do if something goes wrong,” Driver said. “One of the exercises we went through was a wind tunnel drill that shows you what it feels like with wind against your body during a jump, so we could know what we are doing and what to expect so we don’t freak out. By the time the day comes for your jump, you are ready,” Driver continued.

“I can’t explain the feeling of the freefall except it’s a big adrenaline rush,” said Driver. “We were flying in a twin otter and each of us had to jump out from the plane solo. I was fourth of fifteen jumpers. From the point of the jump all the way to the ground, it felt like 10 minutes but in reality, it was only about 3-4 minutes. It was a unique opportunity, and it took a lot of courage. I guess I was just crazy enough to do it,” said Driver.

Earning that Parachutist Badge was a proud moment for Driver, and it has influenced his career plans.

“It was a great experience. I will cherish those wings for the rest of my life especially if I go into the Air Force as an officer. I will be able to keep those wings on,” said Driver.

During his first two years of college, Driver plans to complete his basic ROTC training and one day become commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force.

“I am majoring in computer science with a minor in military science and would like to get into the Munitions and Missile Maintenance program,” said Driver. In this program, officers formulate and implement maintenance procedures that ensure Air Force arsenals are always fully stocked, highly functional and ready to be deployed.

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