DeKalb County Voters will Return to the Polls this Summer for August Elections

March 10, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

As one 2024 election has come and gone, the DeKalb County Election Commission is preparing for another one.

Persons may now pick up qualifying petitions from the DeKalb County Election Commission to run for offices in the Tennessee Democratic and Republican Primaries as well as the Alexandria, Dowelltown, and Smithville Municipal Elections all to be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024.

In the State Primaries on August 1, nominees in both the Republican and Democratic Parties will be selected for the offices of US Senate, US House of Representatives (6th District), Tennessee House of Representatives (40th District), and Tennessee Senate (16th District).

Those positions are currently held by US Senator Marsha Blackburn (R), Congressman John Rose (R)- US House of Representatives (6th District), State Representative Michael Hale (R)- Tennessee House of Representatives (40th District), and State Senator Janice Bowling (R)- Tennessee Senate (16th District)

In the Smithville Municipal Election August 1, three aldermen will be elected, each to serve a 4-year term. The positions are currently held by Aldermen Shawn Jacobs, Danny Washer, and Jessica Higgins.

The Alexandria Municipal Election on August 1 will be held to fill the positions of mayor (unexpired term), three aldermen, and three other aldermen (unexpired terms).

In the Dowelltown Municipal Election on August 1, a mayor and two aldermen will be elected.

The qualifying deadline for the August 1 elections is Thursday April 4 at 12 noon and the withdrawal deadline is Thursday, April 11 at 12 noon. The voter registration deadline for the August 1 elections is Tuesday, July 2. Early Voting for the August 1 elections is Friday, July 12 to Saturday, July 27. The absentee ballot request time period is from May 3 to July 25 for the August 1 elections.

Meanwhile the DeKalb County General Election will be August 1 in which party nominees selected in the March 5 primaries will be running for the offices of Assessor of Property, Board of Education (Districts 5 & 6), Constable (Districts 1-7), and Criminal Court Judge- Part III in the 13th Judicial District.

The offices of County Commission District 6 and District 7 will also be on the August 1, 2024 ballot to fill unexpired terms. This election will be held in conjunction with the 2024 DeKalb County General Election. Independents may now pick up petitions.

County parties may certify candidates for these two county commission district races through the caucus process by the qualifying deadline 12 NOON April 4, 2024.

March 8, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Elementary is one of 343 schools to be awarded a grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority, in partnership with Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc., a TVA retiree organization, to develop science, technology, engineering, and math education programs for students that will inspire interest in STEM-related fields.

Citing specific projects or programs they hope to implement, educators from across TVA’s seven-state region applied for grants of up to $5,000.

“This grant will help us offer hands-on activities and programs for students that develop skills that can help solve real-world problems,” said Beth Cantrell, the computer teacher who wrote the grant application. “We know that opportunities in STEM fields are the jobs of the future and TVA’s commitment to STEM education will allow us to begin preparing our students for those careers.”

Schools who are awarded grants must receive their power from a local power company served by TVA. Smithville Elementary is served by Smithville Electric System.

Smithville Elementary will use the grant to introduce students to a wide variety of STEM careers and provide them with opportunities to learn about these careers. This will be accomplished through the use of picture books and a vast selection of STEM learning materials, including legos, picasso tiles, real world STEM kits, architecture kits, chain reaction kits, roller coaster designer kits, and many other items. Students will interact with these materials to experiment and use critical thinking skills to create new things and develop their own ideas as they explore a variety of careers. Students will take on the roles of various careers as they problem solve and become successful at a variety of challenges. The materials will be available to every student in the school.

“TVA is committed to supporting schools and educators who are inspiring an interest in STEM education in students across the Valley, as we know our young people will design and build the energy systems of the future,” said Jeannette Mills, TVA executive vice president and chief external relations officer. “Providing resources and access to STEM education is key to inspiring innovation and we’re proud to contribute to the next generation’s visionaries.”

Since 2018, TVA and BVI have awarded nearly $6 million in STEM grants to support local education.

A full list of grant recipients, and information on how to apply for a future STEM grant can be found at www.tvastem.com.

(Pictured with Ms. Beth Cantrell are Rachel Crickmar representing TVA and Richie Knowles representing Smithville Electric System.)

March 8, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

All five of the DeKalb County School Resource Officers (SRO) are now equipped with new automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to be placed in their offices at the respective schools thanks to state funding.

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are life-saving devices that can be deployed in situations involving sudden cardiac arrest to quickly administer a therapeutic shock and potentially restart a victim’s heart. Presenting AEDs in school settings can minimize response time during cardiac emergencies, dramatically improving survival rates.

Sheriff Patrick Ray says “Integrating AEDs into all five of the DeKalb County schools highlights a growing commitment by our Department to promoting heart-safe learning environments for students, teachers, and staff. Investing in AEDs demonstrates the importance placed on students’ and staff’s welfare. By following these best practices, School Resource Officers can make significant strides towards protecting their community and fostering a culture of safety and preparedness.

Pictured are Sheriff Ray, DeKalb Middle School SRO Joseph Carroll, DeKalb West School SRO Billy Tiner, DeKalb High School SRO Sgt. Chris McMillen, Northside Elementary School SRO Joe Pack, Smithville Elementary School SRO Roger Whitehead and Chief Deputy Brian Williams.

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