News
16-year-old Abygayle Elizabeth Jones Killed in Crash
November 1, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
A 16-year-old Warren County girl was killed and her 15-year-old sister was injured in a crash Wednesday morning on Highway 56 at Capshaw Road near the Warren County line.
Dead is Abygayle Elizabeth Jones. Her sister, Gabryelle Jones, was a passenger and was airlifted from the crash site to Erlanger Hospital.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Jones was traveling west on Capshaw Road in a 2013 Ford Fusion and pulled out onto Highway 56 into the path of a northbound 1998 Kenworth Truck-Tractor semi, driven by 72-year-old Henry Roberson, Jr who was pulling a flatbed trailer loaded with lumber. The front end of the truck collided with the left side (driver side) of the car. Both vehicles traveled a short distance north before the car ran off the southbound side of the roadway. The car then collided with a fence where it came to a final rest. The truck came to a final rest on the southbound lane of State Highway 56.
All three were wearing their seatbelts. Roberson was not injured.
The funeral for Jones will be Sunday November 10 at 2 p.m. at Gath Baptist Church and burial to follow in Asbury Cemetery in Warren County. High Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
DESA to again prepare and deliver Thanksgiving Day Meals
October 31, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb Emergency Services Association (DESA), with the help of volunteers, will again be preparing and delivering Thanksgiving Meals to DeKalb County residents on Thursday, November 28.
This year’s meal will consist of turkey, dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, roll, and a homemade dessert.
If you or a family member would like a hot meal on Thanksgiving Day, please call one of the numbers listed below or visit the website listed to be added to our delivery list. They will need your address, phone number, and the number of persons in your household. The meals are scheduled to be delivered between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 Noon.
DESA will accept names of persons requesting a meal through Friday, November 22.
To get your name on the delivery list, call 615-464-0575 or 615-712-4286 or visit www.dekalbesa.com/meal
Additionally, if you want to support this community project by donating or volunteering your time to prepare meals and/or make deliveries, you can contact the phone number above. Donations can be made at Wilson Bank & Trust or by visiting www.dekalbesa.com and choose MEAL DELIVERIES in the menu.
The DeKalb Emergency Services Association also plans to prepare and deliver meals on Christmas Eve. A future announcement will be publicized later for this project.
Almost 6,400 Turnout for Early Voting in DeKalb County
October 31, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
DeKalb County has just recorded the largest turnout ever for early voting in an election.
During the 14 days of early voting for the November 5 election, a total of 6,397 cast ballots. There are currently 14,085 registered voters in DeKalb County.
On Thursday, October 31 the last day of early voting saw a turnout of 399 including 394 in person and 5 by absentee.
Election day voting Tuesday, November 5 will be from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. at all 12 precincts in DeKalb County. WJLE will have LIVE election return coverage starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday when the polls close.
Four years ago in November 4,606 cast ballots during early voting locally. For the entire election in November 2020 (election day, early voting, and absentees) 8,542 voted in DeKalb County. Eight years ago in November 2016, a total of 7,065 people voted in DeKalb County including 3,073 on election day and 3,992 early votes/absentee.
The turnout for early voting each day was as follows:
Wednesday, October 16: A total of 643 including 492 in person, 100 by absentee, and 51 at the nursing home/Webb House.
Thursday, October 17: A total of 465 including 452 in person and 13 by absentee
Friday, October 18: A total of 530 including 521 in person and 9 by absentee
Saturday, October 19: A total of 323 including 314 in person and 9 by absentee
Monday, October 21: A total of 431 including 425 in person and 6 by absentee
Tuesday, October 22: A total of 776 including 551 in Smithville at the courthouse, 205 in Alexandria at the fairgrounds, and 20 by absentee.
Wednesday, October 23: A total of 362 including 359 in person and 3 by absentee
Thursday, October 24: A total of 346 including 326 in person and 20 by absentee
Friday, October 25: A total of 365 including 359 in person and 6 by absentee
Saturday, October 26: A total of 329 including 322 in person and 7 by absentee
Monday, October 28: A total of 317 including 301 in person and 16 by absentee
Tuesday, October 29 a total of 812 people voted in DeKalb County including 499 in Smithville , 300 in Alexandria, and 13 by absentee.
Wednesday, October 30 a total of 299 people voted in DeKalb County including 292 in person and 7 by absentee.
Thursday, October 31 a total of 399 voted including 394 in person and 5 by absentee
On the ballot this year is the Presidential election as well as races for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives (District 6), Tennessee Senate (District 16), and Tennessee House of Representatives (District 40).
In DeKalb County, two referendums are on the ballot regarding a $50 wheel tax and the issuance of general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $65 million for a judicial center and jail.
