DeKalb County October Unemployment Rate Dropped to 3.7%

November 25, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

New data revealed the employment situation continued to improve for a majority of Tennessee’s counties including DeKalb County in October 2021, according to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Unemployment rates decreased in 65 counties during the month, while they remained the same in 20 counties, and increased in ten counties.

DeKalb County’s October jobless rate dropped to 3.7%, down from 4% in September and well below 8.5% in October 2020.

The local labor force for October 2021 was 7,536 and 7,255 were employed. A total of 281 were out of work.

Ninety-three counties reported October jobless numbers lower than 5% and two counties had unemployment rates slightly higher than 5%.

Williamson County’s unemployment rate was the lowest of all the counties for the month. At 2.2%, its October rate dropped by 0.1 of a percentage point when compared to September. Moore County had the second-lowest rate at 2.3%, which was unchanged from the previous month.

While Perry County once again had Tennessee’s highest unemployment rate in October, the county’s jobless number showed significant improvement for the month. The latest statistics show its rate dropped 3.1 percentage points, from 8.4% to 5.3%. Shelby County had the second-highest rate, but it also showed month-to-month improvement, as it decreased from 5.3% to 5%.

Statewide unemployment was lower for the fifth consecutive month in Tennessee. The new seasonally adjusted rate of 4.2% was 0.2 of a percentage point less than September’s revised rate of 4.4%.
The employment situation also improved nationally. The United States unemployment rate for October was 4.6%, down 0.2 of a percentage point from the previous month.

The state and national unemployment rates are seasonally adjusted to factor in seasonal economic influences such as school breaks and severe weather conditions, while county unemployment rates are not.

November 25, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

LIBRARIES CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING

Justin Potter and Alexandria Libraries will be closed November 25th, 26th and 27th for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

ELIZABETH CHAPEL BAPTIST CHURCH PRESENTS “THE LIVING CHRISTMAS TREE”
The Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church presents “The Living Christmas Tree- Take Me Back to Bethlehem” December 11, 12 & 15. The preliminary program starts at 6:30 p.m. each evening with the tree program immediately following.

COURTHOUSE AND COUNTY OFFICES TO BE CLOSED THURSDAY AND FRIDAY FOR THANKSGIVING
The DeKalb County Courthouse, County Complex County Offices, and Senior Center will be closed Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26, 2021 for Thanksgiving. The County Clerk’s office will be closed Saturday November 27, 2021.

DEKALB TRANSFER STATION AND TRASH COLLECTION SITES TO BE CLOSED THURSDAY FOR THANKSGIVING
The DeKalb County Transfer station and all trash collection sites will be closed Thursday November 25, 2021 in observance of Thanksgiving.

LIBERTY HOLIDAY GARBAGE PICKUP SCHEDULE
The Town of Liberty garbage pickup will be Friday, November 26 instead of Thursday, November 25 due to Thanksgiving.

SMITHVILLE HOLIDAY GARBAGE PICKUP SCHEDULE
The City of Smithville garbage pickup for Thursday and Friday next week, November 25 & 26 will be Monday, November 29

ANGEL TREE PROJECT UNDERWAY
The annual Angel Tree Project is underway and your support is needed to help make this holiday season merrier for 298 children from 144 families. This is Angel Tree’s 27th year of serving the children of DeKalb County. “The Angel Trees are located at all bank locations in Smithville and Alexandria,” said spokesperson Laura Stone. “Each Angel represents a child and his or her wish list for Christmas. The process is very simple. Just go to your bank and select an Angel from the tree, shop for your Angel from their wish list and return your gifts to the bank where you picked up your Angel by December 3rd. Make sure your presents are clearly marked with your Angel number. The wish list on the Angel tag is just a suggestion. It is what the child specifically asks for. Sometimes people will buy only what is on there. In some cases they will buy additional things. It’s not necessary that you buy everything on the list. If you have no time to shop, donations are always accepted and appreciated and we will do the shopping for you. This program would not be a success without the continued support of our community pulling together and making Christmas special for these children,” said Stone

SUPPORT “LOVE LIGHTS A TREE” FOR THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY (OBTAIN FORM HERE)
The American Cancer Society invites you to make a special donation in honor or in memory of a loved one during the holiday season through “Love Lights a Tree”.

Love Lights a Tree Form (PDF)
A brand new special memory board will be made by shop classes at DeKalb County High School to replace the older one which has been used for many years. The board will be placed on the south side of the courthouse by Saturday, December 4 in time for the Smithville Christmas Parade and Christmas on the Square. Again the board will list the names of loved ones. This year high school students will be volunteering their time to put the names on the board so those wanting to honor or remember someone by having a name placed on the board are urged to make a donation of $5.00 per name as soon as possible so it can be displayed by the time the board is erected. The names are in “honor of” and in “memory of” for a donation of five-dollars per name. Forms may be obtained at the local banks. For more information, contact Iva Dell Randolph at 615- 597-5296, Melanie Judkins at 615-464-7664, Renea Cantrell at 615-684-2688, or Gail Taylor 615-597-5936. The DeKalb County Unit of the American Cancer Society seeks your support in the “Love Lights a Tree” fundraising campaign to raise money for research to find a cure as well as cancer education and patient services. Donations may be made throughout the holiday season. The persons you honor or remember do not necessarily have to have suffered from cancer.

LIBERTY CHRISTMAS PARADE
The Liberty Christmas Parade will be Sunday, December 5 starting at 2 p.m. Participants may line up at 1 p.m. on West Main Street. First and second place awards will be given for best floats, kids and animal entries, and vintage cars, trucks and tractors. drawings for cash giveaways will follow

ALEXANDRIA CHRISTMAS PARADE
The Town of Alexandria Christmas parade will be a night parade again this year. It will be held on Sunday, Dec 5 at 5pm beginning on West Main Street and ending at the Town Square. There will be prize giveaways immediately following the parade at the Town Square. Participant forms are available at Alexandria Town Hall at 102 High Street or on the website at townofalexandria.us

DEKALB COUNTY NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS BLOOD ASSURANCE DRIVE
A DeKalb County Neighbors Helping Neighbors Blood Assurance Drive will be Monday, December 6 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on the mobile in the upper part of the parking lot of the county complex.
All donors will be given an “Adventure Awaits” long sleeve t-shirt and their names entered into a drawing for a chance to win a “2021 Side-by-Side”. To schedule an appointment, go to Bloodassurance.org/dekalbneighbors or contact Jimmy Poss at 615-464-7426 or jimposs72@yahoo.com.
Save time on your donation by answering your health history questions before you arrive. Download “bloodassurance.org/quickscreen” on your phone the day of the blood drive. This will save you 10 minutes wait time on the mobile. Please remember to EAT A GOOD MEAL, drink additional water, avoid energy drinks and bring a photo ID. Blood Assurance is the SOLE blood provider for our local hospitals.

FESTIVAL OF TREES MONDAY, DECEMBER 6
The third Festival of Trees is set for December 6, 2021 from 5-9 p.m. at the DeKalb Community Complex sponsored by the Smithville Review. It is a free event, but you are asked to bring a new toy and place under the tree that you would like to win “Tree of the Year.” All toys will go to Lighthouse Christian Camp’s Outreach Program which serves more than 500 children. To enter a tree, contact Angie at angie@smithvillereview.com, or Complex Director James Hendrixson at 615-597-2121.

SMITHVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE AND CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE
The Smithville Christmas Parade and Christmas on the Square will be celebrated together on Saturday, December 4th. The Smithville Parade begins at 4 PM with the line-up beginning at 3 PM at the New Life Connection Center, 750 S. Congress Blvd., Smithville. The parade route will leave from New Life Connection Center onto South Congress Blvd. to the Downtown Smithville Square, Smithville. Immediately after the Smithville Parade, Christmas on the Square will begin around 5 PM. The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber wants to invite everyone to stay after the parade with many fun activities happening in downtown including at the Smithville City Hall, DeKalb County Courthouse, Justin Potter Library, and a “Live” Windows Contest at Downtown Businesses

7TH ANNUAL REGIFTING EVENT
Christmas is the season for giving and children who participate in this year’s 7th Annual Regifting Event will have a chance to experience that by doing something special for their parents and total strangers. Regifting gives children ages 4 to 12 an opportunity to shop for their parents or caregivers at no cost. The gifts are then wrapped, tagged, and prepared for Christmas giving. This year’s Regifting Event will be on Saturday, December 4 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. or until all gifts are gone at the DeKalb County Complex. Families must pre-register their children in order to be eligible for a chance to receive a door prize. Please wait in your car while your children shop. All children who shop will receive a goody bag. If you need more information or would like to volunteer call or text Amber Adams at 615-684-5798 from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. or Joanna Fuson at 615-517-9100 but no calls after 9 p.m. You may email patchworkuc@outlook.com or visit facebook.

CITY OF SMITHVILLE SETS PUBLIC HEARING FOR ANNEXATION PROPOSAL
The City of Smithville will consider annexing property for a future residential development into the corporate limit on Monday, December 6. A public hearing is set for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 6 upstairs at city hall on the proposed annexation and plan of services for the Larry Hasty property on Parkway Drive near the airport adjacent to the Airport Park property. The public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. prior to the regular monthly meeting of the mayor and aldermen on Monday, December 6 at 6 p.m. at city hall.

CITY TO HOST PUBLIC MEETING ON NEW BUILDING CODES
Anyone interested in learning about the 2018 International Building Codes recently adopted by the City of Smithville is welcome to attend a meeting on Tuesday, December 7 at 6 p.m. upstairs at city hall to discuss the changes that are being made. Refreshments will be provided

THP SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT
The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting a Sobriety Checkpoint on November 26th, 2021 on US Route 70 in DeKalb County. Impaired driving is a serious crime that kills more than 16,000 people and injures 305,000 others every year in the United States. Troopers will evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. Troopers will target those who operate a vehicle while impaired and take corrective actions for other violations observed while ensuring the protection of all motorists. The Tennessee Highway Patrol recognizes that sobriety checkpoints are highly visible and effective tools in the battle against impaired driving.

DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL CALENDAR
The remainder of the 2021-22 DeKalb County School Calendar is as follows: Schools will be closed on the following dates: Christmas Break December 20-31 (Friday, December 17 to be an abbreviated day) (Monday, January 3 a stockpile day- no school for students) (Students return to school Tuesday, January 4); Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 17; Presidents Day February 21; Spring Break March 28 to April 1; Good Friday, April 15; The last day of school will be May 23 ( Administrative Day May 20)

November 24, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County’s share of local option sales tax collections for October 2021 outperformed the same month in 2020 by more than $8,400 according to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. For the county and the four cities therein combined collections were up by more than $24,000.

According to the report, DeKalb County brought in $146,377 in October 2021 compared to $137,940 for October 2020.

All four cities within DeKalb County also hauled in more local option sales tax revenue.

The comparisons between the two months for each municipality are as follows:

Smithville: $319,172 (October, 2021), $313,747 (October 2020)

Alexandria: $36, 368 (October, 2021), $28,171 (October 2020)

Dowelltown: $2,818 (October, 2021), $1,983 (October, 2020)

Liberty: $8,519 (October, 2021), $7,221 (October, 2020)

NET COLLECTIONS (LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX): $513,255 (October, 2021), $489,064 (October, 2020)
October sales tax collections reflect previous month activity.

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