For several years, DeKalb County has received state grant funding for litter pickup on county roads using inmate labor from the sheriff’s department. Part of the grant funds are also used to conduct educational campaigns to teach children and adults about the importance of keeping our community clean and beautiful.

The DeKalb County Commission Monday night adopted a resolution authorizing an application for a new $44,200 Litter and Trash Collecting Grant for the 2018-19 year from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Most of the grant, $30,000 is used to help fund the salary of a sheriff’s department employee to transport and supervise inmates selected to participate in the roadside litter pickup effort. Some of the money, $5,360 is used for materials and supplies such as garbage bags, fuel, etc while the rest, $8,840 goes for public awareness and outreach efforts including student education materials offered through the county mayor’s office.

The success of the county roadside litter grant program in recent years has led to additional grant funding for litter pickup on state roads in DeKalb County.

This program provides grant funding in the amount of $45,883 using inmate labor to cover over 100 miles of state roadways in three to four cycles during the year. The state highways included this year are Highway 56 north and south from the Warren to Putnam County line, Highway 70 east and west from the White to Wilson County line, Highway 53 in Alexandria and Liberty, Highway 96 in Liberty and from Dale Ridge Road to Medley-Amonette Road at the Putnam County line, Highway 141 from Center Hill Dam to the county line, Allen Ferry Road (Highway 83) from Highway 56 to State 146, Highway 146 (Short Mountain Highway), and Highway 288.

Funds from this grant are also used to help pay the salary of another full time sheriff’s department employee to transport and supervise inmates selected to participate in this program and this employee may be used for other duties as well. “We can use him to help non profit organizations such as food pantries, the fair, the Jamboree, and other things that are non profit. We help some of our local churches do things and take care of cemeteries that have been abandoned. It opens up more opportunities for us to get out in our community and help people,” said Sheriff Patrick Ray.

Inmates chosen for both litter pickup programs are non-violent offenders and for every day they work, they get a day off their jail sentence.

“This program is very beneficial, not only for DeKalb County, but it is also an opportunity for inmates to give back to their communities. We are very fortunate to be able to continue receiving these grants from year to year. It helps make our county roadsides look better,” said Sheriff Ray.

The commission Monday night also approved budget amendments and reappointed Annette Greek and Brenda Hooper to another three year term on the DeKalb County Library Board of Trustees.

Five Fireworks Shows are scheduled to celebrate the Independence Day holiday on Center Hill Lake.

TWRA Officer Tony Cross said fireworks shows will be held starting as darkness sets on the following dates and locations:

June 30: Hurricane Marina and Hidden Harbor Marina

July 4: Cookeville Boat Dock

July 6: Sligo Marina

July 7: Pates Ford Marina

“There will be a lot of folks I’m sure wanting to come out and watch some of the fireworks shows. If you go in a boat make sure before you get out there that your navigation lights are working. You have to display those lights while you are on the water,” said Officer Cross.