Sheriff Seeks to Clear Up Confusion About Pickup of Aggressive Dogs

October 4, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Sheriff Patrick Ray said he wants to clear up some confusion about the pickup of aggressive dogs in the county.

“In this 2024-25 budget, the county gave the DeKalb Animal Coalition $36,805 as a contribution. The county also pays the animal coalition $110 to $120 per pickup for each aggressive dog,” said Sheriff Ray. “The only dogs the county picks up are aggressive dogs so if someone has an aggressive stray dog in their neighborhood, they need to call the dispatch line at 615-215-3000 and tell the dispatcher there is an aggressive stray dog around their house and one of the deputies will come down (respond). That has to be approved through either someone with the sheriff’s department or the county mayor’s office on aggressive dogs only,” he said.

“The county does not pick up stray dogs. If the deputy goes down there and finds that the dog is aggressive, we will get the animal coalition to pick it up and they (animal coalition) will charge the county $110 to $120 per pickup. If the dog is found to be non-aggressive then the county will not pick it up. That will be between whoever the complainant is and the animal coalition to determine if the animal coalition will take the animal,” Sheriff Ray explained.

“So, for aggressive dogs, call central dispatch at 615-215-3000. If it is not an aggressive dog, then the complainant will need to call the animal coalition to see if they will take the dog. The complainant will be responsible for transporting that dog to the animal coalition. The county will not pay for that,” said Sheriff Ray.

October 4, 2024
By:

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett today reminded all eligible Tennessee residents that they must register to vote by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7, to be eligible to cast a ballot in the Nov. 5 State and Federal General Election.

Voters who have moved within DeKalb County or have had a name change since the last time they voted can update their registration online at GoVoteTN.com or call the DeKalb County election office at 615-597-4146 by no later than October 30. By making sure your registration is up to date, you can shorten the time you will need to spend at your polling location.

“When you don’t vote, you turn over the keys of power to those that do vote. In Tennessee, we want every eligible Tennessean to vote, but first, you must register to vote,” said Secretary Hargett. “To make your voice heard in the upcoming election, Tennesseans must register or make sure their registration is current before the deadline.”

Registering to vote, updating, or checking your registration status is fast, easy, and secure with the Secretary of State’s online voter registration system, GoVoteTN.gov, or the GoVoteTN App.

Using a computer, phone, or tablet, citizens with a driver’s license or a photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security can register in a matter of minutes.

Voters can also download a paper voter registration application at GoVoteTN.gov. Completed paper voter registration applications must be mailed to your local county election commission office or submitted in person. Mailed voter registrations must be postmarked by Oct. 7, and Election Day registration is not available in Tennessee.

Early voting for the Nov. 5 State and Federal General Election begins Wednesday, Oct. 16, and runs through Thursday, Oct. 31. For more information about early voting and other election information, visit your trusted source for election information, GoVoteTN.gov or download the free GoVoteTN App.

In Smithville at the courthouse, early voting times will be as follows:

Mondays: 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Tuesdays: 12 noon until 6 p.m.

Wednesdays: 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Thursdays: 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Fridays: 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Saturdays: 9 a.m. until 12 noon

In Alexandria at the Sandlin Building on the Fairgrounds, early voting times will be as follows:

Tuesday, October 22: 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Tuesday, October 29: 12 noon until 6 p.m.

Sample Ballot

October 4, 2024
By:

Smithville Elementary would like to recognize its Students of the Month for September. These students were selected for their outstanding character, academics, and other traits that make them an all-around excellent student. Selected as Students of the Month for September are:

PreK – Zhavia Velez, Lincoln Smith
Kindergarten – Blake Conte, Adalyn Romo
1st Grade – Reagan Merriman, Dayza Salazar Gonzalez
2nd Grade – Isabella Granados, Scarlett Lopez Ortiz

The students are pictured with SES Principal Anita Puckett and Assistant Principal Karen Pelham.

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