News
Smithville Elementary Kindergarten Registration
April 7, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
Smithville Elementary will hold kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year on Friday, May 9, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the County Complex.
Please bring COPIES of the following documents to Registration:
– Certified copy of the child’s birth certificate
– Current, up-to-date, physical examination and immunization record (These must be on a Tennessee Department of Health Certificate of Immunization, which can be obtained from your doctor’s office or the Health Department)
– Proof of residency for DeKalb County (i.e. gas/electric bill)
– Your child will need to attend. He/She will be assessed on this day.
* Children who register to attend kindergarten must turn five years old on or before August 15, 2025.
Lady Tigers Tennis Team Roars Back for a Comeback Victory Over Cannon
April 7, 2025
By: Brian Cadle
The DeKalb Lady Tiger Tennis team rallied from a 3-0 early deficit to pull out a 5-4 victory over Cannon County on Friday at the Smithville Golf Club. The girls started the match with losses at #1 and #2 singles and #1 doubles. Abby Joe Crook and Kayce Hale took the court at #2 doubles and kicked off the momentum change. Crook, Hale, and Jayde Lester all won their doubles and singles matches to account for the 5 match victories to seal the victory. Kaylee Hoersch partnered with Lester for the #3 doubles win. DeKalb Head Coach Brian Cadle praised the Lady Tigers’ comeback effort. “Cannon always brings solid and consistent players each year and provides a huge challenge for us. I am so proud of our girls and their continual improvement match by match.” The girls ended the week with a 5-3 record, winning against York last Monday.
The boys’ team dropped their match to the Lions by a score of 8-1. Lance Duke and Ian Barnes accounted for the sole victory for the Tigers. Cannon’s depth from the 1st to 6th seed was too much for DeKalb. “Our boys play together often in the off-season with Cannon County’s boys here in Smithville for our USTA Junior Team Tennis program. We know each other well and understand how deep Cannon’s team is. They simply got the best of us today.” The Tigers ended the week with a 6-2 record, as they also recorded a victory against York. DeKalb goes on the road for matches at Smyrna and Upperman before taking off Friday and Saturday for DeKalb County High School’s prom this weekend.
Unemployment Rates Drop in 88 Tennessee Counties Including DeKalb
April 5, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
More Tennesseans were on the job in February than the previous month as 88 of 95 counties including DeKalb reported a decline in their unemployment rates, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) announced today.
DeKalb County’s unemployment rate for February was 3.9%, down from 4.3% in January but up slightly from 3.7% in February 2024. The local labor force for February was 7,880. A total of 7,575 were employed and 305 were unemployed.
In two Tennessee counties, unemployment rates in February were the same as in January. Five counties saw an increase.
Eighty-four Tennessee counties recorded unemployment rates of less than 5%. The remaining 11 counties had rates greater than 5% but less than 10%.
Williamson County reported the lowest unemployment rate for the month at 2.6%, a decline of two-tenths of a percentage point from the previous month.
Four counties — Cheatham, Wilson, Robertson, and Rutherford — had unemployment rates of 2.7%. Macon and Knox counties followed with rates of 2.8%.
Cocke County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate for February at 6.6%, a drop of four-tenths of a percentage point from the previous month.
Pickett County had the next-highest rate at 6.3%, a decline of seven-tenths of a percentage point. Lewis County followed with a rate of 5.9%. Its rate in January was 4.1%.
Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has remained steady at 3.7% for six consecutive months. The national rate in February was 4.1%.
Unlike the statewide rate, county rates are not adjusted to account for seasonal impacts on employment.
Job seekers can work one-on-one with a career specialist — at no cost — at one of Tennessee’s American Job Centers. Find a list of locations here.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training can help remove barriers to employment through funded education, skills training, and supportive services.
