DeKalb School District COVID Update

November 15, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County School District reported 7 positive cases of COVID on Friday, November 12 which is up from 5 cases the previous week.

There were 5 positive cases on Monday, November 8 including 2 at DeKalb West School and 1 each at DCHS. DeKalb Middle School, and Smithville Elementary. By Friday, November 12 there were 7 cases district-wide including 6 at DeKalb West School and 1 at Smithville Elementary School.

The number of those under quarantine increased from 23 on Monday, November 8 to 30 by Friday, November 12.

According to Attendance Supervisor Joey Reeder, there were 8 under quarantine at DCHS, 6 at DeKalb West School, 5 at Northside Elementary, 3 at Smithville Elementary and 1 at DeKalb Middle School on Monday, November 8. By Friday, November 12 the number increased to 30 district-wide including 14 at DeKalb West School, 7 at DCHS, 4 at Smithville Elementary, 3 at Northside Elementary, and 2 at DeKalb Middle School.

The district reported 1 absence among the staff on Friday, November 12 due to a positive case or quarantine

Meanwhile the number of active COVID cases in DeKalb County as of Friday, November 12 was 32 (down from 37 a week earlier) with 6 new cases.

There have been 75 deaths in DeKalb County since the pandemic began in March 2020 (up by 3 since Friday, October 29) and 113 have been hospitalized.

At last report a total of 8,784 people (42.9%) have received at least one dose of COVID vaccine and 7,699 (37.6%) are fully vaccinated in DeKalb County.

Over the last seven days, (November 5- 11) DeKalb County had a case count of 23 for a daily case rate of 16 per 100,000 residents.

For the most recent 14 days, (October 29-November 11) DeKalb County’s case count was 40 for a daily case rate of 13.9 per 100,000 residents.

For the 14 days prior (October 15 to October 28), the case count was 52 for a daily case rate of 18.1 per 100, 000 residents.

From March 5, 2020 to November 11, 2021, DeKalb County has had a total of 4,249 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 for a daily case rate of 33.7 per 100,000 residents.

Over the last 7 days the average percent positive was 8.1%.

November 14, 2021
By:

James L. “Jimmy” Poss has formally announced plans to seek the Republican Party nomination for DeKalb County Clerk in the May 3, 2022 Republican Primary. Jimmy, currently serving as DeKalb County Clerk, first elected in 2014, is a lifelong resident of DeKalb County. He and His wife, Jennifer Justine “J.J.” (Barnes) Poss are the parents of two sons, Lane and Tanner Poss.

Jimmy is the son of W.J. and Mildred Poss. J.J. is the daughter of Linda Moser and Tink Barnes, and stepfather Willie Moser. J.J. is a self-employed business owner, manager and operator of Headlines Hair Design who works as a hair stylist.

“Working for the people” for my entire adult life has been an extreme honor and privilege. From 1991 until 2014 I served as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) for DeKalb County. My employment at the DeKalb County Ambulance Service provided me experience in emergency care for patients, automated data loading, record and file management, as well as staff management.

“I am a former real estate agent and a former employee at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. These opportunities gave me valuable business experience and customer service skills”

“Some of my most rewarding work experiences have come during my 38 years of living and working on our family’s livestock farm. As a farmer, I have learned strong work ethics and the commitment to “rolling up my shirt sleeves” to get the job done. “Working for the people” has been and remains my continued focus, if afforded the honor and opportunity to continue serving as your DeKalb County Clerk. I pledge to work hard, follow the rules, treat everyone the same and be accountable to the citizens of DeKalb County”.

“I have completed the County Officials Certificate Training program with the designation of Certified Public Administrator. A course offered by the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service’s County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS). Also, after completing a course also offered by the University of Tennessee (CTAS); myself, along with my bookkeeper Judy Miller-McGee are certified county finance officers”.

“Over the last eight years, the County Clerk’s office has experienced growth in motor vehicle transactions and seen a significant increase in title production. We now consistently print more than double the titles annually from eight years ago. For the past five years revenue collections have maintained consistent growth. Our office currently provides a number services which were not available prior to 2014. While revenue is important, so is service. My staff and I strive to deliver a variety of accommodations to the public”.

“We provide multiple services daily without receiving additional fees. Simply meaning the DeKalb County Clerk’s Office receives no payment or office fees for providing a number of services such as completing particular tasks at the driver’s license renewal kiosk, computer assistance completing driver license reinstatement payments, fines and handgun carry renewals, obtaining FEIN numbers through IRS.gov, filing 2290 forms required for federal heavy vehicle use tax, notary service, filing and paying business tax renewals, and monthly filing and paying sales and use taxes. These and various other tasks are performed daily “working for the people” serving you as a courtesy to our citizens”.

“I am humbled by the support I have received, allowing me the opportunity to serve as your County Clerk. It’s an honor and is my desire to continue serving with honesty and integrity for the citizens of DeKalb County. I ask for your prayers, support and vote,” said Poss.

November 14, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Production will begin locally next month on a Christian music video based on a new song called “Cries from the Cross” about the crucifixion story. The target date for release is next spring in time for Easter.

“Cries from the Cross” was recently composed as a collaborative work of local talent Vonda Brown and professional Southern Gospel singer/songwriter Johnathan Bond of Young Harmony. The Smithville First Free Will Baptist Church will serve as the onsite location for the video shoot on Saturday, December 18 from 12 noon until 5 p.m.

“I got the idea for this song from a recent pastor event at the church and the name for the song is from another event upcoming on Good Friday called “Seven Cries from the Cross”. That name just stuck with me in my spirit and for three or four days I just couldn’t get it out of my mind. I questioned the Lord about it and then the words for the song started coming to me. It seemed I couldn’t get them typed fast enough. It all happened within three weeks,” said Brown.

After seeing what Brown had written, Bond knew it was something special.

“Vonda reached out to me with some lyrics to the song. She asked me what do you think about co-writing this so we sat down and began to write and ask for God’s direction on it and it just unfolded beautifully. When we were finished writing I said I have an idea. I want to release this to radio for Easter and do a full video,” said Bond.

“We would love to have everybody from DeKalb County come and be part of this. The thing exciting to me is that the cross scene is just not about the believer but the unbeliever. He gave his life for all of us and that is what we want to be able to portray through every bit of this. There are some hard scenes in this video. Of course Jesus will be portrayed on the cross in the middle with the thief that mocked him on one side and on the other side will be the one who cried out for mercy. There will be people in the crowd who criticize Jesus and others who say God we can’t do this but there will be a lot of compassion shown through all of it and then we will actually be inside the church with the entire praise team here along with Johnathan Bond and Young Harmony. We are looking forward to it,” said Bond.

Extras are needed for the video shoot.

“We are asking those who are willing to be a part of this taping to be at the church by 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 18th. You will be required to sign a release before taping begins. If you would like to be in the Cross scene, you must wear your own biblical costume. For the praise team participants inside the church It is casual wear. The actual production will take place from 12 noon until 5 p.m. at the church on December 18,” said Brown

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