Storm Update From CFEC General Manager Bill Rogers

April 1, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Most Caney Fork Electric Cooperative customers who have been without power since Sunday’s storms are expected to have service by tonight (Wednesday).

“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it is our plan to have restored power to all members who can receive it by the end of our work day at 8:00 p.m. in Warren and DeKalb Counties with some isolated cases where we cannot restore power at this time,” said CFEC General Manager Bill Rogers.

“In White County, we have made strong progress despite the uncooperative weather but we believe that we may still have around 1,250 members for whom we cannot restore power by the end of this work day. The largest areas where we will not be able to work tonight are Oakdale Subdivision and the Doyle area; the infrastructure in these areas is heavily damaged and will take additional efforts to make the needed repairs,” said Rogers.

“Again, I thank our members for their patience as we continue our efforts to restore power; this is one of the most damaging storms our system has encountered in many years, but please know that we are working as diligently and as safely as we can to take care of everyone,” added Rogers.

April 1, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

GOD’S FOOD PANTRY TO BE CLOSED FRIDAY, APRIL 3

God’s Food Pantry at 430 East Broad Street, Smithville will not be open this Friday, April 3rd. In order to assure adherence to CDC Corona Virus COVID-19 guidelines revised food giveaway procedures will be developed to protect both those served and the volunteers. These procedures need to take into account that several hundred people receive food on each of the twice a month scheduled pantry days. “Up to this point, persons have always entered the pantry for their food however, this is no longer viable given the number of persons served. In addition, limited outside space makes it difficult for vehicles to be lined up and loaded with food boxes. In consideration of these issues, a revised system might encompass assigning time slots alphabetically and over a different time frame. We are planning on having a revised system in place for the April 17th scheduled food pantry which will be announced,” said Pat Zornow. “It is  important to note that volunteers are still available to provide food. We are asking persons who consider their situation an emergency to please call the pantry at 615-597-4540.and leave a message. Within the past week over 60 families have received emergency food boxes,” she added. “Thank you and we apologize for any inconvenience but everyone’s health is of utmost importance. Remember, call 615-597-4540 and leave a message if you need food now,” Zornow said.

COUNTY CLERK PUBLIC FORUM APRIL 9TH CANCELED

County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss was scheduled to host a public forum on April 9th at the county complex to provide information on available services but the meeting has been canceled

GOSPEL SINGING FOR RELAY FOR LIFE

The Gospel Singing for Relay for Life scheduled for April 11 at the County Complex has been postponed until further notice.

SNOW HILL BAPTIST CHURCH FOOD MINISTRY TO BE HELD SUNDAY, APRIL 5

Snow Hill Baptist Church will have its food ministry on Sunday, April 5 at 4 p.m. as a drive through ONLY. Line up on the left side of the church.

HAVEN OF HOPE COUNSELING

Haven of Hope Counseling office is not open to the public at this time but is staffed to receive your phone calls and to make teletherapy appointments. Counselors are serving clients through a HIPPA compliant website. However, if the client does not have internet, they are talking with them by phone. They know there is a lot of stress related to the coronavirus and they are here to help. Please call 615-597-4673 if they can be of assistance.

NO TRASH PICKUP IN DOWELLTOWN ON SATURDAYS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Dowelltown Mayor Pam Redmon has announced that the City of Dowelltown will have no trash pickup on Saturdays until further notice. “Do not save your trash. When we resume, only 3 garbage bags per house will be picked up and cannot weigh over 30 pounds. Bags that are torn or not securely closed will not be picked up. We are sorry for this inconvenience and hope this will not last long,” said Mayor Redmon.

CANCER SURVIVORS AND CAREGIVERS RECEPTION DINNER POSTPONED
The annual Cancer Survivors and Caregivers Reception Dinner scheduled for April 16 at the Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church Gym has been postponed until further notice.

DEKALB RELAY FOR LIFE POSTPONED
The 23rd annual DeKalb County Relay for Life has been rescheduled for Friday evening, May 29 at Green Brook Park due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s event had been set for Friday, May 1. Anyone wishing to make a donation may send it to Iva Dell Randolph at 787 Keltonburg Road, Smithville 37166.

OLDER AMERICANS DAY CANCELED
Justin Potter Library has canceled the Older American’s Day Celebration that was scheduled for May 6th due to the Covid-19 virus. We have made this decision to make sure our most at risk citizens are kept safe. “We will decide later whether to reschedule this event for this year or wait until next May. We want to thank the businesses and individuals that already have door prizes or items for the goody bags. We ask them to please store them away for use when this event is rescheduled. Thank you for your understanding during this health crisis,” said Library Director Kathy Hendrixson

SMITHVILLE GOLF COURSE AND GREEN BROOK PARK CLOSED EXCEPT FOR WALKING TRAIL
Smithville Mayor Josh Miller announced Monday that the Municipal Golf Course and Green Brook Park (except for the walking trail) are now closed to the public due to the threat of the COVID-19. “The City of Smithville as far as our government has stepped up. No one is currently allowed in our city buildings and we just made the call to close our golf course. That was a hard decision because it is an open air facility but the golf course is closed. The shelters, playground area, and restrooms are also closed at Green Brook Park but the walking trail will remain open. Again, we are trying to do all we can as a city but we know we can’t make people stay at home. My advice is that if you don’t have to go somewhere, don’t,” said Mayor Miller.

UCDD OFFICE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL APRIL 3
Effective Monday, March 23, the Upper Cumberland Development District office will be closed to the public until Apr. 3; at which time we will reassess the situation. Our staff will continue to assist clients primarily via phone and email. Essential services such as nutrition will continue. Individuals seeking assistance through programs and services offered by UCDD are encouraged to contact the office by calling (931) 432-4111.

UCHRA OFFICES CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL APRIL 3
Effective Monday, March 23, all UCHRA offices will be closed to the public until Apr. 3; at which time we will reassess the situation. Staff will continue to assist clients primarily via phone and email. Individuals seeking assistance through the Low-Inome Home Energy Asssistance Program (LIHEAP) should contact their local office via phone. Transit services will continue to operate in order to provide individuals with transportation to and from medical appointments, the grocery store, and other needs. All scheduled commodities events during this time will continue as scheduled. For more information, please contact your local UCHRA office or call (931) 528-1127. To reach UCHRA Transit Services, call 1-833-UC TRIPS (828-7477) or visit www.ucpublictransit.com.

COURTHOUSE AND OFFICES IN COUNTY COMPLEX CLOSED TO IN-PERSON BUSINESS
The DeKalb County Government continues to monitor developments and updates from federal and state public health officials related to the coronavirus. Beginning Friday March 20th, the DeKalb County Courthouse and the main entrance of the County Complex County Offices will be locked in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Employees are still reporting to work but residents who need to do business with them are urged to call first. Signage is posted on doors with phone number of each office for people to call. They will inform you how your business will be handled. The County Clerk’s drive thru window is open.

DEKALB COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION OFFICE OPEN
The DeKalb County Election Office is open to receive and issue candidate petitions.
However, candidates and potential candidates should call the office in advance to make arrangements for someone to give them access to the building. The election office phone number is 615-597-4146. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The qualifying deadline for the August election is NOON April 2.

MIKE FOSTER MULTI PURPOSE CENTER CLOSED UNTIL APRIL 4TH
The Mike Foster Multipurpose Center is closed through Saturday April 4th. This will include the exercise room. If you have rented a room, you can reschedule or request a refund.

DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOLS CLOSED THROUGH FRIDAY, APRIL 24
DeKalb County Schools are closed through Friday, April 24 due to the coronavirus threat. All planned school related trips, extracurricular activities, and sporting events are also canceled during this time.

DEKALB COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM CLOSED
The DeKalb County Library System is closed until further notice, and as deemed appropriate by local, and federal health agencies. “Please know that closing the libraries was not an easy decision, but one that was made to ensure the wellbeing of the community and the library staff during this pandemic.We want to continue to serve the community as long as possible with the following services,” said Library Director Kathy Hendrixson: Wi-Fi will be available outside the buildings as usual. The Tennessee READS Digital Downloads is available at all times for audiobooks, ebooks and other online materials by going to the link on our website at dekalblibraries.net. You need an active library card for use. There are special options on the READS site for those they do not have library cards. The Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL) is also available. You can renew and reserve materials by logging into your account on our website or calling the library at 615-597-4359 Monday through Friday from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm. If you reserve an item we will call you and assign a time for curb side pickup during our revised hours at Justin Potter Library. All items can be returned in our outside book drops. Fines will be waived during the time the libraries are closed for this situation. Please check us out on Facebook for more information,” added Hendrixson.

COUNTY CLERK ENCOURAGES PUBLIC USE OF DRIVE-THROUGH WINDOW FOR SERVICES
County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss reminds patrons that all of its transactions in the County Clerk’s Office will be completed by the drive-thru service beginning today (Friday, March 20). As a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus, we are offering online and drive-thru service for the safety of our customers and employees, based on recommendations from the CDC and the Tennessee Department of Health. We recommend utilizing online services available at www.tncountyclerk.com whenever possible. While DeKalb County Clerk’s office is implementing the CDC’s recommended social distancing practices, we are still committed to serving you. Full staff will continue working normal business hours providing services for both businesses and citizens. In-person services are currently Not available. Please contact our office for assistance. Our phone number is 615-597-5177. We apologize for the inconvenience during this time. Office Hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

DEKALB SENIOR CENTER CLOSED
The DeKalb Senior Center is closed to the public thru Friday April 3. If you need assistance, call 615-597-7575 and leave a message.

ALEXANDRIA SENIOR CENTER TO BE CLOSED MARCH 23 TO APRIL 6
The Alexandria Senior Center will be closed March 23 to April 6.

SMITHVILLE CITY HALL BUILDING CLOSED BUT DRIVE-THROUGH WINDOW OPEN
Although Smithville residents will not experience an interruption of city services, they will have to do city hall business at the drive-through window until further notice. The Smithville City Hall building is closed to the public for in-person visits or any business transactions. This will apply to the city hall offices of the mayor, city administrator, public works, police, tax, or water and sewer department. City officials will still be working normal business hours but if you have a need you will have to call city hall at 615-597-4745 or the police department at 615-597-8210 or you may stop by the drive through window to speak to a city employee. Payments may also be made at the drive through window, by phone, at the city hall night depository, or online at www.smithvillecityhall.com.

CIRCUIT COURT CLERK ENCOURAGES PUBLIC USE OF ONLINE SERVICES
DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin is asking that anyone having business with her office please call 615-597-5711 or conduct business online if possible. Customers can do certain business and make payments via the DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk website by clicking the link below and following the prompts. http://www.dekalbtennessee.com/circuitcourtclerk.html

COURTS CLOSED TO IN-PERSON PROCEEDINGS
By order of Tennessee Supreme Court Ruling, In Person Court Proceedings have been temporarily suspended until April 30, 2020. Due to this order In—Person court proceedings and hearings scheduled for this timeframe that are not of an emergent or immediate nature will not be held until after April 30, 2020. If you have an attorney – you should contact your attorney to potentially reschedule your court date. If you feel your matter is an emergency and can’t wait please call the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. This suspension applies to all DeKalb County Courts including General Sessions, Circuit, Chancery, Criminal, Child Support, DCS, Juvenile Court, and the City of Smithville Municipal Court. Also no driver safety school will be held April 2. It has been re-scheduled to May 7. All persons summoned for the new Grand Jury and term of court March 30 will need to call 615-597-5711 extension 6 for further jury information after 5 p.m. April 30.

DEKALB SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESTRICTING PUBLIC ACCESS
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office is restricting public access to the facility until further notice due to the threat of the coronavirus. “Our number one priority is to prevent possible exposure to staff as well as inmates therefore we have placed the sheriff’s office and jail on a soft lock down which means that the general public will not be able to enter the facility. The front door to the lobby will be locked. Anyone in need of an officer or services such as a warrant must press a button at the front door which will ring for a correctional officer who will meet you at the door to offer assistance,” said Sheriff Patrick Ray. For all non-emergency issues please call 615-597-4935. “Tuesday night church services and family visitations with inmates at the jail will be prohibited except for online visitations and the inmate roadside litter pickup program will be suspended until the threat subsides,” said Sheriff Ray. “Offenders brought into the jail will undergo established protocols during this time and rather than an in court appearance, video conferences will be arranged for defendants needing an immediate hearing before a judge for certain matters such as bond conditions, etc.,” he added.

OTHER CANCELLATIONS

*All services and meeting at Keltonburg United Methodist Church are cancelled through April 26, 2020.
The food pantry distribution scheduled for tonight (Thursday April 2nd) is also cancelled.

*Easter in the Park by the Smithville Church of God has been canceled April 12

*Whorton Springs Baptist Church is suspending services until further notice. Sunday Services will be via “FaceBook” Sunday at 11am and by home delivery of DVD’s . Wednesday Night Bible Study will also be conducted on Facebook at 6pm.

*The Keltonburg Missionary Baptist Church has canceled all services until further notice.

*Keltonburg United Methodist Church has cancelled all services through April 5th.

*New Hope The Baptist Church of White County is cancelling services including the April 11 singing.

*Temple Independent Missionary Baptist Church is cancelling services until further notice

*Mount Pisgah Free Will Baptist Church is cancelling all services until April 5

*The Smithville AG will not be having any services or functions at their physical location through April 30

*The Father-Daughter Dance to benefit Habitat for Humanity April 4th has been canceled. It will be rescheduled later in the year

*The Harlem Wizards fundraising basketball game to benefit the DeKalb Middle School Junior BETA Club set for April 9th has been cancelled.

*Chamber of Commerce Banquet April 30th has been canceled.

April 1, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

For the first time, the Tennessee Department of Health began releasing the number of negative tests for COVID-19 on a county level Tuesday and is expected to start releasing county-level fatality data by the end of the week.

DeKalb County has 5 confirmed cases of the coronavirus but 63 people in DeKalb County have tested negative as of Wednesday, April 1. As of Tuesday the virus had infected at least 2,239 Tennesseans and killed 23.

Governor Bill Lee said the state has been cautious about releasing too much information because Tennessee is among a group of states that are legally bound by the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as “HIPPA” and that some portions of the state’s health care operations are covered by the federal privacy law.

This week the Governor issued a two-week statewide “Safer at Home” order closing non-essential businesses and telling Tennesseans to stay home in an effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Although healthcare professionals and others have urged him to do so. Governor Lee has resisted declaring a statewide mandated “shelter in place” order because it infringes on personal liberties.

Could DeKalb County issue its own “shelter in place” order?

“No” according to County Mayor Tim Stribling.

“I reached out to the County Technical Advisory Service (CTAS) and to Mike Harrison, the Director of the Tennessee Association of County Mayors and they say I do not have the authority to issue a “shelter in place”, said County Mayor Stribling.

“We can encourage one (shelter in place) but we as county mayor or city mayor do not have the authority to issue a “shelter in place”. That authority has to come from the regional medical director. Not our local medical director of the health department but the regional or state medical director. If we issued a “shelter in place” as a county mayor or city mayor it is not enforceable because we do not have the power to do that. We can only encourage it,” said County Mayor Stribling.

Meanwhile, the DeKalb County Health Department is continuing to conduct COVID-19 drive thru assessments this week at the health department on Tiger Drive with help from members of the Tennessee National Guard.

Drive thru assessments are being held Monday through Friday each week from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. until further notice.

“If you have symptoms of COVID-19, we encourage you to stop by our health department for an assessment,” said County Mayor Stribling.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit: https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html which also has a link to the Center for Disease Control website.

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