DeKalb Local Option Sales Tax Collections for December Remained Strong

January 29, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County’s local option sales tax collections for December 2023 were down from November but up from December 2022.

According to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, DeKalb County collected $168,325 in local option sales taxes in December, 2023. While it did not keep pace with the $171,014 in local option sales taxes in November, collections for December 2023 outperformed the same month in 2022 by $7,377.

Smithville’s collections for December 2023 were $392,126, an increase from $367,352 in November, and up from $361,018 in December 2022.

Alexandria’s local option sales tax collections stood at $29,672 in December, up slightly from $28,266 in November but below the $33,570 collected in December 2022.

Dowelltown’s collections for December were $3,510, a jump from $3,014 in November and just barely under the $3,585 total from December, 2022.

Collections in Liberty stood at $12,527 in December compared to $12,499 in November and just below the $13,191 collections in December 2022.

Net collections for the county and cities combined for December, 2023 were $606,162, up from $582,147 in November and significantly more than the $572,314 collections in December , 2022.

December collections reflect activity for the previous month.

January 28, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

The Stone Memorial basketball teams won their first meeting of the season over the DCHS Tigers and Lady Tigers Saturday in Smithville. The Lady Panthers won 63 to 56 while the Panthers took down the Tigers 68 to 57.

The Tigers are now 10-12 on the season and 1-4 in the district. The Lady Tigers own a record of 9-13 overall and 0-5 in district play.

In the girls game, DeKalb County led 17 to 16 after the 1st period but fell behind 38 to 30 by halftime and trailed 49 to 38 after the 3rd period before losing 63 to 56.

Ella VanVranken scored 29 followed by Chloe VanVranken with 9, Avery Agee 7, Tess Barton 6, Allie Melton 3, and Cam Branin with 2.

The Tigers found themselves behind 18 to 15 after the 1st period of the boys game but led 33 to 28 at halftime. The Panthers grabbed a 48 to 40 lead by the end of the 3rd period and went on to defeat the Tigers 68 to 57.

Conner Close scored 30 points followed by Dallas Kirby with 13, Seth Fuson 7, Jon Hendrix 5, and Alex Antoniak with 2.

The remaining schedule of the DCHS Tigers and Lady Tigers is as follows:

Tuesday, January 30 at Cumberland County in Crossville

Thursday, February 1 at Livingston Academy in Livingston

Friday, February 2 vs. Upperman in Smithville

Monday, February 5 vs. Livingston Academy in Smithville

Thursday, February 8 at Stone Memorial in Crossville

Saturday, February 10 at Warren County in McMinnville (starting at 3 p.m. with the girls game and the boys game to follow)

All other games will start at 6 p.m. with the girls and the boys to follow.

January 28, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

As DeKalb County joins the family of former State Representative Frank Buck in saying their final goodbyes today (Sunday), a few close friends are remembering his life and legacy.

Buck, age 80 who died Wednesday, January 24 at NHC Healthcare of Smithville, touched the lives of many, and a host of people knew him well. WJLE reached out to four of them last week to reminisce about their memories of Frank including State Representative Michael Hale, Sue Puckett, local attorney now retired; Vester Parsley, Jr., local attorney and former General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge; and Walter Burton, local businessman and Republican leader, now retired.

“DeKalb County and the 40th district have so much to be thankful for because of Frank Buck,” said State Representative Hale, who now holds the position Buck had for 36 years in the Tennessee General Assembly.

“Frank was passionate about the people of the 40th district and he fought tooth and toenail for his constituents and to have a run of 36 years in the legislature is unbelievable. I remember when I was running for this office and we would talk, he encouraged me to take care of the people and serve them well if elected. He was a true public servant, and he served his constituents well. I think we owe him a lot of honor and thanks for what he did for DeKalb County and the 40th district. He will be greatly missed,” said Representative Hale.

“I remember so well my first encounter with Frank Forrest Buck,” said Sue Puckett. “I was secretary for McAllen Foutch, and Frank was a young lawyer, who came for an interview with Mr. Foutch. He did come to practice at the office. I soon discovered that he was a person of high energy, hard worker, but lacked the patience of Job. He was a colorful character, highly intelligent, a man of integrity, and loved pulling jokes especially on people he liked,” Puckett explained.

“I was his secretary for many years, helped him in his political endeavors, and we were good friends. Then when I became a lawyer, his adversary. However, it didn’t matter how hard we fought in court we always remained friends. He has been a friend to many and especially DeKalb County from his many years in the legislature. He truly made a difference and has certainly left his imprint upon our hearts and will be sorely missed,” said Puckett.

“What stood out the most about Frank were those khaki pants, penny loafers and sometimes tennis shoes, his blue buttoned-down shirt, and above all that brown leather vest,” said Walter Burton.

“I met Frank during our college days at Tennessee Tech in the 1960s and we got reacquainted when he came to practice law in downtown,” Burton explained.

“I was a Republican, and he was a Democrat, but we could find common ground working to help Smithville and DeKalb County. The biggest thing we worked on over the years was getting our roads updated, especially Highway 70 & 56. I lost count on how many trips we took to the Tennessee Department of Transportation office in Nashville but with a little help from Governor Don Sundquist, we finally got it going but it took a long time,” Burton continued

“He was for honesty in politics and championed ethics legislation like the “cup of coffee” bill to keep lobbyists from buying meals and paying for travel expenses for the General Assembly without disclosure. He was also for tourism and helped bring about things like the Tennessee Interstate Logos bill, which allows businesses to post their logos on interstate signs for motorists,” said Burton.

“Frank was also the master of innocent pranks on people he liked including me but he was the brunt of some of mine too,” said Burton.” He loved to dish it out but if you ever got one over on him, he always had to get you back”.

Burton said Frank cared about the people of his district and represented them well. “Rural areas like ours sometimes get left behind but Frank always tried his best to make sure that his district got its part”.

“Frank was a tireless, dedicated attorney and a member of the State House of Representatives for 36 years,” said Vester Parsley. “His work was always to improve Tennessee and life for the 40th District, which he represented. He always had the time to talk to the people in the district to find out what their opinions were. He was most concerned about making life better for future generations of Tennesseans”.

“One only needs to look back to see some of the road projects Frank helped secure for his district, especially in DeKalb County,” Parsley continued. “Among them being Highway 56, Highway 96, and Highway 70. While in the legislature, I heard him say many times that good roads help communities grow. He was always helping to improve the infrastructure with better roads, bridges, and water and sewer projects in DeKalb, Cannon, Smith, and part of Rutherford Counties”.

“If you knew Frank as I did, you would know how hard he worked to represent his clients. No case was too small or large when it came to getting the best results for them. I’ve tried many cases where he was on the other side and always knew it was going to be a fight. He never gave up”.

“Frank could always make you laugh with his legendary stories and jokes. I remember how he would walk into the office with a smile on his face and a cheerful greeting for all. No matter how stressful the day was, he found a reason to stay positive and hopeful. These moments of comradery are some of the fondest memories of Frank,” said Parsley.

“Thinking of Frank, one can’t forget how dedicated he was to his wife, Lena Ann, the children, and grandchildren. All these roles gave him great joy. His commitment to his duties and responsibilities was remarkable. Frank was a great asset to his community as well as a mentor and great friend of mine,” added Parsley.

Frank is survived by his wife of over sixty-one (61) years, Lena, and daughters, Kathryn Buck Pursell (Brice) of Dowelltown; Melinda Buck Brown (Chase) of Oak Ridge; Sara Buck Doude (John) of Milledgeville, Georgia; and Jennifer Buck of Dowelltown; six grandchildren, Frank Forrest Pursell (Taylor) of Crossville; Ann Pursell Williams (Timothy) of Liberty; William Pursell of Liberty; Emeline Brown Hébert (Luke) of Nashville; Ellie Brown of Nashville; and Lilah Brown of Oak Ridge; and two great grandchildren, Lena Pursell of Liberty and Caroline Pursell of Crossville.

Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, January 28, 2024 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Celebration of Life is scheduled for Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. All services and visitation are scheduled at Love Cantrell Funeral Home, 100 East Church Street, Smithville, Tennessee 37166.

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