City Streetlights in Smithville Turning Purple

October 7, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

If you have noticed purple streetlights lately in Smithville, its not your imagination and it’s not for Halloween.

Streetlights across town are turning from white to purple and it’s been gradually occurring for some time. Its apparently due to a manufacturing defect.

Smithville Electric System is aware of the situation and is working toward having the lights replaced.

“We started putting them (LED white lights) up three or four years ago as a city-wide project and over time this has happened (lights changing to purple),” said SES Manager Richie Knowles.

“The type of LED lights we bought, American Electric are actually purple and covered with phosphorus which makes them white. They (manufacturer) had a bad run of phosphorous and that phosphorous is falling off the LEDs and that is what you are seeing as these lights are turning purple. They kind of work like a black light and they actually put out more illumination on the ground being purple than they do white. They just look funny,” he said.

“There is a recall on the lights, and they have a warranty on them so we will get them replaced. We are working with the company to do that but because of the supply chain there is a delay in the delivery of the lights,” added Knowles.

October 6, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County High School continued its monthly observance Thursday of recognizing a teacher, student, and parent of the month.

Each received a certificate from the school and a gift card for a meal from Twisted Oaks. A different restaurant will be offering a meal gift card to each month’s honorees.

Longtime teacher Angie Johnson was selected by the administration as Teacher of the Month while Senior Bailey Mullican is Student of the Month, voted on by the teachers. The parent of the month is Nicole Wright, and this honor was based on a winning essay written by her daughter Jenna Wright, a 17-year-old 12th grader at DCHS.

“Its an honor to receive “Teacher of the Month”, said Johnson who is a 28-year veteran educator at DCHS. “I love teaching the kids. I have the cream of the crop and that’s what makes my teaching career easy. I started in 1995. The Health Occupations Program that Ms Sara Nokes had many years ago went by the wayside when she left so I started it back in 1995 and I have been here ever since. I teach health science classes, work-based learning, anatomy and physiology, and diagnostic medicine so I teach kids who are wanting to go into health careers,” said Johnson.

“Angie is a veteran here at our school,” said Assistant DCHS Principal Thomas Cagle. “She helps so much with a lot of our outside of school projects such as the prom and homecoming parade. She is just an invaluable asset to our school who constantly gives us a helping hand and input when we need it, and we thank her very much for all that she does for us and our students here at school”.

Mullican, the 17-year-old daughter of Jay Lee Mullican and Debra Crowell, said she is excited to have received the “Student of the Month” honor. She is a member of the SOSA, FBLA, Social Society, Science, and BETA Clubs. Her future goal is to become a pediatric nurse and she hopes to study at Cumberland University after high school.

“Bailey helps with our peer buddy program,” said Cagle. “She was nominated by one of the teachers where she works with some of the students in the CDC classroom. Bailey is a big help to them and as a volunteer throughout the school. She is another one of our excellent students who does a lot for others giving of her time to help make their school year go just as good as her own,” added Cagle.

Nicole said she was taken by surprise when told she was named “Parent of the Month”.

“I had no idea. I thought I was coming to see Jenna receive an award today. I am blessed. I never considered parenting my girls a job. It’s an honor and I want them to be the best they can be. That is my priority to help them along,” said Nicole.

“I think she is the best mom anyone could ask for,” said Jenna. “She goes above and beyond for me, my little sister, and my older sister too. She does it all. She is super mom”.

“Jenna’s essay was beautifully written about all the different things she does for Jenna outside of school to help prepare her to be the best student she can be here at the school,” said Cagle.

After high school, Jenna said she may become a paramedic and follow in both her parents’ footsteps (Jeff and Nicole Wright) in pursuing a career in the medical field, maybe even an RN flight nurse with Vanderbilt.

“These monthly awards are a way for us to acknowledge students who are performing exemplary each month. This isn’t always going to be for your straight “A” student. It’s for those putting in the effort to make DeKalb County better each and every month. Every teacher can nominate a student and all teachers vote on the student nominated. Teachers are voted on by the administration. The parent of the month award is determined by student essays. Students can write an essay each month and nominate their parent for a chance to win. In the essays, students can highlight things the parents are doing in their life outside of school that we may not know about,” said Cagle.

October 6, 2022
By:

With accurate election information from the DeKalb County Election Commission and Tennessee’s #1 Election Integrity Ranking, local voters can cast their ballot with confidence.

“While administering elections, our office follows Tennessee’s election laws which ensure that every eligible voter’s ballot is counted once and only once,” said Administrator of Elections, Dennis Stanley. “DeKalb County voters can trust in our election process.”

Tennessee was recently found to have the most secure elections in the country by The Heritage Foundation. This ranking is a result of the laws protecting the integrity of the ballot box passed by the Tennessee General Assembly and administered by the Secretary of State and the DeKalb County Election Commission.

The DeKalb County election administrator, bipartisan county election commission, election staff, and a bipartisan team of local citizens serving as poll officials ensure the accurate tabulation of election results.

In DeKalb County voting machines are not connected to the internet and after the election, the Election Commission confirms the results of every race before the election is certified.

“My office works with the DeKalb County Election Commission to make it easy to register to vote, get accurate election information and cast a ballot without weakening election security,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “In DeKalb County, it’s easy to vote and hard to cheat.”

In DeKalb County, the County Election Commission Office and the Secretary of State’s Division of Elections are the trusted sources for the election information voters need. For the latest election information from the DeKalb County Election Commission voters can call the office at 615-597-4146 or visit the website www.dekalbelections.com

For trusted election information from the Secretary of State, voters can download the GoVoteTN App and visit GoVoteTN.gov. With the GoVoteTN app, DeKalb County residents can access voter-specific early voting and Election Day information, including their polling location, dates, hours and sample ballots. The GoVoteTN app is free in the App Store or Google Play.

On GoVoteTN.gov, DeKalb County voters can access the website version of the GoVoteTN app and find information about upcoming elections, election integrity in Tennessee, voter ID, voting absentee by-mail, serving as a poll official and more. Voters can also register to vote, update their registration or check their registration status on GoVoteTN.gov.

The voter registration deadline for the Nov. 8 State and Federal General Election is Tuesday, Oct. 11. Early voting starts Wednesday, Oct. 19, and runs Monday to Saturday until Thursday, Nov. 3. The deadline to request an absentee by-mail ballot is Tuesday, Nov. 1.

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