Army Corps of Engineers requires face masks at all recreation projects

February 18, 2021
By:

As efforts continue to slow the spread of COVID-19, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reminds all
visitors, volunteers and employees that a face mask is required in all USACE buildings and facilities. Masks must also be worn outdoors on USACE-managed lands and recreation areas if physical distancing cannot be met, such as when hiking on trails or visiting sites that may be popular or crowded.

Visitors actively engaged in water-related activities with a clear and immediate risk of masks becoming wet may temporarily forgo wearing masks. These activities may include but are not limited to swimming, waterskiing, riding on personal watercraft, kayaking and other boating related activities that present a clear and immediate risk to the mask becoming wet. However, physical distancing must always be maintained whenever possible.

This requirement complies with President Biden’s Executive Order on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing, issued Jan. 20, as well as guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

USACE continues to evaluate facility capacity limits and implement measures to adjust the density of visitors in buildings, recreation areas, and other areas prone to crowding. Areas where crowding impedes physical distancing will be evaluated for closure or modification of operating procedures to reduce impacts.

USACE will continue to leverage social media and local media to inform the public of mask and physical distancing requirements, and to inform the public when areas have reached capacity to reduce overcrowding.

We ask visitors to assist in our efforts by avoiding crowded areas and wearing masks. Park rangers are available to provide information, protect visitors and park resources, and to encourage compliance with this requirement.

“Protecting the health and safety of our visitors and workforce are our top priorities,” said Thomas Smith, USACE Chief of Operations and Regulatory Division. “We must do all we can to ensure the health and safety of our workforce, our families, and our communities.”

For information on the current status of USACE recreation areas, we ask that you contact the USACE lake or river project before your visit. A complete list of recreation areas is available at www.CorpsLakes.us.

USACE is one of the nation’s leading federal providers of outdoor and water-based recreation, hosting millions of visits annually to its more than 400 lake and river projects. It’s estimated that 90 percent of the USACEoperated recreation areas are within 50 miles of metropolitan areas, offering diverse outdoor activities for all ages close to home.
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February 18, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County School District has used up all its 13 allotted inclement weather “snow days” for the year.

Students district-wide will return to remote learning Thursday and Friday, February 18 & 19 via Google Classroom.

No classes will be held on campus at either school for in-person learning due to inclement weather Thursday and Friday. When weather and road conditions improve, classes will resume on-campus at each school.

Except for 11th graders, all other students at DeKalb County High School will be on remote learning on March 2 to allow juniors to take the ACT exam in person at school.

“ Wednesday (February 17) was our last inclement weather day and going forward If we miss any days due to inclement weather we will be continuing by remote,” said Director of Schools Patrick Cripps.

“We build up 13 days throughout the school year to use for inclement weather but starting this school year back in August we had to shut down due to COVID-19 so we used 9 of those days. The unfortunate part is that we were unable to go remote during that time because we didn’t have our 1:1 devices. We sent that request into the state and got approval. Our only other choice would have been to add those 9 lost days to the end of the school year,” he said.

Director Cripps said remote learning is the preferred option over extending the school year or canceling spring break.

“A good thing about having the 1:1 devices is that you can do that (continue instruction) without having to add days to the end of the school year. The state says we have to put in 180 days of instruction each year so when we miss school over our allotted 13 inclement weather days we have to make up that time but I don’t like trying to change our school calendar once it is set because families make plans. Being able to do the remote learning prevents us from having to add days to the end of the school year,” said Director Cripps.

The remainder of the 2020-21 school calendar shows that DeKalb County students will be off for spring break with no on campus or remote learning the week of March 29 to April 2. Thursday, May 2 will be an administrative day with no school for students. Friday, May 21 will be the last day of school for the year and report cards will be sent home.

Graduation for the Class of 2021 will be Friday, May 14 at 7 p.m. on the high school football field.

The DCHS prom date will be April 9 at the Capital Theatre in Lebanon.

February 17, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Assessor of Property Shannon Cantrell reminds you that March 1 is an important date for business owners and applicants of the Greenbelt Program.

“March 1 is the deadline for personal property schedules. Anyone who owns a business needs to have those turned in by March 1. If you do not turn one in at all or it is not turned in by March 1, there are penalties after that deadline. We want you to avoid those penalties if possible,” said Assessor Cantrell.

“March 1 is also the deadline for Greenbelt applications. If you do not have your form turned in by March 1, you will not be able to qualify for the savings for the 2021 tax year,” said Cantrell.
“If you are already enrolled in the Greenbelt program, you do not have to reapply. However, if you have purchased property, added acreage to your farm, or had a name change within the last year and seek to enroll in the Greenbelt program, you need to apply by March 1 in order to get the 2021 savings. In addition to not receiving the 2021 savings, there would be a rollback tax that would apply as well. A rollback tax is the savings received on the property for the previous three years,” Cantrell said.

“Basic requirements for the Greenbelt application are that you must own a minimum of fifteen acres and be actively farming a minimum of fifteen acres and are able to produce some kind of agriculture product to the gross amount of $1,500 per year. Also, if you own fifteen acres and you do not have an agriculture product, your land may qualify under forestry. Requirements under the forestry program include a forestry plan written for the property.”

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