Total state sales tax collections based on July sales took a big jump in DeKalb County compared to the same month last year. These are the first available numbers from the state since the local option sales tax increase took effect July first, going from 1.5% to 2.75%.
The latest report from the Tennessee Department of Revenue show that total sales tax collections for the month of August, based on July sales, were $304,342 compared to $151,756 a year ago.
Total collections for the month of July, based on June sales, came to $192,471.
County Mayor Mike Foster says these numbers show the economic impact tourism is having in DeKalb County this summer.
Total sales tax collections based on July sales in DeKalb County, outside the cities, were $71,645, up from $42,097 last July.
Sales tax collections in Smithville were $212,720 based on July sales, up from $95,325 last July. Alexandria’s collections were $12,978 in July, up from $8,329 last July. In Dowelltown, the collections in July were $1,929 compared to $814 last July, and in Liberty the sales tax collections in July were $5,069, down from $5,189 last July.
Sales tax collections based on June sales were $44,346 in DeKalb County, outside the cities, $136,731 in Smithville, $7,782 in Alexandria, $1,343 in Dowelltown, and $2,266 in Liberty.
Under state law, the cities must turn over 50% of their local option sales tax collections to the county’s local purpose fund or special school sinking fund, plus another 16 & 2/3% by agreement with the county.

Three people were charged by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department last week as the result of an investigation stemming from a fight.
Deputies were summoned to a fight call on New Home Road, Dowelltown last Monday.
When the officers arrived, they found 19 year old Thomas Webster of New Home Road Dowelltown in an intoxicated state. During a pat down search, deputies also found a pipe in Webster’s pocket containing burnt marijuana. Deputies arrested Webster for under age consumption and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $1,000.00.
18 year old Nicholas Paul Benedict of New Home Road Dowelltown was also present. Deputies
noticed Benedict had been drinking alcohol and he was arrested for Under Age Consumption. His bond was set at $1,000 and his court date is October 4th.
Upon further investigation as to who bought the alcohol, 28 year old Damon Ray Rainey of
New Home Road, Dowelltown, was arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Rainey’s bond was set at $1,000 and his court date is October 4th.
Meanwhile, deputies investigated a one car accident on South College Street, Smithville last Monday. 36 year old Christopher Pack of Evins Mill Road was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident. Pack was South bound on South College Street in a 1994 GMC Jimmy when he lost control of his vehicle and struck an embankment. Pack then fled the scene. Pack was arrested later. Bond for Pack was set at $3,500 and his court date is October 4th.
34 year old Michael S. Wright of Miller Road, Smithville was charged with being a fugitive from justice. Authorities discovered that Wright was wanted in Kalamazoo Michigan for DUI and Failure to appear. Wright is being held without bond awaiting extradition back to Michigan.
On Friday, 45 year old Jeffrey Lynn Brashears of Grand Avenue, Watertown, was charged with DUI -Third Offense. A Deputy while on patrol stopped Brashears on Salem Street in Liberty. Brashears was found to be intoxicated. Bond was set at $5,000 and his court date is October 4th. Brashears has a pending DUI in Wilson County.

James H. Dillard, Jr., incumbent Director of the Gordonsville Exchange, won re-election Saturday defeating challenger David A. Watson 489 (60.8%) to 315 (39.1%) in the DTC Communications Board of Directors Election.
The other three Directors up for re-election won without opposition including Roy Nelson Pugh of the Auburntown Exchange with 467 votes, Robert Don Malone of the Temperance Hall Exchange with 439 votes, and David Parker of the Woodland Exchange, with 410 votes.
A total of 823 members voted in the DTC Directors Election including 542 early voters and 281 on election day (Saturday).
All four directors elected Saturday will serve for three years.
Here’s how the votes break down for each candidate at the four early voting locations and on election day:
James H. Dillard, Jr: Smithville- 65, Alexandria- 41, Woodbury- 72, Gordonsville- 159, Election Day- 152
David A. Watson: Smithville- 42, Alexandria- 47, Woodbury- 12, Gordonsville- 96, Election Day- 118
Roy Nelson Pugh: Smithville- 75, Alexandria- 55, Woodbury- 78, Gordonsville- 47, Election Day- 212
Robert Don Malone: Smithville, 75, Alexandria- 61, Woodbury- 63, Gordonsville-43, Election Day- 197
David Parker: Smithville, 69, Alexandria- 46, Woodbury-77, Gordonsville-39, Election Day- 179
The DTC Communications Board of Directors, in addition to Dillard, Pugh, Malone, and Parker include Ronnie Garrison of Smithville, Randy Campbell of Liberty, Bennie Curtis of Alexandria, Terry McPeak of Norene, Charles Dwight Vinson of Milton, and Greg Rogers of Woodbury.

State Senator Mae Beavers has announced that DeKalb County will be receiving two grants to help fund various public safety and law enforcement initiatives. Senator Beavers stated her appreciation for the work of United States Senator Lamar Alexander and Senator Bob Corker to make these federal funds possible in Tennessee. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides the funding for the Governor’s Highway Safety Office (GHSO).
“DeKalb County law enforcement officials have worked diligently to ensure that the safety of the citizens remains their utmost priority. I believe that one of the government’s most important functions is to keep its citizens safe; and these grants will assist the Alexandria Police Department and Smithville Police Department in accomplishing their objectives,” stated Beavers.
In order for agencies to receive a grant award, they must successfully apply for funding based on problem and statistical need. The GHSO notified agencies across the state that applications were being accepted for highway safety grants. Applications were reviewed and scored by the GHSO and external highway safety advocates. The agencies that met the criteria for funding received awards.
The grants will be distributed as follows:
DeKalb County- Alexandria Police Department- High Visibility Law $5,000 Enforcement Campaign.
DeKalb County-Smithville Police Department- High Visibility Law $5,000 Enforcement Campaign
The grants are awarded annually and serve to advance the commitment to save lives and reduce injuries on Tennessee roadways.

Dental records will be needed to identify the body found in the charred rubble of a home burned to the ground Thursday on Tranquility Way near Center Hill Lake.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says the state medical examiner conducted an autopsy but the body was burned beyond recognition so dental records will be used to make a positive identity.
According to Sheriff Ray, the autopsy revealed evidence of smoke inhalation, which may have caused or contributed to the victim’s death.
Sheriff Ray is now releasing the name of the person who lived at the residence, Cliff Thornley of 625 Tranquility Way, but can’t say for certain yet if the body found is that of Thornley.
The investigation continues, but Sheriff Ray says the preliminary findings indicate no sign of foul play. He says this appears to have been an accidental fire, the cause of which is officially undetermined. It appears the fire may have started in the front portion of the home.
The Thornley residence was completely destroyed in the blaze.