Local News Articles

State Allocates Funding for a New Pre-Kindergarten Class in DeKalb County

July 24, 2007

by:

Dwayne Page

DeKalb County is getting a new Pre-Kindergarten Class.

Governor Phil Bredesen and State Representative Frank Buck Tuesday announced that 257 new pre-K classrooms will open for the 2007-08 school year serving approximately 4,000 additional four-year-olds across the state.

Director of Schools Mark Willoughby says plans are for the new Pre-K class to be started at Smithville Elementary School. With the addition of the new class, DeKalb County will have a total of five Pre-K classrooms, including four at Smithville Elementary School and one at DeKalb West School.

Eligible children must be four years of age by September 30th, and their parents must meet the federal income guidelines.

Each Pre-K class may have up to twenty students. At least sixteen students per class must be enrolled by September 30th in order for the school system to retain available funds for the program.

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County Commission Still Contemplating Future of Ambulance Service

July 24, 2007

by:

Dwayne Page

The county emergency services committee may be having second thoughts about bringing the ambulance service back under the county's control.

County Mayor Mike Foster says running the ambulance service could be a costly endeavor for the county and more study is needed before any action is taken by the county commission. But time is running short because Sumner Regional Medical Center will officially cease operation of the DeKalb County Ambulance Service within a few weeks.

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Courtney Curtis Wins Fairest of the Fair Pageant

July 23, 2007

by:

Dwayne Page

18 year old Courtney Curtis of Smithville, daughter of Brett and Sherree Curtis, is the 2007 DeKalb County Fairest of the Fair.

She succeeds the retiring Fairest of the Fair, 19 year old Whitney Nicole Rice of Smithville, daughter of Brenda and the late Bobby Rice.

First runner-up in the pageant was 19 year old Christen Ashley Hale, daughter of Craig and Evelyn Hale of Dowelltown.

Second runner-up was 20 year old Tara Joan Griffin, daughter of Mike and Tammy Griffin of Alexandria.

18 year old Wendy Michelle Scott of Smithville was named Miss Congeniality. She is the daughter of Kathy Scott and the late Billy Ray Scott.

The pageant was held Monday night at the DeKalb County Fair in Alexandria.

Whitney Moss Crowned Junior Fair Princess

July 23, 2007

by:

Dwayne Page

The 2007 Junior Fair Princess of the DeKalb County Fair is 15 year old Whitney LaRay Moss, daughter of Greg and Wendy Moss of Alexandria.

She succeeds the retiring 2006 Junior Fair Princess, 16 year old Rosemary Apple of Smithville, daughter of Nick and Claire Apple.

The first runner-up was 13 year old Cora Beth Rhody, daughter of Kenny and Beth Rhody of Smithville.

Second runner-up was 13 year old Kristen Smartt, daughter of Aaron and Paula Taylor of Dowelltown.

13 year old Heather Marie Hughes was named Miss Congeniality. She is the daughter of Shawn McGowan and Mike Hughes of Smithville.

14 year old Martha Alan Webb was named Miss Photogenic. She is the daughter of Alan and Lora Webb of Smithville.

The pageant was held Monday night at the DeKalb County Fair.
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Highway 56 South Garbage Collection Convenience Site To Close

July 23, 2007

by:

Dwayne Page

DeKalb County residents, who normally dump their household garbage at the convenience center on Highway 56 south, will soon have to find somewhere else to go.

County Mayor Mike Foster says the state has purchased that property in preparation for the widening and improvement of Highway 56 south and the convenience site there will be closing by July 30th.

Efforts are underway to find another location in the area for a new garbage collection site. County officials thought they had found a spot, but Foster says those plans fell through.