Local News Articles

The DeKalb County Fair will feature several exciting events at the Lion's Club Pavilion July 18-23 including nightly pageants, the Vintage Fashion Show, and DeKalb IDOL among others.

The Junior Fair Princess Pageant will be held Monday, July 18 at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Fairest of the Fair at the Lion's Club Pavilion. The Little Mister and Little Miss contest will be held Tuesday, July 19 at 6:00 p.m. The Little Miss Princess Pageant will be held Wednesday, July 20 at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Miss Sweetheart Contest.

Shan Burklow encourages anyone interested in entering any of these pageants to register on-line at www.dekalbcountyfair.us or www.studiosixlimited.com. Registration forms are also available at all bank locations in Smithville and Alexandria.

The Vintage Fashion Show is set for Thursday night, July 21 following the Baby Show at the Lions Club Pavilion.

DeKalb Idol will be featured on Friday night following the Toddler Show at the Lions Club Pavilion.

Registration and rehearsal for the Junior Fair Princess Pageant will be Saturday, July 16 anytime from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the fairgrounds. Contestants must be 13 through 16 years of age. Participants must not be over age 16 by the date of the pageant. The Junior Fair Princess Pageant will be held on Monday, July 18 at 6:00 p.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion.

Registration and rehearsal for the Fairest of the Fair will be Saturday, July 16 anytime from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m..at the fairgrounds. This pageant is only open to DeKalb County residents. Contestants must be age 17 and not over age 20 by December 31, 2011. Participants must not be, nor have ever been married. The winner must also agree to participate in the State Fairest of the Fair Pageant in January, 2012. The Fairest of the Fair pageant will be Monday, July 18 following the Junior Fair Princess Pageant.

The Little Mister and Little Miss contest will be held Tuesday, July 19 at 6:00 p.m. at the Lion's Club Pavilion. Registration and rehearsal will be Saturday, July 16 anytime from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the fairgrounds. Contestants in both pageants must be 4 and not over 6 years of age by the pageant date.

The Little Miss Princess Pageant will be held Wednesday, July 20 at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Miss Sweetheart Contest at the Lion's Club Pavilion. Registration and rehearsal for the Little Miss Princess Pageant will be Saturday, July 16 anytime from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the fairgrounds. Contestants must be 7 and not over 9 years of age by the pageant date. Meanwhile, registration and rehearsal for the Miss Sweetheart Pageant will be Saturday, July 16 anytime from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Contestants must be 10 and not over 12 years of age by the pageant date.

The entry fee for each of these pageants is $25.00 per contestant, (cash only) payable at the time of registration.. Contestants may be residents of DeKalb, Smith, Putnam, White, Warren, Cannon, or Wilson Counties except the Fairest of the Fair which is only open to DeKalb County girls. .

For more information visit www.dekalbcountyfair.us or www.studiosixlimited.com.

A man who held a woman at knifepoint during a carjacking in the Silver Point community Tuesday morning remains at large.

Sheriff Patrick Ray told WJLE that the man, described as being bald, in his 30's, was last seen wearing Levi blue jean shorts and a yellow shirt. The victim, after escaping from the vehicle, was taken by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Community Hospital for treatment.

According to Sheriff Ray, the suspect walked up to a home in the Silver point community of DeKalb County, where a woman, Lisa Mackie, was outside doing some garden work. The man told her that he had run out of fuel and needed a ride to the gas station. The woman gave him a ride to one of the businesses near Interstate 40 but as she drove in, the man pulled a knife, pointed it at her throat, and ordered her to keep driving. The woman immediately got out of the car and the suspect took control of the vehicle and drove north on Highway 56 a short distance before he wrecked the car. The man then turned the car around and drove back into DeKalb County where he wrecked the vehicle again at Captains Point Road. The man then got out of the car and fled on foot.

Putnam and DeKalb County officers rushed to the scene immediately after the incident and conducted a ground search. They also made contact with some of the residents in the area to alert them.

Sheriff Ray said the suspect's car was found at the intersection of Lafever Ridge Road and Highway 56 north at Silver Point.

If you have information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect call 911 or Central dispatch at 215-3000. If you believe you have seen the suspect, do not confront him.

The State of Tennessee Department of Human Services recently announced a policy change regarding the application process through UCHRA’s county offices for families and individuals applying for energy assistance through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and for emergency assistance through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG).

For both programs the current contract year, which began July 1, 2010 and would normally end June 30, 2011, will be extended an additional three months to end September 30, 2011. Clients who were served during the July – June period will not be eligible to apply again until October 1, 2011. During the three-month period from July 1 – September 30 applications will be accepted only from eligible households that were not served during the previous 12-month period.

“This is a significant change in policy,” stated Phyllis Bennett, UCHRA Executive Director. “These programs have operated on a July – June year since UCHRA began administering them in the early ‘80s, and I believe they have always been awarded based upon the State fiscal year.”

According to the Department of Human Services the reason for the change is that the Federal fiscal year is October 1 – September 30, and funds for these programs are appropriated for that period. DHS feels that planning and coordination of both LIHEAP and CSBG will be improved by aligning the LIHEAP and CSBG funding with the Federal fiscal year.

“We are concerned about getting word of this significant change out to the public, and especially to households that are used to being able to apply for LIHEAP and/or CSBG beginning July 1,” said Lee Webb, UCHRA Community Services Director. “UCHRA is doing everything possible to circulate this information to everyone affected.”

Anyone having questions regarding this policy change may contact the DeKalb Countyoffice located at 527 West Main Street, Smithville, TN 37166, or phone (615) 597-4504. For more information on programs available in your county, go to www.uchra.com/dekalbcounty.html.

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce is encouraging all local businesses to help welcome visitors to the 40th annual Fiddler's Jamboree and Crafts Festival by participating in the 10th annual "Project Welcome Mat"

Businesses having changeable signs or marquees are asked to post welcome greetings for our Jamboree visitors. The wording may be only a simple "Welcome to the Jamboree" or as elaborate as you choose. Executive Director of the Chamber, Suzanne Williams, says, “With thousands of visitors coming into town, every effort should be made by the local merchants to show our guests that we appreciate them and welcome their business. The program has been successful over the past years with many businesses participating. Let's keep on showing folks how friendly the DeKalb County / Smithville area can be!”

All businesses may participate in "Project Welcome Mat." There will be recognition awards in 3 categories: "Best Worded," "Most Original" and the "People's Choice Award." Plaques will be presented to winners along with media recognition.

If your business would like to participate in the contest, email the Chamber at dekalbtn@dtccom.net or call 597-4163. Wording should be in place no later than Friday, June 24, 2011.