News

The community is urged to observe Memorial Day by attending a remembrance program today (Monday May 26) at the county complex auditorium sponsored by the American Legion Post #122 and the Ladies Auxiliary.

Patriotic music by Susan Hinton begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by the program at 10 a.m. featuring keynote speaker Steve Cantrell, U.S. Air Force, retired.

About Steven A. Cantrell: Mr. Cantrell comes from a family with deep roots in Smithville and DeKalb County. Although not born here he was a legal resident from the day he was born until he retired from the military. He refers to his life as a “Catch 22”. He was a military dependent for 22 years, a United States Air Force Officer for 22 plus years (retired in 1999), and a member of the U.S. government Senior Executive Service for 22 plus years (retired in 2021). He returned to Smithville in 2023, with his wife Gloria Cantrell. His son, John Colvert Cantrell, daughter-in-law Rae (Oulette) Cantrell and granddaughters, Kathryn Cantrell, live in Springfield, Virginia.

Mr. Cantrell was a career intelligence officer, who enjoyed a very wide and eclectic range of jobs (both intelligence and non-intelligence) and educational experiences (two unique Master’s Degrees). Throughout his career he has and still does, serve as a mentor.

His love for Smithville and DeKalb County began and grew during his parents’ annual summer vacations here, followed by two years at DeKalb County High School, and was reenforced with his final move here in 2024. He is an active citizen, participating in local government, who is focused on smart growth for the City of Smithville and DeKalb County. Specifically, he is focused on protecting and sharing the unique things that make this community so special.

The program schedule is as follows:

Welcome: Ronnie Redmon, American Legion Adjutant #122 and Judy Redmon, American Legion Auxiliary

Acknowledgment of Veterans present: Melissa Crouch, Gentiva Hospice. She will be distributing veteran pins.

Prayer: Larry Green

Pledge of Allegiance: Jesus Hernandez, served in the U.S. Army

Star Spangled Banner: led by Dr. Robert Atnip

After the program, a wreath will be placed at the Veterans Monument at the courthouse.

Closing prayer by Don Rigsby

Allie Eaton in the 6th to 8th grade category won “Outstanding Entry of the Show” while Michael Bond from the 4th to 5th grade Division captured the “People’s Choice Award” in the DeKalb Schools Art Exhibit held Saturday at the County Complex. The annual event was sponsored by the Smithville Study Club. Elaine McGuffery is the Club President and Susan Hinton is the Art Chairman.

(View more student artwork on wjle’s facebook page or click link below)

Students from Kindergarten to 12th grade participated in the art exhibit.

This year’s art exhibit winners are as follows:

*Division 1: Kindergarten- 1st Grade
1st Place- John Linder
2nd Place- Ella Seitz
3rd Place- Kase Roller
4th Place-Elyanna Hernandez
5th Place- Allison Locke
Honorable Mention- William Terrell and Summer South

*Division 2: 2nd & 3rd grades
1st Place- Colton Duke
2nd Place- Haley Cantrell
3rd Place- Grayson Cooper
4th Place-Kallen Curtis
5th Place- Dayona Martinez
Honorable Mention- Emmie Edwards & Rose Garrido

*Division 3: 4th & 5th grades
1st Place- Monica Lomas
2nd Place- Karmyn Merriman
3rd Place- Brayden Corrillo
4th Place-Evelyn Farmer
5th Place-Winona Turner
Honorable Mention- Ila Richard & Clara Cox

*Division 4 (Middle School)- 6th – 8th grades
1st Place-Allie Eaton
2nd Place-Abigail Karsky
3rd Place-Lillian Close
4th Place-Braylon Williams

*Division 5- 9th-12th grades
1st Place- Katie Linder
2nd Place- Isabella Williams
3rd Place- Brenna McBroom
4th Place-MacKenzie Cantrell

Need some minor fix up, cleanup projects done around your home?

The Smithville Church of Christ Work Camp may be able to help. This event is set for June 9-12. The work camp is an annual home rehabilitation and beautification effort organized by the Smithville Church of Christ. The church started the work camp 13 years ago as a means of helping less fortunate residents of the county.

“The week of June 9-12 is when we will have the work camp. We are doing this on behalf of the church. We are trying to show Christ’s love through this while promoting the Smithville Church of Christ, but you don’t have to be a member of the church for us to help you,” said spokesperson Casey Midgett.

“All the application forms are out at the local banks. You can stop by any bank and pick up a form or you can go by our church location and get a form. Just get the forms back in before June 1,” said Midgett.

During the week of the work camp, members of the church load up on church vans and head to the homes of residents to perform a variety of tasks.

The work camp is primarily for those who own their homes and are in most need of help.

“Its based-on need but even If you have the means to do it and can’t because you’re too feeble we can help. The skilled crew will build handicapped ramps and help make light repairs to people’s houses that need it. The unskilled crew will go out and cut brush out of people’s yards, clean their gutters, pressure wash their houses and things like that,” said Midgett.

The Smithville Work Camp concentrates its efforts in the Smithville-DeKalb County area. If you would like to have your home considered for the project, contact the church at 615-597-4159 by the end of the month to acquire an application and release form. The church is located at 520 Dry Creek Road, Smithville.

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