News
June 16, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
A new jail on a new site?
It was only a recommendation but if the full county commission votes later this month the same way the jail committee voted Monday night, a new jail and sheriff’s department complex will be built on another site, other than the current location. The committee has not yet settled on a recommendation regarding the number of beds, costs, or the funding option.
The jail committee vote was 9-2 in favor of eliminating the existing site as an option and building a new jail complex on a green space, yet to be identified. Member Tony Luna made the motion and member Andy Pack offered a second. Members voting for the motion along with Luna and Pack were Tom Chandler, Daniel Cripps, Sabrina Farler, Brandon Donnell, Greg Matthews, Jeff Barnes, and Chairman Larry Green. Members Myron Rhody and Beth Pafford voted no. Members Mathias Anderson, Tony (Cully) Culwell, and Glynn Merriman were absent.
Although all members of the county commission make up the jail committee, the commission would still have to formally vote on the jail committee’s recommendation which could come next week when the commission meets in regular monthly session.
For at least some jail committee members, their decision Monday night was based somewhat on the latest cost estimates provided by Treanor Architects and Bell Construction that put the price tag for jail construction from $8 to $9 million higher on the current site (two story structure) than on a green space (one level building) when comparing the 152 bed versus 200 bed options.
No one from Treanor or Bell were able to attend the meeting Monday night, but their findings were addressed by jail committee Chairman Larry Green.
“It is possible to do a one-story jail next to the existing jail but we would still have to use the existing jail for the administration part only. There would be no prisoners in the existing jail,” said Green. “With the existing jail, they have costs of $5.6 million to redo the existing jail (miscellaneous logistics utility lay down, etc.) whatever we do downtown. And they also pointed out when they get inside that jail to start refurbishing it they have no idea what they are getting into when they start knocking down walls and tearing up floors because they will have to gut the inside of it. And whatever we do downtown is all we would ever be able to do downtown because there is no more room to expand. A 152-bed jail on the existing site would run $36.8 million. On a green site, a 152-bed jail would run $28.2 million. That’s roughly an $8 million difference. If we build a 200-bed jail on the existing site its $43.8 million and on a green site its $34.5 million,” he said.
Although no site has yet been recommended for purchase, two properties have been at the forefront of discussion among the commission.
“I talked to the owners of the Smith Road property (71.5 acres) that we looked at and they have offered to sell it to the county for $1.8 million instead of $2 million and we have the Robinson Road property which is $1.3 million for 36 acres,” explained Green.
“Once we make a decision on the land then the next step is hiring an architect and then the architect, the sheriff, TCI, and the commission would get together and work on the final plan for it and then the architect would draw up blueprints and send it out to contractors. Any land we buy has to be pending soil samples,” said Green.
According to Green, the Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI) would need to give the final plan its stamp of approval as meeting conditions for state certification. TCI representatives were in attendance at Monday night’s jail committee meeting but did not speak.
“So, we are not even looking at the (existing) Smithville Elementary property when the (new) school is constructed? There is 14 acres there that we already own” said member Myron Rhody.
“The school board owns that,” replied Chairman Green.
“Yes, but it (belongs to) the taxpayers and it has all the infrastructure already there,” said Rhody.
“We’ve had a kickback from some people wanting to see the jail on the current site no matter what because they don’t want a disruption to their neighborhood or for whatever reason,” said member Chandler.
“At some point we need some feedback from the citizens of the county on whether they are willing to pay another 8 to 9 million dollars more to have it on the current site knowing that if you say that it will potentially impact the tax rate. My gut tells me there are people in this county that want it on the current site no matter what the cost is,” said Chandler.
After the vote, member Pafford made a motion for the county to advertise seeking other land options which might be better suited and closer to the courthouse, but her motion died due to the lack of a second.
During the public comment period, Steven Cantrell, in part, said facts not considered in the proposed jail cost estimates should be addressed. “Mathias (Anderson) highlighted in previous discussions the cost of transporting prisoners from a green space to the city. That was a lot of money. I would recommend that you get those figures because those could in maybe a matter of 10 to 12 years offset those costs for building it downtown as opposed to on a green space. All we are looking at now is jail here, jail there but not the logistics of going back and forth so I would ask that you consider that as you go forward,” said Cantrell.
“I know we need a jail. I have worked or been involved in emergency services most of my life. I understand how it works. I like the idea of leaving the jail where its at and building right where it is. I just don’t think that DeKalb County needs a 200-bed jail. People are used to the jail being where it’s at. I don’t think it’s going to affect the Jamboree or Friday night shopping. I think going to 70 acres is ridiculous. I don’t think I’m alone in what I think,” said Darcie Cripps.
“Huge decisions like this need to go to the public. If you have more information, you should be sharing it line by line somewhere where people could go to and look at pros and cons of this location and pros and cons of that location and then get input from the citizenry, have town meetings, send out flyers and have people return them. Let the constituents say this is what we want. That’s how everyone should be looking at this,” said Paul Miranda.
As another option, Miranda suggested that the county look at building the jail on property near the county owned solid waste transfer station off Highway 70 east behind Tenneco Automotive.
The jail committee meeting began with a video presentation showing all around the outside, inside, and overhead views of the existing jail property narrated by Sheriff Patrick Ray.
Protect Your Family: TDH Offers Immunizations for School and Seasonal Illnesses
June 16, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is reminding families across the state that now is the time to make immunizations a priority. With students on summer break and families enjoying camps, pools, and outdoor fun, this is an ideal time for parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated before heading back to school in August.
The DeKalb County Health Department will have Vaccine Clinics for Kindergarten to 12th grade and college students on July 22 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and July 24 from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
What Parents Should Know:
Kindergarteners and other children enrolling in a Tennessee school for the first time must provide schools with a complete, official Tennessee Immunization Certificate before classes begin. The certificate must be signed by a qualified health care provider or verified by the state’s Immunization Information System.
All current students entering seventh grade must provide schools with a limited official Tennessee Immunization Certificate showing they have received a Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis).
College-bound students should check with their school for specific requirements. However, teens who are fully vaccinated, including having received a meningitis booster after age 16, will meet requirements for all Tennessee state-run colleges.
The full list of Tennessee childcare and school immunization requirements is available at tn.gov/health/cedep/immunization-program/ip/vfc.
Routine Immunizations for All Ages:
In addition to school-required shots, local health departments provide vaccines for infants, children, teens, and adults. These include protection against hepatitis A and B, HPV, meningococcal disease, and more. Staying current on recommended immunizations helps reduce the spread of disease in families, schools, and communities.
Fight Flu Event – October 21, 2025 :
To help protect Tennesseans from seasonal flu, TDH offers the influenza vaccine in all health departments across the state. Please call your local health department for times and availability. If you can join us, on October 21st, all 95 county health departments will offer free flu shots to the public as part of the Fight Flu statewide campaign. The flu shot is safe, effective, and your best defense against serious flu illness.
To schedule an appointment or learn more about available immunizations, contact your local health department or visit www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/localdepartments.html
Registration Underway for 27th Annual Fiddler 5K and One Mile Fun Run
June 16, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
The 27th Annual Fiddler 5K and One Mile Fun Run, sponsored by Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County will be Saturday, July 5. All proceeds from the race are used in building another Habitat for Humanity home in DeKalb County.
The race on Saturday, July 5 will begin promptly at 7:00 a.m. downtown Smithville RAIN OR SHINE on Church Street in front of the First Baptist Life Enrichment Center, Smithville. The race ends on Church Street in front of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. The Fiddler 5K is a qualifying race for the Run the Cumberland Medal Series of Races.
Anybody who is interested in participating either in the one-mile fun run or the 5K may go to www.fiddler5k.com where you’ll find all the details and a link to online registration.
https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Smithville/Fiddler5k
PRE-REGISTRATION is open until July 2, 2025, at Noon ($30 for adults 19 and up and $25 for ages 18 and under).
REGISTRATION from July 2 at 12 NOON to Race Day will be $35 for adults 19 and up and $30 for ages 18 and under.
PRE-REGISTRATION PERKS: You can save money, are guaranteed a shirt and may pick up your packet early
RACE DAY REGISTRATION is available beginning at 5:45 a.m. on Race Day ($35 for adults 19 and up and $30 for ages 18 and under)
Shirts are only guaranteed to those who pre-register by July 2, 2025, at Noon. However, there are usually plenty! They will not hold shirts past race day at 7:00 a.m.
RACE DAY Check-In, Pre-Registered Check-In and Race Day Registration are from 5:45 a.m. until 6:45 a.m. on July 5th in the parking lot of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home near the finish line on Church Street.
EARLY PACKET PICKUP for those who pre-registered before July 4, 2025, at Noon, will be held on July 4th, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center on Church Street.
Fiddler 5K Awards are given to Overall Male and Female Finishers, Male and Female Masters (40+), and in age groups 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+
Fun Run Awards are given to the Overall Male and Female Finishers age 12 and under and the top 3 male and female finishers age 12 and under.
The course is certified and professionally timed.
Strollers are welcome but should line up at the rear. No pets allowed. 5K course is open for 60 minutes.
For more information email director@fiddler5k.com or visit www.fiddler5k.com.
