Smithville Old-Time Dance Club Season in Full Swing
by: Dwayne PageJul 02, 2025
DeKalb County’s local square dance teams, as part of the Smithville Old-Time Dance Club, have been busy preparing for their competitions at the 54th Annual Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree. The six teams made up of a total of 48 dancers, under the direction of native DeKalb Countian Mary Ann Puckett, have been practicing steadily since March to be Jamboree stage ready by this Friday! DeKalb Dancin’ Delights, Center Hill Hoedown, Caney Fork Circle Eights, Ragland Bottom Roundup, and Little Liberty will all be competitors in the Youth Square Dance category on Friday afternoon, and Smithville Select (in their eleventh year in the Jamboree) will compete in the Adult Square Dance category late Saturday afternoon. “I am inspired to see so many young people interested in learning clogging and square dancing. The mission of the Smithville Jamboree is alive and well in our local old-time dancers,” Puckett excitedly proclaimed.
Dancers from Select, Delights, Hoedown and Circle Eights began this season’s performances at the Country Tonite Theater in Pigeon Forge on June 17th where they danced a pre-show in collaboration with Cannon Arts Dance Studio from Woodbury. Performing the Pigeon Forge show were Ripley Barnes, Camille Barton, Tess Barton, Anna Cripps, Charlotte Cripps, Izayah Dowell, Kylynn Dowell, Caroline Estes, Everly Keith, Kaylee Moseley, McKenzie Wells, Evie Wilson, and Katie Wilson. The group enjoyed an hour-long daytime workshop with the Country Tonite Dance Captains before clogging and square dancing for the audience that evening. Several Smithville dancers and their families spent Sunday at Dollywood before heading back home. Director Mary Ann Puckett noted, “We were honored to have the opportunity to take the stage at a long-running Pigeon Forge show and look forward to other opportunities to share our dance with wider audiences in the future.”.
Last Saturday, a mixed square of Smithville old-time dancers took home third place in Adult Square Dance at the Robert Spicer Tennessee State Buck-Dance Championship at the Grand Old Hatchery in Dickson, Tennessee. Dancing the Dickson square were Camille Barton, Tess Barton, Charli Cripps, Caroline Driver, Katherine Gassaway, Harmony Edwards, Aubree Johnson, Kaylee Moseley, and Colleena Ralston. After competing, the group hurried back to DeKalb County just in time to meet up with the rest of the Old-Time Dance Club for their big show at the DeKalb County Fair! All but three of the 48 dancers this season were present and put on a rousing clogging and square dance show for a packed crowd at the Lions Club Pavilion. Featuring synchronized clogging numbers to Rocky Top, Cumberland River, Get Back to the Country, and Salt Creek, the dancers were thrilled to entertain the crowd for the first time as a full club this season. Each team also performed their competitive square dance routines.
On Tuesday this week, the Smithville Old-Time Dance Club dancers, in full costumes, delighted audiences at Webb House of Smithville and NHC of Smithville. “We love to bring a part of the Jamboree to the residents of Webb House and NHC since many of them can’t make it out to the Jamboree anymore,” Puckett stated. “They are always so appreciative when we bring the dancers out and put on a show for them,” she added. The teams will be back in action for the Pre-Jamboree Kickoff Show this Thursday evening at the Evins Park Amphitheatre. They will dance following the Smithville Community Chorus which will begin at 6:00 p.m. Bring a camp chair, and come out and enjoy the show!
You can also catch the youth square dance teams competing onstage at the Jamboree on Friday afternoon and Smithville Select on Saturday afternoon. If you can’t catch the Jamboree in person, tune in to WJLE to listen to wall-to-wall audio coverage or stream it live on DTC3.tv.
Members of the teams are as follows:
Smithville Select: Tess Barton, Carleigh Beckham, Izayah Dowell, Sylvia Evans, Katherine Gassaway, Kathryn Hale, Darrah Ramsey (caller), and Lillie Grace Young
DeKalb Dancin’ Delights: Camille Barton, Charli Cripps, Kylynn Dowell, Caroline Driver, Harmony Edwards, Kaylee Kent (caller), Aubree Johnson, and Kaylee Moseley
Center Hill Hoedown: Ripley Barnes, Adalyn Cook (caller), Anna Cripps, Lillie Cate Driver, Caroline Estes, Everly Keith, Katie Jo Prichard, Evie Wilson, and Katie Wilson
Caney Fork Circle Eights: Caroline Estes, Ireland Hobbs, Saige Moore, Skyla Moore, Gaby Prater (caller), McKenzie Wells, Catie Wright, and Lydia Wright
Ragland Bottom Roundup: Jaedyn Dunaway, Lialynn Farmer, Jane Grant, Calvary Johnson, Ebin Kurtz, Allie Wilson, Chrissie Wilson, and Mila Whaley
Little Liberty: Boaz Bohannon, Lander Bohannon, Lexi Carroll, Claire Cripps, Emmie Edwards, Adelann Taylor, Alanah Williams, and Caroline Williams
Smithville Police Make Arrests for Variety of May and June Offenses
by: Dwayne PageJul 02, 2025
The Smithville Police Department has made arrests in recent weeks for offenses ranging from child abuse to domestic assault, DUI, public intoxication, and resisting arrests, among others.
36-year-old Joann Hargrave of Smithville is charged with child abuse. Chief Mark Collins reported that on June 1, police were summoned to Foster Road on a child abuse complaint. Upon arrival, they found physical evidence of an assault and injury to a juvenile. Responding officers requested a response from Smithville Police Department detectives. After a preliminary investigation, Hargrave was placed in custody. Bond was set at $5,000.
62-year-old Frank Reynolds of Smithville is charged with violation of bond conditions. Chief Collins said that on May 30 police responded to Estes Street in reference to a domestic complaint. Upon arrival they determined that the domestic was only verbal in nature but that Reynolds, one of the parties involved, was under bond conditions at that time and was prohibited from being near the other person there. Reynolds was placed in custody. His bond was set at $5,000.
24-year-old Hector Urbina-Acuna of Smithville is charged with domestic assault. According to Chief Collins, officers were called to Adams Street due to a domestic complaint on May 30. Upon arrival, they spoke with the parties involved, found physical evidence of an assault, and determined that Urbina-Acuna was the primary aggressor. He was placed in custody. Bond was set at $2,500.
28-year-old Ronald Gutierrez of Smithville is charged with public intoxication, evading arrest, and resisting arrest. Chief Collins said that on June 4 police responded to a single car accident on Miller Road. Upon arrival officers were told by Gutierrez that the vehicle belonged to his girlfriend and that she left with the keys. Police instructed Gutierrez to take them to where she was and he walked with them to Royal Oak Apartments before fleeing on foot. When the officers caught up with Gutierrez, he resisted arrest and tried several times to pull away. According to police, Gutierrez showed signs of impairment. His bond is $10,500.
41-year-old Steven Bly is charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest. Chief Collins said that on June 11 officers were sent to Miller Road on an unwanted guest call. Upon arrival they spoke with the complainant who reported having problems with Bly due to his state of intoxication. When police confronted Bly, he resisted arrest and refused to comply with the officers’ commands. He was subsequently taken into custody. Bond was set at $4,000.
43-year-old Bobby Haney of Smithville is charged with aggravated domestic assault and violation of bond conditions. According to Chief Collins, police responded to Anthony Avenue on June 11 due to a domestic incident in progress. Upon arrival they spoke with the victim who reported that Haney had assaulted and tried to choke her. Officers found physical evidence of an assault and learned that Haney was in violation of bond conditions from a previous assault. His bond was set at $11,000.
28-year-old Hugo Vazquez Villareal of Smithville is charged with DUI, driving on a revoked license, failing to give immediate notice of an accident, and he was cited for financial responsibility and implied consent. Chief Collins reported that on June 14 police were summoned to Smith Road due to a hit and run accident. Upon arrival officers spoke with the parties involved including Villareal who showed signs of impairment. Villareal refused to submit to sobriety tasks due to the language barrier. Police confirmed that his driver license was revoked.Villareal was placed in custody and his bond was set at $10,000.
47-year-old Shellie Cook of Mount Juliet is charged with DUI and cited for due care. Chief Collins said that on June 14 an officer was patrolling Broad Street when a vehicle pulled out in front of him nearly causing an accident. The officer pulled over the automobile and spoke with the driver, Cook. She showed signs of impairment. Cook informed the officer that she had consumed alcohol. She submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Cook was placed in custody and her bond was set at $2,500.
34-year-old Rebecca Young of Smithville is charged with emergency call interference. According to Chief Collins, police were called to Earl Avenue in reference to a domestic violence call. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the parties involved including family member who reported that she had tried to call 911 when Young unplugged the cord and grabbed the phone preventing her from calling for help. Young was placed in custody. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court July 10.
33-year-old Sonny Smith of Smithville is charged with domestic assault and false imprisonment. Chief Collins said that on June 21 officers responded to Wade Street due to a domestic complaint. Upon arrival they spoke with the parties involved and found physical evidence of an assault. Officers confirmed that the victim tried to leave the residence several times to get help but that Smith physically stopped her and continued his assault on the woman. The victim eventually escaped and called 911 from a neighbor’s house. Bond for Smith is $7,500 and his court date is July 10.
44-year-old David Sullivan of Smithville is charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Chief Collins reported that on June 21 officers were summoned to Kendra Drive due to a structure fire. Upon arrival, officers saw flames and smoke coming from the house. Police also found Sullivan laying in the yard with a bottle of alcohol. While checking on his welfare, Sullivan awoke with obvious signs of impairment, and he started to enter the burning house. Police ordered him several times to stop but he continued trying to go inside the home. Sullivan was then placed in custody. His bond is $2,000 and he will be in court July 10.
37-year-old Charles Riedley of Smithville is charged with resisting arrest. According to Chief Collins, police were called to South Congress Boulevard on June 22 due to a suspicious person. Upon arrival, they confronted Riedley and while speaking with him, found Riedley to be uncooperative and agitated. As they attempted to determine if he was under the influence, Riedley took off on foot. Officers caught up with Riedley and placed him in custody. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court July 10.
35-year-old Noelia Guzman of Springfield, Missouri is charged with public intoxication and theft of services. Chief Collins said that on June 22 police were summed to Chabelitas Restaurant on East Broad Street due to a disorderly customer. Upon arrival, they found Guzman harassing and threatening staff stating she had no money to pay for the food she had ordered. Guzman showed signs of impairment. She was taken into custody. Her bond is $2,000 and she will be in court July 10.
47-year-old Christinia Kemp of Smithville is charged with public intoxication. Chief Collins said that on June 25 officers were called to South College Street to conduct a welfare check on a woman in the road. Upon arrival, they found Kemp but as they began to speak with her, she became agitated and seemed to be confused. Kemp showed signs of impairment. She was taken into custody. Her bond is $2,000 and she will be in court July 10.
Another resignation!
by: Dwayne PageJul 02, 2025
Another resignation!
Alexandria Alderman Jonathon Tripp has submitted his resignation less than a month after his wife, Beth Tripp stepped down as mayor
During Tuesday night’s special called meeting, the Alexandria Aldermen voted to accept Alderman Tripp’s resignation.
Mayor Jeff Ford read the letter
“Dear Mayor Ford, It has been an experience serving the town council. I find that I will not be able to fulfill the term of office. I am aware the council is to have earlier meetings starting at 5 p.m. which the board already knows is during my work hours and I would not be able to attend. I do not wish to contest the board on when to have meetings nor do I want to hinder any other member which earlier time would be best. I believe it would best serve the council if I officially resign my position as alderman effective June 26, 2025. I want the best for the town and I hope for the town’s success. Sincerely, Jonathon Tripp”.
The current makeup of the Alexandria town council includes Mayor Jeff Ford and Aldermen Bobby Simpson, Luke Prichard, Sherry Tubbs, Debbie Fisher, and David Cripps.
The vacancy has yet to be filled.