DCHS Tiger Soccer Team Seeks First Ever Region Tournament Championship

May 20, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The Tiger baseball team is not the only DCHS athletic program bound for the sub-state.

The DCHS Tiger soccer team is enroute there too! But first, the Soccer Tigers will be playing tonight (Thursday) for the program’s first ever Region 3A tournament championship. The game will be played at Cumberland County stating at 6 p.m.

The Tigers defeated Loudon 2-0 on the road Tuesday, May 18 to claim the first ever region tournament semi-final soccer victory in school history.

In that game Cameron Miller scored in the 64th minute with an assist by Miguel Mata followed by a goal from Yair Mata in the 68th minute and an assist by Brian Balderas.

Goalie Luke Jenkins had 23 saves

The DCHS Tiger soccer team is 9-7 on the season. Cumberland County is 14-5-1

May 20, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A 42 year old Smithville man was arrested last week on a fugitive from justice warrant out of South Carolina.

Richard Rae Conrad Jr. is under a $75,000 bond and he will make a court appearance on May 27.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on May 13 a detective went to Conrad’s home on Green Acre Drive to serve active warrants against him from Greenville, South Carolina for a 3rd degree offense of criminal sexual conduct with a minor, attempting to commit a lude act on a victim under 16 years of year by someone over 14 years old. Greenville authorities plan to seek extradition of Conrad back to South Carolina.

42 year old Amy Renee Ford of Watertown is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver. Her bond is $10,000 and she will make a court appearance on May 27.

Sheriff Ray said that on May 10 a deputy was summoned to the location of a 911 hang up call in the area of Dry Creek at the swimming hole. Upon arrival the officer found a man and woman, who appeared to be startled and nervous, sitting in a red Chevy truck. They admitted to having called 911.

A background check revealed that Ford had a warrant against her in Smith County. As the deputy placed Ford into custody, she handed him a bag of a green leafy substance, believed to be marijuana. The driver also informed the officer that there were needles and pipes used to smoke marijuana in the vehicle. During a search the deputy found a silver container with needles and 1.5 grams of a white crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine. Ford admitted that the items found belonged to her

54 year old Joe Anthony Young of Lee Homer Road, Smithville, an inmate at the jail, was charged with using implements to escape and aggravated assault.

Sheriff Ray said that on May 11 a DeKalb correctional officer went to one of the holding cells to remove Young to finish the booking process but Young became noncompliant and darted toward the cell door trying to escape. As officers began to uncuff Young, he assaulted them grabbing a correctional officer’s arm and Taser. The officer then used the Taser on Young. He is under a total bond of $17,500.

38 year old Natasha Anne Sellars of Evins Mill Road is charged with resisting stop frisk halt or search and disorderly conduct. She is under a $1,000 bond.

Sheriff Ray said that on May 12 a deputy was called to Evins Mill Road where a woman was spotted walking in the roadway, yelling, and causing a disturbance. Upon arrival, the officer found Sellars there in the roadway still yelling and she refused to stop when ordered to do so. Sellars was placed into custody.

21 year old Robert Stephen Derrick of Toad Road, Dowelltown is charged with resisting stop frisk halt or search and failure to appear in court.

Sheriff Ray said that on May 15 a deputy was patrolling Floyd Drive when he spotted a man walking along the road. The officer stopped to conduct a welfare check and found the man to be Derrick. Knowing that Derrick had active warrants against him, the deputy summoned Derrick to the patrol car but he refused and then took off running. After a short distance Derrick was taken into custody. He is under a $4,500 bond and is due in court on June 3.

44 year old Christopher Keith Tyler of Hartsville is charged with domestic assault. He is under a $5,000 bond and his court date is June 3.

Sheriff Ray said that on May 16, a deputy was summoned to the area of Terrell Road and Sparta Highway due to a domestic complaint. Upon arrival the deputy spoke with the caller who reported that he had observed a man and woman engaged in an altercation. The complainant said the man dragged the woman into a wooded area.

The officer went to investigate and found the man and woman on the ground. She had lacerations on her face. The man was identified as Tyler and he was placed into custody.

By: Dwayne Page

Annual decoration at Banks Cemetery

The annual decoration at Banks Cemetery in DeKalb County will be held June 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th. Please plan to attend. Your support is needed so the cemetery can be properly maintained and kept looking good. Someone will be onsite during decoration days to accept donations or they may be mailed to: Melinda Vanatta-Davis, Treasurer, 2807 Blue Springs Road, Smithville, TN  37166; David Bratcher, President, 9129 West Green Hill Road, Smithville, TN  37166; or Bernard Houk, Vice-President,          1085 Underhill Road, Smithville, TN  37166

Hope Fest Celebrate Recovery and Celebrate Life Event

A Hope Fest Celebrate Recovery and Celebrate Life event will be Saturday, May 22 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Rain or Shine at the Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church, 1850 Allen Ferry Road, Smithville. This event will provide FREE lunch, multiple vendor tables with kids friendly activities, face painting, community resource information, and LIVE music. Everyone is welcome. Its family friendly. Celebrate Life! If you have questions about the event or would like a community resource vendor table call the DeKalb Prevention Coalition at 615-580-9290, email @dekalbtnprevention@gmail or visit the facebook page.

Brush Creek Cemetery Decoration Service and Business Meeting
A decoration service and business meeting will be held at the Brush Creek Cemetery Sunday, May 23 at 2 p.m. For anyone unable to attend, mail donations to Sue Collins, 18 Switchboard Road, Brush Creek, TN. 38547

DeKalb County 4-H Presents “The 4-H Camp Traveling Road Show”
DeKalb County 4-H Presents “The 4-H Camp Traveling Road Show” Monday, June 14th at Greenbrook Park. Cost is $25 and includes lunch, snack, and shirt for tie dye.
Anyone currently in 4th-7th grade is welcome to attend. Register by June 1st by contacting 615-597-4945 or stopping by the UT Extension Office in the County Complex.
You can also visit http://dekalb.tennessee.edu

“Jamboree Project Welcome Mat”
This marks the 20th year for the Chamber of Commerce “Jamboree Project Welcome Mat” for the 50th Annual Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival. 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. Chamber Director Suzanne Williams says, “With thousands of visitors coming into town for our special 50th celebration, every effort should be made by the local merchants to show our guests that we appreciate them and welcome their business. 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 4 categories: “Best Worded,” “Most Original,” “Most Creative,” 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 swilliams@dekalbcountychamber.org, call 615-597-4163, or text 615-464-7760. Wording should be in place no later than Thursday, June 17th at 2 PM.

FREE Outdoor Movie Event
Looking for some good, ole-fashion fun! The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Smithville First Baptist Church to provide a FREE Outdoor Movie Event on Saturday, June 12th. The night’s feature will be the family-friendly movie, “The Sandlot.” You can come as early as 7 PM to get your car parked at 101 West Church Street, Smithville. Someone will be there to guide you to your parking spot. To get the fun started, Infinity Athletics will sponsor a game of whiffle ball beginning at 7 PM. The movie will begin at sundown, around 8 PM.  FREE Hot Dogs, Popcorn, and Other Snacks will also be provided by Smithville First Baptist Church. What if it’s raining? Follow us on Facebook at “Smithville Free Movie Night” for up-to-date information. Our reserved rain date will be announced if we have to cancel the showing. The Chamber FREE Spring Movie Night Event is sponsored by Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital and Middle Tennessee Natural Gas.

23rd annual Town-wide Yard Sale in Liberty
The 23rd annual Town-wide Yard Sale in Liberty will be Saturday, June 5 all day. For more information call 615-464-8085

THP Sobriety Checkpoint
The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting a Sobriety Checkpoint on June 11th, 2021 on State Route 70 in Dekalb County. Impaired driving is a serious crime that kills more than 16,000 people and injures 305,000 others every year in the United States. Troopers will evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. Troopers will target those who operate a vehicle while impaired and take corrective actions for other violations observed while ensuring the protection of all motorists. The Tennessee Highway Patrol recognizes that sobriety checkpoints are highly visible and effective tools in the battle against impaired driving.

Middle TN Cornbread Festival
The Middle TN Cornbread Festival will be Saturday May 22 at Green Brook Park from 9am-4pm. Free admission, Free Parking, 100+ arts, crafts and food vendors. Kids zone with free bounce houses. The festival will also include some kids stuff with small fees such as bungee trampoline, train ride, water ball pit, and games. Live music all day. Come on out and join us for some good family fun.

County Commission to Meet
There will be a workshop of the Committee of the Whole of the DeKalb County Commission Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 6 p.m. in the auditorium of the Mike Foster Multipurpose Center. The DeKalb County Commission will meet in regular session on Monday, May 24, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Mike Foster Multipurpose Center.

American Legion and Ladies Auxiliary Meeting
The American Legion and Ladies Auxiliary will meet this Thursday, May 20th at 6:00 at the Legion building at Snow Hill. A meal of hamburgers and hot dogs will be enjoyed before the meeting. All members and their spouses are welcome. Anyone attending needs to bring a compatible dish and/or dessert.

Cooper’s Missionary Baptist Church Homecoming and Revival
Cooper’s Missionary Baptist Church is having Homecoming June 6. Bro. Gary Caplinger will be preaching and Three Parts Grace will be singing. Service starts at 11:00. No Sunday School. Everyone is welcome. Cooper’s Missionary Baptist Church is having Revival June 7th-11th. Bro. Chad Hale will be preaching nightly. Starts at 7:00p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Smithville Work Camp June 14-17
Members of the Smithville Church of Christ will be rolling up their sleeves and pitching in to help show their Christian love for others during the congregation’s annual Work Camp scheduled for June 14-17. The Work Camp is an annual home rehabilitation/beautification project organized by the Smithville Church of Christ. The church began the Work Camp as a means of helping less fortunate residents of the county do some fix up and clean up projects around their homes. 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 Friday, June 4 to acquire an application and release form.

Justin Potter and Alexandria Libraries Summer Reading Program
The Justin Potter and Alexandria Libraries Summer Reading Program will begin on June 3rd and end on June 24th . All events for both libraries will be in the DeKalb County Complex Theatre Room at 2:00 pm. Children of all ages can begin registering for Summer Reading at both libraries on May 24th.

Each child that registers and meets their goal will receive a participation certificate and other goodies at the end of the Summer Reading Program. This year’s theme is “Tails and Tales”. In order to insure the well-being of the families attending and the library staff masks and social distancing will be required.

Thursday, June 3rd at 2:00 pm – Opening party with Mr. Bond’s Science Guys.

Thursday, June 10th at 2:00 pm – Barry Mitchell’s “Animal Tales, Turtle Shells & a Chicken.

Thursday, June 17th at 2:00 pm – Bob Tartar and his Animalogy Critters.

Thursday, June 24th at 2:00 pm – Final Party with Edgar Evins State Park Rangers and Animal Critters.

“We hope you will join us for a fun filled in-person Summer Reading Program. We are looking forward to seeing everyone,” said Library Director Kathy Hendrixson

For more information, call Justin Potter Library at 615-597-4359 or Alexandria Library at 615-529-4124 visit us on Facebook or our website at www.dekalblibraries.net.

DeKalb County Purchasing Committee Bid Opening
The DeKalb County Purchasing Committee will meet for a bid opening on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 10 a.m. in the lower courtroom of the DeKalb County Courthouse. Bids properly submitted will be opened for the replacement of the outside air unit at Northside Elementary School.

Old Fashion Free Will Baptist Church VBS
The Old Fashion Free Will Baptist Church at 3065 Blue Springs Road , Smithville invites you to join them for a fun filled week May 31 through June 4 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Vacation Bible School is called “Rocky Railway-Jesus’ Power Pulls Us Through”. Fun for all ages!. Family Night will be Friday, June 4 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Come see what the kids learned. Food will be served following the program.

DeKalb County Library Board Meeting
The DeKalb County Library Board will have their regular meeting on Tuesday May 25th, 2021 at 4:00 pm at Justin Potter Library. The public is welcome to attend the meeting. They will be required to wear a mask and observe social distancing for the meeting.

Covenant Baptist Church VBS
Big Heart Farm Vacation Bible School will be May 24-27 at the Covenant Baptist Church from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.. All ages from 4 and older are invited. Four year old children must be accompanied by an adult.

Smithville First Free Will Baptist Church VBS
Join the Smithville First Free Will Baptist Church for a fun filled week May 31 through June 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Vacation Bible School is called “Concrete & Cranes”. Need a ride? Questions?. Call Rhonda Merriman at 615-464-5408. Pre-register early on Facebook to be entered for a special prize. English and Spanish registration available.

Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic Re-Locating
Starting on Monday May 10 the location for COVID vaccinations will be moving from the DeKalb County Fairgrounds in Alexandria back to the DeKalb County Health Department in Smithville. Walk-ins will be from 9am-2pm Monday-Friday. Appointments can also be scheduled by calling 615-597-7599 or by visiting vaccinate.tn.gov.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING-CENTER HILL RPO
Pursuant to Chapter 442, Tennessee Public Act of 1974, “The Sunshine Law” the Center Hill Rural Planning Organization will hold a meeting on Thursday, May 20th, 2021. The meeting will be held virtually at 1:00 PM (CST). Anyone who is interested in attending will need to contact Virginia Alexander at (931) 476-4118 or valexander@ucdd.org for more details. The Center Hill RPO is responsible for comprehensive transportation planning for Cannon, Cumberland, DeKalb, Putnam, Van Buren, Warren, and White Counties. This is an open public meeting. To request an agenda, please call Center Hill RPO Coordinator Virginia Alexander at (931)476-4118. If you need assistance or accommodations due to disability, please contact Virginia by Friday, May 14th, 2021.

Sobriety Checkpoint
The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting a Sobriety Checkpoint on May 28th, 2021 on State Route 56 in DeKalb County. Impaired driving is a serious crime that kills more than 16,000 people and injures 305,000 others every year in the United States. Troopers will evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. Troopers will target those who operate a vehicle while impaired and take corrective actions for other violations observed while ensuring the protection of all motorists.The Tennessee Highway Patrol recognizes that sobriety checkpoints are highly visible and effective tools in the battle against impaired driving.

Free Pet Microchipping Clinic
Does your dog or cat need to be microchipped? The DeKalb Animal Shelter is hosting a free microchip clinic at the shelter on Saturday, May 22 from 10 a.m. until noon in partnership with a microchipping company. Fifty free microchips will be provided to residents of DeKalb County. Registration forms are available. There is no charge to register or for yearly registration updates. The goal is to eventually microchip all pets or as many as possible. For more information phone 615-597-3647

Pet Food Pantry
Do you need dog or cat food?. The DeKalb Animal Shelter and Friends Group partner each month in hosting a food pantry for pets. The next one is Friday, May 21 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the shelter on Transfer Station Road off Highway 70 east in Smithville behind Tenneco Automotive. The pet food is free. Just drive through and someone will bring it to your vehicle in the pickup line.

Alexandria Firefighters Association Benefit Ride
The Alexandria Firefighters Association Benefit Ride will be Saturday, May 22 at 33840 Nashville Highway, Alexandria supported by Silent Creed Motorcycle Club and Bikers for Christ. Motorcycle Ride: All bikes welcome. Registration 9-10 a.m. Kickstands up at 10 a.m. $20- driver. Passenger free but food not included. Approximately 2 hour scenic ride. Fee includes meal at the end of the ride (BBQ or hotdog, chips, and drink. Food Tent for the public featuring BBQ by Fireman 1 Bar-B-Que. Serving from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Food pricing: $3 for hotdog, $5 for BBQ sandwich, $1 chips, $1 drinks, and $1 desserts. All proceeds from the benefit ride and food sales will help the Alexandria Fire Department. For more information or to make a food or money donation please contact Lorrie Merriman at 615-464-7621 or Diana Blair at 916-580-5096. Like them on FACEOOK: Alexandria Fire Department @ AlexandriaFireDepartmentTN.

DeKalb County School Calendar
The remainder of the 2020-21 school calendar shows that Thursday, May 20 will be an administrative day with no school for students. Friday, May 21 will be the last day of school for the year and report cards will be sent home.