Smithville FBC to Help Feed Community

April 7, 2024
By: Bill Conger

The spring Community Day at Smithville First Baptist Church will take on a slightly different look this year. Pastor Chad Ramsey says for the first time the church will be hosting Feed America First a faith-based hunger relief organization based out of Murfreesboro.

“Everybody who comes in will be able to get a box that will be filled with food to fill their pantries, and there will be other items in there as well. No background checks or drivers’ licenses needed. Just simply show up.”

Community Day will be Saturday, April 13, 9:00-12:00, at the church’s Life Enrichment Center, located at 101 West Church Street in Smithville.

Several of the guys in the men’s ministry will also be providing oil changes for the single moms and senior adults at Jamie Turner’s NAPA Auto Parts at 539 West Broad Street. You need to call the church office with information on the make and model of the car so the correct oil filters can be bought in advance. The church phone number is 615-597-4275.

April 7, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

A man who allegedly broke into a residence and stole a chainsaw last month will make a court appearance Thursday, April 11.

23-year-old Kristofer Ryan Barrett of Arrowhead Drive, Smithville is charged with theft of property and aggravated burglary. He is under a $15,000 bond and will be in court on April 11. Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on March 22, Barrett allegedly broke into a residence on Crestview Drive by forcing open the front door and stole a Stihl chainsaw valued at $1,000.

24-year-old Lucas Robert Croom of Wenger Lane, Smithville, is charged with introducing contraband into a penal institution. He is under a $7,500 bond and he is due in court on April 11. Sheriff Ray said that on March 7 a corrections officer was booking Croom into the jail, when he found a clear baggie with a pink powdery substance in Croom’s wallet believed to be a narcotic.

42-year-old Leonel Cortez of Nikki Lane, Smithville is charged with assault. He is under a $2,500 bond and he will be in court on April 11. Sheriff Ray said that on March 25 at a location on Adcock Cemetery Road, Cortez allegedly grabbed a woman around the waist and kissed her neck without her consent.

29-year-old Brittany Ann Campbell is charged with resisting arrest. She is under a $1,500 bond and her court date is April 11. Sheriff Ray said that on March 26 after a deputy pulled over a 1984 Ford Thunderbird for failing to maintain its lane of travel, a passenger, Campbell immediately got out of the vehicle and tried to walk away. She was then stopped by the officer but as he tried to get information from her, Campbell fled on foot. After a short foot pursuit, the officer detained Campbell. She had two active White County warrants against her.

40-year-old Jose Porfirio Orellana of Murfreesboro is charged with DUI and reckless endangerment. Bond for Orellana is $8,500 and he will be in court on April 18. Sheriff Ray said that on March 30 a deputy was traveling west on Nashville Highway looking for a reckless driver and when he entered a highway construction zone, the officer spotted a silver Dodge Ram truck cross into his lane of travel heading east, almost causing them to crash. After the deputy pulled over the vehicle near Turner Street, the man, Orellana, got out of the automobile, but the officer ordered him to get back into the truck for his safety. According to the deputy, Orellana had red watery eyes. His speech was slurred, and he was unsteady on his feet. Orellana also had a strong odor of alcohol on him. After he refused to submit to field sobriety tasks. Orellana was placed under arrest.

April 5, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Nineteen seniors at DeKalb County High School participated Friday in an NC3 National Signing Day declaring their intention to pursue a technical career pathway at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) McMinnville.

NC3 Signing Day mirrors the NCAA’s National Signing Day for athletes who commit to play sports in college, but instead of athletes, NC3’s Signing Day is designed to honor students who are entering a technical field.

“These students have signed their intent in order to go on to do their post-secondary at the TCAT in McMinnville and we are really proud of them for their commitment,” said Brad Leach CTE Director at DCHS.

“Having completed the dual enrollment in all of their specific programs, these students will be able to take with them the credits they have earned here (DCHS) to TCAT McMinnville which gives them a leg up in furthering their careers,” said Leach.

Michele Chamberlain, grants and special projects specialist at TCAT McMinnville said this is an exciting moment for these students.

“It’s the start of their future,” said Chamberlain. “They have worked really hard in high school and now they are taking the next step going to college. With our programs, they might be in their program for a year, 16 months, or 20 months and then be ready to go out into the workforce to have a career in a high demand job,” she said.

2023-24 TCAT- DCHS participants by program who signed letters of intent with TCAT McMinnville and were recognized Friday are as follows:

Automotive Technology: Trinten Summers, Samuel Gasper, and Landon Speaks (not present)

Computer Information Technology: Jared Hernandez Balderas and Samuel Moore

Cosmetology: Kilah Terry, Kayleigh Overstreet, Rashelle Miller, Sarah Boner, Emily Satterfield, and Madison Dawson

Industrial Maintenance: Aaron Hatfield

Licensed Practical Nursing: Laura Good

Massage Therapy: Serenity Patterson

RCIE Industrial Electricity: Westin Wright, Brandon Palomo, and Pacey Ballew

Welding: Kholton Melton and Erick Soto.