Clark Killed in Thursday Crash

October 29, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A 41 year old Smithville man lost his life in a two car crash Thursday morning on Dale Ridge Road (Highway 96) near Jones Lane.

Dead is Bryan E. Clark.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Clark was traveling south in a yellow 2003 Toyota Celica when he crossed into the oncoming lane while negotiating a right curve and struck a northbound maroon 2010 Dodge Avenger driven by 33 year old Echo M. Hicks of Sparta. 38 year old Virgil Willis of Brush Creek was a passenger with Hicks.

Clark, who was not wearing a seatbelt, died at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash. Hicks suffered non-incapacitating injuries. Willis was not hurt. Both Hicks and Willis had their seatbelts on at the time of the crash.

Trooper Troy Withers of the Tennessee Highway Patrol conducted the investigation assisted by Trooper Jonathon Burke and Trooper Dylan Palmer.

Clark’s death marks the 6th traffic fatality of the year in DeKalb County.

October 28, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The 9th annual “Smithville Boo Bash” is scheduled for Friday, October 30th, 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Due to Covid-19 businesses are encouraged to set up outside.

The City plans to block off streets around the public square starting at 11:30 a.m. Friday morning.

“We will be conducting this event as safely as we possibly can which means that we encourage parents to incorporate masks into your child’s costume,” said Beth Adcock of the Smithville Police Department.

“Events have been cancelled since March and we want the citizens of DeKalb County to have something to look forward to. We know some have been staying home and that children and parents are ready to get out and enjoy themselves so we ask that everyone keep safety in mind and have fun. We are looking forward to this years Halloween event,” she said.

Any business that would like to set up a tent and participate, contact Beth Adcock at 615-597-8210 ext 1.

During the Smithville Halloween Boo Bash, the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber will be sponsoring the Best Costume Contest and Best Decorations for participating Smithville businesses and offices. To enter, take a picture with your cellphone and send it to 615-464-7760 by 1 PM on Friday, October 30th. Winners will be presented a “Boo Bash” Best Costume or Best Decoration award, local media and social media recognition, winner announcements on the November WJLE Chamber Chat Radio and DTC TV program, and most important – “bragging rights!”

Justin Potter Library will host a Facebook Live Storytime on Friday, October 30th at 10:00 AM. Please join us for a story about “Bats at the Library” by Brian Lies and then come to town from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM for the Downtown Halloween “Boo Bash”. We are looking forward to giving away goodies in front of the library to the little trick or treaters dressed up in their favorite costumes. Please call the library at 615-597-4359 or visit us on Facebook or our website at www.dekalblibraries.net for more information.

October 28, 2020
By:

Completed by-mail ballots may be mailed with a first-class stamp in the county you reside at the designated post office before 3 p.m. local time on Election Day, Nov. 3.  A representative from the county election commission will pick up ballots directly from the designated post office to ensure they are received by the close of polls on Election Day. 

“DeKalb County voters concerned about delays in mail delivery can speed the process up by mailing their completed absentee by-mail ballot at the post office located at 100 S. First St, in Smithville”, said Administrator of Elections Dennis Stanley.
 
“The Postal Service is implementing extraordinary measures and resources to deliver for Tuesday’s General Election. We are working closely with local elections officials to offer ballot delivery on Election Day at 95 post offices across the state. While the 3 p.m. deadline is in place for ballots on November 3rd, other information about our locations, including retail hours is available at usps.com, under Find USPS Locations,” said USPS Tennessee District Manager Christopher L. Alexander.
 
“It is important that voters know that they can mail their absentee by-mail ballots in this manner. Every vote matters, and we want to make sure that every legal vote is counted,” said Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins
 
DeKalb_County voters can easily and securely track their absentee by-mail ballot’s status with the Secretary of State’s Absentee By-Mail Ballot Status Tracker tool: tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup.