Veronica Johnson Wins Lip Sync Battle at DeKalb County Fair (View video here)

July 16, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Veronica Johnson won the 2022 Lip Sync Battle at the DeKalb County Fair Friday night beating out three other contenders for the title. Audience response determined the winner.

Johnson lip synced to the country song “Til You Can’t” by Cody Johnson with some help from her grandson Elijah Underhill. Her performance earned her a first-place trophy and $250 in cash.

Coming in second place was Amanda Ford as she lip synced to Deana Carter’s “Did I Shave My Legs for This” She took home $150. She was assisted during her performance by Tyler McCloud.

Karah Jo Ford received $100 and third place for her lip sync performance of Todrick Hall’s “Attention”.

Julie Ford Vincent lip synced to a version of “Rocky Top”.

July 16, 2022
By: Bill Conger

The DeKalb Community Band makes its debut tonight (July 16) at 7 o’clock in a performance at Green Brook Park. Under the direction of Caleb Rowland, woodwinds, brass and percussion will perform Music from the American South at the park’s amphitheater.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer the community a new musical ensemble, and hope that you join us for Music in The Park on Saturday evening, Rowland said.”

Tunes featured include the Star Spangled Banner, Kentucky 1800- Clare Grundman; Shenandoah- Frank Ticheli; At A Dixieland Jazz Funeral- Jared Spears; A Childhood Hymn- David Holsinger; Georgia on My Mind- Michael Brown ; and Tennessee Waltz- Various.

Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the entertaining performance. In case of rain the concert will be held at the D.C.H.S. auditorium.

July 15, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Thirty-seven toddlers from ages 13 to 47 months were featured Friday evening during the annual Toddler Show at the DeKalb County Fair.

First place winners received a blue ribbon. Red ribbons went to those receiving second place.

This year’s recipients are as follows:

Boys (13 to 18 months)
Winner: Leo Quincy Pedigo, 17-month-old son of Morgan Pedigo of Smithville
Runner-up: Karson Pettit, 13-month-old son of Zach and Taya Pettit of DeKalb County

Girls (13 to 18 months)
Winner: Norah Jean McKeown, 17-month-old daughter of McKailey Wade and Jimmy McKeown of Smithville
Runner-up: Charlotte Hazel Moore, 14-month-old daughter of Jacob and Megan Moore of Smithville
Other participants: Kingsley Magnolia Haynes, 17-month-old daughter of Chandler and Mackenzie Haynes of Smithville and Clara Delaney Steinbach, 14-month-old daughter of Mickey and Adrianna Steinbach of Smithville

Boys (19 to 24 months)
Winner: Aiden Stringer, 22-month-old son of Amanda and James Stringer of Liberty
Runner-up: Kolsten Baldwin, 23-month-old son of Jessica Ray and Aulbry Baldwin of Alexandria
Other participants: Marshall Hace Kilgore, 20-month-old son of Clay and Mariah Kilgore of Smithville and Chandler Chase Bain, 20-month-old son of Jessica Bain of Smithville.

Girls (19 to 24 months)
Winner: Briley Ann Cripps, 22-month-old daughter of Kami Cripps and Corey Cripps of Smithville
Runner-up: Sophia Grace Torres, 22-month-old daughter of Jose Torres and Brooke Bain of Smithville
Other participants: Kennedy Elaine Shanks, 21-month-old daughter of Ethan Shanks and Victoria Stanley of Smithville; Journee Davenport, 19-month-old daughter of Darian and Travis Davenport of Dowelltown; Emma Rose Chapman, 21-month-old daughter of Jocelyn and Corey Chapman of Dowelltown; and Tinley Mae Brooks, 23-month-old daughter of Justin and April Brooks of Smithville.

Boys (25 to 30 months)
Winner: Aiden Cole Walker Chapman, 26-month-old son of Brandon and Kelley Chapman of Smithville
Runner-up: Sawyer Cordell Oyster, 26-month-old son of Coleman and Morgan Oyster of Liberty

Girls (25 to 30 months)
Winner: Dayvani Haggard, 25-month-old daughter of Caleb and Haley Haggard of Smithville
Runner-up: Myra Shepherd, 27-month-old daughter of John and Alanna Shepherd of Smithville
Other participant: Harper Grace Stuck, 26-month-old daughter of Hannah Shopourian and Mackenzie Stuck of Alexandria

Girls (31 to 36 months)
Winner: Annabelle Rose Bowen, 34-month-old daughter of Jacob and Kayla Bowen of Dowelltown
Runner-up: Elliott Quinn Prichard, 34-month-old daughter of Mark and Amanda Prichard of Smithville
Other participants: Ella Clayborn, 36-month-old daughter of Matthew and Amber Clayborn of Smithville; Elena Rose Ritchie, 31-month-old daughter of Destinee Ritchie of Dowelltown; and Livy Slager, 32-month-old daughter of Jon and Katie Slager of Old Liberty Road

Boys (37 to 47 months)
Winner: Jaxen Agee, 43-month-old son of Donny and Stephanie Agee of Smithville
Runner-up: Samuel Keith Griffin, 38-month-old son of Luke and Casey Griffin of Alexandria
Other participants: Carson Hollis Moore, 44-month-old son of Jacob and Megan Moore of Smithville and Declan Washer, 42-month-old son of Mark and Carla Pedigo of Smithville

Girls (37 to 47 months)
Winner: Elizabeth Marysue Gammons, 46-month-old daughter of Bruce Gammons and Amanda Ford of Smithville.
Runner-up: Emma Leeann Grace Wade, 45-month-old daughter of McKaiely Wade and Thomas Tinsley of Smithville
Other participants: Penelope Oxley, 38-month-old daughter of Matthew and Haleigh Oxley of Dowelltown; Peyton Rae Shepherd, 45-month-old daughter of Jason and Ashley Shepherd of Smithville; Briar Rose Kilgore, 47-month-old daughter of Clay and Mariah Kilgore of Smithville; Oaklyn Ferrell. 47-month-old daughter of Keith and Devin Ferrell of Smithville; and Hattie Donnell, 37-month-old daughter of Travis and Amber Donnell of Alexandria.