Dots Storytelling Day set for Saturday, May 7

April 23, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Its story telling time again in DeKalb County with the 17th annual Dots Storytelling Day dedicated to the children of DeKalb County to raise money for the Imagination Library.

Dots Storytelling Day is sponsored by the Smithville Study Club and DeKalb Family Consumer Education Club (FCE). This year’s theme is “Wrinkles in Time”. The event will be presented on Saturday, May 7 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the DeKalb County Complex History Room.

“This year’s storytelling will be dedicated to one of our wonderful storytellers the late Brownie Tittsworth,” said spokesperson Susan Hinton. “If you love a good story or want to tell a good story call me for more information at 615-597-9300. Hope to see you there” said Hinton

April 22, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The City of Smithville is seeking a grant to fund a transitional housing program for women in recovery from substance abuse.

During a special called meeting Thursday evening at city hall, the aldermen voted to adopt a resolution authorizing the filing of an application for a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant for Recovery Housing through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development with no local grant match or costs to the city. The Upper Cumberland Development District will apply for the grant on behalf of the city to be administered by the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency if approved. The filing deadline is April 29.

Under terms of the grant program, the UCHRA would manage the transitional housing facility as a city partner to serve from 8-12 females or women with children in recovery who would be charged rent to live there.

Contract terms between the city and UCDD/UCHRA, the partnering agencies, as to how the program would be operated and where it would be located will be worked out after the grant application has been filed. Mayor Josh Miller said the city could still turn down the grant if the mayor and aldermen change their minds or can’t come to terms with the partnering agencies.

“If you (aldermen) decide to pass this resolution to apply for this grant, it is only to let them (UCDD) apply for transitional housing. The only thing we’re voting on tonight is to allow them (UCDD) to apply. This does not mean (transitional housing) is coming. If we get the grant, we still have to structure this the way it needs to be structured and there would be a lot of meetings with that,” said Mayor Miller.

Meanwhile, in other business the aldermen voted to hire Linda Robinson to fill a vacant office clerk position at city hall. She will begin work Monday, April 25.

April 21, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

With graduation just around the corner, DCHS Class of 2022 Salutatorian and Tigerette softball sensation Jacey Hatfield is a happy camper. In less than a month, she will be receiving her diploma after a fulfilling high school career which obviously is something to celebrate, but Hatfield is equally excited about what the future has in store for her.

During a brief signing event Thursday, Jacey’s family, friends, teammates and coaches gathered around her in the DCHS gym as she made her commitment to Cumberland University at Lebanon where she will further her education and play softball for the Phoenix. Daughter of Jeremy and Jennifer Hatfield, Jacey said her plans are to study pre-medicine and one day become a pediatric nurse.

“I chose Cumberland because I wanted to go somewhere I would enjoy and have fun and I didn’t want to go far away from home, so I thought Cumberland was perfect. I practiced with them and knew that is where I was going,” Hatfield said. “I have worked my whole life for this. Since I was 10 years old, I have played travel ball year-round and I had people who pushed me like my parents and Coach Danny Fish. I think he has taught me more about softball than anybody ever. I am so excited. I guess it’s a relief when you are an athlete to finally sign and know what you are going to do with your future, at least for the next four years,” said Hatfield.

“We are proud of Jacey,” said Coach Fish. “She has worked her entire life for this moment, and I am glad to see it happen for her. She is a hard worker and has been a great player for us as a hitter and short stop. Jacey has been starting since she was a freshman. She is a two time All District athlete and will be three time All District this year. She had to miss her sophomore year when we as a team couldn’t compete because of the COVID pandemic. I think she will also be in the running for Player of the Year in our district. That’s how good she is. Her career batting average is around .480. She has really been a good player for us, and I hate to see her go because she is exactly what a coach wants. Jacey is a good applicator of things you tell her, and she is a good leader. We talk about peat and repeat, and she is good at repeating what her coach says and gets the rest of the kids to buy in to what her coach wants to do. Those players just don’t come along often,” said Coach Fish.

Stephanie Theall, first year head coach at Cumberland, said she is delighted to welcome Hatfield to the college and the Phoenix softball program.

“I am ridiculously excited to have Jacey join us. From the moment I saw her I knew I wanted her on my ball team. She steps in between those lines and plays hard 100% of the time. That’s what I love about her. She is a great student and I think she will bring a lot to our program,” said Coach Theall.

Cumberland is a private university in Lebanon, founded in 1842 and is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Mid-South Conference.