Another Round?

January 15, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

Another round?

At the request of Alderman Jessica Higgins, a proposal to change the distance requirement in the Smithville beer ordinance will be back on the agenda at the monthly meeting in February.

Mayor Josh Miller made that announcement during Monday night’s workshop with the aldermen.

“Jessica did ask me to put the beer ordinance back on the agenda for February,” said Mayor Miller. “I am not having another workshop on this. We have talked this to death in the last few months. Its either going to pass or its not going to pass. Its basically what we voted on the last time. There has to be a motion and a second and then I will call the roll. There would have to be two readings and a public hearing before it could pass,” said Mayor Miller.

During the workshop both Aldermen Higgins and Danny Washer said they had been asked by members of the public to bring the issue back up.

In September, the aldermen voted 3 to 2 against amending the city beer ordinance to eliminate the 400-foot distance requirement between a church or school and businesses seeking an on-premises consumption permit. Had it been approved the ordinance amendment would have only applied to the C-2 zone which is the downtown business district and none of the other existing regulations in the ordinance would have been changed.

Alderman Jessica Higgins made a motion to approve the amendment removing the 400-foot distance requirement and Alderman Danny Washer offered a second to the motion, but they were the only two who voted in favor. The remaining three Aldermen, Donnie Crook, Beth Chandler, and Shawn Jacobs voted against changing the ordinance.

Under the existing ordinance, the language states that “In no event will a permit be issued authorizing the manufacture or storage of beer, or the sale of beer within 400 feet of any school or church. The distance requirement shall be measured in a straight line from the primary entrance of the establishment seeking a permit to sell beer to the primary entrance of the school or church”.

During January’s regular monthly meeting last week, Bert Driver, owner of the Harvester Event Center downtown, addressed the mayor and aldermen during the public comments period asking them to reconsider the issue. Driver, who already has a city issued beer permit, said changing the ordinance regarding the distance restrictions would not only level the playing field for downtown businesses who might otherwise qualify for a permit but it would bring in more tax revenue at a time when the county is needing more funding with plans to build a new school.

January 15, 2025
By:

The Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree & Crafts Festival Board of Volunteers wants to remind the community of the upcoming deadline for non-profit organizations to register their food booths for the July 4th – 5th, 2025 festival.

The board allows all not-for-profits to have the first chance to reserve a prime spot around the Smithville Square. Following the March 1st deadline, all for-profit vendors will be allowed to register for the remaining available spaces.

“We always make the local non-profits our first priority. We also give special consideration to those food vendors who have previously supported the Jamboree. In addition, we want to spread the word that many churches and organizations partner with an established commercial food vendor. These partnerships allow the charitable organization to make a profit, without having to gather volunteers, or bear the burden of setting up a booth. I encourage anyone who may be interested in this type of partnership/fund-raising to reach out to me prior to the February 15th deadline. It is a wonderful way to raise money for your organization.” said Jack Barton, Director of Food Services for the Jamboree.

Deadline for non-profit food booths is February 15th with payment by March 1, 2025. For more information, call the Jamboree office at 615-597-8500, email smithvillejamboree@gmail.com or message their Facebook page @SmithvilleJamboree.

January 15, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

The Cumberland County Jets erased a Tiger lead through the first three periods and defeated DeKalb County 45 to 40 at Crossville Tuesday night. The Lady Tigers lost 62 to 21.

The Tigers drop to 8-11 on the season while the Lady Tigers fall to 5-14. Both teams have started the district campaign at 0-2.

Friday night DeKalb County will host Upperman starting with the girls game at 6 p.m. followed by the boys contest. WJLE will have LIVE coverage.

In the girls game Tuesday night Cumberland County led 17 to 5 after the 1st period, 36 to 8 at halftime and 52 to 21 after the 3rd period enroute to a 62 to 21 win.

For DC, Avery Agee scored 8, Camille Barton 6, Brooklynn Fuson 3, and Allie Melton and Chloe Van Vranken each with 2.

For the boys, the Tigers led 12 to 2 after the 1st period, 26 to 10 by halftime, and 32 to 24 after the 3rd period but were outscored 21 to 8 in the 4th period and lost to the Jets 45 to 40.

Jordan Parker led the Tigers in scoring with 19, Seth Fuson 8, Dallas Kirby 5, Porter Hancock 4, Elliot Barnes 3, and Jon Hendrix 1.

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