City Discovers Gaping Hole in Bridge on Dry Creek Road

July 12, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Although it remains partially open to traffic, a small bridge over Dry Creek Road just off West Broad Street has a gaping hole through it and is in need of replacement.

During Monday night’s monthly meeting, the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen voted to have an engineer develop plans and specifications for eventual bid letting for a new bridge, but it could be months before the project is awarded to a contractor and started.

“A few weeks ago, we discovered that this bridge has some issues and we have shut a portion of it down. We have talked to Kyle Hazel, an engineer, and I asked him if this is approved tonight to let him begin the engineering phase and all the surveys when is the quickest we could get this out for bids. He said it would probably not be let out for bids until the first of next year,” said Mayor Josh Miller.

“At this time the bridge is still open but big trucks don’t need to drive across it because its in bad shape. I have ordered signs to put on each corner of the bridge and should have them put up this week,” said City Public Works Director Kevin Robinson.

“We will try to keep the bridge open as long as possible but there will be a time when bids are let out and the council accepts the bid and then it will have to be shut down,” added Mayor Miller.

Because it is apparently not eligible for state aid, the city may have to go it alone on funding the bridge replacement, a project which could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“Five of our bridges are on state aid so they (state) come around and inspect them every two years but this bridge is two feet shy of being on state aid so it doesn’t get inspected (by the state),” said Robinson.

Janice Plemmons-Jackson, the city’s financial advisor, said the city has ample reserves to cover the bridge replacement cost.

We have been accumulating funds for years and years which is what you do (to prepare) when you have a major problem come up,” said Jackson. “There are different options for financing, and nobody likes to talk about spending money, but we do have cash on hand and if we chose to do that, we could pay the costs as we go from what we have accumulated. There is always a bond issue or debt which I would not recommend but that spreads the cost out and then we have grant funds we are receiving. I just think its going to be a matter of deciding how we pay for it, but I don’t think we have a choice. We have to do this. I am just glad we are in a position that we can meet the financial needs and do what we have to do. We have been conservative and fiscally responsible for years,” Jackson said.

July 12, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

18-year-old Addison Jean Puckett is the 2022 DeKalb County Fairest of the Fair.

Puckett, daughter of Jimmy and Anita Puckett of Smithville, won the crown Monday evening during the annual pageant held on opening night of the DeKalb County Fair in Alexandria. There were eight contestants. She will also represent the DeKalb County Fair in the state pageant.

Puckett succeeds the 2021 Fairest of the Fair, Ellisyn Kelsey Cripps, the 19-year-old daughter of Troy and Jamie Cripps of Smithville.

First runner-up in the Fairest of the Fair event was Kenlee Renae Taylor, the 17-year-old daughter of Ken and Cindy Taylor of Smithville.

Second runner-up: Katherine Grace Colwell, 18-year-old daughter of Trent and Christie Colwell of Smithville.

Third runner-up: Alexis Grace Atnip, 19-year-old daughter of Veronica and Gary Johnson of Smithville

Mackenzie Leigh Sprague of Smithville was fourth runner-up. She is the 18-year-old daughter of Wanda Sprague.

The title of Miss Congeniality went to Caitlin Elisabeth Washer of Smithville, 17-year-old daughter of John and Karey Washer and Charlise Washer.

18-year-old Ellie Elizabeth Webb was named Most Photogenic. She is the daughter of Cindy Webb and C.D. Webb of Dowelltown.

The other contestant was McKenzie Faith Sanders, the 17-year-old daughter of James and Misti Sanders of Smithville.

The schedule of Fair events tonight (Tuesday) is as follows:

Tuesday, July 12:
*Little Mister for contestants ages 4-6: 6:00 p.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion
*Little Miss for contestants ages 4-6 following the Little Mister Pageant
*Mrs. Fair Queen for contestants up to age 54 at the Lions Club Pavilion following the Little Miss Pageant
*Miss Senior Fair Queen for contestants ages 55 and older at the Lions Club Pavilion following the Mrs. Fair Queen Pageant
*Corn Hole Tournament: 7:00 p.m. at the Ag Center
*ATV/Motorcycle Racing: 7:00 p.m. at the T.C. McMillen Arena
*Cash Drawing-9:30 p.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion (There were no cash winners Monday night)

Visit the DeKalb County Fair website at the link below for information about renting booth space, being a sponsor, entering pageants and shows, entering exhibits and events. The contact person and phone number for all of these are listed on the website at
www.dekalbcountyfairtn.com/

July 12, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The 2022 Junior Fair Princess of the DeKalb County Fair is Allyson Roxanne Fuller.

The 16-year-old daughter of Anthony and Amanda Fuller of Smithville was among ten young ladies ages 13-16 who competed for the crown Monday night at the DeKalb County Fair.

She succeeds the retiring Junior Fair Princess, Keara McKinsey Milligan of Smithville. Milligan is the 15-year-old daughter of Josh and Cyndi Milligan.

The first runner-up was Cali Agee, 14-year-old daughter of Kevin and Jennifer Agee of Smithville.

Second runner-up was Addison Isabella Kyle of Smithville, 15-year-old daughter of Kimberly and Cory Crabtree and Jamie and Christy Kyle.

Averie Nicole McMinn of Smithville was third runner-up and named Miss Congeniality. She is the 14-year-old daughter of Jake and Amanda Franklin and Nathan McMinn.

The fourth runner-up was Kenadee Rose Prichard, 13-year-old daughter of Luke and Jodee Prichard of Alexandria.

The title of Most Photogenic went to Kaylyn Isabelle Prichard, 13-year-old daughter of Andy and Chrissy Prichard of Liberty.

Other contestants were Ellabeth Ferrell, 13-year-old daughter of Steven and Amy Ferrell of Smithville; Jasmen Faith Chapman, 15-year-old daughter of Debbie Milles and Jamie Chapman of Smithville; Lily Cantrell, 15-year-old daughter of Andrea Page and Rocky Cantrell of Smithville; and Hayley England, 13-year-old daughter of Robert and Stephanie England of Smithville.

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