
News
Tigers Avenge Earlier Loss to Owls
January 8, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
The DCHS Tigers avenged a 61 to 60 loss a month ago at Carthage to the Smith County Owls with a 50 to 43 victory over the Owls Tuesday night in Smithville. The Owlettes completed a season sweep of the Lady Tigers winning 60 to 45 after knocking off DC 76 to 53 on December 2.
The Tigers are now 8-9 while the Lady Tigers drop to 5-12. DeKalb County will be in action at White County Thursday night, January 9 starting with the girls game at 6 p.m. followed by the boys contest. WJLE will have LIVE coverage. The games were originally scheduled for Friday night, January 10 but were moved up because of the threat of wintry weather on Friday.
In the girls game Tuesday night, Smith County opened up a 20 to 9 lead by the end of the 1st period and led 36 to 22 by halftime and 53 to 28 after the 3rd period enroute to a 60 to 45 win.
Chloe VanVranken scored 16 followed by Avery Agee with 12, Lillie Young 6, Allie Melton 5, Jordyn Agee 4, and Brooklyn Fuson with 2.
The Tigers and Owls played to a 13-13 tie by the end of the 1st period. Smith County led 22 to 19 at halftime but the game was tied at 28-28 at the close of the 3rd period. DC outscored the Owls in the 4th period and claimed a 50 to 43 victory.
Jordan Parker scored 19, Jon Hendrix 13, Dallas Kirby 10, Seth Fuson 5, Logan Duke 2, and Elliot Barnes 1.
Financially Strong! (View Video Here)
January 7, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
Financially Strong!
Although the City of Smithville spent more than it took in due to onetime general fund expenditures for the year ended June 30, 2024, it remains on sound financial footing according to the latest audit report
John Poole, Hendersonville CPA, who performed the annual audit for the city, addressed the mayor and aldermen Monday night.
Poole said the audit showed no major deficiencies.
“In doing the state audit we are really trying to do three things,” said Poole. “One is to make sure we provide the state the financial information that they require in their oversight. Another thing we do that is most important to this board is to look to make sure the city is receiving the monies it should be getting whether that’s from the annual property tax, monthly utility billings, police fines, fees from the pool and golf course, etc. Also to make sure the city is getting the monies it is supposed to be getting from the state and from the county. Once we receive these monies, we are to make sure we are handling those monies in accordance with city policies and state guidelines,” explained Poole. “The city is also involved in several grant programs so we look to make sure that the grant monies we receive are handled correctly. I do believe the city is getting the money due it. Of course you will have some folks that are delinquent in payment of property taxes but the city does a good job of tracking that. It’s the same with utilities. We have some people who don’t pay from time to time but the utility department does a good job of monitoring them and making cutoffs when appropriate. As an auditor I really feel like the city is getting the monies it is supposed to be getting,” said Poole.
“The third thing we look at is making sure the monies this board authorizes the department heads to spend is done for city business and that they are following purchasing guidelines, procedures, and the way grant funds are spent. We didn’t find anything to cause a concern as to how the monies are being spent. In our opinion as auditors, we didn’t see anything that gave us any concern,” said Poole.
According to Poole, the water and sewer fund showed a surplus for the year which meets the state’s requirement that the utility be financially self-supporting.
“The change in net position for the year is $536,142 related to water and sewer (not counting grants) so we had a surplus and you certainly met the state’s threshold. When it comes to the utility fund (water & sewer) we are required by state law to show a profit. The city can’t lose money two years in a row. That is not a concern in Smithville. From a financial standpoint your utility system is in good shape,” said Poole.
As for the general fund, Poole said the net change in position showed expenditures exceeding revenues by $722,264 for the year due primarily to large one time capital outlay investments including new emergency communication radio systems for the police and fire departments along with installation of a new irrigation system at the golf course, major swimming pool repairs, as well as replacement of the Dry Creek Bridge and paving projects. Unlike the water and sewer fund, Poole said the general fund does not have to show a profit at year’s end but in this case, the city had ample funds to cover the overage. “If you hadn’t had those significant expenditures, there would have been a huge surplus but those are things we will not be doing every year,” said Poole.
As for the financial strength of the city, Poole explained that in the checking and savings accounts the city has in the general fund $5 million and CDs of over $528,000 which totals more than $5.5 million,” he said.
In the water and sewer fund, Poole said the city has a total of $6.5 million including almost $700,000 in certificates of deposit.
Not Guilty Plea Entered in Criminal Court on Behalf of Warren County DA
January 7, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
Less than a month after being indicted, Warren County District Attorney General 43-year-old Christopher Robert Stanford of McMinnville was due in DeKalb County Criminal Court for arraignment Tuesday, January 7 but his attorney, Jeff Cherry of Lebanon entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
Stanford himself did not make an appearance before Judge Wesley Bray. Cherry had filed and was granted a waiver of appearance and arraignment on behalf of his client.
Stanford’s next scheduled court date is April 7
The DeKalb County Grand Jury met Monday, December 16 in a special session and returned a sealed indictment against Stanford charging him with reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm into an occupied habitation stemming from a shots fired incident near Bell Street Apartments in Smithville during the apprehension of three suspects in a Warren County triple homicide in November.
In earlier media reports, Cherry said Stanford acted in the moment after witnessing a triple murder suspect injuring an officer with a vehicle while trying to evade arrest.
Prosecutors said there was no imminent threat, and that Stanford put other lives at risk.
