Community Calendar

The next term of the DeKalb County Grand Jury will meet on Tuesday, March 11.

“It is the duty of your grand jurors to investigate any public offense which they know or have reason to believe has been committed and which is triable or indictable in the county. Any person having knowledge or proof that an offense has been committed may apply to testify before the grand jury subject to the provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated 40-12-105. The foreman in this county is presently Ms. Katherine Pack, 1 Public Square, Room 201, Smithville, Tennessee, 37166.” said DeKalb Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin.

“The grand jury will next meet on Tuesday, the 11th day of March, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.. You may be prosecuted for perjury for any oral or written statement which you make under oath to the grand jury, when you know the statement to be false, and when the statement touches on a matter material to the point in question,” she said.

Justin Potter Library will host a book signing featuring Captain Larry D. Cripps, a distinguished retired Navy Chaplain, on Thursday, February 27, from 1 to 5 PM.

Captain Cripps, who grew up in the Blue Springs community, brings a wealth of experience and insight from his forty-two years of military service spanning three wars: Vietnam, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and the post-9/11 War on Terror. His unique perspective and captivating stories reflect his military journey and highlight Smithville’s rich heritage.
Larry’s new book, “The Hope of War: A Chaplain’s Journey to Abiding Faith, Enduring Hope and Love Under Fire,” was released by Emissary Publishing on Memorial Day weekend last year. The book chronicles the life of a small-town farm boy growing up against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the cultural revolution of the 1960s and early 1970s.

This book signing session will be unlike any other we have hosted. It will feature a pictorial display highlighting significant moments that shaped Larry’s life and ministry to the men and women of America’s Armed Forces and their families, who sacrificed so much to protect and preserve the freedoms we all cherish. Additionally, Larry’s daughter, Makenzy Hendrix Gash, the owner of “Just a Gash of Sugar,” will provide our guests with a selection of delicious treats.

For further information contact Justin Potter Library at 615-597-4359. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram or our website at www.dekalblibraries.net.

A Kingdom Driven Men’s Conference will be Saturday, March 15 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. hosted by the Allen’s Chapel Church at 1037 Coconut Ridge Road, Smithville. Be the man God called you to be. Join them for a day of food, fellowship, praise, and digging into what God has called you to be

The DCHS Tiger Baseball Annual Chili Supper & LIVE Auction will be Friday, February 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the DeKalb County Complex. Meal includes bowl of chili with all the fixings, grilled hot dog, dessert and drink. Tickets are $10 per person. The LIVE Auction starts at 6 p.m. For tickets see any baseball player or call 615-464-0703.

A grief workshop will be Saturday, February 22, 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Smithville First Baptist Church in the activities building, located at 101 West Church Street. Pre-registration is required. To register, call the Haven of Hope at (615) 597-4673.

This is for people who have suffered loss recently or in the past and would like to learn strategies and gain resources for coping with grief. The comprehensive workshop will feature certified professional counselors. Sessions will be available for adults, teens, and children ages 4 and up.

The adult seminar will include understanding the grief process, normal emotions for grief, coping strategies, meeting others where the common denominator is grief, differences in men and women grieving, what adults need to know about children grieving, and available resources for help. Licensed counselors will lead these classes with age level grief activities.

A DeKalb County Neighbors Helping Neighbors Blood Assurance Drive will be Monday, February 24 from 12 noon until 5 p.m. in the parking lot of the County Complex at 718 South Congress Boulevard on the mobile Bloodmobile. To schedule an appointment, go to bloodassurance.org/dekalb24 or contact Jimmy Poss at 615-464-7426 or jimposs72@yahoo.com. Please remember to eat a good meal, drink additional water, avoid energy drinks, and bring a photo ID. Blood Assurance is the SOLE blood provider for our local hospitals. One donation can save three lives. Donate from February 15-28 for a chance to win a $500 eGift card. It’s a spring break giveaway.

February County Commission Committee Meetings

Purchasing Committee

Date: 02/19/2025

Time: 12pm

Location: Lower Courtroom of the Courthouse

Topic: County Purchases

Jail Committee

Date: 02/25/2025

Time: 6pm

Location: Auditorium of the Community Complex

Topic: Jail Planning and Discussion

A Prom Dress sale fundraiser for the DCHS Class of 2025 Project Graduation will be February 22 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center at 110 Church Street, Smithville. Find the perfect prom dress at affordable prices with accessories to match. The prom dress sale will feature all sizes, brand, colors, and styles.

Here is how it works: Bring your prom dress at the designated time and day and make a $10 donation for each dress placed in the sale along with a $5.00 donation for shoes and accessories. The donated money will support Project Graduation.

Your prom dress will be given a number which will be your number during the sale. Your number will be placed on the dress with your price. If the dress sells you will receive the amount you priced your dress for. You are only out the $10 or $5.00 donation. Drop off your dresses at City Hall Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The deadline is February 19 at 5 p.m.

For more information call Linda Robinson at 615-318-4327. Pick up for dresses that do not sell will be from 5 -6 p.m.

DeKalb Tee-Ball, Coach Pitch, and Girls Fast Pitch Softball Spring Signups for 2025

On-line signups are underway through February 28. Be sure to sign up by February 28
Ages 4-5: T-Ball Co-Ed
Ages 5-6: Coach Pitch Co-Ed (Parents choice for 5 years)
Ages 7-9: Girls Coach Pitch
Ages 10-12: Girls Kid Pitch
Ages 13-17: Girls Fast Pitch
Anyone can play up one division,

TRYOUT TIMES: March 8
T-Ball (4-5 years) 9 a.m.
Coach Pitch (5-6 years) 10:30 a.m.
Coach Pitch Softball (7-9 years) 12 noon
Kid Pitch Softball (10-12 years) 2 p.m.
Kid Pitch (13-17 years) Tryouts will be held on a later date TBD
AGE CUT OFF: May 1, 2025 (The player will play at whatever age they are on this date)

Cost: $70 for one child, $60 for a 2nd child, and $35 for a 3rd child or more

For more information visit https://dekalbyouthtballcoachpitchgirlssoftball.sportngin.com/register/form/824771668

The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency (UCHRA) will hold a commodities distribution in DeKalb County on Thursday, Feb. 27, from 9 until 11 a.m. at 726 S. Congress Blvd, Smithville, TN. Sign-up will be available at the distribution site. Visit uchra.org/2025-commodities-distribution-events for more information about UCHRA’s
commodities program including instructions on how to apply. This project is funded under a Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee.

DeKalb Youth Baseball Signups

Online Sign ups - January 17 - March 1

DCYB 2nd Annual Car and Truck show & In Person Sign Ups - March 1st @ Dekalb Christian Academy: 9am - 11am

Tryouts - March 1 starting at 1pm

To enter any of the events or questions about the league people may contact me, Jesse Sutton, at 931-881-5547.