20 Years Later Community Remembers 9/11 (View Videos Here)

September 10, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks is this Saturday, calling the community to remember one of America’s most devastating tragedies.

A group of people answered that call with their attendance at a 9/11 Memorial Ceremony Thursday evening on the east side of the courthouse. Among those present were members of the Smithville Police and Fire Departments, DeKalb County Fire Department, Sheriff’s Department, EMS, and Rescue Squad. A large American Flag was displayed above the gathering hanging from the Smithville Fire Department’s Ladder Truck.

The tribute began with opening remarks by Smithville Mayor Josh Miller and County Mayor Tim Stribling followed by Emily Phillips singing the National Anthem. Andy Patterson, minister of the Smithville First Freewill Baptist Church offered a prayer for First Responders and Chris Moore, minister of the Smithville Church of God led the gathering in a prayer for the country.

“We are here to honor the memory of those who lost their lives during the horrific attack on our country 20 years ago this Saturday,” said Mayor Miller.

“Today we remember the attack on the twin towers, pentagon and the capturing of the airplanes but we need to also remember the nearly 3,000 victims that day, 412 of whom were first responders and most of them being firefighters. We don’t ever want to forget their memory. We want it to live on,” said  County Mayor Stribling

Darrin Vincent of the multi-nominated duo and stars of the Grand Ole Opry Daily & Vincent, performed three patriotic songs during the program including “Travelin’ Soldier” with his daughter Victoria and “Where Were You” accompanied by local talents Sabrina Kirksey and Suzanne Slager. The third song was Dailey & Vincent’s “Unsung Heroes” , the music video of which was recorded downtown Smithville four years ago featuring local War War II veterans and first responders.

Vincent said he was flying back from Canada on 9/11 20 years ago when word came of the attacks.

“We had just done the Canadian Country Music Awards. I was sleeping in the airplane and the next thing I knew I felt it turn. We were over Montana when they turned that big airplane around. We were going full speed and seemed to be right on top of the ground. I said what in the world is going on and they told me that the World Trade Center buildings in New York had been hit and they we were being diverted back to Canada. When we got back to the Canadian airport all I saw was military with machine guns until I got downstairs and then it was absolute panic and chaos with everybody trying to get to phones. I called my wife Julie, who was a 4th grade teacher at Northside Elementary at that time and when I told her I was okay she just burst into tears because she had been seeing on TV everything going on. We had no idea really except what the stewardess told us. That’s where I was when the world stopped turning,” said Vincent.

“The scripture says greater Love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends,” said Patterson during his prayer for first responders. Father we pray a prayer of gratitude for those who sacrifice daily so that we might live peaceably and comfortably. I pray today that the memory of these brave men and women would live on forever but we pray for these here before us today that you would help us show them gratitude and that you would protect them as they protect us. We pray that you would bless these men and women,” Patterson prayed.

“We speak healing over our nation,” said Moore in his prayer. “ We pray for blessings. I come against the division that we are seeing in our nation in the name of Jesus Christ. When we look back 20 years ago at the unity our nation was in on the day after 9/11 I ask for that unity to come back, for people to once again love their country and love their neighbor, and for them to turn away from their sin and call upon your name as we did 20 years ago. May God Bless America,” Moore prayed.

The program concluded with the Marine Corps League 3 Volley Salute followed by Taps.

September 9, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating a head-on crash which occurred Thursday afternoon at around 2:45 p.m. at 6730 Short Mountain Highway involving a SUV and a dump truck.

The driver of the SUV was extricated by members of the DeKalb and Smithville Fire Departments and transported by DeKalb EMS to a nearby helicopter landing zone where he was reportedly airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital. The driver of the dump truck was not believed to have been seriously hurt. More details to be released later.

September 9, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Board of Education has a new chairman.

During Thursday night’s regular monthly meeting, Seventh District member Shaun Tubbs was elected to serve as chairman for the next twelve months. He will succeed First District member Danny Parkerson who has served as chairman for the past two years. Parkerson will remain a member of the board.

Meanwhile, Third district member Jim Beshearse was elected Vice Chairman of the Board while Sixth District member Jason Miller will serve as the board’s Tennessee Legislative Network (TLN) representative.

The board re-organizes each September electing officers to serve for the year.

In other business, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps gave his monthly personnel report.

Jaimie Bloise has been hired as an Educational Assistant at Smithville Elementary School to replace Melinda League who has resigned from that position.

Those granted a leave of absence as requested were Vickey Barrett from DeKalb West School; Megan Carroll and Kristen Rowland from Northside Elementary School, and Joseph Green and Jessica Griffith from DCHS.

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