9-1-1: Call if You Can, Text if You Can’t

June 23, 2024
By:

The DeKalb County Emergency Communications District (911) has announced that effective July 1 2024 it will begin accepting text–to–9-1-1 service for DeKalb County citizens.

According to DeKalb 911 Director Brad Mullinax, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile Wireless customers will be able to send a text (up to 140 characters) to 9-1-1 in an emergency. Text to 9-1-1 should only be used in an emergency situation, when placing a call is not possible: For instance, if the caller is deaf, hard-of-hearing, speech impaired, or when speaking out loud would put the caller in danger. “At DeKalb 911, we are excited to offer this new service to the community. The local 911 district and the state 911 board have invested millions of dollars to make this service available,” said Mulinax.

If there is an emergency and you are unable to make a call, remember these steps:

· Don’t text and drive

· In the first text message send the location and type of emergency.

· Text in simple words – Send a short text message in English without abbreviations or slang.

· Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call taker.

Don’t Abuse 9-1-1—Text-to-9-1-1 service is ONLY for emergencies.

· It is a crime to text or call 9-1-1 with a false report. Prank-texters can be located.

The Text-to-9-1-1 service may have many challenges.

· A text or data plan is required to place a Text-to-9-1-1

· As with all text messages, messages to 9-1-1 may take longer to receive, may get out of order, or may not be received at all.

· If you do not receive a text response from 9-1-1, try to contact 9-1-1 another way.

· Photos and videos cannot be sent to 9-1-1 at this time.

· Text-to-9-1-1 cannot include more than one person. Do not send your emergency text to anyone other than 9-1-1.

· Voice Calls to 9-1-1 Are Still the Best and Fastest Way to Contact 9-1-1

Remember, Text-to-9-1-1 service is not available everywhere in Tennessee and the U.S. Many TN 911 districts have not gone live with Text-to-9-1-1 service at this time, so if you are outside the DeKalb County area the service may not be available.

June 23, 2024
By:

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce the winners of the 2024 Jamboree Project Welcome Mat contest. Chamber Director Suzanne Williams extends her heartfelt thanks to all the businesses that participated by posting creative and welcoming signs for our Jamboree visitors.

“This is one of our efforts to make sure that our valued guests know how appreciated and important they are to us,” said Williams.

Here are the 2024 Jamboree Project Welcome Mat winners:

Most Creative – Liberty State Bank – A Fiddle, A Banjo, and a Glass of Sweet Tea, All at Jamboree 53

Most Original – Wilson Bank & Trust – “Jumping Jubilee, Let’s Fiddle Our Way Down to the Jamboree”

Best Worded – Middle Tennessee Natural Gas – “Fun is Guaranteed at Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree”

People’s Choice -Tennessee Credit “Let’s All of Thee Remember Those Lost For Us To Be Free As We Celebrate Jamboree #53”

Congratulations to all the winners and participants! Your efforts have greatly contributed to the warm and friendly atmosphere that our community is known for.

June 21, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Local Drug Task Force Strikes Again

The DeKalb Sheriff’s Office and Smithville Police Department once again combined forces on Friday, June 21 in their newly formed task force to conduct a raid on a home. This time the target was a residence at 113 Dearman Street where methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found.

Two women were arrested including 25-year-old Hannah Leann Cantrell who lives there and 54-year-old Stacy Kay Campbell of West Green Hill Road, Smithville.

According to Sheriff Patrick Ray and Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins, Campbell is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond is $35,500 and she will be in court July 11.

Cantrell is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. She is under a $2,500 and will also be in court July 11.

In a joint statement, Sheriff Ray and Chief Collins said that “on Friday, June 21 while conducting a search warrant at 113 Dearman Street, Smithville officers found methamphetamine in a purse that also held an identification card belonging to Campbell. They also came across drug paraphernalia in Campbell’s bedroom including a scale commonly used for weighing narcotics, a pipe with residue, and small baggies containing residue”.

“Found in Cantrell’s bedroom were miscellaneous paraphernalia items including scales, several pipes and water bongs containing residue”, the statement concluded.

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