Foster Charged with Arson and Vandalism

December 15, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A 50 year old Smithville man has been charged with arson and vandalism.

Royce Avon Foster is scheduled for a court appearance on February 18. Bond for Foster was set at $60,000 on these charges but his bond in a previous vandalism case has been revoked so he remains in jail.

According to Detective Brandon Donnell of the Smithville Police Department, a witness saw Foster break eight windows out of a camper parked at the former location of the Regions Bank Drive-Thru at 509 South Mountain Street before setting fire to a nearby trash can which spread to the camper. Due to the vandalism and arson, the camper sustained more than $5,000 in damage. Although the blaze came close to a propane tank on the camper members of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department who were summoned to the scene got the fire under control before it reached the tank.

The incident occurred Wednesday, December 9 at 8:30 a.m.

December 15, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Due to increasing active numbers of COVID-19 locally, the DeKalb County Courthouse and County Complex County Offices will be closed to in-person business starting Wednesday, December 16.

“The DeKalb County Government continues to monitor developments and updates from federal and state public health officials related to the coronavirus. There is a rising concern with the increasing number of positive cases of COVID-19 throughout DeKalb County as well as the State of Tennessee,” said County Mayor Tim Stribling.

“Beginning Wednesday December 16th, the DeKalb County Courthouse and the main entrance of the County Complex County Offices will be locked in response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in DeKalb County,” he said

“Employees are still reporting to work but residents who need to do business with them are urged to call first. Signage is posted on doors with phone number of each office for people to call. They will inform you how your business will be handled. The County Clerk’s drive thru window is open”.Stribling continued.

County Complex County Offices:

County Clerk 615-597-5177

Register of Deeds 615-597-4153

Trustee 615-597-5176

Assessor of Property 615-597-5925

Courthouse Offices:

County Mayor 615-597-5175

Circuit Court Clerk 615-597-5711

Clerk and Master 615-597-4360

Election Commission 615-597-4146

Recovery Court 615-215- 8690

“There is a high level of awareness to get this pandemic under control. We must renew our efforts to protect each other through social distancing, sanitation, hygiene, and masks as we all take steps to undo this spike in COVID cases. It is the right thing to do. No one is safe. I cannot stress enough how serious this pandemic is and everyone needs to do their part in helping to limit the spread of this virus,” said County Mayor Stribling

December 15, 2020
By: Leigh Fuson

The COVID-19 Pandemic caused a lot of changes and cancelations for every group and organization this year. This is no different for DeKalb County 4-H. While it has been challenging and discouraging at times, 4-H has continued to be as active as possible with modified programs and activities. One of these programs was the first (and hopefully last!) virtual poultry judging contest.

We had teams compete virtually in both the Central Region and the Tennessee State contests. Cali Agee, Angelique Barrick, Laura Magness, and Luke Magness placed 1st in the junior high division.

Laura was 5th high individual, Angelique 6th, and Luke 10th. Also competing in the junior division were Autumn Crook and Wade Evans. On the state level, the senior high team of Briona Agee, Jenna Cantrell, Summer Crook, and Lydia Davenport placed 4th. Jenna was 5th high individual overall and 3rd in the production category which includes the live bird judging.

During the contest, there are three classes where eggs are graded on quality: candling, broken out, and exterior. A class of four, live White Leghorn hens is judged on their egg laying ability. Finally, meat parts are identified and carcasses are graded in the ready-to-cook poultry classes. This year, high quality pictures and videos were used to judge from the computer.

Although a virtual contest isn’t ideal, we are thankful to our regional and state staff for the opportunity to compete, learn, and develop teamwork. We are proud of these 4-H members for their hard work and determination during this competition!

If you are interested in poultry judging or any other 4-H activity, please call 615-597-4945. 4-H is a proud part of UT Extension, the UT Institute of Agriculture, and TSU Cooperative Extension. UT-TSU Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment through the cooperation of county, state, and federal governments.

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