DCHS Tigers Drop to 0-2 with 27-21 Loss to Upperman

August 27, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The oar will remain in Baxter.

For the fourth straight year the Upperman Bees have won “The Battle of Center Hill” after knocking off the DeKalb County Tigers 27 to 21 in Smithville Thursday night.

The oar, a trophy instituted a few years ago between these two schools, is affectionately nicknamed “The Battle of Center Hill,” because the teams are on opposite sides of Center Hill Lake. The winner of the annual grudge match gets to keep the oar for a year until the next meeting.

The game was moved from Friday to Thursday night due to expected heavy rains and possible lightning moving in from the remnants of Hurricane Laura.

The Bees scored first on a 42 yard touchdown run by Terrance Dedmon with 4:50 left in the 2nd period. Joshua Manis added the extra point to give Upperman a 7-0 lead.

The Tigers answered with 2:09 left in the 2nd period on a 5 yard quarterback keeper by Axel Aldino capping a 47 yard drive. Jasper Kleparek split the uprights for the extra point and the game was tied 7-7 by halftime.

Daniel Metzgar extended the Upperman lead on an 82 yard kickoff return to open the second half. Manis tacked on the extra point and the Bees led 14-7 with 11:40 left in the 3rd period.

Upperman’s Ty Dutchess scored on a 57 yard touchdown run with 8:38 left in the 3rd period. Manis connected on the extra point and the Bees built a 21-7 advantage.

The Tigers cut into the Upperman lead with 6:02 left in the 3rd period on a 10 yard touchdown pass from Aldino to Desmond Nokes. Kleparek added the PAT and DeKalb County trailed 21-14.

Upperman quarterback Thomas Ensor scored on a keeper capping a 56 yard drive with 27 seconds left in the 3rd period. The PAT attempt was blocked but the Bees extended their lead to 27-14.

The Tigers got on the board with 1.5 seconds left in the game on a 10 yard pass from Aldino to Evan Jones for a touchdown. Kleparek tacked on the extra point but DeKalb County fell short losing 27 to 21.

DeKalb County (0-2) will travel to Stone Memorial (1-1) in Crossville for the 1st region game of the season Friday night, September 4. Kick-off is at 7 p.m. WJLE will have LIVE coverage. Upperman improves to 1-1. Stone Memorial opened their season with a 34 to 14 loss to Grace Christian of Knoxville last week but defeated Clay County 32-0 Thursday night.

August 27, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Two local attorneys have submitted resumes to succeed Hilton Conger as Municipal Judge for the City of Smithville.

During Thursday night’s special meeting, Mayor Josh Miller informed the aldermen that Gayla Hendrix and Mingy Bryant-Ball are seeking appointment to the position. The deadline for submitting resumes was Wednesday, August 26.

The aldermen will make their choice at the next special meeting on Friday, September 4 at 5 p.m. at city hall.

Mayor Miller said Hendrix, who is an incumbent alderman, will have to abstain from voting. That leaves the decision to the other aldermen, Shawn Jacobs, Danny Washer, Brandon Cox, and Jessica Higgins.

No one yet knows who will get the appointment but Mayor Miller said if it were to be Hendrix, she would have to resign her position as alderman.

Judge Conger, a veteran of the bench for almost 30 years, announced earlier this week that he would not seek re-appointment to another term. Conger served two terms as an elected judge and seven terms by appointment of the mayor and aldermen.

The Smithville Municipal Court, up until 2002, had the same jurisdiction in city criminal cases as the General Sessions Court, and the City Judge held court several times each month with the City Attorney serving as Prosecutor.

After changes were made in the City Charter, the City Court’s jurisdiction was reduced to mostly minor traffic offenses and city ordinance violations. The court now convenes only once per month.

The charter change also provided that the City Judge no longer be elected by city voters to an eight year term, but that he or she must serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, appointed to a two year term. The salary is $1,000 per month.

In other business, the aldermen voted on first reading to adopt an ordinance to change the zoning classification of the Mark Wallace property on Miller Road from R-1 low density residential to C-1 local commercial. Second and final reading action will be scheduled at the September 4 special meeting of the mayor and aldermen at 5 p.m. at city hall.

The property, formerly known as Mark’s Body Shop, is located adjacent to City owned property where the water tower is located. Although Wallace ran a business for several years on his property, it was not zoned commercial, but residential. The property has now been sold and will be used for other commercial purposes.

Mayor Miller said the Smithville Planning Commission recently voted to recommend that the alderman change the zoning from R-1 to C-1.

The aldermen gave the mayor and city administrator the authority to approve change orders up to $10,000 during construction of the new police department building. Any change order more than $10,000 must be approved by the aldermen. Groundbreaking for the new police department building will follow the September 4 special meeting of the mayor and aldermen starting at 5 p.m. at city hall.

August 27, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Alderman Donnie Crook attended his last meeting as a member of the city council Thursday night.

During a special meeting, Mayor Josh Miller presented Crook a plaque in appreciation for his service to the city as Alderman for the last two years. Crook was unsuccessful in a bid for his first elected term as Alderman in the municipal election earlier this month. Crook was appointed to fill a vacancy on the city board two years ago when then Alderman Josh Miller was elected Mayor. Crook’s term expires August 31. He will be succeeded by Jessica Higgins.

The aldermen-elect, Higgins and longtime incumbents Shawn Jacobs and Danny Washer will be sworn in to begin their new four year terms in a special meeting on Friday, September 4 at 5 p.m. at city hall.

In making the plaque presentation, Mayor Miller paid tribute to Crook.

“Two years ago when I became Mayor, we appointed Mr. Donnie Crook. When I became mayor I had a lot of phone calls from a lot of people wanting me to appoint them to the city council. I had a lot of good qualified people that would have done a great job. Mr. Crook did not call me. I called him. Mr. Crook I appreciate you filling my position. You have done a great job. Thank you for your service. This plaque says ‘Donnie Crook in appreciation for your two years of loyal and dedicated service to the City of Smithville as Alderman’”.

“Thank you I have enjoyed it,” replied Crook.

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