News
DeKalb Fire Dept reminds you to change your clock and change your smoke alarm battery this weekend
November 1, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 3 and while you are changing your clocks, the DeKalb County Fire Department wants to remind you to change your batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms also. The message is simple and it’s easy to do. Please take a few minutes to make sure life-saving alarms have fresh batteries so you, your family, and your home are protected.
The DeKalb County Fire Department reminds DeKalb County residents that after batteries are changed in alarms, take a few extra minutes to test your alarms and remind family, friends, and neighbors to do the same. Not all smoke alarms have batteries that have to be replaced each year. Some newer model alarms have batteries that last up to 10 years. However, it is still very important to test and clean your alarms. You can clean and maintain them simply by using compressed air to remove dust residue that accumulates on alarms that can cause the alarm’s sensor to not operate properly.
Eighty percent of child fire fatalities occur in homes without working smoke alarms. It’s a tragic statistic that can be prevented. Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, testing those alarms, and reminding others to do the same are some of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. “The vast majority of our house fires happen between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most families are sleeping,” said Lt. Andrew Harvey. “Smoke alarm installation and maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. Children and senior citizens are most at risk, and a working smoke alarm can give them the extra seconds they need to get out safely.”
“A working smoke detector doubles your chance of surviving a home fire. So, why would you not want you and your family to have this protection?” For more information about fire safety, visit the DeKalb County Fire Department’s FaceBook Group page or the department’s website at www.dekalbfire.com.
If you need smoke alarms installed in your home, the DeKalb County Fire Department will provide and install them for free. Call Lt. Harvey at 615-569-2372 to schedule your free delivery and installation.
Chamber of Commerce Announces Smithville Boo Bash Winners
November 1, 2024
By:
The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Smithville Boo Bash Costume and Decoration Contest! This beloved annual event celebrates the creativity and community camaraderie that make Smithville special. Businesses and offices came together to showcase their talents, transforming their spaces and dressing up to make this year’s Boo Bash another unforgettable Halloween celebration.
“We extend our gratitude to all the businesses and offices that participated and special recognition to this year’s Boo Bash coordinators – employees of Smithville City Hall,” said Chamber Director Suzanne Williams.
The scoring was close, but after all the votes were counted, the winners for the “2024 Boo Bash Best Costumes and Best Decorations” categories are as follows:
Overall 1st Place
Smithville City Hall
Theme: “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!”
Best Costumes
2nd Place: Mallory Pfingstler State Farm Insurance
Theme: “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”
3rd Place: South Paw Bed & Bath
Theme: “101 Dalmatians”
Best Decorations
2nd Place: RealSource Title Insurance & Real Estate Closings
Theme: “Beetlejuice”
3rd Place: Office of the DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk
Theme: “Nemo”
Honorable Mentions: U.T. Extension’s “Scream,” DeKalb Prevention Coalition’s “Don’t Get Caught Up in the Wicked Web of Drugs,” Justin Potter Library’s “The Moths,” and Attorney Mingy K. Ball’s “Team Trump/Vance.” All of the booths were amazing.
Thank you to everyone who made the 2024 Smithville Boo Bash a wonderful celebration of our community spirit. We look forward to more spooky fun next year!
Tigers Finish Season at 6-4 with Loss to Undefeated Upperman
November 1, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
The Upperman Bees completed an undefeated regular season Thursday night beating the DeKalb County Tigers 44-14 in Smithville.
The Class 4A #1-ranked Bees who had already clinched the Region 4-4A regular season championship last week will enter the state play-offs next week at 10-0. The Tigers’ season comes to a close with a record of 6-4 and a fifth-place finish in the region at 2-4.
The Bees delivered the first punch with 7:14 left in the 1st period on a 5-yard touchdown run by Eathan Palk, completing an 80-yard drive. QB Bronzdon Chaffin scored on the 2-point conversion run and Upperman led 8-0.
The visitors extended their lead with 1:32 left in the 1st period on a 3-yard touchdown run by Bronzdon Chaffin on a QB keeper capping a 55-yard drive. Kicker Austin Roberts tacked on the extra point and the Bees went up 15-0.
Upperman added another score with 7:36 left in the 2nd period on a 4-yard touchdown run by Ethan Palk completing a 75-yard drive. Roberts converted the PAT and Upperman led 22-0.
With 3:21 left until halftime, the Bees built a 30-0 advantage on an 11-yard touchdown run by Ethan Palk capping aan 85 yard drive coupled with a Palk 2-point conversion.
DeKalb County got on the board as the first half ended on a 12-yard touchdown pass from QB Jordan Parker to Ryan Lyons. Kicker Kaleb Gomez came on for the extra point and the score was 30-7 in favor of Upperman.
Eathan Palk scored his fourth touchdown of the night for the Bees on a 63-yard run with 6:06 left in the 3rd period capping an 80-yard drive. Roberts kicked through the extra point and Upperman was in command 37-7.
The Bees’ final touchdown of the game came on a one-yard run by Carmine Phillips with 3:34 left in the 3rd period. Roberts booted the extra point for a 44-7 Upperman lead.
The Tigers’ last touchdown of the night and for the season came with 2:03 left in the 4th period on a 4-yard run by QB Jordan Parker. Gomez added the extra point and Upperman went on to claim a 44-14 victory.
