Prayer at School! (View video here)

August 2, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Prayer at School!

Members of the community concerned about the school system answered the call to pray Sunday afternoon during what has become an annual event prior to the start of school.

Like last year, this year’s prayer time called ” Back to School-Call to Prayer” was held in smaller groups at each individual school instead of a central location as in previous years.

Local ministers led the gatherings at DCHS, DeKalb Middle School, DeKalb West School, Northside Elementary, and Smithville Elementary School in offering prayers for each school as well as the school transportation staff, athletic activities and band program, law enforcement agencies, and the school board.

Chris Moore, Minister at the Smithville Church of God, led the prayers at DeKalb Middle School Sunday.

“This is such a wonderful community event to give everyone a chance to come out to pray over our schools. It shows support for the school system but for our faculty and the children as well. I’m not here just as a minister but also as a parent because I want my children to have a great and safe place to come and learn. I also want to pray for our teachers and support staff to look after the well-being of our kids. It is very important and for those who could not attend this event I ask you to stop daily and say a prayer for all of our teachers and faculty in DeKalb County who are working so well with our kids,” said Moore.

August 2, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A Longtime local physician has passed away

Dr. J.C. Wall age 66 of Smithville, passed away Saturday night July 31, 2021 at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville.

He was born June 13, 1955 to his parents, the late James Clinton and Maureen Redmon Wall, Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, John Robert and June Nixon.

Dr. Wall was a local physician for 40 years, DeKalb County Medical Examiner, and on the Medical Staff of St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital. He was also a farmer, a director on DeKalb Farmer’s CO-OP board of directors, member of the Cattlemen’s Association and loved John Deere tractors.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 32 years, Sandra Wall of Smithville; sister-in-law, Gwen (Harrell) Tolbert of Smithville; niece, Tara (Steve) Crook of Liberty; great-nephew, Nixon James Crook of Liberty and several cousins.

Graveside Service and Entombment will be at 4 PM Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at DeKalb Memorial Gardens with Bro. Michael Hale officiating. There will not be any visitation or services at the funeral home. Family and friends will meet at the cemetery for the 4 PM Service. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

August 1, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

City of Smithville employees are getting a bonus thanks to state COVID relief grant funds.

During Thursday night’s special called meeting, the Smithville Aldermen voted to use a majority of the available $68,000 in grant funding already received for payment of $1,000 in bonuses to each of the city’s full time employees. One part time employee will get a $500 bonus. These employees qualify for the bonuses under the state’s COVID 19 grant funding guidelines as essential workers. The total amount of the bonuses comes to $49,000 including $35,000 for the general fund and $14,000 for the water and sewer fund.

“The City of Smithville just received $68,000 from state Covid money and last month you (aldermen) voted to give our essential employees a bonus (from this money). Anytime I can brag on our employees I want to. They do a good job and I appreciate their service. During Covid they showed up and worked and I am proud of them. I would like to ask that you (aldermen) to put these bonuses in their hands next week out of that state Covid money,” said Mayor Josh Miller.

The vote was 5-0 in favor.

The aldermen also voted to spend $8,500 of the state Covid grant funds to equip a pickup truck being purchased from capital outlay for the fire department. Fire Chief Charlie Parker made the request saying the truck will be used as a command vehicle and for training purposes. It needs to be equipped with lights, siren, and a radio, etc.

Meanwhile the city will also be receiving $1.3 million in grant funds over the next two years under the Federal American Rescue Plan but the money can only be spent according to federal guidelines. At least half of it will be used to replace deteriorating sewer lines.

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