Inspectors of the Tennessee Highway Patrol visited the DeKalb County School Bus Garage Monday to conduct an unannounced spot check of buses in the fleet.

Ten percent of the system’s buses were randomly inspected by State Troopers Darryl Winningham and Craig Wilkerson to ensure that they are being properly maintained. All passed inspection. An annual inspection is done for three days in January but unannounced spot checks, such as the one Monday, are conducted during the year.

The DeKalb County School System has 36 buses including 4 substitute buses.

“We do a complete level one inspection on the buses. We go from the bottom to the top and inside, outside but the biggest thing we’re looking at is the tires to make sure they have proper air inflation and for tread depth wear. We look at the steering boxes. We make sure there’s nothing wrong with the tie rods and ball joints. We check the exhaust system for leaks. We also check the lighting system and anything that has to deal with the stop signs for when the children are unloading and loading to see that they are working properly,” Trooper Wilkerson said

Jimmy Sprague, Transportation Supervisor for the DeKalb County School System said he is pleased with the results of the inspection and gave credit to the bus drivers and mechanics Michael Agee and Justin Coats.

The DeKalb County Fair is bringing back one of its most popular attractions.

The Demolition Derby will be Tuesday night, July 17 at 7 p.m. at the T.C. McMillen Arena.

“This is probably the biggest attraction we have this year. I have more people asking questions and talking about it more than anything else we have this year,” said Jeff McMillen, member of the Fair Board.

According to McMillen, the Derby will feature three classes paying out more than $4,000.

“We have three classes, a stock V8 1980 and up class . We have a Ford six cylinder stock front wheel drive class and we have a mini-van/ small truck class. If anyone is interested you can find a set of rules on our website at www.dekalbcountyfairtn.com.,” said McMillen

“This year’s demolition derby is an event where people can actually fix a car and not have a lot of money in them to enter. We have a new guy doing our derby this year, Tim Burton from the Baxter area. He does the Smith County Fair, White County Fair, and a lot of other fairs around and helps them. He is a good guy,” added McMillen.

The Fair begins its annual weeklong run Monday, July 16 through Saturday, July 21 in Alexandria.

Other events during the week at the T.C. McMillen arena include the Bullwhip Rodeo on Monday night, July 16 at 7:30 p.m.; ATV and Motorcycle Racing on Wednesday and Thursday, July 18 & 19 at 7 p.m. each night; and Antique Tractor Pull on Friday night, July 20 at 7 p.m.; and a Super Tractor and Truck Pull on Saturday, July 21 at 7 p.m.

Cash drawings will be held each night at 9:30 p.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion.

Programs scheduled at the Lion’s Club Pavilion during the week include:

*Junior Fair Princess Pageant Monday night, July 16 at 6 p.m. followed by the Fairest of the Fair pageant and the first round of the Lip Sync battle.

*Little Mister and Miss pageants on Tuesday night, July 17 starting at 6 p.m.

*Little Miss Princess pageant on Wednesday, July 18 at 6 p.m. followed by the Miss Sweetheart pageant

*Senior Day Activities on Thursday, July 19 at 9 a.m.

*Baby Show on Thursday, July 19 at 6 p.m. followed by Vintage Variety Show

*Toddler Show on Friday, July 20 at 6 p.m. followed by the Lip Sync Battle Finale

*Gospel Singing on Saturday, July 21 at 6 p.m.

Events at the Grandstands or Tot Kelly Barn:

*Cattle Show on Monday, July 16 at 6 p.m.

*Poultry Show on Tuesday, July 17 at 6 p.m.

*Corn Hole Tournament on Tuesday, July 17 at 7 p.m.

*Kiddie Tractor Pull on Wednesday, July 18 at 7 p.m.

*Junior Goat Show on Thursday, July 19 at 6 p.m.

*Horseshoe Tournament on Saturday, July 21 at noon

Memory Lane Stage Events:

*Sassy Smithville Stompers on Monday, July 16 at 6:30 p.m. followed by Bryan Keith at 7:45 p.m.

*The Back Porch Pickers on Tuesday, July 17 at 6:30 p.m.

*Youth Alive presented by the Smithville Assembly of God on Wednesday, July 18 at 7 p.m.

*Glenn Carpenter on Thursday, July 19 at 6:30 p.m. followed by Terri Lynn Weaver at 7:45 p.m.

* Elvis impersonator on Friday, July 20 at 6:30 p.m. followed by Dessa Ray at 7:45 p.m.

*Donny Barthelemy on Saturday, July 21 at 6:30 p.m. followed by Jesse Claxton at 7:45 p.m.

For more details about the fair visit www.dekalbcountyfairtn.com.