Fire at Liberty Machine Shop Causes Significant Damage

June 30, 2024
By:

A Friday night fire rendered significant damage to a Liberty industry.

DeKalb County Volunteer Firefighters were summoned to an industrial structure fire at the Liberty Machine Shop on East Main Street at 9:35 p.m.

“A neighbor spotted fire coming from the roof and called DeKalb 911,” said DeKalb Fire Chief Donny Green.

“The Liberty, Temperance Hall, Main, and Cookeville Highway stations had a quick response and found heavy fire and smoke coming from the front of the building near the roof line. Firefighters made an aggressive interior attack and were able to quickly contain the fire. However, due to the building age and type of construction, firefighters were required to perform extensive overhaul operations to extinguish fire extensions between the tongue and groove ceiling, dense insulation, and the metal roof. After an extended operation, firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, ventilate the building, and perform salvage operations to help protect machinery and other property inside the facility,” said Chief Green

“Due to the extended period of operation and physical demands on firefighters, mutual aid was requested from the Alexandria Fire Department and Smithville Fire Department to provide more fire personnel. Approximately 40 firefighters were on the scene,” Chief Green explained.

Others providing assistance were the DeKalb County Emergency Medical Services, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, DeKalb County Fire Department’s Rehabilitation Unit, Caney Fork Electric Company, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, and several members of the public who provided drinking water to firefighters.

“The building received significant fire damage to the front interior portion where the blaze originated in the ceiling area. Other portions of the facility received moderate smoke and water damage,” said Chief Green.
No one was present at the facility when the fire was reported and there were no injuries during the incident. The cause of the fire is currently undetermined.

County firefighters were called upon again on Saturday in a separate structure fire at 2:35 p.m. on Obie Adcock Road in the Belk Community.

“Upon arrival heavy smoke was showing from all sides of the structure,” said Chief Green. “Firefighters made entry and extinguished the fire quickly. With the quick attack, firefighters were able to contain the fire to one room,” he added.

On the scene were members of the DeKalb County Fire Department’s Belk, Keltonburg, and Short Mountain stations, Tanker 2, Rehab, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department , and DeKalb County Emergency Medical Services.

June 29, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Twenty-nine toddlers from ages 13 to 47 months were featured Friday evening during the annual Toddler Show at the DeKalb County Fair.

First place winners received a blue ribbon. Red ribbons went to those receiving second place.

This year’s recipients are as follows:

DeKalb Fair Toddler Show-Twins (13 to 47 months)
Winners: Mariella Louise and Lorelai Renea Dyer, 29-month-old twins of Brandon and Mandee Dyer of Liberty

DeKalb Fair Toddler Show-Boys (13 to 18 months)
Winner: Kohen “Briggs” Garrett, 13-month-old son of Ryan and Erica Garrett of Liberty
Runner-up: Paxton Lee Dawson, 15-month-old son of Pamela and David Dawson of Smithville

DeKalb Fair Toddler Show-Girls (13 to 18 months)
Winner: Indy Hart Williams, 16-month-old daughter of Brian and Stephanie Williams of Smithville
Runner-up: Emerson Grace Orchard, 15-month-old daughter of Donny and Elisha Orchard of Smithville
Other participants: Corie Smith, daughter of Jesse and Chloe Smith of Smithville, Parker Kayte Harvey, 17-month-old daughter of Chad and Kayla Harvey of Alexandria; Raelynn Goodwin, 13-month-old daughter of Dakota and Kyra Goodwin of Alexandria, Berkley Era Lee Pettit, 15-month-old daughter of Zach and Taya Pettit of DeKalb County, and Nora Drew Dedmon, 16-month-old daughter of Brey and Samantha Dedmon of Dowelltown.

DeKalb Fair Toddler Show- Boys (19 to 24 months)
Winner: Jonathan “James” Griffin, 20-month-old son of Luke and Casey Griffin of Alexandria
Runner-up: Kingston Vincent, 20-month-old son of Seth and Kayla Vincent of Smithville

DeKalb Fair Toddler Show-Girls (19 to 24 months)
Winner: Callie Blake Roller, 21-month-old daughter of George and Abbey Roller of Smithville
Runner-up: Oaklynn Coronado, 20-month-old daughter of Kaia and Diego Coronado of Smithville

DeKalb Fair Toddler Show-Boy (25 to 30 months)
Winner: Vander Phillips White, 26-month-old son of Phillip and Brittany White of Liberty

DeKalb Fair Toddler Show-Girls (25 to 30 months)
Winner: Enleigh Brooke Phillips, 28-month-old daughter of Kyle and Makenzie Phillips of Dowelltown
Runner-up: Davina Skye Baldwin, 28-month-old daughter of Jessica Ray and Aulbury Baldwin of Alexandria

DeKalb Fair Toddler Show-Boy (31 to 36 months)
Winner: Bentley Farris, 32-month-old son of Madison Gossard and Bryson Farris of Smithville

DeKalb Fair Toddler Show -Girls (31 to 36 months)
Winner: Elsie Pearl Paschal, 33-month-old daughter of Justin and Makagan Paschal of Alexandria
Runner-up: Everleigh Hope Wright, 34-month-old daughter of Nick and Mikayla Wright of Smithville
Other participants: Maelei Gail Dawson, 33-month-old daughter of Pamela and David Dawson of Smithville, and Sydney Ann Barrett, 32-month-old daughter of Stephen and Vickey Barrett of Dowelltown

DeKalb Fair Toddler Show -Girls (37 to 47 months)
Winner: Khloe Raye Curtis, 47-month-old daughter of Brooke Hutchings of DeKalb County
Runner-up: Emma Chapman, 45-month-old daughter of Jocelyn and Corey Chapman of Dowelltown
Other participants: Charlotte Moore, 37-month-old daughter of Jacob and Megan Moore of DeKalb County. Renley Kayte Roberts, 39-month-old daughter of Jordan and Dalton Roberts of Smithville, Everleigh Jade Blackford, 37-month-old daughter of Bobby and Nichole Blackford of Smithville, and Madeline Martin, 40-month-old daughter of Hassie and Elijah Martin of Smithville.

The DeKalb County Fair line up of events and attractions for the last day is as follows:

Saturday, June 29:
Square Dancing (Smithville Select, Caney Fork Circle Eight, DeKalb Dancing Delights, and Center Hill Hoedown Square Dancers – Lions Club Pavilion-6:00 p.m.
Harvest Moon –Lions Club Pavilion- 7:00 pm
Pet Show- Ag Center – 6:00 p.m.
Demolition Derby- TC McMillen Arena – 7:00 p.m.
Cash Drawing- Lions Pavilion – 9:30 p.m.
Homemade Ice Cream Contest -Ag Center-6:00 p.m.

June 29, 2024
By:

Each year, visitors from far and near come to the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree with certain expectations in mind. For many decades one of those expectations has been the musician with a feather in his hat, named Rob Pearcy of Smyrna. Whether you see him competing or accompanying fellow musicians, there is a small handful of categories where Rob does not appear.

Rob Pearcy, a seasoned musician and staple of the Jamboree, will once again grace the stage this year. With a repertoire spanning seven different instruments, Pearcy’s talent has left an indelible mark on the Smithville Jamboree Festival. His journey began over four decades ago when he first attended the Jamboree, learning from old-timers under the shade trees. For many of those years, Rob has been known as Contestant #1. The music he absorbed there eventually led him to a career as a music teacher, including stints at Metro Schools and Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music.

Pearcy’s dedication to preserving traditional Appalachian music resonates with the younger generation. His presence at the Jamboree exemplifies the festival’s commitment to passing down musical traditions.

“They learn everything we do, and they improve on it,” Pearcy remarked, acknowledging the importance of continuity. “We’ve got to keep it going.” The Jamboree Committee is proud to announce Rob as this year’s special recognition in the tabloid.

For more information about the Jamboree, visit smithvillejamboree.com, email smithvillejamboree@gmail.com or call 615-597-8500.

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