DeKalb West School student Alex Antoniak took first place at the Tennessee Tech Math Contest. He was one of 107 students who had entered.

Six students from each 6th-8th grade level represented DeKalb West School at last Thursday’s event. In addition to Antoniak, 6th graders Zoi Hale, Blair Gipe, and Jackson Vantrease competed. Students representing DWS from 7th grade were Aly Griffith, Alex Moreno, Madison Martin and Isaac Brown, and from 8th grade were Breanna Cothern, Victoria Rodano, Brayden Antoniak, and Hagen Waggoner. 8th grade teacher Karen France oversaw the DWS students at TTU.

Pictured front row left to right are Zoi Hale, Blair Gipe, Aly Griffith, Alex Moreno, Alex Antoniak, and Jackson Vantrease. Back row left to right are Breanna Cothern, Victoria Rodano, Madison Martin, Isaac Brown, Brayden Antoniak, and Hagen Waggoner.

A Saturday night crash on Highway 56 south injured at least one person and caused a power outage for a large area in the southern portion of the county.

The accident, under investigation by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, occurred near Ferrell Road and Pine Creek Nursery. The vehicle left the highway, overturned, and clipped a utility pole which downed power lines.

Members of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and DeKalb EMS were also on the scene.

No names were available

Smithville First Baptist Church knows all too well that some people may perceive the congregation as a “country club church.” But Pastor Chad Ramsey and the members there want to stamp out that image.

“You know many First Baptist Churches are known to have a Country Club mentality,” says Ramsey.

“Honestly, I have visited and worshiped at several churches that actually fit this description. I cannot talk about what Smithville FBC may have been, but the one thing I do know is that the first time I stepped into Smithville FBC it was a loving church that wanted to serve the Lord and others. Smithville FBC is anything but a country club. You can’t judge a book by its cover, and if by chance you have felt this way in the past about Smithville FBC, I challenge you to come, try us out again and see what you think. I am confident you will be surprised about how open we are to all people of all generations.”

One way Smithville F.B.C. is trying to change its image is to put its time, effort, and money where their hearts are.

“We are having a Community Day on April 21 where we are inviting the whole community to a FREE yard sale, FREE car wash, FREE health screening (provided by the DeKalb County Health Dept.), and a FREE oil change for single moms, widows, and senior adults,” says Ramsey. “Everything is FREE. We don’t want to make a dime, and we are not taking donations. We are here to love God and love others.”

The oil changes will be at NAPA Auto Parts, located at 539 West Broad Street. If possible, call the church office at 615-597-4275 to set up an appointment. All the other events will be at the church’s Life Enrichment Building, 101 West Church Street. All the events begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 1 p.m.

“We want to show the community how much we love God, and we want to share that love with others.”

Pastor Ramsey says a church is more than a place to gather on Sunday morning to worship God. It’s a haven for the homeless, a hospital for sick sinners, and a refuge for those who need to feel the love of a merciful God. Smithville F-B-C is putting those words into action with the first of a series of community outreach programs. They invite you to come and be a part of this Community Day on April 21 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.