Gov Lee: High school sports can continue, but attendance will be limited

December 30, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Attendance at all high school athletic contests will be dramatically limited until at least January 19 under Governor Bill Lee’s Executive Order #70.

Bernard Childress, Executive Director of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) has announced that effective immediately, “Pep bands, cheerleaders, and dance teams may not attend athletic contests while these restrictions remain in place in accordance with the new Executive Order. The only attendees permitted at practices or games, in addition to the student-athletes on the team, are parents and immediate household members, first responders, coaching and team personnel, athletic officials, media and scouting personnel.”

Childress stressed that social distancing between persons from different households is required.

The DCHS basketball teams will return to action Saturday, January 2 at York Institute in Jamestown. The girls will play at 4 p.m. followed by the boys contest and WJLE’s John Pryor will broadcast LIVE.

The DCHS schedule for next week is as follows:
*Tuesday, January 5: Warren County-Home- 6 p.m.
*Friday, January 8: *Cannon County-Away- 6 p.m.
*Saturday, January 9: ^Sequatchie County-Away- 6 p.m.

The Governor has issued Executive Order No. 70, effective immediately and remaining in effect through January 19, 2021. Because of the significant increase in the incidence of COVID-19 infections in Tennessee, additional restrictions on who may attend interscholastic athletic practices and contests will be in place.

Unfortunately, large scale attendance by spectators and students must be curtailed. Doing so means that bands, pep bands, cheerleaders, and dance teams may not attend athletic contests while these restrictions remain in place. In accordance with the new Executive Order, the only attendees permitted at practices or games, in addition to the student-athletes on the team, are:

1.Players’ parents or guardians and immediate household members;
2.First Responders;
3.Coaching and team personnel;
4.School, game, and facility administrators;
5.Athletics officials; and
6.Media and athletic scouting personnel attending the event in their professional capacity.

Social distancing between persons from different households is required. While the Executive Order does not mandate the use of masks, the Governor has encouraged masks, and the TSSAA COVID-19 Sports Regulations provision regarding the use of masks remains.

These are minimum restrictions. Depending on particular school, facility, or community circumstances, school officials may require additional limitations on attendance.

The Governor’s office conferred with TSSAA about these restrictions. TSSAA concurs with Governor’s office that these restrictions represent the best means for us to continue providing interscholastic athletic participation opportunities to our student-athletes while also doing our part to curb the spread of the virus. “We remain hopeful that we will soon begin to see a decline in the instances of infection and that our schools will soon be able to return to more normal operation of their athletic competition,” added Childress.

December 30, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Now hear this!

The City of Smithville now has sirens installed at three specific locations to alert the community in the event of a tornado threat and a test of those sirens was conducted today (Wednesday, December 30).

The video below shows the test of the siren on Miller Road.

A test of Smithville’s new tornado alert siren on Miller Road Wednesday from dwayne page on Vimeo.

In June Smithville Aldermen awarded a bid to Capitol Electronics for a Federal Signal alert system. The cost was $71,497. One time state grant funds to the city covered the purchase.

Smithville Fire Chief and DeKalb Emergency Management Agency Director Charlie Parker said installers for the company have been in town this week placing sirens on poles at the city’s water tank near the high school on Highway 70 and near the city’s water tank on Miller Road. The existing siren on top of city hall has also been wired into the alert system. More sirens could be added later if needed.

“We probably need to clarify that DeKalb 911 will not be activating the tornado sirens. The equipment is residing at DeKalb 911 but we have nothing to do with its activation. The system is supposed to activate when a warning is issued by the national weather service. Our only obligation is to provide space and a means of accessing our radio network. The system is self sufficient and requires no intervention by DeKalb 911 staff. I think it is important for the general public to know that we are not responsible for the tornado sirens bought and purchased by the City of Smithville,” said Brad Mullinax, DeKalb E911 Director

December 30, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Due to an outbreak of COVID-19 among members of the office staff, the Smithville City Hall building is closed to the public until further notice however all city services including water and sewer, garbage pickup, police and fire protection, etc will continue as normal.

Customers may drop off payments or other correspondence in the dropbox located near the drive through window.

If you need immediate attention please call and leave a message. For a water and sewer emergency call 615-597-4745 extension 1. Someone will return your call. As always someone is on duty at the police department to take your calls at 615-597-8210 extension 1.

Mayor Josh Miller said he apologizes for any inconvenience.

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