Dead fish found in Hickman Creek near Alexandria prompts investigation by environment officials

August 10, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

There might be something fishy in Hickman Creek near Alexandria and federal and state environmental officials want to find out what it is.

An unknown substance in the creek is believed to have resulted in several dead fish.

Until further notice, officials are urging citizens along the Hickman Creek area from Alexandria downstream into Smith County to avoid fishing, drinking, playing or swimming in the creek.

According to a brief press release from Charlie Parker, Director of the DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency, “an unknown substance has been detected in Hickman Creek which has led to several dead fish”

“Authorities from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Tennessee Department of Environmental and Conservation, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, DeKalb County Emergency Management, and the Town of Alexandria are currently working to resolve this situation,” said Parker.

August 9, 2021
By:

Nearly 300 children in need throughout Tennessee and Alabama have brand new backpacks filled with the supplies they need for a successful school year. RealSource Title Insurance & Real Estate Closings in Smithville partnered with its corporate office to collect school supplies and donations.

Doris Phillips, founder/president of RealSource, created The Circle of Love Foundation in 2004 to make sure children in need had the things they needed in time for the school year. “We are delighted to provide 72 backpacks filled with the school supplies to help these children find the path to success,” said Phillips. Smithville Elementary, Northside Elementary, and DeKalb West Elementary are each receiving 24 backpacks to share with children in need. “I would like to thank Katie Harris, Loni Easterwood, and Kendra Arnold for leading our drive in Tennessee to help local children.” At the RealSource office in Smithville, Harris is the office manager, Easterwood is the closing specialist, and Arnold is the support specialist.

RealSource is a title insurance and real estate closing company serving Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Michigan, and Tennessee. The Smithville RealSource office opened in October 2020 in the heart of downtown at 404 W. Public Square.

Finding Solutions, Creating Opportunities

Growing up in poverty in Alabama, Phillips she cut grass to help feed her siblings at age 9. As a single mom at 16, she worked multiple jobs to feed her child. Education was not an option. Fast-forward years later, Doris learned from the school of hard knocks and is a professional success in the real estate industry. She is committed to providing children in need with the basic school supplies to be successful. Doris knows the deep pain of being forgotten and is committed to keeping it from happening to other children.

The Circle of Love Foundation has touched more than 7,000 children in five shelters in Alabama who would have otherwise gone without gifts on Christmas morning or the most basic school supplies like pencils and paper. The organization has raised more than $825,000 in gifts and supplies.

“Last year we provided backpacks for 53 children in Alabama,” said Phillips. “This year, we helped nearly 300 to children in Tennessee and Alabama. As our business grows in Tennessee, so does our philanthropy,” she said. “Being a good corporate citizen in Smithville is very important to us,” said Phillips. “Now that the back-to-school drive has been completed, we will start working on plans to provide Christmas magic for Smithville area children.”

For more information and donation options, visit www.thecircleoflove.org. All of the money collected is used to purchase items for children in need.

August 7, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Motorists who live and work on Allen’s Chapel Road will have to take a detour for a few days starting Monday, August 16.

The City of Smithville will be replacing existing metal tiles with new concrete tiles across Allen’s Chapel Road near the intersection with Highway 56 (Cookeville Highway). According to Kevin Robinson, the city’s public works director, the project may take up to two weeks.

Those who access Allen’s Chapel Road from Cookeville Highway to get home or to work at the industrial park will need to take an alternate route, possibly via Big Hurricane Road over to Allen Street and then back to Allen’s Chapel Road until the project is completed.

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