Record Setting Tourism Numbers for DeKalb County

September 13, 2018
By:

Gov. Haslam, TN Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Kevin Triplett and Musician’s Hall of Fame Director Joe Chambers gathered to celebrate the continued success of the Tennessee tourism industry by announcing the 2017 economic impact numbers at Musician’s Hall of Fame and Museum.

Gov. Haslam and Commissioner Triplett announced Tennessee tourism’s direct domestic and international travel expenditures reached a new all-time record high of $20.7 billion in 2017, up 6.3 percent over the previous year, as reported by the U.S. Travel Association. Tourism also generated 184,300 jobs for Tennesseans, a 3.1 percent growth year over year.

DeKalb County experienced a 6.7% increase in tourism dollars for a total of $48.02 million – up from the previous year’s total of $44.99 million. Chamber Director Suzanne Williams had lots to celebrate when she heard the newest tourism numbers as well as receiving the news of a new grant to be used for a Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree Billboard on I-40 and the Smithville Jamboree being included in Phase 1 of the new TDTD Tennessee Music Pathways initiative.  “The economic impact of tourism on DeKalb County is huge. We are so fortunate to have Center Hill Lake, Edgar Evins State Park, Appalachian Center for Craft, and our many diverse businesses that fuel our tourism revenues including our annual events such as the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival, DeKalb County Fair, Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour, and other local music and art events.  Our small-town charm, friendly people, and scenic beauty make DeKalb County a desirable place to live, work, play, and raise a family and all these factors keep our visitors coming back year after year,” says Williams.

“Counties, cities and rural communities work hard to make our state a premier destination, welcoming visitors from around the world,” Haslam said. “Our state’s second biggest industry continues to see outstanding growth, break visitation records, boost Tennessee’s economy and create new jobs. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Tennessee Tourism Committee continue to produce record results that fuel our state’s economy.”

“The authenticity and Southern hospitality from our communities and partners gives visitors an unbeatable experience and inspires them to return,” Commissioner Kevin Triplett said.

Tennessee is among the Top 10 travel destinations in the nation for the 4^th consecutive year. Tennessee is also considered a top retirement destination.

Suzanne Williams will be attending the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association’s Governor’s Conference in September in Kingsport where county-by-county snapshots will be shared.

September 13, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The driver of a stolen van who led Smithville Police on a short pursuit before crashing the vehicle in January was sentenced in DeKalb County Criminal Court Monday

34 year old Michael Brandon Colwell entered a plea to charges of driving under the influence and evading arrest. He received a sentence of six years on the evading charge but was granted TDOC probation after serving 281 days in the DeKalb County Jail. His sentence for the DUI is 11 months and 29 days to serve 48 hours in jail. He was fined $350 and will lose his license. Colwell must also attend an alcohol safety school. The sentences will run concurrently as one six year term and concurrently with a Warren County case against him. He was given jail credit of 251 days.

The incident occurred at around 9:32 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2.

According to the police report and arrest warrant, Sergeant Travis Bryant of the Smithville Police Department attempted to stop a white Nissan Quest van for speeding 53 miles per hour in a 40 miles per hour zone. “I attempted to stop the van for a traffic violation. I did observe the van increase its initial speed after I initiated both lights and sirens on my marked patrol vehicle. The vehicle did not stop and continued to flee until the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed at the intersection of Dearman Street and Bright Hill Road. The driver, Colwell was arrested without incident.

“Colwell was found to be unsteady on his feet and he had slurred speech. Colwell stated he had drank a lot of alcohol. Colwell had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and person. Due to the circumstances of the stop, field sobriety was not administered,” according to the complaint.

During the crash investigation, police learned that the van was stolen.

“Colwell said he took the van without consent or knowledge of the owner. The owner discovered her vehicle missing and notified law enforcement of the theft on January 3 at 9:45 a.m. The van was crashed when Colwell attempted to flee from law enforcement on January 2. The vehicle was recovered with major damage. The value of the van is estimated at $5,000,” according to the complaint

September 13, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

As part of its community outreach, the Smithville Church of God has adopted DeKalb Middle School and hosts regular after school events for those students and others who want to participate.

Students were treated Wednesday afternoon to food, fun and games, inflatables, and a free concert by Christian Rap artist B-Shoc

Pastor Chris Moore said the idea is for the church to be more involved in the community and especially with youth.

“I believe it’s a vital for our churches in the community to reach out as part of community service to take care of our schools and to provide safe, clean, fun environments for them,” Moore.

The church has sponsored after school youth events for several years but expanded its outreach with the adopt a school concept last fall.

“We have hosted after school youth church events for the last eight years. The official adoption we did at the middle school started in the fall. We started out doing some simple projects like landscaping, painting, and providing teachers supplies. We wanted to be a partner with the school. In fact a majority of the students here today (Wednesday) are from the middle school. We bused in around 70 kids this afternoon straight from school to here as part of our after school program. There are other projects we do. Every sporting event they have either me or my youth pastor goes and prays over their events. We are also heavily involved with their Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Every Wednesday we go and help with their music. We just want to be involved. I wish we could do the same for every school,” said Moore.

Students can even earn school credit in some cases for attending an after school event. “Some of the after school programs offer kids credit for attending if they come here. It goes on their record that they attended an after school program,” Moore continued.

The church hosts the after school events twice a year and all the food and fun are provided at no charge.

“It’s completely free. We feed all the kids. We provide transportation if necessary for some of them. There are a lot of games and fun but more than anything we are providing them a good, solid, clean, safe environment. With all the things out there in the world I think it is important that our churches do that. Parents are longing for good places for their kids to go and hang out. We want to be able to make that happen here at this church. You never know how a small thing like this can really impact them and change their lives forever. We always host a big rally at the end of the night. Tonight (Wednesday) we had Christian Rap artist B-Shoc. His real name is Bryan Edmonds. He has an amazing testimony. He travels all across the world doing this. His raps are very easy and very fun. All ages can get involved from 7 to 70 and its all to glorify the name of Jesus Christ which is what we are trying to do,” said Moore.

Bryan Edmonds (aka B-SHOC), was raised in a Christian home in the small town of Toccoa, GA. He gave his life to Jesus at a very young age. B-SHOC spent most of his childhood with a tennis racquet in his hand. He attended Garner Webb University on a tennis scholarship.  At GWU, he was named All American and won a NCCAA College Championship.

His love for music began at the age of 16 when he was introduced to hip hop. It was love at first beat. The beat moved him in a special way, so much that he pursued a music career. After many years in the studio and mastering his talent, the music developed a whole new lifestyle for him, which landed him in the night clubs many nights of the week. As his success grew, and he partook of the lifestyle that came with it, depression set in. Something had to change.

He then understood for certain that nothing in the world would satisfy his heart like Jesus Christ. After leaving the night scene, and a lot prayer, the love for the beat still remained. He began writing and recording music about Jesus and his life using the same style of beat. Knowing this was not popular in churches, and that critics would arise, he was dedicated to do God’s will for his life.

Since then God has opened many doors for B-SHOC, traveling the country, and packing concerts full of energy and excitement for Jesus. Thru his concerts and music, he prays more people come to know Jesus and develop a closer relationship with Him. He gives ALL Glory to God.

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