Panic-Buying Creates Gas Shortage in the Smithville Area

May 12, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Consumers made a mad dash for the pumps Tuesday and the panic buying has caused many convenience markets in the Smithville area to temporarily run out of gasoline.

Gas lines began forming during the day and even late into the night as consumers, including local emergency services, scrambled to refill tanks

Several businesses were still out of fuel this morning (Wednesday) but most are expecting new shipments of gas sometime today or tomorrow.

Consumers apparently became concerned after learning through news reports that the nation’s biggest fuel pipeline had halted operations due to a cyberattack. The pipeline serves 45% of all fuel consumed on the East Coast.

Federal officials say gasoline consumers should remain calm and only buy what they need, assuring the public the pipeline will be back and running at full capacity soon.

May 11, 2021
By:

The Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree & Crafts Festival is ramping up for this year’s LIVE event coming July 2-3, 2021 to the courthouse square in Smithville, TN. This year’s festival will be celebrating 50 years of the Jamboree with a special line-up of entertainment and nostalgia for attendees, along with a newly constructed main stage, and secondary performance stage.

“For the 50th Anniversary Celebration, we wanted it to be extra special for everyone attending. For us, it’s like a giant family reunion as we plan to bring back former champions, past hosts, and lots of historical moments thrown into this year’s schedule of events,” said Sam Stout – President and Coordinator of the Jamboree, “We have comprised a special committee dedicated to the planning of our 50th year, and we look forward to all of the special moments celebrating our long-running history, along with a commemorative knife and book available in very limited quantities.”

Former hosts of the Jamboree have been invited to come and participate once more in the on-stage festivities: Ralph Vaughn, Charlie Thompson, Billy Lee Austin, Andy Johnston, Oscar Boyd, Louise Williams-Owen, Gayla Hendrix, and a memorial moment for those passed: Tom Perryman, T. Tommy Cutrer, Charles Gentry, and Tim Woodward. Current hosts Tom Duggin and Alex Woodward will emcee the LIVE televised broadcast, with cameo support from this talented cast of supporting hosts.

For musicians competing in this year’s event, the prize money has been raised to $15,000 with a donation from the James G. Bobo Driver Family, making the Berry C. Williams Award prize money at $875, and the Bobo Driver Award raised to $775. “It is our hope that with the elevation of cash prizes, we can entice even more musicians to compete for the 50th Celebration.” said Kim Driver Luton – spokesperson for the James G. Bobo Driver Family. “At the heart of the Jamboree, it has always been about celebrating the music and contestants, and we are so proud of our family’s heritage in continuing the James G. Bobo Driver National Championship for Country Musician Beginners for fifty years and counting.”

“In addition to all of these great new changes added to this year’s Jamboree, we will also have more prize money for Craft Booth Competitors for 2021. There will be a $150 Cash Prize for Best of Show, and $50 each for Best Display/Best Appalachian Craft/Best Newcomer,” said Olivia Southard – Crafts Director for the Jamboree.

The Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival welcomes the community to come out and support the 50th Anniversary Jamboree on July 2nd and 3rd, with many surprises in store including a special Saturday concert by this year’s Blue Blaze Award Winner (to be announced at a later date), new craft booths, and a NEW second performance stage. You don’t want to miss this great moment in our county’s history, so bring your smiles…and the Jamboree will provide the fun! For more information on the 50th Annual Jamboree, go to: www.smithvillejamboree.com or follow their FaceBook page.

May 11, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A commercial tractor-trailer truck driver was killed in a crash on Interstate 40 at Silver Point Monday afternoon.

Dead is 52 year old Billy E. Holcomb of Soddy Daisy.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Holcomb was traveling east in the right lane on I-40 in a 2020 Freightliner Cascadia at around 3 p.m. when the truck went off the right side of the roadway and continued east before hitting the Highway 56 bridge underpass near the mile marker 273 exit. The truck then came to a final rest at impact and caught fire.

Holcomb was wearing his seatbelt.

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