Johnny Ball is new Smithville Rotary President

August 16, 2019
By:

Congratulations to the new 2019-2020 Smithville Rotary Club President, Johnny Ball. Johnny is a Registered Nurse at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital where he is the Lead of Surgical Services. The Rotary Year runs from July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020. Executive Committee members include Secretary Chris Griffith, Treasurer Brenda Cantrell, and President-Elect (2020-2021) Kristie Driver.

“I am honored to be elected President of the Smithville Rotary Club,” said Ball. “Our Club has a rich history of service in the DeKalb County Community, from providing scholarships to graduating DCHS Seniors to delivering food to families during Christmas. I look forward to continuing this service, and finding additional ways that Rotary can help our community. We are also looking to add new members so if you are interested in joining, please contact me.”

Pictured in the attached photo is new Smithville Rotary Club President Johnny Ball (left) taking the oath of office from Past-President Clint Hall (right). For more information about the Smithville Rotary Club, visit our Facebook Page at Smithville Rotary Club of Tennessee-District 6780.

August 15, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

An 11-month-old at the center of an endangered child alert in DeKalb County was located  safe today (Thursday) at a residence in Warren County.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said Legend Creed Soales was found at a home on Tobitt Road in Warren County after the child’s father, Shawn Soales told officers where the baby had been taken.

The child is now in the custody of the Department of Children Services.

Sheriff Ray said the incident began Wednesday at 4:45 p.m. when DCS requested assistance from the Sheriff’s Department in locating the baby.

“We went to a residence on Blue Springs Road and found that Shawn Soales had left there with the child earlier in a black Dodge pickup truck. We issued a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) to law enforcement officers in surrounding counties and specifically requested that McMinnville City Police and the Warren County Sheriff’s Department check certain places there but the child could not be located,” said Sheriff Ray.

“Today (Thursday) we issued a child endangerment alert which resulted in tips being called in to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department”.

“At 11:58 a.m. today (Thursday) officers of the Sheriff’s Department returned to the home of Shawn Soales and found him there but the baby was not with Soales. He told the officers that the child was at a residence on Tobitt Road in Warren County. Our officers responded and found the baby at that residence an hour later at 12:57 p.m. The child has been turned over to DCS, who had earlier obtained a court order to take the baby into custody,” Sheriff Ray continued.

“We are now in discussions with the District Attorney General’s Office to determine if any criminal charges are to be filed in the case,” he added.

“I want to thank everyone for their help including the tips we received in this case,” Sheriff Ray said.

August 15, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Another local church has reached a landmark year in its history

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY (pdf)

The Smithville First Baptist Church will be celebrating 175 years this Sunday, August 18. The congregation will meet in the sanctuary at 9:00 a.m. for a time of reflection followed by the worship service at 10:00 a.m. featuring guest speaker Dr. Jimmy Draper, former President of Lifeway and the Southern Baptist Convention. After the worship service a homecoming meal will be served at the church’s Life Enrichment Center.

“This is big year for SmithvilleFBC. Our church was founded in 1844 and we turn 175 years old this year.   God has truly blessed SmithvilleFBC and we are going to celebrate what God has done and what God is going to do through SmithvilleFBC.  Come Join us this Sunday,” said Chad Ramsey, church pastor.

According to a church history prepared for the 150^th anniversary celebration in 1994, the First Baptist Church of Smithville was organized on August 25, 1844 and met in the Methodist Church building. It is believed that the congregation continued to meet there until 1858. The principal organizer and first minister was Jesse Allen. He served as pastor until his death in 1858. That being the same year the first building was erected. The large frame building was located on the same lot occupied by the present building though it faced south toward town.

John T. Oakley was pastor when construction was completed on a new building in 1902. This new church was a large frame structure painted white, with a tall and impressive steeple in which hung the bell. This church building faced west toward College Street.

The church acquired its first parsonage in June, 1936 when it bought the Jack Allen property on Shady Lane. The first pastor to occupy it was Joe Strother.

In 1952 a groundbreaking service was held for construction of a new church building to face north on Church Street and the first service there took place on April 5 followed by a dedication service on April 26.

Mrs. Bessie Lee Colvert donated a plot of ground on Highway 70 east for the purpose of building a new parsonage in October, 1967. The church accepted this free gift. Ray Ridgeway was the first pastor to reside in the new parsonage.

In November, 1972 plans were made and adopted to build a three story addition to the church and that was completed in August, 1973. A year later, the church voted to purchase property adjacent to the church known as Gothard’s Cleaners to be used for expansion. The building was renovated and has been used for many purposes.

Over the last several years the church has expanded its community outreach services including the addition of the Life Enrichment Center.

“We look forward to the church’s 175^th anniversary celebration Sunday and the many years to come of this church’s ministry,” said Pastor Ramsey.

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