News
DeKalb School Nutrition Department to Offer Mobile Free Lunches in July
June 23, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb County School Nutrition Department will be conducting a mobile Free Lunch summer route July 8-26.
The meals will be provided to all children ages 18 and younger without charge regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, etc. No sign up or documentation required.
“We are targeting areas with a high concentration of children and will be delivering lunches to those areas Monday-Friday. The meals are free to anyone 18 and under and are funded through the Department of Human Services “Summer Food Service Program”. We hope to feed a lot of children on our route. We are starting small this year, but hope to build on the route in years to come,” said Amy Lattimore, DeKalb School Nutrition Supervisor.
Stops on the mobile summer feeding route are:
*Bell Street Apartments, 318 Bell Street Smithville from 11 until 11:20 a.m.
*Brookview Apartments, 740 Walker Drive Smithville from 11:30 a.m. until 11:50 a.m.
*Smithville Housing Authority, 626 Highland Drive Smithville from 12 noon until 12:20 p.m.
*Short Mountain Village, 301 Christine Street Smithville from 12:30 p.m. until 12:50 p.m.
*Smithville Housing Authority, 421 Morgan Drive, Smithville from 1:00 p.m. until 1:20 p.m.
*Evans Manor Apartments, 484 Foster Road, Smithville from 1:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.
For more information call 615-215-2104
Abigail Hope Taylor Captures Miss Jamboree Title (Ages 17-20)
June 23, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
Abigail Hope Taylor was crowned Miss Jamboree in the age 17-20 category Saturday at the county complex auditorium.
Taylor, the 18 year old daughter of Ken and Cindy Taylor of Smithville, was also awarded for Prettiest Attire. She succeeds last year’s winner Destiny Danielle Franklin, the 20 year old daughter of Jennifer and Charlie Ware of Smithville.
The runner-up is Caitlin Elizabeth Bennett, 17 year old daughter of Gene and Dava Bennett of Dowelltown. Bennett was also awarded for Most Photogenic and Prettiest Eyes and Hair.
The annual pageant is sponsored by the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club.
Meanwhile, in the category for girls ages 14 to 16, the winner is Kenlee Renae Taylor of Smithville, the 14 year old daughter of Ken and Cindy Taylor. She was also named Most Photogenic.
Runners-Up in this category were as follows:
1st- Arista Isabella Rigsby of Lebanon, the 14 year old daughter of David and Tyroma Rigsby
2nd- Mattie Isabelle Ray of Alexandria, the 16 year old daughter of Shayne and Kandi Ray
3rd- Monica Mashay Carlton of Smithville, 16 year old daughter of Amanda and Leroy Hale and Travis Carlton. She was also awarded for Prettiest Hair and Attire.
4th- Leah Brooke Davis of Smithville, 16 year old daughter of Kerry and Glenda Davis
Other participants in this category were Alexis Grace Atnip, 16 year old daughter of Veronica and Gary Johnson ( Atnip was awarded for Prettiest Eyes); Kaylin Colvert Wiley of Murfreesboro, 16 year old daughter of Kelly and Matt Wiley ( Wiley was the People’s Choice Winner); Kyleigh Breanne Hill of Smithville, 14 year old daughter of David and Colleen Clary and the late Kyle Hill; and Graci Lynn Starnes of Smithville, 15 year old daughter of Joelle Starnes.
In the category for girls ages 11 to 13, the Queen is Madison Brook Dawson, the 12 year old daughter of Jarred and Jamie Lyn Dawson of Smithville. She was also awarded for Prettiest Attire.
Runners-up in this category are as follows:
1st- Jenna Elizabeth Wright of Smithville, 13 year old daughter of Jeff and Nicole Wright (Wright was awarded for Prettiest Hair)
2nd- Katlynn Ellis of Smithville. 12 year old daughter of Greg and Rachel Ellis. She also received Most Photogenic and Prettiest Eyes Honors.
In the category for girls ages 7 to 10, the winner is Destiny Keys, the 7 year old daughter of Rick and Kendra Guinn of Smithville. She was also awarded for Prettiest Hair and Attire and Most Photogenic.
Runners-up in this category are as follows:
1st- Ella Grace Kirksey of Smithville, 8 year old daughter of Graden and Sabrina Kirksey. She also received the award for Prettiest Eyes.
2nd- Harper Monroe Patrick of McMinnville, 8 year old daughter of Jerry and Kandice Patrick
3rd- Khloe Elizabeth Grandstaff of Smithville, 9 year old daughter of Tyler and Shawna Grandstaff
4th-Lilly Grace Anderson of Smithville, 9 year old daughter of Caitlin and the late PFC Billy Anderson
Other participants in this category were Alexis Nicole Graham, 7 year old daughter of Derek and Andria Graham of Smithville and Lyra Dell McMinn, 7 year old daughter of Amanda McMinn and Nathan McMinn.
In the category for girls ages 4 to 6, the Queen is Katy Jo Bowen of Smithville, the 5 year old daughter of Joseph and Kimberly Bowen.
Runners-up in this category were as follows:
1st- Averly Elizabeth Mullins of McMinnville, 6 year old daughter of Thomas and Tara Mullins. She was also awarded for Prettiest Eyes.
2nd-Emmy Faith Meadows of Smithville, 6 year old daughter of Caitlin Anderson and Nate Meadows
3rd- Caroline Jewell Estes of Smithville, 4 year old daughter of Andy and Emily Estes.
4th-Arraya Jenae Taylor of Smithville, 6 year old daughter of Angie Taylor
Other participants in this category were as follows:
MaKaeleigh Tarpley, 6 year old daughter of Derrick and Brittney Tarpley of Elmwood. She was awarded for Prettiest Dress; Shaniya Bates, 5 year old daughter of Tom and Chyna Bates of Liberty. She received an award for Prettiest Hair; and Kessie Leeanna Keen, 6 year old daughter of Chance and Jessica Keen of Cookeville.
In the category for girls ages 25 to 48 months, the winner is Summer Elizabeth Longmire, the 2 ½ year old daughter of Drew and Kristy Longmire of Smithville. She was also awarded for Prettiest Dress.
Runners-up in this category were as follows:
1st- Aleeya Weslyn Graham, 2 year old daughter of Derek and Andria Graham of Smithville. She was awarded for Prettiest Hair
2nd- Dallas Wray Agee, 30 month old daughter of Donny and Stephanie Agee of Smithville.
3rd-Jazlin Elizah Cantrell, 41 month old daughter of Joseph and Victoria Cantrell of Smithville.
4th-Nevaeh Anderson, 3 year old daughter of Tori Tate and David Anderson of Liberty. She was awarded for Prettiest Eyes and People’s Choice
In the category for boys 25-48 months, the winner is Dyllan Bates, the 3 year old son of Tom and Chyna Bates of Liberty. He was also awarded for Prettiest Eyes and Most Photogenic.
The 1st runner-up is Oscar Alyxander Soto, the 2 year old son of Oscar and Makayla Soto of Smithville.
In the category for girls ages 13 to 24 months, the winner is Blakelyn Emerie Cripps, the 16 month old daughter of Kami and Corey Cripps of Smithville. She was also awarded for Prettiest Attire.
Runners-up in this category were as follows:
1st-Novalee Renae Wood, the 21 month old daughter of Scott and Sara Wood of McMinnville. She was also awarded for Prettiest Eyes and Hair.
2nd-Avaleigh Haddock, 2 year old daughter of Donald and Kristina Haddock of Watertown. She was awarded for Most Photogenic and People’s Choice
In the category for boys ages 13-24 months, the winner is Parker Bryant Mullins, the 18 month old son Thomas and Tara Mullins of McMinnville
In the category for girls ages 7 to 12 months, the winner is Peyton Rae Shepherd, the 8 month old daughter of Jason and Ashley Shepherd of Smithville.
Runners-up in this category are as follows:
1st-Briar Rose Kilgore, 10 month old daughter of Clay and Mariah Kilgore of Smithville.
2nd- Reese Everly Leiser, 11 month old daughter of Sean and Jessica Leiser of Alexandria. She was awarded for Prettiest Eyes and Attire.
In the category for boys 7 to 12 months, the winner is Jaxen Khyren Agee, 7 month old son of Donny and Stephanie Agee of Smithville.
The 1st runner-up is Josiah Reece Chapman, 10 month old son of Brandon and Kelley Chapman of Smithville. He was awarded for Prettiest Eyes and Most Photogenic
In the category for girls ages 1 day to 6 months the winner is Jahlia Nicole Cantrell, the 4 month old daughter of Joseph and Victoria Cantrell of Smithville.
Runners-up in this category are as follows:
1st-Blakelyn Kate Hendrix, 3 month old daughter of Caleb and Christy Hendrix of Smithville. She was also awarded for Prettiest Eyes and Attire and Most Photogenic
2nd-Laurel Cait Kilgore, 4 month old daughter of Colby and Taylor Kilgore of Smithville.
In the category for boys ages 1 day to 6 months, the winner is Declan Washer, the 5 month old son of Mark and Carla Pedigo of Smithville.
TDOT Opens Bids for State Highway 56 Project in DeKalb/Warren County (VIEW PLANS HERE)
June 21, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
The Tennessee Department of Transportation opened bids this morning (Friday) for the long awaited State Highway 56 Improvement Project.
Jones Brothers Contractors, LLC was the apparent low bidder for the project at $43,691,948 which will be done in two phases from south of state highway 288 near Magness Road to East Bryant Street in Smithville and from south of the Warren-DeKalb County line to near Magness Road in DeKalb County. TDOT has not announced which section will be started first. A proposed third segment from near State Route 287 in Warren County to near the DeKalb County Line is not yet ready for bid letting.
Three other companies submitted bids including Rogers Group, Inc. at $45,874,314, Wright Brothers Construction Company, Inc. at $49,488,480, and Civil Constructors, LLC at $49,488,480.
TDOT has not yet awarded the contract and no date has been set for start of construction. The estimated completion date is May 31, 2022.
“Jones Brothers is the apparent low bidder. Of course, this does not mean that the contract will be immediately awarded. When we open bids on a project and determine the apparent low bidder, our headquarters construction office reviews the bid to check for any irregularities and to determine if everything is in order before they officially award the contract. They have up to 30 days from the bid opening to do this. If everything checks out, then the project will be officially awarded to the contractor and all the contract-related documentation will be executed, which takes some time. Shortly after that, we will have a preconstruction conference to discuss the project in general, including the contractor’s approach to the project and the timetable of the project. In attendance at the preconstruction conference will be TDOT construction, environmental, utility, and safety personnel along with the contractor and other affected parties (like utility companies). After the preconstruction conference, the contractor is free to begin work on the project,” said Jennifer Flynn, Region 2 Community Relations Officer.
The state plans to build largely two lanes of a proposed four lane project and maintain traffic on the existing Highway 56 (alignment) while construction is being done on the new portion
(THE FIRST DISPLAY MAP CAN BE VIEWED BY CLICKING LINK BELOW. THE MAP CAN ALSO BE ENLARGED FOR BETTER VIEWING. IT SHOWS THE PROJECT STARTING SOUTH TO NORTH (LEFT TO RIGHT) FROM STATE ROUTE 288)
10026300 SR56 Display 1.pdf (9.04 MB)
(THE SECOND DISPLAY MAP CAN BE VIEWED BY CLICKING LINK BELOW. THE MAP CAN ALSO BE ENLARGED FOR BETTER VIEWING. IT SHOWS THE PROJECT IN THE SHINEY ROCK COMMUNITY IN THE AREA OF TITTSWORTH CEMETERY AND MYSTIK MARKET)
10026300 SR56 Display 2.pdf (3.46 MB)
(THE THIRD DISPLAY MAP CAN BE VIEWED BY CLICKING LINK BELOW. THE MAP CAN ALSO BE ENLARGED FOR BETTER VIEWING. IT SHOWS THE PROJECT BETWEEN COUNTY HOUSE ROAD AND SOUTH TITTSWORTH ROAD)
10026300 SR56 Display 3.pdf (7.61 MB)
(THE FOURTH DISPLAY MAP CAN BE VIEWED BY CLICKING LINK BELOW. THE MAP CAN ALSO BE ENLARGED FOR BETTER VIEWING. IT SHOWS THE PROJECT BETWEEN VAUGHN LANE AND EAST BRYANT STREET IN SMITHVILLE)
10026300 SR56 Display 4.pdf (11.12 MB)
In May, 2018 Robert Rodgers of the TDOT Region 2 Project Development Office gave a power point presentation of the plans and then took questions from the audience during a public information meeting in Smithville.
Following the meeting, Rodgers gave a general description of the project for WJLE.
“On the southern part from the DeKalb County line up to Vaughn Lane, it’s going to be a two lane roadway. There will be left turn lanes at the side roads. As we get closer to Smithville where some of the intersecting roads are offset there will be some extended sections of three lanes. Once we get to Vaughn Lane we will be expanding to the three lane typical all the way up to just past Morgan Branch. When we get past Morgan Branch we will be building a five lane section with curb and gutters and sidewalks,” said Rodgers.
According to Rodgers, the state will deviate from the existing road in the Shiney Rock area in order to bypass the cemeteries. The highway will then tie back in to the existing alignment in Smithville.
“Where the church and the cemetery are now, we are going off alignment because there was not room to fit the proposed finished road in between the two. Traffic on that section will stay on the existing road until the new road is complete,” said Rodgers.
The proposed cross sections for the project are as follows:
*From south of State Route 287 to north of Bessie Gribble Road-two 12-foot travel lanes with a 12-foot continuous center turn lane, four-foot shoulders and ditches.
* From north of Bessie Gribble Road to Vaughn Lane-two 12-foot travel lanes with 12-foot shoulders and ditches. There will be left turn lanes at intersecting roadways.
*From Vaughn Lane to north of Morgan Branch-two 12-foot travel lanes with a 12-foot continuous center turn lane, 12-foot shoulders and ditches.
*From north of Morgan Branch to East Bryant Street- four 12-foot travel lanes with a 12-foot continuous center turn lane, four foot shoulders, two-foot curb and gutter, a sidewalk within a 10 foot utility strip on either side.
The project was advertised as follows:
Project No. STP-56(29), 21004-3252-14 (PIN 100263.00)
The grading, drainage, construction of bridges and paving on S.R. 56 from south of S.R. 288 near Magness Road (L.M. 2.58) to East Bryant Street (L.M. 7.53) in Smithville.
Project Length – 4.925 miles
Project No. STP/HIP-56(39), 21004-3259-14 (PIN 100262.00)
The grading, drainage, construction of a concrete Bulb-Tee or concrete I-beam bridge and paving on S.R. 56 from south of the Warren-DeKalb County line (L.M. 24.45) to near Magness Road in DeKalb County (L.M. 2.86).
Project Length – 3.332 miles
Total Contract Length – 8.257 miles
Completion Time – On or before 5/31/2022
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