News
October 21, 2021
By:
Longtime Smithville attorney, civic leader and community volunteer, Tecia Puckett Pryor, announces her intention to seek election for DeKalb County General Sessions and Juvenile Judge, a part-time position. Puckett Pryor has been in the private practice of law in DeKalb County for 24 years, having practiced with her aunt, Sue N. Puckett-Jernigan, for her first 23 years until Ms. Puckett-Jernigan’s retirement in 2020.
A lifelong DeKalb Countian, Puckett Pryor graduated from DeKalb County High School in 1989, with highest honors. She furthered her education at Belmont University, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in English and French in 1993, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1997, graduating in the top twenty-five of her class.
After graduating law school, Puckett Pryor moved back home to Smithville to practice law with her aunt and to also be involved in the Smithville/DeKalb County community.
Puckett Pryor has a diverse general law practice and has consistently practiced in the General Sessions and Juvenile Courts of DeKalb County throughout her tenure as a lawyer. She is also a trained family law mediator and owns and operates Center Hill Title, LLC, a full-service title company.
Puckett Pryor was a founding board member of Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, Tennessee, Inc., and continues to serve on its development committee as race director of the Fiddler 5K and a member of the Chili Cook-off Committee. She is also a member of the Smithville Community Chorus and Indian Creek Baptist Church, currently serving as one of the pianists, and formerly volunteered and was in leadership with the Smithville Women’s Club, DeKalb Jaycees, the Humane Society of DeKalb County, Autism Tennessee and Cub Scouts. Puckett Pryor graduated from Leadership DeKalb in 2000 and was named DeKalb County Community Leader of the Year in 2007.
On the state level, Puckett Pryor is a governor-appointed member and the Chair of the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, being one of the representatives from the Upper Cumberland Development District. She was first appointed to the Council by Governor Haslam in 2013 and was later governor-appointed to serve as Chair of the Council in 2017, a post she still holds today.
On the prospect of running for Judge, Puckett Pryor says, “I am excited about the possibility of becoming the DeKalb County General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge. I have many years of legal, life and leadership experiences that have shaped me into a person well-suited to being a judge. I look forward to the opportunity to further serve my community in this important position.”
Puckett Pryor is married to John Pryor, an attorney and current teacher at DCHS and the Voice of the Tigers on WJLE. They have one son, Harrison, who is a senior at DCHS. Puckett Pryor is the sister of Mary Ann Puckett; the daughter of the late Hearon and Ann Nixon Puckett; and the granddaughter of the late Harrison and Lou Parsley Puckett and Rev. Hubert and Winnie Turner Nixon, all life-long DeKalb County residents.
Puckett Pryor will be running in the Democratic Primary in May 2022.
Gas Prices Soaring!
October 21, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
Gas prices in the Smithville area continue to climb.
The highest price for a gallon of regular gas is at DeKalb Market at $3.19. The cheapest is at Village Market and Highway 56 Market and Deli at $3.05 per gallon. All other locations around Smithville were $3.09 per gallon as of Thursday morning according to their outdoor signs.
The average gas price in Tennessee has increased by double digits for the second straight week, AAA said Tuesday.
Gas prices across the state have jumped 10 cents since last Monday, bringing the average price of gas in Tennessee to $3.12. That’s 22 cents more expensive than one month ago and $1.18 higher than this time last year.
AAA spokeswoman Megan Cooper said in a press release that prices likely will continue to climb in the coming months.
“Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like drivers will be finding relief at the pump any time soon,” Cooper said. “Global supply concerns continue to keep upward pressure on the price of crude oil, which is now closing daily above $80 per barrel.”
Habitat Chili Cook-Off to Feature 13 Teams
October 20, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
Who makes the best chili in DeKalb County? Find out on Friday, October 22nd when Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County hosts a Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale.
Chili will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the DeKalb Courthouse Lawn. For a cash donation, eat all the chili you want and vote for your favorite chili and the best decorated booth. Delicious baked goods prepared by members of local churches will also be for sale. Take out is also available.
“We are looking forward to another great day of good food and fellowship at the chili cook-off,” said Alex Woodward, president of Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County. “The proceeds from the Chili Cook-off will be used towards building another Habitat house with a DeKalb County family, so we hope everyone will come out and eat lots of chili for a great cause!”
Thirteen teams will be competing in the Chili Cook-off this year: “Hot Checks Chili” from Wilson Bank and Trust; “Gas It Up Chili” from DeKalb Market; “The Courthouse Gang”- the DeKalb County Officials ; “FirstBank First Choice Chili” from FirstBank,; Smithville Electric System; Adoration Home Health; “Top Gunners” from AMVETS Post 101; “Legal Limit Spice” from Tecia Puckett Pryor, Attorney/Center Hill Title LLC, “Brandon Cox for Judge”- Brandon Cox, Attorney; “Smithville FBC: Divine Intervention Chili” from the First Baptist Church, “Tennessee ‘Meats’ Texas from Button Willow, DeKalb County Veterans Services, and DeKalb County Constable Mark Milam.
In 2019, “Pick It or Ticket” from the Smithville Police Department took Top Chili Honors. The Best Decorated Booth Award went to “MTNG-Take a Chance Chili” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas. The Golden Spoon Award went to “The Courthouse Gang” from the DeKalb County Officials, who raised an additional $180.00 for Habitat in cash donations at their booth. A total of nearly $4,500 was raised during the event.
Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates houses in partnership with volunteers and families in need, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged.
For more information on the Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale, contact Tecia Pryor at 615-597-7370. To contact Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, call 615-215-8181.
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