The Smithville Municipal Golf Course and Swimming Pool will be opening soon.

Since it was closed last fall, the course has been undergoing renovations and upgrades under a maintenance agreement the city entered into with Riverwatch Golf & Resort for a year.

Last month the Smithville Aldermen also voted to hire Ken Lacy and Pete Ferguson to manage the facilities for at least one year.

During an appearance on WJLE’s Tech Talk program Thursday, Lacy said golfers will notice a change this season.

“The city golf course has been going through renovations and upgrades since August. The anticipated opening is within the next couple of weeks. Things people can look forward to are new greens. The putting greens have been renovated and growing throughout the fall and winter. We are currently mowing them down to the same heights that we have our greens at Riverwatch. If you like playing at Riverwatch and enjoy the speed and texture of our greens you will experience similar playing conditions at the city golf course. The city crews have been in there redoing the clubhouse, getting it up and going. New golf carts will be coming in possibly by this week. Everything is going to look different and better. And within the next 45 days or so the pool will be opening,” said Lacy.

According to Lacy, plans are to have more opportunities for golfers at the city golf course this year including events which will be held in partnership with Riverwatch.

“Junior Golf is a big focus with us. We (RIverwatch) have maybe the only FREE junior golf program in the state. Last year we had about 48 to 50 children involved in this program. I do it one day a week and in that time you get two hours of instruction and we offer a small snack. We’re going to do the same thing at the city golf course. And for the second year in a row we will have the AJGA, an International Junior Golf event, held at Riverwatch featuring elite Junior golfers from around the world who will come here for seven days of competition the week of July 4,” said Lacy.

“We also plan to do a reciprocal type membership. If you join the city golf course, you can play Riverwatch at a discount and If you become a member at Riverwatch you can play the city golf course at a discounted rate. We want to make it to where golf is fun again,” Lacy said.

Today (Monday, April 2) is the registration deadline in person if you want to vote in the DeKalb County Democratic Primary on Tuesday, May 1.

“Two important things to keep in mind at this point are the registration deadline and the updating of addresses,” said Dennis Stanley, Administrator of Elections.

“If you are not registered but want to participate in the May 1 primary election, April 2 is the last day you can register in person at the election office,” he said.

Voter registration forms are available at the election office on the first floor of the DeKalb County Courthouse; on line at www.dekalbelections.com (and clicking on the voter registration tab at the top left of the page) and https://sos.tn.gov/elections/voter-information.

As far as address changes go, Stanley said keeping your address up to date could prevent a delay in voting on Election Day or even during early voting.

“If you have moved since you last voted, you may have to vote at a different location on May 1,” he said. “Keep in mind, if you have moved and did not notify our office, you will have paperwork to fill out on Election Day and you may have to go to a different place to vote.”

Voters who want to check their status can call the election office at 615-597-4146 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, the qualifying deadline for the school board, municipal elections, and state primaries is Noon, April 5.

WJLE and participating sponsors are presenting a photo gallery of the DCHS Class of 2018 in April and May. You may now view it at www.wjle.com.

Graduation is set for Friday, May 18 on the DCHS football field.

Click on the link below to view the senior formals.
http://www.wjle.com/graduation/2018/page1

Once you open the page, click each photo to view a larger image. The name of the senior you select is at the bottom of the photo. Or you may move your mouse over the photo to view the name.

There are 171 photos in the gallery divided up 30 photos to a page. Notice the box to the left in the photo gallery. After you view page 1 be sure to click the links for pages 2-6 to view the remaining photos. The names of seniors not pictured are also listed inside the box.

The WJLE photo gallery page is sponsored in April by Sheriff Patrick Ray, County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss, Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack, County Mayor Tim Stribling, St Thomas DeKalb Hospital, DTC Communications, Gill Automotive LLC, DeKalb Funeral Chapel, Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen, Road Supervisor Butch Agee, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, and Alexandria Auto Parts. Sponsors in May will be Assessor of Property Shannon Cantrell, A Degree Above Heating and Cooling, Good Health Family Clinic, and Trustee Sean Driver, in addition to Sheriff Ray, County Clerk Poss, County Mayor Stribling, St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital, Gill Automotive, DeKalb Funeral Chapel, and DTC Communications,