Smithville Police Department Treats Children to Gifts for Christmas

January 4, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Children at the Smithville Head Start Center last month were treated to bags of gifts thanks to the Smithville Police Department’s “Cops4Kids” program.

In what has become an annual event, Police Chief Mark Collins and members of the department made sure each child had a bag of toys. Sabrina Kirksey and Amber Spurgeon provided the musical entertainment, the Christmas Story was delivered by Ryan Huling of New Life Pentecostal Church & Pickles. The children also got a visit from Santa and the Grinch.

Chief Collins said the effort is made possible due to generous donations of the community and the help of Cash Express who conducted a collection drive.

“Cash Express puts out the collection boxes at local businesses for toys, food, clothing and money jars in addition to their annual Fill the Cop Car and Bake Sale event. The toys and money are then given to the police department while the food collected goes to God’s Food Pantry and the clothing to the Hope Center to help with their ministries. Most toys are for the younger children, so the money is spent to purchase gifts for the 11-year-olds and up. We also purchase clothing items if requested by the parent,” said Chief Collins.

The Smithville Police Department’s “Cops4Kids” program began in 2012 and has served Smithville Head Start children with gifts at Christmas time since 2015 along with others requesting and needing help.

“The first year the department started with $300 and donations from our community. From that we were able to provide food, entertainment, and gifts to 108 children. This year we were able to provide gifts to 246 children,” Chief Collins continued.

A special thanks goes to Cash Express and to RealSource who joined in the effort this year.

“The department has enjoyed its partnership with Cash Express and a special lady in particular, Evelyn Woods, who donates gifts throughout the year. We are truly grateful for her support. This year, the department also partnered with RealSource who obtained forms from the local schools that parents filled out and returned to the teachers if they desired help. This allowed the department to help more children in the community,” added Chief Collins.

“The department is thankful for the support and partnerships it has formed with the public. The children of this community are the city, county, and state’s future and any help and encouragement to them can go a long way in molding who they will become,” Chief Collins concluded.

January 4, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Schools will re-open Thursday, January 5.

The remainder of the 2023 school calendar is as follows:

Schools will be closed for Dr. Martin Luther King Day January 16, President’s Day February 20, Spring Break March 27-31, and Good Friday April 7.

The last day of school will be May 24, 2023.

Report cards will be issued at all schools on January 9, March 14, and May 24. Parent teacher conferences will be held at DCHS from 3-6 p.m. on March 14 and at all the other schools, DWS, NES, SES, and DMS from 3-6 p.m. on March 16.

The DCHS Graduation will be Friday, May 12 at 7 p.m.

January 4, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The 2022-23 deer hunting season is nearing its conclusion in Tennessee. The gun season for deer concludes on January 8 while the second Young Sportsman Hunt for 2022-23 is Jan. 14-15.

For the Young Sportsman Hunt, youth, 6-16 years of age are allowed to participate. The young sportsmen must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult at least 21 years of age who must remain in a position to take control of the hunting device.

The accompanying adult must comply with fluorescent orange regulations, as specified for legal hunters. Multiple youth may be accompanied by a single qualifying adult.

The first youth hunt of the season was held Oct. 29-30. The gun season for deer for everyone across the state began Nov. 19. Archery and muzzleloader equipment are also legal during gun season.

“The limit on antlerless deer is one at some time during the season. If you have already taken an antlerless deer during the gun season you can’t take any more this week and then two bucks for the entire year,” said TWRA Officer Tony Cross.

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