Tag Archives: Smithville

The Smithville Fire Department is adding its first full time firefighter to assist the fire chief. Smithville Alderman approved the hiring of Dalton Roberts Monday night. Smithville Fire Chief Charles Parker said he hopes adding a full time firefighter will help decrease response time and increase safety. He said there are already plans for how they will be used. “We’ll ... Read More »

A Smithville long-term care facility has a cluster of five positive COVID-19 patient cases. The State Department Of Health reports the cluster at the Webb House Retirement Center on Jennings Lane. A total of 32 residents live at the facility. One employee case has also been reported. A total of 188 facilities across the state are reporting clusters of positive ... Read More »

The Smithville Tenneco plant produced the exhaust systems for the new 2020 Corvette Stingrays. Smithville Tenneco started producing for Corvette in 2004. Director of Operations Daryl Burcham said the exhaust system is unique, because the engine sits in the middle of the car. “It is the first ever mid engine architecture for the Corvette,” Burcham said. “The engine sits just ... Read More »

Smithville officials will open bids next week for a new tornado siren alert system. Charlie Parker is the Dekalb County Emergency Management Director. He said the tornado that struck Putnam County in March exposed the vulnerabilities communities have when it comes to such disasters. “Unfortunately it was our realization after the tornadoes in Putnam County how our warning system here ... Read More »

TBI Agents will investigate the officer-related shooting in Smithville Thursday night. The request came from District Attorney Bryant Dunaway. The request is standard in officer-involved shootings. Smithville Police and Dekalb County Sheriffs Deputies responded Thursday night around 8:45pm to the home of Gregorio Vanloo. Vanloo came out of the home with a handgun and fired the weapon. Offices responded with ... Read More »

A McMinnville man died Thursday night after exchanging gunfire with Dekalb County and Smithville law enforcement. 28-year-old Gregorio Cruz Vanloo died after being transported to St. Thomas Dekalb Hospital. Vanloo was wounded on his front porch along Toad Road. According to sheriff’s reports, Vanloo was a suspect in a shots fired incident at a local restaurant Thursday morning. Deputies got ... Read More »

The city of Smithville approved the funding of a full time firefighter. Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker said he has asked the city for the past 12 years to fund the position. During this time, only one full time firefighter was approved. The chief himself. Now, Smithville Fire Department will have two. “I look at that as a good start ... Read More »

A Smithville woman saw a need in the community to provide free donated food for those in need. So she decided to install a blessing box. A blessing box is a safe container where community members can leave non-perishable food and other necessities. Kristi Longmire said the box gives people a chance to pick up food items discreetly. “It’s been ... Read More »

Following a donation of land next to city hall, the City of Smithville is looking to build a 12,000 square foot structure to replace the existing police department headquarters. City Mayor Josh Miller said original estimated cost was around 2.8 million dollars. “I think the council is wanting to stay around 2.1,” Miller said. “So we are going to go ... Read More »