Issue #15
April 23, 2025
It's Jamboree Week!
We’ve waited 365 days and our favorite time of year is finally here–It’s Jamboree Week Smithville!
Get ready for three days of fun, food, live music, tournaments, parades, carnival rides, livestock shows, and MORE.
As of thirty minutes ago, the ferris wheel is spinning, the roller coasters are roaring, and the carnival is open until 10 p.m. tonight.
The live music this year will be Art Tigerina Band on Thursday, Carson Jeffrey, David Lewis, and Brandi Behlen on Friday, with The Good Ol' Boys Reunion (ft. Moe Bandy and Joe Stampley), Nathan Colt Young, and Keith Hickle on Saturday.
As the Critter says, “Y’all Come!”
Value of the Trades
Earlier this month Smithville High School senior Konner Namken took home the state medal in the SkillsUSA State Championships. We sat down with him to discuss the win and found a young man with the mindset of a seasoned Stoic, letting the world’s challenges wash off like water on a duck’s back.
Learn about his victory, how he’s inspiring younger students to follow in his footsteps, and how a career in the trades is already leading to bright futures right here in Smithville.
Southside Pride
We have our first contributor article Smithville! Due to a prior commitment our publisher was unable to attend Saturday’s Unity Event.
Big thank you to Alta Yevett Alexander for penning a beautiful piece about the event and the celebration of those who fought for equality in education and the freedom to worship.
Early Voting
The polls are open Smithville, and it’s time to let your voice be heard!
After months of listening to the candidates, it’s time to make a decision and cast your ballot.
There are four more days of early voting, before Election Day on Saturday May 3.
Clear Bag Policy
At the monthly School Board meeting on Monday, Superintendent Cheryl Burns announced the district is developing a clear bag policy at Tiger Stadium and the district gyms next year.
“We’ve had situations at football games that we need to address,” Burns said during Monday’s meeting. “We need to identify what’s being brought in.”
Clear bag policies became common after the NFL adopted them in 2013. While the district didn’t outline or vote on the SISD policy at the meeting, it will likely have similar restrictions.
See what other actions the school board took in our meeting recap.
Lady Tigers Playoff Game
Your district champion Lady Tigers softball team has their first playoff game tomorrow (Thursday). They will face LaMarque in the bi-district round of the playoffs at Sweeny High School at 6:30 p.m.
If the game is unable to be played due to weather, they will play Saturday. Stay tuned to our X feed for updates.
Good luck ladies! Smithville is rooting for you!
Regional Track Meet
Shout out to our regional track participants who competed hard and represented Tiger Nation proudly last week!
Zane Perkins- 7th place (Pole Vault) -PR
Briyanna Sampson- 4th place (triple Jump), 5th place (long jump)
Emorie Jones- 12th place (3200m)
Addison Waneck- 7th place (800m)
While no Tigers advanced to the next round, we are proud of your effort and all you accomplished this season! You set a high bar for the track team next year.
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From the Publisher
“A radio blackout occurs during a spacecraft’s reentry into Earth’s atmosphere, severing communication with ground stations. As the spacecraft plunges at speeds of 17,500–25,000 mph, it compresses atmospheric gases, generating heat up to 5,000°F. This ionizes the air, forming a plasma sheath of charged particles that blocks radio signals by absorbing or scattering them, halting contact via standard frequencies.
During this period, Mission Control cannot monitor the spacecraft’s status, such as its heat shield or trajectory, making it a critical phase. The uncertainty during these minutes is heightened because ground teams rely on pre-reentry data and must wait for post-blackout signals to confirm a safe return.” ~Grok
~K
Kristen Meriwether
Publisher, Smithville Texas News
Kristen@smithvilleTexasNews.com
Follow us on X @NewsSmithville
