Omega Apparel of Smithville has been awarded contracts to produce new Army Service trousers and skirts for the U.S. Defense Department which will result in the creation of 112 new jobs here. The contracts are for five years and total approximately $40 million. The new jobs are expected to increase payroll for the operation by $1.8 million.
Hiring should begin within two weeks.
The announcement was made Monday by Dick Chase, President; Brian Roberge, Chief Financial Officer; and Chris Roberge, Operations Manager for Omega of Smithville.
Chase says Omega, which currently employs 86 workers, is excited about it’s expansion plans. “The new contract will involve hiring production operators, sewers, cutters, material handlers, and clerical staff, about 112 jobs forecasted. We’ll have a contract that will produce 176,000 new trousers for the Army in this contract. The garment is called the Army Service uniforms. The Army has chosen to go away from the traditional green that everyone is familiar with and has seen and are transitioning into this new garment. By October 2014, everyone (Army) will be in that new garment.”
Omega currently operates out of the two old shirt factory buildings downtown, on either side of Mountain Street. One of those buildings is used for cutting and sewing and the other for warehousing. After a renovation, one of the facilities will be for cutting and warehousing and the other for sewing.
“This has been a very interesting contract for us”, said Chase. Because of the expansion, we’ve had to increase the size of our sewing facility. Currently we have our cutting operation within these four walls (building on the west side of Mountain Street). We’re going to have to renovate our building across the street (east side of Mountain Street) and spend a quarter of a million dollars of renovation costs to bring that building up to speed and put our cutting department in that building. Then we’ll take that other square footage we have here and add that sewing operation to this existing facility. We will start hiring operators, production people and staff within the next two weeks.”
Chase says Omega, which has been in operation since 1994, also produces uniforms for other branches of the military. “We currently have contracts for the Army, and Navy. For the Navy, we have a men’s dress trouser and that garment has been made in Smithville since 1988. So every enlisted sailor who goes into the Navy has a broad fall trouser made here in Smithville. We also have the women’s Navy slack, both in white and the new black. Then we have the Air Force skirt, Marine Corps skirt, both in green and blue, the mens and women’s khaki trouser, the Air Force dress uniform skirt for the women.”
All U.S. military uniforms have to be manufactured in the United States or U.S. territories under federal law.
Chase says Omega was in competition with several other states for the contracts. There were ten other bidders for the jobs. “Our ability to win this contract didn’t just come from having an exemplary past performance with this company and our participation. This has been a community effort. Smithville Mayor (Taft Hendrixson) has been involved. (County Mayor) Mike Foster has been involved. The county commissioners have been involved. Without their participation in helping us find ways to get our costs to a point where we can be competitive, we might not have gotten this contract. It took some real hard effort on everybody’s part to bring it here to Smithville. We were competing against Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico. We knew they were bidding on this. We beat them out because we were able to be competitive both in pricing and in our past performances”
Brian Roberge said other places made offers for Omega to relocate but company officials wanted to stay here. “Jobs are very competitive and many other states are giving a whole lot more to the industries in their states. We were offered quite a bit to move, but we started this program here with Mike (Foster) and his leadership of this county and he made it possible for us to stay here and bring these jobs here.”
Chris Roberge added “We’re excited to be able to bring 100 new jobs to Smithville. The company has worked hard for fifteen years in this community to make sure that we could provide as much opportunity inside this community as we can. We want to continue to do that and not just for five years, but hopefully for ten, fifteen, and twenty years into the future.”
Smithville Mayor Taft Hendrixson said Omega’s announcement is reason to celebrate.”I’m certainly glad to see that they have gotten this new contract and the approximately 100 new jobs will absolutely be good for our community, especially in these economic times. The military is always going to clothe their soldiers, so that’s something we’re glad we’ve got.”
County Mayor Mike Foster expressed his appreciation to Omega Apparel and to others who have helped them prepare for this expansion. “We want to thank all the people who have had anything to do with this especially Chris Roberge, Dick Chase, and Brian Roberge. For a company that’s been here for fifteen years, they’ve got a really good track history. They’re already providing jobs for 86 people here and this will be another 100 plus. It adds another $1.8 million to the local economy. The best thing about this is it’s a five year contract and based on their past performances, it should be ten or fifteen year contracts. It gets some of the county and city buildings renovated and brings new life back down town. I want to thank Don Rigsby from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. He helped put a lot of this together. I also want to thank the Cumberland Investment Corporation, the county commission, and the county industrial development board for their help.”
(Pictured above left to right: County Mayor Mike Foster, Omega President Dick Chase, Omega Operations Manager Chris Roberge, Omega Chief Financial Officer Brian Roberge, and Smithville Mayor Taft Hendrixson)

A 26 year old Smithville man was charged last week in a theft investigation by the Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says Matthew Malachi Lawson of Haley Road Smithville was arrested on Wednesday, February 17th and charged with theft of property under $500. During an interview of Lawson, detectives found him to be in possession of a tea set. After an investigation into where the tea set came from, detectives charged Lawson with theft of property when they discovered that he had stolen the tea set from a residence on South College Street in Smithville. Bond for Lawson was set at $2,500 and he will appear in court on March 25th.
On Wednesday, February 17th, deputies while on patrol, spotted a vehicle parked in a field. Two people were sitting in the automobile. The officer asked them if they had anything illegal on them and 28 year old Amanda L. Pinegar of Roy Foster Road, Smithville handed him a marijuana grinder that contained marijuana. Pinegar was charged with simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia and her bond was set at $2,000. She will appear in court on March 18th.
On Friday, February 19th, a deputy stopped a vehicle on Highway 70 West for several traffic offenses. Upon speaking to the driver, the officer asked for his drivers license. The driver said that he did not have the license on him, but he identified himself as Gary Woodard and provided his date of birth and social security number. When the deputy checked the information, he discovered that the man’s license was suspended. He was placed into custody and taken to the Sheriff’s Department. The officer, still not satisfied, investigated further and discovered that the man is actually 30 year old Jeremy Edward Woodard of Sparta Pike, Watertown. Woodard’s license was revoked. Woodard was charged with a third offense of driving on a revoked license and criminal impersonation. His bond was set at $4,500 and he will appear in court on March 11th.
On Saturday, February 20th, deputies were called to Highway 70 West to check out a reckless driver. The suspected vehicle was stopped on highway 70 West and 62 year old Paul Cox Herron Jr. was found to be the driver. He appeared to be intoxicated. Herron had a strong odor of alcohol on his person and he failed all field sobriety tasks performed. Herron admitted that he had drank eight beers earlier. Herron was charged with driving under the influence and his bond was set at $1,000. He will appear in court on March 18th.

As the economic squeeze continues, many Americans remain concerned that the cost of a healthy diet is out of reach. However, according to an Agriculture Department study, the cost of eating healthy hasn’t changed as much as some less-healthy alternatives. Eating healthy food while on a budget does require smart shopping.
Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week, February 21-27, focuses on helping Americans learn how to stretch their grocery dollars with healthy, nutritious food. America’s farmers and ranchers are committed to producing safe, healthy and abundant food. And they share a common concern with consumers when it comes to putting nutritious meals on the table while sticking to a tight budget.
The good news: a recent USDA report favorable supports the economics of healthier eating. Recent food price data show that prices for unprepared, readily available fresh fruits and vegetables have remained stable relative to dessert and snack food, such as chips, ice cream, and cola. Therefore, as defined by food in the study, the price of a “healthier” diet has not changed compared to an “unhealthy” diet.
Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week is aimed at helping American consumers learn how to shop effectively to put nutritious meals on the table with fewer dollars. Here are tips for better nutrition on a tight budget. Have a plan: Know your food budget and plan nutritious meals and snacks you’ll prepare at home that include fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Prepare a shopping list and stick to it. Compare prices, clip coupons and check ads for foods you know you need. Don’t shop when you’re hungry.
Now in its twelfth year, Food Check-Out Week also highlights America’s safe, abundant, and affordable food supply, made possible largely by American’s productive farmers and ranchers. According to the most recent information from the USDA’s Economic Research Service, American families and individuals spend, on average, less than 10% of their disposable personal income for food.

Smithville Police have released a weekly update on crime news.
50 year old Rudy Pineda of 274 Smith Road was arrested on Friday, February 12th for public intoxication. K-9 Officer Bradley Tatrow received a call of a possibly intoxicated person being detained by off duty officer Corporal Travis Bryant at Wal-Mart. Corporal Bryant said that Pineda approached him while he was in the store and was obviously intoxicated. Upon contact with Pineda, Officer Tatrow found him to be unsteady on his feet and he had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage about his person. Pineda had trouble walking and nearly fell several times. Bond for Pineda was set at $1,500 and his court date is February 25th.
34 year old Royce D McCrary of 490 Halls Hollow Road was arrested on Monday, February 15th for driving on a revoked license and for being an habitual offender. Officer Scott Davis received information that McCrary was an habitual offender and was driving his vehicle. Officer Davis conducted a traffic stop on Bryant Street and requested a record check which revealed McCrary to be an habitual offender. Bond for McCrary was set at $1,000 and his court date is March 4th
21 year old Randall C Evans of 672 Blue Springs Road was arrested on Tuesday, February 16th for public intoxication. Officer Scott Davis was dispatched to the area of Walkers towing in reference to a motorist assist. Evans said he was driving the vehicle but began trying to push it to Jewel’s Market when he ran out of gas. Evans had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage about his breath, slurred speech and his eyes were blood shot and watery. He admitted to drinking. For his safety and due to his intoxicated level, he was placed under arrest. Bond for Evans was set at $1,000 and his court date is March 18th.
On Thursday, February 18th, K-9 Officer Bradley Tatrow arrested 22 year old Molly Sue Lawrence of 318 West Broad Street for two violations of probations in Putnam County.
Also on Thursday, February 18th, Sergeant Randy King arrested 42 year old Christopher Joseph Cantrell of 300 Wade Street for domestic assault. Bond for Cantrell was set at $1,000 and his court date is February 25th.
Meanwhile, anyone having information on the following offenses is asked to please contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210 or the Tip Line at 464-6046.
On Saturday, February 13th Officer Matt Farmer took a report of a green and yellow Yardman push mower with a Tecumseh and large wheels that was taken from the back of a pickup truck parked at the residence of 605 East Main Street. The mower was taken around January 27th.
On Wednesday, February 17th Sergeant Randy King took a report of an NEF New England .22 L.R. revolver that was taken from a home in the city sometime since February 2009.
Also on Wednesday, February 17th Sergeant Randy King took a report of burglary at 218 West Broad Street apartments. According to the victim, she went home after spending time with her mother between February 15th and 17th and discovered that someone had taken all her belongings from the apartment. Some of the items taken included two TV’s, maroon leather chair and loveseat, two end tables and DVD’s.
Any information received that will help Smithville Police solve any criminal offense will be greatly appreciated. All information is confidential
The Smithville Police Department has also recently received complaints of a scam targeting the elderly. According to citizens, people are approaching elderly homeowners requesting to do odd jobs around their residence. They are requesting payment before service is rendered and then they do not return to provide services. Anyone approached by such persons should not pay until service is completed. Also anyone having information regarding such activity is requested to contact the Smithville Police Department or the tip line at 464-6046.

DeKalb County High School has released the names of this year’s Honor Students including the 2010 Valedictorian Hunter Tramel and the Salutatorian Wesley Blair.
Tramel is the son of Ronnie and Phyllis Tramel of Smithville. Blair is the son of Mellissa Page and Freddy Blair both of Smithville.
Students among the top twenty five senior academic ranking from numbers one to twenty five are as follows:
Hunter Tramel, Wesley Blair, Grant James, Caleb Spencer, Meagan Sullivan, Hunter Poteete, Seth Willoughby, Amanda Ours, Reddy Munagala, Cynthia Woodward, Tyler Harbaugh, Tiffany Young, Haley Snyder, Erica Neely, Jared Adams, Dakota Dexter, Payne Denman, Nicholas Goff, Caroline Carter, Kendra Foutch, Kyle Hogue, Jessica Fox, Lindsey Harden, Austin Garrett, and Gabrielle Byford.
Students earning “Highest Distinction” with a grade point average of 3.8 to 4.0 are:
Hunter Tramel-Valedictorian 4.0, Wesley Blair- Salutatorian 4.0, Grant James 4.0, Erica Neely 4.0, Hunter Poteete 4.0, Caleb Spencer 4.0, Meagan Sullivan 4.0, Seth Willoughby 4.0, Cynthia Woodward 4.0, Jared Adams, Caroline Carter, Payne Denman, Dakota Dexter, Kendra Foutch, Jessica Fox, Austin Garrett, Nicholas Goff, Tyler Harbaugh, Kyle Hogue, Reddy Munagala, Amanda Ours, Haley Snyder, and Tiffany Young
Students earning “High Distinction” with a grade point average of 3.6 to 3.79 include Gabrielle Byford, Axyl Chalfant, Tyler Dunaway, Kayla Ellis, Sabrina Griffin, Lindsey Harden, Katie Nixon, and Katelyn Stutts.
Those earning “Distinction” with a grade point average of 3.2 to 3.59 include Paulina Alfaro, Matthew Antoniak, Reeves Beller, Elicia Cantrell, Samantha Coe, Rachel Cunningham, Brandon Dyer, Abram Edwards, Whitney Gann, Jaylen Garrett, Jessica Goldstein, April Hale, Ethan Hale, Stephanie Hobbs, Conner Jones, Sasha Knowles, Abigail Laprad, Layne Mathis, Tyler McCloud, Brad Michaels, Travis Neal, Zachary Odom, Morgan Page, Micah Prichard, Kristian Puckett, Myra Tramel, and Joseph Vickers..
The Class of 2010 at DeKalb County High School will graduate on May 21st at 7:00 p.m.