This is the first of a two-part story on the tops stories of 2013. This week we will cover the first half of the year, from January through June.City approves 24-7 beer salesThe Smithville city council approved a measure by a 3-2 margin in January that allowed beer to be sold for off-premises consumption 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and permit eligible dining establishments to serve beer on the property.After a public hearing on the matter at a special meeting Thursday evening, Aldermen Danny Washer, Gayla Hendrix, and Jason Judd Murphy voted in favor of adopting the changes on second reading.Alderman Tim Stribling and Shawn Jacobs voted against the measure. A large public turnout for the meeting brought a crowd of Smithvillians to city hall to either support or denounce the controversial measure.The city previously allowed beer to be sold from 6 a.m. until midnight Monday-Saturday, with no sales offered on Sunday and Christmas Day.Restaurants did not have the option of serving beer on their premises under the old regulations.Review merges with TimesThe staff at the Smithville Review and Morris Multimedia announced the merger of the Review and the DeKalb County Times in January.The Times, originally founded by Chris and Lisa Tramel, began printing as a monthly 15 years ago as The Middle Tennessee Times.The Times went to a weekly printing schedule 12 years ago, and name of the publication was changed after the paper was sold in 2010.The Review began printing in 1892 under the ownership of brothers Frank and P.S. Wallace, and has been printed continuously since.Thomas awarded scholarship on TVAn Alexandria man who lost most of the use of his arms and legs in a 2010 car accident was awarded a full scholarship and the means to fulfill his dream of getting a college degree on the “Ricki Lake Show” in January.