DeKalb Fishing Team to Compete in Nationals
by: Dwayne PageJul 08, 2025
The DeKalb Fishing Team will compete in the Bassmaster High School National Championship, set for July 31st-Aug.2nd on the final lake on the Savannah River Chain, Clarks Hill Lake, Appling, Ga.
The prestigious event features more than 200 qualifying teams from across the country. Only the top 10% of teams from regular season events earned a spot in the National Championship.
DeKalb will be represented by 1 boat in the competition. The team of Mason Taylor and Wesley Kent earned their qualification through consistent performances throughout the season.
Fourth of July Celebration Marred by Local Tragedy
by: Dwayne PageJul 07, 2025
The Fourth of July Celebration in DeKalb County was marred by tragedy the day before on Thursday, July 3 with a boating related accident on Center Hill Lake that claimed the life of a Brentwood woman.
According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency 57-year-old Mary Beth Foran died after getting trapped by a boat’s engine propeller on Center Hill Lake.
The DeKalb County Fire Department said crews were sent to a single-boat incident on Center Hill Lake near Hurricane Marina just before 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 3.
Emergency first responders reportedly found a ski boat approximately 300 yards away from the marina when they arrived. Then, crews said they discovered an unconscious woman, now identified as Foran, in the water and under the boat, trapped by the boat’s inboard engine propeller.
In addition, officials reported the operator of the boat—only described as an adult male—was in the water at the back of the boat in an attempt to rescue Foran.
According to the DeKalb County Fire Department, rescue personnel were able to free Foran, but she had already “succumbed to the traumatic injury.”
Several agencies—including the Smithville/DeKalb County Rescue Squad, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, DeKalb County Emergency Medical Service, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, and the Putnam County Rescue Squad—responded to the incident on Center Hill Lake Thursday evening.
Officials said those involved are from Brentwood, Tennessee.
The TWRA is investigating the deadly incident.
Fiddlers Jamboree Crafts Awards Presented
by: Dwayne PageJul 07, 2025
Four Crafts Awards were presented during the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival Saturday, July 5
Crafts Director Judith Hale presented awards for “Best Appalachian Crafts”, “Best of Show”, “Best Newcomer”, and “Best Craft Display”
Receiving the “Best Appalachian Crafts” award was Timothy Weber of Kingston Springs with his display of handcrafted pottery products. David and Bonnie McCallie of Nashville received the “Best Newcomer” award for their handcrafted music boxes and leather items including key fobs. The “Best Craft Display” award went to Hal and Carol Kail of Gadsden, Tennessee for their handcrafted wooden bowls, vases, cutting boards, etc. “Best of Show” was awarded to Gregory Newson of Conway, South Carolina for his paintings and other artwork with a focus on historical characters and related subject matter.