TDEC Issues Precautionary Fish Consumption Advisory for Walleye 19 inches and larger on Center Hill Reservoir in DeKalb and Putnam Counties

May 5, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) today announced a precautionary fish consumption advisory for walleye 19 inches and larger on Center Hill Reservoir in DeKalb and Putnam counties.

TDEC advises that pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children avoid eating the fish and that all others limit consumption to one meal per month. Other recreational activities such as boating, kayaking, swimming, wading, and catch-and-release fishing carry no risk.

In 2021 and 2023, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), in cooperation with TDEC, collected walleye for tissue analysis on Center Hill Reservoir. Fish were analyzed for mercury by the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) through a contract with TDEC. An impoundment on the Caney Fork River, Center Hill Reservoir is north of Smithville and south of Interstate 40 in Middle Tennessee.

The advisory applies to walleye 19 inches and larger for the entirety of the reservoir based on data exceeding Tennessee’s trigger point for mercury. Mercury in walleye 19 inches and larger averaged 0.39 mg/kg, which is above the trigger point of 0.3 mg/kg. The advisory is consistent with TDEC’s responsibilities under the Tennessee Water Quality Control Act.

“Unlike ‘Do Not Consume’ advisories that warn the general population to avoid eating fish from a particular body of water altogether, precautionary fish consumption advisories are specifically directed to sensitive populations. They include children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and those who may eat fish frequently from the same body of water,” said Ronné Adkins, deputy commissioner for Environment at TDEC. “These advisories help the community make informed decisions about whether or not to consume the fish.”

TDEC will post warning signs at primary public access points and will work with the TWRA to communicate this information to the public.

For a complete listing of Tennessee’s current fishing advisories, plus additional information about the advisory issuance process, go online to TDEC’s Bacteriological and Fishing Advisories page.

About Fish Consumption Advisories

The Tennessee Water Quality Control Act identifies the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation as having the authority and responsibility to issue advisories for either water contact hazards like pathogens or excessive health risks due to the accumulation of contaminants in fish or shellfish. Tennessee’s General Water Quality Criteria provide additional guidance regarding the conditions under which advisories may be warranted.

May 5, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

Dogs as loveable and fun loving as “Ziggy” need a home!

Why not give “Ziggy” a home sweet home.

“Ziggy” is the WJLE/DeKalb Animal Shelter featured “Pet of the Week”

“Ziggy” is a medium sized mixed breed dog and he weighs just under 50 pounds. He is 5 years and 3 months old, and his adoption fee is $90 as a sponsored pet of the Friends of the DeKalb Animal Shelter.

“He has already been vaccinated, neutered, and he is up to date on everything. Ziggy is just looking for his forever home. He is a very rambunctious fun boy who once he’s done playing just wants to cuddle up on a couch,” said shelter employee Kota.

If you are interested in meeting Ziggy, fill out an application on the animal shelter website or come in. Visit https://www.dekalbanimalsheltertn.com/ or call 615-597-3647.

The shelter is open Mondays-Fridays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Transfer Station Road off Highway 70 east behind Tenneco.

May 5, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb Middle School will be hosting Career Day on Tuesday, May 6. This special event is designed for students in grades 6 through 8 and aims to inspire them as they explore a variety of potential career paths.

The event will be held both inside and outside of the gymnasium to accommodate a variety of displays and activities. Participants may begin setting up their displays at 7:30 a.m. and students will start visiting booths at 9 a.m. The event is scheduled to conclude around 11:00 a.m. Please note they have a limited number of tables available for use. If possible, they ask participants to bring their own table for their booth to ensure everyone has the space they need.

At the conclusion of the event, they would like to schedule guest speakers to visit 8th grade classroom. They are seeking six participants to share more in-depth information about their careers and personal journeys with the 8th grade students. If you are interested in being a guest speaker, please contact Mrs. Suzette Barnes at suzettebarnes@dekalbschools.net

Career Day will provide an invaluable opportunity for students to interact with professionals from a wide range of industries. Your involvement would make a significant impact on the students’ understanding of real-world opportunities and the journey toward achieving their goals.

« First ‹ Previous 1 5 13 14 1516 17 25 115 2597 Next › Last »