Sam is our WJLE/DeKalb Animal Coalition featured Pet of the Week (click to view video)

August 5, 2019
By: Robin Pafford

Sam is our WJLE/DeKalb Animal Coalition featured Pet of the Week.

“After animal control picked him up from the garden center in Walmart, he was given the name Sam after the famous Sam Walton. They contacted us to come and get him and once he realized we were there to save him, he was able to relax and has since become one of the best cats. He is between 4 and 5 months old and is very well socialized with other cats. Sam would make a great addition to anybody’s home,” said Shelter Director Megan Moore.

If you would like to give Sam a home call or come by. The shelter is now open for business Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12pm-4pm and Saturday 10am-12pm. and the new phone number is 615-597-3647 (DOGS).

The shelter is located at 186 Transfer Station Road behind Tenneco Automotive.

August 5, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A Classroom Hunter Education Course will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 17 & 18 at the DeKalb County Fire Department’s Main Station at 782 King Ridge Road.

TWRA Officer Tony Cross said classes will be held Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1:30 p.m. until finished. The course is offered free of charge. Participants must be at least 9 years old to take the course and they must register on-line at www.tnwildlife.org and follow the prompts.

Under state law, every person born on or after January 1, 1969, before hunting, shall possess, in addition to all other licenses and permits required, proof of satisfactory completion of an agency approved hunter education course.

Those under 10 years of age do not need a Hunter Education certificate, but must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years of age, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device.

For more information contact TWRA Officer Tony Cross at 931-287-8427.

The basic Hunter Education Course provides firearms safety training and introduces students to their responsibilities in the fields of hunter ethics and wildlife management. The main objective of the Hunter Education Program is to reduce the potential for hunting accidents and ultimately reduce the number of hunting injuries. The course is taught according to standards established by the International Hunter Education Association. By meeting these standards the Tennessee Hunter Education program is recognized by all states, Canada, and Mexico.

The basic course is free of charge and consists of a minimum of ten (10) hours of classroom participation. Most classes generally last 12-16 hours. Students must successfully pass a written test consisting of 100 multiple choice questions. All students are required to participate in a live fire exercise. Students must attend all classes. Students need to bring their Social Security Number and a #2 pencil to the class.

Course content includes:
*Hunter ethics
•Hunter responsibility toward wildlife, the environment, landowners and the general public
•Archery and the history of modern day bowhunting
•Tree stand safety
•History of firearms
•Blackpowder and muzzleloading firearms
•Knowledge of modern firearms and ammunition
•Proper gun handling and storage
•Marksmanship fundamentals
•Hunt preparation: specific laws and various equipment
•Principles of wildlife management and wildlife identification
•Survival
•Hypothermia
•First aid

August 4, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Members of the community concerned about our school system answered the call to pray Sunday afternoon during what has become an annual event prior to the start of school.

This year’s prayer time called ” Back 2 School Call 2 Prayer” was held at DeKalb County High School. As in past years it featured several local ministers offering prayers for each school as well as the school transportation staff, athletic activities and band program, law enforcement agencies, and the school board.

Donnie Kelly, retired Pastor of the Smithville AG (First Assembly of God) made welcoming remarks followed by Director of Schools Patrick Cripps, who spoke briefly about plans for the school year. Jamie Greco, Praise & worship leader at the Smithville AG sang the National Anthem.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps from dwayne page on Vimeo.

Local ministers participating were:

* Jordan Atnip, Youth Pastor of Smithville First Baptist Church (who prayed for DeKalb County High School)

* Chris Moore, Pastor of the Smithville Church of God (who prayed for DeKalb Middle School)

* Shayne Ray, Youth Pastor of Outreach Baptist Church (who prayed for Northside Elementary School)

* Sam Scavo, Campus Pastor at Christpoint in Smithville (who prayed for Smithville Elementary School)

* Jimmy Arms, Pastor of Upper Helton Baptist Church (who prayed for DeKalb West School)

* Graden Kirksey, Pastor of Refuge Church (who prayed for School Transportation Staff)

* Brian Jones, Pastor of Pomeroy Chapel (who prayed for the athletic department/band)

* Dan Gulley, Minister at the Smithville Church of Christ (who prayed for the local law enforcement departments)

* Joel Wood, Pastor of the Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church (who prayed for the School Board)

Instead of a closing prayer, everyone was encouraged to go to the school where their children or grandchildren attend to offer a prayer.