New Litter of Puppies Available for Adoption at DeKalb Animal Shelter (View Video Here)

July 11, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A litter of nine puppies have arrived at the DeKalb Animal Shelter and they are now available for adoption.

These cute little critters are the WJLE /DeKalb Animal Shelter featured “Pets of the Week”

DeKalb Animal Shelter Director Megan Moore with Emmaly Bennett and Jennifer Angaran showing off a new litter of puppies from dwayne page on Vimeo.

“This litter of puppies, nine altogether, just came in and they have had their first vaccines and are now ready for adoption. They are Red Heeler Australian Shepherd Mixed and super cute. They are going to be great outdoor dogs. If you like to spend a lot of time hiking or on a farm, they will be great for you,” said Shelter Director Megan Moore.

The DeKalb Animal Shelter is currently only open by appointment due to Covid-19.

“To adopt any or all of the puppies go to our website. www.dekalbanimalcoalition.org and look for a tab to fill out an application. Fill it out and email it back to us. We will call to set up an appointment time for you to meet them. We are not currently open to the public for in-person visits but all our pets are posted online. Stay up to date with us on our website, facebook page, or Instagram,” said Moore.

The shelter, located on Transfer Station Road behind Tenneco Automotive off Highway 70 east in Smithville, has been in operation since November, 2017 under the DeKalb Animal Coalition, a 501 c 3 non profit organization.

A Volunteer orientation will be held at the shelter on Saturday, August 1 from 12 noon until 1 p.m. for anyone who would like to volunteer. Phone 615-597-3647 (DOGS) for more information.

July 14, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County’s confirmed number of COVID-19 cases has jumped to 99.

As of Monday , July, 13 the Tennessee Department of Health reported that 2,625 people had been tested with 2,526 negative results and 99 positive. There have been no deaths in DeKalb County from the virus and 52 of the 99 persons tested positive since March have recovered.

Starting Monday, July 13th the DeKalb County Health Department’s new testing hours will be Monday-Friday from 9am to 12 NOON every day.

At 99 cases, DeKalb County ranks 6th highest in the 14 county Upper Cumberland region behind Putnam with 1,081 (7 deaths), Macon 646 (7 deaths), Cumberland 229 (4 deaths), Smith 185 (2 deaths), and Warren 159. Other counties in the region with COVID-19 cases are  White 93 (3 deaths), Overton 79 (1 death), Cannon 58,  Jackson 50, Fentress 29, Clay 23, Van Buren 9, and Pickett 8.

July 10, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Face coverings will be required for all persons having business with the courts and clerk’s offices at the courthouse in DeKalb County and throughout Tennessee starting Monday, July 13 after an order from the state Supreme Court.

In DeKalb County, persons may obtain free masks at the local health department.

The mandate expands a previous declaration of a state of emergency in the state’s court system as a response to the threat of COVID-19.

“Under the terms of this order, the courts of Tennessee remain open, consistent with the Judicial Branch’s obligation to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19,” the order, filed Friday, indicates.

Nearly anyone entering a courthouse or other building where court facilities are located including the public, judges, attorneys, law enforcement officers, and court clerks and their employees will be required to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth at all times while inside the building.

Children under 12 and persons with breathing issues due to an underlying health condition or other “bona fide” medical conditions are not required to wear the coverings.

The order encourages judges to work “with local law enforcement and other county officials to ensure that, to the extent possible, courthouses remain accessible to carry out essential constitutional functions and time sensitive proceedings.”

Chief Justice Jeffrey S. Bivins on March 13 declared the initial state of emergency in the courts. That was extended May 26, at which time it was mandated jurors wear face coverings, while easing the suspension of in-person court proceedings.

The new mandate applies to all courts and court clerks’ offices, except administrative courts within the Executive Branch and federal courts and federal court clerks’ offices in the state. It’s ordered in addition to any applicable executive orders issued by the governor and local officials.

Most courtrooms in Tennessee are not located in stand-alone facilities but instead share space in courthouses with a variety of other governmental offices and agencies.

Gov. Bill Lee also granted authority to local governments to declare mask mandates, and some county mayors have moved to require them. Lee’s announcement came July 3 and granted local authority to counties as coronavirus cases spike across Tennessee.

Six counties with locally run health departments — Sullivan, Knox, Hamilton, Davidson, Madison and Shelby — already had authority to issue mask mandates as needed.