DeKalb School District Reports Only One Case of COVID for the Week

October 23, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County School District reported only 1 positive case of COVID all week from Monday, October 18 to Friday, October 22 and that was at DeKalb County High School.

The number of those under quarantine dropped from 14 on Monday, October 18 to 8 on Friday, October 22.

According to Attendance Supervisor Joey Reeder, the number of those under quarantine at each school on Monday, October 18 were: DCHS 5, DeKalb Middle and Northside Elementary each with 3, DeKalb West 2, and Smithville Elementary 1. By Friday, October 22 the numbers were: DCHS 4, DeKalb Middle School 3, and DeKalb West School 1.

The district reported 4 absences among the staff on Friday, October 22 due to positive cases or quarantine including 1 at Smithville Elementary and 3 in the Transportation Department.

Meanwhile the number of active COVID cases in DeKalb County as of Friday, October 22 was 37 with 6 new cases.

There have been 70 deaths in DeKalb County since the pandemic began in March 2020 and 108 have been hospitalized.

At last report a total of 8,593 people (41.9%) have received at least one dose of COVID vaccine and 7,380 (36.8%) are fully vaccinated in DeKalb County.

Over the last seven days, (October 15-21) DeKalb County had a case count of 22 for a daily case rate of 15.3 per 100,000 residents.

For the most recent 14 days, (October 8-21) DeKalb County’s case count was 54 for a daily case rate of 18.8 per 100,000 residents.

For the 14 days prior (September 24 to October 7), the case count was 126 for a daily case rate of 43.9 per 100, 000 residents.

From March 5, 2020 to October 21, 2021, DeKalb County has had a total of 4,180 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 for a daily case rate of 34.3 per 100,000 residents.

Over the last 7 days the average percent positive was 10.7%.

October 23, 2021
By: Tecia Puckett Pryor

The 17th Annual Habitat for Humanity Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale, was held on Friday, October 22, 2021, with perfect chili weather being delivered on the lawn of the DeKalb County Courthouse. There was a great crowd, with over 500 bowls of chili being served and $5,520 being raised for Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, which will be used towards the building of the next Habitat house.

“The Courthouse Gang” from the DeKalb County Officials took Top Chili Honors, with the “FirstBank First Choice Chili” from FirstBank placing second. Third place chili honors went to “Top Gunners” from AmVets Post 101.

The Best Decorated Booth Award went to the DeKalb County Officials, with newcomer teams “Gas It Up Chili” from DeKalb Market and “Brandon Cox for Judge” from Brandon Cox, Attorney, coming in second and third place.

The Golden Spoon Award went to “The Courthouse Gang” from the DeKalb County Officials, who raised an additional $230.00 for Habitat in cash donations at their booth. A total of $807 was raised by all teams combined in pursuit of the Golden Spoon Award.

Rounding out the thirteen participating teams were Adoration Home Health; Smithville Electric System; “Legal Limit Spice” from Tecia Puckett Pryor, Attorney/Center Hill Title, LLC; “Hot Checks Chili” from Wilson Bank and Trust; DeKalb Co. Veteran’s Services; “DeKalb Co. Constable” from Mark Milam, Constable; “Divine Intervention Chili” from Smithville First Baptist Church; and “Tennessee ‘Meats’ Texas” from Button Willow.

Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County thanks each of these teams for their enthusiasm and support of the event; all those who donated the delicious baked goods; City Mayor Josh Miller and his staff and County Mayor Tim Stribling and his staff for facilitating the event space; and all the fine folks of the community who came out to support Habitat and this great community event.

Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates houses in partnership with volunteers and families in need, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. To contact Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, please call 215-8181 or find them on Facebook @HFHDeKalb TN.

October 23, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Tigers were dealt another close loss Friday night as they came up short against the visiting Goodpasture Cougars 21-13 on Senior Night.

The loss puts the Tigers at 5-4 on the season with the regular season finale at Stone Memorial in Crossville next Friday night, October 29 to determine 3rd place in the Region and seeding for the State Play-offs in two weeks. Goodpasture improves to 3-4.

Goodpasture got on the board early as Quarterback A.J. Brooks found Josh Williams on a touchdown pass play good for 65 yards. Henry Lowe kicked through the extra point and the Cougars led 7-0 with 10:43 left in the 1st period.

The Tigers tried to get points with 1:21 left in the 2nd period but a 31 yard field goal attempt by Axel Aranda failed to connect and DC trailed at halftime 7-0.

DeKalb County got a spark early in the 3rd period as Isaac Knowles came in at quarterback and raced 63 yards for a touchdown with 11:47 on the clock. Aranda added the extra point and the game was tied at 7-7.

The Tigers took the lead with 1:34 left in the 3rd period on a 24 yard touchdown run by Colby Barnes. The PAT attempt failed but DeKalb County held a 13-7 advantage.

Goodpasture later mounted a 64 yard drive that resulted in an 11 yard touchdown run by A.J. Brooks. Lowe tacked on the extra point and the Cougars pulled ahead 14-13.

The Cougars expanded their lead with 1:24 left in the 4th period on a 10 yard touchdown run by Jaron Elkins. Lowe added the extra point and Goodpasture went on to claim a 21-13 victory.

Here are the Division I Class 4A Region 4 standings as of Saturday, October 23:
Upperman: 8-1 (4-0)
Macon County: 6-3 (3-1)
DeKalb County: 5-4 (2-2)
Stone Memorial: 6-3 (2-2)
Cumberland County: 5-4 (1-3)
Livingston Academy: 0-9 (0-4)