“The Courthouse Gang-DeKalb County Officials” Takes Top Honors at Habitat Chili Cook-Off and Bake Sale

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)

October 22, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Get a flu shot! The Tennessee Department of Health is urging all Tennesseans who have not yet received a flu shot this flu season to get one as soon as possible. Tennessee county health departments are holding special “TN Fight Flu Day” vaccine events in every county to increase the number of people vaccinated across Tennessee.

The DeKalb County Health Department will observe TN Fight Flu Day on Tuesday, November 9 on the south side of the courthouse from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Help protect your family and others from influenza by getting a free flu shot.

“It’s important for everyone in Tennessee to get a flu vaccine,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “Vaccination is still the best protection we have against this serious and potentially deadly illness,” she said.

TDH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a yearly flu vaccine for everyone ages six months and older. It’s especially important for pregnant women to get flu shots to protect themselves and their unborn children, as flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women.

Most people with the flu will experience symptoms such as fever, cough, congestion and body aches, and will recover on their own after about a week. However, infants, the elderly and people with certain medical conditions are at highest risk of severe complications from the flu. If you suspect you or someone in your family has the flu, call your health care provider for advice.

The flu virus is highly contagious, so it’s important for people who are sick to stay home and avoid contact with others until their symptoms have resolved to help prevent further spread of the illness. This includes staying away from work, school and other public places while ill.

Follow these additional tips to protect your family and others from the flu:
• Use “respiratory etiquette” by coughing into your elbow or a tissue instead of your hands
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub
• Routine cleaning and disinfection in the home and workplace are important to reduce flu risks

Learn more about preventing seasonal flu at www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/index.html.