County’s Newest Fire Truck Being Readied for Service

October 10, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The newest fire truck in the fleet of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department is being readied to go into service at the Liberty Station.

County Fire Chief Donny Green said the 2021 model freightliner demo truck recently arrived and is being marked and equipped.

“It came pretty basic. We had to get the decals and the shelving and we will have to put the loose equipment on it such as the hoses, nozzles, axes, flashlights, etc,” said Chief Green.

The truck was purchased thanks in part to a Community Facility Services Grant under the USDA Rural Development Program.

In January, County Mayor Tim Stribling was contacted by Rural Development and made aware that a census tract in the western portion of the county met the grant program priorities for funds set aside to improve community facilities and safety initiatives. The grant application was filed and administered by the Upper Cumberland Development District (UCDD).

Five months later in June Mayor Stribling was contacted by Dan Beasley, Acting State Director for Tennessee Rural Development, and informed that the DeKalb County Fire Department had been awarded a grant in the amount of $137,500. The grant award, coupled with the county’s obligated matching share of $115,000, put the total project at over $250,000.

Chief Green said while the department wanted a brand new truck it had to settle for a demo model. “We originally tried to buy a brand new truck but when we started looking at budgets because of the COVID situation and supply of available apparatus we saw we were not going to be able to order a new truck and stay within budget so we found this 2021 freightliner. It’s an E-One manufactured truck. It’s a demo and it has 4,000 miles on it although it is a 2021 model. Luckily we were able to find it. It met what we needed as far as configuration and we were able to get it within our budget,” said Chief Green.

Funds from the sale of three older homemade fire trucks recently taken out of service and sold at public auction will be used to buy the shelving and equipment needed for the truck.

The new fire engine will go to the Liberty Station and Liberty’s 2006 model truck will go to the Temperance Hall Fire Station. The 1996 truck at Temperance Hall will be moved to the Austin Bottoms Community Fire Station to replace a 1987 truck which will be used as the department’s reserve truck going forward. The current reserve truck, a 1979 model will be removed from service to be declared surplus and sold.

Chief Green said his department wants to express appreciation for County Mayor Tim Stribling’s and the County Commission’s support and commitment to the local grant match for this new fire engine. Additionally, Chief Green said he extends his sincere thanks to the staff at USDA’s Rural Development for helping prepare and administer this grant project.

Mayor Stribling said that he is proud of our county fire department and the commitment they show every day for protecting and serving our county’s citizens and visitors. “These men and women volunteer to provide professional emergency services and we need to make sure we are doing what we can do provide them with safe equipment. I also want to thank the DeKalb County Commission and the staff at Rural Development and UCDD for their guidance and support in the application and administration of this grant,” said Stribling.

October 9, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County School District reported 17 positive cases of COVID on Friday, October 8, which is up from 8 on Friday, October 1.

The district reported 12 positive cases on Monday, October 4 compared to 7 the previous Monday September 27.

The number of those under quarantine on Monday, October 4 was 33, down from 41 on Monday, September 27. By Friday, October 8 the number was 46 compared to 47 the previous Friday, October 1.

According to Attendance Supervisor Joey Reeder, the DeKalb School District reported 12 positive cases on Monday, October 4 with the numbers at each school as follows: DeKalb Middle School 5, DCHS 3, Northside Elementary 2, Smithville Elementary 2, and DeKalb West School 0. By Friday, October 8 the numbers at each school were as follows: DCHS 6, DeKalb Middle School 4, Smithville Elementary 4, Northside Elementary 3, and DeKalb West School at 0 for a total of 17.

The number of those under quarantine district-wide was at 33 on Monday, October 4. The numbers at each school were: Northside Elementary 9, DeKalb West 8, DCHS 8, Smithville Elementary 5, and DeKalb Middle School 3 . By Friday, October 8 the numbers were: DeKalb West School 12, Northside Elementary 11, DCHS 9, Smithville Elementary 9, and DeKalb Middle School 5 for a total of 46.

October 9, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Colby Barnes scored three rushing touchdowns and Isaac Knowles had a “Pick 6” to lead the DeKalb County Tigers to a 28-0 win at Warren County Friday night.

The win puts the Tigers at 5-2 on the year while Warren County drops to 1-4.

The next test for the Tigers may be the biggest so far this season as they host Upperman Friday night, October 15. Kick-off will be at 7 p.m. and WJLE will have LIVE coverage. The Bees sport a record of 6-1 and lead the region standings at 3-0.

The Tiger defense stood tall in the game Friday night recording its first shutout of the season.

Barnes scored the first of his three touchdowns on a 7 yard run with 7:37 left in the 1st period. Axel Aranda came on for the extra point and the Tigers led 7-0.

Barnes gave DC a two touchdown advantage with 10:03 left in the 3rd period on a 23 yard run. Aranda added the extra point and the Tigers led 14-0.

Isaac Knowles picked off a Pioneer pass with 1:29 left in the 3rd period and returned it 60 yards for a score. Aranda booted the extra point and the Tigers had a 21-0 cushion.

Barnes got his third and final touchdown of the game with 8:01 left in the 4th period on a 7 yard run. Aranda kicked through the extra point and the Tigers went on to claim a 28-0 victory.

Region Standings as of Saturday, October 9:

Upperman: 6-1 (3-0)
Macon County: 5-2 (2-1)
DeKalb County: 5-2 (2-1)
Stone Memorial: 5-2 (2-1)
Cumberland County: 4-4 (1-3)
Livingston Academy: 0-8 (0-4)