Officers Rescue Suicidal Man Threatening to Jump from Sligo Bridge

September 9, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

An intense situation unfolded on Sligo Bridge early this morning (Thursday) as a suicidal man threatened to jump.

Highway 70 at the bridge was closed for two and a half hours as officers tried to talk the man out of it. He was later safely taken into custody and transported to the hospital for a mental evaluation. The name of the man has not been disclosed.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department issued the following media release:

“Today September the 9th, 2021 the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department received a call of a possible suicidal male wanting to jump off the bridge at 4:32 A.M. After officers arrived on scene at 4:39 A.M. they came into contact with a middle aged male standing on the bridge. As officers attempted to talk to the individual he became very irritated and emotional and stepped up onto the ledge of the bridge. Officers notified TWRA, and the DeKalb Rescue Squad to be on standby under the bridge and in the area as a precaution. This caused Sparta Highway to be shut down for approximately two and a half hours. Several THP officers were also on scene and helped officers of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department take the male individual safely into custody. The male individual was transported to the DeKalb ER for a mental evaluation. We would like to thank TDOT, TWRA , The DeKalb Rescue Squad, Central Dispatch, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol for their assistance in this incident”.

September 9, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Five of WJLE’s Fearless Forecasters tied for having the best record picking winners during last week’s debut show for the college football season.

Grant James, Ricky Atnip, Jared Davis, Chad Kirby, and John Pryor each compiled a record of 9-6 last week. Scott Brown went 8-7 while Darrell Gill and Scott Goodwin were each at 7-8.

Two forecasters hit their underdog picks last week. Grant James got 3 points as Maryland defeated West Virginia 30 to 24 and Jared Davis got on the board with 3 points with Georgia’s 10-3 win over Clemson.

Today (Thursday) the Forecasters will be picking winners in the following games:

Utah at BYU, Washington at Michigan, Iowa at Iowa State, Air Force at Navy, Illinois at Virginia, Georgia Southern at Florida Atlantic, San Diego State at Arizona, Oregon at Ohio State, South Carolina at East Carolina, N.C. State at Mississippi State, Missouri at Kentucky, Texas at Arkansas, Vanderbilt at Colorado State, Pittsburgh at Tennessee, and Arizona at the Tennessee Titans.

The program is sponsored by the Charles D. Atnip Realty and Auction Company, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, FirstBank, DeKalb County Insurance, Davis Auto Body, Gill Automotive, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, and Dominos Pizza.

Catch the Fearless Forecasters today (Thursday) at 4:30 p.m. on WJLE.

September 8, 2021
By:

The girls and boys DMS cross country teams competed at the Webb School, in the John Freeman Invitational, this past Saturday, Sept. 4th. Personal records were set and 3 top 15 finishes were earned.

The girls team was led by 8th grader Chaylea Lundsford who finished 4th out of a field of 112 runners with a PR of 13:59. Her teammate, Emily Fry, earned a top 15 finish as well, placing 13th, with a time a PR of 14:44. Rounding out the girls team was Kaylee Kent; 16:06, Gracie Brewington; 18:32, Anaka Oakley; 20:24, and Isobella Franz; PR of 21:22.

7th grader Ben Driver, paved the way for the DMS boys with a top 10 finish, placing 7th overall in a field of 172 runners with a time of 12:55. Rounding out the boys was 6th grader, Carson Davis; PR of 14:25, Ethan Spears PR of 14:37, Hayden Merriman, PR of 14:57, and Christian Hernandez; 15:10.

Not competing at the meet were teammates, Dylan Cathey, Andrew Cathey, Chloe VanVranken, Sydney Polk, Candice Rico, and Kaelyn Beltran-Ortega.