DeKalb Health Department to Host Walk-In Flu Clinic Friday

October 23, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Health Department will have a walk-in flu clinic on Friday, October 25 from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Protect yourself and others from the flu by getting your flu shot.

Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP received her annual flu shot today at the Rutherford County Health Department in Murfreesboro.

The flu vaccine prevents millions of flu-related illnesses and doctors’ visits each year and is the first and most important step in preventing the flu.

‘’We unfortunately see flu-related deaths almost every flu season in Tennessee, and one death is too many,’’ said Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. ‘’The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is predicting an early flu season this year, so it’s extremely important to get a flu shot now before the flu begins to spread in communities across our state.’’

The Tennessee Department of Health and the CDC recommend a yearly flu vaccine for everyone aged 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.

‘’When you get a flu vaccine you’re not just protecting yourself from the flu, you’re also protecting your family, friends and others around you,’’ said Tennessee Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program Medical Director Michelle Fiscus, MD, FAAP. ‘’Getting a flu vaccine greatly reduces your chance of developing serious illness from the flu.’’

Flu vaccine is available now across the state from a variety of providers including county health departments, medical clinics and pharmacies. For a list of a local health departments near you, go to www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/localdepartments.html.

Another way to help prevent the spread of flu and other winter viruses is to practice good health habits including frequent hand washing with soapy water or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and covering coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or tissue. People who are sick should stay home to recover and prevent spreading illness to co-workers, friends and others. For more information about preventing and treating influenza, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/index.html.

October 22, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

With Halloween just days away how about treating yourself and family to a new puppy from the DeKalb Animal Coalition?

Come meet Sarah, Mary, and Winnie, the WJLE/DeKalb Animal Coalition featured Pets of the Week.

Meet Puppies Mary, Sarah, and Winnie from dwayne page on Vimeo.

“These three gals are seven weeks old. They are Beagle/Feist mixed and we named them after the witches in the Hocus Pocus movie just in time for Halloween. The last of a litter of seven, they are waiting on their perfect new homes. We guess they will be about 30 pounds when full grown,” said Shelter Director Megan Moore.

Stop by or call to learn how you can adopt one or all of them.

The shelter is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12pm-4pm and Saturday 10am-12pm. and the telephone number is 615-597-3647 (DOGS). Also visit facebook and instagram .

Located at 186 Transfer Station Road behind Tenneco Automotive.

Meanwhile, a Volunteer Orientation will be held at the shelter on Saturday, November 2 from noon until 1 p.m. The class will last 45 minutes.

“We will be outdoors for some of the class so dress accordingly. The class will go over how to properly open and close kennels and safely get animals in and out to play,” said Shelter employee Emmaly Bennett.

If you want to participate just visit the DeKalb Animal Coalition facebook page under events and mark that you plan to attend.

October 22, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Did you know children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don’t, yet only a quarter of teens report having these conversations?

RED RIBBON WEEK, which is celebrated annually October 23-31, is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness program.

“During RED RIBBON WEEK, we invite our community to take a VISIBLE stand against drugs. We normally do this within our schools, but this year we are encouraging our community to get involved. Nationwide individuals, families, and communities are asked to support this event by the following: if you have signage please use it to promote Red Ribbon Week with an anti drug statement, turn the building red if you have a display window, and by wearing red that week (or just pick one day) and post a picture on your website or facebook page with #redribbonweek, etc. Please send me the picture, so I can post it to our DeKalb Prevention Facebook page at 615-580-9290. There are tons of neat ideas online if you google 2019 Red Ribbon Week. Thank you for your involvement in becoming part of our community drug fight,” said Lisa Cripps, DeKalb Prevention Coalition Coordinator.

This project is funded by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

Red Ribbon Week was started after the death of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who in 1985 was brutally tortured and murdered by drug traffickers he was investigating in Mexico. As a tribute to SA Camarena, high school friend, Henry Lozano and Congressman Duncan Hunter, created “Camarena Clubs” and the wearing of a red ribbon to show their oppositions to drugs.

In 1988, the National Family Partnership coordinated the first National Red Ribbon Week with President and Mrs. Reagan serving as honorary Chairpersons. Since then, the Red Ribbon campaign has taken on national significance, and NFP continues to coordinate the campaign for families, schools and communities across the nation each year. Wearing red ribbons during the month of October continues to represent our pledge to live drug free and honors the sacrifice of all who have lost their lives in the fight against drugs.

Celebrate Red Ribbon Week in your community or your child’s school, and raise awareness of living a drug free life. Take the opportunity to talk to your kids about drugs.

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