4-H’ers Succeed in Virtual Poultry Competitions

December 15, 2020
By: Leigh Fuson

The COVID-19 Pandemic caused a lot of changes and cancelations for every group and organization this year. This is no different for DeKalb County 4-H. While it has been challenging and discouraging at times, 4-H has continued to be as active as possible with modified programs and activities. One of these programs was the first (and hopefully last!) virtual poultry judging contest.

We had teams compete virtually in both the Central Region and the Tennessee State contests. Cali Agee, Angelique Barrick, Laura Magness, and Luke Magness placed 1st in the junior high division.

Laura was 5th high individual, Angelique 6th, and Luke 10th. Also competing in the junior division were Autumn Crook and Wade Evans. On the state level, the senior high team of Briona Agee, Jenna Cantrell, Summer Crook, and Lydia Davenport placed 4th. Jenna was 5th high individual overall and 3rd in the production category which includes the live bird judging.

During the contest, there are three classes where eggs are graded on quality: candling, broken out, and exterior. A class of four, live White Leghorn hens is judged on their egg laying ability. Finally, meat parts are identified and carcasses are graded in the ready-to-cook poultry classes. This year, high quality pictures and videos were used to judge from the computer.

Although a virtual contest isn’t ideal, we are thankful to our regional and state staff for the opportunity to compete, learn, and develop teamwork. We are proud of these 4-H members for their hard work and determination during this competition!

If you are interested in poultry judging or any other 4-H activity, please call 615-597-4945. 4-H is a proud part of UT Extension, the UT Institute of Agriculture, and TSU Cooperative Extension. UT-TSU Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment through the cooperation of county, state, and federal governments.

December 15, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County’s number of active COVID-19 cases continues to surge.

According to the Tennessee Department of Health, DeKalb County recorded 55 new cases Monday, December 14 bringing the total number of active cases to 366, up from 233 on Friday, December 11.

Twenty five people with COVID 19 have died in DeKalb County within the last nine months and 34 have been hospitalized. The total number of confirmed or probable cases of COVID 19 in DeKalb County since March stands at 1,661 and 1,270 are now inactive or have recovered.

At last report, DeKalb County had the highest COVID-19 infection rate among Tennessee counties (per capita) at 212.6 per 100,000 residents and the 40th highest in the nation according to COVID ACT Now (CAN).

(Click link below to view CAN report on DeKalb County)
https://www.covidactnow.org/us/tennessee-tn/county/de_kalb_county?

COVID Act Now is an independent, 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides local-level disease intelligence and data analysis on the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. CAN provides open-source tools, a realtime U.S. COVID risk map by state and county, and information for pandemic response and assists partners ranging from local county health departments to multinational corporations in developing COVID response plans.

According to CAN, Tennessee and DeKalb County are currently experiencing a severe outbreak of COVID-19 and warns that all precautions should be taken to avoid exposure.

Over the last seven days, (December 8 to December 14) DeKalb County had a case count of 305 for a daily case rate of 212.6 per 100,000 residents.

Over the last 14 days, (December 1-14) DeKalb County’s case count was 457 for a daily case rate of 159.3 per 100,000 residents. That is up from the 14 day period of November 16-29 when the case count was 202 for a daily case rate of 70.4 per 100,000 residents.

For the 14 days prior (November 17-30), the case count was 212 for a daily case rate of 73.9 per 100, 000 residents.

From March 5 to December 14, DeKalb County has had a total of 1,661 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 for a daily case rate of 29.3 per 100,000 residents.

Over the last 7 days DeKalb County has averaged 139.3 tests per day (679.8 tests per 100,000 residents) and over the last 7 days the average percent positive was 27.2 %.

(Click Link Below for DeKalb County Report)
https://covid19.tn.gov/data/dashboards/?County=Dekalb

Starting the week of December 21st the DeKalb County Health Department will be changing COVID-19 testing times. Testing will be only on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30am-12:30pm. The DeKalb Health Department will be closed December 24th,25th, 31st, and January 1st for the holidays.

Three Important Ways to Slow the Spread:

Wear a mask to protect yourself and others and stop the spread of COVID-19.

Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from others who don’t live with you, and avoid crowds.

Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

How to Protect Yourself When Going Out:

Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others. Masks offer some protection to you and may protect those around you if you are unknowingly infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.

Choose a mask with two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric that fits snugly against the sides of your face.

Stay 6 feet apart and avoid crowds.

The more people you are in contact with, the more likely you are to be exposed to COVID-19.
Avoid indoor spaces as much as possible, particularly ones that aren’t well ventilated.
You may find it harder to stay 6 feet apart in indoor spaces.

Wash your hands often.

Use soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place or hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.

What to Do If You’re Sick:

Stay home except to get medical care. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and recover at home without medical care.

Isolate yourself from other members of your family to prevent spread to them and the people that they may have contact with, like grandparents.

If you have to leave isolation, wear a mask, stay 6 feet apart from others, wash your hands frequently, and clean all touched surfaces.

Even if you don’t feel sick, you can spread COVID-19 to others. Be sure that you protect everyone as though they are the most fragile person in your family.

Get care immediately if you are having emergency warning signs, like trouble breathing, pain or pressure in chest.

What Symptoms to Watch For:

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are

Fever
Cough
Headaches
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Nausea
Diarrhea

Other symptoms are signs of serious illness. If someone has trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, or difficulty staying awake, get medical care immediately.

December 15, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A Smithville woman who admitted to stealing roses from a grave has been cited for misdemeanor theft under $1,000.

39 year old Sherri Gunter of Jacobs Pillar Road will appear in General Sessions Court January 21.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on December 2 his office received a report that someone had stolen flowers from a grave at DeKalb Cemetery on Highway 56. The deceased had just been buried shortly before the theft and family members noticed the roses were gone and reported it.

During an investigation Gunter was questioned and she admitted to taking the roses from the grave.

32 year old Steffanie Renee Thomas of Crestview Drive, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $3,500.

Sheriff Ray said that on December 11 a deputy responded to Crestview Drive due to a physical domestic. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Thomas who said that she and her husband had been arguing and that she had slapped him in the face cutting his lip. After shoving him into the shower, he got up and grabbed Thomas by the throat before shoving her into a wall. Thomas again shoved her husband and he then grabbed her around the neck. Thomas was determined to have been the primary aggressor.

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