TDEC Issues Precautionary Fish Consumption Advisory on Center Hill Reservoir

June 20, 2022
By:

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) today announced a precautionary fish consumption advisory due to mercury on Center Hill Reservoir in Dekalb and Putnam counties.

In 2021, TDEC and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) collected fish tissue data on Center Hill Reservoir where fish were analyzed for mercury. Based on the fish tissue results, a precautionary fish consumption advisory is being issued for black bass species (largemouth, spotted, and smallmouth bass) in the reservoir.

TDEC advises that pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children avoid eating the fish species included in the advisory and that all others limit consumption to one meal per month. Other recreational activities such as boating, kayaking, swimming, wading, and catch and release fishing carry no risk

“We provide these advisories so the community can make informed decisions about whether or not to consume the fish they catch,” said TDEC Deputy Commissioner Greg Young. “Unlike ‘do not consume’ advisories that warn the general population to avoid eating fish from a particular body of water altogether, precautionary fish consumption advisories are specifically directed to sensitive populations such as children, pregnant women, nursing mothers and those who may eat fish frequently from the same body of water.”

These studies documented that in black bass species mercury levels were above the trigger of 0.3 mg/kg (parts per million).

TDEC considers the source of mercury in Center Hill Reservoir to be atmospheric deposition. According to the EPA, atmospheric deposition due to the global burning of coal is the most frequent reason for elevated levels of mercury in fish.

TDEC will post warning signs at primary public access points and will work with the TWRA and United States Army Corps of Engineers to communicate this information to the public.

About Fish Consumption Advisories

The Tennessee Water Quality Control Act identifies the commissioner of the Department of Environment and Conservation as having the authority and responsibility to issue advisories for either water contact hazards like pathogens or excessive health risks due to the accumulation of contaminants in fish or shellfish. Tennessee’s General Water Quality Criteria provide additional guidance regarding the conditions under which advisories may be warranted.

There are two types of fish consumption advisories issued by TDEC based on the levels of contaminants present in fish tissue. “Do not consume” fishing advisories are issued when levels of contaminants in fish tissue would represent a threat to the general population. Precautionary advisories are issued when contaminant levels are lower but would still pose a risk to sensitive subpopulations such as children, pregnant women, nursing mothers and those who eat fish frequently from the same body of water.

Where new advisories have been issued, TDEC will immediately begin the process of putting up signs at primary public access points. TDEC works in partnership with the TWRA to communicate information about fishing advisories.

For a complete listing of Tennessee’s current fishing advisories plus additional information about the advisory issuance process, visit: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/environment/water/watershed-planning/wr_wq_fish-advisories.pdf.

An EPA website has additional information about mercury at: http://www.epa.gov/fish-tech/epa-fda-advisory-mercury-fish-and-shellfish.

June 20, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Seven people were involved in a four-auto crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 96 near Liberty. Two of them sustained minor injuries.

According to Trooper Richard Teachout of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 19-year-old Patrick Joseph McGann of Marietta, Georgia was traveling west in a 2016 Toyota Tacoma when he crossed into the path of an eastbound 2022 Toyota, driven by 25-year-old Kaylee Megan Hale of Dowelltown causing the Hale car to overturn. The debris from the crash struck an eastbound 2013 Toyota, driven by 54-year-old Anne Camden White of Dowelltown causing minor damage. After McGann’s car struck the Hale vehicle it then hit an eastbound 2013 Kia, driven by 57-year-old Philip James Gotro of Dowelltown causing the Gotro vehicle to overturn on its side. McGann’s car then hit the guard rail face and came to rest in a field.

Gotro and his passenger, 61-year-old Cheryl Anne Gotro of Dowelltown were believed to have suffered minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to Ascension St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital.

Neither McGann nor his passenger, 19-year-old Emme Elizabeth Eusepi of Smyrna was injured.

Hale had a 6-year-old passenger with her but they were not hurt.

DeKalb EMS was on the scene along with the DeKalb County Fire Department and DeKalb Sheriff’s Department

June 19, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Alexis Grace Atnip was crowned the 2022 Miss Jamboree in the age 17-20 category Saturday at the county complex auditorium.

Atnip, the 19-year-old daughter of Veronica and Gary Johnson of Smithville was also awarded for Prettiest Hair and Eyes.

Finishing in second place was 18-year-old Madelyn Mundt, daughter of Todd and Kelli Mundt of Knoxville. She was also named Most Photogenic.

Caitlin Elisabeth Washer received third place. She is the 17-year-old daughter of John and Karey Washer and Charlise Childers Washer of Smithville.

Meanwhile 17-year-old McKenzie Faith Sanders was judged to have the Prettiest Attire. She is the daughter of James and Misti Sanders of Smithville.

The annual pageant is sponsored by the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club.

Winners in the 14-16 age group:

14-year-old Brooke Addison Bilbrey was crowned queen in the 14-16 age category. She is the daughter of David and Melanie Bilbrey.

14-year-old Cali Agee received second place. She is the daughter of Kevin and Jennifer Agee of Smithville. Agee was also awarded for Prettiest Attire.

Third place went to Averie McMinn, the 14-year-old daughter of Amanda and Jake Franklin and Nathan McMinn.

16-year-old Tayla Faythe Buck, daughter of Tania Hughes and Jeremy Buck of Murfreesboro received the Prettiest Eyes, Hair, and Most Photogenic Awards.

Winners in the 11-13 age division:

In the 11–13-year-old age division 11-year-old Ella Grace Kirksey was the winner and was also named Most Photogenic along with receiving the award for Prettiest Hair. She is the daughter of Graden and Sabrina Kirksey of Smithville.

12-year-old Brileigh Nicole Bullard, daughter of Nikki and Jimmy Martin and Riley and Kayla Bullard of Smithville took second place and was awarded for Prettiest Eyes and Attire.

McKenzie Moss received third place. She is the 13-year-old daughter of Jerry and Jennifer Taylor of Smithville.

Kenli Faith Fish, 11-year-old daughter of Tiffany Pedigo and Cody Fish of Smithville received the People’s Choice Award.

Winners in the 7-10 year old age group:

8-year-old Katy Jo Bowen is the Miss Jamboree Queen in the 7–10-year-old age group. She is the daughter of the late Joseph Bowen and Cody and Kimberly Atnip of Liberty. Katy was also awarded for Most Photogenic and Prettiest Hair.

Alexis Shepherd received second place. She is the 7-year-old daughter of Donald and Misty Shepherd of Dowelltown.

Third place went to 9-year-old Arraya Jenae Taylor of Smithville, daughter of Angie Taylor. She was also judged to have the Prettiest Attire.

Raelyn Snider, 7-year-old daughter of Chelsey and Kirk Snider of Smithville was awarded for Prettiest Eyes while Emilet Aldino, 8-year-old daughter of Cecilia Aldino of Smithville received the People’s Choice Award.

Winners in the 4-6 year old category:

Queen Kendyl Reign Atnip, the 6-year-old daughter of Brooke Hutchings and Cody and Kimberly Atnip of Liberty. She was also awarded for Most Photogenic.

Haddeign Grace Harvey, 5-year-old daughter of Chad and Kayla Harvey of Alexandria received second place and was awarded for Prettiest Hair.

Summer Elizabeth Longmire, 5-year-old daughter of Drew and Kristy Longmire of Smithville took third place, the People’s Choice Award, and was judged to have the Prettiest Attire.

Erin Marie Hendrixson, 6-year-old daughter of Christy Hendrixson and Matt Hendrixson of Smithville was awarded for Prettiest Eyes.

Miss Jamboree 25 to 48 months:

Queen Olivia Denise Kilgore, the 31 month old daughter of Ryan and Jasmine Kilgore of McMinnville. She also received an award for Prettiest Hair.

Second place went to Briar Kilgore, 3-year-old daughter of Clay and Mariah Kilgore of Smithville.

Jane Grant received third place and was judged to have the Prettiest Eyes. She is the 40-month-old daughter of Danielle and Burt Grant of Smithville.

Emberleigh Skye Knowles, 3-year-old daughter of Gabriel and Kylee Knowles of Smithville was named Most Photogenic and received the award for Prettiest Attire.

Winners in the category for boys ages 25 to 48 months:

Samuel Keith Griffin was crowned King. He is the 3-year-old son of Luke and Casey Griffin of Alexandria. He also won for Most Photogenic and Prettiest Eyes, Hair, and Attire. He also took home the People’s Choice Award.

Second place went to 30-month-old Maddon James Allen while Brinson Barnes, 2-year-old son of Peggy and Brownie Barnes of Smithville received third place.

Winners in the girls 13-24 months category:

Queen Norah McKeown, 16-month-old daughter of McKaiely Wade and Jimmy McKeown of Smithville. She was also awarded for Prettiest Eyes.

Emma Rose Chapman, 21-month-old daughter of Jocelyn and Corey Chapman of Dowelltown received second place and was named Most Photogenic.

Third place went to Kennedy Elaine Shanks, 20-month-old daughter of Ethan Shanks and Victoria Stanley of Smithville and was judged to have the Prettiest Attire.

Emryn Lorae Knowles, 1 year old daughter of Gabriel and Kylee Knowles of Smithville received an award for Prettiest Hair.

Winners in the girls 7-12 months group:

Queen Emaline Joanne Wagner, 10-month-old daughter of Cody and Maddie Wagner of Smithville.

Second place went to Parker Mae Griffith, 10-month-old daughter of Leland and Jessica Griffith of Sparta. She also received an award for Prettiest Eyes, Attire and for Most Photogenic.

Sydney Ann Barrett received third place. She is the 8-month-old daughter of Stephen and Vickey Barrett of Dowelltown.

Enslee Shyann Knowles, 7-month-old daughter of Gabriel and Kylee Knowles of Smithville was awarded for Prettiest Hair.

Winner of boys 7-12 months:

Oliver Kaide Frazier, 8-month-old son of Kamien Sparks and Austin Frazier of Smithville. He also took home honors for Most Photogenic, Prettiest Eyes, Hair, and Attire.

Winners of boys 1 day to 6 months:

Kasen Jacob Franklin was crowned King: He is the 2-month-old son of Amanda and Jake Franklin of Smithville. He was also named Most Photogenic and was the People’s Choice Award winner.

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