Young Bear Seen Roaming in DeKalb County (View Video Here)

July 29, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Have you seen a black bear in DeKalb County lately?

According to TWRA Officer Tony Cross, several people have reported seeing a young bear over the last three weeks primarily in the Snow Hill, Possum Hollow, Dowelltown, and Liberty area. Some have even photographed or captured the sightings on video.

(Click link below)

https://youtube.com/shorts/8YKZ4ie2gqk?si=1p8v2E_6sd9sR-jZ

“We are pretty sure it’s a young male, probably a couple of years old. Its hard to tell from the photos and videos what size he is, but he appears to be around 150 pounds, still that’s a good-sized bear,” said TWRA Officer Cross . “The bear has been seen in various places from the Snow Hill area to the edge of Dowelltown to the edge of Liberty to Dry Creek, and Possum Hollow. Several people have taken a picture or a video documenting proof where they saw the bear,” Cross explained.

Chances are the bear is only passing through and is in search of a food source along the way.

“A bear is really an overgrown raccoon,” said Officer Cross. “Many times a cub will stay with his mother up until he is around two years old and then she will decide its time for the young bear to go out on its own but a young bear will not stay in an area where there is a dominant male bear because he might be killed  so he starts to roam. As he is on the move, the bear will be looking for something to eat and that may be anything from berries and grubs to table scraps, bird feed, etc.”

“If you live in these areas where this bear has been seen, there is nothing to be afraid of,” Officer Cross explained. “Bears don’t want to be around humans and if they see someone walking or a car coming, they are going to go the other way but watch about leaving trash out unattended because like a lot of other wild animals if there is food among the garbage, a bear will dig into it”.

“Eventually this bear will want to be where other bears are. He’s not going to just hang out by himself. Right now, he is just wandering around and not bothering anyone,” said Officer Cross.

Please do not try to harm the bear. There is no bear hunting season in DeKalb County, and you could be prosecuted if you should kill a bear here.

According to the TWRA, black bears roamed all of Tennessee at one time. After European settlement, the numbers started dropping. Thanks to conservation and management efforts from all the Southeast states involved with the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA), black bears are making a dramatic comeback in the Southeast. Occasionally a bear sighting is reported in the Upper Cumberland area

The TWRA also offers the following guidelines to avoid and minimize potentially dangerous bear encounters:

– Never approach or feed bears

– When camping in bear country, keep all food stored in a vehicle from tents and dispose of food waste

– If you see a black bear from a distance, change your direction of travel, return the way you came from or wait until it leaves the area

– Make your presence known by yelling and shouting at the bear to scare it away.
If approached by a bear, the TWRA said stand your ground, raise your arms to appear larger, yell, throw rocks or sticks until they leave.

– Never run from a black bear. This will trigger its instinct to chase.

– If a black bear attacks, fight back aggressively and do not play pretend. Use pepper spray, sticks, rocks or anything to defend yourself.

“TWRA encourages residents to contact them immediately if they witness aggressive behavior by black bears at: tn.gov/twra/law-enforcement#accident. For additional information about what to do when encountering a bear while hiking and camping visit, bearwise.org.”

July 29, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb Saints Football team will kick-off the 2024 season Thursday night, August 1 at home hosting Fentress County at 6:30 p.m.

“We should be pretty decent,” said Saints Head Coach Justin Poteete. “A lot of kids that played last year as 7th graders are back this year including running backs, quarterbacks, and a couple of receivers and linemen. We’ll be throwing some new kids in the mix. They just have to come out and work. I think as long as we do that and pop people around, I think we will be alright,” said Coach Poteete.

“We have a little bit of size on the line, but we are typically on the smaller end in our conference. As long as they work it doesn’t really matter to me how big they are. We will figure that out once we go up against somebody else,” Coach Poteete continued.

The Saints’ quarterback crew includes Collin Donnell, Hayden Quarles, Landon Holmes, and Zayne Thomas.

“This year our quarterback will be Collin Donnell,” said Coach Poteete. “He and Hayden Quarles are both eighth graders and three-year players. Those two will probably run the show for us this year. Donnell really came in last year and ran the ball hard. He wasn’t very fast, but he has gotten a little bit faster. He has a chip on his shoulder and really plays the game the way I want him to play. He doesn’t take anything from anybody. He has something to prove every time he is out here. That’s the way he plays, and I think he has garnered his team’s respect this year which is why he got that Captain nod. Quarrels is another one who can throw the ball pretty well. He comes in and never seems to shy away from the moment. He is always ready. We also have Landon Holmes in waiting for next year. He may play some other positions this year. He is another good team player just willing to do whatever it takes,” said Coach Poteete.

Primary receivers will be Levi Cripps. Bryson Redmon, and Rocky Cantrell.

“I really think we have as many weapons outside as we have had in several years and physical weapons as well, not just guys that can run. They are ready to hit somebody,” explained Coach Poteete. “If we can protect up front, give the quarterback time, and he can make the right read, I believe we could throw the ball pretty well. They just have to stay poised,” he said.

Asked about the kicking game, Coach Poteete said he expects a lot of onsides attempts this season.

“We will probably onsides kick a lot this year and take our chances. If we can get one out of ten that’s an extra possession, so that’s what we plan to do. We’ll try to line it up, get that ball back, and pop everybody standing up there”.

“Overall, we have a great leadership group this year. We are eighth grade heavy so as long as they come out and stay true to what we do and they don’t slack I think the sky is the limit for this team, but potential doesn’t guarantee us anything. They have to come out and execute. I am anxious to get out and pop somebody on Thursday and see what we have,” added Coach Poteete.

Joining Coach Poteete are assistants Hunter Poteete, Abram Edwards, Jacob Hale, and Joseph Pack.

After the season opening game against Fentress County at home Thursday, August 1 at 6:30 p.m., the remaining regular season schedule is as follows:

August 8: Cumberland County (HOME) 6:30 p.m.
August 15: Macon County* (Homecoming) 6:30 p.m.
August 20: Smith County* (AWAY) 6:30 p.m.
August 23: Warren County (AWAY) 11:00 a.m.
August 29: Prescott Middle* (AWAY) 6:30 p.m.
September 5: Upperman Middle* (HOME-8th GRADE NIGHT) 6:30 p.m.
September 12: White County* (AWAY) 6:30 p.m.
Post Season:
September 21: Conference Playoffs/Consolation-TBA
September 26: Conference Championship-TBA

Members of the team pictured above are as follows:

1. 2024 Saints Football Team. Top L to R: Brantley Cantrell, Jayden Gutierrez, Kollin Hale, Rylan Thomas, Grant Slager, Zander Simpson, Zane Griffith, Pasha Hennessee, Jordan Schipp, Collin Donnell Braxton Bain, Gavin Frazier, Reed Midgett, William Soto, Daniel Santizo, Levi Cripps, Bryson Redmon, Conner Nash, Landon Holmes, Oswaldo Sebastian. Middle L to R: Kaysen Hale, Elijah Watson, Hayden Quarles, Jaeden Martin, K’sin Morgan, Akoni Paasch, Ayden Buchanan, Auston Parker, Colton Saso-Varble, Micheal-Ray Fann, Rocky Cantrell, Keegan Taylor, Chaz Weterman, Thomas Locklear, Kaden Johnson. Bottom L to R: Waylon Ketchum, Sebastian Siller, Dalton Howell, Blaze Westerman, Zayne Thomas, Mccullan Bogle, Zayden Campbell.

2. Saints Football Coaches left to right: Assistants Abram Edwards and Hunter Poteete, Head Coach Justin Poteete and Assistants Jacob Hale and Joseph Pack (Not Pictured)

3. Captain L to R: Bryson Redmon, Collin Donnell, Gavin Frazier, Reed Midgett

4. QB’s L to R: Hayden Quarles, Collin Donnell, Landon Holmes, Zayne Thomas

5. RB’s Top L to R: Elijah Watson, Gavin Frazier, Reed Midgett, Rylan Thomas. Bottom L to R: Blaze Westerman, Ayden Buchanan, Keegan Taylor, Akoni Paasch

6. WR’s Top L to R: Auston Parker, Pasha Hennessee, Rocky Cantrell, Jayden Gutierrez, Levi Cripps, Bryson Redmon. Bottom L to R: Sebastian Siller, Dalton Howell, Waylon Ketchum, Colton Saso-Varble, Zayden Campbell, K’sin Morgan

7. DB’s Top L to R: Auston Parker, Keegan Taylor, Rocky Cantrell, Jayden Gutierrez, Pasha Hennessee, Levi Cripps, Landon Holmes. Bottom L to R: Waylon Ketchum, Dalon Howell, Akoni Paasch, Colton Saso-Varble, Zayden Campbell, K’sin Morgan

8. D-Line Top L to R: Brantley Cantrell, Oswaldo Sebastian, Kollin Hale, Grant Slager, Conner Nash, Jordan Schipp, Braxton Bain, Daniel Santizo, Bryson Redmon. Bottom L to R: Zane Griffith, Zander Simpson, Jaeden Martin, Thomas Locklear

9. LB’s Top L to R: Kaysen Hale, Hayden Quarles, Gavin Frazier, Collin Donnell, Bryson Redmon, Reed Midgett, William Soto, Elijah Watson. Bottom L to R: Zayne Thomas, Mccullan Bogle, Rylan Thomas, Chaz Westerman, Ayden Buchanan, Micheal-Ray Fann, Kaden Johnson

10. O- Line Top L to R: Brantley Cantrell, Zane Griffith, Kollin Hale, Grant Slager, Conner Nash, Zander Simpson, Jordan Schipp, Braxton Bain, William Soto, Daniel Santizo, Oswaldo Sebastian. Bottom L to R: Chaz Westerman, Jaeden Martin, Kaysen Hale, Mccullan Bogle, Thomas Locklear, Micheal-Ray Fann, Kaden Johnson.

July 28, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

The summer break for students is almost over.

DeKalb County Schools will re-open Thursday, August 1 for registration.

Students will attend for 90 minutes (abbreviated day from 7:45 a.m. until 9:15 a.m.). to sign up at their schools.

The first full day of school will be Monday, August 5.

Professional Development at the individual schools will be July 29-31.

Friday, August 2 will be an administrative day for teachers only. Students will not attend on Friday, August 2.

The 2024-25 DeKalb County School Calendar is as follows:

DeKalb County students and teachers will have a full week off for fall break October 14-18, Thanksgiving November 25-29, and spring break March 24-28, and a two-week winter break for Christmas December 23 to January 3. December 20 will be an abbreviated day (7:45 a.m.-9:15 a.m.). Students will return to school after the Christmas holiday on January 6, 2025. Schools will also be closed for Labor Day September 2, Dr. Martin Luther King Day January 20, President’s Day February 17, Good Friday. April 18, and Monday, April 21. The last day of school will be May 23, 2025 (abbreviated 7:45 a.m.-9:15 a.m.). May 22 will be an administrative day.

Report cards will be issued at all schools on October 8, December 20, January 9, March 18, and May 23.

Parent teacher conferences will be held at all schools from 3-6 p.m. on October 10 and March 20.

Meanwhile families in DeKalb County can get a helping hand with their back-to-school needs thanks to the annual Back to School Education Celebration hosted again this year by the Smithville First Baptist Church (FBC).

This Back-to-School Bash event will be held Thursday, August 1 starting at 6 p.m. at the church’s Life Enrichment Center downtown.

Pastor Chad Ramsey said other churches, businesses, etc. will be joining in the effort to provide free school supplies to families. Tables or booths will be set up inside the Life Enrichment Center gym and to help prevent duplication of services, they will each offer different types of supplies from pencils, paper, back packs, etc. Participants will line up at the door and enter after being handed information describing what they will find at each table. Families will walk through and get what they need from each booth. Most of the activity will be held inside.

Next Sunday, August 4, the DeKalb County Ministerial Association will host a back-to-school prayer gathering in the DeKalb County High School Gym at 2:00pm.

This prayer event will consist of two parts. First, there will be a gathering at the high school gym at 2:00 where local ministers will lead a time of prayer for administration and leadership, faculty and staff, students, parents/guardians, and extracurricular activities/athletics. The second part will consist of smaller groups gathering at each of the public schools in DeKalb County to pray specifically for that school.

The back-to-school prayer event is held annually on the Sunday before the first day of the school year. It is sponsored and led by the DeKalb County Ministerial Association.

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