Ribbon Cutting Marks Grand Opening for Central Bark Dog Park (View videos here)

November 6, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Pet owners now have a place for their dogs, large and small, to run and play.

Smithville’s first-ever dog park is now open!

A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the Central Bark Dog Park was observed Friday afternoon.

The new dog park, located on Transfer Station Road to the rear of the DeKalb Animal Shelter was made possible through a $25,000 Dog Park Dash Grant awarded to the City of Smithville last year by the Boyd Foundation. Randy Boyd of the Foundation, along with city and community leaders participated in cutting the ribbon for the grand opening. Several dogs and dog owners were also on hand to get the first use of the park which is enclosed by a chain link fence with lots of room for dogs to roam. There are two sections, one for smaller dogs and the other for larger canines, and each has water stations, agility equipment for the animals and park benches for pet owners.

Grand Opening Ceremony for Central Bark Dog Park in Smithville from dwayne page on Vimeo.

Gayla Hendrix, former Smithville Alderman, came up with the idea for the dog park here and took the initiative to secure the grant. Mayor Josh Miller praised Hendrix for her efforts. Hendrix then took a moment to thank others who contributed to the project including the following: Megan Moore, Emmaly Bennett, Bill Erdman, Abi Hendrix, Nikki Ellis, Brent & Alison Collier, Landon & Liam Collier, Summer Garrett, Leah Ingram, Mickey Tuggle, Moore’s Construction, J&A Fencing, Bert Driver Nursery, Southern Lighting & Signs, Creations by Donna Flowers & Gifts (for donating the ribbon) and DeKalb County Florist (for donating the balloons), Kevin Robinson and the City of Smithville Utilities Department, Smithville Electric, Mayor Josh Miller and the Smithville City Council.

Smithville’s New Dog Park Opened Friday from dwayne page on Vimeo.

Reverend Mark Pafford of Authentic Being Counseling Services, PLLC offered the following invocation.

“In this moment bear witness. Bear witness to this occasion. In this moment families and households have gathered in common interest, abiding friendship, and mutual celebration. A celebration proclaiming this space sacred. Proclaiming this space set apart as a public trust on behalf of our canine citizens. Those are the ones who are the beloved members of our families. May all our canine siblings and family members when visiting this space, may their tails wag, their paws continue to dig, their ears flap, their legs leap and run, and crawl and may we be blessed as we join with them,” said Pafford.

Boyd, who now serves as UT president in addition to his duties with the Boyd Foundation then spoke and talked about how impressed he was with the dog park.

“What a beautiful day to open a park and what a beautiful park. I have probably been to 100 different dog parks in the last 5 years but none are better than this. Hats off to all the people in charge of helping to build this. You did a fantastic job. Congratulations to Smithville and everybody who helped win this park and when I say win I mean win because it was a contest. Each year there is a contest for 30 plus parks that up to 60 cities will compete for and the cities that win are those that show the most enthusiasm, the most love for their pets, and most engagement. Smithville won this fair and square because you showed more enthusiasm than others. I want to say congratulations to everybody who worked so hard to win it,” said Boyd.

“A little background on why we do this. I am in the pet business. I have a company that makes pet safe products and about 4,000 other things for dogs and cats and the people who own their pets and have bought all our products have been very good to us so a few years back my wife and I decided we wanted to give back to those who had done so much for us. It just seemed a natural thing to invest in dog parks in communities across the state of Tennessee. Its been amazing to see how well they have been received and how much people enjoy them. It is a pet park but it is also for people too. One of the best things about a dog park is that it brings people together. Today the world is very divided. We need more things to bring us together and one great thing about dog parks is that it brings people together,” Boyd said.

Local veterinarian Dr. Scott Little of DeKalb Animal Clinic was then called upon for the blessing and dedication of the park.

“I want to end this portion of the ceremony before the ribbon cutting with a take on an old Irish blessing. Every creature is the word of God. Listen to the word your animal is saying to you. Patience, love, peace, joy. So go out into the world and love one another. Cherish your family animal. Stand against the abuse and neglect of animals and exercise stewardship of all creations so that all can experience God’s peace,” said Dr. Little.

November 6, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The DCHS Tigers will begin their state playoff run tonight (Friday) as they host the Spring Hill Raiders.

Kick-off is at 7 p.m. and WJLE will broadcast the game LIVE on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE stream at www.wjle.com featuring the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor and Luke Willoughby.

(Click link below to hear WJLE’s Tiger Talk Program)

https://www.wjle.com/tiger-talk-november-6/

The Tigers are the Region 3 champs at 6-3 overall and 3-0 in the region. Spring Hill is 3-7 overall and 2-3 in Region 4 but one of their wins and two of the losses were forfeits due to COVID-19.

Still, Tiger Coach Steve Trapp knows his team cannot take this game for granted.

“They (Spring Hill) are an athletic ball club. Offensively you will see a lot of sets including the same things we run as far as formations go. There will be a lot of movement pre-snap as far as one side of the field to the other. They really want to get the ball to the perimeter and they will do that with some quick passes and handing the ball off to those motion guys and then try to get your eyes wrong and counter back the other way. They will take their shots down field deep. Defensively, it is an aggressive defense. They are not overly big but they have a lot of athletes over there so they will definitely present a challenge,” he said.

WJLE’s Pre-Game shows begin with “Coach to Coach” at 5:00 p.m. featuring former UT assistant coach Doug Matthews with former coach Dave McGinnis and broadcaster Larry Stone talking Tennessee and SEC football.

“Tiger Talk” follows at 6:30 p.m. with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor interviewing Coach Steve Trapp and Tiger players Axel Aldino, Desmond Nokes, and Jasper Kleparek.

The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m.

As of 1:00 p.m. today (Friday) only 60 tickets were still available for the game

DeKalb County High School Football fans wanting to buy tickets will have to purchase them online.

“TSSAA is requiring all tickets for playoff games must be purchased on line through GoFan. Tickets will be digital and must be shown and confirmed on a smartphone at the gate upon entering the stadium. There is a limited number of tickets available for Friday’s game. If you would like to purchase a ticket go to the following link,” said DCHS Principal Randy Jennings.

https://gofan.co/app/events/135722

November 5, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DCHS Tiger Quarterback Axel Aldino is in the running for the 2020  TSSAA Class 4A Tennessee Titans Mr. Football honor.

The list of the semifinalists was released Thursday which includes Aldino and four other players from Class 4A.

The Mr. Football Award honors the top player in each classification as well as the top kicker in the state regardless of classification during the regular season.

The winners will be announced Dec. 8 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

The semifinalists will be whittled down to three finalists on Nov. 17.

Aldino has led the Tigers in compiling a 6-3 record and the program’s first ever regular season region championship at 3-0. Aldino has rushed for 10 touchdowns and thrown for 21 TD’s this season. He will lead his team hosting Spring Hill Friday night, November 6 in the first round of the TSSAA playoffs in Smithville. Kick-Off is at 7 p.m. and WJLE plans LIVE coverage.

Aldino has also been selected to participate in the Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association All-Star Combine in December. This event replaces the East-West All-Star game this year due to the COVID-19 virus. It will take place at Oakland High School on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020.

A committee of statewide sports writers selected nominees for Mr. Football based on performance in the 2020 regular season. Academics and character were also taken into consideration. High school coaches and members of the media nominated the finalists.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer people will be permitted to attend this year’s awards ceremony. More than 100 people, including the 30 finalists, family members, and coaches are expected to attend the 2020 luncheon.

Here are the 2020 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football semifinalists

DIVISION I
CLASS 1A
Hunter Frame, South Pittsburg
Kyler Parker, Moore County
Kolbi Stewart, Huntland
Jared Stone, South Pittsburg
Kaden White, Moore County

CLASS 2A
Blake Carroll, Lewis County
Khalik Ganaway, Peabody
Will Meadows, Meigs County
Kolby Morgan, Oneida
Luke Myers, South Greene

CLASS 3A
Anthony Brown, Milan
Grey Carroll, Alcoa
Isaiah Cox, Alcoa
Martino Owens, Pearl Cohn
Ty Simpson, Westview

CLASS 4A
Axel Aldino, DeKalb County
Troy Parker Hughes, Elizabethton
Rivers Hunt, Hardin County
Bryson Rollins, Elizabethton
Jakobe Thomas, Tullahoma

CLASS 5A
Kalib Fortner, Knoxville Central
Jermarcus Johnson, Henry County
Prince Kollie, David Crockett
Jordyn Potts, Powell
Destin Wade, Summit

CLASS 6A
Raymond Banner, LaVergne
Jake Briningstool, Ravenwood
Jaxson Campbell, Independence
Jalen Hunt, McMinn County
C.J. Taylor, Warren County

DIVISION II
CLASS A
Jon Lewis, DCA
Na’Kelin McAfee, King’s Academy
A.J. Quinn, Davidson Academy
Aaron Smith, Jackson Christian
Griffin Swinea, Davidson Academy

CLASS AA
Jackson Bradley, Knoxville Webb
Alex Broome, Lipscomb Academy
James Dunn, CAK
Langston Patterson, CPA
Dietrick Pennington, ECS

CLASS AAA
Michael Dallas, Briarcrest
B.J. Harris, McCallie
Dallan Hayden, CBHS
Elijah Howard, Baylor
D.C. Tabscott, Father Ryan

KICKER OF THE YEAR
Upton Bellenfant, Stewarts Creek
Bryson Flynn, Gatlinburg-Pittman
Teagen Lenderink, Brentwood Academy
Trey Turk, Oakland
Connor Wood, Lexington

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