Glowstick Vigil Held to Honor and Remember Survivors and Victims of Drug Overdose (View videos here)

August 27, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A glowstick vigil was held Thursday evening on the east side of the courthouse grounds to show support for those struggling with substance abuse addiction and to honor and remember those who have lost the fight.

The observance was sponsored by the DeKalb County Prevention Coalition.

“This is overdose prevention month and the Coalition, Recovery Court, and citizens of the community wanted to have an event to celebrate the lives of those who have survived an overdose and to remember loved ones and community members we have lost due to overdose. We hosted a glowstick vigil and used purple glowsticks because that is the color for overdose awareness. Everyone who attended tonight who had lost a loved one due to an overdose held a glowstick and broke it in remembrance of their loved ones. We also prepared a Blessing Banner which has pictures of people we have lost in our community due to an overdose and we will display that banner on the wall in the county complex for all to see and they can also sign the banner or leave a message of hope,” said Jennifer Matthews, Director of the DeKalb County Prevention Coalition.

Part of the event included training in how to administer naloxone, a life-saving drug that can revive someone who has overdosed. The training was administered by Suzanne Angel and Colby Lane, Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists for the State of Tennessee.

Entertainment was featured by Seth Willoughby.

Lydia Price and Justin Cantrell were invited to speak during the program.

Price talked about her road to recovery from addiction.

“I started drinking which led to harder drugs. It really took hold of my life. At age 26 I had a beautiful little boy but due to my addiction DCS became involved. I couldn’t stay clean at that time. I was in and out of treatment. Ultimately I went to court after being nine months sober but due to my past and having been in court so much they terminated my (parental) rights. I know God played a part in all of it because that is what it took for me to get clean,” said Price.

“Living in addiction is such a dark place. I lost my family and my home. I was walking to work and riding a bike. It was a hard life. At the time I didn’t realize it but since getting clean, I have my family back and a lot of support. I have been blessed with an amazing job and I have an amazing fiancé. I am thankful for my life today. After losing my son I was afraid that God would never bless me with a family and I had come to terms with that as much as it hurt me. I couldn’t forgive myself. In 2015 before my rights were terminated, I attempted suicide. I woke up in ICU a couple of days later. It helped me get clean. I had to do a lot of therapy to work through that but that’s okay. If you are suffering ask for help. In January, 2020 I was blessed with a beautiful baby girl. God’s promises ring true. I never thought I would have a family but I do. Its not always easy but God will make a way. I am so thankful for my life today,” said Price.

Cantrell, also a recovering drug addict, said during a previous observance, that his life has completely changed in recent years since becoming clean and sober.

“I grew up in a broken home. Both of my parents were drug addicts. I grew up angry and displeased about everything. I never felt good enough in school and never thought I would be a part of anything but I thank God for my grandparents. They really stepped in and helped me throughout my life. I took a hard road to get where I am today. I thank God for the 12 steps of recovery which allowed me to be here today. Without it I would have no peace in my life. That is what brought me to the understanding of my higher power, which is Jesus Christ. Once I started believing in myself my whole life changed and I started setting goals.. My life has completely changed. I give all the glory to God,” said Cantrell.

The program concluded with a purple balloon release and all attendees joining together in a moment of silence while lifting their purple glowsticks in honor of overdose victims and survivors.

August 27, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Tigers will host the Smith County Owls in the home opener tonight (Friday) in Smithville. Kick-Off is at 7 p.m.

As it turns out the game will be the season opener as well after last week’s game at Warren County was cancelled due to an outbreak of COVID exposure in the Pioneers’ program.

Speaking on WJLE’s Tiger Talk Program, DCHS Football Coach Steve Trapp said while the postponement of the game was a disappointment, it was the right call under the circumstances.

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

“We were definitely disappointed. Our guys had really been working hard all through fall camp, scrimmages, and jamboree to kick off the season and it got taken away from us with everything that Warren County was going through and battling. Ultimately it was the right call and while it is not set in stone yet we do share the same by week October 8 so depending on how the year goes and how everything falls into place we could still potentially play that game. It’ll just be October 8,” said Coach Trapp.

“The positive thing about it for us was we had a few guys who would not have been able to play last week anyway. It gave them some time to heal up and they are now able to play for us this week. Now we will have a few guys who won’t be with us tonight just because they are under the weather and Bryan Portillo, who has a knee injury, had surgery Thursday and he is out but the guys who are here have participated all week. They have battled and prepared and are ready to go,” he said.

The Owls come to Smithville tonight with an 0-1 season start after losing to their in-county rival Gordonsville last Saturday 14-0.

“ Those guys (Owls) play hard. You can see that on tape. They are very talented in the front seven on their defense. They have some good, young defensive linemen. Their starting quarterback is out with an injury so they will have a younger guy playing quarterback for them but they do multiple things on offense. We just have to be prepared for all the looks they will show and make sure that our defense gets our checks right. Our guys on offense understand what they are going to see up front but we’ve worked on it and must be prepared to do things correctly. We just have to make sure we’re clean concerning penalties, focused, and play extremely hard,” added Coach Trapp.

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.

“Coach to Coach” is followed by “Murphy’s Matchups at 6:00 p.m., a look at Tennessee High School Football from Murphy Fair with commentary on games and coaches interviews.

“Tiger Talk” debuts at 6:30 p.m. with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor interviewing Coach Steve Trapp and Tiger players Isaiah Harrington, Silas Cross, and Brandon Sykes.

The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. with play by play coverage on WJLE with John Pryor and color commentary by Luke Willoughby. Listen LIVE on WJLE AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE STREAM at www.wjle.com.

August 26, 2021
By:

Tennessee residents are allowed to hunt without a license on Saturday, Aug. 28 which coincides with the opening day of squirrel season.

Free Hunting Day is an event the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency annually provides in hopes of increasing interest in hunting. Squirrel hunting is one of Tennessee’s oldest and favorite traditions. The day serves as an excellent opportunity for persons to experience the enjoyment of the sport.

The TWRA encourages regular hunters to introduce friends and family members (young and old) to the outdoor sport. It is also an excellent opportunity for persons who have not tried hunting in a while to be reintroduced to the sport.

On Free Hunting Day, state resident hunters are exempt from hunting licenses and WMA permit requirements. Many of the WMAs are open to hunters seeking public access on Aug. 28. Hunters are asked to check the information for specific WMAs in the 2021-22 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide. Sportsmen are reminded to ask for permission to hunt on private lands.

The TWRA offers a reminder that hunter education requirements are not waived for Free Hunting Day. Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1969 is required to have successfully completed a hunter education course. An apprentice license is required for those born on or after Jan. 1, 1969 if the hunter education course has not been completed. This license exempts the hunter from the mandatory hunter education law for one year from the date of purchase but may only be purchased for up to three consecutive years during the lifetime of the hunter. Those under 10 years of age do not need a Hunter Education certificate but must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years of age who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device.

Hunters can harvest up to 10 squirrels a day from the opening day of squirrel season through Feb. 28, 2022. Each hunting day begins a half-hour before sunrise and ending a half-hour after sunset.
In addition to squirrels, those species that have a year-round season will be open as well. The year-round species include armadillos, beavers, coyotes, groundhogs, and striped skunks.
For more information about hunting in Tennessee, visit TWRA’s website at www.tnwildlife.org or contact your nearest TWRA regional office.

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