Does talking with teens about healthy relationships make a difference? According to teens and researchers, the answer is “yes”! Studies show parents have the greatest influence over their teen’s decisions.
Let’s Talk Month is an opportunity for parents and children to learn to communicate in an open and honest manner about responsible attitudes, behaviors and other sensitive issues. Such discussions can help young people delay risky decisions and avoid unintended consequences. Research shows that adolescents prefer their parents to be their educators. Moreover, teens often need more information, guidance and open discussions with their families.
Families play a pivotal role in helping young people make healthy decisions. Most parents want the opportunity to share their values and provide their children with accurate information. But often, parents and other adults feel uncomfortable discussing specific topics and need assistance and support in starting meaningful conversations.
In recognition of Let’s Talk Month the Tennessee Department of Health is sponsoring a free workshop for parents in the Upper Cumberland area:
What: How To Be An Askable Parent
When: October 26, 2017 at 5:15 p.m.
Where: DeKalb Middle School Auditorium
Who’s Invited: Parents, Grandparents, Foster Parents, and Other Caregivers
For more information contact the DeKalb County Health Department at 615-597-7599.

The DeKalb County High School Band took home top honors from the Yellow Jacket Invitational in Hartsville on Saturday (Sept. 30).
The band placed first in Class C, edging past the similar size bands of Smith County and Hillwood. Senior Junior Ingram won first place as Drum Major. The 48-member unit also was awarded second in Color Guard and third place in percussion. Overall, the D.C.H.S. band was 5th out of 17 bands.
“This was the band’s best performance of the season,” says Band Director Tracy Luna. “The band continues to make great improvements from week to week.”
“The judges were composed of a great panel of expert eyes and ears,” adds Luna. “They provided a great number of comments to help the band improve.”
Luna, Assistant Band Director Dalton Hawkins, and the band will compete next on October 14 at the Middle Tennessee Small Band Championship in Chapel Hill, Tennessee.
“If the kids continue to work hard and make the kinds of improvement that they have thus far,” Luna says, “we will be competitive in our return to the Division II State Band Championship in several weeks.”

Parents, children, and local businesses are invited to join the City of Smithville and the Police Department’s “Trick or Treat Halloween Downtown” Tuesday, October 31 from noon until 5:00 p.m.
Some offices in the DeKalb County Courthouse, Smithville City Hall, Smithville Police Department, Justin Potter Library, and participating businesses downtown will have candy and special treats for the children. Look for the stores and offices with a picture of an orange pumpkin on their windows. Maps will soon be available at the police department and Justin Potter Library to show parents which businesses will be taking part in the event.
WJLE will soon post a map at www.wjle.com.
For more information call Beth Adcock at the Smithville Police Department at 615-597-8210 extension 1 or check out the police department’s face book page soon for details at https://www.facebook.com/SmithvillePoliceDepartment.
This event is sponsored by the Smithville Police Department and the Smithville City Hall.
Meanwhile, the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a “Best Costume Contest” for downtown businesses and offices. Take a picture and email it to swilliams@dekalbcountychamber.org or take a photo with your phone and send it to 615.464.7760 by 1:30 p.m. on October 31. First, second, and third place winners will be presented a “Halloween on the Square Best Costume Award”, media recognition, and bragging rights.
The Smithville Volunteer Fire Department will have special treats for children Tuesday, October 31 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Stop by for a hot dog, candy, and a tour of the Smithville Fire Hall. Meet with Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker and the Smithville Fire Department Volunteers.
Other communities and churches in the county will also be observing Halloween events in late October.

The DeKalb Prevention Coalition (DPC) is spreading a message in its effort to combat prescription drug abuse. “Count It, Lock It, Drop It”.
Statistics from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) show that 55% of prescriptions are obtained free from a friend or relative. Three simple steps can make a big difference in prescription drug abuse. COUNT your pills, keep them LOCKED up, and dispose of them in the DROP box at Smithville City Hall and you won’t become an accidental drug dealer. A prescription drug take back day will be held downtown Smithville on Saturday, October 28 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
“Whatever medications you have in your house, you should keep locked up. If you don’t have a lock box, come to my office in the county complex and I will give you a lock box free. Once the medication becomes out of date or if you don’t use it all bring it by the drop box at city hall,” said Lisa Cripps, Coordinator of the DeKalb Prevention Coalition.
Cripps said she and Alexandria Police Chief Chris Russell have applied for a drop box for Alexandria to serve the western portion of the county.
Approximately fifty pounds of unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs were collected in April during the last Prescription Drug Take Back Day sponsored locally by the DeKalb Prevention Coalition. Others that participated in the day were the DeKalb County Health Department, Board of Education-Coordinated School Health, Haven of Hope, St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital, Therapeutic Intervention Inc., Dept. of Children Services, and the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth,
The Mission of DPC is to unite community leaders and citizens of DeKalb County forming strong partnerships across major community sectors with the goal of reducing substance abuse. The DPC would like to extend an invitation to all residents to become a part of the coalition. The meetings are held the last Tuesday of each month at 12:00pm. The next meeting will be October 31, at 10:30am at the UT Extension room in the county complex. For more information contact Lisa Cripps 615-580-9290 or the facebook page at facebook.com/DeKalbPreventionCoalition.

The DeKalb County Tigers battled the Livingston Academy Wildcats on the road Friday night but fell short losing 29 to 18.
The Tigers drop to 2-5 on the season and 0-2 in the region. The Wildcats improve to 6-1 and to 3-0 in region play.
DeKalb County took the lead on its first possession driving 74 yards for a score. Jesse Smith got the Tigers on the board with a touchdown run and with Andrew Fuson’s PAT DeKalb County led 7-0 with 9:12 left in the 1st period.
A 27 yard field goal by Tee Beaty put the Wildcats on the board with 6:08 left in the 1st period to cut the Tiger led to 7-3.
Andrew Fuson booted a 26 yard field goal with 5:28 left in the 2nd period to extend the Tiger lead to 10-3, capping a 64 yard DC drive.
On the ensuing kick-off, the Wildcats made a return to the Tiger 30 yard line and then drove for a score on a Wade Neely 3 yard touchdown run with 2:41 left in 2nd period. Beaty’s PAT tied the game at 10-10.
Livingston Academy grabbed the lead with 31 seconds left in the 2nd period on another 3 yard touchdown run by Wade Neely, capping a 61 yard drive. The PAT attempt was no good but the Wildcats lead 16-0 at half time.
The only score in the 3rd period came on a Mitchell Ayers 4 yard touchdown run for Livingston Academy with 6:13 left in the 3rd period capping an 84 yard drive. Beaty booted the extra point and the Wildcats pushed their lead to 23-10.
Beaty kicked a pair of 33 yard field goals in the 4th period with 10:36 to go and then with 6:45 left in the game to extend the Livingston Academy advantage to 26 to 10 and then to 29 to 10.
The last score of the game came on a 27 yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Tyler Cantrell to Braxton Linder. Cantrell added the 2 point conversion on a quarterback keeper but the Tigers could draw no closer and lost 29 to 18.
DeKalb County will host Smith County (4-2) next Friday night, October 6 in Smithville. Kick-off is at 7:00 p.m. WJLE will have LIVE coverage.

Dr. Robert R. Atnip and DeKalb County are joining chiropractic physicians nationwide this October during National Chiropractic Health Month to help raise awareness of non-drug approaches to pain management in the face of the U.S. opioid epidemic.
During National Chiropractic Health Month this October, the American Chiropractic Association is sharing back injury prevention and strengthening tips as well as information on the value of a conservative approach to back pain treatment with the theme “Back to Basics”
On Friday, DeKalb County Mayor Tim Stribling signed a proclamation designating October as “National Chiropractic Health Month” in DeKalb County. Dr. Atnip and his wife Guylene were on hand for the occasion.
The proclamation follows:
WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as one in four patients who receive prescription opioids long term for non-cancer pain in primary care settings struggles with addiction;
WHEREAS, Every day, more than 1,000 people are treated in the ER for misusing prescription opioids, and deaths involving opioids have quadrupled since 1999;
WHEREAS,The spread of opioid abuse has prompted the White House to announce it will designate the opioid crisis a national emergency;
WHEREAS, Because of this epidemic, the need for noninvasive, non-drug approaches to pain management for common musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain has increased throughout the world and particularly in the United States;
WHEREAS, The American College of Physicians (ACP) in 2017 released updated low-back pain treatment guidelines that promote the use of noninvasive, non-drug approaches as a first line of defense against back pain, before the use of pain medications and surgery;
WHEREAS, Chiropractors focus on the whole person with their noninvasive, non-drug approach to health care and pain management;
WHEREAS, There is a growing body of research validating the effectiveness of chiropractic services—spinal manipulation in particular—for the treatment of low-back pain, leading many respected health care organizations such as the ACP to include chiropractic/spinal manipulation in their guidelines for physicians;
WHEREAS, National Chiropractic Health Month 2017 serves as a reminder to all citizens of DeKalb County that noninvasive, non-drug treatments for low-back pain such as chiropractic services/spinal manipulation may lessen or eliminate the need for riskier, potentially addictive treatments such as prescription opioid pain medications and should be thoroughly exhausted whenever possible before initiating over-the-counter and prescription opioid therapy;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the County of DeKalb, Tennessee officially joins with the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) in proclaiming the month of October 2017 as National Chiropractic Health Month.

Imagine an afternoon excursion on a pontoon boat cruising beautiful Center Hill Lake in late October, the water reflecting the blue of the sky, and trees ablaze with color along the banks. This is the idyllic scenario that has inspired the Annual Fall Color Cruise sponsored by the Friends of Edgar Evins State Park, and park employees for 15 years. No one can guarantee perfect weather every year but we can anticipate everyone having a good time!
This will be the 15th year of this popular annual event on Sat., Oct. 28th from 1 p.m. to about 4 p.m. Seats are $15 per person. Sorry, no children under age 3 are allowed for safety reasons. Report to the marina dock at 1 p.m. to check in prior to boarding the boats.
Online reservations open Oct. 1st. Go to www.foeesp.com/color-cruise to make reservations. Both Visa or Master Card are accepted. If you need help you may call the park office ( 931) 858-2114 or toll free at 800-250-8619 for contact information for Fount Bertram, President of Friends of Edgar Evins State Park.
Camping and cabins are available at the park for those desiring to make this an overnight or weekend outing. Reserve online at http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/edgar-evins or call the park office for assistance.
The park is located at 1630 Edgar Evins Park Road, Silver Point, TN 38582. It is in DeKalb County, approximately 20 miles north of Smithville, 20 miles west of Cookeville and 60 miles east of Nashville. It is easily accessible from I-40 at exit 268 at State Hwy. 96 and Center Hill Lake.
This annual event is a fund raiser for Friends of Edgar Evins State Park, an all volunteer non-profit membership organization with the sole purpose of helping the park. For more information visit their website at www.foeesp.com or visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/friendsofeesp/

The DCHS Tigers will be back on the road again tonight to face perhaps their toughest challenge to date this season in the Livingston Academy Wildcats
Kick-Off is at 7:00 p.m.
The Wildcats are 5-1 on the season and 2-0 in the region. DeKalb County is 2-4 and 0-1 in region play
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO HEAR TIGER TALK WITH COACH STEVE TRAPP AND TIGER PLAYERS RILEY SEXTON, BRADY HUGHES, AND NICK MAY)
http://www.wjle.com/audio/tiger-talk-september-29
“It is definitely going to be a football team that will challenge our defense. They have the ability to throw and run the football. They have a couple of good running backs and a good young quarterback. They are a young football team. They have a defense we are familiar with. They have not changed a whole lot from when we played them a few years ago. They have played a couple of teams we have played and beaten them pretty well so our football team understands what the people outside the fence are thinking about this game. I really expect our guys to go down there and really battle extremely hard and make this a football game we have an opportunity to play very well in,” said Coach Steve Trapp.
DeKalb County is 2-4 with losses to Warren County 26-10, Upperman 49-27, Stone Memorial 38-16, and Watertown 59-21. Their wins have been over Grundy County 27-7 and Cannon County 42-0.
Livingston Academy has wins over White County 35-0, Cumberland County 40-7, Upperman 32-20, Stone Memorial 37-0, and Smith County 16-13. The Wildcats only loss has been to Cookeville 35-14.
WJLE will have LIVE coverage of the football game on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor and Luke Willoughby.
WJLE’s Pre-Game shows begin with “Coach to Coach” at 5:00 p.m. featuring former UT football coach Phillip Fulmer and former UT assistant coach Doug Matthews with 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” airs at 6:30 p.m. with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor interviewing Coach Steve Trapp and Tiger players Riley Sexton, Brady Hughes, and Nick May
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

Although the primaries will be uncontested in November, there will be a challenge in the December special election to fill the unexpired term of State Senator Mae Beavers, who resigned September 1 to run full time for Governor.
Mark Pody will run unopposed in the Republican primary, and Mary Alice Carfi will be the only candidate in the Democratic primary.
Pody, current District 46 state representative, is an insurance salesman in Lebanon. Carfi of Barnes Drive Lebanon is an attorney in Old Hickory and Mt. Juliet .
Primaries will be November 7, and the General Election will be December 19. Both elections will be in Wilson, Cannon, DeKalb, Smith, Clay and Macon counties that make up the 17th Senate District.
The qualifying deadline for candidates was Noon Thursday, September 28th.
Early voting for the primaries will be held October 18 through November 2 on the first floor of the DeKalb County Courthouse. Early voting hours are Mondays 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesdays 9 a.m. until Noon; Wednesdays 9 a.m. until Noon; Thursdays 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Fridays 9 a.m. until Noon and Saturdays 9 a.m. until Noon.
Voting hours for election day, December 19 at all precincts will be 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Beavers’ term expires after the November elections in 2018.

An intoxicated man recently found passed out in his automobile was arrested after Smithville Police discovered pills and methamphetamine in his possession.
39 year old Stephen Anthony Patterson is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence and possession of methamphetamine. He was further cited for simple possession. Police were called to Larry’s Discount Grocery on Wednesday, September 13 where a man was found passed out behind the steering wheel of his automobile. Upon arrival, an officer found the man, Patterson passed out with the engine running. After waking Patterson, the officer noticed an unknown object in his hand that he would not release. The officer helped Patterson out of the vehicle and removed from his hand a container of 25 pills identified as Alprazolam, a small bag of a white crystal substance, and a small white solid substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine. Patterson’s eyes were blood shot. His speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. Patterson submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He was then taken into custody. Bond for Patterson is $8,500 and his court date is October 5.
59 year old Forrest Byrd was arrested on Monday, September 4 for burglary and cited for criminal trespass. While on routine patrol, police observed Byrd inside a business’ locked fence lot where he was making entry into vehicles with the intent to commit a theft. Byrd did not have the owner’s permission to be on the property. He was taken into custody. Byrd’s bond is $5,000
51 year old Riley A. Bullard was cited on Monday, September 4 for simple possession. During a routine traffic stop, police found a marijuana joint inside a cigarette pack. Upon investigation it was determined that the joint belonged to Bullard.
28 year old Jared Wayne Taylor was cited for simple possession on Monday, September 4. Taylor was involved in a motor vehicle crash and inside the car in plain view were 2 blue oval pills believed to be alprazolam for which Taylor had no prescription.
29 year old Joshua Scott Puckett and 20 year old Olivia Hope Barber were cited on Monday, September 4 for possession of prohibited weapons. Puckett and Barber were passengers in a vehicle that was stopped by police for a traffic violation. The driver of the vehicle gave consent to search and all occupants exited the vehicle. An officer found on Puckett a metal playing card that had been sharpened around all the edges. According to police, the card had no common lawful purpose and could have caused serious bodily injury. Found in the floor board in a McDonald’s bag where Barber was sitting was a pair of brass knuckles which belonged to her
41 year old Shannon Dawn Stanick was cited on Wednesday, September 6 for possession of drug paraphernalia. Due to suspicious activity, police approached a vehicle belonging to Stanick in the parking lot of Kwik-N-Ezy. After receiving consent to search the vehicle, police located a silver round marijuana grinder laying between the driver and passenger front seat next to the keys of the vehicle.
38 year old Robert Lee Nichols was cited on Wednesday, September 6 for simple possession. Police observed a vehicle parked in the fire lane at Wal-Mart and spoke with Nichols, who was sitting in the passenger seat. A search was conducted and 20 small peach colored pills believed to be Xanax were found in Nichols’ pockets for which he had no prescription. His court date is October 5.
33 year old Claudia Yadiria Ramirez was arrested on Wednesday, September 13 for assault. According to the report filed on Tuesday, September 12 Ramirez and her victim got into a verbal argument that turned physical when Ramirez began pushing the victim and then hit her in the face with her fist. The victim suffered a swollen and bruised left eye. After obtaining a warrant, police took Ramirez into custody without incident. Her bond is $5,000.
22 year old Spencer Ervin Stanfield was arrested on Thursday, September 14 for a second offense of driving under the influence and driving while license revoked. He was further cited for contributing to the delinquency of a minor for allowing 19 year old Luckey Logan Croom, who was in the vehicle with him, to drink an alcoholic beverage. After being called to look for shoplifters at Wal-Mart who had left the store, police spotted a vehicle matching the description at Mapco Express. The officer stopped and spoke with the driver, Stanfield whose speech was slurred. His eyes were red, blood shot, and watery, and he was unsteady on his feet. Stanfield submitted to but performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tasks. He was then placed under arrest. A computer check through central dispatch revealed that Stanfield’s license are revoked. Stanfield’s bond is $7,500and his court date is October 5. Croom was cited for the theft of the beer from Wal-Mart and he will make a court appearance on October 5.
25 year old Sonny Roman Smith was cited on Thursday, September 14 for simple possession. Police stopped Smith for State Probation and Parole officials and transported him to the Police Department for a drug screen. While en-route, the officer saw Smith pulling something out of his pocket and he immediately stopped to investigate. Smith was found to have 3 small blue round pills believed to be diazepam for which he had no prescription.
25 year old Ricky Colton Knight was cited for theft on Friday, September 15. According to a report filed on Wednesday, September 6, Knight was observed on a Wal-Mart surveillance video August 15 using a self checkout that had been loaded wrong and was giving twenty dollars bills as change instead of one dollar bills. Police said Knight made several small purchases from the same machine for the purpose of profiting from Wal-Mart’s mistake.
33 year old Jason R. Chapman was cited on Wednesday, September 16 for theft. Police said that on Monday, September 11 Chapman unlawfully obtained an IPhone 6 plus from his victim and sold the phone to another individual. The phone was recovered and returned to the owner. His court date is October 5.
51 year old Sandra Kay Thomason was arrested twice within one week for public intoxication. The first offense occurred on Tuesday, September 19. Police were called to the area of North Congress Boulevard and East Main Street to check on a woman who was unsteady on her feet and appeared to be intoxicated. The officer arrived to find the woman, Thomason rolling in the grass. Upon speaking with Thomason, the officer observed her to have red blood shot watery eyes. She was unsteady on her feet and she had an odor of alcohol on her breath. Due to her condition, Thomason was taken into custody for her safety and that of the public. Her bond is $2,000 and her court date is October 5.
The second offense took place on Monday, September 25. Police were called to the intersection of Juniper and Jackson Street where a woman, believed to be intoxicated, was observed walking and yelling in the roadway. Upon arrival, the officer saw Thomason walking her dog in the roadway. As the officer stopped to talk with her he smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her person. Her eyes were glossy and she was unsteady on her feet. Thomason became irritated and began pulling away from the officer as he was placing her under arrest. She refused to willingly get into the back of the patrol car. After the officer got her into the car, Thomason began kicking the glass and door. Her bond on this charge is $2,500 and her court date is October 26.
25 year old Andrew Payton West was arrested on Wednesday, September 20 for domestic assault. On Tuesday, September 19 police responded to a domestic call and spoke with the victim who had several cuts and swelling to her right eye. Police learned that the victim had been sitting outside on her back porch when her ex boyfriend, West showed up. After she told him she didn’t want him there and didn’t want to speak to him, West punched her with a closed fist in her right eye. Bond for West is $3,500 and his court date is October 5.