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Annual Bob Watt Fishing Rodeo

May 14, 2025 by Tammy Cheek

A chilly morning with mostly gray skies did not deter 180 youngsters from taking up a fishing pole and trying to hook a few big ones.

From one weighing in at .04 pound to a fish weighing 4.1, children from 1½ years through age 10 were eager to learn fishing skills in each of two sessions during annual Bob Watt Fishing Rodeo in Fort Loudoun Lake/Anchor Park Saturday morning, May 10.

“The fishing rodeo went great,” Town Recreation and Event manager Rachel Malone said. “It was a little chilly and the fish weren’t biting much, but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. We had 90 sign up for each time slot, which was the same as last year.”

Winners in the 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. time slot were Mason Walker, Gabe Snow, Liam Walker, Barrett Everett, Peter Morrissey and Claire Morrissey.

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Distemper ‘highly contagious,’ but Oak Ridge outbreak under control

Ask the Vet

May 14, 2025 by Dr. Stephanie Myers

Q: I read online that there is an outbreak of distemper at a local animal shelter. I have two dogs and one cat – should I be worried? What should I watch for? E.D., Farragut

A: Yes, unfortunately the animal shelter in Oak Ridge recently diagnosed four stray dogs with the distemper virus. The shelter was closed for one week but is now open.

The canine distemper virus is highly contagious. It is spread easily through coughing, sneezing and shared water bowls. At shelters, many puppies and adult dogs enter with unknown medical histories and are often housed in close quarters.

Many shelters vaccinate for distemper on intake, but it is not always known which dogs have been exposed or could be harboring the virus and not yet showing clinic signs.

Unfortunately, in these situations, a virus like distemper can spread quickly.

Clinical signs of distemper are many and varied. At onset, dogs may show mild clinical signs, such as runny eyes and/or nose.

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