Senior Bagdad Citizen Receives Recognition

Sheriff Wendell Hall paid a visit to one of Bagdad's senior citizens on June 24, 2006 to recognize her for inspiring the school children of Holley-Navarre and Sims Middle School to publish a disaster activity book for kids in local shelters. Ms. Charlie Mae Smith had an altercation with a wild black bear in January 2006, which had been attracted to the smell of her fried chicken. Deputies were called to assist Ms. Smith when the bear attempted to enter her home. The deputies were forced to tase the bear to persuade it to leave the premises although no harm came to the animal. The unusual news story was picked up as far north as New York and westward to Los Angeles. The story later inspired the school children to publish the activity book about black bears in general. Sheriff Hall presented Ms. Smith with a copy of the book plus a "senior backpack" for elderly citizens to use during a disaster situation should one befall this county.