Justin Potter Library to Host Book Signing for Author and DeKalb Native Larry Self

January 23, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Cookeville author and DeKalb County native Larry Self will sign copies of his new children’s book “Mary, A Mermaid in Reverse” on February 8 at Justin Potter Library.

The signing will be from 2-4 p.m.

The new book is a sequel to Self’s first in the series.

The story is about a little girl named Mary who makes a wish at a magic fountain with her friends. She wants nothing more than to be a mermaid. Will her wish come true? What will she need to do to make the magic work?

“It’s a story of fantasy. I left a cliffhanger on the first book and the new one picks up from there. I believe all children need a fantasy world to visit,” said Self.

Larry was born at home in 1944 near Smithville. He attended school in DeKalb County and later was pastor at churches here as well. Self moved his family to Putnam County in 1973 to pastor a church there and in 1976, Larry, his wife Betty, and U.L. Whitson founded the Cookeville Rescue Mission. Larry became Executive Director of the mission and served in that role for 38 years and spent 41 years there as Pastor of Marsh Chapel. Larry and his family currently attend the People’s Baptist Church near Alexandria.

Larry is excited about his new book and invites all his old and new friends to join him at Justin Potter Library in Smithville on Thursday, February 8 from 2-4 p.m. where he will sign copies of his books I & II. The books are available for purchase at $6.00 per copy and the first book includes a bonus music CD containing the classic Eddie Raven song “Thank God for Kids”.

January 23, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Plans are moving forward toward development of a fire hall in the Four Seasons community.

According to DeKalb County Fire Chief Donny Green, site preparation work began in October at the location for the new fire station, which will become the department’s 12th station. The goal is to have the fire hall constructed and in operation by mid-summer.

County Mayor Tim Stribling updated the county commission on the project Monday night.

“I received an email from the engineer Kenny Bowdin from Cookeville who said they were wrapping up their first set of preliminary drawings for the new fire hall and he had some questions. Donny answered those questions and he (Bowdin) sent another email and said he will be in touch soon to set up a review of the preliminary drawings to see if there are any comments or concerns. Its looking more like reality every day. As soon as he gets the plans and notifies us, we’ll set up a committee meeting and take a look at it and hopefully put it out for bids shortly thereafter,” said Stribling.

In 2015 the county commission set aside $25,000 as seed money for the eventual development of a new fire hall in the Four Seasons Community. In 2016 another $50,000 was added for a total of $75,000 for this project. For the current budget year (2017-18) the fund totals $100,000 with the addition of another $25,000.

The county is getting matching grant funds to purchase firefighting equipment and possibly a fire truck for use as assigned by the department

January 22, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Another man has been arrested for participating in the theft of a flare gun which was later fired into two DeKalb County Homes in December.

CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW
MUG SHOTS OF PERSONS RECENTLY BOOKED AT THE DEKALB COUNTY JAIL- Intakes & Releases From: 1/15/2018 Thru: 1/22/2018

19 year old Kylan Taylor Leeper of Man Road Lebanon was arrested on Wednesday, January 17 for theft of property under $1,000, aggravated arson, and reckless endangerment. His bond is $510,000 and he will make a court appearance on February 1.

A co-defendant in the case, 20 year old Daniel Lewis Dillard of Lee Braswell Road, Smithville was arrested in December and charged with the same offenses. His bond was more than one million dollars.

According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, Leeper and Dillard allegedly went to Walmart in Smithville on December 2 and stole the flare gun (valued at $47) and took part in firing the gun into a home on Lee Braswell Road December 4 while a woman and a minor were inside causing damage to the residence. There apparently were no injuries. They also fired the flare gun into another home on Short Mountain Highway (prior to the December 4th incident), placing the victim (woman) in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury.

Dillard was also charged with resisting stop, frisk, halt, or search. He was already on probation for a separate offense at the time of the incident.

35 year old Norman Leo Sprague of St. Johns Hollow Road, Woodbury is charged with vandalism. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is February 1.

While incarcerated for another offense at the DeKalb County Jail, Sprague allegedly tore up a mat and blanket and was informed upon his release from jail on December 4 that he had 14 days to pay $110 for the damage. After the deadline came and went without his having made payment, a warrant for vandalism was issued against Sprague.

32 year old Danny Ray Prater of Liberty is charged with violation of an order of protection. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is February 8.

Sheriff Ray said that on January 1 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Pumpkin Hollow Road due to an unwanted guest. The officer spotted Prater at the intersection of the Alexandria to Dismal Road and Pumpkin Hollow Road and stopped to speak with him. Prater admitted to having been at his mother’s home on Pumpkin Hollow Road to see his son. A computer check revealed that Prater has an active order of protection against him to keep away from his mother and child at the residence. She is the petitioner and Prater’s son is listed on the order as a protected child.