DCHS to Retire Number of Another Basketball Great

January 23, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County High School will be retiring the number of Jerry “Red” Foster at this Friday’s games against Cannon County, January 26.

Jerry Foster starred as a Tiger player in the 70’s and went on to a successful career at Bethel College and later played professionally in Chile and Spain. After his playing career, he became a teacher and high school basketball coach, where he was at the helm of the Lady Tiger basketball program for 7 years.

“Foster has continued to give back to the youth of DeKalb County through the game of basketball as he has worked with boys and girls teaching the fundamentals of the game in the after school programs,” said DCHS Principal Randy Jennings.

“We would like to invite everyone to come out, as we once again honor and celebrate the accomplishments of one of DeKalb County’s greatest players”, he added.

The ceremony will take place on Friday, January 26 at DeKalb County High School between the girls and boys games. The girls game tips off at 6:00 p.m.

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