Dedication of John Anderson Alley Downtown Set for November 19

November 4, 2022
By:

Country music legend John Anderson to be honored this month in Smithville, TN. On Saturday, November 19th at 10:00am Smithville City, Chamber of Commerce, and DeKalb County officials will hold a dedication of the previously named Walnut Alley. The new name of this historic walkway in downtown Smithville will be ‘John Anderson Alley.’

John Anderson has been immersed in music his entire life. At age 15, while playing in a Rock band, he heard some of the Country greats (Haggard and Jones) and decided that Country was his passion. Anderson moved to Nashville when he was 17 to pursue a career in music, which paid off in 1977 when he signed with his first music label, Warner Brothers Records. Since his first single in 1977, ‘I’ve Got a Feelin’ (Somebody’s Been Stealin’)’, John has had over 40 singles hit the Billboard Country music charts! He’s been nominated several times for the CMA awards- Male Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year. He’s also won the CMA Horizon Award and Single of the Year for his song ‘Swingin’’. In 1993, the Academy of Country Music awarded him the Career Achievement Award.

After attending a special event featuring John at the Grand Old Opry, Smithville resident and business owner Tony Luna had the idea to name the alley after the Country icon. John, his wife, and children have lived in Smithville for over 30 years and at one time owned a downtown building attached to the alley. “I couldn’t believe our community didn’t already have something commemorating John’s local connections,” says Luna. “I remembered seeing John as a kid around our family’s marina and he was always so friendly and down to Earth. So, I took the idea to our City Mayor, Josh Miller.” Miller says, “We felt it was good recognition for John and to show him that we appreciate what he does for Smithville.” He presented the idea to the City Council for their approval to change the name of the alley. After hearing that the Council would approve the name change, Tony Luna, and his wife Sommer, immediately had a mural commissioned for the alleyway. Mayor Miller says, “I was amazed at the mural they had done, it’s a beautiful tribute to John.”

All City and County officials would love to invite and encourage you to attend the dedication on November 19th at 10:00am. John Anderson and his family will be in attendance as well as many community leaders. Please come show your support and respect for this giant in the Country Music industry. John will be saying a few words and plans to do a free concert for Downtown Smithville in the Summer of 2023. This is just a small way for the community to show their love and appreciation!

November 3, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Tigers will begin their Class 4A State Football play-off run Friday night, November 4 as they travel to Ooltewah to face the East Hamilton Hurricanes.

https://www.wjle.com/tiger-talk/

Kick-off will be at 7 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) which is 6 p.m. Smithville time.

It will be the second straight meeting between these two schools in the first round of the state football playoffs. Last year the Tigers journeyed to Ooltewah and won 35-21 to advance.

The Tigers concluded the regular season last week at 6-4 and 4th place in Region 4-4A at 2-3 while East Hamilton finished 7-3 and won the Region 3-4A regular season championship at 6-0.

The Hurricanes this year defeated Ooltewah 52-21, East Ridge 38-0, Sequoyah 48-6, Chattanooga Central 27-10, Soddy Daisy 42-0, Red Bank 14-0, and Hixson 26-14. East Hamilton has lost to Heritage, Georgia 24-9, McMinn County 29-20, and Friendship Christian 31-14.

Tiger Coach Steve Trapp sizes up the Hurricanes.

“They are a quality football team. They wouldn’t be first in their region if they weren’t. They won some close games within their region. The top couple of teams in their region are pretty close together. It’s a little bit different for their bottom end teams although they did compete. They (Hurricanes) are a little bit different from last year in that they don’t have a true quarterback. Their true quarterback got hurt early in the season or maybe even before the season started so their running back from last year has been playing quarterback all year and he has been doing a great job. He is going to run the football a lot but when he throws it they have a big time receiver who has made a lot of plays for them. That is kind of their forte so we will need a big time focus on stopping the quarterback run game and then the things that come off that as far as the read game because he can hand it off, keep it, or simply throw it down field 50 yards for a jump ball. We have worked hard to prepare for that and we have a plan to do it. Offensively we have to make sure we are executing. Last week in the second half of the Stone Memorial game we were not very efficient on first down and that put us behind the chains and that makes things a little bit more difficult. Those third downs and 10s or 12s (to get a first down) is not where we need to live. We need to make sure we do a good job on first down and eliminate any possibility of turnovers and penalties but to play very aggressively, physical, and smart,” said Coach Trapp.

WJLE’s Pre-Game shows begin with “Coach to Coach” at 4:30 p.m. featuring former UT assistant coach Doug Matthews with former coach and Tennessee Titans Radio Play by Play Color Analyst Dave McGinnis and broadcaster Larry Stone talking Tennessee and SEC football.

“Tiger Talk” airs at 5:30 p.m. with Coach Steve Trapp and Tiger football players Austin Nicholson and Ari White and Senior Manager Sheridan O’Conner.

Kick-off is at 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) which is 6: 00 p.m. Smithville Time with play-by-play coverage on WJLE AM 1480 and WJLE FM 101.7 with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor and Luke Willoughby. You may also listen on the LIVE Stream at www.wjle.com.

The DCHS 2022 Football Schedule is as follows:

REGION OPPONENTS (*)
August 19: Warren County-(Tigers won 35-34).
August 26: Smith County-(Tigers won 17-14)
September 1 (THURSDAY): Macon County*- (Tigers lost 21-13).
September 9: Watertown-(Tigers won 26-14)
September 16: Cumberland County* (Tigers won 48-13)
September 23: Cannon County- (Tigers won 55-7)
September 30: Livingston Academy* (HOMECOMING)-(Tigers won 48-0)
October 14: Upperman*- (Tigers lost 17-16).
October 21: Goodpasture-(Tigers lost 24-17)
October 28: Stone Memorial* (Tigers lost 29-28)

November 3, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County High School is working to recognize student success in all areas of academic and skills-based achievements.

The ACT serves as a gateway to college and career readiness in Tennessee, determining students’ eligibility for the HOPE scholarship and requirements for post-secondary institution admittance.

The DCHS 29+ club includes 5 students who have scored a 29 or higher on their ACT, a 24+ club with 27 students, and a 21+ club of 40 students.

29+ club members are: Alex Antoniak, Isaac Brown, Peyton Norris, Jackson Vantrease, Robert Wheeler.

24+ club members: Amelia Atnip, Jordan Blackwell, Zoe Cripps, Kendall Davis, Noah Evans, Malcolm Gora, Alyandra Griffith, Emma Hancock, Christian Hendrixson, Chandler Johnson, Kora Kilgore, Ryder Miller, Cameron Miller, Halayna Newby, Matthew Nokes, Sheridan O’Connor, Paul Oliver, Connor Paladino, Alyssa Pugh, Brendyn Richey, Logan Starkey, Connor Vance, Brett Walker, William Wallace, Kaleb Wildes, Jenna Wright, Kelbi Young

21+ club members: Stetson Agee, Cameron Bailey, Colby Barnes, Cooper Brown, William Cantrell, Tiana Clark, Bryan Cook, Christopher Cox, Luke Driver, Aniston Farler, Seth Fuson, Katherine Gassaway, Allison Gay, Teshia Goff, Lane Goss, Nolan Gottlied, Aaron Gottlied, Ella Hendrixson, Emma Johnson, Skyler Jose, Jordan Judkins, Jacklyn Kleparek, Christopher Lewis, Madison Martin, Emma Martin, Mario Matias, Breanna Millsap, Hannah Patterson, Darrah Ramsey, Isacc Sasser, Brayden Shehane, Destiny Strickland, Aiden Thompson, Caroline Tobitt, Elizabeth Vaughn, Layla Walker, Morgan Walker, Nathaniel Wessel, Haley Williams, Ethan Winchester

Meanwhile DCHS has partnered with the Niswonger Foundation to offer free AP (Advanced Placement) courses. These are very rigorous college level courses that are taken online. In order to receive college credit, students must score a 3 or higher on the AP exam at the end of the course. Currently one student, Kora Kilgore has taken an AP exam and earned college credit for AP English Language.

DCHS is currently offering 4 statewide dual credit courses: American History, Plant Science, Introduction to Education, and Criminal Justice. If students pass the challenge exam at the end of these courses, they will receive college credit. The following students passed this exam last year: Tiana Clark and Malcom Gora for American History, and Kenlee Taylor for Education.

The CTE (career and technical education) courses train students for skills-based certifications such as the OSHA 10, ServSafe, and CNA certifications. DCHS currently has 272 students who have received their OSHA 10 certification: Agee,Avery Agee,Cali Agee,Stetson Aldino,Hannah Allen,Elijah Alvarez,Julian Anderson,Brookelynn Anderson,Domonick Anderson,Emily Anderson,Macy Aranda,Axel Ashford,Joe Atnip,Amelia Atnip,Carson Bailey,Cameron Bain,Nate Barber,Jaden Barber,Kelsie Bare,Jamison Barnes, an Beard,Kiley Belcher,Tyler Beneke,Ally Beshearse,Carsyn Birmingham,Zackary Blackwell,Jordan Blair,Taven Blair,William Boyd,Graceson Branin,Cam Brindley,MacKenzie Brown,Deonna Bryant,Turner Bullard,Jay Burdge,James Caldwell,Gracie Caldwell,Makaligha Cantrell,Ansley Cantrell,Aveya Cantrell,Lily Cantrell,Sayla Cantrell,William Carrillo,Jazmin Cathey,Dylan Cervantes,Hector Chalfant,Aviannca Chapman,Whitleigh Chastain,Carmine Chavez,Mykaela Chivers,Yvette Clark,Tiana Clavel,Fernando Clay,Alexis Cline,Ciara Close,Conner Collins,Audrey Dare Cripps,Zoe Crook,Caroline Cross,Abby Cuevas,Adreana Dakas,Andrew Davenport,Angelina Davenport,Olivia Dies,Chloe Dodson,Hope Driver,Milas Eastes,Rebecca Edwards,Ronnie Emberton,Joshua Emme,Greyson Epstein,Natalia Estes,Austin Farler,Aniston Farmer Connor Farris,Makyra Fletcher,Briana Fountain, Mersadies Frazier,James Fuller,Ally Fuson,Seth Gammons,Kyra Gandy,Micah Garcia, Casandra Garcia, Yarumi Garner, Eden Gassaway, Katherine Gilpin, Alyssa Gingerich,Rebecca Gipson,Kianna Godinez,Jannifer Goff,Teshia Goff,Tonya Goodwin Allie Gottlied,Aaron Gottlied,Nolan Granados,Camila Greathouse,Emily Green,Devin Griffith,Aly Griffith,Cadee Guinn,Zoe Gutierrez,Michael Hale,Bradley Hale,Kathryn Hale,Zoi Hall,Nathan Hancock,Emma Hardrick,Zoe Haugh,Alexis Hawkins,Hunter Hawkins,Lexi Hendrixson,Ella Hendrixson,Izzy Hernandez,Alexa Hernandez,Suri Hernandez,Suri Hicks,Annyiah Iervolino,John Jenkins,Makinzy Johnson,Chandler Johnson,Emma Johnson,Madelyn Keith,Hannah Keith,Johnathan Kirby,Dallas Knauer,Chayla Knowles,Brayden Knowles,Olivia Kyle,Addison Lassiter,Emileigh Lassiter,Macey Lawson,Abigail Lawson,Caleb Lawson,Chloe Lawson,Jonathan Lester,Jayde Lockwood,Chevelle Lohorn,Hannah Love,Cooper Lozano,Yasmin Lubig,Adriana Mabe,Jade Maddox,Jada Martin,Emma Martin,Kiley Martin,Madeline Martin,Madison Martin,Phoebe Martinez,Ninfa Mathis,Jackson McCrary,Serenity Mcminn,Averie Merriman,Hailee Miller,Aleaha Miller,McKenna Miller,Ryder Miller,Steven Milligan,Keara Mitchell,Evelyn Moore,Sadie Moore,Sara Mosley,Marvin Moss,Ellie Mullican,Hunter Mullins,Elijah Murphy,Addison Murphy,Briahna Murphy,Haley Musick,Josh Myers,Justin Nickell,Jayden Nokes,Amy O’Connell,Faithann Oakley,Kristen Odom,Jakayta Oiler,McKenzie Oliver,Paul Ortiz,Melanie Overstreet,Allie Overstreet,Kayleigh Owen,Haylea Pack,Austin Pack,Ella Paladino,Connor Panker,Jaxson Parker,Jordan Patterson,Katie Patterson,Megyn Patterson,Taylor Pedigo,Maddie Pek,Mykola Pelham,Bryna PerezTorres,Lucia Perez,Aaron Phan,Khanh Phillips,Mylie Polk,Sydney Portillo,Joyce Poss,Alison Prichard,Evan Quick,Jaiden Rackley,Bella Ramirez,Bryan Ramirez,Kevin Ramos,Elishah Randolph,Gracie Redmon,Hailey Redmon,Hannah Rico,Karol Rigsby,Laurie Roberts,Brandelyn Roberts,Chelsea Robinson,Emily Robinson,Zeva Roblero,Genesis Rose Maressa Russell,Melissa Sanchez,Elvia Savage,Kylee Savage,Raven Savage,Skylar Scales,Makayla Schiesser,Passion Sebastian,Julio Shehane,Brayden Shehane,Lauren Smith,Dixie Smith,Jarrod Snipes,Owen Soto,Jennie Speaks,Landon Spears,Kaleb Sprague,Braden Starkey,Logan Summers,Adison Summers,Allayna Summers,Brayden Summers,Kaity Sweatt,Brooklynn Taylor,Aiden Terry,Kilah Thompson,Aiden Tipton,Caleb Tittle,Anthony Tobitt, Caroline Tramel, Andrew Trapp, Briz Trapp, Hannah Trapp, Holden Trejo, Sharon Turbeville,Jordyn Turner,Elaina Vanatta,Levi Vantrease,Jackson VanVranken,Chloe VanVranken,Ella Vaughn,Chase Vaughn,Ellie Wallace,Liam Washer,Zayleigh Wheeler,Robert White,Crissy Wildes,Kaleb Wilkey,Brylie Williams,Katelyn Williams,Reese Winchester,Makaylee Wood,Aniston Wright,Jenna Young,Emily Zapien,Valeria.

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