Michael Hale sworn in as member of 113th General Assembly

January 11, 2023
By:

State Rep. Michael Hale, R-Smithville, was officially sworn in as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives on Tuesday, Jan. 10.

Hale took the oath of office during the first legislative day of the 113th General Assembly. He was elected in November to represent House District 40, which includes all of Cannon, DeKalb, Jackson, Smith and part of Wilson counties.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to represent the citizens of District 40, and serve as their voice in Nashville,” Hale said. “I’m looking forward to the upcoming legislative session, and upholding the conservative values that make Tennessee the best place to live, work, raise a family and retire.”

Hale is a funeral director and small business owner. He graduated from DeKalb County High School and holds an associate’s degree from Gupton College in Nashville. He serves as chairman of the Smithville Housing Authority Board and is a member of the Tennessee Cattleman’s Association, American Simmental Association, Tennessee Simmental Association, Tennessee Funeral Directors Association and the Upper Cumberland Funeral Directors Association.

Hale and his wife, Tara, have been married for more than 25 years. The couple have three children and three grandchildren. Their family attends New Life United Pentecostal Church and are active in the community.

January 11, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

For the second time this basketball season, the DCHS Lady Tigers have beaten Watertown. In the latest meeting Tuesday night DC claimed a 60 to 51 victory before the home crowd in Smithville just a little more than a month after winning at Watertown 42 to 34.

(Click link below to hear WJLE’s Tiger Talk Program this week featuring Lady Tiger Coach Brandy Alley, Tiger Coach Joey Agee, Lady Tigers Madison Martin and Chloe VanVranken and Tigers Zack Birmingham and Ean Jones)

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

It was a different story for the Tigers. After beating the Purple Tigers on the road 60 to 49 on December 2, the Tigers came up short in the rematch Tuesday night losing to Watertown at home 68 to 64.

The Tigers (9-8, 1-3) and the Lady Tigers (10-8, 2-2) will host Cumberland County Friday night, January 13 in Smithville starting with the girls game at 6 p.m. followed by the boys contest. WJLE will have LIVE coverage. The Jets are 3-15, 1-3 while the Cumberland County girls are 13-5, 2-2.

The Lady Tigers took a 17 to 10 lead by the end of the 1st period Tuesday night and held a 34 to 21 advantage at halftime. The Lady Tigers were up 49 to 31 after the 3rd period and went onto win 60 to 51

Ella VanVranken scored 30 points followed by Avery Agee with 12, Madison Martin and Dare Collins each with 6, Chloe VanVranken 5 and Camryn Branin with 1.

The Tigers got behind 17 to 13 after the 1st period of the boys game but took a 34 to 30 lead by halftime. The game was tied at 48 after the 3rd period but Watertown outscored the Tigers 20 to 16 in the 4th period and won 68 to 64.

Elishah Ramos and Conner Close each scored 21, Robert Wheeler 11, Stetson Agee 8 and Zack Birmingham with 3.

January 11, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A DeKalb County High School Lady Tiger basketball star was honored at halftime of the boys game against Watertown in Smithville Tuesday night.

Junior Ella VanVranken, newest member of the 1,000 point club, was presented a 1,000 career point game ball. Ella was joined during the recognition by her fellow players, coaches and family.

The Lady Tigers defeated Watertown Tuesday night 60 to 51 but the Tigers lost to the Purple Tigers 68 to 64.

“I was very excited to achieve this goal. Its been a goal of mine since I was a freshman so I am happy,” said Ella. The last Lady Tiger to join the 1,000th point club was former player Kadee Ferrell, who was a mentor and teammate of VanVranken. Ella said she learned a lot from Ferrell.

“The main thing I learned from her was that it is very important to be a good teammate offensively and defensively and to contribute to both sides. It was great playing with Kadee during her time here and now getting to be up there with her in this 1,000 point club,” said VanVranken.

Ella, daughter of Zach and Kristen VanVranken, scored her 1,000th career point on December 21,2022 in a holiday tournament between the Lady Tigers and Ezell Harding at Wilson County High School in Lebanon leading the team in scoring with 26 points that day in a 56 to 51 victory for DeKalb County.

To date, VanVranken has scored 1,170 points for her high school career with 348 rebounds, 150 assists, and 166 steals.

During her freshman year, Ella scored 367 points, had 123 rebounds, 33 assists, and 60 steals and received Freshman of the Year and 3rd Team All District honors.

As a sophomore, VanVranken scored 427 points, had 158 rebounds, 67 assists, and 70 steals and earned 2nd Team All District, a DTC award, and was voted on by her team as the Offensive Most Valuable Player.

Now, in her junior year, Ella has scored to date 376 points, had 67 rebounds, 50 assists, and 36 steals. During the Kerry Malone Christmas Tournament, where she scored her 1,000th point, Ella received player of the game honors in both games of the tournament in which the Lady Tigers competed.

DCHS Lady Tiger Coach Brandy Alley said Ella has been a joy to coach.

“Every time she suits up, she gives 100%. Ella leads by example and does her best to take over when the team needs her. Ella has stepped up to every challenge we have given her. I am very excited to see what her future holds,” said Coach Alley.

“Ella is an amazing player who is always willing to do whatever it takes to win. Over the past three years, I have seen her grow both on and off the court. In every role she has been asked to take on she has exceeded expectations. I believe she will succeed in anything she chooses to do with her life,” added Assistant Lady Tiger Coach Madison Parsley.

Among her teammates is her younger sister Chloe, a freshman.

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