DMS to Present Disney’s The Lion King Jr

January 12, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb Middle School is working towards their 2nd theatrical musical. Last year was DMS’s first full length Musical “ Christmas in Neverland”. It was performed in the DMS auditorium and sold out both of its public performances. Josh Issac will once again direct the 2017-2018 theatrical musical at DMS.

“Disney’s The Lion King Jr. has been the hardest show I have ever produced. This show will be a cultural experience DeKalb has never seen.” said Issac.

The Lion King Jr. will be at the DeKalb County Complex.

“ I am so excited to bring Lion King to all the schools this year. Patrick Cripps, Mandy Dakas, Tim Stribling, and Jimmy Sprague have worked hard to coordinate the success of all 6 of the school performances. This show has taken on a life of its own and couldn’t have been accomplished without everyone’s help. My dream has always been to bring the arts back to all the schools. As a child I loved going to Cumberland Play House and that’s where I started my passion for Theater. I am confident that programs like this will also spark that same passion in our kids,” said Issac.

The Lion King Jr. will provide free shows for grades 2nd-8th grade all across DeKalb County. The Lion King has over 40 in the cast with over 100 costumes, 18 songs, 20 dances, and over 20 adult workers. You may think you know the story of The Lion King but this broadway version changes it some with all your favorite songs and many new songs that will transport you to where it all started. This is a show for all ages.

Public performance show times are January 30th, February 1st and 2nd at 7 p.m. at the DeKalb Community Complex. Ticket price is $10. All Cast members are selling tickets or you may call DMS.

January 12, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

State Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) has three new committee appointments in the Senate, including a leadership role as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. Today, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) announced this vice-chairmanship appointment, in addition to his appointment to the Transportation and Safety Committee, and the Government Operations Committee.

“Senator Pody has significant legislative experience from his time in the House,” said McNally. “I look forward to him hitting the ground running with these new assignments.”

The Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee’s scope includes review of legislation pertaining to Tennessee’s hunting and fishing laws, state parks, energy conservation, agriculture, preservation of natural resources and fostering the state’s tourism industry.

The Senate Transportation and Safety Committee is responsible for highways, roads and bridges; railroads; air, bus and vehicular transportation; rules and regulations for highways, and facilities in connection with and navigation of waterways, lakes and streams; and the Department of Safety.

The Senate Government Operations Committee is generally perceived as one of the most powerful in the General Assembly as it oversees legislation to create, reauthorize, reorganize or sunset departments, commissions, boards, agencies or councils of state government. The Committee also hears bills regarding licensing and/or certification of occupational and/or professional groups and reviews regulations promulgated by all Tennessee departments, commissions, boards or agencies.

“I am honored to serve on these Senate committees this session,” said Sen. Pody. “The committee process is an important part in passing legislation, and I will work to represent the counties of Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Macon, Smith and Wilson well in these committees.”

January 11, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The search is over for a Putnam County man who went missing Wednesday afternoon on Center Hill Lake.

The body of 66 year old Scott Northrup of Silver Point was recovered at around 11:35 a.m. today (Thursday) about 100 yards from where his fishing boat was found Wednesday night in the Florida branch area of the lake about a mile across from Floating Mill Access.

TWRA Officer Tony Cross told WJLE that Northrup’s body was found in about 34 feet of water. Sonar and an underwater camera aided TWRA officers and members of the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad in the search.

Northrup. a Tennessee Tech University professor emeritus of chemistry and faculty advisor to the Tech bass fishing team was reported missing Wednesday evening after he failed to return home by 3:00 p.m.from a fishing trip to the lake.

“We received the call around 5:00 p.m. Wednesday of the missing boater and found his vehicle and trailer at the Hurricane Bridge boat ramp. We then went out on the lake and at approximately 7:30 p.m. located the fishing boat that he was in. There was no one on board. There were no signs of foul play. We searched until around 2:00 a.m. (Thursday) in the Florida branch area of Center Hill Lake where the boat was found, ” said Officer Cross.

TWRA was assisted in the search Wednesday night by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad joined the search later this morning (Thursday).