News
Bell Gets Six Year Prison Sentence for Reckless Homicide
May 19, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
A woman indicted by the DeKalb County Grand Jury for 2nd degree murder in the 2021 death of a man believed to have overdosed on Fentanyl was sentenced in DeKalb County Criminal Court Monday, May 19.
64-year-old Tommye Lou Bell entered a plea to reckless homicide and received a TDOC sentence of six years to serve at 30% before her release eligibility date. Bell has been given jail credit of 104 days. She and two co-defendants, 51-year-old Sharon Joyce Malone and 48-year-old Vanessa Louise Lance, were indicted for 2nd degree murder and possession of schedule II drugs (Fentanyl & Cocaine) with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver (2 counts)
The indictment against the three alleged that between the dates of December 13-16, 2021, Bell, Lance, and Malone did unlawfully and recklessly kill 64-year-old Stephen Wayne Mullican of Old Snows Hill Road, Dowelltown by the unlawful distribution, delivery, or dispensation of Fentanyl, Acetyl Fentanyl, Cocaine, and Ethanol and that these drugs were the proximate cause of Mullican’s death. Mullican was reportedly Lance’s father.
Bell was also indicted for unlawfully selling the schedule II drugs Fentanyl and Cocaine between the dates of December 13-16, 2021.
Malone and Lance were co-indicted for unlawfully delivering the schedule II drugs Fentanyl and Cocaine between December 13-16, 2021.
The cases were investigated by DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department Detectives and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
DCHS Presents White Rose and Citizenship Awards
May 18, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
Three of the most outstanding members of the DCHS Class of 2025 received special recognition during the commencement Friday night.
Principal Bruce Curtis presented the prestigious White Rose Awards to Avery Agee and Ty Webb while Alissa Summers received the Citizenship Award.
The White Rose is presented to a boy and girl from the senior class with strong academic performance and contribution to the school and community and exemplary moral character.
The Citizenship Award is given to a student in the senior class who exemplifies strong academic performance and contribution to the school and community.
State Tournament Bound!
May 17, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
State Tournament Bound!
The DCHS Tigerette Fast Pitch Softball Team punched its ticket to the TSSAA Class 3 A Spring Fling Tournament Saturday evening with a 6 to 2 victory over the visiting Lenoir City Lady Panthers in the Sectionals round at the Danny Bond Field in Smithville.
(Click link below to view state tournament bracket)
Tigerette Pitcher Kora Kilgore recorded 15 strikeouts and gave up only 2 runs on 3 hits through 7 innings.
DeKalb County scored 1 run in the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th innings and 3 runs in the 6th. Lenior City was held scoreless until plating 2 runs in the 7th inning.
The Tigerettes will face McNairy Central at the Murfreesboro Sports Com McKnight Field #1 Tuesday, May 20. Game time is 1 p.m. and WJLE will have LIVE coverage with the Voice of the Tigerettes John Pryor. Listen LIVE on WJLE AM 1480/FM 101.7 and on the LIVE audio stream at www.wjle.com.
This is the 9th state tournament appearance in DCHS Tigerette Softball history.
