Last updated on April 6, 2020, at 10:15 a.m.
As of 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, three cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have been confirmed in Smith County.
The Smith County Coronavirus Task Force is working hard to keep citizens informed and prevent the spread of the virus. Dr. Roger Duke and Smith County Mayor Jeff Mason have been providing frequent updates via Facebook Live to keep citizens informed. Follow Smith County, TN Mayor Jeff Mason so you don’t miss any updates!
The CDC’s recommendation to practice social distancing and limit crowd sizes, along with Governor Bill Lee’s Executive Order 17 and Executive Order 22, have prompted closures, cancellations, and changes throughout the county.
Here at Smith County Insider, we’re doing our best to compile a list of all local changes, closures, and cancellations. If you know of something that should be added to our list, please let us know!
Smith County Schools will remain closed until Monday, April 27th. Please continue to check the Smith County School System website for details.
Prom has ben postponed until further notice at both Smith County High School and Gordonsville High School.
ACT has decided to reschedule the April 4, 2020, National ACT® test date to their June 13 and July 18 test dates in response to concerns regarding the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Carthage City Hall is currently closed to the public. April 15, 2020, is the rescheduled date for the Town of Carthage to resume taking cash payments for water bills. To pay by mail, please send checks to: Town of Carthage, P.O. Box 259, Carthage, TN 37030. To pay by credit card, call 615-735-1881 ext. 202. There will be no cut-offs for non-payment during this time. All business will be conducted by phone.
The following will be in effect for the Town of Carthage starting Tuesday, March 24, and until further notice regarding water bills for Carthage residents:
(1) Water lines will not be disconnected due to late payment.
(2) Late fees for the April billing cycle will not be charged.
(3) Starting Tuesday, March 24th, if paying by card, a credit of $3.50 will be applied toward the next month’s bill.
If you need additional information regarding this, please call (615) 735-1881 ext. 202.
Per Governor Lee’s Executive Order #22, City Parks in Carthage have been closed for the time being to protect citizens… especially our children… from the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus. The city walking track, across from the city pool on Industrial Drive, is still open.
Due to growing concerns with the coronavirus and increased concerns for the welfare of Gordonsville citizens, Gordonsville City Hall is closing its lobby to the public to help lessen the spread of this virus. Feel free to use the night drop for any payments or correspondence. Payments can also be mailed to City Hall at 63 E. Main Street, Gordonsville, TN 38563 For any other needs, please call or email 615-683-8282 ext. 1 or 2, stacib@dtccom.net, or gordcity@dtccom.net.
The meeting of the Gordonsville City Council, which was scheduled for Monday, April 13, 2020, has been postponed.
At this time the lobby at the Town of South Carthage is closed to the public. There is a night deposit box that may be used for payments, and of course someone will still be in the office to receive calls (615-735-2727) and emails sccityhall@dtccom.net.
Due to growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19, and increased concerns for the welfare of South Carthage citizens, the South Carthage Board of Zoning Appeals public hearing and meeting that was scheduled for March 30, 2020 will be postponed until further notice. Also, the next regularly scheduled meeting of the South Carthage Board of Mayor and Aldermen will be postponed until further notice.
All parks, shelters, and event centers in Smith County are closed to the public.
The Smith County Board of Commissioners will not meet in April.
The Supreme Court of Tennessee has issued an Amended Order concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving courts open but suspending in-person court proceedings through April 30, 2020, subject to the exceptions below:
- Proceedings necessary to protect constitutional rights of criminal defendants, including bond-related matters, preliminary hearings for incarcerated individuals, and plea agreements for incarcerated individuals
- Proceedings related to relief from abuse, including but not limited to orders of protection
- Proceedings related to statutory order of protection hearings after entry of an ex parte order as necessary to satisfy any due process concerns
- Proceedings related to emergency child custody or visitation orders
- Proceedings related to the voluntary surrender of parental rights
- Settlements involving a minor or a person with a disability
- Department of Children’s Services emergency matters related to child safety,
placement, permanency, or federal funding for children in foster care - Proceedings related to petitions for temporary injunctive relief
- Proceedings related to emergency mental health orders
- Proceedings related to emergency protection of elderly or vulnerable persons
- Proceedings directly related to the COVID-19 public health emergency
- Other exceptions as approved by the Chief Justice
All other matters pending on current dockets will be reset to a date after the in person suspension has lifted. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
The Turner Building is closed to public access. All business will need to be done by phone, online, or mail.
- County Clerk, Clifa Norris 615-735-9833
- County Mayor, Jeff Mason 616-735-2294
- Register of Deeds, Jerri Lin Vaden-Malone 615-735-1760
- Property Tax Assessor, Terry Collins 615-735-1750
- County Trustee, Leeann Williams 615-735-8242
- Drug Coalition, Barbara Kannapel 615-588-1622
- Election Commission, Yvonne Gibbs 615-735-8241
- Finance Office (Daisy Denton, Sherry Davis, Ginger Ramsey or Amanda Dillard) 615-588-1595
- CASA, Bernie Morris 615-735-0043
Please note that through Executive Order No. 15, Governor Bill Lee extended the deadline for obtaining registration renewals that expire in March or April. The new deadline for obtaining these renewals is June 15, 2020. The Department of Revenue hopes this extension will alleviate concerns of motor vehicle registrants so they can focus on their health and safety amid the ongoing COVID-19 situation.
The deadline to pay 2018 delinquent property taxes has been extended to May 5, 2020. This simply means that persons that owe 2018 property tax at the Trustee’s office will have 35 extra days to pay their 2018 tax by mail, dropbox, or online. Call the Trustee’s office at 615-735-8242 if you have more questions.
In the interest of public safety, and in accordance with Center for Disease Control recommendations, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District is taking the following precautionary measures to assist public health efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
- Effective immediately all visitor centers and resource manager offices are closed to the public until further notice.
- Parks, campgrounds, day-use areas or other recreation areas that have not opened for the 2020 recreation season shall delay opening until further notice.
- In cases where closure of a day use recreation area is not possible, public restrooms, group shelters, beaches, and other amenities will be closed in order to promote Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended precautions. Day use fees will not be collected at these areas during this time.
- Cancellations for campground or group shelter reservations through May 15, 2020 will be processed automatically and a full refund will be issued. America the Beautiful passes may be purchased online by visiting https://store.usgs.gov/pass.
- Boat ramps will remain open.
- Campers with reservations at Defeated Creek Campground on Cordell Hull Lake who have already arrived or who arrive up to March 19 will be allowed to remain until March 23, 2020. All future reservations will be canceled.
- All schedule tours, interpretive programs, and special events will be cancelled until further notice.
- Shoreline management visits, usually relating to dock permits, will be conducted by phone, email, or mail between dock owners and Corps personnel in order to protect both parties.
- Although public access will not be allowed, resource manager offices will be staffed and available to conduct business and answer questions via email or telephone.
The Smith County Senior Citizens Center is closed. If you need anything or have questions please call Jan Johnson at 615-735-0560 extension 5.
The Smith County Fitness Center is closed until further notice. Follow the Smith County Fitness Center Facebook page and call 615-835-2735 for information about future hours of operation.
The Smith County Help Center will be closing to the public for now. Donations will still be accepted through the back. If you have an appointment, please follow the instructions on the front door. If you need assistance please call and schedule an appointment at 615-735-8090.
The Pregnancy Help Center of Smith County is still serving clients, although no clients will be seen in-office in the office until the Safe at Home Order from Governor Lee has been lifted. Clients can participate in the Earn While You Learn program through modern technology and pick up needed items by appointment only to receive from the porch during specified hours. If you think you are pregnant and need assistance, please call or text Alicia. You can also call 1-800-712-4357 to talk to someone 24/7. Donations are still welcome and appreciated!
Both the Carthage branch and the Gordonsville branch of the Smith County Public Library are closed in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19. Be sure to follow Smith County Public Libraries on Facebook for updates. While the library is closed, you can visit https://reads.overdrive.com for free access to books, audiobooks, magazines, and more.
Anyone with a reservation at the Smith County Ag Center is being strongly encouraged to reschedule their events and planned gatherings.
The Smith County Extension Office has been asked to cancel all group meetings until April 30th by the University of Tennessee. Agents are still available for one on one consultation or help as needed. This goes for Agriculture, Family Consumer Science and 4-H. Stay tuned to UT Extension Smith County’s Facebook Page or Instagram account to stay up to date with resources, educational materials, and opportunities to continue to be involved.
Carthage Walmart will be open 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. until further notice. Walmart will also host an hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 a.m. for seniors 60 and older starting March 24. The pharmacy will be open during senior shopping hours. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2Ud6ZYA.
You can now use #WalmartPay via the Walmart App on your smartphone when checking out at Carthage Walmart. All you have to do add is an active debit or credit card in the app and pull it up when you’re ready to pay.
Riverview Regional Medical Center has implemented visitor restrictions so that they can remain focused on providing high quality care to our patients and protect patients, medical staff, and employees. These restrictions include ZERO visitors.
The Riverview Regional Medical Center Cafe is closed to the public effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
Ebel’s Tavern is open for take-out, curbside, and delivery orders. They will gladly cook up your favorite food and text you when it’s ready for fast in and out or curbside delivery. Ebel’s Tavern is also now delivering to all of Smith County. Call 615-588-1888 to place your order, or order online at https://ebelstavern.mobilebytes.com. Follow Ebel’s Tavern on Facebook for more information.
To see what other local restaurants are doing to adapt to the new COVID-19 guidelines, click here.
Cellar 53 Winery is open for pick up only. All wine tastings have been suspended. You can text your order to 615-708-1367 or pre-order at https://cellar-53-winery.square.site.
Beginning on March 23, 2020, there will be only private family visitations/services at Bass Funeral Homes, Sanderson Funeral Homes, and Avant Funeral Home. No food or beverages will be accepted at the funeral home.
As of Thursday, March 19, 2020, Wilson Bank & Trust will be offering drive-thru services only at their offices. In person banking will still be available by appointment only for the following services: safe deposit boxes, CD renewals, limited new account opening, loan inquiries, and other services as needed that require an in-person visit.
In response to the Covid-19 virus, lobby service at Citizens Bank is temporarily interrupted. Please use the drive thru and ATM. For additional services, call 615-735-1490.
DTC Communications is closing all business offices to the public effective March 19th. DTC employees continue to work to serve the public, and the drive through windows will remain open for communication purposes. Crews are still maintaining facilities, installing services, and making repairs. Payments may be made through the website (www.dtccom.net), online Bill Pay (https://billing.dtccom.net/EBPP/Login), at one of DTC’s payment deposit boxes at all business offices, or by check or card by calling 615-529-2955. To report any service issue, please call 615-683-4033. For all other inquiries, call 615-529-2955.
Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation will continue to provide excellent and reliable electric service, but UCEMC is now taking extra safety precautions for members and employees. Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) threat to the health and safety of our members, UCEMC lobbies will now CLOSE on Monday, March 23, until further notice. We appreciate your understanding and patience during these challenging times.
Bill payment and other Cooperative business may be conducted safely and securely by utilizing other UCEMC options:
- Drive-Thru Window – You may continue to pay your bill from the comfort of your vehicle at UCEMC district office locations during regular business hours.
- New Service – Applications and instructions for applying for new service are available at the Drive-Thru Window until further notice.
- Online at ucemc.com – Click on PAY MY BILL to get to the Customer Service Portal. Enter your account number that’s on the bill and your password. New to online bill pay? Click on NEW USER to set up your online bill payment option.
- UCEMC Mobile App and Mobile Web App – Look for our name in the App Store or the Android Market. If you can’t find our App in the Android Market, that likely means your phone is not supported. Our Mobile Apps are secure and no personal information stores on your mobile device.
- Pay by Phone: You may pay by phone during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. by calling your local district UCEMC office. The number for UCEMC Carthage District is 615-735-2940.
Beginning on Monday, March 23, 2020, Cumberland Supply will be closed to the public due to the coronavirus outbreak. Please call to place a pone order between 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call when you arrive, please remain in your vehicle, and your order will be brought out to you! To place an order, call 615-735-1786.
Beginning April 1, 2020, Smith County Hardware will be open regular hours, but without customers inside the store. You may call us at 615-735-1680 and we will try to have your order ready when you arrive. You may text 615-683-7257 and we will text you when your order is ready for pick up. Equipment rental will continue with delivery when needed.
Beginning on March 23, all 5 locations of Powell & Meadows Insurance Agency will be temporarily closed to walk in customers. If you have cash payment, documents or need to speak with an agent please call your local office and we will be happy to assist you.
Gordonsville Drugs is open to serve the healthcare needs of their patients. They are taking the following precautions:
- We have fully stocked our shelves with antibiotics and breathing treatment medications used to treat pneumonia which is a complication of the virus.
- We are making sure there is adequate supply of medication on our shelves to fill maintenance prescriptions such as blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol medications.
- Effective Saturday, we will be closing our lobby and will be drive through only. This will help minimize patient contact with others.
- Sanitizing the drive thru signature pads and area more frequently.
- We are more than happy to shop for over the counter products or gifts for you and bring them to the drive thru window.
Ways you can help:
- Utilize the Rx Local app which allows you to refill your prescriptions directly from your phone.
- Phone in your refills several hours ahead of time to ensure they are ready when you come through the drive thru. (This is a busy time in healthcare, so this will help decrease your wait time.)
- Ask your physician send new prescriptions electronically in order to avoid paper prescriptions.
To protect the health our patients and staff, Smith County Drug Center is closing its lobby effective Tuesday March 24th. The drive thru is open and we are now offering curb-side pickup. Please call your refills in ahead of time or use our app to make this process more efficient. We will be happy to get you any over-the-counter items or gift items from the front of our store.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and at the request of Governor Bill Lee, Bailey Family Dentistry is canceling all hygiene (routine dental cleanings) through April 10, 2020. Our office will call you to reschedule.
Office hours are Monday thru Thursday from 9 AM to 3 PM, effective as of April 6, 2020. We will notify you when we return to our normal schedule. We are in the office to treat dental emergencies, so please call should you need to be seen. If you have an emergency during our off-hours, you may call the office number and press 5 to reach to Dr. Bailey.
Please know that your health and wellbeing are our No. 1 priority. As we remain open, we are taking the necessary precautions as outlined by CDC and OSHA standards of infection control. Our high standard of care ensures that your trust and safety are never compromised.Since the news and developments regarding COVID-19 are rapidly changing, visit Bailey Family Dentistry on Facebook for the most up-to-date information.
Smith County Advanced Eye Care has postponed all routine eye care visits. Temporary hours will be 8am – 5pm Monday-Tuesday and Thursday – Friday. We will be closed on Wednesday. We will provide curbside pickup at the office. Any eye care that can be postponed should be at this time, but if you are concerned that you have an urgent eye problem, please call. Our doctors can help you through tele-health services or in certain cases will be here for appointments for urgent or emergent eye problems.
100% of the office staff at Rackley Roofing is now working remotely.This is extremely impressive as Rackley Roofing is a construction company and has over 170 field personnel that have embraced this technology.
As a COVID-19 designated essential business, Russell Cellular stands ready to support you with all your wireless needs: staying in contact with loved ones, providing online learning capabilities for your family, and the ability to work from home. Shop online at russellcellular.com, make an appointment at your local store for curbside service, or receive walk-in support if needed. Call 615-735-3370 for mire information.
Cumberland Athletic Club will be temporarily closed to members beginning Saturday, March 21, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. until April 4 (or when allowed). Visit the Cumberland Athletic Club Facebook page for a list of FAQs.
Many local churches are live streaming their services rather than meeting in person.
Carthage Church of Christ will be live streaming services at 9:00am/6:00pm Sundays and 7:00pm Wednesdays on our Facebook page. Services are archived to YouTube also. We would love to have you join us online and in person once normal services resume!
New Level Church, located at 208 Upper Ferry Road in Carthage, will be having “Church Beyond the Walls” drive-in services on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., Friday at 6:30 p.m., and on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Drive-in story time Sunday School for children will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Carthage Connection Church will be having drive-in service Sunday, April 5th, at 11:15 a.m. in the parking lot behind the library, behind the old court house. We checked with the governor’s office and they are ok with this as long as we keep our distance from each other (and preferably stay in our cars). There will be a prize for the loudest car and a prize for the quietest car, but most of all, we will have good, godly fellowship. Call Gordon Borck with questions @615-477-0779.
The Smith County Heritage Museum will be closed until further notice, and the museum’s annual Member/Donor Reception scheduled for April 9, 2020, has been postponed.
The River City Ball, which was set for May 2, 2020, has also been postponed.
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Remember that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the most reliable source for COVID-19 information, and their guidelines should be followed as closely as possible.
You can also find reliable information on the Tennessee Department of Health website, which is updated daily at 2:00 p.m.
This interactive map from Johns Hopkins University is a great way to track the spread of the coronavirus worldwide.
Stay tuned to Smith County Insider, the CDC website, and the TN Department of Health as new information about COVID-19 continues to become available.
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