Smith County Chamber Corner Show – January 2025
Check out the January 2025 edition of the Smith County Chamber Corner Show!
This month’s show features local businesses, community organization and events going on in and around Smith County.
If you would like to promote your event or local business on the Smith County Chamber Corner Show, contact the Smith County Chamber of Commerce by calling 615-735-2093 today.
Watch the full show below, or catch it on DTC3 TV.
MLK 2025 Day of Service Event January 20th
The Annual MLK Day of Service event is scheduled for Monday, January 20th. It is an inspiring day of community action and collaboration. In partnership with Keep Smith County Beautiful and a host of generous sponsors and volunteers will come together to clean and beautify roadside areas throughout Smith County.
Participants are encouraged to join this initiative to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by giving back to their community. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all volunteers.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. at the Smith County Chamber of Commerce, located at 939 Upper Ferry Road in Carthage. Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome, so gather your friends, family, or coworkers, and help make a difference in the county you call home.
For more information you can follow Keep Smith County Beautiful on Facebook.
3rd Annual Carthage Rotary Cornhole Tournament
The Carthage Rotary Club is excited to announce its upcoming Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser, set to take place on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the Smith County Agriculture Center, located at 159 Ag Center Lane in Carthage, TN.
Registration for the tournament begins at 9:00 a.m., with the first round of tournament play starting promptly at 10:00 a.m. The entry fee is $50 per team, making it an affordable and entertaining way to spend the day while competing for fantastic prizes. The first-place winners will take home a $500 cash prize, while the second-place team will win $250. All prizes will be awarded at the end of the tournament.
The Cornhole Tournament isn’t just about competition—it’s also an opportunity to bring the community together to support local charities and community projects. Every dollar raised through this event will directly benefit these initiatives, making it a meaningful way to give back to Carthage and its residents.
Attendees can also look forward to a variety of food and beverage options, provided by on-site vendors.The event is perfect for families, friends, and community members of all ages. Even if you’re not competing, come out to cheer on your favorite teams, enjoy the festive atmosphere, and support a worthy cause.
Gather your teammates, practice your cornhole skills, and join the Carthage Rotary Club for a day of fun and giving back to the community. For more information or to pre-register, contact the event organizers at (615) 486-9429.
Free Backpack for those who need some essentials
For His Glory Ministries, in collaboration with The Spot and other community partners, is excited to host a free backpack giveaway event. Each backpack will be filled with essential items designed to support individuals currently facing uncertain housing situations.
Just plan to show up on Sunday, January 28th, at dusk to receive your free backpack. The event will take place at The Spot, conveniently located at 107 3rd Avenue East.
This giveaway is part of our ongoing commitment to serving our community and providing resources to those in need. Please help spread the word to anyone who might benefit from this opportunity. Free soups, chili and drinks will also be available.
Smith County Humane Society Hosts Two Events to Support Local Community and Pets
The Smith County Humane Society has announced two upcoming events to assist both the community and its four-legged residents. These initiatives, taking place at the Smith County Ag Center, aim to bring people together for a good cause while providing much-needed resources for pets.
Dog Food Giveaway – Friday, January 17th, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
To help support pet owners in need, the Humane Society will host a Dog Food Giveaway at the Smith County Ag Center, 159 Ag Center Lane, South Carthage. Families are invited to stop by and receive a free bag of dog food on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of one bag per family. This event is designed to alleviate the burden on pet owners and ensure that local dogs are well-fed and cared for.
Humane Society Spaghetti Dinner – Friday, January 17th, 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Later that same day, the Humane Society will host its annual Spaghetti Dinner to raise funds for its rescue and adoption programs. Meals are available for dine-in or carry-out and include spaghetti with sauce, garlic toast, salad, a drink, and dessert. Tickets are priced at $10 for adults and $6 for children. The dinner will also take place at the Smith County Ag Center, offering a delicious way for the community to support animal welfare efforts.
For more information about these events or to support the Humane Society, visit their website at SmithCountyTNHumane.com.
Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation Prepared for Winter Storm with Crews Ready to Respond
With a major winter storm in play and several inches of snow on the ground. Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (UCEMC) is working hard to maintain a resilient power distribution system, but it is difficult to prevent outages during an event like a major winter storm. Linemen and crews are on standby, prepared to respond to any power outages that may occur. Crews have stocked their trucks with essential equipment, fueled all vehicles, and ensured warehouse supplies are ready to meet the challenges of the storm. We are incredibly grateful for their hard work and dedication to keeping our communities energized and safe.
“Our top priority is safety—for our crews and our members,” said Jennifer Brogdon, General Manager. “We encourage everyone to stay indoors, use caution, and report outages through our designated channels, not on social media.”
Winter storms create the potential for power outages due to falling tree limbs. Even with year-round tree trimming efforts, heavy wet snow can accumulate on limbs, adding significant weight and causing them to snap. When limbs or entire trees fall onto power lines, they can break the lines or poles, leading to service interruptions.
Outage Reporting and Safety
· Call our phone system at 1-800-261-2940 and press 1
· Text “OUT” to 1-800-261-2940
· Mobile App: Login, select your account, choose “Menu”, “Services”, “Report an Outage.”
· Website: Click the “Report Online” button at the top of the page at UCEMC.com.
· Please do not report outages on Facebook as it is not monitored for outage reports.
The safety of our communities will always come first. As a reminder, always stay away from downed power lines or damaged electric equipment and report these situations immediately to UCEMC at 1-800-261-2940.
Safety first, always.
For more information, contact:
Sara Clark
Communications Specialist
UCEMC
615-607-9030
sclark@ucemc.com
UCHRA and UCDD offices and transportation closed on Friday, January 10th
Due to the forecasted accumulating snow and anticipated travel hazards, all UCDD and UCHRA offices will be CLOSED on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.
UCHRA Public Transportation will suspend all transportation operations starting at noon on Jan. 10. Your understanding is appreciated as the safety of clients and employees are a priority.
County and City Offices Closed Due to Inclement Weather – January 10, 2025
Due to predicted inclement weather and significant snow accumulation, all county and city offices, including the landfill and convenience sites, will be closed on Friday, January 10th. This includes Smith County Government and Carthage, South Carthage, and Gordonsville City Halls.
Smith County Schools are also closed on January 10, 2025.
This precautionary measure is being taken to ensure the safety of both employees and residents during hazardous conditions. Please plan accordingly, and stay tuned for updates regarding any additional closures or changes to schedules.
Entries Wanted for Pet Portraits Art Show at the Carthage Junction Depot
Artists of Smith County are invited to submit work for an upcoming exhibit of Pet Portraits to be held at the Carthage Junction Depot February 15. Artists of all ages are welcomed to submit work. Any medium is welcome, but entries must be prepared for hanging. If you would like to show your creations, art can be submitted to Keith Williams at Citizens Bank, Carthage during business hours any day until the deadline: Feb 6. If you have questions about entering this exhibit, contact the Carthage Junction Depot on facebook messenger or by emailing caneyforkcreative@gmail.com.
U.S. Representative John Rose Announces January Local Office Hours
U.S. Representative John Rose’s (TN-6) district staff will hold a series of local office hours for constituents to connect directly with caseworkers and receive assistance with federal agencies throughout the month of January.
During the local office hours, district staff will be available to answer questions and assist constituents with federal casework, such as social security and veterans’ benefits, steps for obtaining a passport, and more. Local office hours occur monthly. If you have questions, please contact one of Representative Rose’s offices so a staff member may help you.
“We are ready to assist constituents with federal casework and welcome anyone with questions to sit down with staff,” said Representative Rose. “My goal is to make the expertise of my staff and the resources of this office easily accessible to every person I represent.”
Details for local office hours can be found below and on Representative Rose’s website.
Thursday, January 16, 2025
TIME: 10:00am-11:00am
WHAT: Macon County Local Office Hours
LOCATION: Lafayette City Hall, 200 E Locust St, Lafayette, TN 37083
WHO: Representative Rose will be represented by Field Representative Lou Nave during this visit.
TIME: 1:00pm-2:00pm
WHAT: Trousdale County Local Office Hours
LOCATION: Trousdale County Admin. Building, 328 Broadway, Hartsville, TN 37074
WHO: Representative Rose will be represented by Field Representative Lou Nave during this visit.
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
TIME: 10:00am-11:00am
WHAT: DeKalb County Local Office Hours
LOCATION: DeKalb County Board of Education, 110 S Public Square, Smithville, TN 37166
WHO: Representative Rose will be represented by Field Representative Lou Nave during this visit.
TIME: 1:00pm-2:00pm
WHAT: Smith County Local Office Hours
LOCATION: Smith Co. Chamber of Commerce, 939 Upper Ferry Rd., Carthage, TN 37030
WHO: Representative Rose will be represented by Field Representative Lou Nave during this visit.
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
TIME: 9:30am-10:30am *Eastern Standard Time
WHAT: Scott County Local Office Hours
LOCATION: 2845 Baker Hwy, Huntsville, TN 37756
WHO: Representative Rose will be represented by Deputy Chief of Staff Leah Grider during this visit.
TIME: 11:00am-12:00pm
WHAT: Fentress County Local Office Hours
LOCATION: Fentress County Courthouse, 101 S. Main Street, Jamestown, TN 38556
WHO: Representative Rose will be represented by Deputy Chief of Staff Leah Grider during this visit.
TIME: 11:00am-12:00pm
WHAT: Wilson County Local Office Hours
LOCATION: Adopted Farmhouse Coffee, 100 Public Square, Watertown, TN 37184
WHO: Representative Rose will be represented by Field Representative Lou Nave during this visit.
TIME: 1:30pm-2:30pm
WHAT: Pickett County Local Office Hours
LOCATION: Pickett County Library, 79 Pickett Square, Byrdstown, TN 38549
WHO: Representative Rose will be represented by Deputy Chief of Staff Leah Grider during this visit.
U.S. Representative John Rose is currently serving his fourth term representing Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District and resides in Cookeville with his wife, Chelsea, and their two sons, Guy and Sam. The Sixth District includes Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, and White counties as well as portions of Davidson, Scott, Warren, and Wilson counties. Representative Rose is an eighth-generation farmer, small business owner, and attorney
Smith County Fair Program Art Competition
The Carthage Junction Depot in partnership with the Smith County Fair Board welcomes local artists of all ages to compete to create the program cover for the 2025 Smith County Fair. Any medium is welcome. Art or high resolution digital files (at least 300 dpi) must be 12′ x 12″/ Digital entries can be sent to Caneyforkcreative@gmail.com. Physical entries can be submitted to Keith at Citizens Bank, Carthage during business hours January 27-31. Deadline for digital entries is February 1. Winner will be announced online and displayed at the Depot February 15th.
TDOT Ready for Winter Weather
Nashville, Tenn. – As the National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts snow potential for Friday, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) assures motorists it is ready to clear roadways of ice and snow. In preparation for the winter season, crews in all the region’s 26 counties have readied snowplows and brine trucks.
In anticipation of Friday’s snow event, crews hit the roadways on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, to begin brining heavily traveled interstates and state routes, as well as areas vulnerable to freezing, such as hills, curves, ramps, bridges, and interchanges. TDOT strongly encourages drivers to prepare to stay off the roads on Friday, January 10, 2025, for their own safety and the safety of our workers, giving crews the room they need to do their jobs.
Additional staff is added to the region’s Traffic Management Center this Friday, meaning extra eyes on the region’s 240+ SmartWay cameras and more assistance manning phones to dispatch HELP operators as needed. TDOT is anticipating running extended HELP routes on I-40 eastbound to the Putnam County line, I-40 westbound to the Tennessee River, as well as I-65 and I-24 to the Kentucky state line.
TDOT’s statewide 2024/2025 winter weather budget is $28.8 million and includes salt, salt brine, overtime for employees, and equipment maintenance. The department has three salt vendors to refill salt bins as needed at the Region’s 41 salt bins. In Region 3 alone, crews are equipped with 281 salt trucks and 67,370 tons of salt.
When snow hits Tennessee, TDOT ice and snow removal teams focus first on clearing interstates and heavily traveled state routes. During prolonged weather events, crews may have to clear roadways repeatedly. Equipment will be staged in various locations for quicker response time, and tools like chainsaws will be ready to be utilized in the event of downed trees on the roadway.
For winter weather tips, travel information, and a regional breakdown of TDOT winter weather supplies and equipment, visit the TDOT website https://www.tn.gov/tdot/inclement-weather/ice-snow.html. Motorists are encouraged to check the TDOT SmartWay map (https://smartway.tn.gov) before hitting the road to check on real-time conditions in their area and along their route.
Business Spotlight – Close Excavation & Land Clearing
Close Excavation & Land Clearing LLC is proud to announce to introduce their services to Smith County. They offer reliable and affordable excavation, land clearing, demolition, gravel services, and drainage solutions. Based in Smith County and open 24/7, this locally owned business is dedicated to providing exceptional service and ensuring every project is completed to the highest standard.
At Close Excavation, customer satisfaction is the top priority. Wyatt Close, the owner, brings four years of hands-on construction experience to the business, ensuring every project is handled with professionalism and care. Clients can expect personalized service, attention to detail, and a commitment to getting the job done right the first time.
Wyatt’s passion for the outdoors and love for family inspired him to start this business. His goal is to help clients achieve their visions quickly and affordably while building long-lasting relationships.
Services Offered:
- Excavation: Whether it’s preparing your site for construction or digging for utilities, Close Excavation has you covered.
- Land Clearing: From clearing trees and brush to creating a clean, functional space, this service helps clients maximize their land use.
- Demolition: Safe and efficient removal of unwanted structures, making way for new projects.
- Gravel Services: Gravel driveways, parking areas, or pathways – tailored to meet your specific needs.
- Drainage Solutions: Expertly designed systems to prevent water damage and manage runoff effectively.
Why Choose Close Excavation & Land Clearing LLC?
- Customer-Centered Approach: Wyatt ensures every project is completed exactly as it should be, with open communication and transparency throughout.
- 24/7 Availability: Ready to work on your schedule to meet deadlines and needs.
- Future-Focused: Close Excavation aims to grow, expand, and continue delivering excellent service for years to come.
Contact Close Excavation & Land Clearing LLC
Ready to start your next project? Contact Wyatt Close today!
- Phone/Text: 615-684-6656
- Email: wyatt399@icloud.com
Let Close Excavation & Land Clearing LLC bring your projects to life. With a passion for hard work and a dedication to excellence, Wyatt is here to make your land improvement dreams a reality.
Carthage Junction Depot Art Show January 18th
The Carthage Junction Depot proudly presents a one day only exhibit of the work of artist Perry Johnson on Saturday, January 18.
Perry Johnson is a painter and printmaker with degrees from Virginia Intermont College and East Tennessee State University. While in graduate school, Perry worked as a programmer, first for the web and then moved to application and database development. He has been teaching since 1999 and now teaches painting and related courses at Tennessee Tech University.
Truly a Renaissance man, his work displays his delight in the intersection of technology, science, and art. He recently led a grant funded workshop that allowed 30 American Chemical Society member participants to explore the chemistry of color and paint media in a studio lab environment. He has also presented his work: Meaning, Modernity and the Machine: Theories About Emotional Vectors in AI Generated Images as Artat the 2024 conference of the International Society for Research on Emotion, held at Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland. And over the summer, Perry also served as resident artist at Belfast Print Workshop, Northern Ireland. During the residency, he worked to develop intaglio lift ground techniques using graphite, wax-based pencils, or oil based ink. Several plates were produced and three editions followed. Some of the work from these editions will be featured in the exhibit at the Depot.
Perry’s philosophy of teaching shines through in his own body of work: “Composition, construction, and craft are in play here. Answers come through experience. We fail and we fail often. A moment of experimentation is better than a week of speculation. Risk is inherent to creation, but I encourage students to see each colossal failure as a possible solution to another problem. The forked purpose here is to develop the skill and discipline to arrive at an intentional aim while also being open to possibilities one did not intend.”
Perry Johnson’s art will be on display at the Carthage Junction Depot Saturday, January 18 from 10am-4pm. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Some work may be available for purchase from the artist. The Carthage Junction Depot is located at 185 Gordonsville Highway, Brush Creek, TN.
Tennessee Tech College of Education name change reflects broader course offerings, career paths
Tennessee Tech University’s College of Education is now the College of Education & Human Sciences. Leaders in the college explain that the change, which took effect Jan. 1, reflects its broader array of course offerings and career paths.
“Our college encompasses a number of different units and has for a long time,” explained Lisa Zagumny, dean of the College of Education & Human Sciences. “We have this really big footprint, and our programs were not fully represented by the College of Education name.”
Among the college’s academic units are the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, which focuses on teacher education, the Department of Counseling and Psychology, which includes a large undergraduate psychology program and counseling-driven graduate programs, and the Department of Exercise Science, which offers 10 undergraduate concentrations ranging from pre-occupational and physical therapies and pre-physician assistant to exercise physiology and sports administration.
The College of Education & Human Sciences is also home to the university’s Millard Oakley STEM Center, which offers interactive science, technology, engineering and math programming to educators and students from pre-kindergarten to college.
The college additionally oversees Tech’s Child Development Lab, which offers childcare services to faculty, staff and community members while providing hands-on learning to Tech students in early childhood education and similar majors.
As the second-largest college by enrollment on Tech’s campus, the College of Education & Human Sciences is further augmented by its own student success center and testing center, as well as its dedicated Office of Teacher Education and its Jeffers Learning Resource Center – a newly-remodeled space where students can do everything from use laser engravers, sewing machines and 3D printers to create materials for their classes, to even immersing themselves in classroom settings through virtual reality technology.
Zagumny said that the need for a name change first became apparent earlier this year when she was planning remarks to the June 20, 2024 meeting of Tech’s Board of Trustees.
“Preparing for that presentation and rolling out all that we are – it made it even more obvious that ‘College of Ed’ just isn’t capturing who we are and who we’ve been for a while,” said Zagumny. “In looking at our programs and our areas of expertise, it makes sense for us to shift from College of Education to College of Education & Human Sciences.”
“It helps to provide a better understanding of the academic composition of the college,” Zagumny added.
Zagumny is quick to note that the name change does not diminish the college’s commitment to training classroom teachers – something that has become central to Tech’s identity and reputation over the years.
“We’re very proud that we graduate the most teachers in the state and that more districts hire our graduates than any others,” said Zagumny. “There’s also this very dynamic human sciences piece that can better reflect counseling and psychology and exercise science. It’s just a more inclusive name.”
Zagumny adds that counseling and psychology, along with exercise science, are now the college’s fastest-growing programs at the undergraduate level – something she calls a reflection of “current contexts.”
“People are really interested in those pre-professional programs so that they can go on and become an occupational therapist or physical therapist or physician assistant,” said Zagumny. “But we’re also seeing these huge demands in the mental health care space. We’ve had those programs, but they were sort of overshadowed by our name.”
Zagumny hopes that, with the new name, students can see themselves at home in the College of Education & Human Sciences, no matter where they may fall in the college’s vast suite of majors and concentrations.
“This better demonstrates who we already are,” concluded Zagumny. “We should have done it sooner!”
Learn more about Tech’s College of Education & Human Sciences at https://www.tntech.edu/education/.
