The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District announces that its time for hunters between the ages of 10 and 16 to apply for the 12th Annual Defeated Creek Youth Deer Management Hunt at Cordell Hull Lake. Applications for the Dec. 2-3 deer hunt, in partnership with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, are available at the Cordell Hull Lake Resource Manager’s Office located at 71 Corps Lane in Carthage, Tennessee. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. CST Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023.

“The hunt will accommodate eight permitted hunters and two alternates with the goal of improved management of the deer herd populations in the area,” said Park Ranger Brad Potts

Potts added that there are five rifle permits and three archery permits available at Defeated Creek Recreation Area. Hunters must complete a TWRA approved hunter safety education class. Youth hunters must also be accompanied by a mentor 21 years of age or older who also must be hunter safety certified, unless born on or before Jan. 1, 1969. The deer hunt begins Saturday morning and ends Sunday at noon, she said.

For additional information, or to contact an application via e-mail, contact the Cordell Hull Lake Resource Manager’s Office at 615-735-1034. Follow Cordell Hull Lake at http://www.facebook.com/cordellhulllake for more news and information.

The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district’s website at www.lrn.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps. Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest employment and contracting opportunities at https://www.linkedin.com/company/u-s-army-corps-of-engineers-nashville-district.

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 October.

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.

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

TIME: 1:00pm-2:00pm

WHAT: Smith County Local Office Hours
LOCATION: Smith County Admin Building, 122 Turner High Circle, Carthage, TN 37030

WHO: Representative Rose will be represented by Field Representative Lou Nave during this visit.

The Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition 2023 Glow Walk was held Thursday, September 28th in South Carthage. Over 50 community members came out for the event for National Recovery Month.

Glow sticks, balloons, bracelets, and much more were given out in the event. As well as several booths were at the event including: Smith County Drug Prevention Coaltion, Riverview Medical Center, Tennessee Tobacco Quitline, and the Tennessee Save a Life Program. All of the booths provided information to the community.

The decorated walking trail, glow theme and festive event is a reminder that there is light and hope in recovery. The Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition shares prevention and recovery information throughout the year. They provide educational information and programming in the school system and are a valuable resource in the prevention of underage use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs. For more information call the Smith County Drug Prevention 615-588-1622. Check out their facebook page for more pictures and information.

by Rachel Petty – UT Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development

We all know that sometimes kids like to say, “When am I ever going to use this?” to certain classes and assignments in school, but I can guarantee that question was never asked by any of the students on our 4-H Grill Master Challenge teams!

By participating in the 4-H Grill Master Challenge competition, Junior High and Senior High 4-H members hone their skills on the grill while learning about fire safety and food safety. Participants divide up into teams of four, with each team member grilling a different type of meat: poultry, beef, lamb, or pork. Participants cook with charcoal grills and are responsible for selecting their own cuts of meat and developing their own creative recipes to flavor whichever meat they choose.

During the contest, 4-H’ers have two hours to grill their meat and present it to a panel of judges. Contestants are judged on how safely and efficiently they start their fires, how creative their recipe is, and on the appearance and taste of their final product.

This year’s event was held at the Wilson County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, September 13, 2023. Over 170 4-H members from across Middle Tennessee competed. Smith County was represented by 11 talented 4-H’ers.

Our Senior High team was made up of Easton Bibbings, Kynlee Davis, Gabe Harville, and Erin Hensley. Our Junior High Team was made up of Tana Harville, Turner Harville, Owen Kilcher, and Owen Meeks. Also competing in the Junior High division were Emmy Bibbings, Bo Gillilan, and Caleb Hensley.

We are especially proud of Bo Gillilan, who received 2nd place for his Apple Cider Pork Chops in the Junior High Division!

If you would like more information about the 4-H Grill Master Challenge or any other 4-H opportunities, contact Rachel Petty in the Smith County UT Extension office at 615-735-2900.

The 4-H Youth Development Program delivers programs through cooperative efforts of the University of Tennessee, Tennessee State University, and public and private sector volunteers. 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. 4-H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades 4-12, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

Smith County Agriculture News

By Katie Martin -Smith County Extension Agent

Smith County beef producers will not want to miss the opportunity to join the Upper Cumberland Extension Team at the 2023 Beef Summit. We hope you will mark your calendars and plan to join us on Tuesday, October 17th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hyder Burks Ag Pavilion in Cookeville.

Joining us as a speaker is Troy Applehans, a Beef Market Specialist with CattleFax. For over 50 years, CattleFax has been considered a global leader in beef industry research, analysis, and information. Applehans will be presenting an industry outlook based on weather and its effects on the cattle market.

This event is free thanks to our generous sponsors. Dinner will be provided. Please call our office at 615-735-2900 to RSVP so we can get an accurate headcount for food.

If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact the UT Extension Office in Smith County at 615-735-2900.

by Bill Woodard, Executive Director – Smith County Chamber of Commerce

Carthage, Tennessee — On the eastern outskirts of Carthage, Tennessee, nestled within a one-acre fenced area, lies the hallowed grounds of Walton Cemetery. This unassuming cemetery, dating back to the late 18th century, holds the remains of a man and woman who played a pivotal role in the founding of this charming town: Captain William Walton and his wife Sarah Jane.

Captain William Walton, born in Bertie County, North Carolina, in 1760, was not just any early American settler. He was a Revolutionary War hero, a landowner, a visionary, and, most notably, the founder of Carthage itself. The cemetery bears witness to his enduring legacy, alongside that of his wife.

Walton’s final resting place, marked by a rectangular stone box, can be found toward the eastern end of the cemetery, with his wife’s grave nearby. A Daughter’s of the American Revolution marker adorns both Captain Walton’s grave and Sarah, paying homage to their crucial role in American history.

Captain Walton’s journey was one of valor and resilience. He served as a soldier during the American Revolutionary War, enduring capture, and imprisonment until the surrender of Savannah in 1780. His unwavering dedication led to his promotion to the rank of captain, where he was entrusted with leading a North Carolina unit. His wartime contributions were acknowledged with a land grant.

In 1783, Captain Walton married Sarah Jane, embarking on a new chapter in their lives together. Two years later, in 1785, they moved to the Cumberland country, known today as Carthage, along with Captain Walton’s brother. There, they constructed a cabin near the confluence of the Cumberland and Caney Fork Rivers. This cabin served as both their home and the foundation of their future endeavors.

Captain Walton’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to operate Walton’s Ferry, a crucial crossing point located at the tip of a peninsula formed by the Caney Fork and Cumberland Rivers. In 1799, he initiated the construction of the Walton Road over the formidable Cumberland Mountain, linking communities and enabling commerce in the region.

William Walton’s contributions extended beyond infrastructure and commerce. In 1804, he demonstrated his dedication to the community by donating 50 acres of land to the budding town of Carthage for the nominal sum of $1. This generous act laid the foundation for the town’s development and future city governance. It was an early example of the public/private partnership that makes both government and business successful event today.

Education was another realm in which Captain Walton made a significant impact. In 1813, he donated over two acres of his land in Carthage to the Geneva Academy, a Tennessee State government public education institute. This academy provided teachers to the local community, contingent on raising funds and offering a suitable land area and school building. In 1814, Captain Walton himself erected the first public school building in Carthage once again showing how government must work with individuals to make our future secure.

Carthage Mayor L. A. Ligon and the Carthage City Council of John Shaw, T. J. Fisher, F. B. McGinness, W. V. Lee, Frank Swope, and W. E. Myers, took charge of the Geneva Academy until the Smith County School System was established in 1914.

On April 3, 1997, the Town of Carthage Mayor and City Council paid tribute to William Walton, recognizing him as one of Tennessee’s greatest citizens of the 18th and 19th centuries. His contributions to the founding of Carthage and the establishment of the Carthage public school system continue to resonate as enduring symbols of community progress.

A Glimpse into Smith County’s History —

Carthage, the county seat of Smith County, Tennessee, is situated along the north bank of the Cumberland River, approximately one mile below the confluence of the Caney Fork River. Smith County, established in October 1799, was initially part of the Western District of North Carolina, set aside for military grants to Revolutionary War veterans.

The county, named in honor of Revolutionary War Colonel Daniel Smith, became the fifth county created in Middle Tennessee. In 1789, William Walton, the county’s first settler, chose a prime piece of land in redemption of his land grant and built his home on the north side of the Cumberland River, opposite the mouth of the Caney Fork River.

Smith County’s historical roots are closely intertwined with Captain Walton’s legacy. When the need for a county seat arose, Walton, through his influence, led to the selection of his property as the site for the county seat. He generously donated fifty acres for a courthouse and other public buildings, a pivotal moment in the birth of Carthage. By legislative decree, the new town was named Carthage, with a post office established in 1806.

In 1879, Carthage’s iconic Second Empire-Style Courthouse, described as “the largest and most elegant brick courthouse within the state of Tennessee,” was completed. Carthage had firmly established itself as an important commercial center along the Cumberland River by that time. The county pays homage to our Veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country with a memorial monument on the courthouse lawn. Captain Walton would be proud of the legacy he began in 1799.

Come to the William Walton Harvest Festival and hear the recounting of some of our history live from the Historic Smith County Courthouse steps this Saturday, September 30th from 10:45 am to 5 pm. There is also an after party hosted by Tennessee Outlaw Country, a local band that has made it to the charts at 6pm with an educational Q & A session before the concert.

State law requires every county, municipality, and utility district in Tennessee to adopt an annual budget. To be effective, a budget should be adopted prior to the beginning of the fiscal year. The budget should also be based on reliable estimates, structurally balanced, provide for cash liquidity, allow for adequate reserves, monitored throughout the year, and amended as necessary. See our Seven Keys to a Fiscally Well-Managed Government.

Local officials that adopt budgets meeting the following specific criteria are awarded an annual certificate from the Comptroller of the Treasury:

• The budget was adopted on or before the fiscal year end;
• The budget was filed with our office within 15 days of adoption;
• No issues of concern were raised during our review of the budget; and
• The local government is not currently under the oversight of the Tennessee Board of Utility Regulation.

Carthage, Cordell Hull Utility, Smith Utility, Middle Tn Natural Gas were listed among the recipients for the 2024 Certificate. The full list is on the comptroller website.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Tennessee’s largest nonprofit law firm, announced today the launch of a new disaster preparedness website, located at LASdisasterpreparedness.org.

The website was developed in response to the series of natural disasters that have affected Tennessee in recent years, including the 2020 tornadoes in Davidson, Wilson and Putnam counties and the 2021 flooding in Humphreys County. Its launch coincides with National Preparedness Month, running through the end of September, which urges Americans to prepare for and respond to all types of emergencies.

“While we can never predict disasters or be fully prepared for the devastation they cause, we can take steps in advance to hopefully alleviate the discomfort we experience and speed up our process of recovery afterward,” said DarKenya W. Waller, executive director of Legal Aid Society. “Disaster preparedness goes beyond safety planning, and we want to emphasize the importance of preparing and safely storing essential paperwork pre-disaster, such as advance care plans, powers of attorney, titles, deeds of property, citizenship verification, contracts and agreements.” LASdisasterpreparedness.org offers a range of disaster preparedness resources, including:

· Important documents to gather before an emergency.

· Advice on developing a disaster plan.

· A checklist of emergency supplies for a survival kit.

· Important things to know before experiencing a disaster. · Legal resources for disaster survivors, including Legal Aid Society’s legal help clinics, where low-income residents can speak with an attorney about legal problems they’re experiencing and receive free assistance.

“Getting back to normal after a disaster is a daunting process that often involves navigating a number of legal hurdles,” Waller said. “When Middle Tennessee experienced natural disasters during 2020 and 2021, our staff and volunteer attorneys served as “suits on the ground” to help affected residents begin the process of recovering and rebuilding. We see this website as the next step — providing resources so families and businesses can be as prepared as possible for situations we hope they’ll never experience.”

About Legal Aid Society

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands advocates for fairness and justice under the law. The nonprofit law firm offers free civil legal representation and educational programs to help people in its region receive justice, protect their well-being and support opportunities to overcome poverty. It serves 48 counties from offices in Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Gallatin, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Oak Ridge and Tullahoma. Legal Aid Society is funded in part by United Way. Learn more at www.las.org or by following the firm on Facebook.