.By Irene Sullivan – Cookeville, TN — A Brush Creek native will help lead the Student Orientation Advisement and Registration at Tennessee Tech University this summer as part of the new class of student orientation assistants. Lexie Western, a sophomore exercise science major with a concentration in pre-athletic training, is one of 16 SOAs who will guide students at the two-day SOAR sessions beginning May 25 and running through August 1.

SOAR, created by the Office of New Student and Family Programs, welcomes recent high school graduates who are joining in the fall. SOAs will help newly admitted students become acclimated to the university during the SOAR sessions.

“I always feel so honored and blessed that I get to work with such an amazing group of students each year,” said Courtney Brehm, New Student and Family Programs director. “They are so genuine in wanting to help new students find their place on campus and see them be successful.”

SOAs help new students attain personal, social and academic adjustment to Tech. They assist new students in their connection to the campus community by sharing Tech traditions, introducing new students to other students and answering questions about college life.

Western said she wanted to be a SOA because she wanted to help people get connected with not only Tech’s campus but Cookeville as well. The favorite part of own SOAR experience was getting to meet other new students and meeting students within her major she said. Western chose to come to Tech because of how close Tech is to her hometown.

Western said her favorite thing about Tech is “how many opportunities” she has been given within her first year. Her future goal is to be an athletic trainer for the Dallas Cowboys. Aside from learning effective communication and interpersonal skills, SOAs have opportunities for developing or enhancing professional relationships with Tech administration, faculty, staff and new students.

“I think the biggest compliment to this program is when someone says they want to be an SOA because of the positive impact their SOA had on them throughout their transition to campus, both during and after orientation,” Brehm said. Registration for SOAR at Tech is open now and sessions are filling. Incoming students at Tech are encouraged to register as soon as possible to secure their desired SOAR date.

For more information about SOAR, including session dates and registration, visit https://www.tntech.edu/nsfp/soar/index.php.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is once again an active participant in National Safe Boating Week, May 20-26. The annual event serves as a reminder to promote safe boating activity and preparation for the summer boating season

National Safe Boating Week is held each year on the week prior to Memorial Day weekend. Boating partners across the United States and Canada are teaming up to emphasize safe boating practices, including wearing life jackets for National Safe Boating Week and throughout the 2023 boating season. The TWRA and partner organizations continue to prioritize educating the boating community about the importance of wearing life jackets and available options that are more lightweight and comfortable.

“Life jackets can save your life, but only if you wear them,” said Betsy Woods, TWRA Boating Education Coordinator. “As always, we want our boaters to have an enjoyable, safe time on our waters across the state.”

Tennessee offers boating enthusiasts an abundance of opportunities to enjoy the resources across the state. Memorial Day weekend is May 27-29 and viewed as the unofficial start to the summer boating season.

TWRA reports there has been a noticeable increase in traffic on the state’s lakes and rivers the last few years, especially in paddlecraft. Thus far in 2023, there have been nine statewide fatalities, one more than at the same time last year. Two of the incidents

occurred in back-to-back days on May 12-13. Four of the fatalities have involved paddlecraft.

Recommended tips for boaters:

· Take a boating safety course. Gain valuable knowledge and on-water experience in a boating safety course with many options for novice to experienced boaters.

· Check equipment. Schedule a free vessel safety check with local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons to make sure all essential equipment is present, working and in good condition.

· Make a float plan. Always let someone on shore know the trip itinerary, including operator and passenger information, boat type and registration, and communication equipment on board.

· Wear a life jacket. Make sure everyone wears a life jacket – every time. A stowed life jacket is no use in an emergency.

· Use an engine cut-off device. An engine cut-off device, or engine cut-off switch, is a proven safety device to stop the boat’s engine should the operator unexpectedly fall overboard.

· Watch the weather. Always check the forecast before departing on the water and frequently during the excursion.

· Know what’s going on around you at all times. Nearly a quarter of all reported boating accidents last year were caused by operator inattention or improper lookout.

· Know where you’re going and travel at safe speeds. Be familiar with the area, local boating speed zones and always travel at a safe speed.

· Never boat under the influence. A BUI is involved in one-third of all recreational boating fatalities. Always designate a sober skipper.

· Keep in touch. Have more than one communication device that works when wet. VHF radios, emergency locator beacons, satellite phones, and cell phones can all be important devices in an emergency.

The paving of Main Street in Downtown Carthage has begun. Several blocks of Main Street will be closed each day as they make progress from the bridge thru downtown and to the intersection/traffic light at Hwy 25. Businesses are opened on Main Street. Several have posted on their Facebook pages with suggestions for parking. Some are encouraging customers to enter from the alley behind their businesses.

The paving project was initially predicted to take two week, however the start date was postponed. In a post on Facebook, Mayor Babcock indicated that the completion date is unknown. Several factors may impact the completion date including weather and availability of the equipment and crew. (Photos submitted by Stephanie Winfree)

Justified Riding Club and Citizens Bank will host a benefit ride for the Smith County Pregnancy Help Center on Saturday, June 3rd. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the old Sonic Parking area on Main Street in Carthage. The ride will begin at 10:30 a.m. Entry fee is $20 per car or bike and $10 extra for additional passengers. Several stops are listed in the flyer above. BBQ will be served and donations will be appreciated. The ride will end at Citizens Bank in Gordonsville

The ride benefits the Smith County Pregnancy Help Center located in Carthage which is a Christ-centered ministry offering life affirming, compassionate care to women, men and children. For more information about The Pregnancy Help Center services visit their Facebook page or website.

Justified Riding Club was founded in 2015. What started as a few family members wanting to start something to help others has since grown to over 60 members with 3 clubhouses.  In addition to promoting growth and relationships within the club they diligently support various local non-profits and program and share the gospel not only by words but action.

UCEMC released that there will be a planned power outage TODAY Friday, May 12, beginning at 3:00 pm to make repairs to a mainline following a vehicle accident.

Around 11:00 am, a tractor-trailer truck was traveling on JMZ Drive when it struck a utility pole, causing severe damage.

UCEMC said, “As we rush to safely make repairs, an outage is planned for the entire industrial park area at 3 p.m. Thank you for your cooperation and patience as our crews work.”

The following locations can expect a brief outage:

• 24-7 MACHINING MAINTENANCE K
• CLARK LUMBER CO INC
• CROCKETT-PHILLIPS CONST INC
• DANA LIGHT AXLE PRODUCTS LLC
• FILTRA-SYSTEMS
• GORDONSVILLE CAR WASH
• GORDONSVILLE MOTOR CO
• GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTL INC
• HARRIS PRODUCTS GROUP
• HDPC LLC
• JOANNS LOGISTICS WHSE LLC
• KIDSPACE
• NYRSTAR
• MID-SOUTH STONE
• MOSS ANGELA
• SAFE MOTOR STORAGE LLC
• SHIROKI-GT LLC
• SMITH CO HWY DEPT
• TAIHO MFG OF TN LLC
• TN DEPT OF MILITARY
• TN CONTRACT CARRIERS
• VULCAN CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL

No further information is available at this time.

The annual Friends of Scouting breakfast is set for Thursday, May 18 at 7:00 A.M. at the Carthage United Methodist Church Christian Life Center. Barbara Kannapel will be recognized as this year’s recipient of the Good Scout Award.

Barbara is the Director of the Youth and Family Resource Network and a Certified Prevention Specialist with years of experience in substance use prevention. A former Smith County Commissioner, she currently serves as a councilwoman on the City of Carthage city council. In 2021 Barbara retired from the Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition, where she had served as Executive Director since 2010. She is also a member of the Carthage Rotary Club.

This year’s breakfast will highlight Scouting in Smith County and will provide an opportunity for community-wide financial support in the 2023 Friends of Scouting Campaign. The complimentary breakfast will include a fast-paced hour of activities. If you have not received an invitation and desire to attend, please call David Bass at 615-735-1122.

Check out the May 2023 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.

Check out the May 2023 edition of “An Ounce of Prevention”, the monthly newsletter from the Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition!

Read this month’s newsletter to learn more about the Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition.

For more information about the Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition or how you can get involved, visit their website or follow them on Facebook.

Tickets for the River City Ball event are sold out, but you can still participate in the silent auction.

This year, the ball is co-benefiting the Pregnancy Help Center of Smith County and the Smith County Help Center.

If you aren’t able to attend this year’s River City Ball Event, you can still bid on the auction items and help raise even more money for the American Legion Post 57. The silent auction sponsored by Michael “Woody” Woodard- Realtor/Auctioneer will be online. Use this link to register, view the items, and place your bids! https://app.galabid.com/2023rivercityball/items

The auction will close at 7:30 pm on Saturday, May 13th.