Young Photographer Nate Smith Featured at Carthage Junction Depot Gallery in February
The Carthage Junction Depot gallery will spotlight the photography of Nate Smith during a special one-day feature on Saturday, February 21. The event will highlight the work of the 17-year-old photographer, whose growing portfolio showcases both technical skill and a fresh creative perspective.
Though young, Smith has been developing his craft for the past three years. His interest in photography grew naturally out of a lifelong fascination with how things work. From mechanical parts and engines to electronics, that curiosity now fuels his approach behind the camera.
“Although I am a young photographer, I have been honing my skills for about three years,” Smith said. “I have always enjoyed tinkering with mechanical parts, engines, and electronics since I was a kid. This interest in how things work naturally led me to photography, where I focus on capturing authentic moments and emotions, working to get the best shot.”
Smith embraces technical challenges as part of his creative process, often designing and 3D-printing custom camera attachments for his vehicle or using drone photography and videography to capture unique angles. Describing himself as a perfectionist, he relies on a wide range of technology to achieve the results he envisions. His work is presented under the name ShotByNate Studio, which reflects his commitment to quality and innovation.
Nate’s photography will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, with prints available for purchase throughout the day at the Carthage Junction Depot gallery.
The Carthage Junction Depot continues its mission of bringing inspiring art to the community while highlighting local and regional artists. Community members are encouraged to follow the Depot’s Facebook events calendar for additional upcoming opportunities, including a call for entries for the Smith County Fair program cover contest and the March Youth Art Month exhibit.
The Carthage Junction Depot is located next door to the Crump Paris ball fields at 185 Gordonsville Highway in Brush Creek, Tennessee.
Pennant to Host Two-Day Job Fair at Lebanon Manufacturing Plant
Pennant, a rapidly growing leader in precision metal stamping and manufacturing, will host a job fair at its Lebanon, Tennessee plant in early February as the company looks to expand its workforce.
With more than 55 years of excellence in the manufacturing industry, Pennant is seeking motivated individuals to fill immediate openings across several skilled and entry-level positions. The company is known for its commitment to innovation, quality, and employee growth.
The job fair will take place at Pennant’s Lebanon facility, located at 321 Maddox-Simpson Parkway. Hiring representatives will be on site Friday, February 6, from 3 to 7 p.m., and again on Saturday, February 7, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Positions available include light assembly, press set-up and operation, forklift operators, maintenance, tool and die, and a human resources leader role.
Job seekers are encouraged to walk in during the event or apply online in advance. Attendees should be prepared to learn more about career opportunities with Pennant and the benefits of joining a growing manufacturing team in Wilson County.
For more information, applicants can scan the QR code on the flyer or visit Pennant’s online employment portal.
Position Available With Smith County Misdemeanor Probation Office
The Smith County Government has approved the Smith County Misdemeanor Probation Office to hire a new probation officer. This position is for a full-time employee who will work Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The minimum requirements will be a High School Diploma or GED and/or experience working in the Criminal Justice System. The new employee should be organized, respectful, prompt, attentive to detail, have strong communication skills, be able to use Microsoft Word and Excel, and be receptive to learning new skills. Our department meets with the public daily and frequently is required to testify in a court of law, so these skills are a must.
The Smith County Misdemeanor Probation Department is now accepting applications until February 9, 2026 . Please send all applications to Mlbush@smithcountytn.gov or bring them to the probation office at 322 Justice Dr, Carthage, TN 37030.
Low-Cost Pet Shot Clinic
Baker Veterinary Services will host a Low-Cost Pet Shot Clinic on Saturday, February 7th, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 334 Lebanon Highway in Carthage, TN.
The clinic offers an affordable option for pet owners to keep their pets up to date on essential vaccinations and preventive care. Services will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, visit Baker Veterinary Services on Facebook or call 615-706-3111.
SCBOE SETS MEETINGS FOR DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS CANDIDATES
January 21, 2026
The Smith County Board of Education received applications for the Director of Schools position at their regular meeting on January 20, 2026. Two meetings were scheduled regarding the search for a new Director of Schools.
The Smith County Board of Education will hold a Special Work Session to go over the applications for the Director of Schools. This meeting will be at the Smith County Board of Education, 126 S.C.M.S. Lane, Carthage, Tennessee, on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
The Smith County Board of Education will hold a Special Called Meeting regarding applicants for the Director of Schools position. This meeting will be at the Smith County Board of Education, 126 S.C.M.S. Lane, Carthage, Tennessee, on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled to take place on February 17, 2026.
The first round of interviews for candidates is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 28th.
The qualified candidates who applied for the position are:
- John Ash, Ed.D- Murfreesboro, TN
- Daniel Brigman, Ed.D- Newland, SC
- Robert (Bobby) Costilow, Ed.D- Statesboro, GA
- Clint Durley, Ed.D- Coalmont, TN
- Janice Fox, Ed.D- Carthage, TN
- Jerry Gibson, Ed.D- Pearland, TX
- Elizabeth Lackey, Ed.D- Powell, TN
- Mike Lytle, Ed.S- Collierville, TN
- Jimmy Maynord, MA.Ed- Cookeville, TN
- Phillip Nelson, Ed.D- Bartlett, TN
- Tim Towns, Ed.S- Dixon Springs, TN
- Bobby Storie, MA.Ed- Riddleton, TN
Smith County Humane Society to Host 2026 Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser
The Smith County Humane Society will host its annual Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser on Friday, February 20, 2026, inviting the community to enjoy a hearty meal while supporting a great cause.
The event will take place at the Smith County Ag Center, located at 159 Ag Center Lane in Carthage, from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Guests may choose to dine in or carry out, making it an easy option for families, groups, or anyone on the go.
Meals are affordably priced at $10 for adults and $6 for children, and each plate includes spaghetti with sauce, garlic toast, salad, a drink, and dessert. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Smith County Humane Society and help support its ongoing efforts to care for animals in need throughout the community.
Those planning to attend are encouraged to order ahead to ensure availability. Orders can be placed online at smithcountytnhumane.com/spaghetti-dinner or givebutter.com/spag2026. A QR code is also available on event materials for quick access to ordering.
The annual spaghetti dinner has become a beloved local tradition, bringing together neighbors, families, and animal lovers for an evening of good food and goodwill. Funds raised through the event help provide food, shelter, medical care, and other essential services for animals while they await their forever homes.
Community members are invited to mark their calendars, spread the word, and come hungry. Whether dining in with friends or picking up a meal to take home, every plate served helps make a difference for animals in Smith County.
For more information or to place an order, visit the Smith County Humane Society online and join in supporting this meaningful cause.
New Notification App – SMART911
New Notification App
Smith County Emergency Communications District, in order to stay on top of ever changing technology and to provide the best possible service to our citizens possible, has a brand new Community Emergency Notification system up and running.
SMART911
Going forward, this will be used for any Emergency community wide notifications as well as any weather alerts. We currently have all of the landlines in the County loaded into the system, but we need your help. With more Cell Phones than Landlines nowadays, we need you to download the free App from the App Store if you have a Smart Phone and sign up. You can sign up multiple phones at no cost so we not only need you to sign everybody up in your household but encourage family and friends to do the same. It is easy to download the App and sign up or you can also go to www.smart911.com and sign up and see everything that can be done with the App.
You can even enter a Safety Profile if you choose to do so. The information is secure and will only be seen if you ever have to call 911. Also, if you are traveling outside of Smith County, have to call 911 and that particular area is using SMART911 as well, they will also be able to see your information. Once you sign up and fill in your information, you will have to do nothing else but wait for any alerts to be sent out. When you successfully sign up, we will have you in the system. Again, we encourage anybody that lives in Smith County to sign up. The more people we have in the system, the more people we can get Emergency Notifications to when necessary.
PLEASE SHARE and encourage everybody in your family and everybody you know to sign up!
Smith County Fine Arts Center/Theatre Hosts Event on February 21st
Enjoy an evening of live, elegant hors d’oeuvres, dancing, and entertainment at the Patriot Event Center on February 21st from 5:00–7:00 PM at 127 Dixon Springs Hwy, Carthage TN.
All proceeds will benefit the Smith County Fine Arts Center/Theatre, supporting future artistic projects to be announced soon. 🎭🎨 🎵
Tennessee Tech announces key scholarship flexibility for students still exploring college options
Tennessee Tech students are pictured on the university’s historic main quad
Second Harvest Mobile Food Truck Friday, January 30th
The Second Harvest Food Truck will be at the Smith County Agriculture Center on Friday, January 30th. The truck generally arrives at 8 a.m. Volunteers work to unload the truck and get the food ready for pick-up shortly after. Food is distributed until it is gone. Cars line up around the Ag Center early. Those hoping to receive food at this distribution are encouraged to be in line no later than 9 a.m.
The food trucks are sponsored by the Hunger Relief Fund of Smith County and grants from Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle TN. Churches, businesses and individuals donate to the hunger relief fund all year. Usually two dates are scheduled each month. For more information feel free to contact the Smith County Chamber of Commerce 615-735-2093.
Smith County Middle School Teacher of the Year – Mrs. Breeanna Lomax
Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Smith County Middle School 5-8 Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Breeanna Lomax. Mrs. Lomax has taught ELA for three years and one year as a math teacher while at SCMS. Previously, she taught 5 years in Giles County teaching 6th and 7th grade English. Mrs. Lomax also leads our Hoot Club (our extended learning program). She is not only an asset to our school but more importantly to our students as she makes them her top priority. Without fail, she provides support to her fellow teachers and is always willing to go the extra mile. Mrs. Lomax embodies what it means to be a Smith County Owl! She is an intregal part of our school and community and is well deserving of this honor!!
Smith County High School Teacher of the Year – Mrs. Teri Dockery
Smith County High School is proud to announce Mrs. Teri Dockery as its 2025–2026 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Dockery has served as the Cosmetology instructor at SCHS since 2016. Prior to entering the classroom, she gained extensive industry experience working in various salons, and she continues to remain active in the field on weekends.
Mrs. Dockery is a 1999 graduate of Cookeville High School and a 2005 graduate of the Cookeville School of Cosmetology. In 2010, she earned her instructor license from Georgia Career Institute in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Reflecting on her career path, Mrs. Dockery shared, “I have always had a passion for the beauty industry and initially attended Tennessee Tech University to pursue a degree in education. Once I discovered how much I enjoyed teaching cosmetology, I knew that was where my career truly belonged.” She added, “I have been fortunate to teach both adult learners and high school students, and after 16 years in education, my greatest accomplishment has been watching my students graduate and go on to become successful professionals in the industry.”
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Mrs. Dockery is an invaluable asset to SCHS’s Career and Technical Education Department and serves as the school’s Before and After School Coordinator. In this role, she plans engaging and educational activities, organizes tutoring services, and devotes significant time each week to ensuring students are exposed to a wide range of meaningful learning opportunities.
Lauren Davis, one of Smith County’s Career and Academic Coaches, praised Mrs. Dockery’s dedication, stating, “Teri is always willing to go above and beyond. She sacrifices a full planning period each day to ensure as many students as possible can enroll in her classes. Cosmetology is one of our most popular CTE programs, and Mrs. Dockery works diligently to provide the best education possible for each student, always seeing the best in them.”
Again, congratulations to Mrs. Teri Dockery, SCHS 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year. Smith County High School is fortunate to have her help to prepare our students for future careers.
Gordonsville High School 7-8 Teacher of the Year – Mrs. Lisa Dillingham
Congratulations to the 2025-26 Gordonsville High School 7-8 Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Lisa Dillingham.Mrs. Dillingham has been a special education teacher at GHS for over 20 years, where she has impacted countless individuals in the classroom. Mrs. Dillingham also leads our ROAR program (before and after school program), and has been the faculty sponsor of FCA. Mrs. Dillingham is a vital part of our school and is well deserving of this award.
Gordonsville High School 9-12 Teacher of the Year – Mr. Adam Shaw
Congratulations to the 2025-26 Gordonsville High School 9-12 Teacher of the Year: Mr. Adam Shaw.
Coach Shaw teaches Biology at GHS and has done so since 2018. He has done an outstanding job in the classroom during his time at GHS, and has built great relationships and impacted countless students . Coach Shaw also serves as the Head Football Coach for the Junior High Tigers, where his teams have won 2 of the past 3 Conference Championships. Coach Shaw also serves as an assistant coach on the High School football team, where he is the defensive coordinator. Coach Shaw is a vital part of our school and we are glad to recognize him for all that he does.
Gordonsville Elementary Teacher of the Year – Mrs. Fay Crawford
Congratulations to GES 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year Mrs. Fay Crawford.
