The Smith County Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2026 Annual Membership Meeting and Banquet on Thursday evening May 28, 2026, bringing together community leaders, business owners, and local officials to celebrate accomplishments, recognize leadership, and look ahead to the county’s future. The evening began with an invocation by South Carthage Mayor Joey Nixon, followed by a welcome from Chamber President Colby McKinney, who recognized elected officials and distinguished guests from across Smith County and the region. Throughout the program, the Chamber highlighted local leadership through a series of presentations and awards that reflected the strength and commitment of the community. One of the evening’s top honors, the Leadership Award, was presented to Virginia Alexander, recognizing her continued service and involvement in the Leadership Opportunity Smith County program. The Woman Business Leader Award was awarded to Rebecca Frazier, owner of Deerly Blessed Photography, for her entrepreneurial success and impactful leadership The Community Service Award was presented to Jerry Solimine, honoring his ongoing dedication to improving the community through volunteerism and service. The evening’s highest business recognition, the John Carson Maggart Business Leader Award, went to Travis Poindexter, owner of Cumberland Athletic Club. The Chamber also recognized participants in the Leadership Opportunity Smith County program, including both adult and youth classes, highlighting the importance of developing future leaders within the community. Additionally, a River City Ball check presentation supported local charitable initiatives including youth mentorship programs and the Smith County Imagination Library. Smith County Mayor Jeff Mason addressed attendees with remarks on the state of the county, outlining ongoing progress and opportunities for growth. During the business portion of the meeting, McKinney formally passed the gavel to incoming Chamber President Diane Skelton. The new leadership slate also includes Virginia Alexander as vice president and Jared Goad as treasurer. Skelton expressed gratitude to Chamber members, board members, sponsors, and volunteers, while also recognizing staff and contributors who helped organize the event. “We look forward to serving you this next year,” Skelton said, thanking attendees for their continued support of the Chamber and its mission. The banquet served not only as a business meeting, but also as a celebration of the people and organizations driving Smith County forward. From small business growth to community service and leadership development, the evening underscored a shared commitment to progress, collaboration, and local pride.  

Yes on 2, the official campaign to ban a state property tax in the Tennessee Constitution, today announced its statewide leadership team. Governor Bill Lee will serve as statewide chairman of the campaign. Regional chairmen include Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton (East Tennessee), Senate Speaker Pro Tempore Ferrell Haile (Middle Tennessee), and Rep. Tandy Darby (West Tennessee).

In addition, the campaign announced that it will have local chairmen representing it in all of Tennessee’s 95 counties, made up of a bipartisan slate of state legislators, local elected officials, business, and community leaders.

These leaders join a coalition of organizations to accomplish this effort, including the Tennessee Farm Bureau, Tennessee REALTORS®, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Business, Americans for Prosperity, and the Beacon Center of Tennessee.

“We are honored that all of these individuals from one corner of the state to another have joined together to pass Amendment 2,” said Kevin Hensley with Tennessee Farm Bureau, which is leading the coalition. “Thanks to their leadership, we will spread the message far and wide that Tennesseans can forever ban a state property tax by voting ‘Yes on 2’ this November.”

Amendment 2 will be on the November 3rd ballot. If ratified by voters, it would eliminate the state’s ability to impose a state property tax on its citizens. Until 1949, Tennessee collected a state property tax. Although it was repealed at that time, a future legislature could impose a property tax by a simple majority vote without passage of Amendment 2.

Below is the full list of the Yes on 2 leadership team.

Governor Bill Lee, Statewide Chairman

Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, East Tennessee Chairman

Senate Speaker Pro Tempore Ferrell Haile, Middle Tennessee Chairman

Rep. Tandy Darby, West Tennessee Chairman

County Chairmen:

Anderson – Rep. Rick Scarbrough and Mayor Terry Frank

Bedford – Sen. Shane Reeves and House Speaker Pro Tempore Pat Marsh

Benton – Rep. Jay Reedy

Bledsoe – Sen. Todd Gardenhire

Blount – Sen. Tom Hatcher

Bradley – Sen. Adam Lowe

Campbell – Rep. Dennis Powers

Cannon – Sen. Shane Reeves and Rep. Michael Hale

Carroll – Sen. John Stevens and Rep. Brock Martin

Carter – Mike Nidiffer, President, Carter County Farm Bureau

Cheatham – Rep. Mary Littleton

Chester – Sen. Page Walley

Claiborne – Sen. Jessie Seal

Clay – Rep. Kelly Keisling

Cocke – House Majority Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison

Coffee – Sen. Janice Bowling

Crockett – Rep. Chris Hurt

Cumberland – Sen. Paul Bailey

Davidson – Rep. Bob Freeman

Decatur – Rep. Kirk Haston

DeKalb – Rep. Michael Hale

Dickson – Rep. Mary Littleton

Dyer – Rep. Rusty Grills

Fayette – Sen. Page Walley

Fentress – Rep. Kelly Keisling

Franklin – Rep. Iris Rudder

Gibson – Rep. Brock Martin

Giles – Rep. Clay Doggett

Grainger – Rep. Rick Eldridge

Greene – Rep. David Hawk and Jeff Taylor, President & CEO, Greene County Partnership

Grundy – Sen. Janice Bowling

Hamblen – Rep. Rick Eldridge and former Rep. John Litz

Hamilton – Sen. Todd Gardenhire and Sen. Bo Watson

Hancock – Sen. Jessie Seal

Hardeman – Sen. Page Walley

Hardin – Sen. Page Walley

Hawkins – Sen. Bobby Harshbarger

Haywood – Sen. Page Walley and Rep. Debra Moody

Henderson – Rep. Kirk Haston and Rep. Brock Martin

Henry – Rep. Jay Reedy

Hickman – Sen. Kerry Roberts

Houston – Rep. Jay Reedy

Humphreys – Eric Mayberry, President, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation

Jackson – Sen. Paul Bailey

Jefferson – County Commissioner Aaron Loy

Johnson – Rep. Timothy Hill

Knox – Mayor Glenn Jacobs

Lake – Rep. Rusty Grills

Lauderdale – Rep. Chris Hurt

Lawrence – Ryan Egly, President & CEO, Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce

Lewis – County Commissioner Bryan Peery

Lincoln – House Speaker Pro Tempore Pat Marsh and Mayor Bill Newman

Loudon – former Rep. Jimmy Matlock

McMinn – Sen. Adam Lowe

McNairy – Sen. Page Walley

Macon – Rep. Kelly Keisling

Madison – Rep. Chris Todd

Marion – Sen. Todd Gardenhire and Rep. Iris Rudder

Marshall – Doug Giles, Board Member, Marshall County Farm Bureau

Maury – Rep. Scott Cepicky

Meigs – Sen. Adam Lowe and Rep. Dan Howell

Monroe – Sen. Tom Hatcher

Montgomery – Sen. Bill Powers

Moore – Sen. Shane Reeves

Morgan – Rep. Ed Butler

Obion – Rep. Chris Hurt

Overton – Sen. Paul Bailey

Perry – Rep. Kirk Haston

Pickett – Rep. Kelly Keisling

Polk – Sen. Tom Hatcher and Rep. Dan Howell

Putnam – Sen. Paul Bailey

Rhea – Sen. Adam Lowe

Roane – Senate Majority Caucus Chairman Ken Yager and Travis Tilley, Board Member, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation

Robertson – Sen. Kerry Roberts and Rep. Sabi Kumar

Rutherford – Sen. Shane Reeves and Rep. Bryan Terry

Scott – Rep. Kelly Keisling

Sequatchie – Sen. Todd Gardenhire

Sevier – Rep. Fred Atchley

Shelby – Rep. Kevin Vaughan

Smith – Sen. Paul Bailey and Mayor Jeff Mason

Stewart – Rep. Jay Reedy

Sullivan – Sen. Bobby Harshbarger and Miles Burdine, President & CEO, Kingsport Chamber

Sumner – House Majority Leader William Lamberth

Tipton – Rep. Debra Moody

Trousdale – Rep. William Slater

Unicoi – Rep. Renea Jones

Union – Rep. Dennis Powers

Van Buren – Sen. Janice Bowling

Warren – Sen. Janice Bowling

Washington – Rep. Rebecca Alexander

Wayne – Sen. Page Walley

Weakley – John Chester, Board Member, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation

White – Sen. Paul Bailey

Williamson – Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson

Wilson – Rep. Clark Boyd

CARTHAGE, TN – May 28, 2026 – Highpoint Health – Riverview with Ascension Saint Thomas has received renewed national recognition for its ability to promptly evaluate and treat patients with chest pain, ensuring continued access to critical cardiac care for people across Smith County and the surrounding region. 

Highpoint Health – Riverview has earned Chest Pain Center Re-Certification from the American College of Cardiology (ACC), with certification in effect from November 20, 2026, through November 19, 2029, following a comprehensive onsite evaluation of its emergency response systems, clinical protocols and team readiness. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 730,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. The most common symptom of a heart attack for both men and women is chest pain or discomfort. However, women are more likely to have atypical symptoms. Other symptoms include, but are not limited to, discomfort in one or both arms, back, shoulder, neck or jaw; shortness of breath; cold sweat; unusual fatigue; nausea or vomiting; and dizziness or fainting. 

Highpoint Health – Riverview has demonstrated exceptional competence in treating patients with heart attack symptoms. The hospital has streamlined its systems from admission to evaluation, diagnosis and treatment, extending through post-discharge care and support for patient lifestyle . 

“Highpoint Health – Riverview with Ascension Saint Thomas has shown a strong commitment to delivering outstanding heart care to the Smith County community,” said Steven B. Deitelzweig, MD, MMM, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to recognize Highpoint Health – Riverview with Ascension Saint Thomas with Chest Pain Center Accreditation.” 

Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the ACC must take part in a multi-faceted clinical process that includes completing a gap analysis, examining variances of care, developing and implementing action plans, undergoing a rigorous onsite review and monitoring performance for sustained success. These efforts support improved care through standardized protocols, evidence-based guidelines and best practices in treating patients with symptoms of a heart attack. 

The ACC offers hospitals access to a comprehensive suite of cardiac accreditation services designed to improve patient outcomes and strengthen care delivery. These services focus on all aspects of cardiovascular care, including the emergency treatment of heart attacks. 

To learn more, visit our Chest Pain Awareness page. 

About Highpoint Health with Ascension Saint Thomas 

Highpoint Health is a regional health system dedicated to making communities healthier in Middle Tennessee. It is composed of Highpoint Health – Sumner and the Sumner Station campus in Gallatin; Highpoint Health – Riverview in Carthage; Highpoint Health – Trousdale in Hartsville; and Highpoint Health – Winchester and Sewanee. 

Highpoint Health is operated as part of a joint venture between Lifepoint Health and Ascension Saint Thomas. This collaboration brings together clinical excellence and best practices to improve access to high‑quality clinical programs and specialty care. To learn more, visit HighpointHealthSystem.com. 

About the American College of Cardiology 

The American College of Cardiology is a global leader dedicated to transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all. For more than 75 years, the ACC has empowered a community of over 60,000 cardiovascular professionals across more than 140 countries with cutting-edge education and advocacy, rigorous professional credentials and trusted clinical guidance. From its world-class JACC Journals and NCDR registries to its Accreditation Services, global network of Chapters and Sections and CardioSmart patient initiatives, the College is committed to creating a world where science, knowledge and innovation optimize patient care and outcomes. Learn more at www.ACC.org or connect on social media at @ACCinTouch. 

Citizens Bank, Carthage, Tennessee has once again been awarded the highest (5-Star) rating for financial strength and stability from the Nation’s Premier Bank Rating Firm, BauerFinancial, Inc. Earning and maintaining this 5-Star rating indicates that Citizens Bank excels in such areas as capital adequacy, profitability, asset quality and much more. This is no coincidence. In fact, this is the 150th consecutive quarter that Citizens Bank has earned this top rating, earning Citizens Bank an even higher designation as a “Best of Bauer Bank”. This distinction is reserved solely for institutions that have earned Bauer’s 5-Star rating consistently for 25 consecutive years, or longer.

“This is indeed reflective of Citizens Bank’s dedication and commitment, not only to its customers, but to the entire community it serves”, reflects Karen Dorway, president of BauerFinancial. “Community banks, like Citizens Bank, have consistently been on the front lines doing what is best to help their neighbors and friends. This special type of devotion is a hallmark of a true community bank, like Citizens Bank.”

Established in 1929, Citizens Bank has been a trusted ally of the communities it serves for 97 years. Rest assured, 5-Star rated Citizens Bank’s personnel are eager to serve, whether in the branch, by phone or online at