Despite the blustery weather, Thursday, April 3, 2025, was a big day for Smith County 4-H, as 4-H’ers competed in both the Central Region 4-H Meats Judging Contest and the Central Region 4-H Livestock Judging Contest held at the Tennessee Livestock Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University.

The day began with the Central Region 4-H Meats Judging contest, where 14 Smith County 4-H’ers competed and a few came away with both team and individual awards! During the Meats Judging Contest, 4-H’ers are tested on their ability to identify various retail cuts of beef, pork, and lamb as well as evaluate and answer questions about a class of four of the same type of retail cut of meat.

Our Junior Team, made up of Josie Harville, Scarlett Hicks, and McCall Kemp, placed 1st in the Junior Division. Josie was the overall High Individual, McCall placed 4th, and Scarlett placed 7th individually.

In the Junior High Division, our Junior High Team A, made up of Kara Brooks, Keaton Crawford, Tana Harville, and Aubrey Hicks, placed 3rd overall with Tana placing 6th individually.

Also representing Smith County in the Junior High Division were Jay Driver, Charlotte Driver, and Evie Wilson. Their team placed 10th overall.

Our Senior High Team, made up of Easton Bibbings, Gabe Harville, Turner Harville, and Owen Meeks, placed 2nd overall and received a bid to represent the Central Region at the State Meats Judging contest in early June. Turner was the overall High Individual, and Gabe placed 9th individually.

The day continued with the Central Region 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in the afternoon, where 24 Smith County 4-H’ers competed.

4-H Livestock Judging teaches 4-H members critical thinking and decision-making skills while they learn more about the livestock industry. Beef cattle, sheep, goats, and hogs are evaluated to know which animals would be best in a farm’s breeding program or would make the most profit in a market situation. 4-H’ers also learn how to read and use genetic information (EPDs) to assist in the selection of livestock. Eight total classes of animals were judged at the contest. Senior High 4-H’ers also gave two sets of oral reasons to explain why they placed two of the classes the way they did.

Our Junior Team A, made up of Josie Harville, Scarlett Hicks, McCall Kemp, and Katie Wilson, placed 9th overall in the Junior Division, with Josie Harville placing 5th individually. Also representing Smith County in the Junior Division were Walker Crawford, Gracie Driver, Jake Myers, and Lizzy Taylor.

Our Junior High Team A, made up of Kara Brooks, Keaton Crawford, Jay Driver, and Emma Locke, placed 8th overall in their division. Kara was the 3rd place high individual. Our Junior High Team B, made up of Tana Harville, Aubrey Hicks, Bryant Locke, and Marshall Taylor, placed 10th overall. Also representing Smith County in the Junior High Division were Clay Driver, Charlotte Driver, Paisley Scalzo, Steven Scalzo, and Evie Wilson.

Our Senior High Team was made up of Gabe Harville, Turner Harville, and Addison Scalzo. Turner placed 8th overall for oral reasons.

We are so proud of all of these 4-H’ers and the way they represent themselves and Smith County!

A huge thank you to volunteer leader Kayla Harville for sharing her expertise with this fine group of students and serving as our coach for both Livestock and Meats judging this year. We couldn’t do it without her!

Through 4-H Meats and Livestock Judging, we help youth prepare for their future and learn to be good decision makers, teammates, public speakers, future livestock owners, and more!

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 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. For more information about 4-H Meats and Livestock Judging or any other opportunities offered through the Smith County 4-H program, please call 615-735-2900 or email rpetty@utk.edu.

Tennessee’s statewide spring turkey hunting season opens Saturday, April 12 and continues through Sunday, May 25. The Young Sportsman Hunt preceded the start of the statewide hunt this past weekend.

All 95 counties are open to the spring turkey seasons. However, there are some exceptions on public land (see WMA section of the 2024-25 Tennessee Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping Guide for details). Birds may be harvested from any combination of Turkey Units, not to exceed the statewide season limit.  

One male turkey per day, not two to exceed two for the season may be harvested. Only one can be a jake. An adult gobbler is defined by having one of the following: wing feathers having white barring all the way to the tip, tail feathers all the same length, beard is longer than 6 inches, or a spur at least ½-inch long. All hens (including bearded hens) are illegal to harvest.

Hunting hours are 30 minutes prior to legal sunrise until legal sunset. Legal hunting equipment includes shotguns using ammunition loaded with No. 4 shot or smaller, longbows, recurve bows, compound bows, and crossbows.

Firearms and archery equipment may have sighting devices, except those devices utilizing an artificial light capable of locating wildlife. 

For this season’s preview, TWRA Wild Turkey Program Coordinator Roger Shields says that “reproduction back in 2023 wasn’t really great overall,” which may cause this spring’s harvest to be “a little below average.” However, there are promising locations.

“The western portion of the state, which for several years had seen pretty big declines, appears to have rebounded and has been seeing good reproduction the past few years,” Shields said. “I suspect the western unit, and the central unit (which always has good numbers) will lead harvest this coming spring. The eastern portion of the state, which had seemed impervious to the declines affecting the rest of the southeastern U.S. at large, now appears to be encountering some declining trends.

The 2024 spring harvest was reported at 31,647, one percent less than 2023’s reported harvest. Like 2023, the harvest during the start of the season was high and then fell off steeply as the season progressed.

Hunters are reminded about “Tag Before You Drag” where hunters tag their big game animal in the field prior to moving. Hunters can use the “TWRA on the Go” app to simply E-tag and report their harvest in the field in one easy step, with or without cell phone service, prior to moving.

If a hunter does not have a phone, attach one of the temporary transportation tags printed at the bottom of your license, and complete your check in online at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com or at one of several manned check stations by midnight on the same day of the harvest (or before leaving the state). Temporary transportation tags can also be obtained by logging in at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com.

More information on the 2025 spring turkey season, regulations, and license requirements can be found in the 2024-25 Tennessee Fishing, Hunting & Trapping Guide. The guide is online at www.tnwildlife.org and available at TWRA offices and license agents. To purchase a license online, go to GoOutdoorsTennesssee.com.

Smith County Head Start is now accepting applications for children ages 3 and 4 by August 15th, 2025, for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.

Smith County Headstart offers a safe, nurturing, and FREE learning environment designed specifically to support low-income families. Our program focuses on the overall development of each child, preparing them for school and life success through:

• Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum
• Play-Based Learning
• Outdoor Exploration and Activities
• Individualized Support for Children with Disabilities

Our passionate and experienced teachers are committed to helping every child learn, grow, and thrive in a fun, structured setting.

Spots are limited! Enroll now to secure your child’s place. Visit https://www.lbjc.org or scan the QR code on the flyer to get started.

The 2025 season has been a roller coaster ride for the Owls Soccer team. This may be the most challenging season they have dealt with in near a decade with the exception of 2020 when they only had one scrimmage before being shut down. The Owls have been plagued with injuries and difficult situations which have led them to the current 0-7-1 record. First, remember that the District play will start this week so that number doesn’t reflect what they can still accomplish. Next, take note that nearly half of this team is Freshman. These young men have skills, the smarts and the drive but it is an adjustment in chemistry for any team to have this kind of shift in balance.

The best thing to know is that while that record might tear a team apart – not this one. There has been growth, support, and a closing of ranks to overcome the adversity.  There is work to be done but this team, no this family, is doing that work. The changes in leadership always takes time to settle. Coach Kemp is in his second year at the  helm.  Coach Alexander is in his first year as an assistant coach for the Owls and Coach Bussell continues to bring support and continuity while the adjustments happen.

The Owls have just returned from their annual trip to Gatlinburg to participate in the Smoky Mountain Cup Tournament. Last year they brought the cup home as Champions but this year they brought home something different.  While a cup would have been amazing they may have found something they needed more. These young men learned how resilient they can be, how important it is to stand up when called on, some found courage, some found their break throughs, and we saw a bench that was ready to play and/or to be in the game with support and encouragement.  The bench is one of the most important positions on any team.  They must be just as involved in the game as those on the pitch. They must be ready in an instant and they are the greatest source of energy for those taking their turn in action. The bench is the team’s heart and this one was pumping.

Senior Owl Keeper James Bunn had to join the bench for the third game of the tournament with an injury. He was just as in the game as the Freshman who filled the net. Oakley Butler saw his first shift ever as the Owls Keeper and did a fantastic job under great pressure. Zane Felice has been trying to find his moment to score since the season started.  Game 3 saw not one but two goals from the freshman. The first was from a corner he bent into the net and the second was a long shot from outside the box assisted by Freshman Owl Lucas Brown. Every person on this squad had moments of growth, blue collar grit and support for others. 

The Smith County Owls Soccer Team hosted York in the first District Match of the season Tuesday night. April 1, 2025. Smith County came away with a big win with a 6-2 victory. Both of York’s goals came from penalty kicks. The Owls started off the first half with a goal from Senior Jarrain Smith less than two minutes into the game. Five minutes later Zane Felice took a corner kick for another Smith County goal. It first appeared to be all Felice but in fact was an own goal thanks to the dragons, however, Felice did get the assist. Four minutes later the ball was being battled over in front of York’s net and York players would give Smith County another goal by kicking it in themselves. With less than 16 minutes left in the half, Aldrin Jimenez would net the Owls’ fourth goal with an assist to Eden Smith. Jimenez would score his second goal with less than a minute on the clock making the score at the half 5-1. The second half would see another PK from York and the final strike would come in the last couple of minutes of the game with a goal from Senior Adyn Elliott assisted by Aldrin Jimenez. Smith County earned their first win of the season and started District play strong.

Originally scheduled to play Cannon County on Thursday April 3, Cannon has foregone it’s season so the next game is Tuesday April 8 at home vs Monterey. Monterey is new to our District this year and should promise to be a great match. Thursday April 10 the Owls will travel to Jackson County to continue their district march.

photos and article submitted by Vivian Schaffers

Ready, Set, Walk! According to Harvard Health, walking improves cardiac risk factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, vascular stiffness and inflammation, and mental stress. Walking and other moderate exercise programs also help protect against dementia, depression, and colon cancer and can lower death rates. Walking has other benefits that one may not think of as readily; it counteracts the effects of weight-promoting genes, it helps lessen a sweet tooth, and it boosts immune function.

The University of Tennessee Extension Smith County is partnering with Smith County Health Department to again offer Walk Across Tennessee for 2025. Walk Across Tennessee is a program that persuades and motivates people of all ages to get started exercising or get back into the routine of exercising. It is a program that is simple and safe. All you need is a team of eight people and a desire to get moving!

Teams simply pool their mileage each week to work towards the chosen destination on a map that will be posted on the Walk Across Tennessee Smith County Facebook page. Dust off your walking shoes and prepare to join us on this eight-week journey “across Tennessee” from May 5-June 29! There is no cost to participate. Prizes will be awarded throughout the competition, and the teams with the most miles will be recognized. Register online by May 1st at tiny.utk.edu/WATIndividual. Team captains must also register teams at tiny.utk.edu/WATTeam.

Goo Goo Bites

1 large bag miniature marshmallows

1 (12 oz) bag semisweet chocolate chips

2 cups dry roasted peanuts (unsalted)

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

Butter to grease 9 x 12 pan

Melt chocolate chips in sauce pan with condensed milk, while this is heating, mix marshmallows and peanuts in a large bowl. Pour melted mixture over nuts and marshmallows. Mix together. Pour into buttered pan. Chill 2 hours. Cut into 1 ½ inch pieces. Enjoy!

Submitted by: Marilyn Shumake, Carthage FCE Club

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) will be constructing the Pipers Ford Kayak Ramp starting around April 10th, with construction expected to continue through approximately April 16th or longer.

During this period, the south end of the Walking Track at Crump Paris Park will be temporarily closed. Visitors and Walking Track users are urged to avoid the lower parking lot and walking area between the Caney Fork River and the Carthage Junction Depot.

Apologizes are extended in advance for any inconvenience this may cause as TWRA works with the County to improve recreational access to the area.

Are you raising a relative child or need housing assistance?

For more information on assistance and support, please contact Melissa Allison at the Upper
Cumberland Development District toll-free at 1-877-275-8233.

A support group meeting will be held for relatives that are caring for relative children during this
month. Please contact Melissa Allison at 931-476-4127, if you are interested in attending this
meeting.

For housing assistance, while caring for a minor child, contact Myra Walker at 931-432-4111.

About the Upper Cumberland Development District: The Upper Cumberland Development District provides regional planning and assistance to the 14-county Upper Cumberland region to promote economic growth and community enhancement. Find UCDD on the web at www.ucdd.org and at facebook.com/UCDDconnect.

Lebanon– Wilson County Mayor and RTA Chair Randall Hutto is partnering with WeGo Public Transit to transport runners and supporters to the St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon on April 26. The train to the marathon is a collaborative effort between WeGo, St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital, and Wilson County. All ticket proceeds will benefit St. Jude. RJ Corman is supporting the special event train as this year’s corporate sponsor.

Tickets cost $15 plus a $2 processing fee and may be purchased with a credit card through TicketsNashville.com. Tickets will be on sale until 24 hours prior to departure or until tickets are sold out, whichever comes first. Children ages 4 and younger will not need a ticket to board; however, they are required to sit in a parent or guardian’s lap.

Anyone needing special accommodations to board is asked to contact WeGo Customer Care at 615-862-5950 prior to their trip.

Departure schedule

• Lebanon Station 5:00 a.m.
• Hamilton Springs Station 5:08 a.m.
• Martha Station 5:15 a.m.
• Mt. Juliet Station 5:25 a.m.
• Hermitage Station 5:35 a.m.
• Donelson Station 5:45 a.m.The train will arrive at Riverfront Station at 6:00 a.m. The return train to Lebanon leaves
  Riverfront Station at 1:30 p.m.

WeGo Public Transit on social media (@WeGoTransit) and visit WeGoTransit.com.
Customers can check mobile real-time information on the Transit App. The Transit App
can be downloaded in your app store.The train will arrive at Riverfront Station at 6:00 a.m. The return train to Lebanon leaves Riverfront Station at 1:30 p.m.

WeGo Public Transit on social media (@WeGoTransit) and visit WeGoTransit.com. Customers can check mobile real-time information on the Transit App. The Transit App can be downloaded in your app store.