The Carthage City Council held its monthly meeting on March 6, 2025. Several items were discussed. Watch the full meeting below.

Thanks to Teresa’s Gifts for sponsoring Smith County Insider’s live broadcast of this meeting.

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The Carthage City Council generally meets at 6:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at Carthage City Hall, located at 314 Spring Street in Carthage, Tennessee – 37030.

All meetings are open to the public and streamed live at https://www.facebook.com/smithcountyinsider/.

The Smith County Board of Education met at 5:00 p.m. on March 11, 2025

The live broadcast of this meeting is sponsored by Teresa’s Gifts.

Subscribe to Smith County Insider’s YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on meeting coverage, business spotlights, video features, and more!

The Smith County School Board meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at the Smith County Board of Education, located at 126 Smith County Middle School Lane in Carthage, Tennessee.

All meetings are open to the public and streamed live at https://www.facebook.com/smithcountyinsider/.

You can watch the full meeting below.

The Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition marked a significant milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at their new location, 611 Main Street, Carthage, TN. This event celebrated not only a move to a larger facility but also the organization’s transformation into the Community Wellness Alliance, reflecting its expanded mission to serve the community.

The Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition has long been dedicated to reducing underage alcohol abuse, underage tobacco use, and overall prescription drug abuse. With the transition to the Community Wellness Alliance, the organization aspires to broaden its scope, offering expanded services such as recovery support, referrals, and additional wellness programs to better serve Smith County residents.

Community members, local officials, and business leaders gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion, acknowledging the hard work and dedication that has gone into making this expansion possible. The new location will allow for greater outreach and provide a centralized hub for education, prevention, and support services.

The organization encourages the community to visit their new location or call 615-588-1622 to learn more about the services available. The Smith County Wellness Alliance remains committed to creating a healthier, substance-free future for the community.

For more information, visit the new facility at 611 Main Street, Carthage, TN, or contact the Community Wellness Alliance at 615-588-1622.

The Smith County Democratic Party will hold a Reorganization Convention to elect new leaders on Saturday, April 19th. The meeting will take place at Smith County Public Library located at 215 Main St N, Carthage, TN 37030. Doors open for registration at 10 a.m. , convention start time is 10:30 a.m.

Local Democrats will elect a Chair, Vice Chair(s), Secretary, Treasurer and the Executive Committee members from all areas of the county for a two-year term. All Democrats who are residents of and who are registered voters of Smith County are urged to attend to discuss the party’s agenda and events for 2025-2026. During the Convention the voting delegation will adopt County Party bylaws and elect new leadership.

The County Party Reorganization Convention welcomes all Smith County Democrats. Attendees should arrive early to complete credentialing forms and be admitted to the convention prior to 10 a.m., when the meeting will begin.

For more information, contact Daniel Hawthorne at smithcodemocrats@gmail.com.

John Rose, an eighth-generation Tennessean, lifelong farmer, and small business owner, was surrounded by hundreds of supporters as he announced his candidacy for Governor of Tennessee at the Wilson County Fairgrounds. The location is emblematic of Rose’s rural roots. As a volunteer, he chaired the Tennessee State Fair Association for more than 10 years.

Rose spoke about his family’s long history in Tennessee—going back to 1790—and the lessons he learned growing up on his family’s farm. He declared his commitment to preserving Tennessee’s unique heritage of faith and perseverance, supporting Tennessee’s often neglected rural and agricultural communities, protecting family values, and creating economic prosperity for all. 

Rose has been endorsed by President Trump in each of his successful bids for Congress, beginning in 2018. As a staunch supporter of President Trump, Rose pledged to stand with him in empowering states, stripping Washington’s power, and upholding conservative values. 

“Washington DC’s values are not our values,” John Rose declared. “We are fiercely independent and we plan to keep it that way. President Trump is shrinking the federal government and reducing bureaucracy, which gives power back to the states. We helped put President Trump back in office so that he would end the DC power trip. He’s getting the job done and as Governor, I’ll stand with him, just as I have since his first election in 2016.”

Rose cited several priorities:

• Giving Tennessee children the education they deserve and giving their parents a seat at the table. Rose committed to appointing a current or former Tennessee teacher as Commissioner of Education.
• Expanding and improving Tennessee’s roadways.
• Making quality healthcare and mental healthcare accessible for all Tennesseans, including rural communities.
• Making Tennessee a leader in energy production — particularly nuclear energy.
• Protecting unborn life, serving vulnerable children, and making adoption easier.
• Protecting our Second Amendment rights and enacting Constitutional Carry.

Rose has prioritized visiting all 95 counties, as he emphasizes personally connecting with Tennesseans to listen, learn, and hear their concerns. The campaign will have strong footing with $5 million already committed toward the effort.

Read John Rose’s speech as written below:

On behalf of my wife Chelsea and our two sons, Guy and Sam, thank you for being here today. You honor us with your presence.

Today, as the grateful descendent of fearless Tennessee pioneers and as an eighth generation Tennessee farmer, I humbly announce my candidacy for Governor of the State of Tennessee.

In 1790, first generation Americans John and Anne Lancaster came to what is now Tennessee. They came to claim a Revolutionary War Grant sight unseen. Not knowing what was ahead of them, they and their 11 children packed everything they owned and traveled by wagon to a piece of land along what would later be named the Caney Fork River. Together, they built a home and started a farm.

The Lancasters were the first in my family to call Tennessee “home.” For those pioneers who traveled west, this place where we stand today was a mystery waiting to be unraveled, with plenty of danger, but also boundless opportunities.

Day by day and year by year those Tennesseans who came before us toiled and dedicated themselves to this land. They did so with a commitment to the next generation. One generation would pass a better Tennessee onto the next generation after generation.

In the midst of the struggle and the toil that brought us to today, there have been countless dreams realized and many others shattered. Unforgettable triumphs and unimaginable losses. There has been joy and there has been pain. 

Blood, sweat, and tears formed this state over many years and with many hands of all colors, of all origins, both men and women – as individuals – as families – as communities – we have overcome every obstacle placed before us. 

The great Tennesseans before us rejected a tyrannical monarchy and helped form a new nation. They saved Texas at the Alamo, endured a civil war and defended our country through world wars. They overcame sickness and disease. They survived an economic depression and near starvation. Life was not always as easy as it is today, but through faith we persevered.

We have always been a people with tremendous faith in our God – unshakable, unyielding faith. In fact, millions of hours have been spent in faithful prayer by generations of Tennesseans – people who boldly asked for this state to prosper. God heard their prayers and we have indeed prospered.

Because of the people who came before us, who chose to push past their fears and instead embrace hope, Tennessee is special and unique. Tennessee is as legendary as its people: President Andrew Jackson, Davy Crockett, Sergeant Alvin C. York, Anne Dallas Dudley, Alex Haley, Minnie Pearl, Pat Summitt, and of course – Dolly Parton.

Those aren’t the only Tennessee legends. 

My dad was a legend to me. How many sons and daughters would agree with that? He never held the nuclear football, but he held me. 

He patiently taught me things, like how to put up a fence and how to drive a tractor. He took me to meetings at the Co-op and Farm Bureau, and when he worked at what is now known as Farm Credit, he took me to his office. I learned at his feet, quite literally. He made time for me and impacted me in legendary ways.

My mom was a public school teacher and I am the youngest of her four children. At the point I came along, she was a full-time mother and homemaker. She used her years of expertise to teach me the alphabet and how to write. She spawned me to learn and achieve, which led to self-belief. Her belief in me opened my imagination and broadened my definition for what is possible in my life. Betty Rose and Tennessee mothers like her are legends in my book.

My grandmother lost my grandfather abruptly and unexpectedly. That could have been the end of our family farm tradition, but she rolled up her sleeves and kept the farm going for twenty years after his death. It’s because of her that I get the chance to live and farm on that same land. Mama Rose is a Tennessee legend to me.

Even today, there are people in this crowd who stood with me in the fight to save the Tennessee State Fair. Because of you, we proudly stand here at the home of the Wilson County Tennessee State Fair, a wonderful celebration of all that makes our state special.

The Volunteer Spirit runs in our blood and just as much so in our adopted Tennesseans who are new to the state.

We live in the greatest state, in the greatest nation in the history of the world. 

People come from all around – California, New York, and everywhere in between. We know why they come here. What we have is special. Our heritage is one of faith and perseverance. We never back down from our beliefs and we always stand up for what’s right.

Our people, our faith, our strength, and our determination – that is our heritage. Tennessee’s heritage should not be left in the past, it should live in our future.

Tennessee’s heritage should not be left in the past, it should live in our future.

It’s up to us to maintain the character of this great state and grow wisely.

Tennessee children deserve great schools and parents deserve a seat at the table. In this state, we reject the notion that where a person starts in life is where they must finish. No. It is through learning that children from all circumstances have a chance to realize their American Dream. At school, the door for opportunity is open to all. And, we have thousands of dedicated teachers who put in the extra time and do whatever it takes to deliver for their students in every classroom, every day. I love our Tennessee teachers and it’s why as Governor, I promise to appoint a Commissioner of Education who has Tennessee teaching experience.

In Tennessee, we need well-maintained and sufficient roadways. Roads aren’t cheap, they aren’t built quickly, and they are costly to maintain. We have to agree collectively that potholes and traffic jams are old news. As Governor, I will lead the effort to make all interstates in Tennessee at least eight lanes and to have four lane highways to every county seat. Better roads means a better way of life for all Tennesseans.

Tennesseans need accessible and quality healthcare – including mental healthcare. When emergencies occur, we don’t want lifesaving care to be out of reach. When a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, we don’t want them to have to travel several hours round trip to receive care. As Governor, I promise to do everything in my power to ensure no Tennessean is more than 30 minutes away from emergency medical care, and I will work tirelessly to make sure health care is available in every county in Tennessee. We want all Tennesseans to live long healthy lives and reduce unnecessary hardship for those individuals and families facing long-term illness.

If Tennessee is going to be as prosperous for the next 228 years as we have been for the first, we have to be a national leader for reliable and abundant energy. All energy sources must be on the table, but Tennessee can be a leader in nuclear power. As Governor, I promise that Tennessee will never see California brownouts and instead, we will charge forward in nuclear energy development. More energy will equal more jobs for this state.

Most of all, I am passionate about Tennesseans. I want to protect the innocent unborn by working with our conservative State Legislature in taking every measure possible to always protect life in Tennessee. I will work daily to support our vulnerable children with a responsive and capable Department of Children Services. And following in the footsteps of Governor Lee, I want to see Tennessee be a national leader when it comes to making adoption attainable for Tennessee families.

I will stand firm for the Second Amendment rights of every Tennessean by supporting the enactment of Constitutional Carry. Our Constitutional rights are given by God and secured by man. I promise to always keep and defend our Constitution.

When discussing possible solutions to our present challenges, I remain committed to doing things the Tennessee way – putting high value on the continuation of our rich heritage and placing emphasis on our limitless Tennessee future. 

Washington D.C.’s values are not our values. We are fiercely independent and we plan to keep it that way. President Trump is shrinking the federal government and reducing bureaucracy, which gives power back to the states. We helped put President Trump back in office so that he would end the DC power trip. He’s getting the job done and as Governor, I’ll stand with him, just as I have since his first election in 2016.

Like President Trump, I got my start as an entrepreneur. An idea that was born with a fellow Vanderbilt Law School student, turned into a small business. We got our start in the Nashville Business Incubation Center and eventually moved into an office of our own along the Cumberland River in Nashville Metro Center. We worked day and night to sell our product – IT training software. There were three-day spans almost weekly when I would hardly nap as I burned the candle at both ends. My business partner did the same. Together, we made a successful business, right here in Tennessee.

You see, I know anything is achievable in Tennessee because I have lived it. Now, I am asking for the chance to help bring opportunity to all Tennesseans.

Our family will be visiting every Tennessee county several times over on this campaign. As we do so, we ask for your prayers, we ask for your ideas and input, and I ask for your vote for Governor of Tennessee. Thank you!

The video coverage of his announcement is below

About John Rose

John Rose is an eighth-generation Tennessean, lifelong farmer, and businessman who has dedicated his life to serving the people of Tennessee. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, he has been a staunch ally of President Trump, fighting to protect the interests of Tennessee’s rural communities, farmers, and small businesses. Rose and his wife, Chelsea, live on their farm in Middle Tennessee with their children, where they continue to work the land that has been in John’s family for generations. For more information, please visit johnrose.com.

The Central Region Horse Judging Contest was held at MTSU’s Miller Coliseum on March 4th, 2025, with a total of 7 participants from Smith County 4-H. The Junior High Team was comprised of Clay Driver, Katie Belle Butler, Luke Chartier, and Avery Yerge. The Junior Team included Titus Chartier, Gracie Driver, and William Limeburner.

During the competition, the Junior High Horse Judging Team secured the 7th position, while our junior team achieved the 9th spot. Gracie Driver from the Junior Team distinguished herself by achieving the 9th-highest individual score out of 76 participants.

Horse Judging is a valuable activity that helps young individuals develop skills in assessing conformation, form to function, unsoundness, blemishes, performance, and other critical factors. It enables them to distinguish between desirable and undesirable characteristics in horses, riders, and equine performance events.

Additionally, three of our 4-H members took part in the Central Regional Hippology contest on January 18, 2025. Luke Chartier, Titus Chartier, and Avery Yerge competed as individuals at the event hosted at Cumberland University.

Hippology is a comprehensive contest that includes a written test, slide identification, horse judging, stations, and team problem phases. These components are designed to evaluate contestants’ knowledge of equine nutrition, management, industry, and health.

We are immensely proud of these students and commend them for their dedication and hard work during practices and competitions.

Eight incarcerated individuals in Smith County have achieved a major milestone, becoming Certified Manufacturing Associates through a groundbreaking education and workforce development initiative. The graduation ceremony, held on March 12, 2025, marks the completion of the ToolingU Certified Manufacturing Associate program, a first-of-its-kind pilot designed to equip justice-impacted individuals with in-demand technical skills and prepare them for successful reentry into the workforce.

This initiative is the result of a powerful collaboration between Orijin, ToolingU, Smith County Jail, the Tennessee Office of Reentry, and the Upper Cumberland Labor and Workforce Development Board. Participants completed 25 intensive courses covering CNC machining, robotics, safety procedures, and quality control, culminating in a proctored certification exam. Graduates are now eligible to interview with local manufacturing employers like Bonnell Aluminum, providing them with real employment opportunities upon release.

A Model for Workforce Development & Reentry Success

With Tennessee’s manufacturing industry facing a labor shortage due to an aging workforce, this pilot program is creating a scalable solution that benefits both individuals and the economy. By offering skill-building and direct job pathways, the initiative addresses one of the biggest challenges justice-impacted individuals face—securing stable employment post-release.

“The participants have shown the entire nation that individuals who are incarcerated are capable, skilled, and can make meaningful contributions to the workforce when given the opportunity,” said Becky Hull, Executive Director of the Upper Cumberland Labor and Workforce Development Board.

Transforming Lives, Strengthening Communities

The program’s success reflects the dedication of community leaders, workforce partners, and corrections officials in breaking down barriers to opportunity.

“The students showed so much commitment. I’m just so proud of them. Thank you to all the stakeholders who made this possible, to help these folks better their lives, the lives of their families, and of the community around them,” said Smith County Sheriff Steve Hopper .

“This is a wonderful day. You have navigated many challenges to get here, and I commend you for every step of the way. Your hard work and dedication to making a positive change in your life starts today,” said Sophia Young, Deputy Director, Tennessee Office of Reentry.

What’s Next?

Following this pilot’s success, statewide expansion is the next step. Workforce partners and employers are eager to scale the program, ensuring more justice-impacted individuals gain access to certified training, job placement opportunities, and a pathway to economic stability.

Media outlets are invited to cover this groundbreaking initiative and speak with program graduates, community leaders, and workforce partners.

For more information, contact Jaime Crespo, Orijin at jaime.crespo@orijin.works.

On January 28, 2025, K-9 Deputy Brady Dodson of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office conducted a routine encounter at the Buffalo Valley Rest Area, leading to the arrest of two individuals on multiple drug-related charges.

Deputy Dodson approached a white Toyota RAV4 and contacted its occupants, later identified as Kristyn Bailey and Lindsay Lowery. During the encounter, Dodson observed several hypodermic needle caps and an arm tie-off—items commonly associated with narcotic use—in plain view on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Additionally, he noted fresh needle marks on Ms. Bailey’s arm.

After requesting both individuals to exit the vehicle, Deputy Dodson asked Ms. Lowery to empty her pockets, at which point she voluntarily handed over a hypodermic syringe. When questioned about the presence of illegal substances, Ms. Bailey indicated that any drugs were likely in her purse.

A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered five individual baggies containing fentanyl, totaling approximately 5 grams, as well as three baggies of crystal methamphetamine weighing approximately 1.7 grams. Authorities also discovered two Buprenorphine-Naloxone (Suboxone) strips inside Ms. Lowery’s backpack, which contained her identification. In various locations throughout the vehicle, deputies found additional drug paraphernalia, including hypodermic syringes, burnt foil, arm tie-offs, and plastic baggies.

After the discovery, Bailey and Lowery were taken into custody and transported to the Smith County Jail for booking.