Report: Tennessee Tech is top producer of teachers in the state
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech University is once again the top producer of teachers in the state of Tennessee, according to the Tennessee State Board of Education’s 2025 Educator Preparation Report Card.
State figures released Friday show that Tech’s College of Education & Human Sciences totaled 780 teacher candidates in its three-year cohort, besting runner-ups University of Tennessee-Martin at 768, Middle Tennessee State University at 764 and University of Tennessee-Knoxville at 608.
“Tennessee Tech has a long history of training exceptional teachers whom we commission to go out and serve across the state and beyond,” said Lisa Zagumny, dean of Tech’s College of Education & Human Sciences. “We are proud that more than one-third of all Tech graduates come from the College of Education & Human Sciences. Teacher training and licensure will continue to be a hallmark of our college and the broader university.”
Within Tech’s College of Education & Human Sciences, the Department of Curriculum & Instruction – the college’s largest department – is specifically dedicated to teacher education and is supported by nearly 40 faculty and staff.
“Our department takes seriously our calling to equip the next generation of educators, and we value the trust of our students who continue to make us the top producer of teachers in the state,” said Jeremy Wendt, chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Tech. “Teaching is a noble public service. As a Tennessee Tech alumnus myself, I know of no better training ground for teachers than right here at our university.”
The 2025 Educator Preparation Report Card points to Tech’s pivotal role in addressing state and national teacher shortages.
The National Center for Education Statistics announced that, as of last fall, the average public school reported having six teaching vacancies and “the majority of the country’s public K–12 schools experienced difficulty hiring fully certified teachers.”
For the 2025-2026 academic year, the state of Tennessee has specifically reported teacher shortages in the fields of mathematics, world languages, early childhood education, special education and English as a second language.
At Tech, teacher candidates are supported through the College of Education & Human Science’s dedicated student success center and testing center, the Office of Teacher Education and its Jeffers Learning Resource Center – a newly-remodeled space where students can do everything from use laser engravers, sewing machines and 3D printers to create materials for their classes, to even immersing themselves in classroom settings through virtual reality technology.
Learn more about Tech’s College of Education & Human Sciences at www.tntech.edu/education/.
View the full Tennessee State Board of Education 2025 Educator Preparation Report Card at www.tn.gov/sbe/ed-prep.
Join Us for a Free Community Meal & Fellowship
Come out on February 22nd from 11 AM to 2 PM for a free old-fashioned meal underneath the Smith County Library, across from Domino’s at 215 Main Street North, Carthage, TN. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a hot meal, free clothing, and great fellowship. Come eat —everything is completely free! Share in a time of community and kindness. We look forward to seeing you there!
UT Extension Celebrates Tennessee Tree Day March 14th
UT TSU Extension-Smith County is proud to partner with the Tennessee Environmental Council to be a tree pick-up location for 2025. Tree pick-up will be Friday, March 14th from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. You must reserve your trees no later than Sunday, March 2nd.
To reserve your trees for pick-up at Smith County Extension use the link below.
https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjIzMzUx
f you want to pick a different pick-up location visit the Tennessee Environmental Council website.
https://www.tectn.org/tennesseetreeday.html
Tennessee Tech celebrates 100 years of Golden Eagles
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech University held a birthday bash Thursday that was 100 years in the making.
Students, faculty, staff and alumni gathered over cupcakes, popcorn, prizes and the sounds of a local D.J. to commemorate the university’s centennial anniversary as the Golden Eagles and honor the birthday of Tech’s beloved mascot, Awesome Eagle.
Tech’s Athletic Association officially adopted the Golden Eagles moniker at a meeting in 1925 that went through three rounds of selection, beating out other choices such as the Tech Warriors, Mountain Eagles and Lions by a resounding vote of 139 to 18. According to campus lore, the name was inspired by the eagles that were plentiful above the upland forests of the Upper Cumberland region.
Ted McWilliams, the university’s interim director of admissions and a Tech alumnus, served as emcee for the milestone birthday party.
“We’re thrilled to have you here at the Roaden University Center to celebrate a century of Golden Eagle spirit,” said McWilliams. “Over the past 100 years, Tennessee Tech has soared to incredible heights … Today, we honor that legacy and look forward to a future filled with even more achievements.”
Tech President Phil Oldham also delivered remarks encouraging audience members to, “Take time to appreciate the Golden Eagle, what it means to us and what it’s meant to Tennessee Tech for 100 years.”
Later, Susan Luna-Hazlewood, director of Tech’s Crawford Alumni Center, shared about the significance of the Golden Eagles identity for Tech’s vast alumni network.
While the Golden Eagles name has remained constant for a century, Tech’s mascot has evolved over time. The university’s first costumed mascot appeared on campus in the 1960s, while the character of Awesome Eagle debuted in 1984. The modern version of Awesome Eagle that students, faculty, staff and alumni recognize today traces its origins back to 1990.
The Golden Eagles’ centennial anniversary and the history of Tech’s iconic mascot are also featured in the latest issue of Visions, Tech’s annual magazine for alumni and friends. Read more at www.tntech.edu/visions.
Smith County Chamber Corner Show – February 2025
Check out the February 2025 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.
Forks River Honor Students Excel in Second Nine Weeks
Forks River School has named its honor students for the second nine-week grading period. To qualify, each student maintained a 90–100 grade point average.
3rd Grade:
Autumn Atwood, Hartley Carter, Jerrilynn Davis, Paxton Davis, Dylan DeStefano, Weston Kennedy, Charlie Key, Chad Pooler, Marcus Razafinjatovo, Oakland White
4th Grade:
Elizabeth Gentry, Gracie Driver, Dakota Gould, Mattie Grisham, Kara Hickman, Jaxon Mackey, Jake Myers, Evan Saye, Ava Slatton, Lizzy Taylor, Chase Williams
5th Grade:
Lilith Barlow, Laikyn Bush, Avery Flemmons, Scarlett Hicks, Lilly Poynter, Natalie Russell, John Winfree
6th Grade:
Dalton Bennett, Daisy Chambers, Marley Cowell, Sarah Cowell, Charlotte Driver, Clay Driver, Charity Grisham, Charlie Hays, Abby Heady, Aubrey Hicks, Anna Kannapel, Dash Keen, Parker Mason, Madison Massey, Alizee Sierra, Savanna Stout, Makaeleigh Tarpley, Marshall Taylor, Jordan Vivas, Cailyn Walker, Cole White
7th Grade:
Brannagan Browning, Jay Driver, Karson Hancock, Silas Morgan, Avery Myers, Titus Russell, Alli Stevens, Cole Williams
8th Grade:
Sunnie Antle, Jessa Cowell, Nathan Hileman, Brittany Shaw, Ben Thompson, Kortland Woodard
Congratulations to these students for their achievements!
Gordonsville Elementary Announces 2nd Nine Weeks Honor Roll
Gordonsville Elementary School has announce the following students who made the honor roll for the second nine weekst:
3rd Grade:
Brooklyn Avendano, Jaxson Bateman, Camdynn Boles, Rryan Bowman, Ryan Briney, Livie Brock, Makinley Bush, Knox Campbell, Kennedy Deckard, Maley Dillehay, Lyla Finley, Landrie Foster, Arabella Grisham, Harlan Hensley, Rylee Jones, Sarah Kenny, Korbin Morris, Jimmie Nolen, Braxton Payne, Cameron Phillips, Cainen Potter, Hallie Grace Roberts, Abigail Sircy, Annie Spencer, Madilyn Wassman, Kodi Reagan West, Nicholas Wright.
4th Grade:
Deacon Birdwell, Issac Branter, Presley Brown, Hadlee Coffee, Charlie Beth Davis, Madaline Dillaha, Rhett Gibbs, Carolann Gibson, Cooper Granstaff, Oakley Greenlee-Snider, Eli Hickman, Michelle Hughes, Walker Jimenez, Brylee Lawson, Rowyn Ledbetter, Case McCall, Kennedy McDonner, Izabelle Quick, Kaylee Ray, Lucas Shoemake, Anna Siemens, Finley Smith, Kynadee Smith, Willow Sparkman, Silas Stone, Abbi Ward, Sawyer West, Jamie Wheeler, Kayenslie Woodard.
5th Grade:
Jaxon Bare, Kaylee Barnes, Harlee Barrett, Brooklyn Bateman, Callie Clemons, Caden Cowan, Jacob Dawson, Colleen Dula, Elaina Durham, Faith Edwards, Makenna Elliott, Zack Franklin, Logan George, Rylea George, Parker Goodman, Mason Grisham, Aubrie Harris, Addison Harville, Stella Hensley, Nathan Hultin, Avan Maggart, Jax Mason, Will Maxwell, Viya Patel, Jensen Payne, Spencer Pendleton, Cason Potter, Cayden Pursley, Graham Ray, Shian Recke, Jax Shores, Cedric Smith, Brynleigh Stevenson, Greer Sykes, Angel Thompson, Mason Thompson, Huck Warden.
6th Grade:
Christian Adams, Trinity Babcock, Kennadie Brooks, Trevor Bucher, Kensley Cassell, Samuel Dawson, Michael Fowler, Luke George, Jocelyn Gorman, Jackson Hale, Mackenna Harpe, Parker Harris, Alli Jackson, Mikayla Johnson, Ellie Layhew, Jocelyn McKim, Joshua Mosley, Samual Newome, Brynlee Payne, Zayden Payne, Nicole Peoples, Jackson Phillips, Knox Plumlee, Talon Pride, Brantlee Randloph, Gracelyn Ramsey, Rocco Rayner, Case Scurlock, Ryland Smith, Garrett Spencer, Erica Stinnett, Kinsley Stinnett, Levi Stubblefield, Makaylin Velasquez, Makenzie Velasquez, Easton Vescera, Lily Weston, Mason Whittemore, Chloe Williams, Paisley York.
Congratulations to all of these hardworking students on a job well done!
Union Heights Celebrates Student Achievements for Second Nine Weeks
Union Heights Elementary School has announced the students who have excelled academically during the second nine weeks grading period. The school recognizes these students for their dedication and hard work through the Principal’s List and Honor Roll.
To be recognized on the Principal’s List, a student must achieve an average of at least 89.5 across all subjects. The Honor Roll is reserved for students who have earned straight A’s in every subject, showcasing their commitment to academic excellence.
Honor Roll:
- 3rd Grade: Canan Barnhart, Charlotte Boyce, Lorelei Dalton, Molly Fudge, Camille Hamann, Andrew Lavender.
- 4th Grade: Chloe Beechboard, Braelynn DeLeon, Cecilia Dunn, Hannah Hiett, Elijah Mock, Sebastian Strifler, Jaxon Torrence.
- 5th Grade: Porter Baird, Oliver Durham, Scarlett Hamann, Cloee Mitchell.
- 6th Grade: Ethan Fulton.
- 7th Grade: Payton Rich.
- 8th Grade: Ezekial Barrientoz, Olivia Brooks, Adrienne Durham, Rubye Gentry, Layla Hortman, Abbie Kemp, Easton Kemp, Samuel Lavender, Maria Miranda Lopez, Gabriel Perkins Gentry, Greydis Vargas-Ramirez, Kodalee Wright.
Principal’s List:
- 3rd Grade: Max Carillo, Russell Hodges, Natalie Huffaker, Jolie Whited, Kennedy Herron.
- 4th Grade: Jaxon Dickens, Sophie Hale, Jonah Mauldin, Autumn Sinclair, Miles Swift.
- 5th Grade: Ryker Medlin.
- 6th Grade: Lilah Smith, Nicholas Wisniewski.
- 7th Grade: Alayna Barrett, Elizabeth Wright, Hayden Jenkins.
Congratulations to all the students for their academic performance!
Defeated Elementary School Celebrates Academic Excellence for Second Nine Weeks
Defeated Elementary School is thrilled to recognize the outstanding academic achievements of its students at the conclusion of the second nine weeks grading period. The school announced its Principal’s List and Honor Roll, celebrating students who have shown exceptional dedication to their studies.
To qualify for the Principal’s List, students must achieve all A’s across their subjects. The Honor Roll recognizes students who have maintained an average of 89.5 or above in all subjects.
Principal’s List:
- 3rd Grade: Lawson Dillehay, Winnie Jo Hendry, Landon Mason, Anna Claire Robinson, Sadie Steakley, Katherine Swann, Whitley Troxell.
- 4th Grade: Hudson Brawner, Caroline Dillard, Luka Lish, Ainsley Washer.
- 5th Grade: Scarlett Carlton, Harper Hesson, McCall Kemp, Hannah Massey, Carson Nixon, Kenneth Robinson, Livy Robinson, AJ Stewart, Dayne Swann.
- 6th Grade: Clarissa Comstock, Katelyn Kooken, Chloe Mason, Sofia Miller, Preston Oliver, Emma Overstreet, Charlee Powell, Mileigh Silcox, Caylee West, Everett West, Rob West.
- 7th Grade: Lily Brawner, Serenity Brown, Jack Hesson, Greyson Swann, Jacob Testa.
- 8th Grade: Brody Chilton, Maci Cook, Alyssa Crockett, Knox Jones, Callie Kemp, Eli McCormick, Peyton Oliver, Mattie West.
Honor Roll:
- 3rd Grade: Tinley Butler, Gabe Elliot.
- 4th Grade: Kaelyn Tucker.
- 5th Grade: Makenzie Barnes, Sawyer Dillard, Carson Preston, Will Sleeper, Paxton West.
- 6th Grade: Kyle Albritton, Kylee Allmon, Katie Belle Butler, Kiya Ford, Tanner Pryor.
- 7th Grade: Xander Dickerson, Patrick Hughes.
- 8th Grade: Bryant Dias, DJ Hainsworth, Mia Phillips Gregory, Carly Ward, Chloe Ward, Natalie Willhite.
Congratulations to all the students on their outstanding performance!
Gov. Lee Delivers 2025 State of the State Address
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee delivered his seventh State of the State address and presented budget and legislative priorities for the upcoming year to a joint session of the General Assembly and fellow Tennesseans.
Key highlights are noted below, and the full speech as prepared for delivery can be found here. A Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget overview can be found here.
Our state’s legacy of responsible fiscal stewardship places Tennessee in a strong budgetary position and allows for investments to secure continued success. Lee’s proposed $59.5 billion budget includes strategic funding to ensure economic and educational opportunity, strengthen families, preserve our natural resources, and more.
Notable highlights from Gov. Lee’s FY25-26 agenda include:
Economic Opportunity + Tax Relief
- $35.6 million investment in Tennessee’s Rainy Day Fund, bringing Tennessee reserves to nearly $2.2 billion, the largest in state history
- $7 million to expand the Tennessee Youth Employment Program to operate year-round, double its participation, and reach even more underserved communities
- $45.8 million for Rural Development Grant Fund to enhance Tennessee’s rural and distressed communities through site development, community asset improvements, strategic planning and downtown revitalization
- $25 million for FastTrack grants to recruit new business to Tennessee and support workforce development
- $6.3 million to create a statewide Micro-Credentialing Program to develop short-term, targeted certifications that equip Tennesseans with high-demand skills identified by industry and state partners
- $25 million to expand the RevV Program to connect private companies with Tennessee’s research institutions to drive research and development and job creation
- $5 million to create TN Accelerates, a partnership between Tennessee Economic and Community Development and the Department of Labor and Workforce to create customized workforce training programs tailored to the specific needs of incoming and existing businesses
- $5 million for the Tennessee Entertainment Commission to fund incentive grants to strengthen Tennessee’s music and film industry
- $10 million for the Rural Grant Opportunity Fund to match funding for at-risk and distressed counties seeking state and federal grants
- $10 million for the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Funds to match federal funds assisting Tennessee startups in securing competitive research and development grants
Housing + Infrastructure
- $1 billion to the Tennessee Department of Transportation to address the state’s infrastructure needs, including expediting existing road projects and funding new projects across rural and urban Tennessee
- $60 million to create the Starter Home Revolving Loan Fund to support construction of new, affordable starter homes for hardworking Tennesseans, prioritizing rural communities
- $30 million to fund the Rural and Workforce Housing Tax Credit, making it easier to build homes and businesses
Disaster Relief
During the special legislative session in January 2025, Gov. Lee and the General Assembly appropriated more than $450 million in direct disaster relief as part of a comprehensive plan to support ongoing recovery efforts and allow for proactive preparation for future emergencies. Gov. Lee’s proposed FY25-26 budget includes the following additional investments:
- $4 million to implement and maintain a Mesonet system, which will monitor weather-related and flooding threats in the state
- $3 million to upgrade TEMA’s regional response vehicles
Education
Public Education Investments
- $198.4 million for teacher bonuses in recognition of their hard work and dedication and for leading the nation in student achievement and growth
- $244 million to strengthen education through the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) formula growth, including teacher pay raises
- $62.7 million for K-12 infrastructure and facilities funding
- $27.3 million for summer learning programs to support students between school years
- $25 million further investment in the Fast Growth Fund, to support fast-growing districts
- $17 million for Grade A School Grants
- $10 million to provide paid parental leave for Local Educational Agency employees
Expanding Choices for Tennessee Parents
- $145.9 million for Education Freedom Scholarships, to empower parents with the freedom to pick the right school for their child and have a say in where their tax dollars are spent – regardless of income or zip code
Higher Education
- $12 million to create the TennesseeWORKS Scholarship, a new award that will cover every penny of Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT) tuition and fees for all students while relieving the extra cost burden of tools and equipment for those most in-need
- $52.8 million to fully fund the outcomes-based funding formula, which may be used for program improvements that assist higher education institutions in meeting outcomes including student progression, degree production, research and service, efficiency metrics, and other measures related to institutional mission
- $2.27 million to develop Tennessee Board of Regents’ Center for Workforce Development to expand workforce training for businesses and industries, including specialized onboarding and apprenticeship programs, in partnership with TN Accelerates
- $2 million to create a common application system for Tennessee’s community colleges, streamline student transfer, and implement a statewide customer relationship management system to enhance student outreach and support
Strong + Healthy Families
- $95.5 million utilizing Shared Savings to enhance long term care services and supports for older adults and people living with disabilities
- $41 million to support the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) with placement of children within the provider network
- $7.2 million to expand the WAGE$ Program and reduce turnover in Tennessee’s childcare workforce by increasing pay and rewarding greater education
- $5.9 million to cover childcare for more working families through an expansion of the Smart Steps Child Care Program and ease the benefits cliff
- $24 million to continue a Department of Health pilot program to address unmet dental service needs and increase the number of dentists in Tennessee
- $11.8 million to reduce waitlists in the OPTIONS and Senior Nutrition programs
- $10.9 million to expand programming at the Boys & Girls Club of Tennessee
- $5 million to increase bed capacity at the Middle Tennessee Regional Mental Health Institute
- $3 million for a partnership between Department of Children’s Services (DCS) and Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) to provide additional support services for children in DCS care with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Safe Neighborhoods
During the special legislative session in January 2025, Gov. Lee and the General Assembly passed a robust legislative agendaand appropriated $5 million to prepare Tennessee to assist in implementation of the Trump Administration’s illegal immigration policies. Gov. Lee’s proposed FY25-26 budget includes the following additional public safety investments:
- $130 million further investment in the Violent Crime Intervention Fund to support local law enforcement and local jurisdictions through grants to fund evidence-based strategies to improve public safety
- $75 million to establish Downtown Public Safety grants to increase public safety in downtown areas with businesses and commercial activity
- $38 million in funding for an additional 117 State Troopers and related support staff to improve public safety across the state
- $5 million to further expand the Statewide School Resource Officer (SRO) Program Grant, which places SROs in each K-12 public school and public charter school in Tennessee
- $3.7 million in funding for an additional 22 TBI positions to support victim services, intelligence analysis, aviation, security, Medicaid fraud enforcement, and administration
- $1.3 million in additional funding for Houses of Worship Security Grants
- $1 million to expand the school-based behavioral health liaison program, giving students across Tennessee schools important resources and mental health support
Conservation
- $100 million to execute a comprehensive regional water resource plan to ensure long-term water needs are met while protecting the ecological health of the Duck River
- $52 million to create five new Tennessee State Parks, with the goal of funding a total of eight new state parks by the time Gov. Lee leaves office, setting the Tennessee record for the most state parks created by one administration
- $6.2 million to address maintenance needs at Tennessee State Parks, preventing a backlog of deferred maintenance
- $40 million for environmental cleanup, including creation of a comprehensive water resource management plan in the Duck River region, state water revolving fund projects and electric grid enhancement
- $30 million to aid Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s capital outlay and maintenance needs
Agriculture
- $25 million to create a Farmland Conservation Fund
- $20 million in additional funding for the Agricultural Enterprise Fund and Agricultural Enhancement Fund, both of which are utilized to aid Tennesseans in creating and expanding agricultural, food and forestry businesses and make long-term strategic investments in rural communities
Energy
- $50 million to create the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Grant Fund to support Tennessee Valley Authority’s Clinch River Nuclear SMR project to position Tennessee as a leader in next-generation nuclear energy
- $10 million further investment in the Nuclear Energy Fund to attract advanced nuclear technology companies
- $2.6 million to develop the nation’s first regulatory framework for commercial nuclear fusion power
- $10 million further investment in Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) to support nuclear workforce education, as recommended by the Nuclear Energy Advisory Council
- $20 million for the Federal Grant Matching Fund, to support proposals from Tennessee universities and businesses applying for research funding from federal agencies like the National Science Foundation and Department of Energy
Pleasant Shade man arrested, charged in TBI child sexual abuse material investigation
TBI PRESS RELEASE: SMITH COUNTY – Special agents assigned to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Cybercrime & Digital Evidence Unit have charged a Smith County man in an ongoing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) investigation.
Agents began the investigation in December 2024 after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about an individual who uploaded multiple files of child sexual abuse material to a Dropbox account. Agents subsequently identified the individual as Nathan Tyler Goolsby (DOB 2/28/1995).
On February 10th, TBI agents secured a warrant, charging the Pleasant Shade man with one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. Authorities with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office located Goolsby in Smith County and booked him into the Smith County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is an ICAC affiliate of the Tennessee ICAC Task Force. Anyone with information about these cases or other cases of online child exploitation should contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Tipline at 1-800-TBI-FIND, TipsToTBI@tbi.tn.gov, or report via the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline at CyberTipline.org.
Parents seeking additional information about cybercrime, child exploitation, and how best to safeguard their loved ones can visit www.NetSmartz.org for a variety of topical, age-appropriate resources.
The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.
Smith County Baseball First Pitch Dinner and Auction Set for February 22
Smith County Baseball has announced that tickets are now available for the 2025 First Pitch Dinner and Live Auction. The event will take place on Saturday, February 22nd at Catesa Farms in Riddleton, with dinner starting at 6:00 p.m.
Each $50 ticket includes two meals and entry into a raffle for a $5,000 grand prize. Attendees will also have opportunities to win door prizes and participate in a live auction featuring gifts and services donated by local businesses. Those unable to attend are still eligible to win the $5,000 raffle prize.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the baseball program, with recent funding providing upgrades such as a player development building, renovated locker room, new press box, and coaches’ office.
For tickets, contact any Smith County baseball player or parent.
Carthage Junction Depot features Pet Portraits
This Saturday, February 15 the Carthage Junction Depot will display artwork honoring the animals we call family in a Pet Portrait exhibit featuring work submitted by local artists. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Some of the exhibited work may be available for purchase. Gallery, gift shop, and train museum will be open from 10-4pm.
Donations to the Smith County Humane Association are greatly appreciated! The Carthage Junction Depot is located at 185 Gordonsville Highway, Brush Creek.
Other upcoming events at the Depot gallery include:
March 15: Youth Art Month Exhibit
April 26: Susan DeMay Ceramics
Amateur Radio Club will meet on February 17th
The Smith County Amateur Radio Club will meet at 6 PM on Monday February 17 at the Smith County Chamber of Commerce. The topic will be Basic Soldering. Anyone is invited to attend. See the website www.smithcountyamateurradio.com for further information or contact Larry Puhl, 224 489 4330.
Frequency: Receive: 444.50, Transmit 449.500 Positive Offset 5.0 MHz, PL 107.2 ARES NET begins Mondays, at 7 PM
Smith County TN Amateur Radio Club on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083453074179 WEBSITE: https:// smithcountyamateurradio.com
Smith County FCE to Host Annual Chocolate Extravaganza on Valentine’s Day
Smith County residents with a sweet tooth are in for a treat this Valentine’s Day! The Smith County Family and Community Education (FCE) organization is gearing up for its annual Chocolate Extravaganza on February 14, 2025, at the Smith County Chamber of Commerce from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until sold out.
This much-anticipated event will feature handmade chocolate goodies, available in pre-packaged dozen containers for just $5. Each box will include a delightful assortment of candies and cakes, though buyers should be mindful that some treats may contain common allergens such as tree nuts and peanuts.
FCE members will be on-site to assist with purchases, ensuring a smooth and festive experience for all attendees. As always, the event is about more than just indulging in delicious sweets—proceeds will benefit the Smith County Heritage Museum and various FCE projects that support the local community.
Chocolate lovers are encouraged to arrive early, as supplies are expected to sell out quickly. For more information, residents can call 615-735-2900 with any questions.
Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate Valentine’s Day with homemade treats while supporting a great cause!
