The Smith County Board of Education met at 5:00 p.m. on October 15, 2024

You can watch the full meeting here – https://youtu.be/2ktRMqYijfo?si=tCeOEFkRbX0kj1xx

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/.

Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) Nobody Trashes Tennessee announces its fourth annual No Trash November, a month-long statewide initiative encouraging Tennesseans to participate in cleanup events in their communities. Last year’s campaign included more than 150 events with over 2,200 volunteers who collected more than 86,000 pounds of litter from the state’s roadways.

“Litter on our public roads, including our state’s scenic byways and waterways, have detrimental impacts on safety, the environment and the economy, while also detracting from Tennessee’s natural beauty,” said Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “We want to keep our residents and travelers safe from the harmful effects of litter, especially with increased travel during the holiday season. No Trash November offers an entire month for the Volunteer State to come together and make a real impact.”

In partnership with Keep Tennessee Beautiful (KTnB), Adopt-A-Highway participants, and youth groups including Girls Scouts and Boy Scouts, the initiative encourages residents to join existing public events or host their own community cleanup in November. Groups that collect the most litter will be recognized in four categories: Keep Tennessee Beautiful Affiliate, Adopt-A-Highway Group, Youth Group, and River Group. Participating scouting groups will also earn a Nobody Trashes Tennessee patch.

“We are grateful for our many partners with a passion for keeping their local communities clean, safe and beautiful,” said Brittany Morris, transportation program supervisor, TDOT. “They are once again taking action during No Trash November to help us in our mission to prevent and reduce litter.”

New this year, and to encourage individuals to get involved in No Trash November, is the Trash Masters Rewards program. Participants earn points for various activities like taking a litter quiz, attending cleanup events, and spreading awareness. Participants can earn double points for all activities throughout the month of November, making it the perfect time to join. Points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including discounts at local businesses and exclusive NTT swag. It’s a fun and engaging way for individuals to contribute to a litter-free Tennessee while being recognized for their commitment to the environment.

To find a local cleanup event and to register your group to participate in No Trash November, visit nobodytrashestennessee.com/events. Campaign tools and resources including a cleanup location map and a trash tracker measuring pounds collected are also available online.

All residents are encouraged to show their support for a litter-free Tennessee by using the #NobodyTrashesTennessee and #NoTrashNovember hashtags in social media and to highlight their litter prevention actions throughout the month. For additional ways to participate in No Trash November, visit: Be Part of the Solution: 5 Ways to Get Involved This No Trash November.

On September 17th, At approximately 3:42 p.m., K-9 Deputy Brady Dodson and South Carthage Police Officer Piatt accompanied DCS investigators to 504 S. Main St. to assist in the visit. Upon arrival, DCS informed the officers that they had received a referral indicating potential drug activity at the residence.

While inside the home, Deputy Dodson requested consent to search the premises, granted by the occupant, Ms. Apple. During the search, officers discovered a black zippered pouch on Ms. Apple’s bedroom bed. Officer Piatt was asked to open the pouch, revealing a latex glove that contained a bag of crystal methamphetamine. A field test confirmed the substance as methamphetamine, with a total weight of approximately 10 grams.

Ms. Apple was immediately arrested and transported to the Smith County Jail for booking. The discovery raised additional concerns as two children were present in the home, and the methamphetamine was found in an area accessible to them.

The Department of Children’s Services (DCS) quickly arranged for the safe placement of the children and is conducting a further investigation into their well-being and the circumstances surrounding the drug discovery.

The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence.. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of the law.

If you are like me, you love the holiday season – time with family and friends, holiday shopping, seasonal decorations, and eating. The holiday season provides an abundance of opportunities for overindulgence.

Research suggests the average American gains at least one pound over the holiday season. Unfortunately, researchers at the National Institutes of Health report most people never lose that extra pound of weight, so it accumulates year after year. Later in life, the extra weight may be a major contributor to obesity and the diseases associated with it.

Join me and UT Extension as we embark on a healthy holiday journey, the Maintain, Don’t Gain Healthy Holiday Challenge. This is a free program that lasts seven weeks. It begins November 24, 2024 and ends January 11th, 2025. The challenge offers tips about how you can prevent weight gain and stay fit during the busy holiday season. Each week during the seven-week challenge, you will receive one email message that will help you to survive and thrive in spite of all the temptations to overeat and be inactive. At the end of the seven-weeks, you will be asked to complete a short survey. You don’t reveal your weight, just whether you maintained – gained or lost.

The holiday season is a minefield of overeating opportunities. Add the hectic festivities to your calendar, and exercise takes a backseat. Don’t let this combination allow you to gain weight. This challenge is for anyone wanting encouragement and accountability through the season….but still enjoy the food and fellowship.

Participants also get free opportunities at local fitness families during the challenge just for signing up. Smith County Fitness Center is a local sponsor. The free opportunities conclude at the end of the program.

Register for the Maintain, Don’t Gain Healthy Holiday Challenge now at https://Tiny.utk.edu/MDG24.

For more information on free fitness opportunities associated with the Maintain, Don’t Gain Healthy Holiday Challenge, contact Mary Draper, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agent for UT Extension in Smith County. Mary may be reached at mparke33@utk.edu or 615-735-2900.

Little Cheddar Meat Loaves

1 egg

¾ cup milk

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

½ cup oats

½ cup chopped onions

1 teaspoon salt

1 lb ground beef

Topping:

2/3 cup ketchup

½ cup packed brown sugar

½ teaspoon prepared mustard

In bowl, beat the egg and milk. Stir in cheese, oats, onion, and salt. Add beef and mix well. Shape into 8 small loaves. Place in a greased 9 x 13 pan/baking dish.

Topping:

Combine ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Mix well and spoon over loaves. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until done.

Submitted by: Deborah Roberts, Carthage FCE Club

In a recent Facebook post, Smith County Mayor Jeff Mason announced that funding has been secured to restore the Historic Smith County Courthouse.

Governor Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter revealed that the state will allocate $101.6 million in funding as part of the second round of broadband and digital opportunity grants.

Smith County will receive $1.8 million of this funding for the renovation and restoration of the Historic Courthouse, with a local match of $200,000. The Smith County Commission has agreed to contribute up to $1 million in local funds if necessary to complete the project.

The Mayor expressed gratitude to the County Commission for their support in pursuing this grant, as well as to Marcie Ackerman and the Upper Cumberland Development District for their assistance in writing it. Additional thanks were extended to Representative Michael Hale and Senator Paul Bailey for their letters of support, and to DTC CEO Chris Townson and his team for their ongoing help.

The grant will cover the replacement of windows with energy-efficient models and the HVAC units. The first floor will be remodeled for office space and a free Wi-Fi room for citizens, including a designated area for health screenings and telehealth visits. The second floor will be revamped for County Commission meetings and local business training sessions. Free Wi-Fi will be accessible on and around the courthouse grounds.

The Mayor is excited to begin this project, with a deadline set for October 2026!

On September 18th, Sgt. Robbie Woodard of the Smith County Sheriff’s Department observed a white Nissan Pathfinder at the gas pumps with a license plate that appeared altered and unregistered. Sgt. Woodard noted that a white male had exited the vehicle and entered the store, where he began watching the officer’s patrol unit through the windows.

Suspicious of the situation, Sgt. Woodard passed by the vehicle and confirmed that the plate looked tampered with. After several minutes, the man, later identified as Collin C. Jackson, exited the store and returned to the Pathfinder, opening the door. At that moment, Sgt. Woodard activated his patrol vehicle’s blue lights, indicating that he intended to detain Jackson for questioning. However, Jackson attempted to walk back into the store, prompting Sgt. Woodard called him back to the vehicle.

Upon making contact with Jackson, Sgt. Woodard explained the reason for the stop and placed him under arrest for the altered license plate. A subsequent search of Jackson’s person revealed a cigarette pack containing a significant quantity of brown powder, which Jackson identified as heroin. Two smaller baggies containing Xanax bars and a cut straw commonly used for snorting narcotics were also discovered during the search.

The field weight of the heroin was approximately 14 grams, and Jackson was found to be in possession of 10.5 Xanax bars. Additionally, it was revealed that Jackson had an active warrant for his arrest out of Dekalb County.

The altered license plate was seized as evidence, and Jackson was transported to the Smith County Jail for processing. 

The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of the law.

The incident took place around noon on September 17th, when a Smith County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a white Kia Soul near the 258 exit after noticing the driver, later identified as Nicholas Szpilman, was not wearing his seatbelt. The vehicle continued for a short distance before pulling into an Exxon gas station, where the deputy approached Szpilman.

During questioning, Szpilman admitted to not wearing his seatbelt and acknowledged the reason for the stop. He mentioned that the car was a rental in a friend’s name. However, the officer observed Szpilman showing signs of nervousness throughout the interaction.

After Szpilman consented to a search of the vehicle, the officer discovered approximately 2 grams of methamphetamine in Szpilman’s wallet, along with a pink snorter for ingesting the drug. Additionally, a revolver was found in the center console, which Szpilman had previously disclosed.

Szpilman also admitted to using meth before leaving Texas, which raised concerns since his 19-month-old son was present in the vehicle at the time of the stop.

Szpilman was taken into custody and transported to the Smith County Jail for processing. His son was placed in the custody of the Department of Children’s Services (DCS). Later that day, DCS caseworkers became worried about the child’s behavior and took him to the emergency room for evaluation.

The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of the law.

Over the past decade, Santa’s Shoppers in Smith County has positively impacted over a thousand children. Each year, the program raises thousands of dollars thanks to the generous support of the community, local individuals, and businesses.

Law enforcement agencies including the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Gordonsville Police Department, South Carthage Police Department, Carthage Police Department, TWRA, Smith County Sheriff’s Office, and several others actively participate in this initiative. They are thrilled to bring the program back this holiday season.

If you’d like to support Santa’s Shoppers, donations can be made at the Smith County Justice Center, located at 322 Justice Drive in Carthage.

On September 16th, a routine traffic stop on Interstate 40 eastbound near mile marker 260 resulted in a significant drug and cash seizure early Friday morning, leading to the arrest of Moad Naaman Saleh Aljuhaim.

The incident began when Sgt. Junior Fields of the Smith County Sheriff’s Department received a dispatch report regarding a reckless driver traveling eastbound on I-40. The vehicle, described as a gray Ford F250 with a camper topper, was located near mile marker 260. Sgt. Fields observed the truck swerving between lanes before crossing into an adjacent lane, prompting a traffic stop.

Upon approaching the vehicle and interacting with the driver, identified as Aljuhaim, Sgt. Fields noted the driver’s delayed response to requests for his license, registration, and proof of insurance. Officers Candice Robertson and Kyle Reynolds of the Gordonsville Police Department arrived to assist.

During the exchange, Sgt. Fields asked Aljuhaim to step out of the vehicle and noticed that he had something in his mouth, which was later identified as khat, a stimulant-containing plant commonly used as a recreational drug. Aljuhaim initially claimed the substance in his mouth was Arabic food. A vehicle search uncovered approximately 3.7 ounces of khat, confirming the suspicion.

Further investigation of the vehicle revealed $50,000 in U.S. currency. The money, divided into $10,000 stacks and bound with rubber bands, was consistent with proceeds from illegal drug sales, according to authorities. Officers also discovered messages on Aljuhaim’s phone, with photos of large bags of khat and communications suggesting his involvement in drug transportation. Aljuhaim initially allowed officers to review some of his messages but later refused further access to his phone, which was seized pending a search warrant.

In addition to the drugs and cash, officers noted unusual conditions inside the camper topper, which featured darkened windows, a light source, and wet blankets, including children’s blankets. Officers also reported finding handprints on the inside of the windows, though no further explanation was given at the time.

Aljuhaim was taken into custody and transported to the Smith County Jail for processing. The seized cash and drugs were placed into evidence, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is analyzing the substances. The $50,000 in cash was seized under Tennessee’s asset forfeiture laws.

The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of the law.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is accepting public comments on regulations governing license and permit fees, boating certificates, migratory bird hunting, refuges, wildlife management areas, and public hunting areas. Written comments will be accepted through the Public Comment Opportunity section of the Agency’s website (tnwildlife.org) through Nov. 30, 2024.

The rules are posted for viewing on the Public Notice section of the website. Members of the public may respond to the form fields however they choose, as no fields are mandatory. The form includes a generic comment area (by selecting “other”) so participants may include topics of comment that may not have been addressed in the structured area of the form.

The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission will conduct a Rulemaking Hearing on Dec. 6, 2024, at its regularly scheduled meeting. The December meeting will be held at the Ducks Unlimited headquarters in Memphis.

Highpoint Health Review with Ascension Saith Thomas will host “Scare Away Breast Cancer” event on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 158 Hospital Drive, Carthage, TN. At this event you can get your annual screening mammogram. There is not appointment necessary. The walk-in event is scheduled from 3-6 p.m.

This month only, take advantage of the $99 self-pay special. Insurance is also accepted. Participants can also enjoy light refreshments and enter to win a gift card.

Farm Credit Mid-America is now accepting applications for its Customer Scholarships and Farm Credit Mid-America Scholars Program. Over the past decade, Farm Credit Mid-America has awarded more than $2 million in financial and educational support to deserving students pursuing careers that promote agriculture and rural communities.

Customer Scholarships are available to the children or grandchildren of Farm Credit Mid-America customers pursuing careers related to agriculture or rural communities. Applicants can attend an accredited two- or four-year college, university, vocational school or trade school.

“We want to encourage young people to pursue these careers and support them in their journey because we recognize they will be the future of our industry,” said Randy Barbee, community investment manager at Farm Credit Mid-America. “Through direct financial support, we are working to secure the future of agriculture and rural communities.”

The Farm Credit Mid-America Scholars program is available to rising college sophomores and juniors pursuing careers in agriculture. Each year more than 25 students receive $5,000 in financial support over two academic years. In addition to financial aid, recipients also participate in onsite learning and travel experiences aimed at developing leadership skills and enhancing financial literacy.  

“The financial support provided through the scholarship is extremely helpful, but on top of that, you get to meet great people in the field,” said Victoria Holliday, a recent Farm Credit Mid-America Scholar. “It’s nice to be surrounded by others who have similar goals to you and bounce ideas off of each other.”

Students who meet the eligibility requirements for a Farm Credit Mid-America scholarship are encouraged to apply before the December 15, 2024, deadline. Customer Scholarship applicants are encouraged to apply before the January 15, 2025 deadline. Recipients for both programs will be announced in 2025. 

“It’s important to support college students who are interested in agriculture because we’re the future of the industry,” said Daniel Lester, a recent Farm Credit Mid-America Scholar. “If I could talk to other students, I would tell them to apply for the program in a heartbeat. It opens many doors to new friends, experiences and opportunities.”

To learn more about Farm Credit Mid-America’s scholarship programs or to submit an application, please visit www.fcma.com/scholarships. 

Farm Credit Mid-America is a proud member of the Farm Credit System, Farm Credit Mid-America exists to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture as a leading provider of reliable, consistent credit and financial services to farmers, producers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee. The customer-owned cooperative serves more than 140,000 customers and manages a portfolio of $39.5 billion in total earning assets owned and managed. Farm Credit Mid-America’s products and services include loans for real estate, operating, equipment, rural living, crop insurance and vehicle, equipment and building leases. For more information, visit www.fcma.com.