Smith County Headstart Open House October 16th
Smith County Headstart will host an open house on Wednesday, October 16th 1-3 p.m. at their facilities at 201 Joy Alford Way, Carthage.
This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about our Headstart program, which is dedicated to providing quality early childhood education. You’ll have the chance to meet our dedicated staff, ask questions, and discover how our programs can benefit your child’s development.Get Information about the headstart program, meet the staff and enjoy some fun activities.
For more information contact 615-735-1868.
Pleasant Shade Community Center Fish Fry October 5th 2024
The Pleasant Shade Community Center, located at 743 Pleasant Shade Hwy, on October 14th from 4 PM to 7 PM will host their annual Fish Fry. Enjoy a delicious meal featuring your choice of crispy fish or tender chicken, paired with golden hushpuppies and two tasty sides. All this, plus a refreshing drink and a sweet dessert, can be yours for just $15.
Children aged 8 and under can enjoy a special child’s plate for only $8, which includes two pieces of fish, hushpuppies, crispy French fries, and a drink.
Gather your friends and family for an evening filled with great food, community, and fun.
National Hunting and Fishing Day September 28th 2024
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will be celebrating 2024 National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) on Saturday, Sept. 28. This special day recognizes generations of sportsmen and women for their contributions to the rich tradition of wildlife conservation funded by hunting, fishing, and boating license sales.
One of the main goals of National Hunting and Fishing Day is to recruit new hunters and anglers by encouraging participation and increasing public awareness of the connection between hunting, angling, and conservation.
“We encourage people of all ages to go outdoors and experience the mental and physical benefits of outdoor recreation,” says TWRA Executive Director Jason Maxedon. “TWRA offers events throughout the year to teach people the skill they need to enjoy hunting and fishing, and we are grateful for license buyers who support wildlife conservation through their purchases.”
Wildlife and fisheries conservation in Tennessee is primarily funded by the sales of hunting and fishing licenses, boating registrations, and a portion of the Real Estate Transfer Tax. In addition to license sales, TWRA also receives federal grant funding from excise taxes on the sale and manufacturing of certain outdoor recreation gear, firearms, ammunition, and fishing equipment.
National Hunting and Fishing Day was established by the U.S. Congress in 1972 to recognize hunters and anglers for their financial contributions to wildlife conservation. The event is celebrated in all 50 states annually on the fourth Saturday in September.
September 28 is also the launch of the statewide fall archery season for deer and the fall archery season for turkey in select counties. Check the 2024-25 Tennessee Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping Guide for specific season regulations and visit TNWildlife.org for more information on events and opportunities to get involved.
William Walton Harvest Queen Pageant 2024 Applications Still Available
Mark your calendars for the highly anticipated 2024 William Walton Harvest Queen Pageant, taking place at the William Walton Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 28th, at 4 p.m. This exciting event showcases the poise of young contestants from our community.
Age Categories: The pageant features six age groups for girls aged 1 to 18:
- Tiny Miss: 1-3 years
- Little Miss: 4-6 years
- Petite: 7-9 years
- Junior: 10-12 years
- Teen: 13-15 years
- Miss Harvest Queen: 16-18 years
Each contestant must be the actual age for their respective category.
Entry Details: To participate, there is an entry fee of $25. Contestants can also opt for additional elective categories including Most Photogenic: $10, Best Dress: $5, Best Smile: $5 .
People’s Choice Awards: In addition to the main categories, we will award a People’s Choice award for each age group. Supporters can cast their votes for just $1 during the pageant, making this a fun and engaging way to cheer on your favorites!
How to Enter: Contestant applications are available for pickup at:
- Smith County Chamber of Commerce
- Smith County Register of Deeds Office (Turner Building)
The preferred deadline for applications is Thursday, September 26th. However we will take applications on Saturday, September 28th by 3 p.m. the day of the event. All contestants must be checked-in, receive their number and be ready to walk the stage by 3:30 p.m. Contestants are encouraged to come pageant ready. The space to change in the courthouse is limited and not air-conditioned.
For any questions or further information, please feel free to reach out to the Smith County Chamber of Commerce at 615-735-2093 or contact Jerri Lin Vaden-Malone at 615-489-5570. You can also email at jvaden@titlesearcher.com.
William Walton Harvest Festival will host loads of fun on Saturday, September 28th, 2024
Join us for the William Walton Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 28th, 2024! This event promises a day filled with fun and festivities for the entire family.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy live music on the stage at the Historic Smith County Courthouse, showcasing a variety of talented performers that will keep you entertained throughout the day.The courthouse lawn will be alive with energy, featuring engaging demonstrations, fun games, and inflatable bounce houses for the kids to enjoy. Main Street and 3rd Avenue will be bustling with vendors and food trucks offering a selection of delicious treats and unique crafts.
Looking for a little friendly competition, don’t miss the exciting contests scheduled throughout the day! Join the cotton candy eating contest at 11 a.m. and see how much you can devour in a fun-filled race. Then, at noon, take part in the pie eating contest to showcase your skills and satisfy your sweet tooth! Additionally, come dressed in your best pioneer-era attire for a chance to win cash prize.
Additionally, young ladies aged 0-18 are invited to shine in the annual Harvest Queen Pageant, taking place at 4 p.m. It’s a wonderful opportunity for participants to showcase their smiles and talent in front of a supportive community.
Throughout the day, don’t miss the chance to participate in the DTC Minute Man Call, where cash prizes will be given away! If you register to win and can make it to the courthouse stage within one minute of the call, you could walk away with some extra cash in your pocket!
Whether you’re in the mood for some music, tasty snacks or looking for that perfect handmade gift, you’ll find it at the William Walton Harvest Festival! Mark your calendar and come join us for a fun-filled day Saturday, September 28th 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
4-H News – 4-H’ers “Branch Out” at Central Region Forestry Judging Contest
Middle Row (L to R): Charlotte Driver, Tana Harville, Josie Harville, Jay Driver, Avery Yerge, Emmy Bibbings
Front Row (L to R): Kynlee Davis, McCall Kemp, Amelia Hodges, Titus Chartier, Luke Chartier
by Rachel Petty, UT Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
Why do trees hate tests? Because they get stumped by the questions! Unlike the trees in that silly joke, the twelve Smith County 4-H’ers who competed in the Central Region 4-H Forestry Judging Contest were certainly not stumped as they took the opportunity to test their natural resource knowledge at Cedars of Lebanon State Park on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
Over the past month, these 4-H’ers have been hard at work preparing for the 4-H Forestry Judging contest. They have learned all about 60 different species of trees and how to identify them, studied up on common insects and diseases that affect our forests, learned how to measure trees using a Biltmore stick, and found out how to use a compass and measure distance with their pace. Spelling and capitalization count at this contest, so they also mastered tricky words like “anthracnose” and “adelgid”!
Our Smith County 4-H Forestry Judging program has recently been in the spotlight for competing in the National 4-H Forestry Judging Invitational in West Virginia this summer. Members of our 3rd place winning team, Easton Bibbings, Emmy Bibbings, Gabe Harville, and Owen Meeks, along with team coach Carson Meeks, came back to pass along their knowledge to our younger 4-H’ers this season.
That good coaching and these 4-H’ers’ hard work and dedication certainly paid off!
Our Junior Team, made up of Titus Chartier, Josie Harville, Amelia Hodges, and McCall Kemp, placed 1st in their division. Josie was the overall 1st Place High Individual in the Junior Division. McCall placed 5th, Amelia placed 4th, and Titus placed 3rd individually.
Our Junior High Team, made up of Charlotte Driver, Jay Driver, Tana Harville, and Avery Yerge, was also 1st place overall in their division. Tana was the overall 1st Place High Individual in the Junior High Division. Charlotte placed 11th, Jay placed 7th, and Avery placed 2nd individually. Luke Chartier also competed as a Junior High individual and placed 5th overall.
Our Senior High Team, made up of Kynlee Davis, Turner Harville, and John Summers, placed 2nd in their division and earned a bid to the state 4-H Forestry Judging Contest at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge in October. John placed 4th and Turner placed 2nd individually.
National competitors Easton, Emmy, and Owen also volunteered their time to help out with the regional contest. Smith County was well-represented as always!
I know that tree-mendous things are ahead for these bright young 4-H’ers and the 4-H Forestry Judging program in Smith County.
If you would like to learn more about the 4-H Forestry Judging program or any of the many exciting opportunities that 4-H can offer our local youth, please contact Rachel Petty in the Smith County office of the University of Tennessee Extension at 615-735-2900 or rpetty@utk.edu.
Riverview Regional Medical Center hosts benefit luncheon October 1st
Riverview Regional Medical Center will host an Italian Day Luncheon benefit for the Emmanuel House on Tueseday, October 1st. Pre-orders for delivery to Carthage and Gordonsville businesses are due by Tuesday, September 24th.
The meal includes Spaghetti with choice or meat or veggie sauce, side salad, garlic break and a cookie. Meals are $7. Pick-up meals will be available from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. you can pre-order via phone, email or fax as indicated on the flyer above.
1,800 tnAchieves Mentors Needed by November 15
With two months until the November 15, 2024, recruitment deadline, tnAchieves still needs 1,800 volunteer mentors to meet student demand.
This year, more than 60,000 high school seniors are expected to apply for the TN Promise Scholarship. tnAchieves mentors provide valuable encouragement, advice and accountability to help students navigate the college-going process. The Upper Cumberland region has several counties with outstanding mentor need – Smith County – 6 Mentors Still Needed
tnAchieves mentoring looks different in 2025, most notably because mentors will work only with students who have asked for a volunteer mentor. This change allows mentors to spend more time connecting with students who have raised their hands and expressed interest in mentor support.
Mentors serve smaller groups of 2-3 students so they can establish meaningful connections covering topics that include college going and career plans. In just one hour per month, mentors can make a difference for students who depend on mentor support to successfully navigate the path to a post-secondary credential.
“The November 15 registration deadline is fast approaching and the need for volunteer mentors remains significant,” said tnAchieves Vice President of External Partnerships Tyler Ford. “Meeting mentor demand ensures that every student who wants a mentor has access to a local support system. Each year we see that when the community offers encouragement and support for students, the path to post-secondary is within reach. Students thrive when their community invests in their success! Mentorship really does matter!”
tnAchieves provides resources, training and support to ensure each student and mentor has the information necessary to succeed. Those interested in registering can visit www.tnAchieves.org/mentors.
Mentors will meet their students in December, January or February at the student’s high school and can choose which county and high school they would like to serve.
tnAchieves is a privately funded scholarship and mentoring program that seeks to provide an opportunity for every Tennessee student to earn a post‐secondary degree. If you have questions about the tnAchieves mentoring program, please contact Tyler Ford at (309) 945-3446 or tyler@tnAchieves.org.
Annual Izzy Cruz-in and Scott Allmon Memorial Poker Run Weekend of October 5-6, 2024
The Justified Riding Club and Caney Fork CMT Abate are excited to host their 11th Annual Izzy Cruz-In Benefit and 10th Annual Scott Allmon Memorial Poker Run on Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Izzy Cruz-In Benefit
Join us on Saturday, October 5, for a family-friendly event at the Smith County Agricultural Center. Enjoy live music, cornhole, auctions, vendors, bounce houses, and more! Gates open at 10:00 a.m., and admission is free.
- Cornhole Tournament: Registration is $15 per person or $30 per team. A cash prize of $100 will be awarded to the 1st place team, with additional prizes for 2nd place.
- Car and Bike Show: Registration is $10 per vehicle. There will be 25 trophies and plaques awarded in various categories, generously provided by O’Reilly Auto Parts.
Scott Allmon Memorial Poker Run
On Sunday, registration begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Shell Station in Gordonsville, located at 482 Gordonsville Highway. The ride will kick off at 11:00 a.m. and conclude at the Smith County Justified Clubhouse.
We look forward to seeing you there!
2024 Smith County Museum Ornaments celebrate 225th Anniversary of Smith County
The Smith County Heritage Museum is getting ready for the Christmas season!
Each year, the museum releases a collectible Christmas ornament that highlights a notable scene or landmark from Smith County. This year’s limited edition ornament celebrates the 225th Anniversary of Smith County.
You can purchase these ornaments for $10 each at the museum or the Smith County Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to ornaments, the museum offers a variety of gift items, including mugs, ‘Play Smith County’ board games, T-shirts, hats, toboggans and more that a perfect for Christmas gifts! History enthusiasts can also buy Smith County history books for $125.
The Smith County Heritage Museum invites you to stop by, explore the exhibits, and enjoy some shopping. Proceeds from your purchases support the museum’s operational expenses, helping to keep it open for years to come.
The museum is located at 107 3rd Avenue East in Carthage, Tennessee, and is open Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For any questions, please call 615-735-1104.
GHS Baseball host Harlem Wizards for fundraising event October 8th
Gordonsville High School Baseball is excited to host a family fun event featuring the Harlem Wizards on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 7 p.m. in the GHS Gym. Known for their high-energy performances and entertaining basketball tricks, the Harlem Wizards promise an unforgettable evening of sports and comedy for fans of all ages.
Tickets for this event can be purchased from any GHS Baseball player or online at Harlem Wizards Tickets. Don’t miss out on this chance to enjoy a night of spectacular hoops and laughter while supporting the GHS Baseball team!
National Public Lands Service Day September 21st at Defeated Creek
National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the largest single-day volunteer event for public lands held across the United States each year on the fourth Saturday in September. Join the efforts at Defeated Creek Campground. The first 50 volunteers who regiser will receive a free commemorative T-shirt.
Last year, over 130 national parks hosted events with 7,600 volunteers donating an impressive 41,500 hours of service.
All national parks that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone on September 28, 2024 in celebration of National Public Lands Day.
Lace up your boots and celebrate the annual National Public Lands Day this Saturday by coming together and giving back to Cordell Hull Lake. Friends members plan to focus on the Periwinkle Trail volunteers hand built and opened March 2023. Volunteers will be tasked with lopping back the 2.5 mile trail and remarking with paint and signs. Lunch will be provided at Defeated Creek after the work day. RSVP encouraged, but not required. More information can be found at the link as well! Meeting location.
Glow Walk for Recovery Postponed til October 24th at 6:30 p.m.
The Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition has postponed the annual GLOW WALK to celebrate recovery to Thursday, October 264h at 6:30 p.m. This is a FREE event, no need to register. Just meet at the Rails to Trails in South Carthage at the Gazebo across from the Town Hall.
It is a glow walk, glow sticks will be given away and the path will be lit up. Individuals may want to bring a flashlights since there may be dark areas on the trail.
There will be food available for purchase, vendors, free face painting, and free glow in the dark t-shirts for participants. It’s a great time to come out and walk with your family and show support to the recovery community in Smith County! This is all about breaking the stigma surrounding addiction and supporting those doing their best to overcome it!
SC High School Lady Owls Smokey Mountain Cup Champions
The Smith County High School Lady Owls soccer team made their annual trip to the Smoky Mountain Cup Tournament in Gatlinburg from September 6-8, and this year’s visit ended in spectacular fashion. Known for providing a rigorous test of skill and a chance for players to bond, the tournament proved to be a major success for the Lady Owls, who claimed the Championship trophy—marking their first back-to-back titles at this event.
The Lady Owls faced two matches on Saturday. Their first game was against Pigeon Forge High School, where they secured a decisive 5-1 victory. Aubrey Felice led the charge with a hat-trick, while Aubree Spain and Kiley Jenkins each added a goal. Assists came from Chloe Gill, goalkeeper Catie Belle McCarter, and both Felice and Jenkins, who contributed two assists each.
Later on Saturday night Smith County went up against 3A Ooltewah. It was a battle to the end and the Lady Owls defense stood tall. The game ended in a draw of 0-0. Despite the result not being ideal, the Lady Owls’ defense put in a commendable performance.
On Sunday, the team faced Franklin County, KY. At the same time, Ooltewah played DeKalb County, and the standings indicated that a win by a margin greater than Ooltewah’s could secure the top spot for Smith County. The game against Franklin County was intense and physical, but the Lady Owls emerged victorious with a 6-4 win. The goals were scored by Aubrey Felice (four), Lexie White (one), and Kiley Jenkins (one on a penalty kick). Assists were provided by Briley Grisham (two), Chloe Gill (two), and Addie Cripps (one). The victory ensured that the Lady Owls would take home the Championship trophy, a reward for their hard-fought effort.
Smith County had a few days to recover before hosting Jackson County on Wednesday September 11th. Despite lingering fatigue from the weekend, the Lady Owls, driven by the importance of the District match, gave a strong performance. They managed to keep a clean sheet while scoring three goals. Aubrey Felice netted two goals, and Addie Cripps added one. Assists came from Aubree Spain, Lexie White, and Chloe Gill.
Looking ahead, the Lady Owls will host White County on September 17 and Cannon County on the 19th.
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Former Marion County Sheriff’s Employee Faces Sexual Battery, Official Misconduct Charges
As a result of an investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, a former part-time court officer with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department has been charged with the sexual battery of three female inmates he trasported through multiple counties, In August 2023, special agents began investigating complaints that Marshall Raines, who at the time of the investigation was a part-time bailiff/court officer with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department had sexually assaulted female inmates. During the course of the investigation, agents developed information that on multiple occasions between September 2022 and March 2023, Raines sexually assaulted at least three female inmates while transporting them from Marion County to a facility in Lebanon. On September 9th, Marshall A. Raines (D.O.B. 07/28/1941) turned himself in at the Marion County Sheriff’s Department on an outstanding warrant, relesed on a personal recognizance bond set by the Sequatchie County General Sessions Judge. On August 5th the Smith County Grand Jury returned n indictment against Raines, charging him with one county of each of Sexual Battery, Sexual Misconduct with an inmate, Official misconduct and oppression. Agents transported him to the Smith County Jail on September 9th , where he was booked a $20,000 bond on Septemer 9th the Van Buren County Grand Jury retuned an indictment charging Raines with two counts each Sexual Battery, Sexual Misconduct with an inmate, Official misconduct and oppression. He was booked at the Van Buren County Jail on September 9th where bond was set at $80,000. Marshall Raines is no longer employed by the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. The case is being prosecuted by District Attorney General Pro Tem. D. Michael Dunavant with the Tennessee District Attorney General Conference in Nashville The charges and allegations referenced in the release are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.
Since 1980, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has served as the state’s independent, lead law enforcement agency. Every day, focused on the agency’s core values of truth, bravery, and integrity, the TBI’s more than 700 employees provide a variety of advanced criminal and drug investigative, forensic, and criminal justice services to assist local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, to fulfill the agency’s promise, “That Guilt Shall Not Escape Nor Innocence Suffer.”
Learn more about the TBI online at tn.gov/tbi, and connect with the agency on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @TBInvestigation.
