County looks to set budget for upcoming fiscal year in August
By Eddie West Staff Writer Discussion of a proposed 2026-2027 county budget by the full county commission is anticipated to take place during a meeting scheduled for Monday, August 10. Earlier this year, the county adopted a state certified property tax rate of $1.3023 for 2026 but that rate could change as the full county…
Read MoreCounty’s rescue squad formed 60 years ago by residents
Sixty years ago, the Smith County Rescue Squad was founded on a simple but powerful desire—to help families and people in need. Over the decades, faces have changed, equipment has evolved, and generations of volunteers have answered the call, but the mission has remained the same: serving others in their time of need. The story…
Read MoreGRIDIRON PREP
Shea Haile Courier Sports COUNTY — Monday started the next phase of preseason preparations for both the Smith County High Owls and Gordonsville High Tigers football squads as programs began their first week of full contact practices on July 27. The first week of full pads also means scrimmages for the area units as Gordonsville will…
Read MoreLegal & Public Notices For The Week Of 07/30/26
NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE’S SALE Sale at public auction will be on September 22, 2026, at or about 2:00 PM, local time, at the Smith County Courthouse, 211 North Main Street, Carthage, TN 37030, pursuant to the Deed of Trust executed by Michael A Fugel and Theresa Fugel, a married couple, to Old Republic National Title…
Read MoreObit – Mrs. Jill Beechboard
With her family at her bedside, Mrs. Jill Beechboard, her family with tearful eyes and heavy hearts, endured her passing from her earthly journey to her heavenly reward at the TriStar Summit Medical Center in Hermitage at 6:05 a.m. Wednesday morning July 22, 2026. The Rome Community resident and longtime Hogans Creek Community resident was…
Read MoreObit – Ms. Sandra Jane Ballard
Ms. Sandra Jane Ballard, age 63, of Hickman, TN, passed away on Friday July 24, 2026, at her home. Ms. Ballard was born June 1, 1963, in Carthage, TN, a daughter of Charlotte Lucille Davis Ballard-Ross and the late William Thomas Ballard. She was also preceded in death by step-father; Thomas M. “Tom” Ross; grandparents,…
Read MoreCommittee, school board at odds
By Eddie West Staff Writer The county’s Budget and Finance Committee and school board are at odds over the school system’s proposed 2026-2027 fiscal year budget. During a meeting held Thursday night, the Budget Committee and Finance Committee voted down a proposed 2026-2027 fiscal year school budget which the school board had approved by a 6-2…
Read MoreCarthage leaders eye renovation of city hall
By Eddie West Staff Writer The town of Carthage has taken a step forward in the potential rehabilitation of the James A. Clay Municipal Building (city hall/police station). City officials are soliciting “statements of qualifications from professional architectural/engineering firms to provide expertise, guidance and preliminary design services for the town of Carthage’s proposed Town Hall Building…
Read MoreEarly voting in August elections gets underway
By Eddie West Staff Writer Early voting in the August 6 elections began Friday. On the first day of early voting, 212 voters cast their ballots. Meanwhile, during a half-day Saturday 47 voted. Early voting will continue through Saturday, August 1. Early voting is taking place at the Turner Building located at 122 Turner High…
Read MoreLegal & Public Notices For The Week Of 07/23/26
NOTICE CHRISTOPHER COBB The State of Tennessee, Department of Children’s Services, has filed a Petition to Declare Children Dependent and Neglected as to A. Selph, J. Bartlett and M. Bartlett. It appears that ordinary process of law cannot be served upon you because your whereabouts are unknown. You are hereby ORDERED to serve upon Laura Beth Young,…
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