Area Breaking News
Budget cuts made by school board; looking to please commissioners
By Eddie West Staff Writer The county’s school board met in special session Saturday (August 22) and rescinded a $35.5 million budget it had approved just days before. The proposed $35.5 million was to be presented to the county commission Monday (August 24) night. Before Monday night’s meeting, the school board met in special session on…
Read MoreSECOND HALF AWAKENING
Gordonsville 17, Coalfield 13 By Shea Haile Courier Sports GORDONSVILLE — Two of the state’s elite small school prep football programs clashed last Friday night at Turney Ford Field as the Gordonsville High Tigers hosted East Tennessee 1A elite the Coalfield Yellow Jackets. Big Blue trailed 7-3 at halftime but turned to a devastating and effective…
Read MoreSEASON OPENER SETBACK
Watertown 28, Smith Co. 7 By Terry Collins Courier Sports CARTHAGE — The Smith County High Owls football team opened their 2026 regular season last Friday night in Carthage against Watertown. The Owls won a thriller last year in Wilson County as an inexperienced Owls team — featuring lots of freshmen made their debut this year. …
Read MoreSchool system’s CTE building named
By Eddie West Staff Writer The county’s newest education facility has been named by the school board. Located on Industrial Drive in Carthage, the building has been named the Smith County CTE Center. Once open, the renovated building will be a technical skills instructional facility. At one time home to Save-A-Lot Grocery Store, the building has…
Read MoreFour injured in Dixon Springs Highway accident
By Eddie West Staff Writer Four people were reportedly injured in a tragic multiple vehicle accident which occurred on Dixon Springs Highway/Highway 25 in Carthage Wednesday. The accident occurred just east of the Highway 25 Quick-N-Easy convenience market around 2:18 p.m. Multiple emergency agencies and personnel responded to the accident including three air ambulances. Dixon Springs…
Read MoreCounty property tax rate set
By Eddie West Staff Writer There will not be a county property tax rate increase this year. County commissioners approved a 2026-2027 fiscal year county budget and a state certified property tax rate of $1.3023 during a special called meeting held last Monday (August 10) night. During the meeting, commissioners also set the school system’s…
Read MoreFootball Preview 2026
The 2026 Football Preview for the Smith County Owls and Gordonsville Tigers is in this week’s issue. See team previews, quotes from both head coaches, rosters, schedules, etc READ MORE IN THIS WEEK’S COURIER
Read MoreSeveral indicted as grand jury meets
By Eddie West Staff Writer The county’s grand jury met last Monday (August 3) and returned the following indictments: READ ALL INDICTMENTS IN THIS WEEK’S COURIER
Read MoreResults from county election
RESIDENTS SELECT NEW SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS By Eddie West Staff Writer Four school board seats were up for election in Thursday’s County General Election. In School Board District 8 (Elmwood) there were four candidates seeking one spot. Tressa D. Bush was the top vote getter with 197 votes. Incumbent Scotty Lewis received 125 votes, J.D. Driver received…
Read MoreUpper Cumberland Electric to hold director’s election
By Eddie West Staff Writer Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (UCEMC) will be holding a directorate election this month. Seats on UCEMC’s board of directors are up in District 1, District 2 and District 4. Only the District 1 seat is being challenged. District 1: District 1—includes Smith, DeKalb, Wilson and Macon counties. Candidates include current…
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