Area News

By Eddie West Staff Writer Officials are reporting the 2024 Smith County Fair was one of the most successful ever, attendance-wise. The county fair recorded an approximately 35 percent increase in attendance, fair officials say. “We can’t thank the community and fair sponsors enough for their support. Without both our fair couldn’t happen, especially with…

By Eddie West Staff Writer A pleasure excursion aboard a single engine airplane went wrong over the skies of Smith County Tuesday morning. However, depending upon one’s perspective, the day couldn’t have turned out better for the two people aboard the aircraft following an emergency landing in a well manicured field in the northeastern most…

By Eddie West Staff Writer The county’s school system will retain it’s “closed border” policy for students attending local schools, following action taken by the county’s school board. It’s an issue which has been discussed at length by the school board members in previous years and surfaced at its June meeting under the agenda line…

By Eddie West Staff Writer Funeral services were held Friday for well-known retired businessman Mark Reece. Reece passed away around 5 p.m., Monday (June 10) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Earlier in the day, Reece  was involved in a single vehicle accident which occurred on Highway 70 just west of the south end…

By Eddie West Staff Writer Days before the county commission is to vote on an overall 2024-2025 fiscal year county budget, debate continues over the school system’s budget for next year.  Questions remain as to whether the school system’s proposed budget will be approved or rejected by the full commission. At issue is added spending…

By Eddie West Staff Writer The town of Carthage has approved its 2024-2025 fiscal year budget. With the new budget, the city’s property tax rate will remain at .8168 cent. The second and final reading came Thursday night during the city council’s June meeting. The city budget was approved on first reading in May. The…

Defeated Creek Bluegrass Festival; Pleasant Shade Market; American Legion barbecue, concert in Carthage; Carthage Carnival Friday READ THIS WEEK’S COURIER FOR MORE INFORMATION

By Eddie West Staff Writer A Smith County native noted for influence in popularizing bluegrass music has been recognized with a marker at the Smith County Historical Courthouse in Carthage. A ceremonial unveiling of a marker for Louise Certain Scruggs was held Friday morning.  Scruggs is described as a “pivotal figure in popularizing bluegrass music”…

By Eddie West Staff Writer A sheriffs department K-9 unit undercover investigation has resulted in the discovery of several pounds of what is suspected to be the deadly drug Fentanyl. The investigation began when K-9 officer Sgt. Junior Fields went to the intersection of Highway 70 /Lebanon Highway and Hiwassee Road. The officer was on…

Special graduation section for the seniors of Smith County High School & Gordonsville High School in this week’s edition