Area News

(A Gordonsville doctor has been indicted for alleged health care fraud and unauthorized distribution of controlled substances, according to the Office of the United States Attorneys Middle District in Tennessee. The office issued the follow news release on Tuesday, June 23. Last week’s edition of the Courier had already been printed prior to the news…

By Eddie West Staff Writer Smith County Drug Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The drugstore was founded by Steve Wilmore a Dixon Springs resident and 40-year pharmacist who retired in 2016. Today, the drugstore has four co-owners. The founder’s son Jay Wilmore, Jan Broyles Trainham, Lisa Kemp Harville and Cozette West Manus. At…

By Eddie West Staff Writer The Smith County Fair begins Friday with prefair events. This year’s fair begins with prefair events on Friday (June 26) and Saturday (June 27). The fair with carnival rides runs from Monday, June 29 through Saturday, July 4. Fair officials are placing a special emphasis on pre-fair events, holding a number…

By Eddie West Staff Writer Construction on Enbridge’s Ridgeline Expansion Project continues in the northern section of the county. Here workers prepare to cross under Difficult Road at the intersection of Kempville Highway/Highway 85. Difficult Road was temporarily closed last week as construction was taking place. Motorists had to detour along Kempville Highway, Gladdice Road, Salt…

By Eddie West Staff Writer Two people were killed in a “wrong way” wreck which occurred Sunday night on Interstate 40 near the Gordonsville Exit. The two vehicle wreck occurred around 11:30 p.m., Sunday, in the east bound lanes at the 258.6 mile marker which is just east of the Gordonsville Exit. When emergency responders arrived…

By Eddie West Staff Writer A special bird and its nest atop the Cordell Hull Bridge are expected to get special treatment from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) during this week’s planned inspection. The bird and its nest were spotted at the top of the metal framework above the bridge’s deck on the Carthage side…

By Eddie West Staff Writer An advanced nurse practitioner has been found guilty in federal court for illegally prescribing opioids medications at a former South Carthage pain clinic, according to federal sources. From September 2016 through May 2018, Advanced Nurse Practitioner Heather Marks, 43, operated the former Lifeforce Pain and Wellness Clinic, located on Highway 70/Lebanon…

By Eddie West Staff Writer With the increasing cost of groceries and more recently the surging price of gasoline, many residents are finding themselves cutting back. Cutting back is not an option for some individuals on a limited to no income. There are a number of resources within our community to help those who may find…

By Eddie West Staff Writer The county’s school board voted to uphold the suspension of a Smith County High School teacher. Jason Robert Smith, a tenured communications teacher, was placed on 30 day suspension by Director of Schools Barry Smith for alleged unprofessional conduct and making inappropriate comments to students. The school board was given the…

By Eddie West Staff Writer Property values within the county continue to increase at a dramatic rate. Some residents were alarmed by the increase after receiving their 2026 property reappraisals through the mail. Countywide, the average increase was 38 percent, said Assessor of Property Terry Collins, noting overall the value of land increased at a greater…