Area News

By Eddie West Staff Writer A controversial iconic landmark located in the far western section of the county is expected to be demolished next month. Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) officials say the agency will implode the massive cooling tower at the former Hartsville Nuclear Plant site which straddles the Smith/Trousdale county line on Highway 25/Dixon…

By Eddie West Staff Writer Discussion of the director of schools contract is on the agenda for the county school board’s regularly scheduled August meeting. The school board will be meeting for its August session beginning at 5 p.m., Tuesday (August 19). At the school board’s July meeting Chairman Ricky Shoulders noted Director Barry Smith had…

By Eddie West Staff Writer Commissioners have set the county’s property tax rate at $1.73310 which is unchanged from last year. In addition, commissioners have approved a 2025-2026 fiscal year budget. With no plans for a property tax increase, there was little opposition to the county’s proposed budget with only two commissioners voting against the proposal.…

By Eddie West Staff Writer A successful business needs a good salesman up front. Neyland McKinney stood behind a small, well-worn table on Gordonsville Highway/Highway 53 at the pull-off area located beside the Gordonsville McDonalds, Thursday morning (July 31). Draped across the front of the wooden table was a sign which read “Sweet Corn For Sale”.…

By Eddie West Staff Writer With an increase in  businesses in downtown Carthage, there’s increased concern for pedestrian accidents. Carthage police have stepped up patroling of the downtown crosswalks after concerns for pedestrian safety were raised during a recent city council meeting. Some months ago, the city marked crosswalks and set up portable signs in the…

By Eddie West Staff Writer One person was injured when a makeshift utility trailer came unhinged from a vehicle, striking a second vehicle traveling in the opposite direction in the Rome community. The accident occurred on Highway 70/Lebanon Highway just east of the (Rome) Dollar General Store, Wednesday afternoon. A 16 year old male, a Tennessee…

By Eddie West Staff Writer Carthage police detained four male subjects wanted by the Lafayette Police Department for questioning in connection with multiple incidents of  fraudulent check cashing in Macon. Around 3 p.m., Friday, local law enforcement received a “be on the look out” (bolo) for a black SUV occupied by four male subjects. The four…

By Eddie West Staff Writer Carthage Mayor Steve Babcock has submitted a formal letter of resignation to the city. The mayor’s resignation is effective as of August 1. Meanwhile, the city council agreed Vice Mayor Anthony Hackett will continue serving in the role as acting mayor. Mayor Babcock’s resignation did not come as a surprise as…

By Eddie West Staff Writer Repair work for a progressive slide area located on State Highway 141 in the Lancaster community is moving forward. The repair work is included in the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) July 25 bid letting, with construction estimated to begin in August, TDOT officials say. Meanwhile, the slide area, located along…

COURIER 3rd IN STATE CONTEST; NETS 3 TOP HONOR The Carthage Courier received 11 total awards, including three First Place designations, and finished in 3rd Place in Division I from newspapers from across Tennessee — in the 2025 Tennessee State Press Contest Awards held June 28 in Memphis. The awards are sponsored by the University of…