Last Edited: June 13, 2023 @ 7:42 am

Montgomery County, Tenn. — Earlier this month, the Clarksville-Montgomery County Traffic Safety Task Force partnered with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) to conduct a Distracted-Driving Operation Hands-Free bus tour in Clarksville-Montgomery County.

Bus transportation was provided by Montgomery County Emergency Medical Services (MCEMS) for members of the Task Force to use while Tennessee State Troopers, Clarksville Police, and Montgomery County Deputies patrolled nearby. As those riding the bus traveled throughout the County, they assisted law enforcement in looking for hands-free violations, seatbelt violations, and other road hazards to help limit traffic incidents and crashes. 

Stats from the bus tour resulted in 55 hands-free citations given that included 10 seatbelt violations, two speeding citations, and 43 other citations for distracted driving-related violations. 

“We conduct this bus tour annually during the month of April to create awareness and help drivers understand the importance of staying focused on the road. Distracted driving is the number one cause of cashes in Montgomery County. It costs lives, hospitalizations, disabilities, property damage and increased insurance rates for all residents in the community,” said Montgomery County Drivers Safety Administrator Lisa McClain.

In recognition of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the THSO collaborated with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GHSO), the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), the American Automobile Association (AAA), and traffic safety members across Tennessee for Operation Hands-Free. The campaign in Tennessee kicked off with four press events in early April with distracted-driving bus tours in Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, and Knoxville.  

The purpose of "Operation Hands-Free" is to reduce distracted-driving crashes and fatalities by increasing enforcement efforts and educating citizens about Tennessee’s Hands-Free law. 

“We don’t issue citations lightly. Selective traffic enforcement targets a specific pattern. We want people to pay attention to the road, for their safety and the safety of others. No one plans on getting into a motor vehicle crash.  They may have been driving while distracted for years and nothing has happened, but that doesn’t mean it won’t. Our first responders have been to some horrific crash scenes that have changed people’s lives, and the lives of those who love them. The bottom line is that many crashes are avoidable and preventable, but we have to change the behaviors which contribute to them, we want all of the people in our community to drive safely,” said Lt. Vincent Lewis, CPD Traffic Unit Supervisor.

Learn more about Tennessee's Hands-free law at: www.HandsFreeTN.com   

To access distracted driving crash data provided by Tennessee’s Integrated Traffic Analysis Network (TITAN): www.tn.gov/safety/stats/dashboards/distracted-driver.html

Last Edited: June 13, 2023 @ 7:42 am

Montgomery County, Tenn. — Montgomery County recently recognized two community volunteers, Curtis Driver and Ethan Morrow, at April’s formal County Commission meeting. They were presented with proclamations from County Mayor Jim Durrett for being selected as the 2021 Montgomery County adult and youth recipients of the Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards (GVSA). Driver and Morrow were also recognized at the annual GVSA statewide award ceremony in February of this year.

Retired Major Curtis Driver was awarded the honor as the 2021 Montgomery County adult recipient for his work to support military veterans in Montgomery County and surrounding communities. Driver joined the Army in 2001, prior to 9/11, and served as a physician’s assistant and flight surgeon during his time in service. 

He has served as the Ft. Campbell/ Clarksville Team Red, White, and Blue (RWB) Volunteer Veteran Engagement Director for the last three years overseeing and directing coordinators to assist in arranging and scheduling at least one event a day to re-engage veterans in the community, exemplifying the RWB’s mission to enrich the lives of America's veterans. When the local Tennessee State Veterans Home (TSVH) closed to the public during the pandemic, Driver worked with others to maintain RWB’s active presence by committing to door visits with the residents a letter campaign to ensure Veteran residents did not feel forgotten. Driver works to assist in delivering virtual and local, inclusive opportunities for veterans and the community to connect through physical and social activity through fitness activities, social gatherings, and community service events. He facilitates building strong local connections with members and organizations within the community.

Driver is also an involved member of the Montgomery County Veterans Coalition that consistently volunteers to assist Veterans. He also volunteers his time and talents with the Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association, Wounded Warrior, and suicide prevention serves and as a member of LifePoint Church, he serves as a small group leader.

“It was an honor to be nominated and receive this award. There are many people who voluntarily serve the military Veterans of this community every day through organizations like RWB and others. I feel privileged to be counted among them,” said Driver. 

Ethan Morrow was selected as the 2021 Montgomery County Youth GVSA recipient because of his combined commitment and passion for the outdoors and literacy. As part of his Eagle Scout Service Project through Boy Scouts of America, Morrow collaborated with the Clarksville-Montgomery County Imaginary Library, solicited grants and funding from the Tennessee Child Care Resource & Referral Network, local businesses, and members of the community for the funds and received approval from Montgomery County Parks and Recreation to build Imagination Library Storybook Trails at Weakley and RichEllen Parks. The storybook trails created an atmosphere where families can walk along the trails and read the pages of children’s books for the purpose of increasing physical activity and promoting literacy.

An added intent of the project was to create further interest for additional trails throughout Montgomery County Parks and in surrounding communities 

Morrow is an active teenager who is involved at Clarksville High School as a section leader in Marching Band, and as a participant in the Concert Band and Jazz Band. He is exceptionally active in Scouting in Troop 365, Venturing Crew 225, as a staffer at Boxwell Scout Reservation, and as Vice Chief of Chapter Operations for the Order of the Arrow Honor Society.

“Volunteering is the norm in my family and it is a vital part of being a Boy Scout. I appreciate the award and hope it brings recognition to the important mission of the Scouts and making a positive difference in the community,” stated Morrow.

“One of the best parts of being Mayor is recognizing people like Curtis and Ethan for giving of themselves to make our community better and stronger. I’m thankful for all those who go above and beyond to volunteer in Montgomery County,” said Mayor Durrett.

The Governor’s Volunteer Stars Award is a statewide recognition program that was instituted by former Governor Phil Bredesen to honor and publicly recognize citizens in the adult and youth categories from each county for their exemplary volunteer service to their community. 

Nominations for individuals and businesses can be accepted as early as September. Anyone who would like to submit a nomination can find information about the GVSA at https://www.tn.gov/volunteer-tennessee/vt-events/vt-gvsa.html.  Nominations for this year’s honorees are due to [email protected] by November 8, 2022.

Last Edited: April 20, 2022 @ 1:40 pm

Montgomery County, TN — Montgomery County Government offices will be closed Friday, April 15 in observance of the Good Friday holiday. Public Safety personnel will report as scheduled. All County offices will reopen on Monday, April 18 during normal operating hours.

Last Edited: December 29, 2022 @ 8:47 am

Montgomery County, TN – Applications for the 2022-2023 Mayor’s Emerging Leaders Program for Montgomery County are being accepted through May 20, 2022.

The Mayor’s Emerging Leaders Program is for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors who are interested in learning how local government works through their attendance and participation in committee meetings. The meetings will begin in August 2022 and end in May 2023. 

“We love having our high school students involved and learning about the role of county government. It’s important that we connect with our youth and this is one opportunity to do just that. Not only do they hear the process, but they also ask some great questions” said Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett.

Students who are interested in the program will be asked to select their first and second choices for committees and all students are encouraged to attend budget committee meetings. Committee choices include: Airport Authority, Animal Care and Control, Emergency Medical Services, Parks and Recreation, Jail and Juvenile, School Liaison, Audit, Fire Protection and E-911. 

Applications for the Mayor’s 2022-2023 Emerging Leaders Program can be viewed and downloaded on the county’s website at mcgtn.org or you can email Michelle Newell at [email protected] to request an application.

Last Edited: December 29, 2022 @ 8:47 am

The 2022 Downtown @ Sundown Concert series will reopen Friday night, May 6 at 7 p.m. with featured artist, Priscilla Block.

Food vendors like Driving you Donuts, Burgasm, Heather’s Homemade Ice Cream, Kadi’s Tacos, Firelime Offshore Grill, and Tater Headz will be in rotation this season. Beer and other beverages will be for sale by our featured non-profit, United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region. Chairs and blankets are welcome; however, no pets, coolers, smoking/vaping, or outside alcohol is allowed on site.  

“I am so excited for another year of live music in Downtown Clarksville! We have an exciting line-up of talented artists across all genres and local vendors that will be set up at every concert. We hope to see you this year!” said Elizabeth Quinton, Downtown Commons Event Planning Manager.

Downtown @ Sundown is brought to you by TriStar Beverage and Shelby’s Trio and sponsored in part by Waste Connections of Clarksville.

Street closures will begin at 3 p.m., Friday on Main Street from Second Street to Third Street to make room for the food trucks. Downtown @ Sundown Concert Series is free to the public and will take place on the first and third Fridays of the month May through October.

Be sure to visit the Downtown Commons’ Facebook, Instagram and website to stay up to date on all events.