Last Edited: December 29, 2022 @ 8:52 am

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn​. – This Friday, Oct. 7, Downtown @ Sundown will feature Kat & Alex and Frank Ray! Starting at 7 p.m., Kat & Alex will open the stage for the evening. Kat & Alex are a husband and wife duo from American Idol. They recently signed with Sony Music in Nashville and have over 7.9 million streams on Spotify with their song, ‘How Many Times.’ Following Kat & Alex, Frank Ray will take the stage for the remainder of the night. Frank Ray’s latest single, ‘Country’d Look Good On You’ became the most added song on Country radio in 2021. Both artists have played at the Grand Ole Opry, and we are excited to see their talent at Downtown Commons! 

Local food trucks will also be set up before and during the shows. Big Kahuna’s Island Grill, Kadi’s Tacos and More, and Heather’s Homemade Icecream are all expected to be on site. Tater Headz will also be open at the walk-up eatery on Legion Street and Third Street. Beer and other beverages will be for sale, with all proceeds benefiting our featured non-profit, United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region.

Main Street will be blocked off between Second Street and Third Street at 4:30 p.m. to make room for the food trucks. Downtown @ Sundown Concerts are free and open to the public and take place on the first and third Fridays of each month through October. Chairs and blankets are welcome; however, pets, coolers, smoking/vaping or outside alcohol will not be allowed on site.

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

To stay up to date with events happening at the Downtown Commons, visit our Facebook page at Downtown Commons and our Instagram page @downtowncommonstn.

Last Edited: December 29, 2022 @ 8:52 am

Montgomery County is seeking nominations for outstanding local volunteers

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Government is seeking adult and youth nominations for the Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards (GVSA). Nominations are due by November 8, 2022 and can be found at https://bit.ly/3CnknAO. 

GVSA promotes the importance of volunteering by recognizing those who are committed to local community service. Every year, the GVSA showcases Tennessee’s volunteer spirit by promoting state-wide volunteerism and strengthening participation in community service. GVSA seeks to recognize one youth and one adult in each TN county for their exemplary volunteer work. 

“Volunteerism is something close to my heart. One of the reasons our community is so great is because of the many unsung heroes who give so much of themselves volunteering to make a difference. It is important to recognize their contributions,” stated Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden. 

All nominations will be judged by a local committee and sent to the GVSA Tennessee staff in Nashville. The selected Montgomery County adult and youth nominees will be honored at the annual GVSA Ceremony in Franklin, TN on April 3, 2023 along with the nominees from other counties across the state of Tennessee. 

Contact Michelle Newell at [email protected] or call 931-648-8482 for more information.

Last Edited: June 13, 2023 @ 7:45 am

High school students get to know County Government through

Mayor’s Emerging Leaders Program

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Government welcomes the 2022-2023 Mayor’s Emerging Leaders, a group of 17 high school students who serve as unofficial members of county committees. 

The Mayor’s Emerging Leaders Program offers a unique learning experience for high school students to have an inside look at how the county government operates through their attendance at committee meetings. Students have the opportunity to choose from one or more county committees, depending on their interests and what their schedule allows. The students are acknowledged at the meetings and are encouraged to ask questions for understanding. All Emerging Leaders are invited to participate in budget committee meetings for a foundational understanding of the approval process for the County budget. This school year, the program also includes volunteer and college scholarship opportunities.

Committee selections include Airport Authority, Animal Control, Audit, Budget, E-911, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Protection, Jail and Juvenile, Parks, and School Liaison. The committees generally meet once per month, late in the afternoon.

“I look forward to seeing these bright, focused young people in our committee meetings. It is encouraging to know that our youth are interested in the role of local government. Students sometimes challenge the committee members with their questions, and we encourage that interaction,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.

The program is open to high school students in 10th through 12th grade. Announcements for the program are made through local media and social media and sent to school guidance counselors in the spring. Students start the program in late August and finish in May each year to coincide with their school schedules. The kick-off meeting for this year’s program was August 24.

This year’s participants are: Katie Li (APSU Middle College); Maddy Morgan (Clarksville Christian); Calleigh Moody (Clarksville High), Kendel Baynham (Rossview High), Mikayla Grant (Homeshooled), Sylas Bryant (Clarksville Christian), Cannon Prather (Clarksville Christian), Ella Reynolds (Clarksville High), Morgan Hicks (Rossview High), Kali Merrell (Montgomery Central), Elijah Crosslan (APSU Middle College), Brayden Yonkers ((Montgomery Central), Wyatt Bowling (Montgomery Central), Stephanie Shuman (Rossview High), Madelyn Coleson (Montgomery Central), Maddox Jackson (Rossview High), and Andelyn Underwood (Rossview High).

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Last Edited: December 29, 2022 @ 8:52 am

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn​. – This Friday, September 16th, Downtown @ Sundown will feature Tyler Booth! Starting at 7 p.m., opener Landon Parker will take the stage. Landon is a singer/songwriter in Nashville offering the crowd a mix of traditional country music. Following, Tyler Booth will entertain the crowd for the reminder of the night! Growing up in Kentucky, Tyler is a bluegrass lover and singer of all things country. We are excited to welcome Tyler Booth back to the stage at Downtown Commons! 

Local food trucks will also be set up before and during the shows. Burgasm, Firelime Offshore Grill, Heather’s Homemade Icecream, and Kona Ice are all expected to be on site. Tater Headz will also be open at the walk-up eatery on Legion Street and Third Street. Beer and other beverages will be for sale, with all proceeds benefiting our featured non-profit, United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region.

Main Street will be blocked off between Second Street and Third Street beginning at 4:30 p.m. to make room for the food trucks. Downtown @ Sundown Concerts are free and open to the public and take place the first and third Fridays of each month through October. Chairs and blankets are welcome; however, pets, coolers, smoking/vaping or outside alcohol will not be allowed on site.

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

To stay up to date with events happening at the Downtown Commons, visit our Facebook page at Downtown Commons and our Instagram page @downtowncommonstn.

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Last Edited: June 13, 2023 @ 7:45 am

A tribute to the lives lost on 9/11 now stands at Veterans Plaza

Montgomery County, TN — On the afternoon of September 11, 2022, approximately 75 members of the community, including volunteers with Arts for Hearts, local sculptor Jim Diehr, and APSU Ceramics Arts Associate Professor Ken Shipley, gathered at Veterans Plaza to celebrate the completion of Pillars of Hope. This vision started 20 years ago with former Arts for Hearts Director Rita Arancibia. 

The ceremony began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Arts and Heritage Board member Col. Arthur Nicholson and was followed by the Star Spangled Banner by the Cumberland Winds Brass Quintet.

Arts and Heritage Council Executive Director Ellen Kanervo shared powerful remarks commemorating the tragedy of 9/11. 

“Today marks 21 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks killed almost 3,000 people and injured many more at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Somerset County, Pennsylvania. We will never understand why 3000 people were killed that day in New York, at the Pentagon, and in a farm field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We mourn the hundreds of first responders and clean-up workers who were sickened or died. We despair at the subsequent thousands of dead civilians and soldiers and the millions of refugees displaced in the fight to stop further terrorist activities. Although 21 years have passed, 9/11 remains one of our communal “Where were you?” moments. We believe these Pillars will be a way for Clarksvillians to keep a memory of that day alive – and to find pride in the way our country pulled together to mourn those who died and to comfort those left behind.”

Sculptor Jim Diehr remarked on the significance of having 360 tiles placed on the sculpture. He also thanked his family, who assisted him throughout the process during some sweltering days.

Following Diehr’s remarks, Carolyn Ferrell expressed heartfelt emotion as she read September 11: A Poem written by Kevin Powell in 2001.

Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden shared his gratitude to all those involved in the project and thanked Rita’s daughter, Patricia Arancibia Wilkinson, for attending on behalf of her mother.

“This project is unique because it is a community effort by hundreds of people from all age groups who expressed their emotions from the tragedy of 9-11. It is a hands-on testimony of the good that can come from tragedy when we put the recognition of others before ourselves. Montgomery County Government is proud to have this project on display at Veterans Plaza,” added Mayor Golden.

City Mayor Joe Pitts added his appreciation to the people and organizations who were involved in the project. He said, “We are always better when we work together.”

City Mayor Pro Tem Wanda Smith offered a prayer at the end of the ceremony.

To view the Pillars of Hope sculpture at any time, visit Veterans Plaza located at 350 Pageant Lane.