Last Edited: August 09, 2024 @ 2:10 pm

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) had a record-breaking month in July with over 540 animals coming into their facility. This is an average of 20+ daily intakes. 

“We are overwhelmed with the number of animals entering our shelter. All of the fur babies that have come in have a family somewhere and we need help getting them home. It is like playing Jenga with these poor animals every day to find room and resources. The staff is overburdened and the animals are overwhelmed,” said Dave Kaske, Director of MCACC.

The County Shelter has 45 large dog kennels, 27 small dog/puppy kennels, and 85 cat kennels. The unprecedented influx of pets gives the Animal Control staff little room to house stray animals. Individuals missing a pet should post the lost pet on the social media pages listed below and visit the shelter at 616 N. Spring Street.

Adding to the challenges is the lack of an on-staff veterinarian. This prevents adoptable pets from getting spayed or neutered and going home the same day. More than 20 adopted animals are now waiting to be spayed or neutered at local veterinarian offices.

“The lack of reclaiming and the number of pets escaping their homes is exhausting our Animal Control team. I am also asking for the community’s help to share info about lost pets and I am confident our community will respond. Opening our new facility in fall 2025 with a veterinarian on staff will be invaluable,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A STRAY DOG

1. If you know the owner or their address, let them know their dog is loose/return their dog to them.
2. Check with neighbors to see if they recognize the dog and to whom it belongs.
3. Take recognizable photos of the pet and post them to one or more of the local Lost and Found Pet Facebook pages.
4. Complete a found pet report on the Animal Control Website www.mcgtn.org/animal-control with a photo of the pet.
5. If possible, have the pet scanned for a microchip at a local veterinary clinic.
6. If an owner cannot be immediately located, contact MCACC at 931-648-5750 and/or bring the pet to the shelter during business hours.  
7. Pet owners should be able to verify such as photos, vet records, etc.

WHAT TO DO YOU DO IF YOU FIND A STRAY CAT
1. Leave them be. Cats are self-reliant and generally find their way home.
2. Leave stray feral/community cats in the field for a better chance of survival.
3. Kittens should be left alone because the mother is likely out hunting. Nursing kittens brought to the shelter will likely not survive without the mother.
4. If you locate a cat with a collar or other identification. Follow the same steps posting photos on the Lost and Found Pet Pages.

• Lost and Found Pets of Clarksville TN
  • (11) Lost and Found Pets of Clarksville Tennessee | Facebook
• Lost and Found Clarksville Montgomery Tennessee
  • (11) Lost and Found Clarksville Montgomery Tennessee | Facebook
• Lost and Found Pets of Christian and Surrounding Counties
  • (11) Lost and found pets of Christian and surrounding Counties | Facebook
• Clarksville/Ft. Campbell Lost ad Found Pets Local
  • (11) Clarksville/Ft. Campbell Lost And Found Pets Local | Facebook

MICROCHIPPING/SPAY/NEUTER

Spaying/neutering and microchipping pets is vital.  Lost pets without a microchip make it much more difficult for MCACC staff to reunite the pet with their family. Microchipping is a low-cost, non-invasive procedure, that takes only a few minutes to perform. Keep microchip information updated for faster reunification.

Spaying/neutering is also essential to help keep the stray pet population down. Many unwanted pets come to MCACC due to overbreeding and uncontrolled breeding.  Please spay/neuter your pet once it is old enough. The benefits greatly outweigh the risks.  

Visit https://mcgtn.org/animal-control for detailed info about MCACC, including volunteer possibilities, contact info, and hours of operation.

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MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – On August 1, Montgomery County Parks and Recreation celebrated their new user-friendly, GPS-accurate, and EMS location-coordinated trail map and markers at Rotary Park, 2308 Rotary Park Drive. This may sound simple but it was a two-year project that included accurately locating the existing trails, working with a master trail builder to align areas of confusion, designing a brand new map with the Austin Peay State University (APSU) GIS department, and allocating grant funding for the project. 

Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Programming Supervisor, Katie Netti, spearheaded the project. “Completing this project has been a true learning experience for us all. There are many people to thank but especially Joey Hatton, the student employee with the APSU GIS Center who designed the trail map. Joey’s assistance and expertise brought this design to a whole new level,” said Netti.

This is the most recent in a long line of trail enhancements to Rotary Park. Two others that were recognized at the ribbon cutting were the sensory trail and boundary fencing from two local Eagle Scouts.

“This was definitely a community effort with several different organizations coming together to provide a better trail experience for our visitors and prevent people from getting lost in the park,” stated Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Director Sally Read.

The cost of the trail project was approximately $25,000 and completely funded by the three Clarksville Rotary Clubs through a contribution to the Wade Bourne Nature Center Foundation (WBNCF). The Foundation Board supported the trail project which aligns well with their mission of providing positive outdoor experiences while promoting conservation. 

“Our Rotary Clubs has been a fantastic and consistent supporter of our parks. We always appreciate their involvement and mission to strengthen our community,” added Read.

For more information about Rotary Park and all Montgomery County Parks, visit https://mcgtn.org/parks.

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MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Administrator of Montgomery County Driver Safety Lisa McClain was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year at the Tennessee Teen Institute (TTI) held at the University of Tennessee Martin. The award honors individuals who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to impact their community and/or school through prevention initiatives. TTI is a five-day youth leadership and prevention summer camp sponsored by the Jackson Area Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (JACOA). 

McClain has been a TTI Extreme Team member for the last few years, investing almost 90 hours to support Tennessee teens. The Extreme Team is essential to the camp's success, collaborating closely with the TTI Directors to ensure smooth operations. These dedicated individuals are involved in the planning process before TTI and take on various roles throughout the camp week. They ensure the seamless execution of daily activities and support our keynote speakers and workshop presenters. The team also plays a crucial role in addressing heavier topics such as suicide, bullying, and overdose. They may also offer support to participants struggling with these difficult issues.

“It is great to see Lisa recognized for something we already knew. We are proud of her work to educate our youth and form coalitions to promote positive change on our roads,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.

“Lisa has been an amazing addition to our team over the past few years and she definitely deserves some praise. We were thrilled to honor her through this award,” said TTI Program Assistant Danielle Jones.

Montgomery County students joined 500 youth leaders from across the state at TTI. The program, which began in 1986, addresses teen issues such as bullying, violence, suicide, teen pregnancy, distracted driving, teen health, and substance abuse prevention. Teen participants gain the skills and education to develop and implement alcohol and drug abuse prevention programs in their communities. It was not until 2021 that Montgomery County students began participating in TTI. When McClain was contacted about the camp in 2020, she immediately began coordinating with CMCSS to involve students. Since then, CMCSS has had youth representation each year.

“This was a sweet surprise at the end of a fabulous week with our teens! Having the ability to educate them on the importance of driver’s safety and so many other life choices that can make a difference for them is an honor,” stated McClain.

TTI trains, mobilizes, and empowers youth to prevent the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and self-destructive behaviors in themselves and their peers. Students not only make positive changes but also proudly advocate those changes. Teens can grow and learn as individuals while enhancing their leadership abilities. Because TTI is peer-led, teens have a unique opportunity to have a “voice” in addressing issues important to them. 

For information about TTI, visit http://tnteeninstitute.net/ 

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Last Edited: August 02, 2024 @ 2:29 pm

America will celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026.  This will be our country’s semi-quincentennial, and the greater Clarksville-Montgomery County area has plans to participate in the celebration. 

In anticipation, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden, City of Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts, Fort Campbell Command Sergeant Major Doug Walker, Austin Peay State University President Michael Licari, and President and CEO of the Fort Campbell Historical Foundation, Major General (Ret) Brian Winski, have signed a joint proclamation in support of community efforts to celebrate under the general title of “The Road to 250.”

America’s national motto is e pluribus unum (out of many one), and in this spirit, several organizations led by APSU have planned a program to celebrate our nation’s history. The program will consist of 14 events (12 dramatic readings one open house and one concert) and be called “The Road to 250: America’s Story.” Each reading will address a major theme in American history and feature a narrator who will tell the story with actors in costume who will depict key speakers and/or iconic events that illustrate the narrative.  There will be three dramatic readings each semester, beginning in the fall 2024 semester.  The narrators will be subject matter specialists, and the actors will be APSU Department of Theatre and Dance students. All dramatic readings will be about one hour long with 30 minutes for discussion afterward and held on stage at the APSU Mabry Auditorium.  

The open house will be in June 2026 at the Tennessee Wings of Liberty Museum sponsored by the Fort Campbell Historical Foundation. The final event will be an elaborate concert on the stage of the Mabry Auditorium and feature American music by The Cumberland Winds, on or about the 4th of July 2026. All Road to 250 events will be free and open to the public.

       Envisioned sessions are:

1. The Evolution of Democratic Thought and The Prelude to War (by Dr. Richard Gildrie),11 Sept. 2024.
2. The Revolutionary War (by Dr. Kevin Tanner), 9 Oct. 2024.
3. Writing the Constitution (by Dr. Kevin Tanner, 13 Nov. 2024.
4. Westward Expansion (by Mr. Nick Tooley), 12 Feb. 2025.
5. The Military and America, (by Mr. William Parker), 12 March 2025.
6. Economic Growth (by Dr. Greg Zieren), 9 April 2025.
7. Scientific Developments (by Dr. Phil Kemmerly), 10 Sept. 2025.
8. Education in America (by Dr. Carlette Hardin), 8 Oct. 2025.
9. Medical Developments (by Dr. Tom Grabenstein), 12 Nov. 2025.
10. American Society, 11 Feb. 2025.
11. American Culture (by Mr. Frank Lott and Dr. Andrea Spofford), 11 March 2026.
12. America and the World (by Dr. Dewey Browder and Dr. Dlynn Williams), 8 April 2026.
13. Open House by the Fort Campbell Historical Foundation (MG [Ret] Brian Winski) June 2026.
14. 250 Years of American Music (by Mr. Mike Ritter and The Cumberland Winds), 2-4 July 2026.

Co-sponsoring agencies are: the APSU Department of History and Philosophy, the APSU Department of Theatre and Dance, the APSU Department of Music, the APSU Department of Communications, the APSU Retirees Association (APSURA), the APSU Woodward Library Society, the Valentine Sevier Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), Fort Defiance Military Museum and Interpretive Center, the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center, Roxy Theatre, the Military Officers Association of America, Captain William Edmiston Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and the Clarksville Civitan Club.

In addition to the 14-part celebration of national history, the Clarksville-Montgomery County Arts and Heritage Council is sponsoring a community-wide effort to enable civic elements, churches, public- support organizations, educational institutions, and assorted societies to tell how their respective entities have contributed to community and national success in the spirit of e pluribus unum. This celebratory series will be called “The Road to 250:  Community Spirit in Action.” Community elements are invited to submit short essays of 250-750 words to the Arts and Heritage Council telling their story along with two or three photos.  Accepted essays will be published periodically in local media starting in April and running into the summer of 2026.

Watch for updates on the Clarksville Arts & Heritage Council web page at https://www.artsandheritage.us/america-celebrates-its-250th-birthday/

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – The Recovery Court Division of the Montgomery County Adult Probation Department held a graduation ceremony on July 24 to recognize 19 Recovery Court graduates. Together they accomplished nearly 8,000 sober days and completed almost 700 hours of community service. 

Following words of encouragement from Judge Sharon Massey Grimes of the 19th Judicial District, County Mayor Wes Golden, and City Mayor Joe Pitts, keynote speaker Dr. Stephen Loyd an Internal Medicine/Addiction Medicine Physician, shared highlights about his own journey to recovery with the graduates, participants, and supporters and discussed this importance of overcoming trauma. He praised the recovery treatment court teams and their dedication to helping the people they serve.

“The people who work in recovery court programs are special. They do not do these jobs for the money, they do it because they care about people,” said Loyd.

He encouraged participants to get the holistic help they may need to keep them from relapsing or hurting themselves. 

“Drug treatment changed my life. Trauma treatment saved my life,” Loyd said. “We use because of what’s going on inside of us. Reach out and ask for help. Any one of these people will be there for you. Take it to God and you will get even better,” he added

Dr. Loyd has served as an expert witness in more than 20 federal and state cases against physicians who improperly prescribed controlled substances and was named an Advocate for Action by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), an office of the President of the United States. He has delivered more than 500 educational lectures about addiction and prescribing controlled substances and worked as an Addiction Medicine Physician in inpatient and outpatient settings, specializing in caring for opioid-dependent pregnant women.

In addition to serving on multiple drug courts in Tennessee, Loyd is Vice-President of the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee appointed him as Chair of the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council and served as Assistant Commissioner (Opioid Czar) for Substance Abuse Services with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services during Governor Bill Haslam’s administration. Dr. Loyd’s story inspired Michael Keaton’s character in the Emmy Award-winning series Dopesick.

Judge Grimes congratulated the graduates, thanked the Recovery Court Team members for their work, and shared her gratitude for the continued support from the County and City mayors, and law enforcement.

The Montgomery County Adult Recovery Court Program is a voluntary court overseen by Judge Grimes. It is offered through the courts for residents involved in the criminal justice system with alcohol and/or other drug offenses. Participation in the program includes rigorous supervision, assistance accessing treatment, and aid with job placement to help participants successfully recover from addiction.

The Recovery Court Team is a diverse group of professionals who work with community partners to support participants and their family members. The court offers two tracks and is funded partially under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and by participant fees and donations. 

For more information on the Adult Recovery Court Program, call 931-648-8702. 

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Caption for Recovery Group Supporter Photo: 

Captain Liane Wilson, Director Sherry Robertson, Judge Sharon Massey Grimes, Coordinator Cynthia Richards, Doctor Steven Loyd, Program Specialist Akira Brooks, Probation Officer Robin Yeager, Treatment Provider