MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Ashleigh Travis was sworn into office on October 6 as the sixth circuit court judge of the 19th Judicial District by Judge Jill Ayers of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. The new 19th Judicial District position was created by the Tennessee General Assembly in May 2023. 

Friends, family, and dignitaries attended the ceremony at the Doug Weiland Courts Center in support of Judge Travis who most recently served as the child support magistrate judge.

Judge Ayers talked about Travis with admiration and closed by adding “When we selected Ashleigh as child support magistrate judge, we knew we had picked a great judge and we will take all the credit for it.”

“As the child support magistrate judge, I strove to be courteous to all litigants and attorneys. I swore that I would always give grace and understanding and will work to continue practicing that as a circuit court judge,” stated Travis.

Judge Bateman added how much the judges appreciated Governor Lee and our state representatives for increasing the number of judges to support the cases in the growing 19th Judicial District.

Travis joins Judges Katy Olita, William R. Goodman, Robert Bateman, Joel Wallace, Jr., and Adrienne Fry in representing Montgomery and Robertson counties as circuit court judges. 

Several dignitaries attended the ceremony, including Congressman Mark Green, Senator Bill Powers, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden, Representative Jeff Burkhart, and District Attorney General Robert Nash.

A new child support magistrate judge is expected to be selected by November 1, 2023.

For information on the Montgomery County Court System, visit mcgtn.org.

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Last Edited: October 18, 2023 @ 10:11 am

County hosts New Year’s Eve Event in downtown Clarksville

 MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – For the first time, Montgomery County will host a New Year’s Eve event beginning at 9 p.m. on December 31, 2023, at Downtown Commons. This family-friendly event will include singing, dancing, and food! A 10-piece live band, dance floor, and string lighting will be placed on the lawn under a clear tent. There will also be a photo-booth trailer, food trucks, lounge seating, outdoor fire pits, and a surprise ‘drop’ at midnight during the celebration. This event is free and open to the public.

“I’m excited about this opportunity for our community to come together right here in Clarksville. When I proposed the idea to our Parks & Recreation Director Sally Read, she and her team were eager to offer the New Year's Eve option at Downtown Commons. I hope people will come out and enjoy the festivities,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.

Any additional details about the New Year’s Eve event will be posted on the Montgomery County, Downtown Commons, and Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Facebook pages.

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The Clarksville-Montgomery County Veterans Day Parade will take place on Saturday, Nov. 11, with pre-parade ceremonies set for 9 a.m. in front of the historic courthouse (south side) on Third Street in downtown Clarksville. The keynote speaker is Air Force Master Sergeant (Ret) Joe Thomas, Jr.

This year’s Veterans Day Parade theme is “Salute to Veterans in Law Enforcement.” 

“The Veterans Day Parade allows the community to come together and thank our military veterans for their service and sacrifice. I hope to see our community come out to support some of our local heroes,” said County Mayor Wes Golden.

“Our staff is always honored to host this community parade. We work with our remarkable veterans daily and appreciate the value they add to Clarksville and Montgomery County. Taking some time to support our veterans is a small token of appreciation for their contributions,” stated VSO Director Hector Santos.

For those unable to attend in person, the parade will be livestreamed on the Montgomery County, Tennessee official Facebook page. It will also be filmed and posted on CDE Lightband’s Clarksville Community Network (CCN).

The Parade begins at 10 a.m. at the corner of N. Eighth and College Streets, next to the Sundquist Science Building at Austin Peay State University, with the reviewing stand at the Third Street side of the courthouse. The parade will proceed from College left onto University Avenue, right onto Main Street, left onto 3rd Street, left onto Commerce Street, left onto University Avenue, right onto Franklin Street, left onto 8th Street, and back to the APSU parking area.                               

For more information, contact the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization at 553-5173. Parade entry forms for veterans groups and other local organizations, as well as route maps, can be picked up at the office between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, or by e-mail request to vetsvc@mcgtn.net Parade entries will be accepted through Friday, Oct. 27.

The aquarium is now home to native lake and river fish

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – On Saturday, October 7, the lone large-mouth bass inhabiting the 500-gallon aquarium at the Wade Bourne Nature Center (WBNC) received some company. Catfish, black crappie, bluegills, and two additional large-mouth bass, all native to Tennessee lakes and rivers, were carefully released into the tank by Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Natural Resource and Program Manager Katie Nettie. 

The aquarium and fish are available for the public to enjoy thanks to generous donations from the Wade Bourne Nature Center Foundation (WBNCF). The WBNCF donated the funding for the 500-gallon Fish Tank in April of this year, the water and chemicals were added in June, and the test fish was released into the tank on September 1, to ensure the chemicals were properly balanced before adding more fish.

"We have added fish to our huge tank and we want people to come out to the Nature Center and see them. They look small now but they will grow quickly,” said Rosalind Kurita, Chair of WBNCF.

The aquarium is visible outside from the deck until 9 p.m. and inside the WBNC along with many other displays and species native to Montgomery County.

“We are excited to offer this unique educational experience to our community and thankful to the Foundation for their support. The fish bring life and an opportunity for kids of all ages to engage with our local river neighbors,” added Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Director Sally Burchett.

For information on Montgomery County Parks and Recreation and the many educational and fun opportunities they offer, visit mcgtn.org.

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Last Edited: October 07, 2023 @ 7:40 am

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County elected officials Julie Runyon, Register of Deeds, Erinne Hester, Assessor of Property, and Kimberly Wiggins, Trustee, recently presented on the order in which a transaction travels through their offices during a continuing education class for the Clarksville Association of Realtors (CAR) on October 4, in the County Commission Chambers.

Runyon, who has over 20 years of experience as a real estate attorney, discussed the mandates of the Register of Deeds Office related to the new templates recently issued by the Tennessee Association of Realtors for real estate transactions. She also presented a new Land Alert service. 

Hester, who is in her third term as Assessor of Property and previously worked as the County Director of Accounts and Budgets, highlighted the work of her office, including mapping and land records, new construction, and the annual assessment roll. She also touched on the 2024 revaluation. Julie and Erinne explained how state requirements to record a document at the Register of Deeds Office differ from state requirements to transfer property ownership through the Assessor’s Office. 

Wiggins, who is in her second term as Trustee and has over 20 years of banking experience, spoke about tax freeze and relief programs. She also informed the group that her team manages and invests hundreds of millions of dollars daily. The Trustee’s Office audits every hotel/motel every year for hotel/motel tax, and collects and distributes sales tax. 

“The CAR Professional Development Committee greatly appreciates the participation of Erinne Hester, Julie Runyon, and Kimberly Wiggins in our Pilot Program for the Clarksville Local Expert Certification (CLE). This Triumvirate shared their expertise with us and helped us – and hopefully many more realtors in the future – to better understand the process after a property has transferred ownership and subsequently better serve our clients. It is great to have elected officials in our community who are accessible and supportive of our business,” said Realtor Marion Jewell, who has served as President and Treasurer for the Clarksville Association of Realtors.

Jewell shared that City of Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts along with staff from City Parks and Recreation, Austin Peay State University President Dr. Michael Licari, Montgomery County Commissioner David Harper, Clarksville-Montgomery County School System Director Dr. Jean Luna-Vedder, and Director of the Regional Planning Commission Jeff Tyndall, also presented important information during the training.

For more information on the Assessor of Property, Register of Deeds, and Trustee offices, visit https://mcgtn.org/ under Elected Officials after clicking the Gov tab.

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