Last Edited: June 13, 2023 @ 7:46 am

Fourth graders act out a mock trial in Montgomery County Courtroom

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TN – A courtroom full of fourth and fifth-grade students from Immaculate Conception School (ICS), complete with a judge, jury, defense and prosecuting councils, witnesses, and an audience, held a mock trial facilitated by Judge Adrienne Fry in her courtroom at the Montgomery County Court Center on February 3.

The made-up scenario was that student Jayden Erb stole two coveted Pokémon cards from classmate Gianna Parsons. Students Andrew Holt and Aurora Martinez served on the defense team, Raleigh Fry and Anton Figueroa were on the prosecuting team, and Maddy Myler was the presiding judge. The witnesses were called, the questions were asked, and the audience was engaged, gasping with sounds of surprise and shock as revelations came out during the trial. 

The jury was initially hung but collaborated again and came to the unanimous decision on a verdict of guilty announced by Dimas Sanchez.

“I love hosting student learning experiences in the courtroom. There are so many bright and talented children in our community who can benefit from civic engagement activities. It’s a learning experience that will stay with them, and it’s a lot of fun for me as well,” said Judge Fry. 

Following the trial, Judge Fry asked the students if there were questions they felt the defense or prosecution should have asked, and several hands went up. The students added some thought-provoking questions that could have changed the outcome of the verdict.

The students responded with a resounding yes when asked if they enjoyed their court experience.

“The exercise was a part of their social studies curriculum. We strive to offer our students as many hands-on experiences as possible. This was a fantastic opportunity for them,” said ICS fourth-grade teacher Kathy Kerchief.

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Last Edited: June 13, 2023 @ 7:46 am

Montgomery County, TN — The Montgomery County Trustee’s Office will be open each Saturday throughout February 2023 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The Trustee’s Office annually extends its service times in February for Montgomery County residents.

All County Trustee services will be provided during the extended Saturday hours, including the new reimbursement for people age 65 and older who meet the criteria for the wheel tax refund.

“We provide these services every February as an added convenience for the residents of Montgomery County to conduct business with the Trustee’s Office,” said Trustee Kimberly Wiggins.

The Trustee’s Office and the City of Clarksville’s Finance and Revenue Office also partner every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. through February 23, so residents can take care of their county and city property taxes at one location. This includes applying for tax freeze and tax relief. 

Interest begins accruing on March 1, 2023, on the base tax amount at a rate of 1.5% per month or 18% per year. Envelopes postmarked by the U.S. mail with the date of February 28, 2023, will be considered on time.

The Trustee’s Office is located at 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 101-B, in Veteran’s Plaza. To see all available services, including paying taxes online through the Trustee’s Office, visit mcgtn.org.  You can also call 931-648-5717 with questions.

Last Edited: June 13, 2023 @ 7:46 am

The beautification project at Veterans Plaza is complete

Montgomery County, TN – A beautification project for Veterans Plaza was completed in December 2022 that included painting the exterior, new outdoor lighting, and improving interior signage. 

Shortly after taking office, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden approved a beautification project on the plaza, which began as a proposed idea from Brad Heflin, Assistant Facilities & Maintenance Director, to repaint the exterior. A more modern paint scheme to update the 2005 colors was selected, and the team moved forward.

“We loved the idea of repainting the plaza! Many county services are centrally located there, with people in and out conducting business. Veterans Plaza may be the only county government location some residents see, and we want it to look as good as possible,” said Mayor Golden.

Once the painting was completed, Facilities & Maintenance added LED lighting to the exterior around the entire perimeter of the plaza for added safety and improved aesthetics. 

On the inside of the plaza, known as the property unit, where Archives, the Assessor of Property Office, Register of Deeds, Purchasing, the Trustee’s Office, and Common Ground Café are housed, patrons can now easily navigate their way around because of new signage installed in December. Facilities & Maintenance spearheaded the project, and the Engineering Department helped with locations and design. 

“We noticed it right when we walked in, and it’s a welcome addition. We used to have people come into our office regularly asking where different offices were located. The new signage is an eye-catcher and beneficial to the public, said Stephanie Morlock, Director of Purchasing.

“The previous layout was a maze for people to locate the correct offices. The new signage is now self-explanatory,” said Marc Harris, Director of Facilities and Maintenance.

Mayor Golden added, “I appreciate how quickly and well our team pulled together to make the updates. They did a fantastic job!”

Public services available at Veterans Plaza include Archives, the Assessor of Property Office, Building & Codes, the County Clerk’s Office, the Election Commission, the Health Department, the Library, the Register of Deeds, the Trustee’s Office and Veterans Service Office. 

For a listing of all services offered by Montgomery County, visit the Gov tab at mcgtn.org.

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Last Edited: June 13, 2023 @ 7:46 am

Montgomery County, TN — Montgomery County Government offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 16, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday. All County offices will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 17, during normal operating hours.

This year’s MLK Unity Service, which is open to the community, will be held at Christ The Healer Church at 1295 Paradise Hill Road.

For online options available through Montgomery County Government, visit the GOV tab at mcgtn.org.

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Last Edited: March 23, 2023 @ 1:05 pm

Montgomery County, TN — Due to inclement weather, all Bi-County operations are closed today. If weather conditions are conducive for services, the convenience centers and main landfill site off Dover Road will be open Saturday, Dec. 24 until noon.

If temperatures and weather conditions do not improve, adjustments will be made and posted accordingly. For more information about Bi-County Solid Waste Management visit mcgtn.net.

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Montgomery County, TN — Due to inclement weather, all Bi-County operations are closed today. If weather conditions are conducive for services, the convenience centers and main landfill site off Dover Road will be open Saturday, Dec. 24 until noon.

If temperatures and weather conditions do not improve, adjustments will be made and posted accordingly. For more information about Bi-County Solid Waste Management visit mcgtn.net.

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