The Tennessee Department of Veterans Services recognized Hector Santos, Montgomery County Veterans Service Director (MCVSO), with both the County Service Officer (CSO) Impact Award for Region 2 and the state's most prestigious Veterans Service honor, the CSO Advocate of the Year Award for 2025 at the Tennessee Department of Veterans Service Annual Training held in Knoxville.

Regional CSO Impact Awards honor one County Service Officer from each region who demonstrates outstanding commitment, service, and advocacy through leadership, outreach, and claims quality by supporting fellow CSOs, engaging with Veterans and families, submitting accurate and high-quality claims, and showing strong community involvement and collaboration with County and State partners to achieve shared goals.

“Hector’s continued dedication to the military community is evident through his impactful work with the USO Pathfinder Program, the DoD Transition Assistance Program, and Austin Peay State University. His extensive experience and deep understanding of the Veteran transition process make him an invaluable asset to our community. During the transition to TVB, he played a key role in evaluating system capabilities and providing feedback that directly improved the system. As a U.S. Army Veteran and leader of nine County Veterans Service Officers serving more than 34,000 Veterans in Montgomery County, Hector continues to exemplify excellence in service and leadership,” said Travis Murphy, Tennessee Department of Veteran Services Assistant Commissioner.

Additionally, Santos was named the 2025 CVSO Advocate of the Year, an honor awarded to one regional recipient who demonstrates exceptional dedication and excellence in serving Veterans across all areas of support.

“As a retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major with 34 years of distinguished service, Santos has continued his lifelong dedication to the military community through impactful roles and has been a trusted partner to the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services. Whether guiding his nine County Service Officers, building community partnerships, or stepping up to support Veterans beyond his county, Hector always puts the mission first. His outstanding leadership, tireless advocacy, and unwavering commitment to Tennessee’s Veterans earned him this year’s County Veteran Service Officer of the Year award,” said Travis Murphy, Tennessee Department of Veteran Services Assistant Commissioner.

“I am truly grateful for the recognition. These awards reflect not just my work, but the collective efforts of my dedicated team and the incredible support from our community and elected leaders. Their partnership and commitment make it possible to serve our Veterans and ensure they receive the care and resources they deserve, said Santos.

To learn more about the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization, visit montgomerytn.gov/vso

The Imagination Library of Montgomery County (ILMC) is thrilled to announce that its annual fundraising event, held August 12, 2025, at the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center, raised more than $67,000 in support of early childhood literacy.

The total includes $41,477 after expenses from the event, plus an additional $25,000 contribution from Google — making this year’s fundraiser the most successful to date. This incredible support will provide funding to supply every child in the program with books for more than five months.

A heartfelt thank you goes to the Kiwanis of Clarksville, who led the way as the Queen Bee Sponsor, doating $10,000, along with the 11 Honeycomb Sponsors whose generosity helped make the evening possible: Altra Federal Credit Union; BFS Insurance; Camcor Homes LLC; CDE; Clarksville Rotary Club; CEMC; Fortera Credit Union; Keller-Williams/Marion Jewell, Realtor; Providence Builders; Senator Bill Powers; Spring Creek Pediatric Dentistry; and Taylor Dahl and Associates.

“Google was incredible to work with and went above and beyond on this effort. The impact of their donation toward childhood literacy will be felt by children all over Montgomery County for years to come,” said Julie Runyon, ILMC Board Member and Montgomery County Register of Deeds.

"Google is proud to partner with the Imagination Library of Montgomery County, an organization that does such vital work for local families," said Amber Tillamn, Google Head of Data Center Public Affairs, U.S. "Early literacy is the foundation for future success, and we are committed to supporting the communities we call home. We are thrilled that our contribution will help put books into the hands of thousands of children for months to come."

ILMC also extends its gratitude to the Swarm Wishes $500 Sponsors, Buzzword $250 Sponsors, anonymous donors, ticket holders, and the many businesses that contributed items for the silent auction, whose collective support allows the ILMC to put books directly into the homes and hands of thousands of children.

Special thanks go to the ILMC Board Members for their dedication and volunteer time; Thrive Creative for designing the printed program and PowerPoint; CMCSS for printing it; and Montgomery County Communications for managing social media graphics.

The organization also recognizes the tireless efforts of event co-chairs Julie Runyon and Michelle Newell, CMC Green Certification Manager and ILMC Board Member, whose leadership and volunteer time were key to the event’s success.

Appreciation also goes to the judges — former Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, Economic Development Leader Janet Wilson, and Clarksville Now Reporter Lee Erwin — as well as to the emcees Montgomery County Trustee Kimberly Wiggins and Charlie Koon with Legend’s Bank.

“The funds raised will go directly toward putting books into the hands of thousands of Montgomery County children each month,” said Board Chair Bobette Bouton. “Because of the success of the event, combined with support from the Community Health Foundation and the United Way, we can take a breath and plan without wondering how we will pay our $12,350 monthly book bill — ensuring more children will enter school ready to succeed.”

ILMC is part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which delivers free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five around the globe. Locally, the ILMC program serves nearly 10,000 children, thanks to the generosity of community partners and events like this fundraiser.

For more information about the ILMC, including how to sign up, visit https://montgomerytn.gov/publiclibrary/kids/reading-pre

Last Edited: September 29, 2025 @ 7:58 am

Montgomery County Parks and Recreation is excited to announce the full schedule for the first-ever BBQ Fest Across the River, presented by F&M Bank! This two-day, family-friendly event will take place at RichEllen Park on Friday, October 10, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is free, with activities for all ages. 

Friday Night Kickoff – October 10 (5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.) 
The festival kicks off Friday evening with live music from 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. by local musician Lucian Greene, a variety of food trucks, and beer for sale. Families can enjoy the Family Zone, featuring inflatables, face painting, and other free activities. 

A highlight of the night will be the arrival of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, a one-of-a-kind attraction for photos and fun. Guests can also cheer on contestants in a Hot Dog Eating Contest.

For barbecue enthusiasts, ‘Meat the Teams,’ powered by United Rentals, offers a chance to walk around, meet the pitmasters, and learn about their techniques as they prep for competition. 

Saturday Fun – October 11 (10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) 
Saturday, the celebration continues with live music from 12:00 pm.- 2:00 p.m. by local band The 1980, food trucks, and beer for sale. The Family Zone will once again be open with free kid-friendly activities. 

At 11:00 a.m., guests can take part in the People’s Choice Tasting—a chance to sample BBQ from the competing teams and vote for their favorite. Tickets are just $10 online or $12 at the door. 

Other Saturday highlights include a Home Run Derby, more family fun, and the chance to catch SEC football on the big screen while enjoying great food and community spirit. 

“There’s something for everyone at BBQ Fest Across the River—it’s a great opportunity for our residents to come together at one of our amazing County parks to enjoy delicious food, live music, and family-friendly activities. I’m excited to see this first year bring people together and look forward to many more years of this great community tradition.” – Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden 

Thank You to Our Sponsors 
This event is made possible through the generous support of F&M Bank, Wyatt Johnson, Hilltop Supermarket & Pharmacy, Visit Clarksville, and Montgomery County Parks and Recreation.

All proceeds from BBQ Fest Across the River will benefit the Tri-County Sportsman’s Association, supporting local youth and community programs. 

 For People’s Choice tickets, visit montgomerytn.gov/parks/bbq-fest. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more announcements! 

Last Edited: September 25, 2025 @ 12:35 pm

Montgomery County Parks and Recreation is proud to announce the expansion of Fredonia Park, with a community ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, at 4:00 p.m. 

Fredonia Park has been developed in phases to meet the evolving needs of the community. Phase One focused on the renovation of a historic schoolhouse, transforming it into the Fredonia Community Center, which officially opened in March 2022. Since opening, the center has quickly become a beloved gathering place for personal celebrations, family events, and community meetings. Looking ahead, Montgomery County is excited to celebrate the building’s 100-year anniversary in 2026, recognizing its rich history and continued importance to the Fredonia area. 

The latest expansion introduces a variety of amenities designed to promote recreation, wellness, and community connection. These additions include six pickleball courts, a full-size basketball court, an open-air pavilion, and a quarter-mile paved walking loop featuring an Imagination Library Storybook Trail. 

Montgomery County is also pleased to share that the same grant funding provided by the Aspire Foundation and the CMC Community Health Foundation that made the pickleball courts possible will fund a brand-new playground for the Fredonia community, with construction anticipated to begin soon and completion expected in spring 2026. 

“This expansion is a major milestone for the Fredonia community and reflects our commitment to investing in spaces that bring people together,” said Sally Read, Parks and Recreation Director. “We are deeply grateful to the Aspire Foundation and the CMC Community Health Foundation for their incredible generosity and vision. Their support has already made the new pickleball courts a reality and will soon bring a playground that will serve families for years to come.” 

“I am proud to celebrate the Fredonia Park expansion and the addition of pickleball courts, trails, and gathering spaces that are going to give the families and neighbors out in the county more opportunities to enjoy recreation close to home,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden. “And thank you to the Aspire Foundation, the CMC Community Health Foundation, and the Friends of Fredonia Park for their generous support in helping to make these improvements possible for our residents.”

Community members are encouraged to join the celebration on Tuesday, September 30, at 4:00 p.m. at Fredonia Park. The ribbon cutting will highlight the park’s newest features and recognize the foundations and individuals whose dedication and support made this project possible. 

To learn more about Montgomery County Parks and Recreation visit, montgomerytn.gov/parks. 

Last Edited: September 22, 2025 @ 11:17 am

The Montgomery County Information Technology Department and Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library are proud to announce new public Wi-Fi additions at RichEllen Park, Woodlawn Park, along with a technology expansion at Downtown Commons, and digital literacy tool offerings at the Public Library, made possible by the Broadband Ready Communities Grant Program. 

Montgomery County received a $100,000 Broadband Ready Communities Grant, with no local match required, to expand public Wi-Fi access and support digital literacy programs for underserved residents. Of the total grant, $50,000 was dedicated to installing and expanding public Wi-Fi at County Parks, with service focused on parking lots and hard-surface areas. This ensures residents, especially those underserved or without reliable home internet, can easily connect from their vehicles or nearby gathering spaces and have convenient options for online services like completing schoolwork and accessing healthcare. 

The remaining $50,000 is dedicated to supporting digital literacy initiatives through the Public Library with programs designed to help residents—especially those with limited technology experience—develop practical skills, build confidence using online resources, and gain access to education, employment, healthcare, and other essential services. 

“Expanding public wi-fi and digital literacy offerings for our underserved residents is a big step forward in making sure folks right here in Montgomery County have access to the digital tools they need. These options make it easier for them to stay connected to online services and provide the support they need through our Public Library,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.  

“For many of the families I represent, reliable internet and digital skills seem to be a luxury—this investment will serve as a lifeline for them. Our elderly and immobile constituents can access healthcare video calls, students from kindergarten to post-secondary can complete schoolwork, and job seekers can apply for opportunities that require online applications without being left behind. I’m proud to see resources going directly to the communities that need them most, because true progress means everyone in Montgomery County gets equal access to live better.” said Rashidah A. Leverett, Montgomery County Commissioner, District 5. 

“Expanding public Wi-Fi to RichEllen Park ensures that families in District 6 have another reliable source of internet close to home. This addition will help students with schoolwork, support parents with essential services, and create new opportunities for connection, education, and access in our community,” said Michael Lankford, Montgomery County Commissioner, District 6. 

“Montgomery County IT is proud to have played a role in expanding the coverage of publicly available Wi-Fi for our community through this grant funding. This investment provides residents with reliable, high-speed broadband access at three different parks throughout Montgomery County, with the goal of enhancing connectivity and opportunities for those in our underserved areas.” said Skip Burchett, Montgomery County Information Technology Director. 

“At the North Branch Library, we are committed to expanding access and opportunity through inclusive digital literacy initiatives. Our hands-on programs help individuals with limited technology experience build practical skills, gain confidence using online resources, and explore interactive tools—that empower our community to learn, connect, and thrive in a digital world,” said Christina Reidel, Clarksville-Montgomery County Library Director. 

For more information about Montgomery County Information Technology, visit: montgomerytn.gov/it 
For more information about the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library, visit: montgomerytn.gov/publiclibrary 

About the Broadband Ready Communities Grant Program  
The Broadband Ready Communities Grant Program supports initiatives that bring digital access and connectivity directly to constituents, helping communities leverage technology for education, business, healthcare, and public services. The program empowers counties to develop local solutions that address the unique broadband needs of their residents. 

About the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act (TBAA) 
Enacted in 2017, the TBAA seeks to expand broadband access across the state, particularly in underserved and rural areas, promoting economic growth, educational opportunities, and improved quality of life.