Last Edited: September 15, 2025 @ 10:48 am

Citizens in Montgomery County are encouraged to utilize the early voting period for the October 7 Special Primary Election to select nominees to fill the vacancy in the United States House of Representatives, District 7. Tennessee has been ranked number one in the nation for election integrity for the fourth year in a row, and early voting is a safe and secure way to cast a ballot before Election Day.

“This is an important election, and every vote will matter,” said Amanda Joslin, the Montgomery County Administrator of Elections. “Go vote during early voting or on Election Day and help decide who will represent your party in the race for the 7th Congressional District.”

Early voting runs through Oct. 2, and voters can find hours and polling locations, view sample ballots, and much more by visiting GoVoteTN.gov or downloading the Secretary of State’s free GoVoteTN app. 

“Election officials throughout the 7th Congressional district are working hard to ensure voters can cast their ballots,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “I encourage all eligible voters to take part in shaping the choices for this important congressional race.”  

Tennesseans voting early or on Election Day should remember to bring valid photo identification to the polls. A driver's license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, by the Tennessee state government, or by the federal government are acceptable even if they are expired. College student IDs are not acceptable.

For more information about early voting and other election information, visit your trusted source for election information, GoVoteTN.gov, or contact the Montgomery County Election Commission at (931) 648-5707. 

Last Edited: September 15, 2025 @ 2:20 pm

Montgomery County proudly celebrated the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of the new North Branch Public Library and Montgomery County Animal Care & Control Facility on Saturday, September 13, 2025. More than 150 guests joined the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, while over 3,000 visitors explored the new library and shelter to celebrate the official opening of the combined facility at 435 Jordan Road in North Clarksville.  

The ceremony, emceed by Lee Erwin of 5 Star Media Group, featured remarks from Montgomery County Animal Care & Control staff and committee members, the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library staff and board, and a local student essay winner. 

County Mayor Wes Golden opened the ceremony by welcoming state delegates, elected officials, employees, and community members. He highlighted the uniqueness of the project, noting how it brings two essential services together in one shared space, expands capacity, and fosters community engagement. And thanked local delegates and county commissioners for their support, as well as the engineering, design, and construction teams for their work in providing these two new facilities to the rapidly growing north side of town. 

Representatives from the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library spoke about the extensive planning and effort that went into designing the new facility. They highlighted not only the wide range of programs available to residents but also the addition of outdoor areas and meeting spaces that will give the community more opportunities to gather, learn, and connect. They also expressed gratitude to the many teams whose support made the project possible. 

Representatives from Montgomery County Animal Care & Control spoke about the hard work and planning that went into the new facility, which more than doubles their capacity and adds a modern surgery suite. They emphasized how these improvements will allow the staff to provide better care for animals, expand services, and create more opportunities for community engagement. They also thanked the many teams whose support helped bring the project to life. 

Both groups cut their ribbons to celebrate the official opening of the new facilities. After the ceremony, the buildings were opened to the public, and guests were invited to enjoy guided tours, a live DJ, food trucks, story time, balloon art, and more. 

“Improving quality of life for our residents has always been one of our top priorities, and these projects help us do just that by giving people greater access to important services and spaces to learn and connect. We’re excited to celebrate the grand opening of the new North Branch Library and Animal Care & Control facility with our residents. These are the first county facilities on the north side of town, perfectly located to serve our rapidly growing community and our many military families,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden. 

“We are so grateful to everyone who helped bring this vision to life—from our library boards, local leaders, and library staff to our dedicated volunteers, community partners, and supporters. The North Branch represents a new chapter of access, connection, and possibility. As we look to the future, I’m filled with hope and inspiration for the programs, services, and opportunities we’ll be able to offer a wider audience across our community,” said Christina Reidel, Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library Director.  

“We are beyond excited, as this is an endeavor that has been over eight years in the making.  We started with just an idea and thought of creating a facility that would provide the best possible care and love for our community animals while also providing a safe and efficient work environment for our staff.  The level of gratefulness we have for Mayor Golden and the County Commission for seeing and understanding our vision is immeasurable,” said Dave Kaske, Montgomery County Animal Care & Control Director. 

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

For more information about Montgomery County Animal Care & Control, visit: montgomerytn.gov/animal-control 

Last Edited: September 11, 2025 @ 9:12 am

Montgomery County Government, in coordination with the City of Clarksville Street Department, will be closing 2nd Street between Franklin and Commerce Streets starting at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, September 12, 2025, to facilitate roof replacement on the Montgomery County Historic Courthouse. The roadway is anticipated to be open to all traffic by 4:00 p.m.

A crane and associated equipment that will be used as part of this replacement will block this segment of the street and street parking. Drivers should be aware of this closure downtown and plan alternate routes.

Last Edited: September 09, 2025 @ 8:33 am

Montgomery County Government is pleased to welcome the 2025-2026 Mayor’s Emerging Leaders, a group of 28 high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who will serve as unofficial county committee members. This year's Mayor’s Emerging Leaders Program began in August and allows students to attend committee meetings and gain insight into how local government operates, and to volunteer with departments to expand their knowledge of local government. During these sessions, students are recognized and encouraged to ask questions.

 “I am grateful to see students interested in learning about how local government works. It’s important for our young people to understand what is going on in their community, and when they invest in learning how things run, they are demonstrating their leadership and their potential to help Montgomery County continue to grow and thrive,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden. 

The county committees include the Airport Authority, Animal Control, Audit, Budget, E-911, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Protection, Jail and Juvenile, Parks, and School Liaison. The program is open to high school students in 10th through 12th grade. Announcements about the program are made through local media, social media, and sent to school guidance counselors in the spring.

Starting this year, students will begin the program in August and conclude in January to align with their school schedules. The kick-off meeting for this year's program was held on August 6 and 7. New activities have been introduced to give students hands-on experience regarding what County Government offers. Some of these events include a leadership class with Director of Continuous Improvement, Dr. Andrew Kester, and opportunities to volunteer for events and activities with Montgomery County Parks and Recreation and Montgomery County Animal Care & Control.

This year’s participants are:

• Simon Kifle - Clarksville High
• Brianna Greene - Kirkwood High
• Camille Johnston - Clarksville Academy
• Lyla Rae Bryant -Clarksville High
• Sofia Fuentes - Northwest
• David Lee - Kirkwood High
• Nora Shea - Clarksville Academy
• Lucas Steele - Northwest
• Meashenae Taylor - West Creek
• Taylor Allensworth - Clarksville Academy
• Jackson Tyndall - Clarksville High
• Reagan Turner - Clarksville Academy
• Chandler Kate Combs - Clarksville Academy
• Marissa Lomier - ETC
• Savanna Skinner - Middle College - APSU
• Emily Latino - Kirkwood
• Kaitlyn Fite - Kirkwood
• Jacob Shaffer - ETC
• Queena Chen - Rossview
• Chloe Dixon - Montgomery Central
• Audra-Grace Binkle - CMCSS K-12 Virtual School
• Charlsie Reynolds - Montgomery Central
• Connor Standley - Clarksville High
• Addison Goldberg - Rossview
• Kailey Davidson - Kirkwood High
• Preslee Albertia - Clarksville High
• Ella Roberts - Clarksville High
• Nicholas Wojack - Kenwood

Last Edited: September 05, 2025 @ 2:18 pm

Montgomery County Parks and Recreation’s new BBQ Fest Across the River, presented by F&M Bank, is a free, two-day, family-friendly festival taking 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. 

This community-focused event brings together BBQ lovers, live music, food trucks, football, and family fun in one unforgettable weekend. Whether you're a seasoned pitmaster or just hungry for great food and good times, this is the event you won't want to miss. 

Calling All Pitmasters 
Do you have what it takes to be crowned BBQ royalty? Join us for a BBQ Contest at RichEllen Park, where teams show off their grilling chops for fun, bragging rights, and cash prizes! Judging takes place on Saturday, October 11 — rain or shine. 

Teams are encouraged to participate in the People’s Choice, where meat is provided and the public votes for their favorite. Interested teams can register online now at montgomerytn.gov/parks/bbq-fest.

People's Choice Tasting 
While entry to the festival is free, foodies won’t want to miss the chance to sample BBQ straight from the competitors! People’s Choice tasting tickets are available for $10 and allow you to try delicious BBQ and vote for your favorite. 

Tasting begins at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 11. If you want to stick around to see who wins, the awards ceremony will take place at 2:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased now online at montgomerytn.gov/parks/bbq-fest. 

We’re really excited to bring this brand-new event to Montgomery County, especially for the folks across the river,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden“RichEllen Park is the perfect spot for a festival like this—plenty of space, beautiful setting, and a great place for families to come together and have some fun. We’re proud to host events that reach our residents outside the city too— it’s all about bringing the community together, no matter where they live.” 

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 updates and more details, visit montgomerytn.gov/parks or follow us on Facebook.