Process to book primitive camping at Center Hill Lake streamlined

June 1, 2021
By:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District announces that Center Hill Lake has streamlined its process to book primitive campsites during the 2021 recreation season.

Visitors can now book a primitive campsite online at recreation.gov or via telephone by calling 1-877-444-6777 from 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. CST. Available camping opportunities are found under the facility name “Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas.”

Under the Center Hill Lake primitive camping areas, it is tentatively planned to have a total of 17 designated camping areas with 19 total campsites. Most of the areas existed before the lake draw down, which began in 2008 and included three major construction projects. Over the span of 13 years the sites were not easily accessible and have not received any use. The staff at Center Hill Lake has been working to clear vegetation from the camping areas and to install signage and fire rings. Campsites are transitioning to an open reservable status after they are prepped for use. Please note this may be a two-season process to open all 19 primitive campsites.

The following locations across the lake are open to primitive camping areas to date:
 Cane Hollow Recreation Area (3 sites)
 Davies Island North
 Davies Island East
 Davies Island West
 East Shore
 White County Access
 Big Hurricane
 South Shore
 Pedigo Point – Also known as Clay Point

Rules at developed campgrounds also apply at primitive campsites. Sites can be booked for 14 days in a 30-day consecutive period. Check in time is 3:30 p.m. and check out time is 2:30 p.m. Dumping of sewage and household items is prohibited under Code of Federal Regulations Title 36 326.9.

Those who have made reservations through the Natural Resource Management Office before May 13, 2021 have their site and reservation blocked for future use. Customers should receive an e-mail or phone call acknowledging these reservations for their awareness.

The Center Hill Lake Resource Manager’s Office is seeking volunteer groups with access to a vessel that would like to assist with clearing and/or maintaining of camping areas. If interested call 931-858-3125.

May 31, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A prayer, passages,  songs of patriotism, and the placement of a wreath marked a Memorial Day observance Monday morning outside the courthouse near the Veterans Memorial Monument.

Members of the community chorus gathered for a few flag waving songs followed by a prayer from local minister Larry Green.

Jan Thomas then read fitting passages for the occasion including “The American’s Creed” by William Tyler Page of Maryland.

“On Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women of our military who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States of America,” said Thomas. “ Their patriotism, courage, sacrifice, and immeasurable contributions to our nation will never be forgotten. Today we honor, we remember, and we celebrate,” she said.

“In 1917, William Tyler Page of Maryland won a nationwide contest for “the best summary of American political faith.” The U.S. House of Representatives accepted the statement as the American’s Creed on April 3, 1918. It’s two paragraphs remind us that responsibilities are the source of rights. It deserves to be read and recited. Today very few people have even ever heard of it,” said Thomas.

“I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies,” said Thomas in reading from the American’s Creed.

The program closed with the Pledge of Alliance and “Taps”

May 31, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Work will resume this week after the Memorial Day holiday on the Highway 56 improvement project.

The contractor, Jones Brothers Contractors, is currently performing grade work inside the Smithville City Limits between Dearman Street and East Bryant Street. A traffic shift in this area will remain to allow the contractor to complete the work.

Jones Brothers Contractors is also installing concrete box culverts and drainage structures. Grade work, bridge work, paving operations, and utility work on the new roadway alignment are also ongoing. Traffic is still using the existing Highway 56 alignment however motorists are advised to use caution and watch for construction equipment adjacent to the roadway. Flaggers may be present to move equipment across the highway, unload equipment, or complete utility work.

A diversion remains in place for Williams Road to allow Jones Brothers to construct the new alignment. The speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph in the construction zone. Motorists should use caution in this area and watch for flaggers and construction equipment.