Free Fishing Day Saturday, June 12

June 9, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Tennessee’s 2021 Free Fishing Day is set for Saturday, June 12 when anyone may fish free without a license in Tennessee’s public waters. Academy Sports + Outdoors has generously sponsored this year’s events statewide with fishing gear and giveaways.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency provides the annual free day in hopes of increasing interest in fishing. The day allows anyone the opportunity to try this great outdoor sport to celebrate fishing as a wholesome and healthy recreational opportunity. In addition, children ages 15 and younger may fish without a license beginning on Free Fishing Day through the following Friday (June 18).

The day and week are annual events in Tennessee and are great opportunities to introduce children to the enjoyment and excitement of a day on the water catching fish. Many events are returning this year following being cancelled last year due to the pandemic. The TWRA is among several organizations planning special fishing events, primarily for youngsters. The TWRA annually stocks several thousand pounds of fish for various events. A special thanks goes to Academy + Sports and other local sponsors for their support of Free Fishing events across Tennessee.

For a list of the events, visit the TWRA website at www.tnwildlife.org. Anglers and potential anglers should check the events list often since special events are frequently added.

Free Fishing Day and Week apply to Tennessee’s public waters, TWRA owned and operated lakes, and state park facilities. Some privately owned pay lakes and ponds continue to charge during this special day and week. Anglers will need to consult with those operators if there are any questions about a facility.

June 9, 2021
By: Bill Conger

Dr. Kathryn Buck Pursell, PhD will join the mental health non-profit agency Haven of Hope on June 15. The Liberty resident will be offering psychological examinations in the areas of Autism, Intellectually Disabled, Dyslexia, ADHD, Parenting Assessments, Anxiety, and Depression to name a few on a part-time basis.

Pursell, who is also a school psychologist in Rutherford County, originally set out to work in private practice. A former DeKalb County Schools teacher, she was motivated to learn more about the psychology field when mental health professionals struggled to find the correct answer for her daughter.

“The whole reason I even went back to college was my daughter,” explains Pursell. “They kept on telling us that she had ADHD and I kept saying, “No, it’s more than that.” I went to school to figure out what was wrong with her.”

Eventually, Pursell’s family got the answers they were seeking, and in the meantime, Pursell earned her Master of Arts in Agency Counseling from Tennessee Tech. Her journey continued at Tech as she earned her Specialist in Education in School Psychology.

“I’m excited to be joining the Haven of Hope,” Pursell said. “When I set out for it, I hadn’t planned to be a psychologist for the schools. I liked it so I thought I’ll stay and do this.”

Her desire to work in the private sector continued, though, and she persevered by earning her licensure and doctorate degree in psychology.

“We are so excited to have Dr. Pursell with us,” Haven of Hope Executive Director Samanthia Curtis said. “She is a valued member of our team. The Haven is proud of Dr. Pursell offering her valuable professional services to our community.”

Pursell’s honors include the 2013 William Ballard Award, PhD level, from the Tennessee Association of School Psychologists and the 2012 Outstanding Graduate Student at Tennessee State University.

June 9, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Residents would no longer be allowed to erect or place an accessory structure such as an outbuilding or barn in their front yard under action taken by the Smithville Aldermen Monday night.

The new ordinance, adopted on first reading, was recommended for passage by the Smithville Planning Commission. In R-1 and R-2 residential zones, the ordinance would require that “with exceptions of signs, accessory structures shall not be erected in any front yard”. Barns, sheds, outbuildings, etc. would have to be situated to the side or behind homes according to setback regulations in those residential zones with the approval of the city building codes inspector.

Second and final reading passage will be scheduled at the next meeting in July.

Also at the recommendation of the planning commission, the aldermen have adopted on first reading an amendment to the zoning ordinance to prohibit residential and commercial uses in all heavy and light Industrial zones (I-1, 1-2, & 1-3 zones).

Second and final reading passage will be scheduled at the next meeting in July.

Bailiff Street is now one-way.

The aldermen, at the request of residents who live on that road and the planning commission, voted to make Bailiff Street, located between Fisher Avenue and Mountain Street, one-way. The street is narrow and serves only a few homes. The street will become one-way from Fisher Avenue.

The aldermen also adopted an ordinance on second and final reading to rezone property at 415 Juniper Lane from R-2 residential to C-1 commercial. The property belongs to Rebecca Ford Little. This lot joins two others in the neighborhood already zoned commercial.