Dickson County Times

09/23/2025

FOOTBALL: Burns Defeats Dickson 21-0 (Playoffs)

09/23/2025

Congrats to the DCHS Cougars boys and girls golf teams! District 14 Champs! They will head to Regionals on Monday.

Medalists

Girls:
Poppy Pewitt - 1st
Addie Szely - 2nd

Boys:
Spencer Baxter - 2nd
Archie Smith - 3rd
Bentley Franklin - 5th

09/21/2025

09/20/2025

09/20/2025

Creek Wood got their first win of the season last night, 41-20 over Battle Creek. Next week the Red Hawks travel to Spring Hill.

09/19/2025

Game Day in Charlotte!

09/17/2025

A message from Dr. Christie Southerland, Director of Schools for Dickson County.

Today, a rumor was shared on social media regarding a threat to our school system.

The threat was made to the Dickson County Public Schools in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

The city of Dickson police in Tennessee has not identified any credible threat toward schools in Dickson County, TN.

Thank you and have a great evening.

09/17/2025

DICKSON DOCTOR’S SOCIAL MEDIA POST ON CHARLIE KIRK’S DEATH SPARKS BACKLASH

A local physician’s comments on social media about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk have drawn sharp criticism, leading his employer to release a public statement disavowing his words.

Dr. Demond White, a physician at Dickson Medical Associates, took to Facebook to criticize Kirk and those expressing sympathy after his death. While stating that “political violence is NOT OK,” Dr. White went on to describe Kirk as a man who “thrived on racist, homophobic, and bigoted rhetoric” and accused him of doing “a lot of damage.” He suggested that unfriending those who voiced support for Kirk was necessary, declaring, “WE CAN NOT AGREE TO DISAGREE.”

The post, which openly disparaged the recently deceased, quickly spread online, drawing outrage from community members who considered it hateful and inappropriate—especially coming from a medical professional.

In response, Dickson Medical Associates issued an official statement on Friday, clarifying that Dr. White’s remarks did not reflect the views of the organization.

“We’ve seen comments circulating on social media regarding the passing of Charlie Kirk. Dickson Medical Associates wants to be clear that these opinions and statements do not represent the views of our organization. The medical executive committee does not condone any comments that are disrespectful or disparaging towards an individual or their family, regardless of the circumstances. Our deepest condolences go out to his loved ones during this difficult time.”

The incident has raised broader questions about professionalism, free speech, and accountability in the medical field. While individuals may hold personal beliefs, many argue that doctors, who are entrusted with caring for all people regardless of background or politics, should be held to a higher standard of conduct.

For now, DMA has distanced itself from Dr. White’s comments, but the controversy continues to swirl in Dickson County as the community reacts to both Kirk’s death and the fallout from insensitive social media posts.

09/16/2025

🗳️ TN-7 Special Primary Election 🗳️

Early voting starts tomorrow (Sept. 17) and is open through October 2. The primary is on October 7 — this will decide both the Republican and Democratic nominees in TN-7, with the general election coming December 2.

Check out the sample ballots to see who’s running and prepare ahead of time:

09/15/2025

DICKSON COUNTY TO RECEIVE $3 MILLION FOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENTS THROUGH FEDERAL DISASTER RELIEF

Dickson County to Receive $3 Million for Bridge Replacements Through Federal Disaster Relief

At the September 15th Dickson County Commission work session, county leaders announced that Dickson County will receive $3 million in federal disaster relief funds through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), set aside for communities impacted by the 2021 floods.

The grant, which requires no local match, comes from FEMA allocations that identified Dickson County as eligible for special disaster-related funding. County Economic Development Officer Terry Malone presented the details, explaining that the funds will be used to replace two bridges: the East Piney Road Bridge and the Woods Valley Road Bridge.

“These funds are non-matching, which means the county will not be required to provide additional money to receive the grant,” Malone said. “It’s essentially $3 million directly to Dickson County to address critical infrastructure damaged or compromised by the floods.”

Mayor Bob Rial clarified that while the money comes from federal taxpayers, it is still a rare opportunity for the county to tackle expensive projects without local tax dollars. “It’s not free money because taxpayers paid for it,” Rial said, “but there’s no match required from our county budget, which makes this a significant win for us.”

Commissioners voted to move the resolution to the regular September session, where it will be formally accepted. Once approved, the county can begin the process of planning and contracting for the bridge replacements.

The 2021 floods were among the most damaging natural disasters to strike Middle Tennessee in recent years, causing widespread infrastructure damage in Dickson and surrounding counties. Federal relief funds have been slow to materialize, making the $3 million allocation especially significant for local residents who rely on rural bridges for daily transportation.

“This is one of those moments where federal disaster relief is working the way it’s supposed to,” Malone said. “It allows us to rebuild smarter and safer without adding financial strain on Dickson County taxpayers.”

09/15/2025

DICKSON CO. RESIDENTS PLEA TO PLANNING COMMISSION: REJECT LUTHER HOGAN ROAD REZONING!

The Dickson County Planning Commission voted unanimously (10–0) this week to recommend against rezoning nearly 55 acres on Luther Hogan Road from A-1 (Agricultural) to M-1 (Heavy Industrial).

While county leaders argued the land was purchased in 2017 to attract new businesses, it was the voices of neighbors that dominated the meeting and ultimately swayed the commission.

“Once this farmland is paved over, we can’t get it back”

During public comment, Debbie Ruff spoke passionately against the proposal. She reminded commissioners that the property, adjacent to a family cemetery, holds deep meaning for the community.

“Dickson County has very little farmland left. And once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. This land is not just soil. It’s history. It’s where cattle graze, where families chose to build homes for peace and quiet, and where generations are laid to rest. Industrial development will bring truck traffic, noise, and pollution. Once this farmland is paved over, we can’t get it back.”

Her remarks drew nods from many in attendance, emphasizing that the issue was about more than a zoning map — it was about preserving identity and heritage.

“No one would want industrial zoning touching their land”

Brett Luther, whose family home borders much of the county-owned tract, also stood up to speak. He described moving his wife and three children there to pursue their “forever home” and the American dream.

“No one in this room would want to have a piece of land touching your land that’s going to be zoned industrial. You don’t know what that’s going to look like. It’s scary. You don’t know what that would smell like. I have three young kids — we hunt, we fish, we play sports. This land means everything to us.”

Luther also cited the farm’s challenging terrain, sinkholes, and proximity to the family cemetery as reasons why the land was ill-suited for industry.

Economic Development Director Terry Malone reminded commissioners that the property was bought at the direction of the County Commission to secure future industrial sites. With only one lot left in the current industrial park, she argued Dickson County needs land ready to market if it hopes to compete for jobs.

“The rezoning puts us in a position to market the site,” Malone said.

While commissioners acknowledged the need for economic growth, several echoed residents’ concerns about farmland loss and the obligations that come with M-1 zoning. Approving the request, they warned, would leave the county little choice but to accept any heavy industrial use that met code, regardless of community opposition later.

A motion to recommend denial passed 10–0, sending the message that neighbors’ concerns outweighed the county’s push to prepare the land for industry.

The Dickson County Commission will hold its own public hearing and make the final decision. If it sides with the Planning Commission, the land will remain agricultural. If it approves rezoning, the county will be able to market the site for industrial development.

For now, residents who spoke out — like Debbie Ruff and Brett Luther — leave the meeting with a rare victory, having convinced the planning commission that farmland, family, and heritage matter more than fast-tracked industrial growth.

However, what happens next will be up to our County Commissioners.