News Flash

Race Day Made Easy — and for a Great Cause! 

The St. Jude Rock ’n’ Roll Nashville Marathon is coming up Saturday, April 25th, and Wilson County Government is excited to partner with WeGo Public Transit to offer WeGo Star service to and from the event for just $15 (plus $2 processing fee).

Thanks to our generous corporate sponsor, RJ Corman Railroad Group, 100% of ticket proceeds will be donated back to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to support their lifesaving work.

 Why ride the WeGo Star? • Skip traffic and parking headaches • Enjoy convenient station stops from Lebanon to Nashville • Support the kids of St. Jude with every ticket • Start race day relaxed and ready to run

Grab your seat, ride with purpose, and make a difference on race day. Let’s fill the train and fill hearts across Tennessee.

Get your tickets today! 

Wilson County contractors are continuing the cleanup process along county‑maintained roads following damage from Winter Storm Fern. Custom Tree Care, the county’s contracted debris removal provider, is actively working across the county. The company is working to clear vegetative storm debris and remove damaged trees and limbs from the right-of-way.

Cleanup teams are currently performing the following work throughout unincorporated areas of Wilson County:

• Clearing storm debris from the public right of way.
• Trimming and removing weakened or damaged trees identified as “leaners” and “hangers,” which pose a risk of falling into roadways.
• Cutting and staging debris for later pickup by a separate collection crew.
• Conducting multiple passes through all affected areas due to the significant volume of debris countywide.

Residents may see crews cutting and leaving debris temporarily in the right-of-way. This is part of the planned process; a dedicated pickup crew will return to collect all material. If crews have not yet reached a particular neighborhood, residents should expect to see them in the near future as operations continue.

Because of the extensive damage from Winter Storm Fern, cleanup is progressing as quickly and safely as possible. Crews will reach every area, and multiple passes will be made to ensure all eligible debris is collected.

All residents in unincorporated Wilson County must place storm-related debris in the right of way no later than March 29, 2026. This is the final date for debris to be set out for pickup.

All residents are asked to please use caution when driving near work zones and to provide crews with adequate space to operate safely.

Debris cleanup for residents living within the city limits of Lebanon or Mt. Juliet, or along state-maintained roads, is being handled by the respective municipality. Residents in these areas should follow their city’s specific guidance for storm debris disposal.

Wilson County officials extend their gratitude for the community’s patience and cooperation. Crews are working diligently to cover a large geographic area and ensure a safe and thorough recovery process.

The Wilson County Road Commission would like to make you all aware of a scheduled road closure on Stewarts Ferry Pike at the bridge over Suggs Creek. This portion of Stewarts Ferry Pike is scheduled to be closed beginning January 5, 2026, and will remain closed until the completion of the rebuilding of the bridge, which is expected to be completed as of the end of June 2026, weather permitting. The contractor of the project will be placing signs this week (12/8/25) regarding the closure. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Wilson County Road Commission at 615/444-9022.

It’s no secret that we have a culture of kindness here in Wilson County, TN.  While some things we may see and hear have a negative narrative, much of what people say and do is positive, helpful, and caring! Wilson County Kind is an ongoing campaign to put a spotlight on the kind words, deeds, and acts of others.  We encourage you to get involved!

What is Wilson County Kind?  It is a campaign from Mayor Hutto’s office to involve every person, business, non-profit, civic group, school and church—in fact the entire community—to put a spotlight on kindness.  We will post photos and words of kindness with the logo and #WilsonCountyKind on Facebook @MayorHutto and other social media outlets.  We will also engage in activities with others to promote awareness such as a chalk art activity at Night Out Against Crime.  Groups are encouraged to get creative and engage in acts of kindness (see below for suggestions).

How can I spotlight acts of kindness?

1. Observe others and post photos on social media which display acts of kindness or quotes and words that bring a smile to your face; and include #WilsonCountyKind.

2. Share posts with the hashtag #WilsonCountyKind.  Please visit @MayorHutto on Facebook, Instagram, and X to keep up with his latest posts.

3. Engage with a group and do something fun that spreads kindness.  For example, start a letter-writing campaign to senior adults to brighten their day; pick a non-profit for a group community service event and post photos with #WilsonCountyKind; see suggestions at the bottom of this page.

4. Promote your activities on social media and through other means.  Kindness is a two-way street that puts a smile on the faces of the person delivering kindness as well as for the person receiving.  So please share the good stuff!

Here’s some suggestions on how to get involved:

• Volunteer with a local non-profit.  
  • Share the act of service and the positive impact it had on others.  Promote what others are doing to give of themselves with photos and posts on social media and include #WilsonCountyKind.  Find non-profits through your local Chamber of Commerce or at The Volunteer Network https://www.volunteernetworktn.org/organization .
• Donate to a wish list created by a school, hospital, senior center, or assisted living facility. Here are some suggested donation locations. 
• Start a letter-writing campaign to brighten someone’s day with a handwritten and/or handcrafted notecard.  
  • Contact Rebecca Nofi, GNRC Volunteer and Community Coordinator, ph: 615-891-5876, email rnofi@gnrc.org  for campaign templates and suggestions.
• Create a Wilson County Kind  “Take What You Need” board with your children, students, family, or for your place of business.
  • It never gets old to brainstorm possible emotional supports someone may need (ex. Hugs, Love, Courage, Peace, Calm, Faith), then find quotes that are reminders for that need.  
  • Write the quotes on colored sticky notes, same color as the ‘need’ and post them on a Board that students, family members, or colleagues can take.  Take charge and have leaders refill as needed.  Snap pictures of the board, post and share with #WilsonCountyKind.
• Organize a Mealtrain for someone in need.  www.mealtrain.com
• Using washable chalk, write encouraging words on a neighbor’s concrete steps or on the sidewalk.   Snap, post, and share with #WilsonCountyKind!
• Contact your local Fire Department and ask if they need anything.  
  • Eating, sleeping and trying to stay active on long shifts may require meals and other supplies.  Want to help them stock up on homemade freezer dinners, jugs of tea, paper towels or other supplies?   Many items are not in the Fire Department budget.  Take a photo with the Firemen and women!
• Stock a glass bowl with daily acts of kindness on slips of colored paper.  Encourage office colleagues or students to pick one each day and act on it!  Then post it on social media and mention how it made you feel or made someone’s day.
• Make an Advent Calendar with daily acts of kindness.  Have students or visitors select one each day and act on it!
• In cold weather, stock a coat tree with warm scarves and place a sign next to it “Take One, or Leave One”.  Snap, post and share photos of your scarf tree with #WilsonCountyKind.

Media Sources:

Happy Activists: Wilson County Kind Makes Kindness CoolWe know that kindness is crucial, but sometimes it seems to be in short supply these days. That’s why Randall Hutto, mayor of Wilson County in Tennessee, has made his office the starting point for spreading kindness.This week, Mayor Hutto and project administrator Susan Shaw explain why they created the initiative known as Wilson County Kind and how it is helping create a happier, kinder place to live.

Happy Activists: Wilson County Kind Makes Kindness Cool | Live Happy

Taking a Leap of Kindness

Mar 2, 2024  

By Abbey Nutter

Lebanon Democrat

https://www.lebanondemocrat.com/lebanon/taking-a-leap-of-kindness/article_529a701a-b2fb-51fc-9b7d-dbeb3408e951.html

Black History Committee Honors John Lewis in Annual Black History Month Celebration

February 19, 2024

by XAVIER SMITH

Main Street Media

https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/news-thewilsonpost/black-history-committee-honors-john-lewis-in-annual-black-history-month-celebration/

Wilson County Leaders Counting on New Kindness Campaign

October 05, 2023

by XAVIER SMITH

Main Street Media

https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/chronicleofmtjuliet/wilson-county-leaders-counting-on-new-kindness-campaign/

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