Luttrell Mayor Johnny Merritt made short work of the Luttrell City Council meeting May 21st in order to move on to what most residents consider to be the most important thing. Community.

“This is not the Johnny show,” said Merritt. “I work with wonderful people on the council and we have amazing people in our city who care about each other and the community."

Cody Clabough opened the meeting leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Twelve-year-old Cody is a member of Boy Scout Troop 506 in Halls. He is working on his Citizenship in the Community and Citizenship in the Nation merit badges. Vice Mayor Jody Smith presented Cody with a letter of recognition and participation from the City of Luttrell.

An exciting event will happen in Luttrell once again this fall. Thanks to organizer Mayme Taylor. The Luttrell Music Festival will return September 8, 2018. Taylor has accomplished quite the feat with her headliner band, Ricochet, as well as acquiring sponsors and donors.

“I’m so happy we can have the festival again this year,” said Taylor. “We owe a lot to our sponsor, Carmeuse, and our generous donors, State Representative Jerry Sexton and his wife Marsha.”

Luttrell City Councilman Phil Ruth presented a check for $2500 from Carmeuse to Taylor for the festival.

Ricochet will take a brief time out from a busy tour season to perform at the festival. Along with band performances, the festival will host a kid’s music competition, a cruise in, barbeque, food vendors, baked goods and craft vendors.

More info about the festival is available on the City of Luttrell’s Facebook page. For info about the kid's music competition, call City Hall at 865-992-0870 and leave a message for Mayme or email maymejodys@aol.com.

The 2018 Luttrell Music festival will run from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, September 8. As always, this is a free event. Taylor suggested that all festival attendees bring a chair.

Another important date to place on your calendar is June 9, 2018. Union County Sheriff’s Department will host the second annual Neighborhood Watch Membership Appreciation Day at Wilson Park.

“This is our way of showing how much we appreciate those who participate in our Neighborhood Watch Program and it also serves as a membership drive,” said Union County Sheriff Billy Breeding.

The event is open to the public and will include live music, free food, Child Identification Fingerprinting and the Fatal Vision Alcohol Impairment Program. The highlight of the evening will be the Canine Demonstration.

“The dogs were a big attraction last year,” said Breeding.

The Neighborhood Watch Membership Appreciation Day is scheduled for Saturday, June 9 at 7 p.m. at Wilson Park. More info is available on the U.C. Sheriff’s Department Facebook page or by calling the Sheriff’s Office at 865-992-5212.

Carmeuse representative Phil Ruth presents a check for the Luttrell Music Festival to organizer Mayme Taylor. Pictured: Front row, l-r: U.S. State Rep. Jerry Sexton and his much, much better wife (in her own words) Marsha, LMF organizer Mayme Taylor, Luttrell City Council member Phil Ruth, Luttrell Mayor Johnny Merritt; Back row, l-r: Luttrell Vice Mayor Jody Smith, U.C. Sheriff Billy Breeding and Luttrell City Council members Lloyd Railey and Barry Corum.