CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – These are some of the stories that made the biggest impact on the Clarksville community in 2018:
1. CAPTURED: Kirby Wallace taken into custody by sheriff in deer stand – Murder suspect Kirby Wallace dominated the headlines in September/October of 2018 as he led authorities in Montgomery and Stewart Counties on a week-long manhunt that ended in his arrest.
2. Two tornadoes damage dozens of homes in Clarksville-Montgomery County – In February, an EF-2 tornado touched down in the Rossview Rd./Farmington Subdivision area, and an EF-1 tornado hit the Dotsonville area of Montgomery County, destroying dozens of homes and other property. No one was killed during the storms.
3. Husband of slain Ft Campbell soldier charged with murder, could face death penalty – The Fort Campbell community was shaken in October when a soldier was allegedly murdered by her estranged husband at her home on the Army post. Victor Silvers of Clarksville was charged with the murder of Sgt. Brittney N. Silvers.
4. WATCH: Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office joins viral lip sync challenge – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office created a viral video for the law enforcement lip sync challenge that delighted the community.
5. Members of Clarksville motorcycle gang charged with murder, drug trafficking – Law enforcement busted a notorious motorcycle gang in the Clarksville area in January, resulting in more than a dozen arrests.
6. Joe Pitts elected Mayor of Clarksville – The City of Clarksville held an election in November and chose independent candidate Joe Pitts as the next mayor of the city. He will be sworn in on Jan, 2, 2019.
7. Google breaks ground on new data center in Clarksville-Montgomery County – Google broke ground on a new data center facility in Clarksville this past February. The new data center in Clarksville is part of a $2.5 billion investment Google is making to open or expand data centers in four other states. The centers answer millions of searches each day in Tennessee with around 18,000 businesses and nonprofits using Google’s search and advertising tools.
8. Downtown Commons opens for the community – In April of this year, the new Downtown Commons public space opened in downtown Clarksville as part of continued revitalization efforts in the area. Several events and activities, including the popular Winter Ice Rink, have been held in the space since.