The Garage Where Men Get Fixed Too: What Happens When the Hood Goes Up and the Bible Comes Out?
By Mike Sparks I grew up around cars. My dad was a World War II veteran who joined the Army Air Corps and flew missions over Nazi Germany aboard B-17 […]
Smyrna
Automotive/Classic cars
Faith
History
Military
Air Force C-130 operations in DF-60
Orginally published in SouthPoleStatio.com The 61st Troop Carrier Squadron from Sewart AFB, Tennessee, brought 7 of their 12 ski-equipped C-130-D aircraft to the ice, as well as a wheeled C-130-A […]
Automotive/Classic cars
Racing
Kellison: The Rebel Spirit and Rise of California’s Plastic Fantastic—And There’s One of the Few Remaining in Smyrna, Tennessee
The story of the Kellison is a classic American tale of “plastic fantastic” ambition, where a backyard tinkerer with a vision nearly toppled the European automotive giants. The Birth of […]
History
local government/civic engagement
Nissan
Uncategorized
What If Nissan Had Never Chosen Our Small Town of Smyrna?
Editor’s Note: The other day at the Exxon station across from Nissan, I found myself staring at the plant where I worked for eight years, lost in memories. Even the […]
Automotive/Classic cars
Politics
Smyrna TN Chili Cook-Off 2026 15th Annual Cook-Off Draws Record Crowd and Classic Cars
Sparks 15th Annual Chili Cook-Off was a huge success Smyrna, TN – The 15th annual Chili Cook-off held last Saturday brought together community members for a day of friendly competition, […]
Automotive Auto Industry Nissan
Business Economy
Tennessee Business
From Tokyo to Tennessee: How Nissan’s 1983 Smyrna Plant Transformed American Auto Manufacturing
The Complete History of Nissan: From Tokyo to Tennessee The Origins of Nissan: From Datsun to Global Icon The story of Nissan begins in 1911 with the founding of the […]
Faith
Leaving a Legacy
Politics
Rhonda Lynn Petty Allen, Tireless Advocate for Rutherford County Schools, Passes at 60
Rhonda Lynn Petty Allen was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus Christ on December 12, 2025. The beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away at […]
Faith
History
How To Do More with Less
Leaving a Legacy
Charles Jones: The 95-year-old Entrepreneur who Grew Up in Old Jefferson Community to Mars Candy Mansion: One Man’s Quest to Save Tennessee History
From Depression-Era Roots to Historic Preservation: The Remarkable Journey of Charles Robert Jones Editors’ Note: It was a pleasure having Mr. Charles Jones as our guest on WGNS Radio Conversations […]
Leaving a Legacy
Politics
Schools/Education
TDOT Replaces Ernie Johns Highway Sign After Removal During $70 Million Widening Project
Editor’s Note: The past few weeks I’ve had a few folks reach out asking for the Ernie Johns Highway sign to be reinstalled. The sign was removed by TDOT […]
Automotive Auto Industry Nissan
Automotive/Classic cars
Business Economy
Tennessee Business
Nissan To Offer Four Different Midsize Pickups Globally By 2027
Instead of developing a single pickup for global markets, Nissan chose to treat its customers with unique products for each region BY THANOS PAPPAS MARCH 27, 2025 Nissan has teased […]