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2001-2004 ARCHIVES
2005 ARCHIVES
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News Headlines
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
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Hayes, Noles, Weathers Win Mr. Football |
By Ernie smothers
smothers@mckenziebanner.com |
McKenzie's Drew Hayes,
Huntingdon's Phillip "Boo" Weathers, and Central's Russell
Noles with their Mr. Football trophies.
NASHVILLE - Carroll County asserted its Division I-1A
state gridiron dominance by winning the lineman and back
awards during the American General Mr. Football awards
ceremony held November 28 at the Opryland Convention Center.
Three area standout athletes, Drew Hayes of McKenzie,
Russell Noles of Hollow Rock-Bruceton, and Huntingdon's
(Division I-2A) Phillip "Boo" Weathers, brought home the
coveted trophy symbolic of the best in Tennessee football.
Record breaking Rebel quarterback Drew Hayes stated after
the ceremony, "It is such an honor to be in the company of
"Boo" and Russell and all these great athletes and win this
award. It's special to me and I really feel honored to have
been selected." As for his college plans, Hayes noted that
he had visited Tennessee and Mississippi State, but was not
in a big hurry to choose. "I'm looking for the right school
where I will fit in. Hopefully, things will become clear for
me in the not too distant future."
McKenzie head Coach Wade Comer stated, "I am excited for
Drew. He and I have become very close, and if any kid
deserves to win this, it's him. He is an exceptional student
and a student body leader, and I will miss him as much for
his academic excellence as I will for his talent on the
football field." Comer also praised Hayes parents for doing
an admirable job in raising their son. "They are wonderful
people," he added.
Huntingdon Mustang speed merchant Phillip Weathers stated,
"It is an honor to be selected along with Dustin Lindsey and
Markei Guy for this award, and I was surprised to win this."
Concerning his future college plans, Weathers said that he
was undecided as to where he would attend, but would
ultimately sign with the school that offered him the best
opportunity.
Huntingdon's Phillip "Boo"
Weathers and Chris Donald, McKenzie's Drew Hayes, and
Central's Russell Noles display their awards for the media.
Donald was chosen as a runner up for Division I-2A Back of
the Year.
Mustang head Coach Mike Mansfield, spoke of Weathers, "You
haven't seen the last of him. He is an outstanding athlete
and a fine young man. We are really going to miss his moves
on the football field next year."
Central's Russell Noles was in awe of winning Mr. Football.
"It's like a dream. I remember as a kid walking through the
elementary school hallway and looking at the pictures of
guys like Joe Longmire who had won Mr. Football and thinking
about how much I wanted to win that award, too. I never
thought I would have a chance, but now I'm standing here
with this trophy in my hands and the feeling is incredible."
He continued, "Now that I have won this, I know that someday
my kids and everybody from my hometown will look at this
trophy and know this actually happened." Noles thanked his
fellow lineman and the Tiger coaching staff for helping him
to achieve the honor. Noles is currently considering playing
college ball at Vanderbilt or Duke.
Noles becomes the fifth Central recipient of Mr. Football,
joining fellow Tigers Longmire (1995), Joseph Hartsfield
(1996), Adrian Jamison (2001) and Patrick Willis (2002) as
winners of the prestigious award.
Tiger head Coach Tim Gilmer stated, "Russell Noles is a
quality young man. What an example he is to his fellow
classmates and for the community. It is an honor just to
be nominated for this award, but to win it is the highest
honor an athlete can achieve at this level." He continued,
"Russell led by example on the football field. He spent the
extra time at practice, and it paid off for him today as it
will in the future."
Also honored at the Awards presentation ceremony was
Huntingdon's Chris Donald, a remarkable player on both
offense and defense, who was chosen as a runner up for
Division I-2A Back of the Year. Additional runner up honors
were presented to Division I-3A lineman Johnathan DeBerry of
Lexington and kicker Blake Alexander of
Martin Westview.
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McKenzie to Celebrate "Hometown Christmas" |
By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
Parades, meetings with Santa, tours of homes, dramatic and
music productions, a dog show, horse-drawn carriage rides,
basketball games, food, and music are all part of this
weekend's McKenzie's Hometown Christmas.
The event is sponsored and coordinated by the McKenzie Lions
Club in conjunction with other clubs, groups, and Bethel
College.
"McKenzie's Hometown Christmas is a weekend-long celebration
that includes many events and activities. Through the McKenzie
Hometown Christmas festival, we have been able to introduce
new means of fundraising while, at the same time, offering the
community a family-oriented holiday event. The success of this
event has surpassed even our greatest expectations," said Herb
New of the McKenzie Lions Club.
Many of the events are free of charge, while others bear a
small charge.
The official event will begin with a visit by Miss Tennessee
to the McKenzie Elementary School on Friday at 8:00 a.m. and
end with the Morning Glory Garden Club Christmas Luncheon on
Tuesday, December 6.
Opening ceremonies will be held Friday, 5:30 p.m. in the
Downtown Park with music by The Rebel Singers. A tree-lighting
ceremony will also be held during the opening ceremony.
Saturday has a full day of numerous activities. Santa will
make his seasonal debut at the 8:00 a.m. Breakfast with Santa
at Alexander Hall. He will make appearances throughout the
day.
The Junior Christmas Parade is at 2:00 p.m. starting at First
Baptist Church parking lot and ending in the downtown area.
The Grand Parade begins at 5:00 p.m. at McKenzie Middle School
and travels south on Stonewall, turning onto Cedar, Waldran,
Lee, Broadway, and re-enters Cedar. Parade units will disband
at The Gingerbread House on Cedar except for horses and
horse-drawn vehicles, which will disband at McKenzie Feed and
Grain. Between the two parades is entertainment in the
Downtown Park.
For more information, phone Herb New at 731-676-4363 or
731-352-0997 (home). |
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Tri-County Jobless Rates Reflect Slight Increase |
By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
Carroll, Henry, and Weakley counties each reported
increased unemployment rates for the October reporting period,
according to latest statistics released by the Tennessee
Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Carroll County's October unemployment rate was 6.7 percent, up
from the September rate of 6.2 percent. From a labor force of
13,540, a total of 12,640 were employed, leaving 900
unemployed.
"There were some slight decreases in employment in
manufacturing and construction," said Judith Bradberry, state
labor market analyst.
Henry County's jobless rate for October was 6.9 percent, which
is an increase from 6.4 percent in September. Slight decreases
were seen in manufacturing and construction, according to
Bradberry. From a labor force of 14,080, a total of 13,100
were employed and 970 were unemployed.
Weakley County's October unemployment rate was 7.1 percent, up
from 6.8 percent in September. From a labor force of 15,270, a
total of 1,090 were unemployed in that county. There were no
significant changes in the employment areas in that county,
Bradberry said.
Tennessee's unemployment rate for the month of October is 5.6
percent, up 0.5 percentage point from the seasonally-adjusted
September rate of 5.1 percent, according to Commissioner of
Labor and Workforce Development James Neeley. The national
unemployment rate for October is 5.0 percent, down from the
September 5.1 percent rate.
"The household survey is showing a slight increase in
unemployed persons this month, causing the rate to rise," said
Commissioner Neeley. "This rise may include effects of the
recent hurricanes in the Gulf; however, we are still
continuing to see job growth according to both the household
and business surveys."
The September-to-October figures show local government
educational services jobs grew by 4,700. Retail trade
employment grew by 3,700 and educational and health services
employment rose 2,100. Month-to-month seasonal decreases took
place in leisure and hospitality, down 5,800 jobs. Machinery
manufacturing declined by 700 jobs, and chemical manufacturing
jobs decreased by 200.
From October 2004 to October 2005, trade/transportation
/utilities increased by 8,200. Jobs in education and health
services rose by 6,500. Jobs also increased in food
services/drinking places, up 3,600. Employment decreased in
information by 1,900, accommodation by 1,800, and nondurable
goods manufacturing by 1,600. |
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Projects Underway To Assist Less Fortunate During Holiday
Season |
By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
 Area
churches and organizations are preparing to assist the less
fortunate this Christmas by sponsoring projects that will
provide clothing, school supplies, toys and food for families.
Small paper angels adorn Christmas trees at several local
churches. Each angel lists the age, clothing size and wants of
the child. The name of the child remains anonymous.
Individuals can provide clothing, toys, or money for the
children. Beta Sigma Phi Angel Tree
Beta Sigma Phi Angel Tree Chairman Jennifer Waldrup said 185
angels have been distributed to local churches and McKenzie
VFW this year. The 185 children represent 72 McKenzie
families.
The Angel Tree committee obtains names of children through the
McKenzie school system. Forms were sent home to parents of
specially selected children who were asked to provide
information about their children up to age 15, as well as
pre-school siblings. The names were then distributed on
Sunday, November 27, to McKenzie Church of Christ, First
Baptist Church, First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Long
Heights Baptist Church, and Greater Enon Baptist Church, all
of McKenzie, and McKenzie VFW. McKenzie High School Beta Club
is also providing a monetary gift toward the project.
Gifts should be returned to the churches no later than Sunday,
December 11. Gifts will be distributed by Beta Sigma Phi
members on Friday, December 16. Beta Sigma Phi members are
asking that presents not be gift wrapped, however, they may be
placed in decorative gift bags or regular shopping sacks. This
is to insure that gifts are evenly distributed among the
children.
Persons who do not wish to shop for items, but would like to
make a monetary contribution, should make their checks payable
to Beta Sigma Phi and mail to: Jennifer Waldrup, 150 Holly
Hill Lane, McKenzie, TN 38201.
McKenzie First United Methodist Church Angel Tree
McKenzie First United Methodist Church is sponsoring between
60-70 angels this year, according to Tim McBride, who is
chairing the annual event along with Jerry and Emily Archer
and Stephanie and James Bolin.
Angels are currently available at the church which is open 8
a.m. until noon each day.
Gifts are to be returned to the church no later than Sunday,
December 18. The gifts will be distributed following church
services on that date.
Trezevant First Baptist Church Angel Tree
First Baptist Church in Trezevant is sponsoring a similar
angel tree, according to Claudia Argo, chairperson of the
event.
The annual program, which will benefit 12 families this year,
receives support from the community as well as several local
businesses.
The church will provide fruit baskets and area residents are
asked to donate non-food items such as soap, bathroom tissue,
detergent, cleaning solutions, toothpaste, tooth brushes, etc.
Adrian's Diner on Highway 79 is supporting the event by
sponsoring an Angel Benefit Spaghetti Supper on Thursday,
December 8, 4 p.m. until closing. Donations of $5.00 or more
will purchase plates including spaghetti, salad, garlic bread,
drink and dessert. All proceeds will be donated to the Angel
Tree project.
Angels are currently available at First Baptist Church. Gifts
are to be returned no later than Sunday, December 4 and will
be distributed on Saturday, December 10. Family members are
invited to come and pick up items.
FEMA representatives will also be on hand December 10 to
assist eligible persons in receiving vouchers for fresh foods.
United Neighbors Christmas Baskets
McKenzie United Neighbors is taking applications for Christmas
food baskets for Carroll County families, according to
Virginia Cross, executive director. Applications should be
completed and returned to UN headquarters at 2451 Cedar
Street, no later than 12:30 p.m. Friday, December 2.
United Neighbors is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. -
12:00 p.m. and 1:00 -4:00 p.m.
Acceptable applicants will be notified and baskets will be
presented at the UN headquarters on a date to be announced,
said Mrs. Cross.
McKenzie VFW Auxiliary Toy Drive
In conjunction with the annual Angel Tree project, McKenzie
V.F.W. Post 4939 Auxiliary will provide gifts for those less
fortunate again this year, according to Lucille Cozart,
chairperson.
The Ladies Auxiliary is requesting monetary donations, which
will be used to purchase gifts and fund a party for the
children on Saturday, December 24 at 12 noon. Invited children
will enjoy refreshments, gifts, and a visit from Santa.
Parents are also invited to attend with their children.
Monetary donations may be mailed to: McKenzie VFW Post 4939,
Attn: Lucille Cozart, P.O. Box 231, McKenzie, TN 38201 or
delivered to the VFW Post Home, 9750 Cherrywood
Road. The VFW is open Monday through Saturday 2-11 p.m.
Technology Students Collecting Canned Goods
The Tennessee Technology students at McKenzie are collecting
canned goods to be presented to McKenzie United Neighbors to
be distributed during the holidays. The Technology Center,
located at 16940 Highland Drive, is open 7:30 a.m. until 4:00
p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call Ron
Hinton at 352-7506. |
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