A woman walking along Cedar Street Saturday afternoon apparently had the unfortunate luck of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Shawna Wolf was returning to her Stonewall Street home after visiting a local store just after 1 p.m. when a large tree limb fell, trapping her underneath. The tree is located on a vacant lot between McKenzie Feed and Grain and a house located next to State Farm Insurance.

Corporal Ryan White was patrolling in the area when he observed a tree partially blocking one lane of Cedar Street. He stated passers-by had stopped to assist the injured woman and had already moved the limb off her when he arrived on the scene.

McKenzie Regional EMS arrived on the scene after receiving a 911 call at 1:09 p.m. McKenzie Fire Rescue Team was also dispatched to the scene.

She was transported to McKenzie Regional Hospital, according to White. Her condition was not known at press time.

McKenzie Street Department employees used a backhoe to clear the tree away.

(NASHVILLE, TN) - The Tennessee Titans announced today that Wade Comer of McKenzie High School has been named as the Titans High School Football Coach of the Week. McKenzie traveled to Carroll County rival Huntingdon and claimed a 31-17 victory, giving them their first road win over Huntingdon since 1963.

McKenzie is a Region 7 - Class 1A team and was the underdog entering the game against Huntingdon, a Region 7 - Class 2A that was ranked number five in the state heading into the game against cross-county rivals. McKenzie's record is now 4-1 and following their fourth consecutive victory since a season-opening loss to 2A - Trenton.

McKenzie overpowered Huntingdon with 408 yards gained, including a 259 - 59 passing yards advantage. The very successful Comer has led McKenzie to the playoffs every year since becoming head coach seven years ago.

Through the Titans Foundation, team owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. will make a $1,000 contribution to the McKenzie High School football program in honor of Coach Comer, who will also receive a framed certificate signed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL Director of Football Operations Gene Washington and Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher.

"High school football enjoys a great tradition in Tennessee," said Adams. "That tradition is based not only on the outstanding quality of play but on the devotion of their coaches who continue to develop high school football players into young men of strong character. I'm very pleased to underwrite this program that recognizes the efforts of so many talented high school coaches across the state!"

Coach Comer will be Mr. Adams' guest when the Titans host Jacksonville on December 17 when the team honors all 2006 Coach of the Week winners and announces the winner of the 2006 Coach of the Year! Adams will make an additional $2,000 grant to the football program of the Coach of the Year winner.

The criterion for selection includes the coach's impact on his team, school and community. A statewide media panel votes each week to determine the weekly winner. All high school football coaches in Tennessee, regardless of their school's size, league, or division, are eligible to be selected each week. The program is designed to recognize high school coaches who transform, through their hard work and dedication, student-athletes into the best possible football players and citizens in their community.

Also receiving consideration in this week's poll was Dick Henley, Tennessee School for the Blind; Matt Lowe, Powell High School; Gary Rankin, Alcoa High School; Brian Rector, Ravenwood High School; Danny Wilson, Cleveland High School and Heath Woods, Carter High School.

"High school football coaches can play a role in the lives of their players that will have lasting results," says Gene Washington. "A competitive spirit, good sportsmanship and character development are some of the issues confronted on a daily basis by football coaches. We are thankful for the many coaches around the country who assume such a demanding role."

Now in its ninth season, the Titans Coach of the Week program has seen Adams award more than $84,000 to football programs across the state honoring these winners.

Lynn Twyman, director of schools, (right) administers the oath of office to newly re-elected board members Mark Dillahunty and Dr. Lee Carter (middle).

  

HUNTINGDON (September 22) - New construction and renovations at the 30-year-old Huntingdon High School could be completed by February, reported Lynn Twyman, director of schools at Huntingdon Special School District. Reporting to the Huntingdon School Board, Twyman said he approved a $16,000 change order on construction for certain fire protection equipment in the building in the on-going construction.

Construction includes two new offices on the front of the building to replace former classrooms, eight new classrooms in the rear of the building, and new restrooms would also be installed. Modernization of the guidance suite is included in the project. New furniture for the library and art room may be added as well.

Additional fire dampers, estimated to cost $32,000, will have to be added sometime, said Twyman. He said he would obtain cost estimates from other companies and report back to the board. It's possible the fire marshal will allow the school to operate without the additional fire dampers for up to one year under a "corrective action" provision. Board member David Gibson suggested moving forward with the installation of dampers now since the $1.186 million project is currently within budget.

Concrete work is complete and block work has started on the rear of the building, said Twyman.

Board member Tony Tucker said he is not particularly happy with the appearance of the new metal on the front of the building. Tucker suggested replacing it with drivit or some other material. Board member Mark Dillahunty, a local contractor, said drivit would not be suitable, but added he would examine the materials and recommend a possible substitute. Carter encouraged board members to inspect the existing materials.

Recently re-elected board members Dr. Lee Carter and Mark Dillahunty were administered the oath of office by Twyman. By a unanimous vote, the current slate of officers was re-elected. Carter serves as chairman, Gibson as vice-chairman, and Paul Ward, Jr. as secretary-treasurer.

Ward and Tucker were selected as board delegates to the Tennessee School Board Association meeting in November.

In other business, the board:

• approved three high school students to visit Charter Communications office in Jackson to learn how to edit video. Charter gave the school a studio quality video camera for use in the school.
  
• approved American Fidelity Assurance Company to administer the IRS Section 125 benefits plan for school employees.
  
• approved the HMS cheerleaders to compete at Bradford and MTSU on September 30 and November 12 respectively.
  
• approved a trip for the nationally honored Wiser Miser Energy Team to the Fall Folklore Festival on October 12 in Milan.
  
• approved maternity leave for Ginger Coleman December 10 to February 1.
  
• approved to next meet October 17, 7:30 p.m.

 

Carroll, Henry and Weakley counties all showed decreases in unemployment rates for August, as schools began their new school year, according to latest statistics released from Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Carroll County's jobless rate is 6.9 percent, down from the July rate of 7.6 percent. From a labor force of 13,750, a total of 12,800 were employed, leaving 950 unemployed.

Henry County's unemployment rate is 7.8 percent, a decrease from the July rate of 8.2 percent. From a labor force of 14,010, a total of 12,920 were employed, leaving 1,090 jobless.

The jobless rate for Weakley County is 9.1 percent, down from 11.3 in July. From 15,850 available workers, a total of 14,420 were employed, leaving 1,440 without jobs.

"With the beginning of the new school year, all counties showed increases in the government sector," said Judith Bradberry, Labor Market Analyst for the state. "There were some increases in manufacturing as a result of recalls from temporary layoffs."

Tennessee's unemployment rate for the month of August is 5.7 percent, down from the seasonally adjusted July rate of 5.9 percent, according to Commissioner James Neeley. The national unemployment rate for August is 4.7 percent, down from the July rate of 4.8.

"According to the household survey, employment growth totaled 87,500 jobs from August 2005 to August 2006," said Commissioner Neeley. "Seasonal employment increases from July to August in local government educational services was up 10,000 jobs according to the business survey."

The July-to-August business survey shows additional increases in administrative/support/waste services up 3,000 jobs. Employment in trade/transportation/utilities increased by 2,300. Seasonal month-to-month employment decreases took place in arts and entertainment with 400 jobs lost. Information employment dropped by 400 jobs.

From August 2005 to August 2006, trade/transportation/utilities jobs increased by 10,100. Jobs in leisure and hospitality rose by 8,900 and educational and health services jobs increased by 7,300. Employment decreased in manufacturing by 4,200, food and beverage stores by 1,400 and administrative/support/waste services jobs by 1,200.