People | The Mckenzie Banner

Brock Martin Sworn in as Member of 113th General Assembly

NASHVILLE — State Rep. Brock Martin, R-Huntingdon, was officially sworn in as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives on Tuesday, January 10. more

1/17/23

Ashley Horn Named Marketing, Communications VP at LIS

Carroll County native Ashley Horn was promoted to Vice President of Marketing and Communications at L.I. Smith & Associates (LIS) in early May. LIS is a land surveying and civil engineering company in Paris and Nashville. Horn works at the Paris office. more

6/13/23

Jimmy Tosh to be Honored by UT-Martin

Cody Alcorn, of Atlanta, Georgia; April Armstrong, of Bartlett; and Jimmy Tosh, of Henry, will be honored with alumni awards from the University of Tennessee at Martin during homecoming festivities October 1. more

9/27/22

Butler family members and members of the Bethel Board of Trustees stand alongside a temporary sign renaming Wildcat Stadium to Walter Butler Stadium. (L to R) Dr. Wayne Scott, Julia Maddox, Joseph Butler, Dr. Lee Butler, Easton Butler, Dr. Morgan Butler, Bost and Banks Butler, Thomas Butler, Joie Butler and Jennifer Butler, Dr. Walter Butler, Leon Cole, Ken Quinton, Lisa Cole, Craig White, Nancy Bean, Dr. Bernice Richardson, Jon Carlock, Patty Kahlden and Myra Carlock.

Wildcat Stadium Renamed Walter Butler Stadium

McKENZIE (December 2) — December 2, 2023 was a big day of honor for Dr. Walter Butler, president of Bethel University. more

12/5/23

Brooklyn Polinski, 18, is the 2022 Carroll County Fairest of the Fair. She is a freshman at Jackson State Community College and a resident of Atwood.

Carroll County Fairest of Fair

CARROLL COUNTY FAIREST OF FAIR 2022 — Brooklyn Polinski, 18, a graduate of West Carroll High School and a student at Jackson State Community College is the 2022 Fairest of the Fair. She is the daughter of Jessica Estes and Tommy Polinski of Atwood. She has blond hair and green eyes. Her career choice is to become a registered nurse. more

9/27/22

Mayor Jill Holland (center) recognized Steve Watson (left) and Garrett Burns (right) on November 22 for their service on the McKenzie City Council. The two councilmen retired from their positions and did not seek re-election.

Retiring McKenzie Councilmen Honored

Mayor Jill Holland recognized Steve Watson and Garrett Burns on November 22 for their service on the McKenzie City Council. more

11/29/22

Tatum Nolan Receives Distinguished Tennessean Scholarship

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville announced its second cohort of Distinguished Tennessean Scholars on May 26. UT launched the Distinguished Tennessean Scholarship in fall 2022 with the goal of awarding a tuition and mandatory fees scholarship, renewable for four years, to one outstanding student from each county across the state. more

6/13/23

Dr. Julie Hill of Union City (left) and Stacie Freeman of Dresden were named among the 20 Most Influential Women in West Tennessee during an April 9 ceremony in Jackson.

Local Nonprofit Co-Founders Among Most Influential in West Tennessee

JACKSON (April 9) — Dr. Julie Hill and Stacie Freeman, MSSW, were honored by the Jackson Area Business and Professional Women as winners of Sterling Awards 2024: 20 Most Influential Women in West Tennessee. more

4/16/24

Captain Justin Logan Commands Third Medical Battalion

OKINAWA — McKenzie native Justin Logan, MSC, US Navy is now captain of the Third Medical Battalion serving U.S. Marines and the U.S. Navy. He assumed command on January 31 in a Change of Command Ceremony. more

2/21/23

Approximately 2,000 of the eggs were dropped from a helicopter as the eager hunters of eggs awaited their turn.

Third Annual McKenzie Chamber Egg Hunt was Great Success

McKenzie (March 23) — McKenzie City Park was filled with excitement as children from throughout West Tennessee gathered for the third annual McKenzie Chamber of Commerce’s Easter Egg Drop. more

3/26/24

Petals Azola Now Open

McKENZIE (November 11) — McKenzie’s newest florist, Petals Azola, owned by Angela Diller, held a ribbon cutting Friday. more

11/15/22

Seth Fields with his World Championship Duck Calling Trophy following his victory in Arkansas.

Local Wins World Duck Calling Competition

STUTTGART, Arkansas (November 26) — Huntingdon High School and Bethel University alumnus Seth Fields won the World Duck Calling Competition Saturday afternoon. more

By Jason Martin
jmartin@mckenziebanner.com | 11/29/22

Major General Warner Ross is promoted by his wife, Becky, and Major General Jimmie Cole, Tennessee’s Deputy Adjutant General, during a ceremony held at Tennessee’s Joint Forces Headquarters in Nashville on December 21.

Warner Ross Promoted to Major General

NASHVILLE (December 21) — Tennessee’s Adjutant General, Warner “Nubbin” Ross, was promoted to the rank of major general during a ceremony held at Tennessee’s Joint Forces Headquarters in Nashville on December 21, at 9 a.m. more

12/26/23

In October, 2023, Joel Washburn trades his publishing role at the McKenzie Banner for that of editor. That’s the month he will also join fellow members of the board and the co-founders Julie Hill (left) and Stacie Freeman (far right) of Global Citizen Adventure Corps on a travel service learning project in Cuba. Washburn says his new duties as vice chair for the nonprofit is “scratching an itch” and allowing him the “satisfaction to go and serve, and if I can’t go, then to provide that opportunity for someone else.” The Cuba trip in October will mark his second with GCAC this year and his fourth to Cuba since 2016. In March, he traveled to Guatemala, seen here. Pictured are Dr. Julie Hill, Joel Washburn, and Stacie Freeman standing in front of Mayan ruins in Guatemala.

Local Photojournalist Turns Attention to Global Citizens

McKENZIE, Tenn. — Joel Washburn isn’t usually in the photo or the news story. His typical place is behind the camera or behind the keyboard. As publisher of the McKenzie Banner, he has made a career, continuing his 75-year family legacy of chronicling community life. However, in recent years, Washburn’s “community” has gone global. more

By Karen Campbell
GCAC | 10/3/23

Stanley and Vickie Scates to celebrate 50 years.

Scates Celebrate 50 Years of Marriage

CLARKSBURG — December 29, 2023 marks the golden wedding anniversary for Clarksburg locals Stanley and Vickie Scates. This special milestone signifies 50 years of marriage. more

12/26/23

Marquez Taylor is transferring to the University of Texas El Paso.

Marquez Taylor Leaving Austin Peay

McKENZIE (December 19) — McKenzie High School football standout Marquez Taylor is transferring from Austin Peay to the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP). As part of the coaching carousel, Austin Peay’s Head Coach Scotty Walden, a native Texan, was offered the top spot at UTEP. Taylor announced Tuesday he was leaving the Governors to join Walden and the Miners team. more

12/26/23

Savannah Davis sits in front of a vinyl banner honoring her for breaking a TSSAA record. She was honored by MHS Alumni Association and Pepsi Mid-America.

Davis Honored for Setting New TSSAA Record

McKENZIE (January 2) — Savannah Davis, a senior at McKenzie High School, was honored by the McKenzie Alumni Association and Pepsi MidAmerica for setting a new state three-point record in a single game. more

1/9/24

Martha Arnold to Retire as President of Bank of Gleason

GLEASON (December 22) — After 50 years of service with the Bank of Gleason, Martha Arnold will step aside as president and serve in a consulting role. December 31, 2023, will be her last day as president and Preston Frazier will move into the role. Martha has served in this role since 2011, when at that time she became the first female President of the Bank of Gleason. more

By Jason Martin
jmartin@mckenziebanner.com | 12/26/23

Greenfield’s Tess Darby Extends Career as Lady Vol

Lady Vols basketball is thrilled to announce the return of guard Tess Darby. more

By Dr. Joshua Greer
banner@mckenziebanner.com | 4/16/24

Colonel Harding and his wife, Barbara stand under the new sign in honor of the colonel.

Huntingdon Highway Bypass Named in Honor of Colonel James C. Harding

HUNTINGDON (November 11) — Veterans Day, an appropriate day to unveil the sign along a portion of Veterans Drive in Huntingdon named in honor of retired Air Force Colonel James C. Harding of Huntingdon. more

By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com | 11/15/22