Mrs. Ethel Elizabeth Mitchum’s face had more wrinkles than a cheap cotton shirt fresh out of the wringer. But don’t think unattractive here. Her eyes literally sparkled when she talked to you. And she had the most approving smile you ever saw! Like she had been waiting, and hoping, to run in to you since she first woke up that morning! more

Spectrum today announced The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center (The Dixie PAC) will receive $10,000 through the 2023-2024 Stand For The Arts Awards, a partnership with Ovation TV that recognizes local arts, cultural and educational organizations and programs. Since the initiative started in 2017, Ovation TV and Spectrum have given out 70 awards totaling $700,000 towards arts education. more

McKENZIE (May 11) — During Thursday’s regular meeting of the McKenzie Board of Mayor and Council, the first reading of the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget was approved. The second reading is June 15 with the budget taking effect on July 1, 2023. The budget for next year is $5,494,866 with an anticipated revenue totaling 6,046,662 creating a surplus of $551,796. more

KNOXVILLE (July 14) — The University of Tennessee at Martin has a new chancellor after a special UT Board of Trustees meeting on Friday morning. Trustees approved UT System President Randy … more

ATWOOD (August 3) — West Carroll Board of Education was busy with 24 policy changes, an emergency purchase of an air conditioner for the classroom, and learning the interworkings of creating a master schedule for students. more

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents Board of Directors met on July 7, 2022 and voted unanimously to provide this public statement refuting the disparaging statements about public educators made by the President of Hillsdale College, Larry Arnn in Franklin, Tennessee released late last week. more

HUNTINGDON (April 12) — Students with intellectual disabilities from the county’s five special school districts displayed their prowess in sporting events during Special Olympics held at Huntingdon’s Paul Ward Stadium on Friday, April 12. more

CARROLL COUNTY — A total of 316 high school seniors from five high schools in Carroll County received diplomas during the past week. West Carroll graduated 72 on Thursday, May 11. On Friday, Clarksburg graduated 20 and Hollow Rock-Bruceton graduated 39; Saturday, Huntingdon graduated 100 and on Sunday, McKenzie graduated 85. In The Banner’s coverage area is Gleason with an expected 36 to graduate on Friday, May 19. The McKenzie Banner will publish the names and individual photos of all graduates from the five special school districts in Carroll County and Gleason. That will publish on May 30. more

McKenzie, Huntingdon, West Carroll and Clarksburg released the enrollment census of students for the first week of the 2023-24 school year. more

Today’s political climate resembles a category five hurricane due to the highly charged division between the two political parties. Yes, both parties are to blame as neither truly looks for a middle ground. For most of my adult life, I have studied politics and government and in the last five years or so I’ve even thrown my hat into the political arena. more

TREZEVANT (April 14) — Trezevant is proud of its new performance stage, playground equipment that complements its walking track, picnic pavilion and baseball fields. On Sunday, April 14, city officials and area citizens were in attendance for the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open Trezevant Community Park, adjacent to West Carroll Elementary School. more

McKENZIE (May 6) — A McKenzie man and wife were arrested on six counts each for theft of property from a local church. more

ATWOOD (August 3) — West Carroll Special School District is proactively addressing security issues at each of its three school sites in McLemoreville, Trezevant and Atwood. The Board voted to start the process to possibly make upgrades at each school. That action came during the August 3 meeting at the West Carroll Junior/Senior High School. more

I’ve told you several times how my wife stole our neighbor’s cat. And listen, don’t think exaggeration here. Don’t think we “borrow” her on occasion; or Cooney has become the “neighborhood” revolving pet; or we just feed her when our neighbors are out of town. more

CARROLL COUNTY, TENN. (January 18, 2024) - Public schools in Carroll County, Tenn. are closed on January 18 and 19, 2024 because of icy road conditions following a stormstorm on Monday, January … more

I think I could have been a great fisherman. I can read a nautical map. I still have the needed hand/eye coordination. I have a “light touch” when the occasion calls for it and I have worked on my patience over the years. That can be critical when you are “waiting out” those northern pike! I believe, with just a little practice, I could “set the hook” on a rainbow trout, largemouth bass, walleye... more

HUNTINGDON (May 10) — A McKenzie man received a jail sentence and a monetary fine for making an threat to schools in an online post. more

  (Nashville Tenn). Roy Herron, a former longtime lawmaker and past chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party, has died from injuries sustained in a jet ski accident on Kentucky … more

McKENZIE (AUGUST 1) — New state laws affecting education necessitated numerous changes in local school board policy. During the August 1 meeting, the McKenzie Special School District Board of Education approved those changes, some of which included school safety, summer school, intruder drill policy, a public comment policy at meetings, and penalties for unruly spectators or coaches at sporting events. more

Have you ever wondered about the origins of football… American Football? Well, here’s the answer. American football evolved from soccer and rugby. more