In an exclusive interview with Coach Michael Jasper, Bethel University’s head football coach, I gained invaluable insight into his journey and the profound significance of representation in leadership roles within the football industry. Coach Jasper shared his experiences, challenges, and vision for a more inclusive future. more

Burlap bags may not be at the top of most children’s Christmas list for shiny new toys, but these “grass sacks” provided fun play for young Willie Huffman, who rode along as his mother dragged him across a field on the bag she filled with cotton, picked by hand. As Huffman grew a little older, he would also find himself picking cotton from the fields, in addition to mowing lawns and hauling hay at only 12 years old. more

In 1974, Ricky Price was a senior at McKenzie High School. While many of his fellow graduates visited area colleges on their ‘career day’, Price chose instead to visit Pepsi, based in Martin at the time. In 2024, Price celebrates 50 years at the family-owned Pepsi MidAmerica and as a graduate of McKenzie High School. more

On February 21, 2024, Cheryl Oglesby-Townes walked up the sidewalk to McKenzie High School, not as a student as she did some 30 years ago, but as an honorary speaker for a program held at the school to commemorate Black History Month. more

McKENZIE — Geneva Bledsoe had the best career and many precious memories of the many students she taught. She now moves slower but still enjoys a car ride with her daughter, Jennifer, who moved back home to live with her mom and is helping her celebrate 100 years of life. The official birthday was Tuesday, February 20, but the celebration continued as cards, e-mails, and flowers continued to arrive in celebration of Mrs. Bledsoe. The goal was 100 cards for her 100th birthday. Jennifer said the cards, letters, texts, and flowers keep coming. more

McKENZIE (February 26) — Bethel University announces the winners of the Hendrix Scholarship Competition. After a rigorous selection process, Jayden Hendricks from Cottontown, Tenn., and Lauryn Russell from Paris, Tenn. have emerged as the recipients of this esteemed scholarship. more

Growing up, I had a love/hate relationship with my birthday, of all things. From the minute I was born, 12:40 a.m. to be exact. I was robbed of something every other person takes for granted: their birth date. more

McKENZIE (February 5) — Tate Surber, a junior at McKenzie High School, landed his 1,000th career point on Monday in a contest with Big Sandy. more

Who said handwritten letters are a thing of the past? Well for one local boy, it is an art that pays forward 1000%. more

McKENZIE (February 8) — Landon Priestley, an Eagle Scout candidate, received permission from the McKenzie City Council to use the City’s property for his scout project during the February meeting. more

DEARBORN, Mich. (February 7) — Local elected officials and other state economic leaders for the inaugural “West Tennessee Ford Fly-In” to Detroit/Dearborn. more

HUNTINGDON (February 9) — State Representative Brock Martin (R-Huntingdon) was the featured speaker in the first of three Capitol Talk sponsored by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. more

HERMITAGE (February 8) — McKenzie Lady Rebel Senior Savannah Davis was named finalists for the 2024 TSSAA Class 1A’s Miss Basketball award. more

CANTON, Ohio (February 8) — Former Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central High School and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis was named one of seven players inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2024 class on Thursday night. Willis, a native of Bruceton, left an indelible mark on the game with his exceptional talent and dedication to the sport. more

There was a day when West Tennessee native and Kansas City Chiefs’ starting guard, Trey Smith, wondered if he’d ever play football again, let alone make it to multiple Super Bowls. That … more

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) has added McKenzie native Max Arnold Jr. to its football coaching staff. Arnold will serve as the special teams quality control coach for the Blue Raiders. more

On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, in Gleason’s game at Dresden, Drake Lehmkuhl surpassed the 1,000-point Club for his career at Gleason High School. Drake was able to accomplish this feat in just 60 games. more

Sadarius Hutcherson, a Huntingdon graduate and native, continues to keep his football career alive. From the University of South Carolina to blocking for Tom Brady in the NFL, Hutcherson has landed in Washington, D.C. with the Defenders in the UFL. more

McKENZIE (January 23) — McKenzie High School senior Mikaela Reynolds chose to continue her education at Bethel University and is the newest signee for the Lady Wildcats Basketball Team. During a signing event at MHS on Tuesday, a school snow day, family, friends and Lady Rebels teammates join in the celebration. more