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David Jacobs, owner of The Happy Book Stack McKenzie, is eager to fill these shelves with thousands of books.

Downtown McKenzie continues to see rejuvenation as another business prepares to open its doors this spring. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 1/21/25

First Place — Victoria Ard, Beverly Mueller, Debby Simon, Dan Simon, and Bill and Geneva Johnson.

McKENZIE (January 18) — Carroll Arts held its 14th annual Trivia Bowl on Saturday at the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in McKenzie. more

1/21/25

Overflow is a certified recovery congregation. (L to R): Josh Crawford, Tabitha French, Janet Shaw, Cindy Gaylord, Chris Smith, Robert Harrison, Tammy Haworth and Alex Gallien. Not Pictured: Tammie Parsley.

Overflow Church Honored for ‘Celebrate Recovery'

McKENZIE — Overflow Church was honored by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) and recognized as a Certified Recovery Congregation. more

1/21/25

Congetta’s brick-and-mortar restaurant at 41 Broadway in downtown McKenzie.

Congetta’s Chi-talian Brings Downtown McKenzie a Taste of the Windy City

A familiar name to those who frequent festivals and other outdoor events has taken root in downtown McKenzie. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 1/21/25

A group of 14 came from 7 different states to participate in Global Citizen Adventure Corps and Bethel University’s latest program to Cuba. Seen here are (L to R) Front Row: Leslie Schutt, Dancyville, Tenn.; Shana Kirk, Denver, Colorado; Stacie Freeman, Dresden, Tenn.; Toni King, Ashland City, Tenn.; MarthaLyle Ford, Brownsville, Tenn.; and Karen Campbell, Greenfield, Tenn. Back Row: Carson Stover, Union City, Tenn., via Washington state; Tim Gearin, Gleason, Tenn.; Jessica Stricker, York, South Carolina; Nancy Bean, McKenzie, Tenn.; Brittany Burch, Houston, Texas; Sarah Eltabib, Bayville, New York; Jes Cornelius, Guilford, Iindiana; and Joel Washburn, McKenzie, Tenn.

Cuba Inspires U.S. Nonprofit Travelers

A local nonprofit committed to expanding opportunities for rural students to learn and serve in other countries recently returned from Cuba with considerably more support for their efforts. The transformative power of witnessing joy in hardship was at least one of the takeaways – along with some coffee, honey and perhaps a few cigars. more

1/14/25

Area Residents to Participate in WestStar Leadership

MARTIN — WestStar, a leadership program for adults in West Tennessee, announced its list of class members for 2025. more

1/14/25

Creasys Give Gift of Music to McKenzie Middle School

McKenzie Middle School music teacher Veda Haney expresses her appreciation to Mike and Kim Creasy for their generous donation of instruments to the MMS music class. more

1/14/25

Dr. Anna Anderson (left) joins Dr. Mark Smith at Smith & Smith Optometry.

Anna Anderson’s Homecoming Brings ‘Fresh Look’ to Smith & Smith Optometry

Over a decade ago, McKenzie middle schooler Anna Anderson made a bold declaration to Dr. Mark Smith during an eye exam: “I want to be an eye doctor, and I’m going to work with you one day.” more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 1/14/25

Elder Paul Blair is New Pastor at Union Church

Paul Blair of Cedar Grove is the new pastor of Union Primitive Baptist Church, located six miles from McKenzie on Highway 140. more

1/14/25

Pictured are (L to R): Ginger Taylor of Huntingdon High School, Noah Rogers of West Carroll Junior/Senior High School and Dana-Marie Christian of Hollow Rock-Bruceton Middle School and High School.

Carroll County Teachers Graduate WestTeach

MARTIN (January 9) — The University of Tennessee at Martin WestTeach program graduated its sixth class as 23 class members completed the program, including three from Carroll County. more

1/14/25

Bookstore, Coffee Shop Coming Soon to Downtown McKenzie

McKENZIE — McKenzie will soon have a bookstore/coffee shop combination at 55 Broadway in downtown McKenzie. more

1/14/25

McKenzie’s Gaskins to be Named County Fire Chief

HUNTINGDON (January 7) — McKenzie’s Jonathan Gaskins has been named Chief of the Carroll County Rural Fire Department. Following Tuesday's interviews conducted by the Carroll County Rural Fire Committee, Gaskins was selected to lead the county’s fire service. more

By Jason Martin
jmartin@mckenziebanner.com | 1/14/25

Haislee and Raylan build a massive snowman in McKenzie.

Cora Comes in Like a Lion, Leaves Like a Lamb

McKENZIE (January 10) — Winter Storm Cora blew in Friday morning, locking down a great portion of the Southeastern United States. more

1/14/25

McKenzie senior Tate Surber signs with UT Martin football, joined by family and coaches. Pictured are (L to R): Seated - dad Tommy Surber, mom Meredith Surber, Tate and brother Eli Surber; Standing - MHS football coaches Kentrell Diggs, Ben Carter, David Duncan, Head Coach Keith Hodge, Trey Cantrell and Merritt Spence.

Rebel Tate Surber Signs with UT Martin Football

McKENZIE (December 17) — McKenzie High School senior and three-sport standout Tate Surber will play football for the University of Tennessee at Martin. The reigning Class 1A Mr. Football made his decision official Tuesday with a signing ceremony in the MHS Theater. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 12/30/24

Willodean Long, Others Make Tissue Box Covers for Seniors

TREZEVANT — Willodean Long, 95, and Alesia Griffin, both of Trezevant, along with Cyndi Shafer of McKenzie worked to make tissue box covers for the residents of Lakeside Senior Living Community of McKenzie. more

12/30/24

The staff of C & S Outdoor (L to R): Scott Marshall, parts manager; Danny Marrel, mechanic; Shane Mallard, sales; Jacob Colvett, mechanic; Andrea Biggart, office manager; Kelly Colvett, owner; and Tim Weathers, pick-up/delivery/setup.

C & S Outdoor Power Equipment

HUNTINGDON — C & S Outdoor Power Equipment, 16267 Highway 22 N, has provided equipment, accessories, service and repairs for everything lawn and garden for 71 years. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 12/24/24

Joining Drewry at the commencement ceremony were her parents, David (left) and Mandy Drewry (right).

McKenzie’s Drewry Graduates UT Martin

MARTIN (December 14) — Ashlyn Drewry (center) of McKenzie graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin on Saturday with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing. more

12/23/24

Greg Blackburn, newly-inducted member of the Independent Sports Association (ISA) National Hall of Fame.

Blackburn Inducted into Independent Sports Association National Hall of Fame

SYLVA, N.C. (December 14) — Greg Blackburn of McKenzie was recently inducted into the Independent Sports Association (ISA) National Hall of Fame as a coach/sponsor. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 12/23/24

Board members of the Carroll County Inclusion Park served as the parade’s grand marshals.

Town of Huntingdon Christmas Parade Winners

Float 1st Place: Darty Trailer Sales 2nd Place: Watson Lumber more

12/23/24

TCAT-Henry/Carroll at McKenzie fall graduates.

TCAT-Henry/Carroll at McKenzie Holds Fall Graduation

McKENZIE (December 18) — The Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Henry/Carroll at McKenzie held its fall graduation Wednesday afternoon at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where 18 graduates received diplomas in their respective fields. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 12/23/24