People | The Mckenzie Banner

The Butler family — Walter Butler and Jennifer Butler with sons, Joseph, Murray and Thomas.

President Butler Honored During Bethel Reception

McKENZIE (November 9) — Walter Butler was honored during a reception on Thursday evening in the Vera Low Center for Student Enrichment on the campus of Bethel University. more

11/14/23

Griffin Named Outstanding Young Alumnus at Union

JACKSON — Ryan Griffin (BA 2011) received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award during Union University’s Awards Banquet on November 3. more

11/14/23

Tyler Milam Promoted To Sergeant

THP Officer Tyler Milam was promoted to the rank of sergeant during a pinning ceremony on October 19. He will serve over THP Jackson District operations in Decatur County. more

11/14/23

Hinton Family Reunion

Approximately 46 descendants of Stephen Franklin and Laura Washington Duggan Hinton celebrated their family reunion on Saturday, October 14, 2023 in McKenzie. Ages ranged from 2 to 92. more

11/14/23

Doyle Randolph Bunn

Doyle Randolph Bunn, 1923-1986, was in the 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, captured during the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. He was a POW from December 1944 until April 1945. more

11/7/23

Crystal Gayle Performs to Full House at The Dixie

HUNTINGDON (November 4) — Crystal Gayle wowed the sold-out audience at the Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center on Saturday evening, November 4. The country music artist, with her ankle-length hair, greeted audience members after the show. more

11/7/23

Krider Performing Arts Presents a Salute to Veterans

On Saturday, November 11, 6 p.m., the Krider Performing Arts Center is presenting its Salute to Veterans. The event includes a welcome by Paris Mayor Kathy Ray, special music, proclamations, and honor William C. Milam, Jr. for his military service. more

11/7/23

Ms. Ruby Hunt was recognized for her outstanding career at West Carroll High School last Thursday night during the November school board meeting. Middle School Principal Jackie Wester congratulated Ms. Hunt for an outstanding career as an educator.

West Carroll Sends Off Ruby Hunt in Style

ATWOOD (November 2) — The West Carroll Special School District held its monthly meeting last Thursday night at the high school, swiftly going through the agenda that included recognition for Ms. Ruby Hunt, who is retiring. more

By Dirk Fontaine
(Milan) Mirror-Exchange | 11/7/23

Drew Chappell and Savannah Davis are Wendy’s Heisman Candidates.

McKenzie’s Chappell, Davis are Wendy’s Heisman Candidates

McKENZIE — Drew Chappell and Savannah Davis were chosen as McKenzie High School’s Wendy’s Heisman candidates. Both Chappell and Davis are seniors at MHS. more

11/7/23

Atticus in his “Red Ribbon Week” costume for “Decades Day” dressed as “the attitude era.”

Six Year Old Saves Lives with Organ Donation

TREZEVANT (November 2) — On December 22, 2019, a two-year-old Atticus Finn Ecker wore a red eye mask, cheesed for the camera and said, “I’m a superhero.” His little voice was halfway between a baby still learning to talk and a little boy who was growing up too fast. more

By Brittany Martin
brittany@mckenziebanner.com | 11/7/23

Dr. Katelyn Robertson Joins Bethel Athletics as Team Dentist

McKENZIE — Bethel Director of Sports Medicine Jason Essary recently announced Katelyn Robertson has joined the Bethel Athletic Department and will serve as the Wildcat team dentist. She is the owner of Webb-Robertson Dental Clinic in Huntingdon. more

10/31/23

Angela and George Cassidy receive a plaque from Lisa Stewart.

Touchdown Club Honors Supporters

McKenzie High School Touchdown Club presented three J.A. Abernathy awards for support to the MHS and MMS Rebels football programs. more

10/31/23

(L to R) McKenzie Police Chief Ryan White, Drew Beeler (Hometown Hangout), McKenzie Fire Chief Brian Tucker and Battalion Chief Jason Arnold.

McKenzie Police, Fire Receive Donation Check from Hometown Hangout Event

McKENZIE (October 24) — McKenzie’s Police and Fire departments received a $1,857 donation to their Christmas for Kids program from Drew Beeler of Hometown Hangout on Tuesday following the meet-and-greet event organized at Hometown Hangout on October 21. more

10/31/23

Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Honorees (L to R) Front Row: Walter Butler — Distinguished Career Award; Kenny McBride — Carroll Countian of the Year; and Brent Dillahunty — Businessperson of the Year. Back Row: Randy Powers — Business of Year; and Logan and Landon Ledsinger — Farmers of the Year.

Five Awards Presented During Chamber Banquet

Carroll County Chamber of Commerce held its annual Membership Banquet on October 23 at the Carroll County Civic Center. During the event, the Chamber presented annual awards. more

10/31/23

A drone’s view of the start of the Trunk or Treating. Thousands of children throughout the area participated in the Boo Bash, sponsored by Bethel University and the City of McKenzie.

Boo Bash Attracts Approximately 3,500 to McKenzie

McKENZIE (October 26) — The tenth anniversary of the Boo Bash, a joint effort between Bethel University and the City McKenzie, was one of the biggest yet with approximately 3,500 people attending. more

10/31/23

Longtime Alderman and City of Trenton supporter Frank Gibson was joined by his family on Saturday, October 14 as the city officially renamed his brainchild, Pedestrian Park, in his honor.

Park Named After Bethel Hall of Famer

TRENTON (October 14) — On Saturday, the City of Trenton honored longtime coach and city alderman, Frank Gibson. Pedestrian Park in downtown Trenton was The Frank Gibson Pedestrian Park. Gibson spearheaded the creation of Pedestrian Park, turning a vacant lot in the heart of the downtown area into what is now one of the most utilized and beautiful amenities the city has to offer. more

10/24/23

Kirsten Sass competed in Kailua-Kona Hawaii in the first women’s edition of the IRONMAN World Championship.

Kirsten Sass Completes IRONMAN

KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII (October 14) — Kirsten Sass, local triathlon legend and trainer, competed against an elite field of professional triathletes in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii for the first women’s edition of the 2023 IRONMAN World Championship. more

10/24/23

The family members gathered to pay homage to the late Dale Kelley during the dedication ceremony. Pictured (L to R): Tommy Surber (back), Eli Surber, Meredith Surber, Rick Wallace (behind Meredith), Carlene Kelley (center), Amanda Wallace (behind Carlene), Tate Surber (back), Cliff Kelley, Max Kelley (front), Cole Edwards (back), Quinn Kelley and Holly Kelley.

Huntingdon Government Complex Named in Memory of Dale Kelley

HUNTINGDON (October 19) — The Town of Huntingdon dedicated its government complex building in memory of long-time mayor and resident Dale R. Kelley on Thursday. A crowd of family and friends joined Huntingdon Mayor Nina Smothers for the dedication of the building. more

By Jason Martin
jmartin@mckenziebanner.com | 10/24/23

White-Cooley Announce Wedding Plans

Josh and Melanie White of Huntingdon announce the upcoming wedding of their daughter, Kayla Wynona White to Mac Cooley of Arlington, Tenn. Kayla is the granddaughter of Jimmy White of Huntingdon and the late Tom and Joan Hones and the late Evangeline Lawrence Hilliard all of McKenzie. more

10/17/23

Husband and wife, Torin and Paige Rouse of Kirksville Missouri are walking the lower 48 states of the USA. They made a stop in McKenzie on October 11. Their dog, Jack, a border collie, is also making the journey.

Missouri Couple Walking the USA

McKENZIE (October 11) — Torin and Paige Rouse of Kirksvillle, Missouri have a mission: to walk the lower 48 states of the United States. It will take four years to complete but with 13 states and 3,300 miles already, the couple and their border collie, Jack, are well on their way to completion. more

10/17/23