ATWOOD (May 6) — Preston Caldwell served his first day as the director of schools of West Carroll Special School District on Thursday, May 6. He was welcomed to the school district during the first meeting of the Board of Education during his administration. He previously was the principal at Lake County High School and prior to that, a teacher at Milan High School. He and wife, Valerie, reside in Milan. more

NEW YORK, New York (May 6) — Throughout the past seven months, 1.3 million students across North America competed on behalf of their schools to master the most words in Vocabulary.com’s 7th annual Vocabulary Bowl. Students answered 450 million questions, mastered a collective total of 36.6 million words, and expanded their lexicons in the classroom and at home. more

McKENZIE (May 4) — The news McKenzie students were eager to hear: you can now go without a face mask. Members of the McKenzie Special School District Board of Education voted unanimously to eliminate the mask mandate during its May 4 meeting. All year, most students, teachers and administrators were required to wear face masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Members of the Board and those seated in the audience removed their masks immediately upon the vote. more

McKenzie Middle School students are the projected winners of the Middle/Elementary School Winners. more

JACKSON — Brianna Douglas McKinney of McKenzie is graduating from Union University School of Pharmacy on May 15 with her Doctorate of Pharmacy degree. more

McKENZIE — Alivia Green is the president of Bethel University’s Student Government Association. The 2019 graduate of McKenzie High School and enrolled at Bethel in the fall of 2019. more

The Taylor Buckley Cheerleading Scholarship was presented to McKenzie High School Senior Cheerleader Graycie Turner at the MHS Sports Banquet on April 18. more

Lisa Norris, Ph.D. will participate in the 2021 U.S. Supreme Court Summer Institute for Teachers. She is one of 60 educators across the U.S. who was chosen to participate. more

Rylee Holladay, 17 is the 2021 Miss Huntingdon. Rylee is the 17-year-old daughter of Brandi Lee. more

ATWOOD — Dexter Williams, director of schools at West Carroll Special School District, is ending his contract on May 5. William Robinson, school board chairman, said the board and Williams reached an agreement to terminate Williams’ contract prior the June 30 date originally planned. Williams submitted his letter of resignation on March 9. more

McKenzie Special School District Board of Education meets Tuesday, May 4, 5:30 p.m. at the McKenzie Middle School Library. more

Miss West Carroll and Court 2021 — Nyonna Parker, 14, fourth maid, daughter of Ryanne Parker and Dennis Parker; Alyssa Butler, 18, senior, second maid, daughter of Craig and Lori Butler; … more

ATWOOD — Natalie Moore, 17, is the 2021 Miss West Carroll High School. Moore was crowned by the Brooklyn Polinski, the 2020 Miss West Carroll. more

HUNTINGDON (April 13) — Non-certified staff members may now serve as head coaches and leaders of extracurricular activities at Huntingdon Special School District. The Board of Education approved the change, which previously stated only certified staff members could serve as the leader of student activities. more

McKENZIE (April 15) — Bethel University plans to return to near-normal operations for the fall 2021 semester following the 2020-21 academic year dealing with a global pandemic. more

Congratulations to Mrs. Courtney Kee’s fourth grade class at McKenzie Elementary School for earning 1,000 Accelerated Reader points. more

Congratulations to Mrs. Tiffany Smith’s fourth grade class at McKenzie Elementary School for earning 1,000 Accelerated Reader points. more

Congratulations to Mrs. Megan Taylor’s second grade class at McKenzie Elementary School for earning 1,000 Accelerated Reader points. more

McKENZIE (April 18) — McKenzie High School’s basketball players, cheerleaders, coaches, and parents celebrated an unprecedented year of basketball during a Sunday afternoon banquet at McKenzie High School. A global COVID-19 pandemic’s effects weighed heavily on the season with quarantines, limited audience size, and even games without cheerleaders. However, the Rebels and Lady Rebels persevered playing the scheduled dates, even some nights of play with the girls playing one opponent and the boys playing a different opponent. more

Twenty-three of Carroll County’s brightest youth gathered for the 2021 Carroll County 4-H Public Speaking Contest. more