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From left, Director of Schools Dr. Jonathan Kee, student school board representatives Madison Dill and Paige Costello and Board of Education Chairman Dr. Lee Carter.

Huntingdon School Board Approves New Budget, Salary Increases

HUNTINGDON (July 16) — The Huntingdon school board approved during Wednesday's regular meeting the 2025-26 operating budget, which includes district-wide salary increases. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 7/17/25

Bethel University Begins Fall Semester in August

Bethel students return to campus this August to begin the 2025 fall semester. more

7/15/25

Brody Berryhill, Tobey Brooks, Reese Gallimore, Destiny Huitzache, and Wade Chandler worked as a team in the Collaboration Connection leadership competition.

Students Represent McKenzie Beta at National Convention

Several McKenzie High School students recently returned from the National Beta Conference in Orlando, with one ranking nationally in an art competition. more

7/15/25

Local Schools Start in August

Local students are set to return from their short-lived summer break in early August, entering the first semester of the 2025-26 school year. more

7/15/25

Michelle Robinson shared updates made to the West Carroll Special School District website and app during Thursday evening’s school board meeting. Updates make information easier and faster to access and highlights the good that is happening at West Carroll.

West Carroll School Board Approves Updated Policies

ATWOOD (July 10) — West Carroll’s school board met Thursday evening with all members of the board present. The meeting opened with the board voting 6-0 to enter into negotiations regarding a new contract for Director of Schools, Preston Caldwell. more

Courtesy Jean Odom Mirror-Exchange | 7/14/25

Tuition Increases Three Percent at UT Martin

MARTIN — A 3% in-state tuition increase for University of Tennessee at Martin students was approved July 1 for the 2025-26 academic year by the UT Board of Trustees during the final day of the board’s annual meeting in Chattanooga. more

7/8/25

Back-to-School Tax Holiday Begins July 25

Tennessee’s traditional sales tax holiday on clothing, school supplies and computers begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, 2025. more

7/8/25

Members of the MHS Class of 1979 enjoyed the 2024 MHSAA Decades Reunion tailgate party.

McKenzie High Decades Reunion Taking Shape

Planning continues for the McKenzie High School Alumni Association (MHSAA) Decades Reunion that is less than three months away. It will take place on Friday-Saturday, September 19-20, 2025 in conjunction with the MHS football homecoming. more

Courtesy Brad Camp | 7/2/25

The University of Mississippi Announces Students Named to Spring Honor Roll Lists

Marley Trosper, of Paris, Tenn., majoring in English Education, was named to the Chancellor’s Honor Roll, which is reserved for students who earn a semester GPA of 3.75-4.00. more

7/1/25

Jackson Madison County School System Board Chairman Harvey Walden (left) was a guest at Wednesday's Huntingdon school board meeting. He is pictured with HSSD Board Chairman Dr. Lee Carter.

Huntingdon School Board Approves Bonuses for Additional Staff

HUNTINGDON (June 25) — The Huntingdon Special School District Board of Education approved bonuses for staff who do not qualify for bonuses under the Education Freedom Act during Wednesday's regular meeting. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 7/1/25

Freed-Hardeman University Announces President's, Dean's Lists for Spring 2025

HENDERSON (June 25) -- Freed-Hardeman University has released the names of students who made the President's and Dean's Lists for the Spring 2025 semester. To be on the President's List, a student must be full-time and have a 4.0 grade point average. Students on the Dean's List have earned a minimum 3.4 grade point average for the semester. more

6/26/25

Local UT Martin Graduate Inducted into Order of the Engineer

MARTIN (May 3) — Nathan Robison of Bruceton (right), a 2025 bachelor’s degree recipient in engineering from the University of Tennessee at Martin, was inducted into the Order of the Engineer on May 3. more

6/19/25

At McKenzie High School, roof work is underway and a pavilion is being constructed.

Upgrades Underway at McKenzie Schools

McKENZIE (June 16) — A plethora of upgrades are underway at the three McKenzie schools. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 6/17/25

Construction Progresses on TCAT in McKenzie

Tennessee College of Applied Technology Henry/Carroll hosted a groundbreaking for its new academic and administrative building on June 25, 2024 at the McKenzie campus. more

6/17/25

Jacob Sullivan (right), a senior mass media and strategic communication major from Huntingdon, receives the West Tennessee PBS Scholarship from Rodney Freed, instructor of mass media and strategic communication.

Two from Huntingdon Earn UTM Media Honors

MARTIN (April 1) — The University of Tennessee at Martin recently held its annual Mass Media and Strategic Communication Awards Ceremony in the Russell Duncan Ballroom of the Boling University Center. Two students from Huntingdon were honored at the event. more

6/17/25

Carroll County Residents Receive UT Martin Degrees

MARTIN (May 3) — Several Carroll County residents were among students who received degrees from the University of Tennessee at Martin during spring commencement ceremonies held recently, with some 600 students participating. more

6/17/25

Sandra Hudgins (right), primary school cafeteria manager, retired after 30 years of service. She was presented a plaque by Director of Schools Preston Caldwell.

West Carroll School Board Honors Retirees, Top Readers

ATWOOD (June 5) — The West Carroll Special School District Board of Education honored two retirees during the regular meeting Thursday and also recognized exceptional readers from the elementary school. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 6/11/25

Seth Hatchett of Huntingdon, a rising senior triple-major at UT Martin, was awarded the Goldwater Scholarship in its 2025 cohort. He is majoring in electrical engineering, cell and molecular biology and general chemistry. He plans to graduate in spring 2027. Hatchett is shown sitting outside of the Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building on the UT Martin campus.

UTM Student from Huntingdon Earns Prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

MARTIN — Seth Hatchett, a rising senior triple-major at the University of Tennessee at Martin from Huntingdon, was awarded the Goldwater Scholarship in its 2025 cohort. Hatchett is the seventh UT Martin student to earn the prestigious scholarship or its honorable mention status. more

6/9/25

(L to R) Perry Cook Post Adjutant, Sara Smith - Citizenship, Trevor Boyd - Boys State, Ramon Sala - Boys State, Bronson McGinnis - Americanism and Charles Sanders - Post Chaplain. Congratulations to all students. Keep up the good work.

American Legion Awards Central Students

In May, American Legion Post 180 of Bruceton recognized Central High School students for citizenship, boys state, and Americanism during the end-of-year Central Awards Banquet held at the Carroll County Civic Center in Huntingdon. more

6/3/25

WCES students who reached the goal of reading at least 100 books.

West Carroll Elementary Celebrates Literacy Milestone with Island-Themed Bash

TREZEVANT (May 20) — The gymnasium at West Carroll Elementary School was transformed into a tropical paradise on Tuesday as 32 percent of students celebrated reaching their end-of-year reading goals in a vibrant, island-themed celebration. more

Courtesy West Carroll Special School District | 6/2/25