May 11, 2023 -- More than half of all rural Tennessee hospitals no longer deliver babies — a trend that shows no clear signs of reversal while pregnant patients outside major metropolitan areas routinely drive an hour, or more, in order to give birth. more

Dad’s “formal” education ended with the third grade. He didn’t quit at that tender age by choice. His father decided he was needed at home more than he was down at the one-room schoolhouse beside Sugar Creek. more

At times I hold the self-proclaimed title of The King of Useless Information. One such example comes with Mother’s Day. The individual who was the ramrod for the creation of the holiday was Anna Jarvis. The interesting part of the story is that not long after her holiday created momentum, she turned against the holiday requesting it be rescinded because of its commercialism. While this story has very little to do directly with Tennessee history, I can’t help but share some of my useless knowledge. more

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) mobile household hazardous waste collection service will be in Madison and Stewart counties on Saturday, May 20. … more

McKENZIE — After months of weather-caused delays, the steel is being erected on the new multi-purpose indoor sports practice facility at McKenzie High School. Construction began in December, 2023, however, a very wet winter delayed the pouring of concrete, a necessary step prior to erecting the steel. more

McKENZIE (May 2) — Five persons were recognized for their planned retirement at the end of the school year at McKenzie Special School District. They were honored at the May 2 meeting of the Board of Education. more

HUNTINGDON (May 4) — An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office and Carroll County Sheriff’s Department resulted in the indictments of William “Lin” and Malisa “Lisa” Smith, who served respectively as the fire chief and treasurer for the Carroll County Volunteer Fire Department District 8 – Mixie station. William serves as an elected member of the Carroll County Commission. more

McKENZIE (May 8) — Tri-County Publishing, Inc. (TCP) added in-restaurant screen advertising to its portfolio of advertising offerings. On May 1, TCP purchased two locations of screen advertising from Scrolling Screens, owned by Bill Kee. more

McKENZIE (May 4) — Prayers went up for the people and institutions in Carroll County and beyond on the National Day of Prayer observance on May 4. The annual event is sponsored by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce at the Carroll County Airport. more

HUNTINGDON — Five 13- and 14-year-old students were in court this month, and their parents couldn’t be happier. No, they weren’t on trial for truancy or unruly behavior; in fact, they served as litigants, attorneys and law enforcement officers. more

On May 6, 2023, the Carroll County Sports Hall of Fame added eight new members to the HOF at the annual banquet at the Carroll County Civic Center. The inductees were from the five areas of the county. McKenzie inducted Jerry Escue and Derek Carr. Huntingdon inducted Bill Ezell, Ray Crossno, and Danny Woodard. Hollow Rock – Bruceton inducted Jared Edwards; Clarksburg inducted Erica Yarbrough Sills; and West Carroll inducted David Hale. more

McKENZIE (May 6) — Bethel University held its Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 6 in the Crisp Arena on the McKenzie campus. The students were seated at floor level and qued to the elevated platform, where they walked across to receive their diplomas from President Walter Butler. more

HUNTINGDON (May 4) — The Carroll County Budget Committee met Thursday but was hesitant to recommend one of three proposed amendments to the County Highway Departments budget. Also, concerns were addressed about the County Board of Education’s proposed fiscal year budget for 2023-24. more

ATWOOD (May 4) — West Carroll Junior/Senior High School will be part of the state’s Innovative School Model schools during the 2023-24 school year. more

McKENZIE (MAY 2) — McKenzie Special School District is participating in a state initiative to better prepare students for careers and college through the Innovative Schools Model and a $1,500,000 grant to support the initiative. more

Area high school graduation ceremonies are this week and next. All graduations are at the specific high school campus. more

HUNTINGDON (May 1) — Twenty defendants were indicted by the Grand Jury of the Carroll County Circuit Court on May 1. more

HUNTINGDON (May 8) — U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn was at The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center on Monday, May 8 to address select high school students from Central, Clarksburg, Huntingdon and McKenzie. more

My Mother wasn’t too smart. Now, I know that is a harsh thing to say. But the facts are irrefutable! more

With time ticking away and deadline quickly approaching, I struggled to find a muse for this week’s story. Thank goodness for Google as a search of "on this date in history” turned up a quote from Tennessee’s Andrew Johnson. On May 9, 1865, President Johnson declared the Civil War “may be regarded as virtually at an end.” This opened the rabbit hole and away I went. more