McKENZIE (April 25) — In a special called meeting, the City of McKenzie Board of Mayor and Council unanimously decided to notify the State of Tennessee that the municipality plans to leave the state insurance plan. Not present for the meeting were Vice-Mayor Jesse Townes and Councilperson Josefina Batton. more

McKENZIE —Bethel University’s spring commencement ceremony is Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m. in Crisp Arena located inside the Vera Low Center for Student Enrichment on the McKenzie campus. more

McKENZIE (April 28) — The driver of a small pickup truck was transported by Baptist EMS following a single vehicle accident at 8:52 a.m. Friday. more

McKenzie Special School District introduces Dr. Justin Barden, director-elect of the McKenzie Special School District. MSSD officials are announcing a meet and greet for Dr. Barden and his family.The … more

Working in newspaper business and political area, you come across a huge assortment of folks. The longer you’re in the business you see multiple generations of folks have a tendency to follow in their forefather’s footsteps. In the April 25, 2023 edition of The Banner, local students bore witness to The Tennessee Civil Court of Appeals. One of the justices on the panel was Frank Clement, Jr. son of former Tennessee Governor Frank G. Clement. A few years back while I was a member of the McKenzie City Council, I had the privilege to welcome the former governor’s other son, Bob Clement, to town. more

McKENZIE (April 18) — Dr. Justin Barden was selected as the new director of schools for the McKenzie Special School District. Barden, a native of Jackson, received five votes out of seven during a special-called meeting to choose the next director of schools. more

McKENZIE — The first of several downtown murals is complete. Allison Bowers of Gleason was commissioned to paint the mural based on the history of the 154-year old city. more

HUNTINGDON (April 20) — Competitive wages and the rising cost of care at the county jail have once again broached the possibility of a lawsuit in budget talks between the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and the County Commission. Sheriff Andy Dickson stated, after years of giving into budget negotiations, he now feels as if he has been backed into a corner. He explained that since 2018, he has requested pay increases of 7% each year (except for 2020) for his employees and received only 3% in response. more

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 21) — The new Crooked Creek Wildlife Refuge in Carroll County is named in memory of Sergeant Lee Russell, who died in August 2022 while serving in the in the aviation division of the Tennessee Highway Patrol where he assisted with search and rescue, warrant execution, air cover, and more. more

McKENZIE (April 18) — Dr. Justin Barden is the new director of schools for the McKenzie Special School District. Barden is a Jackson native and Jackson Central Merry graduate (1999). more

McKENZIE (APRIL 20) — The Tennessee Civil Court of Appeals convened at Bethel University’s Crisp Arena on Thursday, April 20. The three-judge panel heard arguments in three cases as approximately 250 students from McKenzie, Gleason, Henry County, Huntingdon, Clarksburg, Hollow Rock-Bruceton, Bethel University and Tennessee College of Applied Technology. more

McKENZIE (April 13) — The April monthly meeting of the City of McKenzie Board of Mayor and Council had a light agenda. Parks and Recreation Director Billy Hollowell stated the City’s pickleball court is moving closer to completion. The surface has been poured along with the necessary striping. By mid-May, the court should have had enough time to cure and then netting will be installed. more

McKENZIE — A serious two vehicle accident on April 12 included no injuries. more

HUNTINGDON (April 14) — There are lots of good things happening in the State of Tennessee, said State Representative Brock Martin (R-Huntingdon), the speaker at the third and final Capitol Talk, hosted by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce on Friday, April 14. more

HUNTINGDON (April 10) — During Monday’s April meeting of the Carroll County Commission, the legislative body was addressed by Lori Dillahunty representing the Carroll County Inclusion Park. Dillahunty spoke passionately about the need and the advantages of constructing the park. Through Resolution 4-06-2023, the county pledged $400,000 of American Rescue Plan Act Funds. The estimated cost of construction is between $725,000 and $750,000. more

McKENZIE — A new sport arrives in Carroll County when the first municipal pickleball courts open in McKenzie in May. more

HUNTINGDON (April 7) — Congressman David Kustoff was in Carroll County on Friday, April 7 for his annual Good Friday visit to an invitation-only forum at the Carroll County Civic Center. more

ATWOOD — The West Carroll Special School District school board voted unanimously to increase safety measures and hire an additional school safety officer during their meeting Thursday night, April 6. more

McKENZIE (APRIL 6) — New McKenzie Mayor Ryan Griffin and council members, Charles Pruneau, Carol Armpriest, Tom Alexander and Jessie Townes, along with department supervisors Water -Billy Wood, Parks - Billy Hollowell, City Recorder Jennifer Waldrup, Police Chief Ryan White, Fire Chief Brian Tucker, and Johnny Mercer met in an informal session at the city-owned railroad depot on April 6 and 7. more

McKENZIE (April 4) — Lynn Watkins, director of McKenzie Special School District, is retiring on June 30. During the April 4 meeting of the Board of Education, Watkins offered to serve as a consultant to the yet-to-be-selected director of schools, whose term of office begins July 1. more