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2021 Year in Review

Posted

January 5

Annexation Process Begins for Profile Metal
McKENZIE (December 30) — In a special called meeting, the City of McKenzie Board of Mayor and Council met to begin the annexation process of annexing Profile Metal into the city limits. Following a recommendation from the McKenzie Regional Planning Commission, the council had to first adopt a resolution.
Councilperson Jason R. Martin made the motion with the second from Councilperson Jesse Townes to adopt the resolution.

First Cumberland Presbyterian Completes New Sanctuary
Congregants of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church - McKenzie have a new church sanctuary. Since the year 2002, worship services have been held in the multi-use Family Life Center.

Carroll County Ahead of Schedule as Teachers Receive Vaccine
Among those receiving the vaccine Saturday were McKenzie Elementary Vice-Principal Josh Kee and MES teacher Courtney Kee. The Kees told The Banner, “We did our part! We felt like as educators and leaders in our community that we needed to do our part to help fight COVID-19. Thank you to the Carroll County Health Department for a smooth process in getting our vaccine. We would recommend everyone to take advantage of this opportunity! We are making history.”
TDH reminds all Tennesseans that in addition to vaccination, wearing a face mask, maintaining social distance and getting tested when exposed or sick are critical to controlling the pandemic.

Unemployment Decreases Across Tennessee
NASHVILLE — Each of Tennessee’s 95 counties experienced decreased unemployment in November 2020, according to new data released Thursday by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD).
Unemployment rates in 41 counties are now less than 5%. Fifty-four counties recorded rates of 5% or higher during the month.

January 12

Local Schools to Receive COVID Stimulus Funds
In December of 2020, the Congress passed a COVID stimulus relief bill with a key provision of $54.3 billion for K-12 schools, according to the Tennessee Education Association. Tennessee’s share of this K-12 COVID relief funds is $1,107,656,022. Local school systems are scheduled to receive a portion of those funds.

First Cumberland Presbyterian Holds First Service in New Sanctuary
McKENZIE (January 10) — The first worship service in the new sanctuary of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church-McKenzie was held Sunday, January 10. It was a celebration of a completion of a 23-year process, which started with a decision to build an entirely new church facility instead of remodeling the historic downtown Stonewall church.

Federal Authorities Investigating Violations by West Tennessee Residents at Capitol
Memphis — United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant has announced his office, in coordination with the Memphis Field Division Office of the FBI, will investigate and charge any potential violations of federal law at the United States Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 committed by individuals from the Western District of Tennessee.

January 19

Carroll, Henry Counties Lead in Vaccinations
NASHVILLE (January 18) — Carroll and Henry counties lead the state in the number of vaccinations against COVID-19, as based on the number of vaccinations per 100,000 population.

Henry County leads the entire state with 10.4 percent of its 32,345 population receiving the first of two vaccinations. The county-owned hospital, Henry County Medical Center and the Henry County Health Department provide vaccinations. HCMC conducts its vaccinations on prescribed days, while Henry County Health Department has almost daily vaccinations. The county stands at .07 percent of the total population on the second and final dose.
Carroll County is second in the state with 8.89 percent of its 27,886 population receiving the first dose. The Health Department, located at the Carroll County Office Complex on High Street, Huntingdon, provides almost daily vaccinations. The county stands at .37 percent for the second dose. Persons aged 75 and over, educators, front-line healthcare workers are all eligible for the vaccination at this time. It is not yet available to younger residents, unless there is some underlying condition.

Local Guard Units Deployed to Nation’s Capital
NASHVILLE (January 17) — On Sunday, in the wake of the recent unrest in Washington, D.C., the Tennessee National Guard was activated with several of its members being deployed to the nation’s capital. With growing concerns of possible domestic terrorism and violence the state guard, at the request of the federal government, was sent for added security for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Local members of the guard along with units from West Tennessee, including McKenzie, arrived in Washington, D.C. on Sunday. Currently, 15,000 National Guard members are at the capitol. The Tennessee Department of Safety requested support from the guard asking for “Soldiers and Airmen to support the Tennessee Highway Patrol at the State Capitol.”

January 26

Town of Bruceton Makes National News Concerning Facebook Post
A Facebook post on the Town of Bruceton’s Facebook page has generated both supportive and negative comments numbering in the thousands.
On the day of inauguration of President Joe Biden, Bruceton Mayor Robert Keeton, III made the following comments on the Facebook page. The American flag in front of Bruceton City Hall was lowered to half-staff on January 20.

Jonathan Kee Selected As Huntingdon Director of Schools
HUNTINGDON (January 21) — The Huntingdon Special School District Board of Education unanimously voted to offer the position of director of schools to Dr. Jonathan Kee, principal at Huntingdon High School. There were three persons who applied for the position, however, Dr. Kee was the lone candidate for the position who is also an employee of HSSD.

RailYard Workspace Hosts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
McKENZIE — The RailYard Workspace hosted a ribbon cutting and open house on Friday, January 22, 2 p.m. at the new facility on Broadway Street in downtown McKenzie adjacent to the McKenzie Memorial Library and the newly-opened, newly-remodeled McKenzie Station Bar and Grill.

February 2

Pottery Direct Hires Employees
Pottery Direct’s new 40,000 square-foot building, located on Rochelle Road in the McKenzie Industrial Park South, is complete and employees are now training to produce clay pottery.

Construction Continues at The Lodge at Paris Landing
BUCHANAN, Tenn. — Much progress has been made recently with the ongoing construction at The Lodge at Paris Landing. The project is approximately 35 percent complete at this time, with completion on target for the fall of 2021.

Governor Lee Relaxes State Restrictions On Sports
NASHVILLE (January 28) — In an announcement, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced he has lifted the restrictions on sporting events contained in Executive Order No. 74.

February 9

A Christmas Miracle: Mother, Newborn Miraculously Survive COVID-19, Emergency C-Section
McKENZIE — “I did not realize how bad I was. They were moving extremely fast and said I might not make it to the Jackson Hospital.” That’s what Christy Lowe-Sweatt remembers of her near-death experience with COVID-19 while eight months pregnant with her first child, Hannah. If not for the outreach and love of the medical community and the love of God, Christy would not be telling her story of a miracle birth and her own unlikely survival.