First Responders Lauded for Bravery

McKENZIE (November 13) — On Thursday night, the McKenzie City Council praised the bravery of three local first responders, Tiesia Downland, Mikayla Vincent and Sergeant Cody Coleman. The event mentioned occurred on November 5, 2025, when a female, Celina Rose Louise Engles, from Mississippi, entered into McKenzie City Hall requesting help.

It was suspected that the female was mentally ill. As Sergeant Coleman went to run the individual’s ID. Engles pulled a handgun from her purse. Sergeant Coleman attempted to restrain her and take her to the ground, working to control the firearm. Dispatchers Dowland and Vincent helped restrain the subject and control the handgun.

While Engles was on the floor, the handgun came loose, and Sergeant Coleman advised Vincent to kick it away.

Engles was successfully restrained without injury to anyone. EMS responded to the scene. Engles refused medical treatment.

She was charged with three counts of Aggravated Assault of First Responders and Resisting Arrest.

Also receiving a proclamation was McKenzie High School golfer Charli Weatherford. Weatherford competed in the 2025 Class A Girls Golf Championship at Sevierville Golf Club last week and earned an eighth-place finish (tie) among 46 competitors.

The senior shot a day-one 78 and improved to a 77 on day two for the top-ten finish. Weatherford earned the state berth by claiming the individual title in the Region 7A tournament two weeks earlier. She was also the individual champion in the District 14A tournament.

Additionally, in the meeting was the approval of the second reading for Ordinance 574, which deals with Occupational Safety and Health.

City employee Christmas bonuses were approved in the amount of $100 for full-time status and $50 for part-time employees.

The next regular meeting of the McKenzie City Council is December 11 at 6 p.m. at McKenzie City Hall.