10 Years Ago — McKenzie Youth Summer Tee-Ball started. To get an out Kadarius Tharpe threw a ball to Fletcher Holt at first. more

A lot of you reading this have no idea what it’s like to live in a town of 5,000 people. You probably have lots of preconceived ideas about what life in such a small town must be like. Some of your notions may be accurate. But there are some things about life in a small town that can only be known by living there. more

After listening to Dr. Walter Butler speak this morning at Huntingdon’s Memorial Day event, I really wanted to know more about his uncle, Major Walter Sidney Butler, Jr. Within a few minutes of searching on-line for information, I found a treasure trove, and I am sharing it now in memory of Major Butler. more

I didn’t know he joined the Army when he was 17 and fought during World War II as a member of the 2nd Ranger Battalion at Pointe du Hoc, France. more

I lifted my bottom slightly off the seat. And craned my neck. I still couldn’t see much through the ladies’ hats and the back of the men’s Vitalis slicked-down hair. This was going to be a long night. more

One of the greatest interventions by a news organization was by Jack McElroy of the Knoxville News Sentinel and the violation of the Sunshine Law by the Knox County Commission. more

10 Years Ago — Miss Tennessee, Shelby Thompson Visits Oak Manor. She visited with the elderly people and gave them autographed photos. more

Under normal circumstances, Thursday’s McKenzie City Council meeting should have revolved around the approval of the fiscal year budget. While there was an unpublicized workshop on the budget, the Mayor’s impromptu directional change of Broadway took center stage. The ordeal of Broadway and antics of Thursday’s meeting have left a bad taste in my mouth for McKenzie Municipal Government.  more

Many factors influence the makeup of our personality and our station in life: genetics, the disposition we’re born with, culture, the country we live in, early childhood experiences, education, our childhood caregivers and probably even more factors. It’s a complex issue to try and cipher. more

10 Years Ago — The Chamber Golf Tournament had 100 golfers and 30 volunteers for the event. The first place team for the first flight was Hamilton Ryker, made up of players Parker Jones, Troy Jones, Joe Saganski, and Stan Welch. more

The young, single mother of three had been coming to see me for counseling for several months when one morning she presented with red eyes, a trembling chin, and her normal makeup was missing. more

10 Years Ago — Andrew Cole performed as Elvis in his fourth grade play “Rockin’ America.” more

Tann died of uterine cancer three days before the state filed charges against the society. more

So we find ourselves at a crossroads. Put on this path by short-sighted decision making and the breakdown of transparency. more

I’ve written about suicide, talked to people about suicide, been in schools and work settings to help them formulate a plan for dealing with losing a coworker or student to suicide, and I’ve counseled untold numbers of people left behind in the aftermath of suicide. more

10 Years Ago — Madison Graves placed third in the Eighth District 2014 Congressional Art Competition. Madison Received this award from Congressman Stephan Fincher for her piece titled “Get a Grip.” more

Tann employed a range of deceitful tactics to procure children, often preying on vulnerable families under the pretext of providing them with better opportunities. Many of the children taken into TCHS’s custody were born to unmarried mothers, who were coerced or deceived into relinquishing their parental rights. Tann’s ability to manipulate and exploit the vulnerabilities of these families underscored her cunning and ruthlessness. more

Since I’m not writing anymore, I’ve had more time to think…. about life, choices, mistakes, heartaches, good times, main events, and the short list of folks who just barely crossed my path, but had a lasting effect on my small, narrow universe. I would count Rebecca Cortney Lancaster in the latter category. more

I grew up in the age of paper, before the age of plastic. I’m talking paper grocery sacks (which I used to fill and carry out as a grocery boy). more

10 Years Ago — McKenzie Rotary co-hosted the District 6760 Conference at Paris Landing, where Evan Reams and Alexander Tu spoke about Rotaract Clubs. more