High winds struck the area of Carroll Lake Road Sunday toppling trees, destroying small buildings, and interrupting electrical and cable television services.

At the golf course, one metal golf cart shop was blown from its moorings and wrapped around a large pine tree adjacent to the road. The golf carts remained in place. A portico at the restaurant was blown from the rear of the building and shredded on the front parking area. The roof sustained some damage from the portico, said manager Monte Cunningham. A well house cover was dislodged and the main electrical service line was snapped. Several large trees were downed along the course and there were many branches littering the area. The course reopened Monday at noon, said Cunningham, who estimated the damage at $40,000.

Jerry Stanley said he phoned 9-1-1 at 9:00 p.m. after the storm raked his home on Carroll Lake Road. Stanley and his wife, Nan, who are in the process of purchasing the golf course, were at their new home across the street from the course when the storm hit. He said he went to the door and could actually see the door sucking in and out as he grabbed the handle. The couple then sought shelter in the interior restroom. While the home was spared, the front driveway was covered with a downed pine tree and power lines from across the golf course. Mr. Stanley, who purchased the home June 1 after moving from Ohio, said the storm was a “dramatic awakening.”

Across the street, Clayton, Christi Nethaway and family were enjoying the patio of their home when the winds forced them inside to the kitchen. The Nethaways lit candles and continued their meal when the electricity was restored. Clayton said high winds were blowing rain in around the French patio doors. The sound from the heavy rain masked the sound of damage that occurred in their front door.

Pat Bishop “pounded” on the door of the Nethaways home to alert them of the damage in the front yard. Outside, their garage had been lifted, moved about 15 feet, and came to rest on a Ford pickup truck parked outside the building. Inside the building, several golf carts were damaged. A 1987 Chevrolet, parked behind the building, was untouched. Sections of a wooden privacy fence were also blown down and patio furniture was strewn along the Nethaways’ lawn.

Just down the street, Terry Blakemore’s lawn was littered by two downed tents, left from his daughter, Nadia’s wedding on Saturday. Two windows were blown out of the garage, a flagpole was broken, and trees were downed. Blakemore was thankful that no one was injured in the storm and extremely thankful that the storm did not hit Saturday during the wedding.

Trees were downed in the 19th Fairway and in Meadowood Subdivision on Carroll Lake Road.

Sunday night, Carroll County Highway Department, Carroll County Electric, and Charter Media responded to the scene. Carroll County Highway Department employees Mark Hedge and Mike Kyle utilized a chainsaw and backhoe to clear the tree from the roadway, Carroll County Electric replaced a utility pole and restrung electrical lines, and Charter restored cable lines.

Monte Cunningham offered his praise for the men for the extra work and effort they expended to restore services.

Trees were also down along State Route 423 in McKenzie, State Route 77 near Huntingdon, and in Atwood. Electric crews worked until 4:30 a.m. restoring power Monday, and then returned for additional repairs after daylight.

Hig’s Restaurant, located at 25185 Highway 22 in McKenzie, is operating under new ownership, effective May 26.

Howard and Louise Phanstiel of Los Angeles, California, and Grant Hubbard of Gleason, doing business as Phanstiel Restaurant LLC, purchased the business from long-time owner Millard Higdon of McKenzie.

The new owners have family ties to the tri-county community. Grant is the son of Hugh Hubbard of McKenzie and the grandson of the late George and Sally Hubbard of Gleason. He has one son, Alexander, age 7.

Louise Phanstiel is the daughter of Shirley Atkins of Gleason and the granddaughter of the late George and Sally Hubbard of Gleason.

“The Hubbard family has been in the Gleason area since the early 1800s,” said Grant.

“Millard did a fine job for many years, but he wanted to retire, so we had the opportunity to purchase the business,” said Hubbard, who will manage day-to-day operations of the restaurant.

Real Estate Agent Cheryl Hubbard of Bouldin Real Estate in McKenzie handled the sales transaction.

Grant Hubbard, 49, brings a wealth of experience to the McKenzie restaurant location. He recently moved to Gleason from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he managed three different restaurants over a 16 year period. He has been associated with the restaurant business for a total of 30 years.

Hubbard emphasized food items and staff will remain the same. The restaurant will continue to operate under the name Hig’s Restaurant. Dianne Pritchard, who has served as manager of Hig’s for 13 years, will remain in that capacity. The kitchen staff and waitresses will remain the same, he added.

“We may do some updates within the restaurant, but everything else will remain the same,” said Hubbard.

The restaurant offers a large buffet every day, along with a full menu featuring catfish, shrimp, steaks, chicken, a children’s menu, burgers, and a full range of side items. The daily buffet includes four meats (including catfish), 12 side items, a full salad bar and variety of desserts, including pies, cakes and self-serve soft ice cream. Buffet prices are lunch - $5.49, evening - $6.49, all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon - $6.99.

Beginning in August, the restaurant will be open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. The restaurant will continue closing Sunday and Monday evenings through July.

“We are all very excited about becoming a part of the community here in McKenzie and continuing the fine service and food at Hig’s Restaurant,” said Grant.

MCKENZIE (June 8) - McKenzie City Council approved the first of two readings on the 2006-2007 fiscal year budget last Thursday. The $2.74 million budget includes a 40-cent per hour raise for city employees, the purchase of three 2007 model Ford Crown Victoria police cruisers, at $24,000 each payable one per year for three years from Tri-County Motors, and 30 complete sets of firefighter turnout gear at a cost of $52,000. Completion of the sidewalk along College Drive from Bethel to the McKenzie Recreation Park is included at $58,000, with the state paying the remaining $104,000.

Mayor Walter Winchester said the budget could be funded without a property tax increase at the current rate of $1.05 per $100 assessed value providing $54,000 revenues over expenditures for the year. A second and final reading will be held Thursday, June 22 at which time the budget can be amended, said the mayor.

Anticipated revenues include: local assessed taxes of $1,838,700 including the bulk of revenue from sales taxes of $858,500, beer taxes of $125,000, business taxes of $40,000, hotel/motel tax of $20,000, cable television taxes of $90,000, Carroll County Electric in lieu of taxes $10,000, and 2006 property taxes of $541,200; Intergovernmental Revenues include $601,000 from other governmental sources; licenses, permits, and fines generate another $109,400, including $30,000 from the city wheel tax, $60,000 from fines, $2,500 from the sale of seized vehicles; in services and facilities generates $82,500 including $25,000 from rural fire contracts, $28,000 from the driving school; and miscellaneous $166,500.

Expenditures include: general government, $660,487; police department $1,047,200; fire department $337,100; streets and highway department $365,650; city garage $36,900; street lighting $99,000; parks and recreation $192,600; and public affairs $5,000.

Councilwoman Jill Holland remarked that the approximately $30,000 collected from the wheel tax (city sticker) equals the cost of providing health insurance for city council members. Holland refuses to accept compensation or health insurance for her services and has campaigned to end the practice of health insurance for the part-time council position just as the county of Carroll has done for commissioners.

Winchester responded that the city sticker receipts are earmarked for street paving.

Holland also stated that citizens have commented about the apparent number of residents not purchasing the city stickers as required by the city. She suggested an inspection by the police on Sundays when most people's automobiles are parked at home.

Mayor Winchester said the state of Tennessee is issuing new license plates in 2006 and McKenzie citizens have been advised not to affix their new city sticker until their new license plate is issued this year.

Councilman Gene Hale said the city issued a few citations that week for failure to purchase a city sticker. Hale also indicated the number of citations by the police is 450 year to date compared to 306 for the same period last year.

Councilmen also approved a hazard mitigation plan in coordination with the county of Carroll's plan.

Erection of a monument was approved in the downtown park in front of Super Drugs. The monument, in memory of Dusty Carroll and in honor of the local Company A soldiers who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, is sponsored by the Family Support Group of the local soldiers.

A printed report by the McKenzie Fire Department indicated the department responded to 17 incidents during May.

Councilwoman Darra Adkins was hospitalized and unable to attend. City Clerk Charlie Beal was absent and recuperating from a hospitalization.

Alexander Hall, located on North Main Street in downtown McKenzie, will no longer be available as a community activity center, according to owners Keith and Sherri Priestley.

The building was leased to the Twenty-Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force on June 1.

Alexander Hall opened in 1994 and has served as a public meeting place for weddings, receptions, birthday parties, business meetings, public auctions, teas, showers and family reunions. It was also the site of the annual cancer bake auction for many years.

Broadway Place, located directly behind Super Drugs at 150 Broadway Street in downtown McKenzie, offers a similar service to the public.

With seating capacity for approximately 70 persons, Broadway Place offers several rooms and a small kitchen facility.

Joann Motheral, proprietor, decorates the center prior to events such as weddings, receptions, birthday parties, teas, showers, family reunions and business meetings.

“There is a wedding room and another room for the reception,” said Joann, who provides tables and tablecloths as well as a beautifully decorated and lighted arbor and other decor for the event.

Building rental for a wedding and reception is $100, which includes decorations and cleanup, and other events are $75, including set up and clean up. Call Super Drugs in McKenzie at 234-7498 or 352-3242 to book an event.