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Dr. Julie Hill of Union City (left) and Stacie Freeman of Dresden were named among the 20 Most Influential Women in West Tennessee during an April 9 ceremony in Jackson.

Local Nonprofit Co-Founders Among Most Influential in West Tennessee

JACKSON (April 9) — Dr. Julie Hill and Stacie Freeman, MSSW, were honored by the Jackson Area Business and Professional Women as winners of Sterling Awards 2024: 20 Most Influential Women in West Tennessee. more

4/16/24

Bottom Row: Mark Schultz, Jacquelyn Padilla, Skyelor DeLoach, Brett Toombs, Taniyah Diggs, Carlton Townes, Olivia Lane and Gracie Aird. Top Row: Allie Mansfield, Payton Ognibene, Lilly Sumrok, Tate Surber and Ally Rayburn. The featured speaker, Cheryl Mosley stands in the middle of the students.

McKenzie High Hosts Annual Veterans Day Program

McKENZIE (November 11) — Continuing a long-standing tradition, McKenzie High School hosted area veterans and presented a program to honor their service to America. The 10 a.m. ceremony on Veterans Day is conducted annually by the Student Government Association and features student presenters, the MHS Band and a featured speaker who served in the military. more

11/15/22

Facility Awarded ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade

HUNTINGDON (May 3, 2023) – Baptist Memorial Hospital-Carroll County received an A Hospital Safety Grade from the Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit upholding the standard of patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. more

5/16/23

Recipes 6-20-23

Punch 1 gallon tea (1/2 cup instant tea to 1gallon water) 1 cup lemon juice (or juice 3 lemons) 1 (6oz.) frozen orange juice 2 cups sugar 1 cup pineapple juice, optional Mix and serve over ice. Serves 20 more

6/20/23

Candidates for the 2023 MHS Homecoming Queen (L to R): Brett Toombs, Allie Mansfield, Jackelyn Padilla, Belle O’Brien and Parker Lyons. The coronation ceremony is Friday, October 6, 6:30 p.m. at Rebel Stadium.

McKenzie High Celebrates Homecoming This Week

McKENZIE — McKenzie High School is celebrating Homecoming 2023 this week. Friday includes a parade, a community pep rally, introduction of the Homecoming Court and the coronation of the queen, plus the Homecoming game featuring the McKenzie Rebels and the Houston County Fighting Irish. more

10/3/23

Board Discusses Budget, Upcoming Facility Repairs

McKENZIE (April 9) — McKenzie Special School District (MSSD) met at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the McKenzie Middle School Library for their regular monthly meeting to discuss budget amendments, and roofing and paving updates. more

By Brittany Martin
brittany@mckenziebanner.com | 4/16/24

Captain Justin Logan Commands Third Medical Battalion

OKINAWA — McKenzie native Justin Logan, MSC, US Navy is now captain of the Third Medical Battalion serving U.S. Marines and the U.S. Navy. He assumed command on January 31 in a Change of Command Ceremony. more

2/21/23

Camp Tyson Soldier Receives Official Grave Marker

PARIS — Pvt. Herman Hankins now can fully rest in peace, with the marker from the U.S. Veterans’ Affairs Administration now in place at his grave in Maplewood Cemetery. more

By Shannon McFarlin
Courtesy of WENK/WTPR | 12/26/23

Approximately 2,000 of the eggs were dropped from a helicopter as the eager hunters of eggs awaited their turn.

Third Annual McKenzie Chamber Egg Hunt was Great Success

McKenzie (March 23) — McKenzie City Park was filled with excitement as children from throughout West Tennessee gathered for the third annual McKenzie Chamber of Commerce’s Easter Egg Drop. more

3/26/24

Recipes 4-9-24

Everyday Cookies 1 cup white sugar 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup margarine 1 cup Wesson oil 1 large egg 3 1/2 cups plain flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon soda 1 teaspoon cream of tartar 1 cup oatmeal 1 cup Rice Krispies 1 cup coconut 1/2 cup chopped nuts 1 teaspoon vanilla more

4/9/24

Petals Azola Now Open

McKENZIE (November 11) — McKenzie’s newest florist, Petals Azola, owned by Angela Diller, held a ribbon cutting Friday. more

11/15/22

Seth Fields with his World Championship Duck Calling Trophy following his victory in Arkansas.

Local Wins World Duck Calling Competition

STUTTGART, Arkansas (November 26) — Huntingdon High School and Bethel University alumnus Seth Fields won the World Duck Calling Competition Saturday afternoon. more

By Jason Martin
jmartin@mckenziebanner.com | 11/29/22

Major General Warner Ross is promoted by his wife, Becky, and Major General Jimmie Cole, Tennessee’s Deputy Adjutant General, during a ceremony held at Tennessee’s Joint Forces Headquarters in Nashville on December 21.

Warner Ross Promoted to Major General

NASHVILLE (December 21) — Tennessee’s Adjutant General, Warner “Nubbin” Ross, was promoted to the rank of major general during a ceremony held at Tennessee’s Joint Forces Headquarters in Nashville on December 21, at 9 a.m. more

12/26/23

West Carroll Superintendent Preston Caldwell gathered board feedback on his five year strategic plan during a workshop meeting before the regular meeting Thursday night.

West Carroll Beta Clubs Celebrated for Achievements

ATWOOD (February 9) — The West Carroll Special School District school board celebrated the district’s Beta Club members for placing in the Tennessee state competition during their meeting Thursday night, February 9. Board member Keith Murray was absent for this meeting. All school board meetings are open to the public. more

By Caleb Revill
(Milan) Mirror-Exchange | 2/14/23

Bryan Rich, Ricky Price, Derek Carr, and Brian Winston during the presentation of honors to Price and Carr as outstanding alumni of McKenzie High School.

McKenzie High School Alumni Association Salutes Alumni

The McKenzie High School Alumni Association (MHSAA) recognized two outstanding alumni at the December 19 basketball home game vs. Milan. The honorees were Ricky Price (Class of 1974) and Derek Carr (Class of 2008). more

12/26/23

In October, 2023, Joel Washburn trades his publishing role at the McKenzie Banner for that of editor. That’s the month he will also join fellow members of the board and the co-founders Julie Hill (left) and Stacie Freeman (far right) of Global Citizen Adventure Corps on a travel service learning project in Cuba. Washburn says his new duties as vice chair for the nonprofit is “scratching an itch” and allowing him the “satisfaction to go and serve, and if I can’t go, then to provide that opportunity for someone else.” The Cuba trip in October will mark his second with GCAC this year and his fourth to Cuba since 2016. In March, he traveled to Guatemala, seen here. Pictured are Dr. Julie Hill, Joel Washburn, and Stacie Freeman standing in front of Mayan ruins in Guatemala.

Local Photojournalist Turns Attention to Global Citizens

McKENZIE, Tenn. — Joel Washburn isn’t usually in the photo or the news story. His typical place is behind the camera or behind the keyboard. As publisher of the McKenzie Banner, he has made a career, continuing his 75-year family legacy of chronicling community life. However, in recent years, Washburn’s “community” has gone global. more

By Karen Campbell
GCAC | 10/3/23

Stanley and Vickie Scates to celebrate 50 years.

Scates Celebrate 50 Years of Marriage

CLARKSBURG — December 29, 2023 marks the golden wedding anniversary for Clarksburg locals Stanley and Vickie Scates. This special milestone signifies 50 years of marriage. more

12/26/23

The 2023 Lady Rebels Softball Team: Back Row (L to R) — Briley Auvenshine, Katie Chesser, Savannah Davis, Jaleah Moore, Ady Freeman. Front Row (L to R) — Carli Beeler, Haylee Beard, Aubrey Jackson, Alyse Lowe, Kassidy Brown. Not Pictured: Payton Ognibene.

Lady Rebels Honored at Banquet

Players, coaches and parents of the Lady Rebels softball team gathered inside Hometown Hangout June 11 for a bittersweet end-of-season banquet. It marked the end of Kristi Brown’s last season as head coach of McKenzie High School softball. more

By Lyndsey Summers
lsummers@mckenziebanner.com | 6/13/23

Recipes 8-1-23

Pollo Flojo 1 tablespoon parsley 1 tablespoon thyme 1 tablespoon paprika 1 medium brown onion (or onion flakes) 4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 1/2 cup water 2 teaspoon salt 3-4 medium carrots (or half a small bag baby carrots) 3-4 stalks celery more

8/1/23

Marquez Taylor is transferring to the University of Texas El Paso.

Marquez Taylor Leaving Austin Peay

McKENZIE (December 19) — McKenzie High School football standout Marquez Taylor is transferring from Austin Peay to the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP). As part of the coaching carousel, Austin Peay’s Head Coach Scotty Walden, a native Texan, was offered the top spot at UTEP. Taylor announced Tuesday he was leaving the Governors to join Walden and the Miners team. more

12/26/23