Community Focus | The Mckenzie Banner

Pictured are (L to R): Director of Schools Dr. Justin Barden, School Board Chairman LaShonda Williams, school board members Bobby Young and Misty Aird, Gränges Recruiter and Retention Specialist Rachel Carter, Gränges Senior HR Generalist Hannah Barger, MHS Baseball Coach Chris Wall, Gränges HR Manager Brooklyn Napier and MHS Principal Kelly Spivey.

McKENZIE (April 11) — Gränges Americas Inc. made a donation to McKenzie Special School District Friday, part of a series of donations to area schools. more

4/15/25

Kellen Finley, a McKenzie High School FFA student, sells live plants to Kevan King, a computer tech at the school.

McKenzie FFA Hosts Live Plant Sale

McKenzie FFA, Hollow Rock-Bruceton, West Carroll and Huntingdon all held live plant sales at the related schools. more

4/15/25

(L to R): Teressia Tidwell, Brittany Smith, Virginia Douglas, Allison Hargrove, Cami Furr, Mayor Joseph Butler, Dr. Valerie Allen, Emily Rushing, Megan Webb, and Lindsey Box-Rotger.

Carroll County Celebrates National Public Health Week with Dedication to Community Well-Being

In recognition of National Public Health Week, Carroll County Mayor Joseph Butler signed a proclamation celebrating the importance of public health and honoring those who work to improve the health and well-being of our communities. more

4/15/25

The Jackson Classical Conversations Challenge B community was one of three teams of homeschool students to participate in mock trials at the Carroll County Courthouse. Pictured are (L to R): Avonlea Banks, Katheryn Burns (of McKenzie), Ezra Pond, Marie Hoover, Judge Brent Bradberry, Elyse Voorhis, Levi Dahl, Nora Reini and Jessica Burns (of McKenzie, director of the Jackson Challenge B community.

Mock Trials Held at Carroll County Courthouse

HUNTINGDON (April 11) — Eighth grade home school students from Classical Conversations Challenge B held a series of mock trials at the Carroll County Courthouse today with Judge Brent Bradberry presiding and educating the students about the legal process. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 4/15/25

Carroll Lake near the docks on Saturday, April 12.

TWRA Responds to Carroll Lake Concerns

McKENZIE — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, which owns and operates Carroll Lake, has provided some insight into concerns about the fish population following the extreme weather earlier this month and the preemptive drainage of the lake ahead of the flooding conditions. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 4/15/25

Hunting for Easter eggs on the 0-2 years old field.

Egg Drop Draws Thousands

McKenzie (March 23) — Record crowds filled McKenzie City Park as thousands of excited children from throughout West Tennessee gathered for the fourth annual McKenzie Chamber of Commerce’s Easter Egg Drop. more

4/15/25

Third Annual Celebration of the Arts a Success

HUNTINGDON (April 12) — Carroll Arts, Inc. held its third annual Celebration of the Arts at The Dixie Carter Performing Arts and Academic Enrichment Center on Saturday. more

4/15/25

Pictured are Rotary President Christy Williams, Colonel Bernard House, and Rotary VP Ricky Price.

Rotarians Hear About ROTC

McKENZIE (April 8) — Colonel Bernard House, US Army, spoke about the ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) program based at the University of Tennessee at Martin during the April 8 meeting of the Rotary Club of McKenzie. more

4/15/25

Airport to be Renamed in Honor of Sgt. Lee Russell

HUNTINGDON (April 7) — In the coming weeks, it is likely the Carroll County Airport will undergo a name change. more

4/8/25

Aerial view of Winston Road south of McKenzie.

West Tennessee Reels from Deadly Storms, Flooding

McKENZIE (April 7) — A powerful and slow-moving weather system wreaked havoc across West Tennessee from April 2 to April 6, unleashing tornadoes and historic flooding that resulted in at least ten fatalities statewide and widespread damage. more

4/8/25

MHS Alumni Decades Reunion is September 19-20

The McKenzie High School Alumni Association (MHSAA) has announced the MHS Alumni Decades Reunion Weekend is set for September 19-20, 2025. It is in conjunction with this year’s MHS football homecoming. more

Courtesy Brad Camp | 4/8/25

Petals Azola

Petals Azola, a florist and boutique located at 1907 Cedar Street in McKenzie, opened in November of 2022. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 4/8/25

Carroll Lake (docks view) on Friday following intentional drainage.

Carroll Lake Drained Ahead Of Flooding, Refilled Quickly

McKENZIE (April 7) — Carroll Lake was partially drained on Wednesday in anticipation of the heavy rains to come over the following few days. By Friday afternoon, the water had risen to near normal levels and was again swollen on Saturday. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 4/8/25

Bethel Faculty, Staff, Students to Compete in Donkey Basketball

McKENZIE - Bethel University students will compete against the university's faculty and staff in a donkey basketball game on Monday, April 7 in Baker Fieldhouse on the McKenzie campus. … more

4/5/25

A $4 milliion gift to Bethel University was given to Bethel University-Tenn. in memory of Vera Low.

Robert Low Donates $4 Million to Bethel University to Celebrate Family Legacy and Love for Education

McKenzie, Tenn. (April 1, 2025) — The administration and students of Bethel University are proud to announce a transformative $4 million gift from philanthropist and businessman, Robert Low and … more

4/1/25

The tornado siren located at the intersection of Eastwood and Paris Avenue.

City Plans to Replace Aging Tornado Sirens

McKENZIE (March 28) — The City of McKenzie’s three aging outdoor sirens are in disrepair with one working consistently and one sporadically. more

By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com | 4/1/25

Living at Lakeside News

Greetings, how does the saying go? March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. This refers to the ever-changing weather of the season, and we have surely experienced that here in Carroll County. more

By Sheila Willis | 4/1/25

Local band 24 Seven performed at the Bow Wow at the Barn.

Carroll County Humane Society Hosts Bow Wow at the Barn

McKENZIE (March 22) — The Carroll County Humane Society hosted its annual Bow Wow at the Barn Saturday at The Venue at Waddell Place to raise funds for the non-profit organization’s needs. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 4/1/25

Rotary Hears about L.I. Smith company during the March 25 meeting. Pictured are Christy Williams, Rotary President; Patrick Smith, President of L.I. Smith; Ashley Horn, Marketing Director of L.I. Smith; and Ricky Price, Rotary Vice-President.

Rotary Members Learn About L.I. Smith

McKENZIE (March 25) — McKenzie Rotary members heard about L.I. Smith, a full-service, integrative engineering and surveying company that provides services to the public and private sectors. more

4/1/25

A group of Bethel students prepare for battle in one of the two laser tag arenas.

WarZone Ax n Tag

WarZone Ax n Tag, located at 12915 US-79, just south of McKenzie, offers endless, affordable fun in a safe, friendly environment. more

By Brad Sam
brad@mckenziebanner.com | 4/1/25