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Lee Lawrence ‘Wild Thang’ dropping an elbow on his competitor in the wrestling ring.

‘Wild Thang’ Lee Lawrence Prevails in Exhibition Match

GLEASON (August 26) — Gleason School Principal Lee Lawrence entered his alternate ‘ego’ when he appeared as ‘Wild Thang’ in an exhibition wrestling match at Gleason School on Saturday night. more

8/29/23

John Rufli, executive director of Friends of LBL and Kathy Ham, president of McKenzie Rotary Club.

Rotary Members Learn About LBL

McKENZIE — John Rufli, executive director of Friends of Land Between the Lakes, was the featured speaker at the Rotary Club of McKenzie on Tuesday, December 6. more

12/20/22

Superb Training Open for Business

McKENZIE (December 2) — Kory Wilson, owner of Superb Training, cut the ribbon signifying the opening of the fitness center. more

12/5/23

Rotary Tours Pottery Direct — Kathy Ham, Nick Davis (Pottery Direct), Hugo van Woerden (Pottery Direct), Dennis Mack, Anderson, Jill Holland, James Terrell, Ed Perkins, Henk van Woerden (Pottery Direct), Josh Crocker (Pottery Direct), John Adams and Jan Latimer.

Rotary Club Tours Pottery Direct

McKENZIE (November 22) — Members of the Rotary Club of McKenzie toured Pottery Direct, one of McKenzie’s newest manufacturers on Tuesday, November 22. The company is located in the North McKenzie Industrial Park (Airport Park). more

By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com | 12/20/22

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at DaVita Dialysis in Huntingdon.

DaVita Dialysis Opens in Huntingdon

HUNTINGDON (October 13) — DaVita Dialysis opened its entirely new facility at 50 Taylor Avenue, Huntingdon following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, October 13. more

By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com | 10/18/22

McKenzie High School Class of 1967 Reunion (October 2022) — Front Row (L to R): Edward Sexton, Cathy Washburn Bullard, Nancy Bridges Barker, Geneva Gilliam Johnson, Shirley Martin, Meredith Edwards Lampley, Janet Mayo Doster, Linda Lowrance Brown and Newsom Baker. Back Row (L to R): Tommy Smith, John McCadams, Wayford Washburn, Jr., Kerry Campbell, Jimmy Bennett, David Barnes, Dennis Sutton, Charles Felts, Jim Padgett and Dennis Taylor.

McKenzie Class of 1967 Holds 55-Year Reunion

Members of the McKenzie High School Class of 1967 held their 55-year reunion on October 8 at McKenzie Church of Christ. more

12/20/22

Local Students Finish UT Martin Vet Tech Program

MARTIN (May 24) — Auria McClerking, of Huntingdon, and Audrie Washburn, of McKenzie, recently completed the University of Tennessee at Martin Veterinary Health Technology Program’s academic requirements. The two are now qualified to complete a six-week field internship with a veterinary clinic or research facility. more

5/31/22

Pictured is Franklin Matthew, the HCMC New Year’s Baby born on January 1, 2023 at 6:53 a.m. to proud parents Ashley Orr and Justin Blankenship.

New Year Baby Makes His Debut on January 1 at HCMC

PARIS, Tenn. – Franklin Matthew made his debut at HCMC on January 1, 2023, becoming this year’s New Year Baby. He was born in the Women’s Center of Henry County Medical Center … more

1/3/23

Members of the 2022 WestTeach class graduated December 13 at UT Martin. First Row (L to R): Alyssa Bynum, Dresden Elementary School; Deana Sain, Bolivar Middle School; Haley Williams, Crockett County High School; Ann Johnson, Munford High School; Bethany Enochs, East Elementary (Humboldt); Taylor Record, Dyer Elementary School; Ariell White, Anderson Early Childhood Center (Haywood County); Lauren Mathis, Dyersburg Intermediate School; and Virginia Grimes, WestStar assistant director. Second Row (L to R): Jennifer Black, WestStar program manager; Bellis May, Hardin County High School; Melissa Berry, Henry County High School; Candi Collier, Milan High School; Jennifer Walls, Trenton Rosenwald Middle School; Holly Meyer, Briarwood Elementary (Camden); Crystal Prince, Lake County High School; and Monica Robbins, Holice Powell School (Dyer County). Third Row (L to R): Dr. Charley Deal, vice chancellor, UT Martin Division of University Advancement; Dr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor; and Dana Paramenter, Ripley High School. Fourth Row (L to R): Jamie Knott, South Fulton High School; Tabias Hood, Tipton Rosemark Academy (Millington); Clayton Morris, West Carroll Jr./Sr. High School; Spencer Ezell, Huntingdon High School; Wes Holmes, Fayette-Ware Comprehensive High School; Bob Sparks, Jackson Central-Merry Early College High; and Rebecca Rainey, Lexington High School. (Not pictured is Lisa Forsythe, McNairy Central High School.)

Ezell, Morris Among WestTeach Graduates

MARTIN — Alyssa Bynum and Bob Sparks live in different West Tennessee communities, but they share some things in common. Both are successful teachers, both are dedicated educators, and both are now WestTeach graduates. They were members of the fourth WestTeach class that graduated Dec. 13 at the University of Tennessee at Martin. more

12/20/22

(L to R): Jackson Cassidy, Zack Aird, Marquez Taylor (holding the gold champion ball trophy), Coach Wade Comer and Rotary Vice-President Spiros Roditis.

Rotary Donates to Football Program

McKENZIE (December 13) — Rotary Club of McKenzie donated $1,000 to the McKenzie Rebels football program in an effort to purchase championship rings for the 2022 Class 1A State Championships. more

12/20/22

Austin Maxwell (center) is pictured with Sgt. First Class Kenneth Acfalle, senior instructor of military science, his sons, Jack and Easton, and his wife, Rebekah.

Local Student Earns Military Commission

MARTIN (May 25) — Austin Maxwell, of McKenzie, was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army during a ceremony May 6 at the University of Tennessee at Martin. more

5/31/22

Austin (AJ) Maxwell is the third recipient of the TAPS Student of the Year Award.

McKenzie Native Receives TAPS Student of the Year Award

PARIS (May 23) — Austin (AJ) Maxwell, a Survey Technician at L.I. Smith and Associates (LIS), received the Tennessee Association of Professional Surveyors (TAPS) Student of the Year Award. Maxwell received this award on March 4. more

5/31/22

Henry County Sheriff Josh Fry (right) present retiring Henry County Lieutenant Gary Vandiver (left) the Loyal Patriot Award along with his service weapon on Friday.

Lieutenant Gary Vandiver Calls it a Career

PARIS (December 15) — After 43 years in law enforcement, Lieutenant Gary Vandiver has retired. Sheriff Josh Frey said, “It’s very much a loss for the sheriff’s office. His desire and expertise, especially in working in child abuse cases, is invaluable. But fortunately, he passed that knowledge on to so many others at the sheriff’s office. He’s leaving us in good hands.” more

12/19/23

MHS Senior Savannah Davis signs commitment documents to play for MTSU as her parents, Andrea and Boo look on.

Savannah Davis Signs with MTSU

McKENZIE (November 9) — Savannah Davis chose to continue her athletic and academic career at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. The McKenzie High School senior signed commitment documents on Thursday to play basketball for the university. more

11/14/23

(L to R) Rachel DePriest Comeau and Randy Comeau and Employee of the Month, Olivia, 11 months.

Clarksburg Welcomes Relocation Of Freedom Gunworks, LLC

Clarksburg welcomed a new business on Saturday, March 18, with the relocation and grand opening of Freedom Gunworks, LLC. Randy and Rachel Comeau have operated the business from their home for the past year. more

3/21/23

The Butler family — Walter Butler and Jennifer Butler with sons, Joseph, Murray and Thomas.

President Butler Honored During Bethel Reception

McKENZIE (November 9) — Walter Butler was honored during a reception on Thursday evening in the Vera Low Center for Student Enrichment on the campus of Bethel University. more

11/14/23

Griffin Named Outstanding Young Alumnus at Union

JACKSON — Ryan Griffin (BA 2011) received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award during Union University’s Awards Banquet on November 3. more

11/14/23

Filtz Graduates from 2022 WestStar Class

MARTIN (June 27) — Dr. Joshua Filtz, owner and founder of Magnolia Mercantile Co. in McKenzie, graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin WestStar Leadership Program’s Class of 2022 on June 21 at The Venue at Twin Oaks in Humboldt. more

6/28/22

President, CEO and CFO — Director Martha Arnold is recognized for 50 years of service to The Bank of Gleason.

Bank of Gleason Honors Martha Arnold

The Bank of Gleason honored Martha Arnold for 50 years of service with an Open House on Friday, March 10. Friends and family members filtered in all day to congratulate Arnold and enjoy cake and punch. “Over all these years, it’s the people that have made all the difference. I’ve come to cherish each and every one of them,” said Arnold. more

By Karen Forester
features@mckenziebanner.com | 3/14/23

Brent Dillahunty, general manager, talks about the future of West Tennessee Public Utility District.

West Tennessee Public Utility District Celebrates 70 Years

McKENZIE (September 12) — Representatives of West Tennessee Public Utility District held its annual luncheon to inform local governmental leaders about its growth, mission, safety standards, and how gas is affordable and clean. more

9/19/23