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Dr. Sidney Ray shows a light fixture his father removed from a historic home in Ohio.

Growing up in the 1980s and 90s, McKenzie had a selection of doctors with an array of specialties. Our family chose Dr. Sidney Ray. On more than one occasion Dr. Ray saved my father’s life. … more

By Jason Martin | 9/22/20

Pictorial History of McKenzie: Fire at Log Cabin Market

Fire at Log Cabin Market, 1987. File photo originally published in “A Pictorial History of McKenzie, Tennessee,” by The McKenzie Banner in October 2004. more

9/22/20

Raymond Knew His ‘Degrees’

Mr. Raymond White talked too slow to be a real meteorologist. But he was all we had growing up back home. He’d come on WHDM and in his unhurried, down home way tell us how hot it was and what … more

By Kesley Colbert | 9/22/20

Warren Barksdale wore many hats in his time while living in McKenzie. He owned and operated Barksdale Auto Service, owned and operated Lakefield Airport, and served as a fire fighter in the McKenzie Fire Department for 52 years.

Weekly 150: George Warren Barksdale

George Warren Barksdale was born in 1920 in the Crawley Store community between McKenzie and Greenfield. Before long the family moved to the Liberty Community about four miles from Greenfield. It was … more

9/15/20

Pictorial History of McKenzie: Wilson, Gaines and Manner

(L to R): W.D. Wilson, Ben Gaines and Wendell Manner. File photo originally published in “A Pictorial History of McKenzie, Tennessee,” by The McKenzie Banner in October 2004. more

9/15/20

A Friend I Never Met

June 15, 1964, probably won’t ring any bells for you. Shoot, half of today’s world wasn’t even born at the time. President Lyndon Johnson was raving about something he called The … more

By Kesley Colbert | 9/15/20

A early map of Carroll County printed in 1900. The map has the village of Newbills as the epicenter of District 19.

Weekly 150: The Big Buck Community

The recent unrest around the expansion of hog farming in Carroll County has shined a temporary light on the once-thriving community of Big Buck. With barn construction under way, a passel estimated … more

By Jason Martin | 9/8/20

Pictorial History of McKenzie: Dr. A. L. Dennison

Dr. A. L. Dennison sitting on his rock (school house step) with his father-in-law, A. W. Wilson, in late 1920s, on Stonewall before it was paved. File photo originally published in “A Pictorial … more

9/8/20

‘Leaning On The Everlasting Arms’

When things got off track back home we’d hold a tent revival. Now, I didn’t have nothing to do with it. I was just a boy. I never knew who organized it. Who set up the tents and rounded … more

By Kesley Colbert | 9/8/20

After every, game win or lose, Coach Wade Comer tells his players the positives of the game.

Weekly 150: Coach Wade Comer

As each school year begins, there is a certain buzz in the air that focuses on the tradition of high school football. Cooler temperatures and stadium lights frame that imagery around the game, but … more

By Jason Martin | 9/1/20

Pictorial History of McKenzie: Gazebo Dedication

Mayor Joe Morris presented Virginia Claire Edwards a plaque of recognition during dedication services for the gazebo in the downtown park during Homecoming ‘86 festivities. File photo … more

9/1/20

The View From The Rear

The first day of practice in the seventh grade Coach Rogers told us that “football mirrored life”. We then spent the next week doing side straddle hops, bear crawls, monkey rolls and … more

9/1/20

Writer Encourages Doing the Right Thing

“Who knows if you have come to the Kingdom for such a reason as this?”, Mordecai asked his cousin, Esther.Those who read their Bibles know of this legendary favorite, and that Esther went … more

8/25/20

This is a Story About Titles

Dad would say I’m, “chewing my cabbage twice.” But I’ve had enough folks question my intent, meaning, sanity and writing process that I’m going to back up a couple of … more

By Kesley Colbert | 8/25/20

In 1955, Ray Morris began his collegiate journey on the Bethel College campus before enrolling in the engineering school at Tennessee Tech. Pictured is Ray Morris in 1954.

Weekly 150: E. Ray Morris (Parts I and II)

Part I In 1937, Elwood Ray Morris was born on the family farm located along Morris Cemetery Road in Wildersville, Tennessee. He was the middle child of Navis and Elwood Morris, Jack was 5 years … more

by Jason Martin | 8/25/20

Bob McDonald has played a key role in McKenzie for many years, including vice-mayor, insurance agent and real estate broker.

Weekly 150: J.R. ‘Bob’ McDonald

Some of my fondest memories growing up come from my recollections of me as a little boy spending time with my granddad, Verdell Story. He was born and raised here, and when he returned home in the … more

8/11/20

If We All Had The Constitution Of Mr. Newbill...

This Covid-19 thing has spawned more ideas than you can shake a stick at. Some of them can leave you shaking your head…Take the new “contactless” food service being offered by … more

8/11/20

My COVID Observations And a Request

March 5, 2020 the state of Tennessee reported its first COVID-19 positive patient. With this news, pandemic medical care in West Tennessee advanced from theory to reality. At West Tennessee … more

by Jackie Taylor, M.D. Chief Physician Executive, West Tennessee Healthcare | 8/5/20

Steve McCadams in 1972; after high school, he earned a degree in Biology from Bethel College, and went on to a hall-of-fame career as an outdoors man.

Weekly 150: Steve McCadams (Part II)

As a fisherman, Steve is best known for his forte in crappie. In 1996, he and his fishing partner, Jim Perry, won the world championship Crappiethon Classic. The top prize provided each man with … more

By Jason Martin
jmartin@mckenziebanner.com | 8/5/20

McKenzie Responds to Citizens’ Requests for Property Clean-Up

McKenzie is blessed to have so many citizens who take tremendous pride in the city. On numerous occasions, we hear comments from visitors and those looking to relocate here about the pride you take … more

by Mayor Jill Holland | 8/5/20