NASHVILLE — Reports of dead birds have been increasing in Tennessee due to the recent news coverage of a disease affecting birds in several eastern and midwestern states. The disease is reportedly causing eye swelling and crusty discharge from the eyes of birds and may also be associated with neurological symptoms. more

As the first day of the 2021-2022 school year approaches, students of the McKenzie Special School District can look forward to a mask-less, almost normal school year. more

NASHVILLE — Unemployment rates in Northwest Tennessee rose in June as compared to May 2021. On July 1, Tennessee ended the participation in the federal subsidy on unemployment, which added $300 weekly to Tennesseans’ unemployment checks. more

The McKenzie Special School District’s first school board meeting for the 2021-2022 school year is August 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the McKenzie Board of Education building. more

The Multi-Employer Regional Job Fair is Thursday, August 5, 1:30-4:30 p.m. at American Job Centers in Dyersburg, Humboldt, Huntingdon and Union City. more

On August 29, the United States Postal Service will make postal rate changes to first-class mail, international mail and newspapers. more

HUNTINGDON (July 22) — A 150 megawatt solar array on 2,000 acres of land in southwest Carroll County is proposed for construction by Silicon Ranch, according to Danny Brawner, manager, Carroll County Electric Department. more

HUNTINGDON (July 22) — There is no tax increase to fund the 2021-22 fiscal year budget for the Huntingdon Special School District. The Board of Education approved the new $16.6 million budget with a tax rate of $1.1211 per $100 assessed value - the same as last year. more

McKENZIE (July 26) — The McKenzie Special School District School Board hosted its annual breakfast, catered by Mallards, Monday morning for all McKenzie Special School District faculty. The school board and administrators met in the McKenzie High School cafeteria at 8 a.m. more

McKENZIE (July 24) — Saturday, McKenzie High School soccer players, old and new, met at the high school soccer field at 5:30 p.m. to go head-to-head in a co-ed reunion scrimmage organized by coaches Karlene Brown and Jeremy Bilger. Little did the class of 2020 players know, there was a surprise to be unveiled at the conclusion of the game. more

A few years ago I came across an old Life Magazine cover with a baseball player who looked as if he was trying to knock the cover off the ball. Since the cover was with other historical photos of McKenzie, I assumed the player had something to do with McKenzie but I never pursued any information. Then last week during a Rotary Club meeting, I noticed the photo downstairs at Lakeside Senior Living Community. more

Willie and Shirley Ramsey started talking to me about writing a weekly article for The Star in 1983. more

UNION CITY (July 13) — Federal, state, and West Tennessee officials met in Union City on Tuesday, April 13 at the intersection of U.S. 51 and the future Interstate 69. more

On Tuesday, August 3, the class of 2022 will begin their final year at McKenzie High School. Students will attend the traditional half-day on August 3 and begin a full-day schedule on August 4. I want to welcome all of our new and returning students for what is going to be an exciting year. more

PARIS — Henry County Medical Center CEO Lisa Casteel announced Brad Bloemer as the hospital’s Chief Financial Officer late last year. With over 30 years of experience as a hospital CFO and controller, Bloemer comes to HCMC from Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould, AR, where he served as CFO. more

Tyler Tines Pride, 42, of Texas has filed suit against the Charley Pride estates after he was omitted from the will of the late country music superstar, who died of COVID-19 in December 2020. more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) celebrates Tennessee ranking fifth in America’s Top States for Business. This is the Volunteer State’s first appearance in the top five for the CNBC report evaluating state competitiveness and economic growth among other metrics. more

Christian Care Center changed its name to The Waters of McKenzie. The new administrator is Julia Roberts. more

CARROLL COUNTY (June 29) — The Carroll County Soil Conservation District (SCD) has been approved for a grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) Agricultural Resources Conservation Fund to assist landowners who install Best Management Practices in certain watersheds of Carroll County for fiscal year 2022. more

The McKenzie Banner’s ‘Experience LOCAL’ magazine is coming next week inside the newspaper. more