HUNTINGDON (February 10) — Tennessee has a great story, said Senator John Stevens. The State of Tennessee is cutting taxes and growing revenues. The FY22 budget had a $2.6 billion surplus and the FY23 budget has an estimated $6.3 billion surplus. Tennessee has no new debts while shrinking the overall size of the budget. more

McKENZIE (February 8) — The naming of the school’s football stadium in honor of Coach Wade Comer was postponed by the McKenzie Special School District Board of Education in the February 8 meeting. more

JACKSON (February 7) — Southwest Tennessee Development District announces Jill Holland as its Local Government and Special Projects Coordinator. more

McKENZIE (February 9) — During the February meeting of the McKenzie City Council, on the first reading, the legislative body voted in favor of Ordinance #550 amending the text of McKenzie’s Zoning Ordinance Chapter 9, “Provisions Governing Industrial Districts”, Section 11-902 to include general merchandise in M-2 district (heavy industrial districts). This would allow for a proposed store like Dollar General to operate near the intersection of Highway 22 and University Drive. Once the second reading of Ordinance #550 is approved, the Dollar General developers will go back before the McKenzie Regional Planning Commission and present their design and other aspects to the commission before they begin construction. more

McKENZIE (February 9) — A McKenzie man was arrested, jailed and held under a $50,000 bond after he posted on social media that he threatened McKenzie/Carroll County schools. more

McKENZIE (February 11) — Matthew Jones was honored with great support for the Cupid Shuffle that benefited the greater ALS society and the patients who suffer with the disease. more

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

In last week’s story about Sam Houston, I briefly touched on Houston’s involvement with the Cherokee Nation. He somewhat assimilated with the Cherokee and became a trusted ally. What I failed to mention is why the Cherokee Nation was sent to Oklahoma and needed a liaison. more

I played in my first Super Bowl in 1953. Against my will! It was freezing cold that December in West Tennessee. I had just opened my Christmas present. Good gosh, it wasn’t even daylight yet! more

Kylie Reynolds of McKenzie is a Finalist 2023 Mr. & Miss Basketball Award Finalists Announced Awards will be presented on Monday, March 13 at Murphy Center TENNESSEE (February 9) - The Mr. … more

The Carroll County Commission meets Monday, February 13 to discuss the following items on the agenda: amend the General Fund Budget for grants received for Carroll County Prevention Coalition in the amount of $26,000; amend the General Fund Budget for grants received for Carroll County Sheriffs Office in the amount of $107,706 for an “Evidence-Based Programming Project” through the Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice Programs; amend the Highway Fund Budget for Capital Outlay Note Series 2022 in the amount of $268,000 for two gravel trucks; amend the General Fund Budget for the grants coordinator position in the amount of $18,897 fiscal year of 2022-23; appoint Braden Maddox to the Carroll County Library Board; and appoint Steve Parker to the Carroll-Henry County Railroad Authority. more

McKENZIE (January 31) — The first week of February blew in with a chill as Winter Storm Mara covered West Tennessee with ice and snow. more

McKENZIE (February 2) — McKenzie Mayor Dana Deem and council members Bobby Young, Carol Armpriest, Tom Alexander and Charles Pruneau were in attendance to hear Dana Deem, consultant with the Municipal Technical Advisory Service speak about laws that affect the operations of public business, operating a meeting according to Robert’s Rule of Order, and otherwise good policy for public officials. more

McKENZIE (February 5) — A symbolic groundbreaking ceremony was held Sunday, February 5 to mark the beginning of a new Habitat for Humanity home in Carroll County. more

Politicians don’t like to be forced to share information. Some are more forthcoming than others but every last one of them — regardless of party — prefer to shape their own narrative without outside interference. more

There’s admirable support for independent local businesses these days. more

Red and white are not my favorite colors. And that personal preference, in some kind of off-handed, backwards, subliminal way, may have a direct connection to Valentine’s Day. I have never been on friendly terms with the little half-dressed chubby guy who comes out every February waving his bow and arrows around. more

A recent spate of undelivered newspapers through the United States Postal Service (USPS) is concerning to the McKenzie Banner staff. more

One of the more intriguing individuals from Tennessee history has a more significant impact on Texas history. Sam Houston, who became the first President of Texas, was originally from Virginia and found a foothold in politics within the State of Tennessee. He would go on to be the only person to serve as governor of two separate states. more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the appointment of Dwight E. Tarwater to the Tennessee Supreme Court and Matthew Wilson to the Court of Criminal Appeals, Western … more