NASHVILLE — The percentage of unemployed persons increased slightly in the tri-county area of Carroll, Henry, and Weakley counties. Unemployment is near historic lows in the area, however, for the month of January 2023, the percentages increased while the state’s rate moved up to 3.5 percent from 2.9 percent from December 2022 to January 2023. Carroll County recorded a rate of unemployment at 4.6 percent in January compared to 3.5 percent one month earlier and 4.2 one year earlier. From a labor force of 11,094 were employed from a labor force of 11,629, leaving 535 unemployed. more

Bethel University along with the Carroll County Government and the Town of Huntingdon agreed to enter into an education partnership. In this agreement, Bethel University will extend a reduced tuition rate to both governments’ employees enrolling in Bethel’s on-line degree programs. This would include undergraduate degrees, graduate criminal justice tuition, and graduate business tuition. Bethel is also extending the benefit of a waived application fee to the employees applying to any of these programs. more

NASHVILLE — State Representative Tandy Darby (R-Greenfield) announced $3.97 million in grant funding to improve local water infrastructure in Greenfield, McKenzie and Puryear. Funding comes from the American Rescue Plan, federal funding and an initiative of the President Biden administration. more

THP Officer Tyler Milam was promoted to the rank of sergeant during a pinning ceremony on October 19. He will serve over THP Jackson District operations in Decatur County. more

GLEASON (December 16) — The Gleason Lady Bulldogs’ 1999 state champions were honored on the 25th anniversary year of the year. The cheerleaders, coaches, and booster club president were also recognized during the event between the Lady Bulldogs’ and Bulldogs’ game versus Bradford. more

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about Brenda Lee being #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and naturally, after I wrote it I got to thinking about her recording career. I Googled a few songs to see who wrote what and then noticed that Owen Bradley was her main producer once upon a time. That then led to another rabbit hole where I started reading about Bradley and the Nashville Sound. So for the next couple of weeks, and yes, that means I’m going to drag the readers down the rabbit hole on various tangents about country music. I hope you enjoy and fasten your seatbelts because it might get a little bumpy. more

Ask Rusty — Will My Husband’s Benefits Continue After He Dies? more

McKENZIE — Karen Knotts, daughter of the famed Don Knotts is performing her show “Tied Up in Knotts” at the McKenzie Park Theatre on January 28, 2 p.m. more

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

Lady Rebels Head to State McKENZIE (March 4)  The McKenzie Lady Rebels punched their ticket to the TSSAA Blue Cross State Championship Tournament after defeating the Huntland Lady Hornets … more

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING Town of Huntingdon, Tennessee 5:15 P.M., August 22, 2023 Huntingdon City Hall 19810 Main Street East A. Roll call, declaration of quorum, and call to order. B. Approval of … more

HUNTINGDON (August 31) — Electric rates will increase on October 1 in lockstep with TVA rate increases to its power distributors. more

McKENZIE (September 8) — Congressman David Kustoff visited The McKenzie Banner along with other areas of Carroll County on Friday to talk about issues in Washington. more

McKENZIE (September 14) — During the regular meeting of McKenzie City Council, the petition to de-annex properties 433, 487 and 586 Carroll St., collectively known as Holland Farms, failed to receive a second following a motion to not approve by Councilman Tom Alexander. Without another motion to discuss or approve, the petition can go back before the Council at a later date or can be ignored. more

McKENZIE (November 10) — When a Collinwood football player was injured during the McKenzie-Collinwood game on Friday, medical personnel responded to mid-field to render assistance. McKenzie Fire Department’s new First Responder program participated, with other medical professionals, with its new golf cart equipped with medical equipment. more

My journey continues in the news business, despite the speculation that I retired. Yes, it is true, I sold the newspaper and printing business to my daughter, Brittany and her husband, Jason R. Martin. That was October 1, 2023. They operate the only home-owned media company in Carroll County. I continue as the news editor and publisher emeritus. more

My first wife has left me….again. This time for a whole week! She was thoughtful enough to leave a pan of her world famous lasagna. She also cooked a passel of hamburgers so all I’ve got to do is heat them in the microwave. more

NASHVILLE (January 21) — Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee addressed Tennesseans during his second inauguration at 11 a.m. CT on Legislative Plaza. His remarks as prepared for delivery are below: 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

HUNTINGDON (March 13) — The Carroll County Commission met Monday at the Carroll County Complex with a light agenda. The Commission adopted Resolution 3-02-2023 to pledge $500,000 of American Rescue Plan Act Funds for maintenance, repair and improvements to the Carroll County Office Complex. The $500,000 for the Carroll County Office Complex for maintenance, repair and improvements would include, but are not limited to, ADA (The Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant facility entrances and exits, ADA compliance in bathrooms, new flooring, interior painting, exterior painting and cleanup. more