Looking Back from Our Archives
June 18, 2024
10 Years Ago — To celebrate Memorial Day, Easton Butler and Harlon Butler carried and placed flags on graves of Veterans at Liberty All.
Opinion
273 articles
Dear McKenzie City Council Members:
June 11, 2024
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a letter from the co-owners of Tri-County Publishing, Inc. dba The McKenzie Banner, Jason and Brittany Martin, that will be delivered to members of McKenzie City Council prior to the meeting and read during the meeting. This is also meant to serve as an additional attempt to contact the city council prior to the meeting on Thursday, June 13.
Looking Back from Our Archives
June 4, 2024
10 Years Ago — Lori’s Hair Solutions celebrated its reopening with a ribbon cutting. The owner, Lori McDade, hosted friends and community leaders, including Mayor Jill Holland, at her shop.
More Than Just A Picture on the Wall
June 4, 2024
I’m telling you, I am trying with all my might to get out of the writing business, but things just keep popping up that need to be said. And I will admit, this one is my own fault. For reading the New York Times!
Me and Bobby McGee
June 4, 2024
A few months ago, Brenda and I decided to take a break from camping at Henry Horton State Park in Chapel Hill, Tennessee, and drive into Spring Hill, eat at a restaurant, and go see the latest Indiana Jones movie.
Looking Back from Our Archives
May 28, 2024
10 Years Ago — McKenzie Youth Summer Tee-Ball started. To get an out Kadarius Tharpe threw a ball to Fletcher Holt at first.
The Hitching Rail
May 28, 2024
A lot of you reading this have no idea what it’s like to live in a town of 5,000 people. You probably have lots of preconceived ideas about what life in such a small town must be like. Some of your notions may be accurate. But there are some things about life in a small town that can only be known by living there.
Weekly 150: Walter Sidney Butler, Jr.
May 28, 2024
After listening to Dr. Walter Butler speak this morning at Huntingdon’s Memorial Day event, I really wanted to know more about his uncle, Major Walter Sidney Butler, Jr. Within a few minutes of searching on-line for information, I found a treasure trove, and I am sharing it now in memory of Major Butler.
Earl Warren
May 21, 2024
I didn’t know he joined the Army when he was 17 and fought during World War II as a member of the 2nd Ranger Battalion at Pointe du Hoc, France.
Looking Back from Our Archives
May 21, 2024
10 Years Ago — Miss Tennessee, Shelby Thompson Visits Oak Manor. She visited with the elderly people and gave them autographed photos.
Picking Out World Leaders is a Tricky Business
May 21, 2024
I lifted my bottom slightly off the seat. And craned my neck. I still couldn’t see much through the ladies’ hats and the back of the men’s Vitalis slicked-down hair. This was going to be a long night.
Weekly 150: Black Wednesday
May 21, 2024
One of the greatest interventions by a news organization was by Jack McElroy of the Knoxville News Sentinel and the violation of the Sunshine Law by the Knox County Commission.
It’s What Made Me Who I Am Today
May 14, 2024
Many factors influence the makeup of our personality and our station in life: genetics, the disposition we’re born with, culture, the country we live in, early childhood experiences, education, our childhood caregivers and probably even more factors. It’s a complex issue to try and cipher.
Looking Back from Our Archives
May 14, 2024
10 Years Ago — The Chamber Golf Tournament had 100 golfers and 30 volunteers for the event. The first place team for the first flight was Hamilton Ryker, made up of players Parker Jones, Troy Jones, Joe Saganski, and Stan Welch.
Lack of Knowledge and Public Input is No Excuse
May 14, 2024
Under normal circumstances, Thursday’s McKenzie City Council meeting should have revolved around the approval of the fiscal year budget. While there was an unpublicized workshop on the budget, the Mayor’s impromptu directional change of Broadway took center stage. The ordeal of Broadway and antics of Thursday’s meeting have left a bad taste in my mouth for McKenzie Municipal Government.
Weekly 150: Georgia Tann
May 7, 2024
Tann died of uterine cancer three days before the state filed charges against the society.
Are You the Worst Mother in the World?
May 7, 2024
The young, single mother of three had been coming to see me for counseling for several months when one morning she presented with red eyes, a trembling chin, and her normal makeup was missing.
There's Room for Everyone on Broadway
May 7, 2024
So we find ourselves at a crossroads. Put on this path by short-sighted decision making and the breakdown of transparency.
Looking Back from Our Archives
May 7, 2024
10 Years Ago — Andrew Cole performed as Elvis in his fourth grade play “Rockin’ America.”
Weekly 150: Georgia Tann
April 30, 2024
Tann employed a range of deceitful tactics to procure children, often preying on vulnerable families under the pretext of providing them with better opportunities. Many of the children taken into TCHS’s custody were born to unmarried mothers, who were coerced or deceived into relinquishing their parental rights. Tann’s ability to manipulate and exploit the vulnerabilities of these families underscored her cunning and ruthlessness.
