Year in Review 2024

*Not in chronological order.

Webb Public School Added to National Register of Historic Places
Edition: June 18, 2024
McKENZIE — Webb Alumni are celebrating a major milestone in the history of the former school for African-American students. On May 31, the school building was approved for the National Register of Historic Places.

The Tennessee Historic Commission and the United States Department of the Interior approved the application.

Webb Alumni Association is planning a celebration and ribbon cutting on July 20 at the school, located at 938 Walnut Street West, in McKenzie. It’s been since the year 1966 when the school was closed and the African-American students were integrated with other students throughout Carroll and Weakley counties.

The school sits at the border of Carroll and Weakley counties and has a storied history of accomplishments and challenges. The on-site museum is open each Tuesday to tell the story of the school and its proud tradition of teaching young people.

According to the nomination form, the description of Webb School states, “The Webb School building sits on 15.1 acres and was constructed in 1958 in the Modern Movement style…The Webb School was moved to this property in 1937 after the other school building in town burned in 1936. The 1937 building was later torn down due to deterioration and the current building was constructed in 1958. The current school gained historical significance from 1958-1966, when it served as a school for local African American students, grades one through twelve. This school was also the only high school for African American students in Carroll County. The school was later desegregated in 1966, however the building continues to be maintained in its current historic state and is used for a variety of community needs.

“The Webb School retains its integrity and ability to communicate its historical significance as a center for education within the local African American community. The school retains its integrity of location and setting, as the building remains on its historic property from its period of significance and the area continues to be surrounded by residential buildings in a historically African American neighborhood. There have been some alterations to the overall design, materials, and workmanship of the school, including the demolition of the gymnasium in the 1970s due to deterioration, and the addition of ductwork and covering of some windows in the 1980s. Additional changes to the school grounds include the removal of the school agricultural building, dormitory, and cafeteria in the 1960s. However, with the exception of the gym, these other buildings were not attached to the Webb School, and the exterior of the building retains its signature horizontally oriented awning windows, brick siding, flat roof, and original fenestration. Interior changes took place in the late 1970s, which included new floors, paint, and updated classroom doors. However, these interior changes had minimal impact on the integrity of the school, as it retains its original hallway, office, and classroom configuration. As a result, the Webb School also retains its integrity of association and feeling.”

West Tennessee Healthcare to Begin Operations of Henry County Hospital
Edition: September 17, 2024
PARIS (September 13) — Due to the passing of West Tennessee Healthcare President and CEO, James “JR” Ross, the previously scheduled ribbon cutting ceremony for September 19 has been rescheduled to November 7. JR was passionate about Henry County Medical Center joining the West Tennessee Healthcare family, and he believed in the positive impact the partnership would bring to the community.

West Tennessee Healthcare- Henry County Hospital invites the community to a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating a new era in healthcare for West Tennessee. Henry County Medical Center was previously owned and operated by the county of Henry. However, due to financial challenges, the county found a partner in the medical industry to operate the hospital.

The event will now be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 2 p.m. in the main lobby of the Paris, Tennessee hospital.

Join us for leadership remarks, light refreshments, and a chance to connect with the dedicated staff at the heart of this partnership.

This celebration marks a significant milestone in the commitment to enhancing healthcare services for the residents of West Tennessee. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will feature remarks from leaders of both HCMC and West Tennessee Healthcare, highlighting the collaborative efforts to expand healthcare access, and provide an opportunity for the community to network with local healthcare professionals. West Tennessee welcomes all community members, local officials, and healthcare professionals to join in this celebration.

Event Details:

What: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for West Tennessee Healthcare — Henry County Hospital

When: Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 2 p.m.

Where: Hospital Main Lobby, 301 Tyson Avenue, Paris, Tenn.

Please join West Tennessee Healthcare- Henry County Hospital as we celebrate this exciting new chapter in heath care for West Tennessee. We look forward to sharing this special moment with our community!

West Tennessee Healthcare is a public, not-for-profit healthcare system with locations serving 19 counties in West Tennessee and Southeast Missouri. The mission of West Tennessee Healthcare is to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve while providing exceptional and compassionate care.

Carroll County Inclusion Park Celebrates Grand Opening
Edition: August 13, 2024
The Carroll County Inclusion Park hosted its grand opening on Saturday, August 10 at 10 a.m. The park is located at 450 Mustang Drive (formerly Fairgrounds Road) in Huntingdon.

The weather was beautiful with mild temperatures and sunny skies to mark the culmination of the first phase of construction, with more musical instruments to be added in the near future.

The grand opening brought together children of many different physical abilities, who were eager to play on the brand new equipment. Seating was brought in and a small lectern served as members of the board of directors of Carroll County Inclusion Park and others spoke of the new park, with its playground, restrooms, and soft surface designed to prevent injuries. What was not lost on the ceremony, was the sounds of excitement from the children, who were enjoying the new venue. At times, the people speaking would stop to listen as the children played.

It also brought together a combination of all four high school bands - Huntingdon, McKenzie, West Carroll, and Hollow Rock-Bruceton to perform music. Such an undertaking was last attempted to march in the inaugural parade of Governor Phil Bredesen, that was canceled after a large snowstorm.

As part of the celebration face painting, food trucks and other amenities were available.

Large donors, contributors and volunteers were recognized. The project raised more than $1 million to construct and maintain the special playground. The County of Carroll provided $400,000 from federal COVID relief funds approved by the Biden administration, the State of Tennessee provided another $497,250 through Intellectual and Development Disabilities. State Senator John Stevens said Carroll County received the largest donation because its planning for an inclusion park was well ahead of other communities’ plans.

The Town of Huntingdon provided the real estate for the project. It is adjacent to Kelley Park and the Sesquicentennial Park, a small park gifted to the town of Huntingdon by the county of Carroll.

Lori Dillahunty, chairman, said “Having support is of the utmost importance to us. And now after receiving several grants from the state of Tennessee affirming what we have known all along. Carroll County families and friends will benefit from this unique playground for children of all ages and abilities.”

The board consists of members: Lori Dillahunty, Jennifer Johnson, Jennie Smith, Wendy Jones, Krystal Tippitt, Connie Bond, Nikki Cunningham, Allison Williams, Jimmy Crossett and Dana Cobb.

“We are grateful to be receiving funds from the Tennessee Disability Coalition, Tennessee Art Commission, and the inclusive playground grant from the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. We also recently found out we are one of 14 recipients this year to be recognized as a Tennessee Healthy Built Environment. 137 letters of intent were submitted from across the state of Tennessee and we are encouraged that the committee wanted to partner with us and our project. This will add our location to a map on their website continuing to help us get information about our playground out to the public. When all is said and done we will have taken in over 1 million dollars for this project. We can’t thank the County Commission and our granters enough for getting us here.”

The group raised funds through special events, from municipalities.

The park started with the idea of at least having a swing designed for children with limited mobility and soon, the ad hoc group of volunteers envisioned greater things. The board of volunteers started with a bake sale in 2021. As word spread, more and more people in the community would share their experiences of taking their children to other cities with inclusion parks so they could be included as other children play.

Support for the project was widespread with people eager to provide for those who are not always included in activities. The idea soon expanded beyond a single inclusive swing.

New inclusive restrooms were constructed and include adjustable height sinks and changing tables, suitable for children or adults. Visit https://carrollcountyinclusionpark.org/ to learn more.

Hospital Wing Now Has Home at Airport
Edition: December 24, 2024
McKENZIE (December 23) — Hospital Wing medical helicopter service is officially headquartered at Carroll County Airport in McKenzie.

Construction began at the Carroll County Airport for the air medical base service known as Hospital Wing in September. During the August 2024 meeting of the Carroll County Commission, a lease between Carroll County and Med-Trans Corporation was ratified with Med-Trans.

According to the lease agreement, Med-Trans will provide the county with a monthly $3,000 payment. Additionally, the medical group plans to construct a hanger that would include housing/living quarters for its employees on call and other renovations at no cost to the county.

In July 2023, the Med-Trans/Hospital Wing held a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of what was to be their county home base at Baptist Memorial Hospital - Carroll County. At the time, the Baptist Hospital base would have served as a daytime-only base. Due to the lack of a hangar, each day, weather permitting, crews started the morning at the Selmer base and flew to Huntingdon.

A pilot, flight nurse and flight paramedic man the Airbus EC130 helicopter. Each aircraft is equipped with blood, plasma, IVs, ultrasound, and other medical equipment.

With the new hangar and base at the airport in McKenzie, Carroll County is now provided with around-the-clock air ambulance service.

The air ambulance is part of the emergency network supporting local hospitals and first responders. Flights to Memphis or Nashville can be just over 20 minutes compared to two hours via ground transportation. Subscriptions are available to lessen the cost of air transportation.