By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com

Unemployment in Carroll and Henry counties dropped while unemployment rose slightly in Weakley County over the May reporting period.

Carroll County reported an unemployment rate of 7.1 percent compared to 8.5 percent in April. The report indicates that 850 persons were unemployed from a labor force of 11,910. Statistically, 850 were unemployed, 50 were discouraged and dropped from the reporting rolls, and another 110 were partially unemployed. In the May 30 edition, the Banner reported that 1,040 were unemployed in Carroll. One year earlier, Carroll reported an unemployment rate of 10.4 percent with 1,250 persons unemployed.

Weakley County reported an increase in unemployment during the May reporting period. In Weakley, the unemployment rate is 5.7 percent. A total of 890 persons were listed as unemployed from a labor force of 15,710.

Henry County reported an unemployment rate of 3.9 percent with 570 persons unemployed from a labor force 14,630. That's a drop of .8 percent from the April unemployment.

Other area counties reported the following: Henderson County 5.1 percent unemployment with 730 persons unemployed; Lake County 4.1 percent with 100 persons unemployed; Madison County 4.0 percent with 2,110 unemployed; Benton County 5.1 percent with 380 persons unemployed.

Tennessee reported an unemployment rate of 4.1 percent, down two-tenths of a percentage point over the month. County unemployment rates showed that 82 county rates were down, 11 county rates were up and two remained unchanged.

Williamson County at 1.6 percent, down two-tenths of a percentage point over the month, registered the state's lowest unemployment rate. Trousdale County at 9.6, down from 11.0 percent, reported the state's highest jobless rate.
   

By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com

Carroll County North Chapter of the American Cancer Society raised $46,051 during the annual Relay for Life event held overnight Friday at the McKenzie Recreation Park. It was an evening of fun and solitude as the community worked together to help wipe out cancer in our lifetime. A goal of $40,000 was set by the Relay for Life Committee headed by Kim Bell, chairman, and co-chairmen Tim McBride and Peggy Perritt.

"This is personal," said Kim Bell, of the fight against cancer. Ms. Bell's daughter, Alexandria has suffered with cancer and is currently in remission. Kim served as the co-chairman of last year's event.

The Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society's signature event. It is a non-athletic event in which teams and the community pull together for the purpose of helping fight cancer.

This was the fifth annual event held by Carroll-North. It also attracted the largest number of spectators in the event's history.

The evening started with music by the band Captain Swizzle Stick and the Cocktail Commandos of McKenzie and Paris. During opening ceremonies, Kimberly Gaskins performed the National Anthem and Chairman Kim Bell presented certificates of appreciation to the various volunteers who served on committees.

Former Mayor Gene Anderson was the honorary chairman of the event. Mr. Anderson was unable to attend the event after having some minor surgery.

Survivors of cancer were the honorees of the event. Each survivor was presented a medallion as their name was announced by Terry Howell. They each walked a lap around the track following a banner that read "survivors" that was being carried by cancer survivors Ross Martin, Alex Bell, and Raymond McDade. The large gathering gave an impressive round of applause for the numerous cancer survivors.

Corporate sponsors for the event were Republic Builders Products, New Generations Furniture, Brummitt Funeral Home, and Methodist Hospital of McKenzie. Groups providing over $500 (other than teams) were Styles on Broadway, McDonalds, Bethel College, and Houston Furniture Supply of Mississippi, who sent representatives to participate along with New Generations Furniture.

The air was permeated with the smell of delicious food as each team prepared delicacies for sale. Teams were judged on various aspects including money raised, best campsite, best theme, most spirit, best team theme.

Methodist Hospital of McKenzie raised the most money with $8,479.19. Dana/Plumley Division was second with $5,471.04, and Profile Metals was third with $4,506.37. Profile was the defending champion going into the event.
 

A 21-year-old Trezevant man escaped injury Monday when he pulled his 1989 International farm tractor into the path of an approaching CSXT freight train.

Randal S. Rimmer, driver of the tractor, apparently didn't see the approaching train when he attempted to cross the track as he was traveling east on Oak Grove Road, according to Lt. Robert E. Melton of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The tractor had a large iron rack on the front, holding a large tank, and was pulling a large planter at the rear.

The railroad crossing was marked by only cross bucks, or a large X sign indicating a train crossing.

The train, driven by Engineer Patrick Reeves, struck the rack and front portion of the tractor, spinning it around on impact. Mr. Rimmer managed to remain in the enclosed cab of the tractor and was uninjured.

The locomotive's air brakes were disabled in the collision, requiring railroad officials to clear the tracks from Trezevant to Bruceton and slowly move the train to Bruceton. The engineer was uninjured, according to Lt. Melton.
   

By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenzie banner.com

A total of 686 persons had opted to take advantage of early voting on the prison issue as of Monday afternoon, June 25, according to Carroll County Election Registrar Linda Radford. That number accounts for four percent of the county's 17,834 registered voters.

The only question on the ballot is "Should a state prison be located in Carroll County." Voters choose "for" or "against" in response to that question. Persons may participate in early voting at the Carroll County Election Commission in the Carroll County Office Complex at 625 High Street in Huntingdon, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. until noon. Early voting ends July 5. Registered voters may also cast their vote on July 10 at voting precincts throughout the county.

Election results will be posted on the McKenzie Banner web site at www.mckenzie banner.com as it becomes available Tuesday, July 10.

In February, Carroll County Commission asked the state General Assembly for permission to hold a referendum on the issue. A marjority of the commissioners indicated that the matter was "too important" to be decided by the 21 commissioners. The measure passed both houses of the Assembly and became law without the signature of Governor Don Sunquist. Regardless of the outcome of the referendum, state officials are not bound by the results of the election.

The indicated location of the proposed prison is in Huntingdon Industrial Park-North in Huntingdon-proper. The State of Tennessee spent more than $1 million in the early 1990s building the industrial grade roadway to the industrial park.

Mrs. Radford stated that two single measure committees have been formed in response to the referendum. Huntingdon accountant and county commissioner Frank Burns is serving as chairman of the "Vote Yes For Jobs" committee. The treasurer is listed as developer Harold Miller. Bridget Hayes of Huntingdon is serving as chairman and treasurer of the opposing group entitled, "Carroll County Citizens Against A Prison."

Atwood City Election
Candidates hoping to fill three slots on the town of Atwood city board, which includes a mayor and two aldermen, have until noon Monday, July 23 to file nominating petitions.

As of Monday, June 25, candidate Mike Tolley had filed the lone petition, stating his intention to run for Mayor. Mr. Tolley presently serves as an alderman for the town of Atwood. He is also a former member of the Carroll County Commission, a position he resigned to accept a position as manager of the Carroll County Civic Center.

The election for the three positions will be held Thursday, September 6. The last day a person may register to vote prior to the election is August 7.