HOME

LOCAL NEWS

SCHOOL NEWS

EVENTS

FEATURES

SPORTS

OBITUARIES

HEALTH

CLASSIFIEDS

PUBLIC NOTICES

SUBSCRIBE

THE REAL ESTATE GUIDE

BREAKING NEWS!

By Linda Bolton linda@mckenziebanner.com

Some people arrived as early as 4:00 a.m. to stand in line for the limited number of flu shots at the Carroll County Health Department.

Persons began lining up at Carroll County Health Department in Huntingdon as early as 4:00 a.m. Monday to be among the first in line for flu vaccinations when the doors opened at 8:30 a.m. Huntingdon Police Department arrived at approximately the same time to direct traffic in the area of the health department.

By the time nurses began giving the limited 302 shots, the line had grown to three city blocks. Health Department employees issued numbers to the waiting patients.

Glenda Taylor, health department office manager, said the vaccine ran out at 3:55 p.m., however all those in line received the needed vaccine.

"The majority of persons were age 65 and over," said Taylor, who noted that a much smaller group included those with health complications. The vaccine was also administered to seven pediatric cases.

The bad news is that one of the nurses fell while outside speaking to those in line and was transported to a local hospital by Huntingdon Police Department. It was first believed that she had sustained a broken rib, however it was determined that she had no fracture and returned to the health department to assist with giving the shots.

The good news is that the health department received word Monday that it will be receiving an additional 540 doses of influenza vaccine for high-risk groups only. The vaccine will be administered beginning at 8:00 a.m. Monday, November 8 by appointment only.

The health department is not expected to receive any additional vaccine after the November 8 shipment.

In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, the vaccine will only be administered to the following groups this year:

* All adults aged 65 and over
* All children aged 6 to 24 months
* Children 2-18 who must take aspirin regularly
* People ages 2-64 years with chronic health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, asthma, kidney disease, metabolic disease (such as diabetes), anemia or other blood disorder, weakened immune system because of HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system, long term treatment with drugs such as steroids, cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs.
* Pregnant women
* Residents of nursing homes and long term care facilities
* Caregivers and those who live with an infant aged less than six months (too young for vaccine)
* Health care workers who provide hands-on patient care.

By Deborah Turner

Sergeant First Class Gerry Nash, a family assistance coordinator from Smyrna, helps prepare Tammie and Kerry Wade of Dyer for his pending departure. Kerry is a member of Company C in Martin.

National Guard members from McKenzie's Company A of the 230th Engineers Battalion and volunteers from other West Tennessee units gathered at the First Baptist Church in McKenzie Tuesday last week for a four hour briefing in preparation of their pending deployment.

The unit received orders October 15 advising members in specific career specialties had been chosen to support the nation building effort in Iraq. Joining Company A, composed of men in the McKenzie and Milan units, are some 65 volunteers from units in Trenton, Martin, Camden, Huntingdon, Union City, and Lobelville.

The family mobilization briefing was sponsored by the Tennessee National Guard Family Program and included information provided by Tri-Care insurance, military pay and USERRA (re-employment) specialists, Red Cross, military legal officers and chaplain services. Local VFW Commander Tracy Smith was also on hand to distribute information concerning VFW's military assistance program.

Military personnel distributed stationery kits for children complete with stickers with slogans such as, "you're my hero" and "I love you". An interactive CD featuring an animated bear called "your buddy CJ" encourages children to talk about their feelings with activities designed to help parents talk with them about their parent's departure.

Among several Web site helps are www.guardfamily.org and www.guardfamilyyouth.org which offer age-specific helps for youth, including teens.

"The teens had kind of been left behind," said Marcia Beene in a Monday phone call regarding the Web site. Marcia is the youth development specialist with the state family programs office. Previously programs had been geared to helping younger children and parents deal with the pressures of deployment. New programs are being developed to ensure the needs of every family member is addressed.

Employer support representative Col. (Ret.) Bruce Jones of Nashville said the good news is the way employers are responding to the call.

"We've got a bunch of great employers in Tennessee," he said, citing Governor Phil Bredesen's leadership role in signing a proclamation to pay a salary differential for all state employees being deployed. Some private employers are paying the differential while others have taken that a step further by continuing to pay full salaries and benefits for employees while they are on active duty.

He also lauded an increasing number of business who have provided water and snacks, for example, according to their ability to assist in supporting the troops. He reported a small company in East Tennessee provided 7,000 pairs of socks with company logo to their local unit.

"The volunteer spirit in Tennessee is always there," said Jones.

Local family readiness group leader Sandi Roditis, wife of Staff Sergeant Spiros Roditis, expressed appreciation for the information presented and for the church's hosting of the event, which began with an add-a vegetable meal to complement baked ham provided by the local NCO club and purchased at discount from E.W. James supermarket in McKenzie. First Baptist Church members donated drinks and dessert.

Children of the First Baptist youth classes created cards for the soldiers expressing their thanks and love for the soldier's efforts. "Thank you for your survice," reads one card which inside promises, "We will pray for you."

First Baptist Church youth made cards for the soldiers expressing grown up ideas like appreciation of freedom, thankfulness, and concerns for safety.

"Thanks for fighting for our freedom," reads another, with a little banner attached expounding on the sentiment: "thank you a lot." Inside it says, "Be careful and safe please!"

Sandi reports the main body of the group will depart November 18 with their route as yet uncertain. McKenzie Mayor Walter Winchester said flags and ribbons will be affixed to the utility poles on College Drive and that space will be designated along that route or downtown for well wishers as the men begin their journey.

Retired National Guardsman Ralph Walker said it has been discovered that some 1700 men have served with the McKenzie unit over its history. He encourages past members to watch the McKenzie Banner for information about where to assemble on the 18th to see the men off.

Officials of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Trezevant announced on Monday, November 1 that it has filed an application with the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to open an office in McKenzie in January 2005. In making the announcement, Farmers & Merchants Bank Chairman and CEO George Atwood cites the bank's need to offer improved convenience to the bank's existing and potential customer base who reside and work in nearby McKenzie as basis for the move. "This represents a strategic expansion which we probably should have undertaken years ago," says Atwood, "but the timing just appears ideal at this time given that a nice banking facility has recently become available and the area economy shows favorable signs of growth."

Chuck Sisson, who presently serves as city president in Trezevant will relocate to the McKenzie office in a similar capacity. Assistant Vice President Kim Gilmore will likewise transfer to the new office and help oversee day-to-day operations. Both are well respected bankers with deep community and professional roots in the McKenzie market. The new office will be located at 15172 Highland Drive. Minor interior renovations can be accomplished prior to the January 3, 2005 opening date.

Established in 1916, Farmers & Merchants Bank is a $93 million bank headquartered in Trezevant and has existing offices in Carroll, Madison, Gibson and Hardeman counties.

By Deborah Turner

Bethel College President Bob Prosser, during the October 28 college-sponsored annual community leaders banquet, said that having the liberal arts institution in the community is like recruiting a $5 million industry into the area - every year.

Last year, he said, the college grew from $16.5 to $21.5 million and this year is on track to grow by $5 million.

"That's what we're anticipating and we can make it happen," he said. "We know how to do it now and we're determined to do it."

Local community leaders from all walks of life gathered at the Dickey Fine Arts building on campus for the Thursday evening event where they were honored with dinner and entertainment in appreciation of their contributions to society and the college.

Prosser said the community supports "what Bethel is all about", enhancing its commitment to Christian principles.

Following a delicious chicken and roast beef dinner prepared in Bethel's own kitchens, guests joined the community at large at the local debut of Renaissance, the Bethel musical experience. It was the ensembles 18th performance including an impressive showing at the dedication of Prosser Hall in August.

Enthusiastic cheers from the audience followed each well-performed piece in a presentation that demonstrated a broad repertoire of expertise. Vocal and instrumental selections from Broadway, bluegrass and Southern gospel were among those presented in the well-received performance.

Renaissance wows the audience at their local debut performance Thursday, October 28 which was open to students and the community at large.

Carroll County Chamber of Commerce President Brad Hurley said the ensemble was "an impressive group of young individuals with enormous talent; something not only Bethel College can be extra proud of but that everybody in Carroll County can be proud of in the professionalism they displayed last night and as good will ambassadors when they go on the road."

Bethel President Bob Prosser earlier had informed guests from Weakley and Carroll counties that the music program, new this year at Bethel, had been approached in the same way as athletics: with an eye for talent and desire to perform rewarded by financial scholarship. The impressively credentialed Renaissance leaders include John Hall, Peter Jeffrey and Billy McGarity.

Prosser's effusive praise for the musical ensemble was extended to visions for the future, when he foresees a marching band spelling the football team in the new stadium that is slated for completion in time for the 2005 football season.

The stadium is just the beginning of continued explosive growth in enrollment and construction that will include by next fall another new dormitory to help offset triple bunking in some 50 dormitory rooms this year.

Bethel business manager Walter Butler, whose sons Murray and Joseph are students at the college, shared with the assembly Bethel's five-to-ten-year master plan which includes, at its farthest reaches, a new basketball arena in seven-to-ten years plus earlier projects including new and renovated dormitories, renovated classroom and office space, a new science building, a fitness center and new student center, soccer fields and tennis courts.

An architect's drawing outlining the plan reveals Bethel's future campus will stretch past Liberty Lane on College Drive almost to Highway 22 with a walkway stretching from a monument sign on the highway to the alumni garden adjacent to the log cabin.

Said Hurley, citing Bethel's continued growth as well as dollars spent by students and faculty in the local economy, "Clearly Bethel College is important to the economic engine of Carroll County."

2004 News Archives:

01-07-04 01-14-04 01-21-04 01-28-04 02-04-04 02-11-04 02-18-04 02-25-04 03-03-04 03-10-04 03-17-04

03-24-04 03-31-04 04-07-04 04-14-04 04-21-04 04-28-04 05-05-04 05-12-04 05-19-04 05-26-04 06-02-04

06-09-04 06-16-04 06-23-04 06-30-04 07-07-04 07-14-04 07-21-04 07-28-04 08-04-04 08-11-04 08-18-04

08-25-04 09-01-04 09-08-04 09-15-04 09-22-04 09-29-04 10-06-04 10-13-04 10-20-04 10-27-04 11-03-04

11-10-04 11-17-04 11-24-04 12-01-04 12-08-04 12-15-04 12-22-04 12-29-04

2003 News Archives:

01-01-03 01-08-03 01-15-03 01-22-03 01-29-03 02-05-03 02-12-03 02-19-03 02-26-03 03-05-03 03-12-03

03-19-03 03-26-03 04-02-03 04-09-03 04-16-03 04-23-03 04-30-03 05-07-03 05-14-03 05-21-03 05-28-03

06-04-03 06-11-03 06-18-03 06-25-03 07-02-03 07-09-03 07-16-03 07-23-03 07-30-03 08-06-03 08-13-03

08-20-03 08-27-03 09-03-03 09-10-03 09-17-03 09-24-03 10-01-03 10-08-03 10-15-03 10-22-03 10-29-03

11-05-03 11-12-03 11-19-03 11-26-03 12-03-03 12-10-03 12-17-03 12-24-03 12-31-03

2002 News Archives:

01-02-02 01-09-02 01-16-02 01-23-02 01-30-02 02-06-02 02-13-02 02-20-02 02-27-02 03-06-02 03-13-02

03-20-02 03-27-02 04-03-02 04-10-02 04-17-02 04-24-02 05-01-02 05-08-02 05-15-02 05-22-02 05-29-02

06-05-02 06-12-02 06-19-02 06-26-02 07-03-02 07-10-02 07-17-02 07-24-02 07-31-02 08-07-02 08-14-02

08-21-02 08-28-02 09-04-02 09-11-02 09-18-02 09-25-02 10-02-02 10-09-02 10-16-02 10-23-02 10-30-02

11-06-02 11-13-02 11-20-02 11-27-02 12-04-02 12-11-02 12-18-02 12-25-02

2001 News Archives:

06-06-01 06-13-01 06-20-01 06-27-01 07-04-01 07-11-01

07-18-01 07-25-01 08-01-01 08-08-01 08-15-01 08-22-01

08-29-01 09-05-01 09-12-01 09-19-01 09-26-01 10-03-01

10-10-01 10-17-01 10-24-01 10-31-01 11-07-01 11-14-01

11-21-01 11-28-01 12-05-01 12-12-01 12-19-01 12-26-01