Local briefs, announcements - June 3

Early voting starts next week

Early voting starts July 12-27 for the Aug. 1 State Primary and local General Election. Early voting will be held at the Ag Auditorium at 309 North Parkway. The early voting hours are 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday- Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. – noon. Early voting will be open three Saturdays – July 13, 20 and 27. Election Day will be Aug. 1. Precincts will be open 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. On Election Day you will vote at your precinct.

School board candidate bows out

Rebecca Creasy, a candidate for Jackson-Madison County School Board in District 6, responded to a request for an interview by saying she pulled a petition in late 2023 and has since decided to focus on her family, job and involvement with Imagination Library as her child begins school in JMCSS. Her name will still be on the ballot for voters in District 6. If she were to win, she would have to make the choice to officially resign, and if she did, the Madison County Commission would appoint someone to fill that position until the next school board election in 2026.

Harris surpasses $160,000 raised for campaign

Former Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris, Republican candidate for District 73 Representative announced that he surpassed the $160,000 mark in donations received.

Harris said he has accepted no money from special interest groups during this campaign. 

“We have seen a huge outpouring of support from our community to support the campaign. Our support comes from individuals and shows that our grassroots efforts speak to the desire for change in our community,” said Harris. “I will continue to run this race as a Conservative Christian and talk about things important to Madison County: listening to our people- not special interest groups, supporting our veterans, supporting law enforcement and first responders, investing in education for all, economic opportunity, and continued economic growth.”

Early voting is July 12-27 and election day is August 1.

Donation made to veterans’ retreat facility

Gary Wallace, Commander of American Legion Post 12, and Ben Baker, Past Commander of The Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 853, presented a check for $1,000 to Gretchen Catherwood, president of Darkhorse Lodge, on Saturday, June 29. Darkhorse Lodge, located at 1951 Swor Rd, Springville, TN, is a peaceful retreat in rural West Tennessee for combat veterans of all branches of service. 

This 501(c) retreat is available to host up to 25 combat veterans at a time for fishing on Kentucky Lake and the opportunity to be in a peaceful setting and communicate with others who have been where they’ve been. The retreat is in memory of LCpl Alec Catherwood and his 24 Marine Corps brothers who were KIA in Afghanistan during the 2010-2011 deployment of the 3/5 Darkhorse Unit. 

For more information about Darkhorse Lodge, see their website at darkhorselodge.org

For more information about American Legion Post 12, contact Gary Wallace at gpwalljac@gmail.com

Tennessee Industrial Printing gives away eagle print poster

Tennessee Industrial Printing, Inc. is giving away prints of its eagle poster in honor of Independence Day. The Eagle print is available at the TIPS office. 

“The prints showcase the beauty of the Bald Eagle and what it represents. It holds particular importance as Independence Day approaches and we are happy to share that beautiful visual with our community,” said Wayne Chambers, owner of Tennessee Industrial Printing.

The poster is printed on a 23 x 35 gloss cover using LED technology from our Komori GL540+C advance. The free poster can be picked up from TIPS during its work hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  

Tennessee Industrial Printing was founded in 1972 by three local entrepreneurs. With a focus on quality and customer service from the beginning, they worked hard to transform TIPS into a very strong printing company. Today, TIPS has grown to employ 25 employees, printing items for local and regional businesses, as well as items for multiple Fortune 500 Companies located across the United States. To learn more about TIPS, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn, or visit their website at www.tipsprints.com.

RIFA hosting Pack the Bus Food Drive on Aug. 3

The Regional Inter-Faith Association (RIFA) is hosting its Pack the Bus food drive in support of the Snack Backpack ministry. The 13th annual event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at five local grocery stores in Jackson.

Pack the Bus is a food drive event that benefits the Snack Backpack ministry. This ministry provides kid-friendly, easy-to-prepare, nutritious food to elementary school children who have little to no food over the weekends. The food collected from Pack the Bus will be used to fill each Snack Backpack. In 2023, the event raised 15,000 pounds of food.

The food drive event will be held Saturday, Aug. 3 from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Kroger Stonebrook (41 Stonebrook Place), Kroger University (35 W. University Pkwy.), Walmart North (2196 Emporium Drive), Sam's Club (2120 Emporium Drive), and Walmart South (2171 S. Highland Ave.). A school bus will be parked at each location, and RIFA staff and volunteers will be collecting food and money contributions to feed our hungry neighbors. Items needed to fill the Snack Backpacks include Pop-Tarts, Ramen Noodles (chicken or beef), Microwavable Popcorn (individually wrapped), Apple Sauce (with foil lids), Oatmeal (singleserve packs), Chicken Noodle Soup (with pop-tops), Ravioli (with pop-tops), and Macaroni and Cheese (individual packets/ bowls). RIFA provides Snack Backpacks to approximately 1,400 children at Jackson-Madison County elementary schools each week during the school year. Each Snack Backpack provides a child with six meals and two snacks. Donations can also be made to support the Snack Backpack ministry by visiting https:// secure.qgiv.com/for/snackbackpack.

July blood drives in Madison Co.

Here’s a look at blood drives held by LIFELINE Blood Services in or just outside Madison County for the rest of the month:

July 10 - Madison County City Hall – noon until 4:30 p.m.

July 25 – Jackson-Madison County General Hospital – 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. with a 30-minute lunch break at 11:30 a.m.

July 28 - Journey Church – 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

July 30 - TN State Veterans Home in Humboldt – 1-4 p.m.

Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society

The Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society will meet Tuesday, July 9, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the Program Center of the Jackson-Madison County Library at 433 East Lafayette Street in Jackson. 

Rodger Holtin of Freed-Hardeman University will deliver an insightful presentation on the music of World War II. This presentation promises to delve deep into the rich and emotive soundscape of the wartime era, exploring how music served as a crucial element in bolstering morale and fostering unity among both soldiers and civilians. Join us for this engaging and educational exploration of World War II's musical heritage, as we honor the legacy of those who lived through this pivotal moment in history.

Anyone interested in genealogy is invited to attend the meeting.  Annual membership dues are $20 and include quarterly issues of “Family Findings” with West Tennessee genealogical stories and research tips.  Questions should be sent to mwtgs1968@gmail.com.

Community Foundation accepting nominations for Jackson Awards

The Community Foundation of West Tennessee is accepting nominations for the 2024 Jackson Awards. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, July 19, 2024.

The Jackson Awards were first given in 2006 to honor individuals in the community who exemplify the truest qualities of a leader. The awards are named after President Andrew Jackson, the city's namesake, and presented to individuals who have served as leaders in one of the following areas: The Arts, Education, Healthcare, Leadership, Volunteer Service and Youth.

The award recipients will be honored at the Community Foundation’s annual Charity Gala on Saturday, November 9, 2024, in Downtown Jackson.

Nominations are available online at www.cfwtn.org/jackson-awards or can be submitted via email to Haley Fortune at haley@cfwtn.org.

The Charity Gala is the largest annual fundraiser hosted by the Community Foundation of West Tennessee. The event includes a cocktail reception, silent auction, seated dinner, award presentations, live music, and dancing. Proceeds from the event support critical community initiatives. The Charity Gala has come to be recognized as one of West Tennessee’s “most elegant events.” Learn more at www.thecharitygala.org.

Public meetings

Here’s a look at upcoming public meetings held by the Jackson-Madison County School Board. Unless otherwise noted, all school board meetings happen at the Central Office at 310 North Parkway:

• July 8 - Work session at 5:30 p.m.
• July 11 - School board meeting at 5:30 p.m.

Nominations being taken for Leadership Jackson

The Greater Jackson Chamber is now accepting nominations for the Leadership Jackson 2024 class. This adult leadership program is aimed at empowering business professionals to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Jackson-Madison County community and its opportunities and challenges.  

Leadership Jackson offers an immersive three-month program that allows participants to explore Jackson, engage with influential leaders and take part in weekly sessions delving into critical topics affecting Jackson-Madison County.  

Starting June 1, applicants can fill out a nomination form online at LeadershipJackson.com or at the 2024 Leadership Jackson Nomination form link. Applicants must be a Greater Jackson Chamber member, and a leader in their company or organization should nominate them. They can nominate themselves if they are the primary decision maker. Due to class size, members must limit their nominations to one per chamber member.  

The 2024 class will be led by Leadership Jackson Chair Kris Kelley, JACOA, and Vice Chair Mike Bryant, Centennial Bank.   

The comprehensive curriculum of Leadership Jackson covers a diverse range of topics throughout the weekly sessions while also incorporating a focus on leadership skill-building. Notable leaders from key sectors, including health care, criminal justice, economic development, livability, education, and government, will provide valuable insights by presenting an overview of the present state, challenges, and future vision of their respective fields. This collective knowledge equips participants with a broad understanding of the inner workings of Jackson-Madison County, fostering a big-picture perspective.  

For more information about Leadership Jackson or to see the program schedule for the 2024 class, visit LeadershipJackson.com or contact Lauren Saliba, vice president of education and leadership development, at lsaliba@jacksontn.com.  Deadline to nominate is July 15.

Health Dept. urges pregnant women to stop smoking

The Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department is announcing a new program that will provide women and families with resources to quit smoking.

Tennessee’s G.I.F.T.S. program is now available in Madison County. G.I.F.T.S., which stands for Growing Inside Free of Tobacco and Smoking, provides support and counseling for pregnant and postpartum women who want to quit smoking. G.I.F.T.S. offers up to $300 in rewards upon program completion.

Pregnant women can be referred by their healthcare provider or through a self-referral. Women attend four smoking cessation sessions.

Following the sessions, they will take monthly breath tests at the health department. For every smoke-free breath test, participants will receive a $25 voucher that can be used for diapers, baby wipes, groceries, or other supplies. Participants can earn $25 vouchers monthly for up to 12 months.

“Women who quit smoking are less likely to have premature and low birth weight babies and reduce the risks of secondhand smoke on their children,” said LeKendria Mays, Health Promotions Coordinator. “It’s a free program that not only improves the health of your family, but rewards you financially.

A smoker who lives with the participant can also enroll in the program. If they successfully quit smoking, they earn additional monthly vouchers for the family.

For more information on the G.I.F.T.S. program, contact LeKendria Mays or Alex McHugh at 731-423-3020.