Local briefs - June 18

Post, JEA, Sun hosting mayoral forum

The Jackson Post is once again teaming up with E+TV6 and The Jackson Sun to bring Madison County voters a candidate forum with both candidates for Madison County Mayor.

Incumbent A.J. Massey and independent challenger Fren’Cherry Miller will meet for a forum that will air on E+TV6 on Friday, June 26, at 10 a.m.

The in-studio forum will give voters a chance to hear from the candidates on the issues of Madison County and the mayor’s position in Madison County government and their plans for the next four years if they were to win election.

Early voting begins on July 17, and E+TV6 will air the forum multiple times on its station, and it will also be available online on its social media pages.

Longtime local broadcast journalist Steve Bowers will moderate the forum, while The Post’s Brandon Shields and The Sun’s Sarah Best will ask questions of the candidates.

Jackson Police investigate fatal shooting

The Jackson Police Department is actively investigating a fatal shooting that occurred yesterday morning at a local apartment complex.

On Saturday, June 13, 2026, at approximately 11:20 a.m., Jackson Police officers responded to the Parkwood Trace Apartments, located just off Whitehall Street. Residents at the scene had discovered the body of a woman in the apartment parking lot.

Upon arrival, officers located a 33-year-old female who had suffered an apparent gunshot wound. Emergency medical personnel responded, and the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. Investigators have confirmed that the victim was a resident of the apartment complex. The identity of the victim is currently being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

This remains an open and active investigation. No further details are available for release at this time, but updates will be shared as they become available.

Investigators are urgently appealing to the community for any information regarding this incident. If you saw or heard anything unusual in the area of Whitehall Street or Parkwood Trace Apartments yesterday morning, or if you have home surveillance, please contact authorities immediately. Jackson Police Department: 731-425-8400 or Crime Stoppers: 731-424-8477. 

Sterling Awards Legacy Book

The Sterling Awards 2010-2026 Legacy book, a project of Jackson Area Business and Professional Women of Jackson, Tenn., will be dedicated at 2 p.m. July 1, 2026, at Jackson City Hall. The event features speakers and a reception to honor Sterling winners. 

The Legacy book, to be donated to state public libraries and universities, preserves the history of community activism by outstanding women in West Tennessee, and a history of companies, events, nonprofits, organizations, and universities influenced by these women. This book, which has won a $5,000 TN250 publications grant, will share this history as it connects to the July 4, 2026, 250th anniversary of the United States. 

Sterling Awards 2010-2026 Legacy is a tribute to all the women in West Tennessee, who work tirelessly every day for their communities to have a better quality of life. The Sterling Awards were created in 2010 to thank these outstanding women.

Some winners have moved across the country and now share their sterling qualities with other businesses and communities. Many are still living in West Tennessee and doing good work every day. Some, unfortunately, have passed away; this book is a tribute to their memories. Most winners submitted updated biographies and portraits.

The book, with about $50,000 in sponsorships to date, also has Legacy Trailblazer pages honoring women from the 1900s to present day who created West Tennessee history. These women include Rossie Kirkland, Sue Shelton White, Mary Jo Middlebrooks, Anne Harris Schneider, Doris Tanner, Jane Kisber, Elizabeth “Libby” Murphy, Judge Christy Little, and Shirlene Mercer. 

Historic photos include women in their roles from factory workers to Red Cross volunteers in World War I to protesters in a 1947 strike against the telephone company.

The book is for sale for $75 with $12 for shipping. Of the first order of 300 copies, 190 are already reserved. Book proceeds will fund future Sterling Awards and scholarships.

More information:

Mary Jo Middlebrooks, 731-423-2234, MMiddl9469@aol.com;  Kimberly Jones, JABPW President. Kjonesaka1908@gmail.com

JPD enters contest

The Jackson Police Department (JPD) is calling on residents, families, and supporters across West Tennessee to help them bring home the gold. JPD is taking part in the 2026 "Tennessee’s Best-Looking Cruiser" competition, an annual event hosted by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO).

The contest is part of the 22nd Annual Law Enforcement Challenge and aims to recognize the law enforcement agency with the coolest, most striking cruiser photo in the state. With the voting deadline rapidly approaching, JPD is asking the Jackson community to show their pride and cast their ballots before Friday, June 19, at 4 p.m.

The competition is completely open to the public, and no registration or account creation is required to participate. However, THSO enforces strict voting rules to ensure fairness across all participating agencies:

• One Vote Per Person: Each voter may only submit one ballot using a single email address. To prevent cheating, system administrators monitor email irregularities. If a voter attempts to use multiple email addresses, all of their submitted votes will be permanently discarded.
• Ranked Voting Required: The ballot utilizes a ranked system. Voters are required to select three different law enforcement agencies in order of preference.
• No Duplicate Selections: Voters cannot select the same agency more than once on their ballot. For example, selecting JPD for first, second, and third choice will completely invalidate the ballot.

Voter Strategy Tip: To give the Jackson Police Department the maximum number of points, supporters are encouraged to select the Jackson Police Department as their #1 Choice, and then select two other preferred Tennessee agencies for their 2nd and 3rd choice.

Residents can cast their vote for JPD by selecting the “Vote JPD Cruiser” button at connect.jacksontn.gov or by visiting the official Tennessee Highway Safety Office traffic safety website.

LIFELINE blood drives

Here’s the schedule for blood drives for LIFELINE Blood Services in June:

• June 25 - Jackson Clinic Baptist Campus, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• June 30 - Jackson Madison Co. General Hospital, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• All-American Blood Drive happens on Thursday, June 29 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. at their Jackson Center.