Looking back before looking ahead. According to Grace Media Group – NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM, 93.1 FM & WNWS.COM, here are the top 10 most visited online local news stories for 2021.
1) ‘Today is a legacy day for Tennessee’ – Megasite at Haywood County prepares for Blue Oval City – September 28, 2021
The wait is officially over for the 4,100-acre Memphis Regional Megasite in Haywood County.
The Ford Motor Company will invest $5.6 billion for an electric vehicle and battery manufacturing campus that will create 5,800 jobs.
“Good things come to those who wait,” Gov. Bill Lee said, “And West Tennessee, you have waited just long enough to find the perfect match for the Memphis Regional Megasite.
“West Tennessee will now lead the nation in the next America revolution.”
Lee made his comments during a press conference in Memphis, Tuesday.
Tennessee becomes only the second state in the nation to have four major automotive OEMs,” Lee said, “… 4,000 sprawling acres in West Tennessee required a vision and today would not be possible without the leadership of Gov. Bredesen, of Gov. Haslam, of past and present members of the General Assembly … I also want to thank the countless leaders at the local level … along with the Tennessee Valley Authority.”
Additionally, Lee said a first of its kind trade school will be built on the Megasite.
“This partnership will create another avenue to skill up and settle down with a great American company,” Lee said, “There is no doubt today is a legacy day for Tennessee.
“(Blue Oval City) could have gone anywhere in the world, but it chose to call Tennessee home.”
2) Deputy Terry Dyer, Madison County Sheriff’s Department, passes away while serving in General Sessions Courtroom – April 20, 2021
From the Madison County Sheriff’s Department –
Madison County Sheriff John Mehr is sad to report that Deputy Terry Dyer passed away this afternoon while in the General Sessions Courtroom.
Deputy Dyer, 62, had been with the MCSO since November of 2017.
He had previously retired from the Jackson Police Department but continued to serve the citizens of Madison County with the Sheriff’s Office.
He passed out, was unresponsive, CPR was administered, and he was rushed to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Details of his service will be forthcoming and the Sheriff is asking the citizens for prayers for his family and coworkers.
3) Aggravated Sexual Battery, Rape of Child charges – man wanted by U.S. Marshals, McNairy County Sheriff’s Department – November 24, 2021
Zaimen Lambert is wanted by the McNairy County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Marshals Service for a Capias Instanter for Failure to Appear in McNairy County Circuit Court for original charges of 2 counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery, 5 counts of Rape of a Child, and 5 counts of the Incest and Child Protection Act.
Zaimen Lambert is approx. 6’01”, 210 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes and possibly wearing glasses.
He is driving a small red regular cab pickup with an unknown TN plate. He is associated with the McNairy / Hardin County areas to include Corinth, MS. CAPTURED
4) JEA Energy Authority issues Energy Advisory – February 16, 2021
Energy Advisory
With temperatures expected to remain below normal for several days, the Jackson Energy
Authority advises the following:
*Lower thermostats for central heating to 68 degrees.
*Unplug unused devices.
*Turn off lights not in immediate use.
*Reduce shower times and avoid baths.
*Refrain from using larges appliances as much as possible during these cold days.
*Unless fireplace is in use, close damper.
*Gas stovetops or ovens (gas or electric) should not be used to heat home.
*Protect natural gas meters (Use broom to sweep away snow/ice buildup).
* Minimize frozen pipe risk (Keep cabinet doors open around plumbing. Close crawlspace
vents. Leave water dripping in internal faucets).
* In the event of damage to utility lines, do not go near downed lines. Do not try to remove
limbs from lines or move downed lines out of the area. Stay away and call JEA to report.
* If at any time you smell gas, leave the area immediately to move to a safe distance from the
smell and call JEA and 911.
It’s important during this historic weather event to stay alert to the changing weather
conditions. Our crews work to provide the safest, most reliable services and we ask that our
customers remember to stay safe during the winter storm.
5) JPD working automobile accident at Krystal – January 24, 2021
No injuries (were) reported, but the Jackson Police Department is working an automobile accident at Krystal, 1978 North Highland Avenue.
6) Person dies of apparent overdose at Waffle House on Casey Jones Lane – February 6, 2021
Details (were) limited, but an individual was found dead early Saturday morning of what has been reported as an apparent drug overdose inside Waffle House, 24 Casey Jones Lane.
The time of the death was not known, but restaurant employees said the restaurant reopened around 11 a.m., (Feb. 6).
7) JMCSS Superintendent suspends teacher after ‘questionable comments posted on social media’ – April 15, 2021
A teacher in the Jackson-Madison County School System has been suspended without pay by superintendent Marlon King after his office was made aware of “Questionable comments posted on social media.”
King has asked for a full investigation to bring resolution to the incident.
8) Earl Mack Shaw Jr. – president/CEO Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home – passes away – August 6, 2021
Mr. Earl Mack Shaw Jr., president/CEO Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home, passed away, today.
He was 61.
Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home, Inc. was initially established under the name of M.J. Stephenson Funeral Home. It was founded, by the late Mr. Mack Stephenson on June 6, 1937, in a sincere and successful effort to provide the Madison County community, quality service in their times of bereavement.
Following his passing, Mrs. Evelyn D. Stephenson, also a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director, worked untiringly and courageously to fulfill the ideals of her late husband. It was this passion for service that led Mrs. Stephenson to recognize the dire need of reliable mortuary service for the people of Chester County and adjacent communities. In 1952, a branch Funeral Home equipped with spacious Chapel facilities to accommodate visitations and funerals were established in Henderson, Tennessee.
Mrs. Stephenson’s quest to provide the community with excellence in funeral care perhaps achieved its finest accomplishment when Mr. Earl M. Shaw, Sr. and Daisy Trotter Shaw became Co-Owners on July 1, 1954. Mr. Shaw of Jackson, Tennessee, was a Licensed Mortician graduating from Lane College, and The New York School of Embalming and Restorative Art. Mr. Earl Shaw, was a true pillar of the community, and was notably experienced in the field of Mortuary Science.
However, it was the steadfast dedication to the concerns of the people that served as the cornerstone in making Stephenson Shaw Funeral Home, Inc. Jackson’s premier choice for funeral services. He along with his wife, Mrs. Daisy T. Shaw, and Mr. Lewis T. Brantley, Sr., a close family friend and licensed Funeral Director, worked as a team to provide the community with excellence.
The son of Mr. & Mrs. Shaw, Earl M. Shaw, Jr. received his license as a Funeral Director in 1978 before graduating from Morehouse College in 1982. Later that same year he attended John A. Gupton College and received his Associative Arts degree in Mortuary Science in 1984. After earning his Embalmer’s License he assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer of Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home, Inc. and began to work directly with his father.
9) Man commits suicide at Poplar Corner Exxon on Hollywood Drive – March 29, 2021
Details are limited, but according to the Jackson Police Department, a 76-year-old male committed suicide at Poplar Corner Exxon, 1450 Hollywood Drive, today.
A spokesperson with the JPD said the man was not an employee with the Exxon station.
The JPD continues to investigate.
10) Phillip Kemper, JPD Major, involved in incident at Madison County Election Commission – December 29, 2021
Jackson Police Department Major Phillip Kemper was involved in an incident at the Madison County Election Commission while attempting to pick up a qualifying petition to run for Sheriff of Madison County, at 10 a.m., December 22.
“He came in angry…something was bothering him,” said Lori Lott, Administrator of Elections, “I didn’t know who he was, but the registration date was July 13, 2021.
“He had only been registered five months. I asked him when he moved here.
“He started yelling, and saying ‘Am I going to have to get my attorney down here to get a petition?’ It got out of hand, it was ugly and he was rude.
“I told him ‘You’re not coming in here and talking to me like this.’”
Lott said after she learned he was with the JPD, she reported the incident to the City.
The City declined comment on this story.
“It’s not that we single someone out,” Lott said, “And we did not know he had been placed on administrative leave the day before (December 21) he came to the Election Commission.”
Lott said according to TCA code 8-18-101, you must be a qualified voter of the county, and a resident of the county for one full year prior to the date of the qualifying deadline.
“Every office has different qualifications,” Lott said, “So now you know why I questioned him.”
Kemper, who picked up a petition to run as an Independent, is one of five who have secured a petition to run for the office of Sheriff of Madison County.
(PHOTO: Deputy Terry Dyer)
