West Tennessee’s Year in Review: 2023
2023 Year in Review:
Your top stories for 2023 (by views):
- Three-year investigation results in conviction of man named ‘Weed Eater’
- Drug Task Force: Large scale drug trafficking conducted at old Walmart building
- Driver arrested for Lexington wreck that claimed life of mother and son
- Local motorsports park welcomes new owners
- List of new laws will take effect in Tennessee July 1
By month:
In January of 2023
- First twins of 2023 Emree Kate and Oaklee Mae, born
- 320 acres of forestland gains protection in Hardin County
- Mural for Doe’s Eat Place comes to life thanks to Loralea Landrum
- Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building opens at UT Martin
- Island Jamaican Spice, an authentic taste of Jamaican food, opens
- Lane College launches nursing field
- Nonprofit called Jackson Community Garden launches
- The Coffee Shop in Humboldt reopens under new owners
- Salvation Army brings Youth Soccer Program to east Jackson
Crime in January of 2023
- JPD investigating shooting of 19-year-old
- Milan couple found dead in apparent murder-suicide
- JPD camera program aimed at solving crime
- Jackson police find missing Ohio woman living out of car
- Jackson police: Newborn baby found in dumpster
- Search for Kevin Watson ends with arrest
- Issue of sex trafficking raised after August 2021 arrest
- Agent bitten, another kicked during Milan arrest
- Newbern police seek suspect in machete attack
- VIDEO: Jackson home fire investigated as arson
In February of 2023
- Isaiah House launches with kick-off at Peabody High School
- Freed-Hardeman University sets enrollment record
- Gamma Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. celebrated 115 years
- Cherie Parker, who served as the Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator for LIFELINE, dies
- Storms cause flooding to homes, roads in Friendship
- Ripley in northern Mississippi hit by storms
- Haywood County Sheriff’s Department gets new equipment
- Phoenix 99, a digital gaming center, opens
- Disabled veteran drowns in Saltillo after driving Main Street into river
- Lisa Garner named CEO of theCO
Crime in February of 2023
- Newbern machete suspect located by US Marshals
- No one injured after pursuit of stolen ambulance
- 8 severed cows found in dumpster
- Shooting leads to one death in north Madison County
- Hearing reveals details in Watson murder case
- Family of woman killed on Harpeth Drive speaks out
- Standoff in Atwood draws in several agencies
- Fatal shooting causes concerns about lethal self defense
In March of 2023
- 731 Thrift and Velvet Rose Hair Studio open in Milan
- Darryl Samuels retires from career as Jackson Fire Chief, Don Friddle sworn-in as replacement
- K9 Jodi Le Branum dies at the age of 11
- Fudoshinka Dojo celebrates 17 years in Jackson
- Four rescued from stranded car in West Tennessee
- Pregame Sports Bar opens in Jackson
- B&G Equipment Inc. in Paris damaged by fire
- Structure fire claims life of 5-year-old
- Student suspended for filming fight
- Storms hit Covington
- Storms cause fatalities in Hardin County; See gallery here.
Crime in March of 2023
- Former pastor sentenced to 45 years for exploiting children
- TBI outsources sexual assault kits to reduce turnaround time
- Attorney indicted with simple assault in West Tennessee
- Undercover investigation unveils illegal slot machines in Medina
- Children’s Service employee charged with solicitation of a minor
- TBI investigates officer-involved shooting in Jackson
- Police: Employee injured in Walmart stabbing, suspect in custody
- South Madison County homicide under investigation
- 1 dead, 1 arrested after fatal shooting in Jackson
- Court records reveal details in north Walmart stabbing
- Rudin pleads guilty to charge in opioid investigation
- Jackson doctor arrested, charged with attempted arson at Milan clinic
- Jury finds ‘Rock Doc’ Jeff Young guilty on all counts
In April of 2023
- Medina native Virginia “Nikki” McFarland interns for Sen. Ken Yager, of Kingston
- “Let’s Talk” platform unveiled by Jackson-Madison County Schools
- Western Auto celebrates former owner Georgia Drumwright
- Infinite Rehab and Wellness opens first physical location
- Jackson Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. celebrates 78th anniversary
- Ground broke on new men’s homeless shelter
- Five Wells Field at Freed-Hardeman University gets revamped
- City of Jackson breaks ground on new senior center at Westwood Gardens
- Dyersburg State Community College names Activities Building the Dr. Carl Christian Andersen Hall
- Gibson County fire results in more than $1 million in damages
- Superintendent responds to concerns over school system spending
Crime in April of 2023
- Suspect killed during Hardin County hostage standoff
- Multiple people injured after shots fired on Hollywood Drive
- $170,000 worth of meth seized
- Agencies discuss arrest of woman accused of shooting person in head
- Jackson sees several shootings over one month period
- Police confirm man injured after shooting at Burger Barn
In May of 2023
- More than 23,000 pounds of trash removed from the Tennessee River
- Wallace Road Park reopened with a new playground
- Mayor Scott Conger and mayoral candidate Ray Condray go into run-off election
- Frankie Lax returns to radio at West Tennessee Supertalk 93.1/WTJS
- First Presbyterian Church celebrated 200 years
- LaTrell Billingsley promoted to Division Chief/Fire Marshal of the Fire Prevention Bureau
- VIDEO: Grand Floats Parade held during 2023 Strawberry Fest
- The Crossings at Exum Place gets approved
- The Therapy Farm has opened their doors
- The Spot Eatery opens in Bells
- Multi-family home project within the Sterling Farms development planned
- Forty Cannons Winery opens in Henderson
- 20 inmates earn their degree in Business Administration
- New sculpture presented at the Shirlene Mercer Walking Trail Park
- Candlelight memorial held for Tina Turner
Crime in May of 2023
- Officer-involved shooting takes place at Wendy’s in Jackson
- Moonshine still, drugs found during search of home
In June of 2023
- Baseball is back in the Hub City and so are the fans
- Mark Cancia promoted from lieutenant to captain in the Salvation Army
- Gov. Bill Lee signs Transportation Modernization Act in Jackson
- Mayor Scott Conger wins runoff election, is sworn-in later in the month
- The Broom Closet opens in Jackson
- Final night of Miss Volunteer America
Crime in June of 2023
- City of Jackson launches litter enforcement efforts
- Greg Milam, West TN Healthcare Board of Trustee member was arrested
- Man arrested for allegedly holding woman hostage
- 7 arrested after operation in Muse Park
In July of 2023
- Martin opens 50-year-old time capsule
- New Jackson City Council members take oath of office
- Zollie’s Shop & Studio opens in south Jackson
- Former State Senator for Tennessee, Roy Herron, passed away
- Kami Ramen Bar opens
- Jackson’s Kitchen + Catering opens
- JPD officer rescues dogs from flood waters
- Market Street Eatery & Bar opens
- First ever ‘Bowls for the Hungry’ happens in Jackson
Crime in July of 2023
- Lexington man dead, deputy injured after officer-involved shooting
- 3 dead in Bolivar after shooting, stabbing incidents on July 4
- Jackson, TN woman identified as victim in 40+ year cold case in Canada
- Traffic stop takes unexpected turn in Madison County
- Three-year investigation results in conviction of man named ‘Weed Eater’
- 1 arrested after drugs, weapons, nearly $25k seized from Trenton business
- Former deputy in West Tennessee arrested for rape
- Drug Task Force: Large scale drug trafficking conducted at old Walmart building
In August of 2023
- Simmons Shoe Store begins closing process in Humboldt
- THP confirms 2 deaths, shares details on Monday I-40 crash
- Mae Lou’s Café opens
- Flooding impacts Trenton, Union City, and Jackson-Madison County
- First ever Hub City Film Festival held at The Ned
- Dr. Yancy Freeman marks first day as UT Martin chancellor
- Heartland Infusion opens
- Stay APT Suites opens
- Shirlene Mercer, beloved member of the community, passes away
Crime in August of 2023
- TBI investigating murder of 81-year-old woman in Brownsville
- 1 killed in FBI-involved shooting; neighbor shares what he saw
- Family seeks answers after relative fatally shot
- Siblings say they were robbed at gunpoint outside local entertainment spot
In September of 2023
- Lexington Police Department dedicates building to former Police Chief Roger Loftin, former Assistant Police Chief Barry Roberts
- Main & Monroe opens
- Multiple residents displaced following apartment fire in Jackson
- First ever Robert Kirk Lee Scholarship given to Bolivar officer
- Bust of Jonas Kisber Jr. removed from roundabout area, relocated
- Safari park welcomes new babies to the bunch
- Apex Pro America comes to Lexington
Crime in September of 2023
- Crips gang member receives collective 44 year sentence
- ‘Career offender’ sentenced to 42+ years in assault involving JPD officer
- Over $1 million worth of marijuana seized from I-40 traffic stop
In October of 2023
- Charter School cleared to come to Madison County
- Special ceremony held for Revolutionary War Patriot, Pvt. Benjamin Towler
- New Parks and Recreation Director Matthew Martin introduced
- Pure Scent Essence Candle Bar opens
- McKenzie denies request from Holland Farms for de-annexation
- Super Bowl champ Trey Smith returns to Jackson to retire jersey
- Tennessee Metal Devastation Music Fest held for first time in Jackson
- Quality Drug Store in Friendship celebrated 100 years of being open
- Grant provides Jackson officers with updated victim info cards
- Town and Country marks 55 years of service
- Air Evac Lifeteam celebrates 25 years of service
Crime in October of 2023
- Around 280lbs of marijuana seized along Interstate 40
- Drugs, weapon found during search of home near Fayette-Haywood Co. border
- Driver arrested for Lexington wreck that claimed life of mother and son
- 1/2 pound of meth, 3D printed weapons seized from Gibson County home
In November of 2023
- JC’s Boba opens in Jackson
- Dream Center Unveils New Building
- The Queen Bees opens
- 59 Years of The Links Inc. celebrated
- Students help bring new mural to West Tennessee
- Fire claims life of 75-year-old woman in Selmer
- Jackson man named President of Tennessee Academy of Family Physicians
- TNT Pizza featured on episode of America’s Best Restaurants
- Deer crashes into The Grind in Martin, video goes viral
- Plane crashes outside airport, leaving two dead in Union City
- Groundbreaking held for new Isaiah 117 House in Trenton
- Jackson-Madison County School Board votes to move forward with lawsuit
Crime in November of 2023
- Man pleads to life sentence over death of pregnant woman, unborn baby
- 2 who faced charges stemming from traffic stop appear in court
- Dyersburg Police: 9-hour armed standoff results in arrest
In December of 2023
- Kristen McKenney gets the ‘spin’ of a lifetime on ‘Wheel of Fortune’
- 3 people dead after fatal fire in McNairy County
- Henderson County community mourns loss of firefighter Richard “Rick” D. Miller
- Littlebird Restaurant & Bar opens
- WBBJ alumni Justin Walters joins ESPN as ACC network host
- Jackson welcomes Chris Coughlin as New Assistant Engineer
- 2 city park officials earn CPRP certification
- Samburg Police Chief Chris Cummings dies at 53
- NWS: EF-1 tornado travelled from Gibson County into Weakley County
- Englewood Baptist Church announces death of Dr. Phillip Jett
- TVA’s Brownsville plant gets updates to prepare for winter storms
- The Annual Hub City Christmas parade celebrates the “Season of Giving”
Crime in December of 2023
- Husband charged with murder after body discovered at Summer Drive
- Over a dozen indicted in undercover drug operation in Henderson Co. area
- Woman arrested after 1,000s of pills reported missing by local medical provider
- 21 indicted for trafficking fentanyl, meth, other drugs in West Tennessee
- Greenfield police chief arrested following weekend incident
- TBI reports deputy, suspect shot during probation check
- Two men charged with assault after allegedly attacking mayor
This year’s Community Champions:
- January: Abbie Hinton
- February: Allyson Horner
- March: Ria Patel
- April: Dr. Gina Dieudonne
- May: Billy and Jennifer Penick
- June: Bob Arrington and Janet Silver
- July: Ed Wilson
- August: Jill Taylor
- September: Jennifer Milam
- October: Lillian Cashion
- November: Jessica Johnson
- December: Johnny Johnson
Hub City Heroes of 2023:
- January: Dianne Sherrod
- February: Hunter Cross
- March: Katie Hale
- April: Nadia Beard
- May: Hunter Hawes
- June: Dr. LaToshia Chism
- July: Ria Patel
- August: Randy Moffett
- September: Kristyn Mayberry
- October: James Cherry
- November: USJ Lower School students
- December:
See also:
Educators of the Week here.
