BOLIVAR Tenn. — A long-serving legislator announces his retirement. After more than 25 years of serving the state of Tennessee in District 80, Representative Johnny Shaw is closing out more than two decades of politics. He is also the first African American to take leadership as a state legislator in West Tennessee’s rural district since reconstruction.
Rep. Shaw makes sure to note he’s not just a politician. A proud husband of over 60 years, devoted father, and loving grandfather, Rep. Shaw holds a degree in Theology from at the American Baptist College of Nashville. A pastor, businessman, and lifelong community leader, he’s spent decades dedicated to faith, family, and public service.
Shaw holds the distinct honor of being the oldest currently serving member of the Tennessee Legislature.
“It’s been the honor of my life to serve District 80. You can make people trust you if they know they can. Every call that comes into my office is important to the person that’s making it. Understand that you have to do this job not by what you see, but by what you know,” said Rep. Johnny Shaw, (D) District 80.
Shaw mentions some of his proudest moments: Including funding for the Lone Oaks Farm 4H Club in Hardeman County, the downtown revitalization grant in Bolivar and surrounding areas throughout the region, and funding for education in West Tennessee.
Representative Shaw is one of Tennessee’s longest serving representatives. Throughout his legislative career, Rep. Shaw has championed efforts supporting faith-based and community initiatives, reentry programs like the TAKE ONE Initiative, and economic development to uplift families across West Tennessee. His leadership has earned him statewide and national recognition — including the NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award.
In the 1960s, Rep. Shaw and his wife recorded gospel music as The Shaw Singers, touring across the U.S. and Europe — spreading both music and ministry wherever they went. Because of his love for music, Shaw is still the proud owner of WOJG FM 94.7 operating under Shaw’s Broadcasting LLC in Bolivar.
DYER Tenn. — It’s been 20 years since a severe weather outbreak devastated parts of West Tennessee. We all know when bad weather strikes communities come together, and Thursday many remember the tragedy after the storm. In 2006 the National Weather Service reported an EF-3, and EF-1 tornado in Gibson and Rutherford counties that took the lives of 24 people.
Widespread tornadoes hit in several areas and the line of storms destroyed several homes, buildings, and entire neighborhoods.
“There were four tornadoes coming. Two coming from both directions that were combined together and there were two EF-3 tornadoes that came all the way through Gibson County,” Rickey Graves, Former EMA Director for Gibson County.
Since that devastating day, communities have made efforts to come together to rebuild, remember, and restore families impacted across the the region.
“We are doing a living memorial with a tree being planted. We are going to have a rock put out here. Unfortunately, it didn’t get done in time but they are working really hard to get that done at Greenfield monument works, and it will have all of their names listed on it. The tree is hopefully going to last for a long time to come and memory of families,” said Tiffany Needham, Operation Officer at Gibson County EMA.
In spite of the tragedy, the community has never been more united.
“It really changed the community. We’re glad to have this and have a time of remembrance for everyone that we lost that day and we’re glad that everybody came out,” said Justin Little, EMA Director for Gibson County.
A county-wide effort morphed into a more sufficient communications system that has instant command provision with the help of grant funding.
“Just be safe. We had no warning back then, but today there’s access to all kinds of warnings systems and it’s at a very little cost,” said Graves.
After the ceremony, residents had the chance to share the shovel to help spread soil around the memorial tree.
HUMBOLDT, Tenn. — 14-year-old Elainer Gilliam has been located, the Humboldt Police Department confirmed in a social media post Thursday.
PREVIUS COVERAGE: Family organizes search party for teen last seen in Humboldt Saturday
Gilliam was first reported missing on March 28.
Officials say the investigation is still ongoing and ask that the public respect the family’s privacy at this time. Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact HPD at 731-784-1322.
For more Gibson County news, click here.
BELLS, Tenn. — Knee Temple Church turned its parking lot into a drive-by pickup line to help families put Easter dinner on the table.
Volunteers from the church and Owens-Corning Fiberglass in Jackson loaded boxes with a ham and all the trimmings so families could have an Easter meal.
“We’d seen families that were in need, and we were able to meet that need and we was so proud as a giving church, we fill that from the pulpit to the street,” said Arthur Brown, a pastor at Knee Temple Church.
Rising costs push more families to seek help
The food for the giveaway was picked up at Feed-the-Needy in Memphis and brought back to Bells.
While events like this help families through the holidays, food bank leaders say the need is not letting up. They say higher costs are pushing more people to ask for help, including some who have never needed it before.
“To check in on their neighbors, and find out what their situation is, like don’t always assume that people are you know doing well, and we have a lot of challenges going on right now, like I said prices are going up across the board everything from household utilities to fuel for your vehicles, to housing costs, to food costs,” said Reginald Alexander.
Mid-South Food Bank encourages people who can donate food, time, or money to look out for neighbors who may be quietly struggling.
Knee Temple Church shares meals every Easter as well as Thanksgiving.
People experiencing food insecurity can call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY or text 914-342-7744 to find food assistance in their community.
For more Crockett County news, click here.
JACKSON, Tenn. — April 15 is quickly approaching, and experts say now is the time to file taxes for those who haven’t done so yet.
Certified Public Accountant Lee Eddleman said last-minute filers should consider filing a tax extension to avoid penalties.
“You can file an extension and file your taxes on the same day. That’s not going to matter, but if you don’t file the extension and you owe money, then you can get a failure to file and a failure to pay penalty,” Eddleman said.
While not everyone is legally required to file a federal tax return, not doing so could leave money on the table.
“Definitely try to do your research,” Eddleman said.
What to gather before filing
Eddleman said filers should look into what deductions they may qualify for and what documents they may need before beginning the filing process.
“Specifically for this year, you want your last check stub, W-2. If you’ve got any interest earned, dividends earned. If you’re a small business, you want to of course get all of those,” Eddleman said.
According to the IRS, seniors age 65 and older may be eligible to claim an additional deduction of up to $6,000.
For simple tax returns, filing online can be a quick option. But for those who’ve had a complicated year, it may be best to consult a professional who can provide one-on-one guidance and check for new deductions.
“For W-2 earners, your best tips are to participate in your 401(k). Also if you have the availability to do a HSA or MSA, those are deductible,” Eddleman said.
Tax refunds could arrive as early as next week for some filers.
For more news in the Jackson area, click here.
JACKSON, Tenn. — A court order issued by the Tennessee Supreme Court yesterday accused Judge Mark Patey of negligence of his duty.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Tennessee Supreme Court assigns judges to replace Madison County’s Mark Patey
We spoke with an attorney on what this could mean for the court and Judge Patey.
“Something has got to be wrong for this to happen,” said Tim Crocker, attorney.
The state’s highest court has stepped in to effectively sideline Madison County General Sessions Division I Judge Mark Patey, claiming he simply isn’t doing his job. It’s called an “abdication of duty.”
In a standing order, Chief Justice Jeffrey Bivins says Judge Patey has failed to hold regular court or handle cases on time.
“There has apparently been enough complaints that people’s rights are not being protected. Otherwise the supreme court would have not stepped in,” said Crocker.
Crocker also says this isn’t just about a slow schedule–it’s about your rights.
“When people are arrested by criminal affidavit of complaint in general sessions court, the law mandates that they are entitled to a preliminary hearing within 10 days. If they are not granted a preliminary hearing in 10 then their rights have been violated,” said Crocker.
Judge Patey is blocked from running as a Republican in the upcoming primary for his seat due to not being a “bonafide Republican,” according to the Tennessee Republican Party.
While he’s off the ballot for now, there is hope that the complaints will be fixed.
“Whatever these complaints are, he’ll immediately address and correct. I think that is the purpose of this supreme court order is to get his attention,” said Crocker.
The Tennessee Supreme Court has appointed four other judges to ensure the open cases are heard through August as needed.
We have reached out to Judge Patey regarding this matter, and are still awaiting a response.
For more Madison County news, click here.
HENDERSON, Tenn. — A new chapter begins for downtown Henderson Thursday as Fable House Books officially opened its doors with a dedication inside Besso’s on West Main Street.
The ceremony brought together community members to welcome the independent bookstore to Henderson and Chester County.
Fable House Books invited community members to check out their new space, meet the team, and browse the shelves.
“We have self checkout anytime Besso’s is open, but we have regular bookseller hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 11 to 4, and that’s when you can expect to find someone who is very well-read, who knows about what is popular right now, who can help you find your next favorite read!” said Shauna Carothers, owner.
Supporters say it’s a big win for small businesses and book lovers, adding another local gathering spot right in the heart of downtown.
For more Chester County news, click here.
