EXCLUSIVE: Man speaks out after being accused of killing teen
HAYWOOD COUNTY, Tenn. -- "I didn't do it. I don't know who did it, but I was just like everyone else out there, worried just like everyone else was when the bullets were…
Author: Teri Jelks
Haywood County Sheriff’s office reminds residents of SAVIN Program.
HAYWOOD COUNTY, Tenn. -- Thursday, WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News spoke with Carmen Hernandez, the mother of 17-year-old Elia Hernandez. In 2016, Elia was killed by a stray bullet while at a house party in Haywood County. Quindarius Love was arrested…
Mother asks for justice in daughter’s death
HAYWOOD COUNTY, Tenn. --"What happened on June 26, 2016, that destroyed my life," said Carmen Hernandez, the mother of 17-year-old Elia Hernandez. "She wanted to go to college. She wanted to be a nurse and, you know, she was ready…
Jackson leaders prepare for February City Council meeting
JACKSON, Tenn. --Hub City leaders met to discuss how to better education for students. During Jackson's agenda review meeting Thursday, leaders discussed the public-private partnership for Madison Academic Magnet High School and Jackson Central-Merry High School. Council members have been…
JMCSS budget committee discusses public-private partnership
JACKSON, Tenn. --Local leaders are meeting to achieve better education for students, while also being cost-efficient. The budget committee for the Jackson-Madison County School System met Thursday. A hot topic was two sublease…
School leaders: Cost to build new Madison Academic High School higher then expected
JACKSON, Tenn. -- As the journey to build a new Madison Academic High School continues, new numbers show the price will be higher than expected. "The total with the building and all of the soft cost is about $14 million.…
Cody Nance Invitational returns to the Hub City
JACKSON, Tenn. -- The 2nd annual Cody Nance Invitational is back at the Oman arena. Friday and Saturday, 25 of the best bull riders are getting on some of the best bulls in west Tennessee. Friday was family night and…
‘Project iGuardian’ warns parents and educators about online dangers for children
LEXINGTON, Tenn. -- 'Project iGuardian' is an initiative started by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. They are going across the country teaching educators and parents the importance of protecting students online. Now,…
ConAgra announces Odom’s Tennessee Pride production moving to Jackson
JACKSON, Tenn. -- A company is making plans to close one of its Tennessee facilities and move its production to the Hub City. Representatives with ConAgra Brands confirm their Odom's Tennessee Pride sausage facility in Dickson, Tennessee will be closing…
NAACP asks local and state leaders to help support families in need
JACKSON, Tenn. -- On Wednesday, the Jackson-Madison County Branch of the NAACP sent out a news release asking the state of Tennessee to release hundreds of millions of dollars "being withheld" for the temporary assistance for needy families fund, also…
3 West Tennessee counties reclassified for Chronic Wasting Disease
JACKSON, Tenn. -- Three counties are seeing a status change in West Tennessee, with two being upgraded to positive. “Haywood and Chester County has been reclassified from high-risk counties to CWD-positive counties,” said…
City reacts to cave-in at Redbone’s
JACKSON, Tenn. -- A new cave-in has emerged in the Hub City, and it is raising questions on who will fix it. In the Redbone's parking lot in north Jackson, a section is…
Jackson police investigate shooting at Allenton Heights Apartments
JACKSON, Tenn. -- Investigators with the Jackson Police Department say they got a call around 2:40 p.m. Thursday about a shooting at Allenton Heights Apartments. "Two individuals got into a shootout," said…
New state bill aims to provide leniency for marijuana use
JACKSON, Tenn. -- A new bill is being introduced in the state legislature, which would allow more leniency on the use of marijuana in Tennessee. It's House Bill 1610, and it was…
Woman accused of embezzlement at family business
SARDIS, Tenn. -- A woman is behind bars after allegedly stealing money from her own family's business. James Ridley and his wife Lynne are the owners of Sardis Auto Repair. "He's just a good…
School board discusses better education for students, teachers
JACKSON, Tenn. -- The Jackson-Madison County School Board met to discuss ways to better education for students and teachers. “From what I have seen so far, this board is not listening,” said president of…
Authorities report multiple traffic delays after series of wrecks
JACKSON, Tenn. -- According to investigators with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, there were multiple crashes on Interstate 40 Friday. Around 4 a.m. a crash involving two tractor-trailers shut down I-40 between mile markers 127 and 128 in Benton County. One…
City leaders prepare for first 2020 council meeting
JACKSON, Tenn. -- Leaders of the City of Jackson are preparing for their first city council meeting of the new year. “My goal for Jackson over the next four years is to get…
Sen. Marsha Blackburn reflects on first year in office, future
JACKSON, Tenn. -- U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn spoke out about her first year in office and her goals for the future. Blackburn says she has had a productive year in the senate. She…
Tips provided for travelers visiting loved ones this Christmas
JACKSON, Tenn. -- Holiday travel is already underway for those making their getaway to visit loved ones here and across the country. It's one of the biggest weekends for travel as millions across the…
Authorities offer tips on protecting your home while traveling
JACKSON, Tenn. -- Many people will soon be traveling for the holidays, leaving their homes vulnerable to burglars. Law enforcement leaders say it takes a lot more than just simply locking your…
Hospital holds open house for bereavement room
JACKSON, Tenn. -- Mothers going through a miscarriage will now have a safe space to go for help and resources. The Jackson-Madison County General Hospital held their Bereavement Room Open House Wednesday morning. Officials say it is a space for…
The Salvation Army gives out presents as Christmas approaches
JACKSON, Tenn. -- Christmas is just around the corner, and one organization is helping to make it a little brighter for families. "This is the day that all of the hard work…
Children pay Santa a visit ahead of Christmas
JACKSON, Tenn. -- It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Hub City. For those who have not already gotten their Christmas list to Santa, you might want to wait before mailing…
Union University holds annual Christmas concert
JACKSON, Tenn. -- It was a night of melodies and harmonies as music filled the air at Union University Friday night. The G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel was packed as students, faculty and guests poured…
Campbell Lake lights up for annual tradition
JACKSON, Tenn. -- As homes begin to light up with beautiful Christmas lights, one neighborhood lit up an entire lake. The Lambuth Area Neighborhood Association (LANA) lit up Campbell Lake with luminaries to start…
Education leaders seek public insight for superintendent search
JACKSON, Tenn. -- Educational leaders are on the search for a new director of schools, and they are looking to the public for insight. Thursday, a community forum was held at City Hall where board members of the Jackson-Madison County…
Family looks to rebuild following large house fire
GADSDEN, Tenn. -- One family says they are just thankful to be alive after an afternoon house fire Thursday. Fire crews worked hard for hours to put out flames that will leave one family rebuilding their entire lives. "I was…
Local businesses take part in Cyber Monday
JACKSON, Tenn. -- It's been a weekend of deals with Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, but the savings don't stop there. Cyber Monday is one of the biggest online shopping days of…
NAIA Basketball Classic returns to the Hub City
JACKSON, Tenn. -- An annual basketball tournament is back in the Hub City. "We had the national championship here in Jackson for 22 years, and the coaches grew to love Jackson and love the…
Crowds fill stores for Black Friday savings
JACKSON, Tenn. -- Black Friday has started in the Hub City, and customers are filling stores in hopes to get a good deal. Shoppers stood in line for hours to get those door busters, and a popular item were all…
Tips for deep frying turkeys this holiday season
MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. -- Chief Eric Turner with the Madison County Fire Department says cooking is one of the most common causes of household fires, especially around the holidays. "Thanksgiving, Christmas, there's that much…
Holiday season starts early in Henderson Co.
HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. -- The holidays are almost here, and store owners in one county are making sure your gift shopping isn't breaking the bank. Black Friday is only a week away, but…
Employees file lawsuit against Hardeman Co. officials
HARDEMAN COUNTY, Tenn. -- WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News reached out to attorneys Thursday in a lawsuit on employee pay in Hardeman County. More than a dozen employees have filed a lawsuit against Hardeman County, the Hardeman County Sheriff's Office, the…
Mayor shares ideas for Jackson’s future
JACKSON, Tenn. -- The Hub City may soon be undergoing some changes. “We've got to make sure we're building each other up and building our city up,” said Mayor Scott Conger. Thursday morning, Conger…
People discuss criminal justice system, rehabilitation of violent offenders
JACKSON, Tenn. -- Being a repeat offender is common among violent criminals, and many people believe more work can be done to protect additional victims from these offenders. "Yes, we want to rehabilitate…
Jackson recycles to keep city clean
JACKSON, Tenn. -- A local organization is on a mission to keep the Hub City clean. Saturday is America Recycles Day, and Jackson's Stormwater Program will be celebrating in a big way. From…
Hub City rings in the holiday spirit with light show
JACKSON, Tenn. -- The Hub City is getting in the holiday spirit with an annual light show. Friday was the opening night of a well-beloved light show in the Hub City. This…
Authorities investigate fatal fire at apartment complex
JACKSON, Tenn. -- Authorities are investigating a fatal fire that occurred at a Jackson apartment complex on Wednesday morning. Around 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, firefighters were called to a house on the 1000…
South Jackson Walmart evacuated after bomb threat
JACKSON, Tenn. -- Several Jackson police cars surrounded the south Jackson Walmart Sunday evening. At approximately 4:50 p.m. on November 10, officers of the Jackson Police Department responded to 2171 S. Highland Avenue,…
Community gathers to raise funds for children, women
JACKSON, Tenn. -- It was a night of boots, bands and bingo at the STAR Center on Friday. The Jackson Service League is raising funds to provide grants to local organizations, with a focus on children and women. Attendees spent…
Community honors local veterans at annual program
JACKSON, Tenn. -- With veterans day around the corner, a congregation is honoring the brave men and women who dedicated their lives fighting for the country. Friday night Englewood Baptist Church was…
Jackson-Madison County School Board holds monthly meeting
JACKSON, Tenn. -- It was a full agenda for school board members, hammering out issues for the Jackson-Madison County School System. Thursday's school board meeting began with the public voicing their concerns…
Family holds candlelight vigil to remember loved one
JACKSON, Tenn. -- Friday evening family, friends and neighbors gathered to remember Tavoris Bates at a candlelight vigil. "He was very loving, and that's all he wanted to do. He wanted to love…
Local university honors veterans during homecoming week
JACKSON, Tenn. -- People came together to honor the men and women who put their lives on the line for our country. Friday evening the University of Memphis Lambuth campus concluded their homecoming week…
TDOC executes Operation Blackout this Halloween
JACKSON, Tenn. -- On Halloween night, children filled the streets for special treats, but authorities went door-knocking for a different reason. "On Halloween night, we go out and check violent against children…
Parents discuss educational concerns with TN Dept. of Education
JACKSON, Tenn. -- "Our purpose here tonight is to meet with families and communities to talk about what they want to be true for their child and for their school," said Eve…
Authorities warn families to stay safe while trick-or-treating
JACKSON, Tenn. -- Ghosts and witches will be hitting the streets this Halloween, and authorities are warning parents to watch out for real-life monsters. "Halloween is the deadliest day for children…
Local ghost tour provides local history, college scholarships
JACKSON, Tenn. -- The Baker's Rack in downtown Jackson saw a full house Friday night as people came together for an annual event. The 2019 Downtown Ghost Tour and Dinner Theater brought horror…
Community members donate crayons in honor of Lexington teen
LEXINGTON, Tenn. -- An entire community came together to honor one of their own in a unique and colorful way. Thursday night fans filled the Jim Stowe stadium to watch the Lexington High School Tigers football team compete against McNairy…
