Author: WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News Staff

Gov. Lee to assess storm damage in West TN

NASHVILLE, Tenn. ---Tennessee Governor Bill Lee will be making his way to a local county after storms devastated the area. Gov. Lee will visit with local officials and survey storm damage Saturday in McNairy County. Lee will survey the damages…

Pet of the Week: Rex

This week's Pet of the Week from Hero West Rescue is Rex! This handsome boy is Rex! He is a dream and has everyone in the rescue wrapped around his paw! …

Search, rescue underway in Covington

COVINTON, Tenn. -- According to the Covington Police Department, search and rescue is underway follow a severe storm. The department says that roads are impassable, and that efforts are underway to clear Highway 51 near the local hospital. Find…

Jury finds ‘Rock Doc’ Jeff Young guilty on all counts

UPDATE (4/3/23): Click here to read the full press release by the United Stated Department of Justice. MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The jury has reached a verdict in the trial for former nurse practitioner Jeff Young. According to court records, the…

JTA buses to stop running at 6 p.m. Friday

JACKSON, Tenn. -- The Jackson Transit Authority is issuing a safety notice for their patrons. Due to the threat of severe weather, JTA buses will stop running at 6 p.m. on Friday and may resume once the hazardous weather has…

Local utility companies entering ‘storm mode’

SEE ALSO: Storm shelters opening on Friday, March 31 JACKSON, Tenn. -- With the threat of severe weather upon us, we reached out to local utility companies to see how they're operating. Many…

Public forums to be held as city works towards grant

JACKSON, Tenn. -- A local department is hopeful for a "yes" that could impact many in the community. "The City of Jackson Recreation and Parks Department is in the process of applying for a grant through TDEC," said Christi David,…

Educator of the Week: Mallory Blake

It's time to recognize this week's Educator of the Week, brought to you by the Tennessee Education Lottery. Mallory Blake is a first grade teacher at Bargerton Elementary School in Lexington. Before…

Threats made towards West Tennessee schools under investigation

HENDERSON & DECATUR COUNTIES, Tenn. -- Following the terrible events that happened in Nashville earlier this week, threats of the same thing happening at two different schools in West Tennessee were reported on social media and heard by students. The…

School Closings: Friday, March 31

SEE ALSO: Storm shelters opening on Friday, March 31 The following schools will be closing early on Friday, March 31 due to the threat of severe weather: Crockett County Schools (Dismissing at 12:45) Decatur County Schools (All afterschool activities cancelled)…

Two officers, suspect reportedly shot in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A large police presence could be found outside the Regional One Medical Center in Memphis on Thursday. The scene came after two officers were reportedly shot in the Whitehaven area. The Memphis Police Department posted to Facebook,…

Pike Fights returns for 32nd year

DRESDEN, Tenn. -- A University of Tennessee at Martin fraternity is, once again, hosting an event, having college students go toe-to-toe in the squared circle for a good cause. It's a…

Haywood County Schools to close early Friday

HAYWOOD COUNTY, Tenn. -- Haywood County Schools announced they will be closing early.   Officials with the school say that students will be dismissed at 1 p.m. There will also be no after school activities. This comes as West Tennessee…

50,000 hoverboards are being recalled

More than 50,000 hoverboards are being recalled due to several reports of the batteries burning. Jetson Electric Bikes is recalling it's 42-volt Rogue self-balancing hoverboards due to a fire hazard. The lithium-ion battery packs in the hoverboards can reportedly overheat.…

USJ cancels after school activities for Friday

JACKSON, Tenn. – The University School of Jackson is canceling after school activities due to weather. The school says that all after school care, practices and games are canceled for Friday, March 31. USJ adds that infants and toddlers will…

Docs debunk vaccine myths, discuss misinformation challenges

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Experts with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health discussed the challenges that disinformation and misinformation have on the fight against COVID-19. The school's research estimates that in Summer 2021, dis- and misinformation caused 2-12…

Student, professor bring home trophies from Nashville

JACKSON, Tenn. -- A Jackson State Community College student and professor took home trophies on Wednesday. The pair attended the 5th Annual Statewide Outstanding Achievement Recognition Awards, with Mooney…

Walking among ways to keep pets healthy

JACKSON, Tenn. -- March 30 is National Take a Walk in the Park Day, and some walkers may be taking their special fur friend out on a stroll. Walking your pet…

Red sand fills sidewalk cracks at local university

JACKSON, Tenn. -- A local college spreads red sand for a good cause. Wednesday, the University of Memphis Lambuth's Nursing Department joined together to fill the cracks of the college's…

March 29 marks Mom, Pop Business Owners Day

DYER COUNTY, Tenn. -- March 29 marks Mom and Pop Business Owners Day! It is a day to appreciate the hard work and dedication that it takes to run a small business. Independently-owned businesses are essential to the community. They…

Jackson Rotary Club welcomes YMCA, talks child care

JACKSON, Tenn. -- The Jackson Rotary Club welcomed the YMCA, where they shared updates and their progress in West Tennessee. The YMCA shared an update on the work in expanding and creating…

Gang member sentenced for shooting man mistaken for rival

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Roughly four years after one person was killed, a man has received his sentence. According to a news release, on March 6, Gerald Crossley, who was 16 at the time of the shooting in 2019, was sentenced…

Obion County official shares statement over recent incident

OBION COUNTY, Tenn. – Wednesday, we reached out to the Obion County School System regarding a recent incident.   Tim Watkins, the Director of Schools, told us over the phone that the investigation into the alleged incident is on-going. Watkins…

Choral society to host concert in April

JACKSON, Tenn. -- A spring concert is just a month away! The Jackson Choral Society will be hosting its spring concert on April 29 at 3 p.m. at First…

More than 40 grants go towards state’s water systems

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- More than $200,000,000 is going towards Tennessee's water infrastructure. “These grants will address important water infrastructure needs across rural and urban Tennessee communities,” Gov. Bill Lee said. “We look forward to the improvements these projects will bring,…

Local law enforcement shares praise for Nashville response

MARTIN, Tenn. -- Local law enforcement shared their reaction to newly released body cam footage from the Nashville shooting. This image provided by Metropolitan Nashville Police Department shows bodycam footage of police responding to an active…

Tennessee Tech president visits students in Jackson

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Students at a Jackson high school had the opportunity to learn more about college opportunities in Tennessee. Tennessee Tech President Philip Oldham visited chemistry and biology students at North Side High School on Tuesday. Around 60…

Jackson business owners named Citizens of the Year

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Two Jackson business owners have been named Citizens of the Year by Elks #192. According to a news release from the lodge, Redbones and 731 Comedy Club owners Jennifer and Trent Alford were given the award for…

Local school officials react to Nashville shooting

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Monday, 28-year-old Audrey Hale walked into the Covenant School in Nashville and opened fire, killing six people. "As a school community, and as a Christian family and school, we were shocked, surprised and horrified by what took…

Jackson-Madison County school becomes a champion

JACKSON, Tenn. -- A local school has become a champion. Jackson Central-Merry Early College High is being recognized as a FAFSA Champion by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. The recognition was given Tuesday. This designation is awarded to schools whose…

Two-day conference to focus on grief

JACKSON, Tenn. -- The Positive Living Group is holding a Grief Conference. The two-day conference will be held in early May, and feature Dr. Robert A. Neimeyer and co- presenter, Dr. Carolyn Ng, from the Portland Institute of Loss and…

Signs protesting gun violence appear throughout Jackson

JACKSON, Tenn. -- After new forms of expression appear in one local city, questions arise on if they will stay. Gun violence crimes have been appearing in headlines throughout the year, as 130 mass shooting incidents have been reported, according…

Miss Bronze 2023 crowned in Jackson

JACKSON, Tenn. -- The Jackson (TN) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. held the 63rd annual Miss Bronze West Tennessee Scholarship Pageant on Saturday. According to a news release, the pageant was founded by Delta Anna Cooke amid…

Baby goat exhibit to be offered at select Rockabillys games

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Family nights out at the ball game just got a lot cuter! The Jackson Rockabillys and Tractor Supply are partnering to present the Tractor Supply Kids Korral at select games. A release says during every Sunday and…

Police release video of deadly Nashville shooting

SEE ALSO: Video shows Nashville police search school, fire at shooter NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Monday night, Metro Nashville Police released footage of the shooting at a private Christian school. Video shows…

Two checks presented just before team’s home game

JACKSON, Tenn. -- One baseball team presented some funds they raised during a recent event. Just before Madison Academic's home game, two checks were presented. The funds are the result of the…

Drug seized, man arrested following joint investigation

HUNTINGDON, Tenn. -- A Huntingdon man has been arrested and drugs and drug paraphernalia seized, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The TBI reports that a joint investigation began in January into drug activity, particularly methamphetamine, in Carroll County. Monday,…

Nursey manager talks freeze’s impact on plants

JACKSON, Tenn. -- This past winter, an extreme arctic blast caused temperatures to drop over 50 degrees in a matter of hours. The aftermath was dead plants, shrubs and trees that…

Second mayoral debate to be held April 1

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Voters in the community will get a chance to familiarize themselves with local candidates. The Jackson-Madison County Branch of the NAACP will be hosting a mayoral candidate forum…

Jackson Symphony to celebrate music of the 80s

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- This is your chance to hear some of your favorite 1980s hits live. The Jackson Symphony is celebrating the music of the 80s with a "rewind." It's a musical time warp to a decade when big hair and…

Shooter ID’d in Nashville private school shooting

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Nashville Metro Police Department has released several new details regarding a shooting at a private Christian school. This photo provided by the Metro Nashville Police Department shows officers at an active shooter…

Round two of Strongest Towns begins

JACKSON, Tenn. -- The City of Jackson is going up against a Pennsylvania town, and you can help! "This contest is put on by Strong Towns. It is themed after March…

161st anniversary of Shiloh to be marked with several events

SHILOH, Tenn. -- The early part of April marks 161 years since two armies came face-to-face in West Tennessee. To mark the anniversary, Shiloh National Military Park will be hosting a series of events. It begins with artillery demonstrations on…

Scholarship for music students gets a boost

HENDERSON, Tenn. -- Students looking to learn more about music at a local university just got a boost from two alumni. According to a news release, two Freed-Hardeman University alumni, Gordon and Bert "Bertha" Rampy, made a donation to music…

Repairs to cause temporary water cutoff in Hardin County

HARDIN COUNTY, Tenn. -- Repairs to a pressure regulator station in Hardin County is going to cause water services to be stopped temporarily. The Savannah Utility Department will be making the repairs at the Hard Rock Road station, and will…