Author: WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News Staff

Northside Assembly marks Good Friday

JACKSON, Tenn. -- A local church celebrates Good Friday with a special service. Northside Assembly held a family-friendly service that includes worship, communion, and prayer. They met to remember the day Jesus willingly died by crucifixion as the ultimate…

Educator of the Week: Rachel Cooper

It's time for this week's Educator of the Week, brought to you by the Tennessee Education Lottery. Rachel Cooper has been teaching at Martin Primary School for eight years now, and she says she adores her second grade class. "They're…

Strong winds leave behind damage in Savannah

SAVANNAH, Tenn. -- One city is seeing the aftermath of Wednesday night's strong winds. "I can tell you it was the strongest winds I've ever been involved with outside of a tornado,"…

Mother, daughter arrested for allegedly threatening witness

TIPTONVILLE, Tenn. -- A mother and daughter have been arrested for allegedly threatening a witness. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says in December of 2021, 50-year-old Willie Gates Jr. was arrested and charged in the shooting death of 57-year-old Jerry…

Mock crash shows dangers of distracted driving

DECATUR COUNTY, Tenn. -- Riverside High School partnered with the first responders of Decatur County to demonstrate the consequences of distracted driving. Decatur County Mayor Mike Creasy says he wants to make…

Freed-Hardeman holds 45th annual Makin’ Music

HENDERSON, Tenn. -- Students at Freed-Hardeman University took the stage last Friday and Saturday for the 45th annual Makin' Music production. This marked Makin' Music's in-person return after going virtual in 2020 and 2021. The production showcases the talents…

Ninth annual Hatchie BirdFest to begin April 22

BROWNSVILLE, Tenn. -- The ninth annual Hatchie BirdFest is coming later this month! The three day event will span from April 22 to April 24, featuring a variety of events, according to a…

Mr. and Miss FHU crowned for 2022

HENDERSON, Tenn. -- Students, staff and family members gathered at Lloyd Auditorium for the annual Mr. and Miss Freed-Hardeman University. "Today is a celebration of…

Lifeline, local organizations partner for Thursday blood drive

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Lifeline Blood Services has partnered with local organizations for a blood drive on Thursday. Lifeline Blood Services has partnered with the Jackson Equity Project, Jackson-Madison County African American Chamber of Commerce, and Brown's Creek District Association to…

5 finalists announced for name of Jackson baseball team

JACKSON, Tenn. -- The team stepping up to the plate at Jackson's baseball stadium is a step closer to being named. In The Big Inning, the new operators of the ballpark, have announced the five finalists from their "Name Your…

Possibility of severe weather affects West Tennessee

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. -- Many West Tennesseans prepared for the potential severe weather Wednesday. Our crews were able to see lightning and hear thunder late this afternoon as storms were approaching West Tennessee. As the afternoon progressed, so did the…

Officials get update on Blue Oval City

HAYWOOD COUNTY, Tenn. -- Congressman David Kustoff and local leaders met at Haywood High School to discuss updates and the progress of Blue Oval City. "We assembled, in my opinion, a…

Carl Perkins Center marks 40 years of service

JACKSON, Tenn. -- The Carl Perkins Center celebrated 40 years of providing prevention, healing and hope. To commemorate the four decades and to mark National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the…

Organizations bring fresh produce to senior citizens

JACKSON, Tenn. -- RIFA, along with Falcon Ridge Farms and the Jackson Housing Authority, distributed fresh produce to senior citizens in Jackson. The distribution took place at 10 a.m. at Rosewood Gardens located at 110 Preston Street. This new…

FBI in Memphis warns of ‘sextortion’ of teenagers

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The FBI in Memphis is warning about an increase in "sextortion." The FBI says it has seen an increase of sextortion involving teenagers in Middle and West Tennessee, which is when a minor is tricked by an…

Madison County residents get their votes in early

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Residents of Madison County are heading to the polls to get their early votes in. Early voting for the Madison County primary began Wednesday morning. Before heading to cast…

Judge Steve Harvey now casting for Season 2

ABC's new hit show, Judge Steve Harvey, is now casting for its upcoming season. Auditions are open now for Season 2, with production scheduled to begin in mid-May. There is a $1,000 payout to litigants for their appearance on the…

THP troopers to receive sensory-inclusive training

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Highway Patrol is moving to train its troopers to become sensory-inclusive. According to a news release, THP has partnered with the non-profit KultureCity to train troopers on four factors when it comes to those with…

Delta Dental offering free mouthguards to Tennessee athletes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- One organization is wanting to keep the mouths of our state's athletes safe. Delta Dental of Tennessee says that a new initiative is meant to encourage the use of mouthguards by athletes of every age and ability.…

Cody Nance meet & greet to kickoff PBR ticket sales

PARIS, Tenn. -- Fans will have the chance to meet Cody Nance at a special event in Paris this weekend. A meet and greet will be held for Nance at Trolingers BBQ on Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to…

Red Cross tells Tennesseans to be ready for storms

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Red Cross wants Tennesseans to be weather aware ahead of Wednesday's potential storms. In a news release, they shared what you need to know about tornadoes: Tornadoes can happen anywhere, at any time of day but…

Beware of IRS tax scams ahead of April 18 deadline

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) is warning residents to be wary of scams ahead of the tax filing deadline on April 18. The IRS and law enforcement officials estimate that thousands of taxpayers lose…

Dresden residents anxious ahead of potential storm

DRESDEN, Tenn. -- Four months after the town of Dresden was struck by a tornado, there could potentially be more severe weather heading their way. "There's a high feeling of anxiety and…

Congressman visits Humboldt for art show

HUMBOLDT, Tenn. -- One West Tennessee high school student's art work will soon be on display for everyone to see. Tuesday evening, U.S. Congressman David Kustoff hosted an in-person Congressional Art Show and reception at the West Tennessee Regional Art…

Presentation teaches listeners to trace their ancestry

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Members of the the Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society met Tuesday evening at the Jackson-Madison County Library in downtown Jackson. Guest speaker Ricky Long presented a program titled "Estates: Hidden Clues in Grandpa's Will." The program offered…

Weakley County Courthouse to be opened as storm shelter

WEAKLEY COUNTY, Tenn. -- Due to the potential storms on Wednesday, a local courthouse will be serving as shelter. Weakley County Emergency Management says the Weakley County Courthouse will be open from 4:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. as a storm…

UT Martin hosts ‘I Heart UTM’ week

MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin is hosting its eighth “I Heart UTM” week. The week gives the UT MArtin community the chance to express pride and provide community support with prizes, freed food, and more. UT…

Falcon Ridge Farms hosts Easter egg hunts

TOONE, Tenn. -- Each year Falcon Ridge Farm hosts an Easter egg hunt on the farm. Visitors get to bump along on a hay ride to the bunny patch, where kids can hunt for thousands of prize-filled eggs. They can…

Free American Sign Language classes to be held at library

JACKSON, Tenn. -- You have a chance to learn sign language. In partnership with Jackson Center for Independent Living, this month the Jackson-Madison County Library will be hosting American Sign Language basic classes each Tuesday at 11 a.m. The classes…

Skyline Church holds Holy Week services

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Skyline Church of Christ has week of services ahead of Easter. On Wednesday, the church will be hosting Reverend Garry Martin from First Assembly Church at noon, and will be followed by lunch. Then at First United…

Bills targeting transgender athletes creep forward in Tennessee

https://youtu.be/BDw1Tdt41_k NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Bills targeting transgender athletes are inching closer to becoming law in Tennessee. After a discussion on Wednesday, a bill designed to keep trans women out of higher education sports was voted to continue 27-4. Sen. Raumesh…

Alamo holding junk pick-up on April 25

ALAMO, Tenn. -- The Town of Alamo will be holding their semi-annual junk pick-up on Monday, April 25. Residents can place their unwanted items along the street curb for crews to remove at no additional fee. No tires, garbage, paint,…

Free melanoma screenings to be offered in Jackson May 2nd

JACKSON, Tenn. -- A free event coming to Jackson next month could help save lives. In honor of May being National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, the Kirkland Cancer Center will offer free melanoma screenings on May 2. West Tennessee Healthcare…

JMCSS leaders discuss full agenda Monday evening

JACKSON, Tenn. -- A local school system meets to discuss what's on the monthly agenda. It was a full agenda for Monday's Jackson-Madison County School System work session. Vice chair, AJ Massey says one of the most significant topics discussed…

Jackson police confirm shooting at local gas station

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Authorities are investigating a weekend shooting. According to the Jackson Police Department, the shooting happened near the corner of Casey Jones Lane and US 45 Bypass at the Mobil gas station. As this is an ongoing investigation,…

UT Extension 4-H Center nears completion in Hardeman County

MIDDLETON, Tenn. -- On Friday, April 8, The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture celebrated the donors, community partners and University leaders who are making a new project possible. The only UT Extension 4-H center in West Tennessee is…