October 7
Pausing to Serve
For Freed-Hardeman University, last Thursday began with a chapel focusing on Jesus washing the apostles’ feet and teaching Christians that they need to be servants also. The day transitioned into a talent show event for special needs individuals and ended with the university faculty, staff and students serving the community of Henderson/Chester County in various ways.
This was FHU’s first annual University Servant’s Day.
Forty-five different services took place across the community.
October 14
Neisler inducted into Dixie Softball Hall of Fame
At the beginning of last week, Dixie Softball Inc. announced their hall of fame inductees, and Chester County’s own Mike Neisler was one of them.
He was inducted as a coach/umpires/league administrators hall of famer.
Neisler has been a part of the Chester County Dixie Softball league for about 25 years. He currently serves as the Chester Co. Dixie Youth President.
In July of 2010, the community honored him by naming the 5-6 ball field (Field six) Neisler Field.
“It’s good to be recognized, but it’s more about the league than it is about me,” he said. “It’s a league award.”
October 21
Burglary attempt at Henderson Family Pharmacy
On Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, at approximately 2:42 a.m., officers were dispatched to Henderson Family Pharmacy located at 535 West Main Street, Henderson, in reference to an alarm call.
According to the police report, as officers pulled into the parking lot, they observed a white male standing by a silver Chevrolet Trailblazer. The vehicle reportedly had visible damage to the rear, with broken tail lights and glass on the back bumper and ground. Upon approach, the officers also noted Henderson Family Pharmacy’s double commercial doors were open and shattered.
After investigation, the subject was identified as 28-year-old Jordan Fesmire, of Jackson. He reportedly admitted to having backed into the doors, stating that once he had done that, he had changed his mind.
October 28
9-1-1: Call if you can. Text if you can’t.
Chester County Emergency Communications has announced that on Nov. 1, 2021 it will begin accepting Text–to–911 service for its territory (Chester County). Wireless customers can send a text (up to 140 characters) to 911 in an emergency.
Text–to–911 should only be used in an emergency situation, when placing a call is not possible; for instance, if the caller is deaf, hard-of-hearing, speech impaired or when speaking out loud would put the caller in danger.
November 4
Grove Primary Care Clinic, LLC now under investigation
An examination by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office that was released on October 28 has revealed that Grove Primary Care Clinic, LLC did not accurately report information to the state when seeking TennCare reimbursements, which resulted in TennCare overpayments of $4,705,641.
November 11
Keep CC Beautiful earns $14,000 in grants
Keep Chester County Beautiful recently received four awards and $14,000 in grants. Pictured above are, from left, Chester County Mayor Barry Hutcherson, Tennessee Senator Page Walley, Duane Edgin, former CC Solid Waste Director Danny Benard, CC Solid Waste Education coordinator Misty Pequinot, Keep TN Beautiful Executive Director Missy Marshall, CC Solid Waste Director Amber Greene, Tennessee Representative Kirk Haston and City of Henderson Mayor Bobby King.
November 18
“It became service above self.” – General Johnson speaks at local Veteran’s Day Program 2021
Each year on November 11, Americans honor veterans of the United States throughout history. Veterans, regardless of the war they fought, regardless of their military rank and regardless of the branch they served in, all deserve recognition, thanks and honor for their service.
Veteran Major General Paul T. Johnson, United States Air Force (retired) joined the community’s Veteran’s Day Program last Thursday as the guest speaker.
General Johnson, who retired in 2016 after 31 years of active service, recently moved to Henderson. General Johnson is one of only 196 persons in the history of the US Air Force to receive the Air Force Cross, the nation’s second highest award for valor, as an A-10 pilot during Operation Desert Storm in Iraq in 1991.
November 25
Carl Perkins holds Extravaganza
The Chester County Carl Perkins Center’s Holiday Extravaganza included the Holiday Mart, a pageant and the Daddy Daughter Dance. Santa Claus visited the Holiday Mart to spread cheer and the spirit of giving. While he was there, he gave children candy canes and allowed them to take photos with him. Julianna and Miles Crouse were pictured sitting with Santa.
Dec. 2
County receives Clean Audit Award for 2020
Chester County Government was awarded a Clean Audit Award from the State of Tennessee’s Comptroller’s Office on Wednesday, November 27 for the year of 2020. Present for the event were members of Chester County Government with the representatives from the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office after the county was presented the award. Lance Beshires – Chester County Trustee, Troy Kilzer II – Chester County Director of Schools, Doris Ethridge – Register of Deeds , Judy Benard – Chester County Budget Director, Chester County Mayor Barry Hutcherson, representative from the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office Jake and representative Madison Laster, Sharron Connor – Secretary of the Chester County Highway Department, Justin Emerson – Chester County Circuit Clerk and Stacy Smith – Chester County Clerk. Noted in mention was Keith Frye – Clerk & Master.
December 9
Chamber, Chester County welcomes Keestone Academy – Local residents, officials and politicians celebrated Keestone Academy joining the community of Henderson, Chester County as the new daycare center became a part of the Henderson|Chester County Chamber of Commerce with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday December 6.
December 16
Chester Co. Carl Perkins Center prepares to spread Christmas joy to children
The Chester County Carl Perkins Center has been helping Santa Claus get gifts to the children in the community that they serve and other children as well. Many gifts were gathered by Henderson’s Cash Express. This holiday season, the center will help 150 children have a merry Christmas through these gifts.
December 23
Cops help make Christmas merry
The local law enforcement does more than protecting the community here in Henderson and Chester County.
For the fourth year, the City of Henderson Police Department along with the Chester County Sheriff’s Department held “Christmas with a Cop” on Monday, Dec. 20 at First United Methodist Church.
The way that they have served local children over the four years has changed some, but the cause has not; to give Chester County children a Merry Christmas.
The program started as “Shop with a Cop” where the officers would take children shopping for their Christmas gifts. Last year, in the midst of the pandemic, the local law enforcement shopped for the children and delivered the gifts to the children’s homes.
This year they redesigned it to “Christmas with a Cop.”
Davidson explained how the kids are nominated through Chester County schools and reached out to in order to participate in Christmas with a Cop.” The parents partner with the departments by providing the departments with a Christmas wish list from each child.
December 30
2022 Chester Co. election updates
Last week the Chester County Independent published the names of local citizens who have picked up petitions for upcoming 2022 elections, including mention of those who had qualified at that time.
Updates to the list are as follows, as of print time Tuesday, Dec. 28.
Those who have picked up petitions for the May 3, 2022 Republican Primary are: Jerry A. Lowe – County Commissioner District 1; Chris Dunbar – County Commissioner District 3; Johnny W. Garner – County Commissioner District 3 and Doris Ethridge – Register of Deeds.
A complete list of candidates who have now qualified for the May 3 Republican Primary include the following: Justin Emerson – Circuit Court Clerk; Stacy Smith – County Clerk; Al McKinnon – County Commissioner District 2; Barry Hutcherson –County Mayor; Beverly Morton –County Mayor; Angela R. Scott – General Sessions Judge; Doris Ethridge – Register of Deeds; Lance Beshires – Trustee; and Sharon Stovall – Trustee.
Those who have picked up petitions for the August 4, 2022 Local General Election are: Jim Plunk – County Commissioner District 3; Barry Smith – County Commissioner District 5; Tim Crowe – County Commissioner District 5; Todd Lewis –County Commissioner District 6 and E.O. “Tiny” Carnell – Road Supervisor.
Candidates for the August 4 Local General Election who now qualify for office are: Jim Plunk – County Commissioner District 3; Elijah Ellis – County Commissioner District 5; Dwain Seaton – County Mayor; John Malone – Road Supervisor and Robert Tim Young – Road Supervisor.
