Chester County hosted the inaugural Tennessee Hog Calling Championship during the 45th Annual Barbecue Festival September 22 and 23, 2023. Fourteen participants competed for the honor of top Hog Caller and $1,000. Taking first prize was Freed-Hardeman University sophomore Marcus Williams and Morgan Moore earned second. Above are pictures of the hog calling winner and other memories from the 45th Annual Chester County Barbecue Festival.
The Chester County Independent has connected communities and provided news coverage for Henderson and the surrounding areas for 158 years. Read on to look back on highlights from July through December 2023.
July 6 – Goff honored with Innovative Educator Award
In June, Chester County Junior High School’s counselor, Darlene Goff, was one of two awarded the 2023 YouScience Innovative Educator Award.
The Innovative Educator Award recognizes educators for their “exceptional contributions in guiding and inspiring students to explore their aptitudes and make informed decisions about their futures. This award celebrates educators who have implemented innovative approaches to empower the next generation of professionals through academic and career exploration.”
July 13 – CC budget committee axes ARPA allocations
Committee members voted at Monday night’s meeting to pull some of the ARPA funding to put this money into the 2024 budget that would increase the county’s fund balance to approximately $3 million.
They agreed to pull back the funding from the election commission, $1.232,900; the library, $600,000; the STEMC/Aeneas Internet project, $144,000; and $250,000 that was allocated to the local 4-H program for improvements to the old fairground’s property on Memorial Drive. This money came from a Governor’s grant and can be spent on any item the county sees fit and will be added to the budget.
The ARPA funding was left in place for the Carl Perkins Center and the public safety allocation.
July 20 – Drug Task Force executes significant fentanyl seizure
The 26th Judicial District Drug Task Force (DTF), with assistance from its law enforcement partners at the Henderson Police Department, Chester County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jackson Police Department, teamed up to make a significant fentanyl seizure early on the morning of July 12, 2023. The 26th DTF seized nearly 1,300 Fentanyl pills, various other illegal narcotics and firearms during the execution of an early morning search warrant in Henderson. The pills containing Fentanyl were configured to make a user believe that they were a legally manufactured controlled substance.
July 27 – Roeder and Patterson earn UT/TPA photography awards
The University of Tennessee System and the Tennessee Press Association (TPA) gave top honors to newspapers across the state during the 2023 Tennessee State Press Contests.
During the award ceremony, Holly Roeder and Kendall Patterson of the Chester County Independent each received a photography award. Roeder was awarded third place for Best News Photograph, and Patterson was awarded third place for Best Feature Photograph.
August 3 – No tax increase
The first proposed property tax increase of $.20 was voted down by a vote of 14-4. Commissioners Brenda Matthews, Dwight Bingham, Jerry Lowe and Renee Phelps voted in favor of the tax increase.
Commissioner Tim Crowe made a motion for a $.14 increase but later withdrew his motion.
Commissioner Bubba Edgin motioned to leave the tax rate the same and commissioners agreed by a vote of 12-6. Commissioners Jerry King, Dwight Bingham, Renee Phelps, Barry Smith, Brenda Matthews and Ricky Hardy voted against the motion.
While most in the crowd were happy to see no tax increase some felt like a small increase should be put into effect. As one audience member stated, “All you’re doing is kicking the can. We’re going to be in this same shape again next year if we don’t increase the tax rate which hasn’t increased in the last 10 years. Commissioner Crowe agreed and said, “one time money is one time money,” referring to the one-time ARPA funds of $3.3 million. “We are not solving the problem here,” Crowe said.
August 10 – Chester County shares Tall memories
The Henderson | Chester County Chamber of Commerce held an event Friday celebrating the 50th anniversary of Walking Tall. The 1973 movie was largely filmed in Chester County. Friday’s celebration featured question and answer sessions and informative presentations from Regina Brooks, Frankie Lax and Bill Wheatley. Attendees were also treated to a walking tour along popular movie scene locations – The Chester County Courthouse lawn, courtroom and rear entrance, FHU Old Main, State Theater, First Methodist Church, overhead bridge and Front Street.
August 17 – Judge dismisses Election Commission lawsuit
It took Judge Joseph Howell just under 30 minutes to decide and dismiss the lawsuit that the Chester County Election Commission filed against County Mayor Barry Hutcherson Friday afternoon in Circuit Court.
According to Judge Howell, the Chester County Commission’s vote on July 31 to pull back the funding it had appropriated for the construction of a new building for the Election Commission was moot and sided with Hutcherson.
August 24 – FBI warrant leaves one dead
The Federal Bureau of Investigation held a presence in Henderson last week in connection with the early morning execution of an arrest warrant at a residence in the Sanford/Hearn/Anderson roads area. After local community reports of shots fired, the FBI released the following statement: “The FBI is reviewing an agent-involved shooting which occurred on August 16, 2023 at approximately 6:40 a.m. while FBI SWAT was conducting an arrest operation in Henderson, TN. The subject is deceased.
August 31 – FHU marks beginning of 154th academic year
New and returning students filled Freed-Hardeman University’s Loyd Auditorium with a joyful energy during the annual Tolling of the Bell ceremony Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. The day not only served to mark the beginning of the 154th academic year, but it also included encouragement, prayers and the chance to hear from FHU alumnus Luke T. Guard, who issued the annual challenge to the student body. Alumni Chikezie Madu and Eno Pamela Mkpong-Madu served as the masters of the bell; they rang FHU’s historic bell 15 times, once for each decade of higher education in Henderson, Tennessee.
September 7 – Chester Co. takes third in state with tourism booth
Chester County’s tourism booth received third place at the Tennessee State Fair/Wilson County Fair. Chester County’s award winning booth competed against tourism displays from all 95 counties, and featured items collected from across the county. The booth was created by the Henderson | Chester County Chamber of Commerce.
September 14 – Pipkin gets applause at the Apollo
The Apollo Theater in New York City is where all the legendary singers have performed in history.
Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin and many other legends in the music industry, especially of the R&B and soul genre, performed on that stage.
Henderson’s own Hunt Pipkin was not only able to go to the historic theater, but he performed on the stage himself last week.
Pipkin earned this amazing opportunity after his mom, Lee Pipkin, sent in a video submission of him singing in the 2023 Miss Tennessee Pageant, and they emailed her back the next week asking him to come sing.
The opportunity was to be a part of the Apollo’s “Amateur Night.” “Amateur Night at the Apollo is looking for the best singers, dancers, comedians, rappers, spoken word artists, variety acts, and musicians. Every Wednesday, amateurs from all over hit the world-famous Apollo Theater Stage at the legendary, live weekly talent competition. Those chosen from the audition will have the chance to perform and compete for the grand prize of up to $20,000.”
Pipkin returned to NYC and the Apollo Theater on Wednesday, September 13, after advancing in the Amateur Night Auditions on September 9.
September 21 – Hutcherson returns to helm
Chester County Mayor Barry Hutcherson regains seat as Chairman at Monday evening’s County Commission meeting. Hutcherson and Barry Smith were both nominated, however Smith stated he would decline the nomination due to personal obligations.
September 28 – Sooooo-eeet victory!
Chester County hosted the inaugural Tennessee Hog Calling Championship during the 45th Annual Barbecue Festival last weekend. Fourteen participants competed for the honor of top Hog Caller and $1,000. Taking first prize was Freed-Hardeman University sophomore Marcus Williams and Morgan Moore earned second.
October 5 – Hampton Inn site development underway
Site development recently began for the Hampton Inn, that is to be built at the corner of US Hwy 45 and Main St. In addition to the hotel, an apartment complex is included in the plans, to be contructed south of the hotel. More information will be released as it becomes available.
October 12 – Henderson to receive $500K parks grant
$512,008.17 has been awarded to the City of Henderson for improvements at Gene Record Park. The project includes resurfacing of the existing playground; expanding the outer perimeter to add a swing element; a new restroom facility (approx. 26’ x 11’); an ADA-compliant path; a new playground area (approx. 70’ x 112’) with pour in place rubber, three play elements, one multi-story structure, slides, and swings; and a pavilion (approx. 16’ x 28’).
October 19 – Chester Co. Library breaks ground for expansion
The Chester County Library held their expansion Groundbreaking Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 16.
October 26 – Chester County salutes Hee Haw
Area residents turned out to Williams Auditorium Oct. 20 and Oct. 21 for the 10th annual rendition of Chester County’s Hee Haw Hootenany, presented by the Henderson | Chester County Chamber of Commerce. Attendees were rewarded with a variety of comedy skits and musical numbers, as well as a celebration of performances over the past 10 years.
November 2 – Chester County Library Receives Technology Grants
Senator Page Walley, Representative Kirk Haston and Secretary of State Tre Hargett supported the Chester County Library with a $4,174 Training Opportunities for the Public, TOP, Grant to provide digital literacy training and broadband services for its patrons and a $1,714 Technology Grant for new desktop computers and printers.
November 9 – No change to beer sale boundary, county recesses for election commission decision
In the decision to consider a change from the law which prohibits for the sale of beer within a 2,000 foot boundary of a school or church, the commission voted unanimously to leave the law as is. Prior to making their decision, Hutcherson allowed public comment, hearing from Pat Connor of Mifflin Baptist Church, Ronnie Geary with Cave Springs Baptist Church and Chester County Superintendent Troy Kilzer, each encouraging the commissioners to deny the request. Scott McCaskill addressed the commission in support of the change, which would directly affect his business in Mifflin.
Director Kathy Vest approached commissioners on behalf of the Chester County Election Commission, concerning the search for a new location to safely house the election equipment and offices and hold elections. Vest stated the National Secretaries of State Association has named Tennessee number one nationwide in Election Integrity for the second year standing, making it as important as ever to protect the integrity of local elections.
After some discussion, the commission decided to recess to allow Vest an opportunity to request a shorter lease and to provide additional time to procure bids for the Public Safety Building project.
November 16 – Colonel Jordan expresses “Freedom is not easy” in Veterans Day speech
The Henderson|Chester County community joined the nation in honoring all of those who have served and fought for our country on Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11.
Henderson native, Colonel Mark Jordan, was the keynote speaker for the Veterans Day program.
Col. Jordan is the Director of Aviation and Safety for the TN Army National Guard, serving as the State Army Aviation Officer, responsible for managing all Army Aviation assets within the state. He has served the TNARNG full-time since 2007.
“Freedom is not easy” is the title of the keynote speech that addressed honoring the veterans of our armed forces.
November 23 – East Chester Elementary honored as National ESEA Distinguished School
Chester County Director of Schools, Troy Kilzer II, along with East Chester Principal Paden Buckley, were recently notified of a highly esteemed honor for East Chester Elementary School.
ECES was selected as one of two schools in the state of Tennessee for the 2023 National ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) Distinguished Schools.
This award has never been given to a Chester County School, Kilzer said.
November 30 – Chester County Carl Perkins Center holds Dollar-For-Dollar Match Event
The season of giving is here! Now through December 17, there is an opportunity to donate to the Chester County Carl Perkins Center with a generous friend of the center willing to match every donation up to $36,000. That means every dollar you donate to help children and families is doubled. Furthermore, all of the donations will stay in Chester County. This opportunity goes on through December 17. To donate visit https://www.carlperkinscenter.org/you-can-help/donate.
December 7 – Suspect apprehended in shooting incident
According to the Chester County Sherrif’s Office, a suspect was apprehended around 5:07 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, after a shot was fired at law enforcement during a traffic stop.
On Monday, around 4 p.m., a caller reported a reckless driver in a silver vehicle on Hwy 100 near Chickasaw, stating that the driver was waving a handgun.
A sheriff’s deputy located the vehicle on West Main St. and attempted a traffic stop. The driver, an unidentified male, fired a single round at law enforcements officers, striking a Henderson Police Department vehicle. A vehicle pursuit proceeded north on Highway 200.
The suspect reportedly lost control of his vehicle south of Rabbit Ranch Road, and wrecked, then fled into the woods.
According to the CCSD, the suspect was apprehended and the firearm was recovered.
December 14 – Chester Co. Schools recognize the 2023-24 Teachers of the Year
Last week, Chester County Schools and Director of Schools Troy Kilzer II took time to show appreciation to the Chester County Teachers that earned recognition of being the 2023-2024 Teachers of Year. A small reception was held for these teachers on Thursday afternoon. Pictured standing is West Chester Elementary CCTOY Kelly Crowe, East Chester CCTOY Misti Elliott and Chester County High School CCTOY April Schulte. Pictured sitting is Chester County Middle School CCTOY Lesa Snider, Chester County Middle School CCTOY Cassie Cupples and Jacks Creek Elementary CCTOY Melissa Greenway. Not pictured is Chester County Junior High CCTOY Clint Ellis.
December 21 – Community celebrates East Chester earning ESEA
Last Friday, after school was dismissed for Christmas break, the Chester County Community, along with leaders from the State of Tennessee, celebrated East Chester Elementary for being awarded the high honor of ESEA (National Elementary and Secondary School Act) Distinguished School.
The award is described online as, “The National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program is a project of NAESPA that publicly recognizes qualifying federally-funded schools for positive educational advances and the outstanding academic achievement of their students.”
December 28 – Election office announces polling location changes
No voting will take place in any Chester County School going forward. On Election Day, voters who have traditionally voted at Jacks Creek Elementary School will now vote at Beech Springs Baptist Church located at 675 State Route 22A. Voters who have voted at Chester County Junior High School will now vote at Christ Community Church located at 638 White Ave. Voters who have been voting at West Chester Elementary School will now vote at Trinity United Methodist Church located at 1374 W. Main St.
