Year End Review

continued from last week...

March 2023

Juveniles charged after burglary

March 8, a patron using the charging bench at the Lewis County Library heard glass breaking across the street. Hohenwald Police Department officers noticed the front door busted on the Last Chance Market store on North Park. The business was closed for the day, and upon further inspection, the store owner confirmed large amounts of vapes and candy were missing, among other things. Officers spotted two individuals matching the description and the two allowed a search of their backpacks which revealed them to be full of vapes and candy. The suspects, a 17 year old male and 15 year old female, confessed to the theft, and the next day were charged with vandalism, burglary and theft and remanded to DCS custody.

Home compliance check leads to arrest

On Friday, March 17, the Hohenwald Police Department was called to safety-assist with a home compliance check at the address of 109 Swan Avenue. During the home check, the probation officer discovered pills, scales, residue-pasted paraphernalia such as cut straws, pipes, etc. Also found and sent off for testing, was a crystal rocky substance believed to be methamphetamine.

During the search, seven individuals were charged, and five went to jail. Some were wanted with outstanding warrants.

Two juveniles recovered after reported missing

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Department reported that two juveniles went missing recently.

One teen went missing from her home on March 10, and was recovered March 11. The other teen went missing from the high school after he walked away from the school on Tuesday, March 6, and wasn’t recovered until March 13.

The two cases were unrelated but both teens have been located safe and sound.

City seizes vehicles from private property

After several months of attempting to negotiate an amicable solution and issuing multiple citations, four vehicles violating a city ordinance were removed from a residence on South Park Street.

Ribbon cutting for Reimagining America: The maps of Lewis and Clark exhibit

The Lewis County Historical Society, Friends of the Library, the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce and many from the community gathered for the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the “Reimagining America: The Maps of Lewis & Clark” exhibit. Out of several counties vying for the exhibit, Lewis County was selected due in large part to the county being the home of the Meriwether Lewis Monument on the Natchez Trace.

April 2023

Lewis County declared state of emergency

Late Friday night, March 31, and early Saturday morning, April 1, the tornado sirens in town rang loud, warning residents to take cover as a verified tornado was on the ground, and parts of Lewis County were in its path. Some went underground, some piled their children in the tub with a mattress over top, some filled the Fire Hall, and some slept right through it.

After assessing the aftermath, the National Weather Service determined parts of Lewis County was hit by an F2 tornado with peak winds of 130 miles per hour. This is the same tornado that also struck McNairy and Hardin Counties that left at least nine dead. Lewis County had no reported injuries or deaths due to the storm.

Meet the Candidates

Candidates running for City of Hohenwald offices in the May election were announced.

Danny McKnight ran unopposed for Mayor. Vying for City Council seats were Kevin King, Scottie Bass, Don Barber, Chris Trull and Susan Hensley.

Readers Choice Best Man and Woman

Haley and Cody Mitchell were announced as the winners of Best Man and Best Woman of 2023 in the annual Lewis County Herald’s Readers Choice awards.

Oliver Fiberglass celebrates milestone of 150,000 Safe Step Walk-In Tubs

Oliver Fiberglass Products, a leading manufacturer of fiberglass products in Hohenwald, celebrated the major milestone of 150,000 Safe Step Walk-In Tubs sold on Thursday, April 6. Safe Step Walk-In Tub, a leading provider of walk-in bathing products, has had an exclusive manufacturing partnership with Oliver for several years. They are both thrilled about their success and the ability to help so many people live safer, healthier lives with these products. The Safe Step Walk-In Tub is designed to provide safety and comfort for individuals with mobility issues or other physical challenges. To commemorate this achievement, Oliver and Safe Step hosted a celebratory lunch event at the Oliver manufacturing plant in Hohenwald.

Deputies graduate law enforcement academy

Christian Pelkey and Natasha Courter are the newest graduates of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Deputies graduated the twelve week program on March 31st, 2023.

Lewis County Schools offers teacher apprenticeship program

Beginning this summer, Lewis County Schools has their first Grow Your Own Program partnership with UT Southern in Pulaski. The GYO Program allows the apprentices to continue to work in the school while completing an online teaching degree with UT Southern.

Prom King and Queen

Ty Twist and Kerrigan Reeves were named as Lewis County High School Prom King and Queen.

May 2023

Adam Clark named LCHS Principal

Lewis County School District is pleased to announce that Adam Clark will be the new principal of Lewis County High School, effective June 2. Clark brings extensive experience and a passion for education to his new role.

Clark has over two decades of experience in education, with his most recent position being the principal of Lewis County Middle School. Mr. Clark has made positive school culture a focus at the school.

Hohenwald Springfest

The 11th Annual Hohenwald Springfest was held May 5 & 6. Memorial Park was transformed into a festival grounds where there will be entertainment for all ages!

Ticked Off at Cancer Ride

The 12th annual Ticked Off At Cancer Ride was held Saturday, May 6. The 2023 event was in honor of Larry Skelton who started this ride 12 years ago which has helped the Lewis County Cancer Victims Fund help so many. This year the event’s cancer ribbon was in honor of friend and ride supporter Pineapple Barber in his cancer color.

Swearing in of new city officials

Hohenwald citizens elected the 2023 City Mayor and Council. Out of approximately 2300 registered city voters, 388 voted.

Mayor Danny McKnight, along with City Council members Scottie Bass, Vice-Mayor Don Barber, Chris Trull and Kevin King were sworn in May 9.

Third Dollar General location

proposed to Planning Commission

The Hohenwald Planning Commission met Monday, May 2nd, to discuss several items of business.

Recommended for rezoning was a two acre parcel of land adjacent to TCAT including the land TCAT sits on. The plan is to rezone it as commercial property with the intent to construct a Dollar General Store so as to benefit the residents on the west side of Lewis County, as well as “people who come and go from the river.” If constructed, the plan is to design the entrance to align with the entrance of the High School in the case a red light is ever needed and placed.

Coach’s Corner Farmers Market opens

The opening day of Coach’s Corner Farmers Market was announced as Thursday, May 25 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. There will be a wide variety of goods, including locally produced beef, fresh produce, fried pies, homemade candy, homemade craft items, eggs, handmade soaps and much more.

continued in next week’s issue