Two small children were saved from a house fire May 17, thanks to fast-acting neighbors and the Tipton County Fire Chief. Reports of a fire at Broadmeadow Place Apartments, with two children trapped inside, came in at 3:15 p.m. Covington Police Sgt. William Nelson and officers Jonathan Lightsey and Penny Barnes were on the scene immediately and residents of Broadmeadow were … [Read more...] about Neighbors, fire chief saved the lives of two children in Broadmeadow fire
Black History
Seven things to know about the legendary Isaac Hayes
Friday marks a decade since the death of world-renowned singer/songwriter Isaac Hayes, a Tipton County native, who will be celebrated in Covington next weekend. Though he moved to Memphis early on, Hayes never forgot his roots. Here are some of the highlights of his life and how he remained integrated with Tipton County. 1. He lived across from Steven Chapel M.B. Church Born … [Read more...] about Seven things to know about the legendary Isaac Hayes
African-Americans enlisted in World War I to prove patriotism
More than 350,000 Black Americans served in segregated units during World War I and Townsend Cemetery in Covington is the final resting place for many of them. When the United States declared war against Germany in April 1917, the War Department quickly realized that the United States did not have enough men to ensure a victory overseas. On May 18, 1917, congress passed the … [Read more...] about African-Americans enlisted in World War I to prove patriotism
Surviving the Storm: Fayne family comes together 50 years after a tornado leveled their home in Brighton
It started out as a beautiful day for the Fayne family. But the night of April 3, 1968 turned tragic for the family after a tornado swept through Tipton County and destroyed their house on Lucy Kelley Road in Brighton. Back then, the siblings ranged in age from toddlers to teenagers: Clay Fayne Peete, 17; Regenia Fayne Dowell, 16; Clifford Fayne, 14; Delphine Fayne Taylor, 12; … [Read more...] about Surviving the Storm: Fayne family comes together 50 years after a tornado leveled their home in Brighton
“You could die”: Minnie Bommer on life, activism since Dr. King’s assassination
COVINGTON – It’s the day before the 50th anniversary of the shooting death of Martin Luther King Jr. and Minnie Bommer is looking at a reprint of the April 11, 1968 Covington Leader. At the bottom of the page is a story about Covington’s unit of the Tennessee National Guard assisting with riot control in Memphis after King’s assassination. The end of the story shares news of a … [Read more...] about “You could die”: Minnie Bommer on life, activism since Dr. King’s assassination
The Town of Mason will salute three African-American women trailblazers
On Saturday, the Town of Mason will salute three African-American women trailblazers from West Tennessee at its first Black History program. “We indeed have three unique women of color who have left their mark on history,” said Kelvin Willis, special liaison to the mayor. The program will honor Gwendolyn Kilpatrick, Covington Alderwoman Minnie Bommer and Judge Bernice B. Donald … [Read more...] about The Town of Mason will salute three African-American women trailblazers
Did you know B.B. King played in Covington?
According to locals who remember, during the early days of his career, B.B. King used to play in Covington. As remembered by Covington alderwoman Minnie Bommer, Eugene “Nez” Eaton and his wife Katie Bell ran Eaton's Cafe on North Main Street for nearly 20 years. The cafe was located on the lot that is now greenspace next to the existing Burnett’s Bar B-Q, and there was an … [Read more...] about Did you know B.B. King played in Covington?
The Tipton County Museum will host an exhibit featuring Tuskegee Airman Luke Weathers Jr.
Luke Weathers III was an adult when he realized his father’s legacy needed to be shared. He’d just started working and a friend introduced him as the son of Luke Weathers Jr., the famed Tuskegee Airman. “He laughed and said there were no African-American pilots and it was then when I realized that people didn’t really know the truth.” Weathers said he’s made it his mission to … [Read more...] about The Tipton County Museum will host an exhibit featuring Tuskegee Airman Luke Weathers Jr.
