As we begin a new decade we wanted to have a look back at the things that made news – good, bad and inspiring – from 2010-19.
It was a decade with unspeakable tragedy, politicians behaving badly, extreme weather and small towns rallying around their own in a way others cannot.
This is part four of our series and it’s all about the best news of the decade. The other parts in this series cover the most shocking crimes, local politics, weird weather events and the way the community comes together in tragedy.
Though there was violence, political wins and scandals in local government, there were a lot of really great things that happened this past decade, too.
Munford Band just keeps winning
There’s no denying the Munford Band is the best band in all the land.
In 2011, the band brought home the USSBA Group 6 national championship.
“What could top that?” you might think.
They showed us all – two more once-in-a-lifetime opportunities came.
In 2015, they marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. On Jan. 1, 2019, they marched in the Tournament of Roses parade. In October 2019, they won their 20th Bandmasters Championship.
What’s next for Munford’s band? We’ll wait and see – we know it’ll be great.
Atoka grows and grows
Though most of its growth happened the decade prior, when it was named the fastest-growing city in the state, this was also a great decade for Atoka.
In 2011, it celebrated its centennial. By the next year Atoka was at odds with Munford over their shared fire department due to being understaffed in Atoka.
In 2013, the first Atoka BBQ Festival was held in Nancy Lane Park. It remains one of the most popular events the town has each year.
In 2014, a fire department was formed after citizens voted to increase taxes to provide revenue for its establishment and operation.
In 2015, the fire department begins its operation and the town breaks ground on its new municipal complex.
The following year, its population surpasses Covington’s, 9,064 to 9,036.
All throughout the 2010s, new housing developments have continued to expand the South Tipton town.
Munford residents win the Powerball
Could you imagine winning one of the biggest Powerball jackpots in history? Munford residents actually did in 2016.
At 1 in 292.2 million, the odds, certainly, were not in anyone’s favor, but two other winning tickets – one in California, the other in Florida – had also been sold.
The ticket for the historic $1.5 billion jackpot was purchased at Naifeh’s.
Winners have 180 days in which to claim their prize and Munford’s Johnny and Lisa Robinson pulled a fast one on the media, appearing on morning news shows the following day announcing they were the Tennessee winners.
The Robinsons have since moved from Munford, and the hype has died down, but few people have forgotten the luck of their win.
Unilever switches to ice cream
As the nation crawled out of a double-dip recession at the beginning of the last decade, many local industries were downsizing and closing, but Unilever changed its game.
Formerly the Slim-Fast production facility, it was announced in 2013 the Covington plant would become the world’s largest ice cream factory. (Not in size, though, just production.)
The facility made way for related industries like U.S. Cold Storage and CSC Sugaright to come in and is the home to brands such as Klondike, Good Humor, Popsicle and more.
Author: Echo Day
Echo Day is an award-winning journalist, photographer and designer. She is currently The Leader's managing editor.
