4/8/25

NASHVILLE – Tennessee State Parks and the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy are holding the 5th annual fundraising drive for the parks through April 30, with two additional ways to contribute this year.

The My TN State Park fundraiser, as in past years, gives supporters the opportunity to “vote” for their favorite parks through contributions. Each dollar donated to a park will count as one vote for that park, and every donation directly benefits the park. Contributions go toward projects identified by park staff.

Other options for donors are the Kids in Parks and Trail Pack programs. Kids in Parks supports Title 1 public schools with funds to cover transportation, making educational field trips to neighboring state parks possible. The Trail Pack was created to protect, enhance, and develop trails across Tennessee State Parks and natural areas.

Anyone who wants to vote for their favorite park in the My TN State Park fundraiser can do so online at the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy website.

Anyone who wants to donate to the Kids in Parks program may do so online at a Kids in Parks page on the Conservancy site.

Anyone who wants to donate to the Trail Pack program may do so on the Trail Pack page on the Conservancy site.

“We are grateful for the support we receive from donors, and the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy is a great partner,” said Greer Tidwell, deputy commissioner for Conservation at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. “This is a way for donors to help each park meet specific needs.”

“Tennessee State Parks Conservancy is excited to partner with Tennessee State Parks. Our fundraiser is more than just an opportunity to give – it’s a way for park enthusiasts to express their devotion to parks and ensure these beloved spaces thrive for future generations,” said Conservancy Executive Director Alex Wyss.

The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy, established in 2016, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, working with donors and the state to raise funds and support programs at the state parks.

Tennessee State Parks is one of only seven state parks systems in the nation with free admission.

 

4/8/25

NASHVILLE – Tennessee State Parks will host a variety of special spring and Easter events throughout the state and invite all Tennesseans to visit.

Spring events include:
• Warriors’ Path State Park will hold its 46th annual Spring Nature Festival April 11-13, including “mini-seminars” and guided hikes on a range of topics led by naturalists.
• Fort Loudoun State Historic Park will host its Spring Garrison April 11-12, with reenactors of the French and Indian War bringing the fort to life.
• Standing Stone State Park will hold its annual Spring Nature Rally April 11-12 with topics covering everything from wildflowers to fish to birds of prey.

The parks get ready for Easter with egg hunts at various locations including:
• April 11 at Tims Ford State Park in Winchester
• April 12 at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park in Millington
• April 18 at T.O. Fuller State Park in Memphis (nighttime)
• April 19 at T.O. Fuller State Park in Memphis (daytime)
• April 19 at Fall Creek Falls State Park in Spencer
• April 19 at Long Hunter State Park in Hermitage

For Easter meals April 20:
• Cumberland Mountain State Park in Crossville will host an Easter lunch buffet, matched with views of Byrd Lake.
• Fall Creek Falls State Park in Spencer plans an Easter buffet at the Conference Center in the lodge.
• David Crockett State Park in Lawrenceburg offers a family meal to match its hiking and biking trails.
• Henry Horton State Park in Chapel Hill will host a family meal that can go with the usual hiking, biking, and visiting the Duck River.
• Montgomery Bell State Park in Burns will offer a family meal in addition to an exhibition of birds of prey.
• Paris Landing State Park in Paris will have a special Easter meal and brunch while still offering its regular menu.
• Pickwick Landing State Park in Counce will offer a meal with a variety of the park’s recreation options available.

A list of Spring and Easter events at parks are available online.

For those who want to give to others this Easter, the state parks have plenty of items available for purchase online.

The parks also suggest a subscription to the Tennessee Conservationist.

 

4/7/25

NASHVILLE – Taylor Zarzour was in Knoxville last August for the University of Tennessee’s season-opener against Chattanooga, working as the play-by-play man for SEC Network.

When he checked his text messages during a break in the action, there was one from Mike Keith, long-time Voice of the Titans. The gist of the message: Nice job, and props to the broadcast crew for keeping things interesting in what was a lopsided, 69-3 finish.

Fast-forward to last week, and Zarzour was on the phone with Keith, who is now in Knoxville himself as the new play-by-play man for the Vols. Keith was congratulating Zarzour once again, and also encouraging him, as he steps into his new role with the Tennessee Titans.

Zarzour on Monday was officially announced as the new play-by-play man of the Titans, where he’ll replace Keith.

“I know people always say this, when they get a job that they are excited about, how it is like a dream come true, or a chance of a lifetime,” Zarzour said. “To sit here today, I can’t stop thinking about this opportunity, and I am really excited to get going. The things that are the most fulfilling to me are calling sporting events, doing football, and golf, but doing play-by-play and being the extension of a community.

“To be the voice of a team in a town my wife and I have always dreamed of living in, I can’t believe it. I am super excited about it.”

In addition to being the team’s play-by-play announcer, Zarzour will host both the “Brian Callahan Show” radio program and “Titans Football with Brian Callahan” television show, as well as various other interviews and events. The full 2025 Titans broadcast team will be finalized in the near future.

For Zarzour, the return to Nashville will be a homecoming of sorts.

Twenty-four years ago, he was co-host for the “Morning Sports Page” on Sports Radio 560 in Nashville before returning to his hometown of Mobile, where he served as the Program Director and Afternoon Host for Sports Radio 105.5 WNSP. Zarzour began his broadcasting career as a sports reporter for WEAR TV in Pensacola, Fla.

“I knew he was destined for big things,” said Bob McClellan, who was Zarzour’s co-host at 560-AM in Nashville. “He was all about it, was so happy to be there, eager to be a part of it. He definitely had the enthusiasm and the want-to to get to where he has gotten to now. So, to hear about this, it’s pretty cool. I’m fired up for him.”

SEC fans know Zarzour for his role as play-by-play commentator for SEC Network’s Saturday afternoon college football games. He originally joined ESPN in 2015, and has also called college baseball games.

In addition, Zarzour is a host and director for SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio and serves as the radio voice for golf’s major championships. He’s working The Masters golf tournament this week.

Zarzour will continue in his roles with college sports and golf, but his home base will be Nashville, with the Titans.

“We are so excited to welcome Taylor back to Nashville, and to add him to our team as Titans broadcaster,” said Titans Sr. VP of Brand Marketing, Erin Swartz. “We were immediately struck by his passion for connecting with fans through his broadcasts, and by the energy he brings to his work. We know he’ll fit right into the Titans community and can’t wait for fans to meet him.”

Zarzour, who graduated from Huntingdon College (Montgomery, Ala.) in 2000, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, moved to North Carolina in 2004 as the Program Director and Morning Host for Triangle Sports Talk 1490/1090 in Raleigh/Durham. He later became the Sports Director for Curtis Media Group in Raleigh, while also hosting his own daily sports talk show. In January 2011, Zarzour moved to Charlotte to join 610 WFNZ, as the host of The Drive each weekday afternoon.

Zarzour said he has a lot of friends in Nashville, and connections in the community. His wife, Betsy, went to college at the University of the South in Sewanee.

Zarzour knows he has a tough act to follow in Keith, someone he’s admired from afar.

“I think the world of Mike – I’ve always been a big fan of his, and think he’s always done such an incredible job of calling a game but also being an extension of the community, of the fan base,” Zarzour said. “And I will certainly try in my own way to create that connection as well. I am certainly not going to try to be him, I’ll try to be me. But, make no mistake, we are going to celebrate Mike forever, and we are going to play Mike’s greatest calls, and refer to his greatest calls. And, if (President and CEO) Burke (Nihill) gets mad at me, that’s fine, but I hope we name the radio booth in the new stadium after Mike Keith, and I mean that. He deserves that – it should be “The Mike Keith Radio Booth” in the new stadium.

“But I do think people will see very quickly that I get really excited about representing a team and a community, the way Mike did. But I am going to sound like Taylor, I am not going to sound like Mike.”

And, Zarzour said he’s ready to represent the Titans.

“When I was a kid, I loved listening to football games on the radio, and one person in particular that really stands out is Larry Munson, just the way he connected to Georgia fans and how he represented them. And obviously he has strong ties to Nashville, too, (from his days at Vanderbilt),” Zarzour said.

“I just always loved how he represented everyone that was listening on that broadcast. And I’m not saying that I’m going to be as strong of being a homer as he was, but I am going to be the voice of the Titans, that’s for sure. I love being a neutral, call-it-down the middle SEC commentator on Saturdays. But on Sundays, I am the voice of the Titans, and I am very excited about representing the fan base.

“And, I’ll say this,” Zarzour added. “As excited as I am to call games on Sundays, representing the community and all the (Titans Radio) affiliates in the footprint, and living in Nashville and representing the Titans, that is just as exciting as calling the games to me. My wife and I are really excited about that.”

4/01/25

By unanimous vote, the Marshall County Board of Education has voted to go into contact negotiations with Dr. Justin Perry to be the next Director of Schools for Marshall County. There will be a work session meeting immediately following the budget committee meeting on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the proposed contact for Dr. Perry. Immediately following the work session, a special called meeting will be held to vote on the Director of Schools contract.

 

Agenda for special called meeting:

1. Vote on Director of Schools contract.

MEDIA NOTIFICATION PRESS RELEASE
4/5/2025

The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting sobriety roadside safety checkpoints during the week of 5/23/25 on STATE ROUTE 50 at mile marker 0 in Marshall County starting at 10:00 PM.

Impaired driving is a serious crime that kills more than 16,000 people and injures 305,000 people every year in the United States. Troopers will evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. Troopers will target those who operate a vehicle while impaired and take corrective actions for other violations observed while ensuring the protection of all motorists.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol recognizes that sobriety checkpoints are highly visible and effective tools in the battle against impaired driving.