Chances are, if you're listening to a local radio station, you're listening to a station that is owned by Thomas Media. Thomas Media's vast lineup includes Star 107.7, WYN 106.9, 102.3 The Rocket, 96 KIX, and Hot 96.1. Between these five radio stations alone, over 70% of the Jackson, Tennessee population is reached every day, with around 130,000 adults daily. Factor in its websites, Facebook pages and digital platforms that reach increases dramatically.

Thomas Media began in 2000, when the owners discovered needs in the market area they could fill. Jackson was also poised to grow in a dramatic fashion over the next 10 years - which it did. A new radio group, Thomas Media, was formed that delivers to a larger share of the market than any other media outlet in the area.

Satisfying the listener's demands is only a part of the equation. Working with small to large locally owned businesses every day is very rewarding and fun, according to Thomas Media's Vice President and Manager, Chip Thomas. Chip says, "It is gratifying to help our clients find ways to grow their business and reach new customers they didn't even realize they were missing."

Add great on-air talent, sales, management and a wonderful office staff and you have a great team. But don't forget the community involvement. The stations and employees are heavily involved in giving back to the community and West Tennessee, helping hundreds of organizations, groups and individuals daily. There are many ways to help, from organizations talking live on any of the stations, to the on-air talent talking about their event, to the station broadcasting live at their event or posts about their event on one of the several Facebook pages or websites. And it doesn't stop there. Employees also volunteer at some of these events, as well, enhancing their causes in West Tennessee.

Jackson has been home to Thomas Media for 20 years. Vice President/General Manager Chip Thomas says that, "Jackson has everything in terms of amenities as most larger cities. We hope to strengthen our relationships with our listeners, advertisers and the community in order to serve West Tennessee even better in the years to come."

Find out more about Thomas Media on its website.

The City of Jackson will receive sealed Requests for Proposals for the performance of a Financial and Compliance Audit for the City.

Sealed proposals, subject to the conditions specified HERE, will be received until 10:30 o'clock A.M. on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 in the Purchasing Department at City Hall, will be opened and read before a committee who will make the recommendation for furnishing the following supplies and/or services to be delivered in accordance with the following instructions:

Deliver Product or Service to: Recorder's Office Jackson, TN 38301 Mail or Deliver the Proposal Clearly Marked: Audit RFP to City Hall, llS E. Main, Suite 202, Jackson, TN 38301 Attn: Purchasing

DELIVERY CHARGES OF PRODUCTS/SERVICES/SAMPLES ARE TO BE PREPAID AT PROPOSERS EXPENSE TO POINT OF DESTINATION F.O.B. JACKSON, TENNESSEE AND BACK.

Leaders Education Foundation, a non-profit 501C-3 formed by Leaders Credit Union, is pleased to award ten West Tennessee educators with the L.E.A.D.S. Educator Grant. This program awards ten $1,000 grants to area educators whose initiatives empower students to Learn, Experience, Advocate, Dream, and Serve.

“The L.E.A.D.S. Educator Grant embodies who we are as an organization because we are here to serve, advocate and educate our members and allow them to dream of a new future,” said Leigh Anne Bentley, President of Leaders Education Foundation. “Especially in 2020, we are proud to support educators as they navigate through an uncertain school year.”

Grant proposals range from funds for agriculture livestock pasture, a virtual field trip, band program equipment, to funding for a school broadcasting drone. Grant submissions included a short video explaining the need and use of the grant money. Twelve proposals were submitted, and the top ten winners were chosen by the community via social media voting. Winners include:

Grant Project: Bradford Agriculture Livestock Pasture

Grant Project: Band iPad

Grant Project: Podcast Recording Equipment

Grant Project: Virtual Field Trip to Jamestown, Virginia

Grant Project: Student Study Spots

Grant Project: Class Fundraiser Campaign

Grant Project: Eagle Vision Network Drone Project

Grant Project: Madison’s Academic Decathlon

Grant Project: Robots in the Classroom

Grant Project: Books for Scholars

“We’ve been amazed with each grant submission we received,” Bentley said. “Success is in the power of people helping people, and we plan to continue to lead the way.”

About Leaders Education Foundation

Leaders Education Foundation is as a non-profit 501c3 organization based in Jackson, Tenn. Established in 2019, the Foundation allows community-minded citizens, members, and organizations to unite to makes lives better together. The Foundation invests back into the local community through scholarships, grants, and financial literacy resources to provide educational opportunities promoting workforce development, job enhancement, lifelong learning, and training for students, teachers, and our community. For more information about Leaders Education Foundation, please visit its website.

Stephanie Conquest

Stephanie Conquest, RN, CASC, CAIP, Assistant Clinical Director of the Physicians Surgery Center in Jackson, has been awarded the Certified Administrator Surgery Center (CASC) credential.

The CASC credential is a distinction awarded to individuals who have a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge and skills required by professionals in the ambulatory (ASC) surgery center industry. The exam taken to earn the credential tests knowledge in five areas: delivery of patient care, quality management, human resources, financial, and regulatory and legal issues.

Conquest earned her nursing degree from the University of Saint Francis; she will complete her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in December and will begin a Master of Healthcare Administration degree in January. Conquest has worked in the (ASC) industry for 24 years and has been in her position at the Physicians Surgery Center since 2016.

Besides her CASC award, Conquest is also a Certified Ambulatory Infection Preventionist. She serves on the Tennessee Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Board of Directors and is a member of that association’s Education Committee and the American Society of Perianesthesia Nurses Clinical Practice Committee.

“We are fortunate to have Stephanie with her experience and knowledge at Physicians Surgery Center,” said Donna W. Klutts, CEO/Administrative Director of Physicians Surgery Center. “She is an important part of the surgery center’s ongoing excellence.”

Physicians Surgery Center is recognized with a 5-Star Medicare rating and Certificate for Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care because of its commitment to high quality and substantial compliance standards. The Surgery Center completes approximately 8,000 surgeries annually with medical specialties of ophthalmology, orthopedics, interventional pain management, plastics and urology. Founded in 1995, the center is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. For more information, visit PhysiciansSurgeryCenter.com.

Christie Keen joins Arrington Funeral Directors.

Arrington Funeral Directors always seeks to provide those they serve in the Jackson area with the most compassionate and comprehensive care possible. One aspect of achieving this mission is acquiring a staff that can ensure that families receive expert advice and assistance in all areas of the funeral process. Christie Keen joins the Arrington staff with numerous certifications and experience that will make her an invaluable addition to the team.

Christie is originally from Monticello, Kentucky, but 26 years ago she settled down in Clay County, Tennessee, northeast of Nashville. In December of 2014, she graduated from John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science with an Associate of Arts. One month later, she passed the National Board Examination. Along with being a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in Tennessee, Christie went on in 2015 to become licensed in Kentucky.

As a requirement for her degree, in 2015, Christie completed an apprenticeship at Upton-Hay Funeral Home in Celina, TN, where she continued to work as a funeral director after graduation.

“I am grateful for the opportunity I had to work at the Upton-Hay Funeral Home and the skills I have gained can now be carried with me to Arrington Funeral Directors,” Christie said. “It was through fervent prayer that I found myself fulfilling my childhood desires to become a funeral director, and I will continue to do all that I can to honor what that means. I will represent those who I serve in the Jackson community with the highest of standards and utmost integrity.”

In 2013, Christie completed the necessary courses at Kaplan University in Nashville to become a licensed insurance agent, going on to become a Tennessee-licensed Preneed Sales Agent. And in 2020, she attended and completed the National Funeral Directors Association Cremation Certification Program, passing the required tests to become a Certified Crematory Operator. Cremation is an increasingly popular choice for families to handle their loved one’s remains; Christie’s many prestigious achievements and certifications are spurred always by a desire to maximize her ability to assist the families she serves.

Christie was an active member of the community while living in Clay County, serving as Chairperson for Christmas parades and Relay for Life events, as well as being a 3 Star member of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce. She was appointed Secretary/Treasurer of the Upper Cumberland Funeral Directors Association in 2018 and 2019 and was on the Convention Planning Committee for the 2019 Tennessee Funeral Directors Association Convention. As well as still being a member of TFDA and NFDA, Christie looks forward to becoming involved in Madison County and the surrounding area alongside providing quality service as a funeral director with Arrington Funeral Directors.

About Arrington:

Arrington Funeral Directors has been serving the Jackson area for 25 years. It is locally owned, with employees who have roots in the Jackson and surrounding community. Arrington built a versatile funeral home on University Parkway, installed an on-site crematory, and continue to expand the services they provide to the community. Today, it serves the families of Jackson and the surrounding area with a comprehensive selection of funeral services. The Arrington Difference - When Quality Matters.

CSM Group is a specialty services provider within the A/E/C industry. Its founder, Steve East, turned a passion for construction - led by safety and technology - into a small business with a big idea. He started a family-run business in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1983 that sold a service no other general contractor could provide: tailored project management solutions that fit the needs of the client. Steve’s business, which set a standard for customer service, took off and helped build the foundation of CSM Group.

In the three decades that have followed Steve’s journey, the customization of its services, the ability to identify new opportunities in the A/E/C market, and its client-first approach to business have facilitated the business’s expansion from construction into project planning, regulatory compliance, and technology.

CSM Group has managed projects in 35 states across the country, as well as Canada, and has become a trusted expert to business owners, facility managers, IT professionals, production engineers, and many more across the industries it operates within.

Its portfolio of experience includes managing projects within the regulated and specialized environments of the food and beverage, industrial manufacturing, healthcare, advanced technologies, education, and commercial market segments.

As a firm invested in the future of communities, one of its philosophies is to keep jobs and dollars in the local economy. Therefore, it strives to hire as many local subcontractors as possible to promote this objective and support the local workforce, which includes Jackson, Tennessee residents. CSM Group doesn’t self-perform work; therefore, it is never in a position to compete with its subcontractors on projects or have a conflict of interest to ensure the clients’ best interests are served.

Through community involvement, sustainable business practices, proactive safety initiatives, and unwavering integrity, the business is steadfast advocates for its clients, employees, and the communities in which employees live, work, and serve. In 2019, CSM Group donated more than $100,000 in charitable contributions to nonprofit organizations across the United States and hold quarterly donation drives hosted by its internal philanthropy committee. CSM Group strongly believes in giving back to the communities that welcome it with open arms and look forward to building relationships within the Jackson-Madison County and West Tennessee communities.

Since 1997, AHC Northbrooke has provided Madison county and the surrounding communities high-quality, compassionate health care in a residential setting. The community offers a full range of short-term rehabilitative treatments for patients recovering from stroke, surgery, injury, and other health events, as well as daily care for long-term residents.

AHC Northbrooke is part of the American Health Communities (AHC) network of 29 skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities across Tennessee and Northern Alabama. Their patient-centered care teams focus on helping individuals enjoy the highest quality of life possible.

Brad Rogers, the facility administrator, notes the location is among its many appealing features. Nestled safely in a private and quiet cul-de-sac, AHC Northbrooke is clean, expertly staffed, and constantly being renovated and updated.

As a place to call home for those who need more long-term care and assistance, the staff at AHC Northbrooke creates a sense of community. They offer a variety of activities to keep residents active including exercise, music, crafts, worship, ice cream trucks, Bingo, and monthly themed parties. Top-notch dining facilities offer tasty meals planned by dietary professionals that meet any dietary needs.

“We have strong employees to work with,” Rogers says, “They are dedicated and compassionate towards the care they provide.” He boasts about the rave reviews received by the excellent rehabilitative services team.

Providing an array of employment opportunities for the Jackson area, the team of AHC Northbrooke is an ideal place to work and grow a career. They are looking for people with a passion for service who love being part of a team of caring professionals making a difference in the lives of its residents. There are opportunities for talented LPNs and CNAs, and other roles that provide a comprehensive patient and resident care experience.

During these unusual times, the staff at AHC Northbrooke is taking special care to follow CDC guidelines and protect the health and safety of their residents, who are an especially vulnerable population. They encourage residents to keep their spirits up and remain in touch with loved ones by facilitating a lot of Skype and FaceTime sessions or telephone calls. While following safe social distancing guidelines, residents stay active and engaged with hallway Bingo and seasonal parties. Everyone is eager for life to return to normal, as soon as it is safe to do so. Some of the most popular activities will gradually return like reopening to family visits, worship services, pet therapy, music performances, and including visitors in many activities.

If you or a loved one is interested in the facility for your healthcare needs, call Korie McNabb, admissions coordinator, at (731) 664-5050 and discuss what the facility has to offer. Tours are limited to exterior and virtual viewing at this time for the safety of all of its residents and staff.

AHC Northbrooke is located at 121 Physicians Dr., Jackson, TN 38305. Visit AHC-Northbrooke for more information.

11/13 - 1/3 - Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland - Jackson

11/20 - 12/30 - Let It Glow Light Show - Discovery Park of America

11/30 - Trenton Christmas Parade - 6pm

12/1 - 12/31 - Christmas in the Park - Pickwick Landing State Park

12/1 - 12/30 - Light It Up Brownsville - Brownsville

12/2 - Milan Christmas Parade - 6:30pm

            tree lighting ceremony Facebook live on 12/1 at 5:30pm on City of Milan page

12/3 - Henderson Christmas Parade -7pm

            also stream live on Henderson/Chester County Chamber Facebook page

12/7 - Bolivar Christmas Parade - 6pm

12/7 - A Hub City Christmas Concert *televised* - 7pm

12/11 - 12/13 - Lighting of the Park - Chickasaw State Park

12/14 - Savannah Christmas Parade (On Display) - 6:30pm