There were plenty of events that were held in the second half of 2022, as Portland, the nation and the world continued to emerge from the throes of the pandemic and return to normal life. Here are some of the highlights of what happened from July through December of this past year:
July
Jada Johnson Mitchell won the Mrs. Alabama pageant and went to Las Vegas for the Mrs. America pageant in August.
Kevin Harrison was named Campus Coordinator for the Tennessee Center for Applied Technology Nashville — Portland Campus (TCAT).
Aaron Emery’s mail truck caught on fire in front of Watt Hardison Elementary.
Highland Volunteer Fire Department hosted the Fifth Annual Fireworks in the Park at Mitchellville.
City of Portland Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to place the local option sales tax on the ballot to establish a uniform sales tax rate within all parts of the City of Portland.
Sand volleyball courts opened at Meadowbrook Park. The $60,000 courts were funded entirely from impact funds created by growth.
General Sessions Judge (Div. III) Mike Carter passed away. He was diagnosed in June 2020 with ALS.
Local WWII veteran Billy Bradley passed away. Bradley served in the Battle of the Bulge.
Portland West Middle School received a $5,000 grant from TVA for its STEM program.
Parkers Chapel celebrated its historical register designation with the unveiling of the historical marker at its 152nd Church Anniversary and Homecoming.
August
Strong winds damaged PHS baseball facilities.
Western Kentucky University junior and 2020 PHS graduate Zac Colovos accepted in the NASA Pathways Internship program at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
County Mayor Anthony Holt retired after three decades of public service.
County Election held with John Isbell elected county mayor, Toby Ellis elected Road Superintendent and Ron Blanton elected General Session Judge (Div. 1). Local county commissioners elected were Terry Wright, Darrell Rodgers, Mark Harrison, and Dillon Lamberth.
The Old Brush Cemetery annual Ice Cream Supper raised more than $26,000.
Dene Shehadi was recognized at a city council meeting for earning a gold medal at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando.
The Veranda celebrated its 10th anniversary. The Veranda provides respite care for its clients while giving their caregivers time to take care of their needs. It also offers a semi-annual caregiver conference. Renowned leader in the care for those with dementia Teepa Snow visited The Veranda during its celebration.
Generation Church reached out to the community during their Love week. Approximately 275 church members were involved in organizing the week and doing the various work projected throughout the community.
The Portland Chamber of Commerce held its first community pep rally to recognize the fall sports season before the last Music on Main performance featuring Dalton Elliott. Michele Harbin presented a check for $4,600 to purchase a collegiate-level mascot costume to Cheer Team sponsor Kira Harlow.
PHS graduate Addison Dorris was elected Student Body President at Tennessee Tech.
Historic Ebenezer Church held its annual Decoration Day service. The church and cemetery date back to 1846.
Longtime County Clerk Bill Kemp retired on Aug. 31 after serving more than three decades.
The Portland Senior Center received an $8,000 grant from the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability.
Kee Bryant-McCormick appointed new General Session Judge III. She filled the vacant post vacated by Judge Mike Carter, who passed away in July after a two-year battle with ALS.
PHS graduate Claudia Garcia was featured in a recent book published for young people covering 34 women who have excelled in the energy field.
The Portland Chamber of Commerce held its annual Farm to Table Dinner on Main Street.
September
TDOT holds a right-of-way meeting on the future of the Highway 109 bypass in Portland.
The council voted to lease old Farmers Bank building to the Portland Chamber of Commerce.
Mitchellville School held a reunion.
Portland Senior Center received an $8,000 grant from State of Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability.
PHS students honored 9/11 victims and heroes.
Conner Sherbeyn honored with the raising of a flag at city hall as he completed the Crucible training with the Marines.
Thomas Dillard’s write-in mayoral run created a charter question.
State Rep. William Lamberth appointed to special committee on criminal sentencing.
Members of the Portland Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class of 2022 sponsored a fundraiser for Circle M Therapeutic Farms for their project and raised over $16,000.
Newly elected Sumner County Mayor John Isbell spoke at the September luncheon of the Portland Chamber of Commerce.
October
General Session Judge I Jim Hunter retired after serving since July 2003.
Portland mayoral candidates participated in a forum sponsored by Portland Chamber of Commerce.
Judge Joe Thompson ruled that Thomas Dillard must step down as an alderman based on his ruling on state statutes that relate to a write-in candidate and the definition of a ballot.
Emily Butler Goddard was named principal at Sumner Middle Technical College.
Bandapalooza returned to Portland High School after a three-year pause.
The City named its airport field after manager Doug Hunter.
November
The Event raised $26,000 in scholarships and teacher grants.
WWII Navy Veteran Hank Allers recalled his life on the sea.
Temple Church celebrated its 60th anniversary,
The City of Portland held its annual Halloween in the Park.
The city held its 49th Annual Portland Harvest Craft Show and Sale.
Portland completed an agreement with the White House Utility District on a three-year deal to purchase water.
The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony held.
The city council took its first step toward completing splash pad project.
Former Portland High School Coach and former Principal at White House Middle School Carl Fussell passed away. A Carl Fussell Memorial Scholarship was established in his name to honor a PHS female athlete.
Michele Harbin announced the closing of Harbin Hollow Local Market.
Former Sumner County Register of Deeds Cindy Briley lost her year-long battle with cancer.
December
The Christmas Festival on Main Street and Christmas parade were held Dec. 3.
Mayor Mike Callis and four council members, Drew Jennings, Megann Thompson, Latoya Holcomb and Mike Hall were sworn in.
J. W. Wiseman Elementary School receives $50,000 grant from Dollar General for literacy.
“One Starry Night” returned to Oasis Seventh Day Adventist Church with a record crowd visiting the replica of the city of Bethlehem during the birth of Jesus.
Pastor Tim Colovos of First Baptist Church of Portland delivered his final sermon Dec. 11. Colovos will be the chaplain at Hospice of Southern Kentucky in Bowling Green.
The city held its annual Visit with Santa.
Portland church of Christ welcomed a new minister, Bro. Bud Woodall.
Portland High School Band held its annual Christmas concert
The Portland Police Department recognized graduates of its second Citizens Police Academy.
Local truck driver Eric Long, donated hand made quilts to Hands of Hope.
Country music artist and Portland native Ronnie McDowell held his annual Children’s Christmas shopping trip.
