By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.—Sarah Cate Orr became the youngest person to receive Henry County’s Loyal Patriot’s Award at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Henry County Commission.
Orr is a senior at Henry County High School and has organized the No Limits Livestock Show as a way to give the special education students of Henry County an opportunity to exhibit small livestock at the Henry County Fair and to give them the opportunity to work with mentors to prepare for the show.
Orr was a guest on our radio stations’ 2021 Helping Hand Auction program today, spotlighting the No Limits program.
County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway said, “I’m really excited about tonight,” noting Orr’s dream of starting the program. “As you all know, we didn’t have a fair last year because of COVID. But even at the age of 18, she didn’t let that deter her. She thought of ways she could get her message out. She raised money and went to every school to talk about the program.”
Ridgeway said, “We’re living in special times and this is a special young lady. On behalf of the County Commission, I want to recognize her for thinking outside the box. There are great things in this lady’s future.”
Sarah Cate is the daughter of Jamie and Scarlet Orr.
Tuesday’s commission meeting was opened with a moment of silence and words from County Commissioner Rev. Kenneth Humphreys in recognition of the Henry Countians and others who have suffered with COVID-19. According to today’s statistics from the Tennessee Department of Health, there are 186 active cases in Henry County with 59 people currently hospitalized. 58 Henry Countians have lost their lives due to COVID.
In other business:
–Henry County Sheriff Josh Frey noted the passing this week of long-time Deputy John Krezinski, who donated his time to the department for many years. Frey said the family is struggling with funeral expenses and if anyone would like to help, they can contact Frey, Chief Deputy Scott Wyrick or go by McEvoy Funeral Home in Paris to make donations.
–Ridgeway thanked Pat Hollingsworth for holding down the fort at the courthouse recently when both Ridgeway and Administrative Assistant Treva Kelleher were ill with COVID.
–The commission approved annual appointments to various boards and committees and reappointed Dr. Scott Portis as Medical Examiner; and Dr. Terry Harrison and Dr. Paul Evans as Assistant Medical Examiners. The commission also reappointed David Webb as County Historian.
Photo by Scarlet Orr.