Grand Junction Express: Monthly Newsletter for the Grand Junction Community {November 2026}

11/09/2026

Edition #7 – By: Dianne Callahan

Congratulations Isiah Hunt, Mr. Mayor!

The biggest current news for Grand Junction is that we now have a newly elected mayor, Isiah Hunt. When Mayor Lane announced his retirement after 26 years serving Grand Junction, everyone knew the new mayor would have their work cut out for them. So much goes on behind the scenes that the mayor of a small town must do but most folks do not realize it. Thank you Mayor Lane for all your years of service. We appreciate you! Soon, Mr. Hunt will be sworn in and will become Grand Junction’s Mayor Hunt, effective in December. Congratulations Isiah Hunt for a well run campaign and we wish you the very best with this new responsibility.

Not only do we have a newly elected mayor but two of our aldermen were reelected, Nicholle Luellen and Steve Luellen, and we also have a new alderman, Donna Lane. Congratulations to Nicholle, Steve and Donna. We know you will all work toward moving Grand Junction forward.

What’s Happening in November?

The holiday season is upon us and some are making plans for Thanksgiving and some are even planning December activities. The Grand Junction Public Library is once again sponsoring Winter Wonderland with lots of decorations and refreshments for all to enjoy. Each year, different organizations, churches, businesses and individuals decorate a tree in the library. The result is simply beautiful! Last year, we had more than 26 decorated trees with all different colors and ideas that made each one unique. It truly was spectacular!

We will have something new this year and that is that you, the public, will vote on your favorite Christmas tree. A little friendly competition is always fun! There is no cost to sponsor and decorate a tree and it is open to everyone. Trees are set up in the Library for you to choose the one you want to decorate but they are going fast! You also can bring your own tree. Come by as soon as possible and claim your tree. Decorations provided by each sponsor must be completed by December 1 because that is when the Winter Wonderland is open to the public. Come on by and choose your tree, then have your friends come in and vote for you!Help make this year the biggest and brightest ever!

A worthwhile cause that is new to our community this holiday season is an Angel Tree for our elders and widowed in the community. Come by City Hall and choose an angel from the tree. Then put together a gift bag or basket for your angel (do not wrap the items), return it to City Hall by November 30 and then Santa will deliver it before Christmas. What a great idea! It is an opportunity to demonstrate our Christian principles that so many of us want to do every day. Thank you Nicki for putting it all together!

We have an upcoming Friday Night Market in the Junction on November 20 from 5:00 – 9:00pm at the Wilder Center. Crafts, desserts, jewelry, homemade items, wood crafts and more are already planned. Come out and get your Christmas shopping started or completed, depending on how far ahead of the game you are. We will all have a good time!

Recent events

We wrapped up October with a fantastic Halloween celebration at our community Trunk or Treat. We had more than 500 people come out on Saturday, and what a wonderful afternoon it was. The park was filled with costumes, laughter, candy, and plenty of Halloween fun. A big thank-you goes to everyone who decorated a trunk or table, donated candy, helped organize the event, or simply brought their families out to enjoy the fun. It takes a community working together to make memories like these and Grand Junction certainly knows how to do that!

Grand Junction First Baptist Church recently sponsored a community movie night. Not only was it a great family event but it also gave everyone an opportunity to meet Dawson Dickey, the new pastor, and his family. He and his wife have a little one on the way and that is always a wonderful blessing.

Another event held recently was at the Wilder Center where we learned more about Alzheimer’s and then enjoyed games and fellowship.

Retail News

We have some exciting retail news to share. First, Iva’s Dress Shop has reopened for business after being closed more than a year because of the tornado! Our community was nearly destroyed, but our people persevered. We cleared trees, cleaned up buildings, rewired the entire city, demolished damaged structures, rebuilt, reroofed and repaired damaged homes. It was an incredibly difficult time but then…our citizens rallied both physically and also emotionally and hopefully came out better people and a better community on this side of the destruction. We discovered just how strong and resilient our people can be.

We are grateful to see businesses reopening as our town continues to move forward. Now Iva’s is back in business and ready to help our ladies look their best! Their posted hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00am – 5:00pm and they are located at 108 Tippah Street. Stop by and support our local retailers.

The Junction Inn Cafe, located at 107 TN Hwy 57, has also expanded their hours to give us more opportunities to enjoy a good meal. They now serve breakfast, lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday, with breakfast and lunch available Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Remember our local Hudson Pharmacy at 249 Hardeman Street for your annual flu shots. They are convenient, friendly, and ready to help take care of our community. They are open Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 3:00pm.

Click here to read last month’s edition of the Grand Junction Express.

Read more local news by clicking here.

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