Tennessee Department Of Transportation

TWHNC backed, concern shown (05/24/12)
National media reports regarding the training practices of trainer Jackie McConnell have played a role in influencing local public perception of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. This week the Times-Gazette has invited public comment from readers, called upon local business people and solicited information in an online poll. Here's what they have shared...

Celebration punishes McConnell (05/23/12)
The Celebration Board of Directors took decisive action Tuesday afternoon, condemning the actions of walking horse trainer Jackie McConnell, who pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges related to the conspiracy to violate the Horse Protection Act. The Celebration Board voted Tuesday to suspend McConnell for life from entering the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Grounds for any and all events, regardless of the event's affiliation or ownership...

TWH industry reacts to video (05/17/12)
An ABC Nightline news investigation aired video Wednesday evening showing abuse inflicted by a legendary Tennessee walking horse trainer. Consequences of that video included Pepsi-Cola withdrawing from their select sponsorship of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration...

Fire school graduation Friday (05/10/12)
Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak will deliver the commencement address to the recruit firefighter class 9 a.m. Friday at the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy on Unionville-Deason Road. As TDCI Commissioner, McPeak also is the State Fire Marshal...

State commissioner visits Vietnam vets (05/08/12)
More than 60 attended this month's Vietnam Era Veterans meeting at the American Legion Center. Many-Bears Grinder, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs, was guest speaker. Grinder, who spent 35 years in the Tennessee Army National Guard, comes from a long line of military servitude. ...

Sobriety checkpoints planned (05/03/12)
Sobriety roadside safety checkpoints are planned in three locations over the next two weeks, according to the Bedford County Sheriff's Department. One is planned during the week of May 6 at Huffman Road and Red Hill Road in Normandy (the intersection east of the town toward Normandy Lake). During the week of May 15 checkpoints are planned at the intersections of State Route 437 (the Shelbyville bypass) at Railroad Road and U.S. 41A South at Mullins Mill Road...

Fired up for funds (05/02/12)
A sign at Normandy Volunteer Fire Department promotes its hamburger and hot dog fundraiser, to be held from 4-7 p.m. Saturday at the fire hall. (T-G Photo by Jim Davis)

County's response to lawsuit requested (05/01/12)
Attorneys representing four deputies suing over unpaid overtime claim that Bedford County has not responded to a number of discovery requests. Sheriff Randall Boyce and the county were sued last August by David Sakich, Kevin Holton, Scott Jones, Todd Hammond "and others similarly situated" under the Fair Labor Standards Act, claiming they were denied overtime and straight time compensation and were worked "off the clock," also alleging they were retaliated against for exposing the issue...

Celebrating changes: New boxes in south turn (04/27/12)
The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration is renovating the upper tier of boxes on the south end of the outdoor arena, in a $500,000 project which CEO Doyle Meadows says will enhance safety and the fan experience. The lower level of boxes, at ringside, are built on concrete slabs and are in good shape, as are the general admission grandstands at the top of the south end. The renovation project focuses on the upper rows of boxes -- I, J, K and L -- on the south end...

Aging Highway 130 bridge nears replacement date (04/24/12)
Nearly $4 million worth of bridge replacement work will begin later this year over the Duck River, with another important safety project kicking off this week. State Sen. Jim Tracy informed the city of the Tennessee Department of Transportation's current project status list, which shows that bids for the Sydney "Bud" McGrew Memorial Bridge over Duck River on State Highway 130 were recently awarded to Concrete Structures, Inc., at a price of $3,821,199.68...

TCAP week challenges students (04/22/12)
It's TCAP week in Tennessee, and local students will begin participating in the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program on Tuesday morning. "The end of year TCAP tests are very important and allow teachers to identify learning gaps and also areas of strength for each individual student," said Janice Womble, secondary instruction supervisor. "This data can also be used to project student academic success as they move through the grades."...

Down...but not out: Connie Bobo slowed but not stopped by disease (04/22/12)
With the busy lifestyles of today, it's easy to take things for granted. Each day we wake up, go about our business as best we can and hope for a few smiles along the way. For most folks, worrying about illness and infection is a seasonal thing that might reserve a place in the back of your mind. For those affected by primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDD), however, this is a daily concern that cannot be taken lightly...

Legacy of learning (04/18/12)
A longtime colleague of beloved MTSU education professor Robert "Dr. Bob" Womack is confident. "They say 'there'll always be an England,'" said the College of Education's other "Dr. Bob," Professor Emeritus Robert "Bob" Bullen. "Well, at MTSU, we say there'll always be a Womack."...

Celebration differs with T-G article (04/12/12)
The Celebration Board of Directors and staff take exception to the article in the March 6 edition entitled "Much Soring Alleged" by Brian Mosely. It is a one sided advertorial for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Keith Dane causing serious harm to The Celebration and walking horse industry....

Xanax pills confiscated at Harris (04/11/12)
Nine Harris Middle School students face charges in connection with generic Xanax tablets being distributed Tuesday, investigators said. "One student brought generic Xanax and gave them out," Capt. Tony Barrett of the Bedford County Sheriff's Department said. "Four actually took them. Nine were in possession of them."...

TWH leaders hit 'renegades' at listening session (04/05/12)
MURFREESBORO -- USDA officials urged Tennessee Walking Horse organizations Wednesday to unite and speak with one voice, while those in the local equine industry were equally united in opposing a proposed ban on pads and "action devices." Officials from the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) Animal Care Program held a three-hour listening session at the Doubletree Hotel to hear feedback from walking horse trainers and owners...

State grant boosts airport (04/04/12)
Shelbyville's airport has received a $45,000 aeronautics grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) for grounds maintenance equipment. The grant, which will be combined with a $15,000 local match, was recommended earlier this week through the Department of Transportation's Division of Aeronautics...

Tight handcuffs left permanent damage: Inmate (04/03/12)
A man serving 12 years in prison on drug charges is suing Shelbyville's police department and one of its officers for nearly a quarter of a million dollars in damages and free medical care for life, claiming his handcuffs were put on too tight. George Scott Mason filed a civil action against the Shelbyville police department and officer Tracey Nelson in Bedford County Circuit Court in February, which was transferred to the federal court level last week...

Suspect, sheriff debate legality of home search (04/03/12)
A man recently arrested on drug charges has filed a federal lawsuit against the county mayor, sheriff and officers claiming his home was searched without a warrant and that he was assaulted. But an arrest report by a detective involved in the litigation tells a much different story than the plaintiff does once several details are added to the tale...

WHTA preparing a new initiative (03/29/12)
From a press release: The Walking Horse Trainers' Association (WHTA) serves the best interest of its members and remains committed to protecting the welfare of the Tennessee Walking Horse. Since the passage of the Horse Protection Act and introduction of the Horse Industry Organization (HIO) program by the USDA, the WHTA has strongly supported inspections at affiliated shows...

McConnell out on bond; training limited (03/27/12)
Walking Horse trainer Jackie McConnell of Collierville will remain free on bond but will not be allowed to train any horses he doesn't own. McConnell and three associates have been charged with conspiracy to violate the Horse Protection Act by transporting and showing horses they knew to be "sored" and also falsifying entry forms and paperwork. Earlier this month, agents with the U.S. Department of Agriculture raided McConnell's Whitter Stables in west Tennessee, taking eight of 28 horses...

Report cites 'substances' (03/23/12)
Data released this week from the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) shows that every horse randomly sampled at last year's Celebration tested positive for illegal substances. A local industry veterinarian, however, said Thursday the substances revealed by the swab test samples (results of those tests were only recently published) are already deemed illegal under the Horse Protection Act...

May trial set for McConnell, co-defendants (03/18/12)
A May trial date has been set for a prominent walking horse trainer and three others accused in a horse soring conspiracy. Jackie McConnell, 60, along with Jeff Dockery, 56; John Mays, 47; and Joseph Abernathy, 29, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William B. Carter in Chattanooga for arraignment and to hear their conditions for bond...

Much soring alleged (03/06/12)
An undercover investigation into animal abuse in the Walking Horse industry is only "the tip of the iceberg," a spokesman for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) told the T-G. Late last week, a 52-count federal indictment alleging a conspiracy to sore horses was unsealed against prominent trainer Jackie L. McConnell, 60, along with employees Jeff Dockery, 54, John Mays, 50, all from Collierville, and Joseph R. Abernathy, 30, of Olive Branch, Miss...

SHOW says inspection leads to criminal prosecution (03/01/12)
The successful prosecution of Spotted Saddle Horse trainer Barney Davis is a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of the Walking Horse industry's commitment to enforcing the Horse Protection Act, according to a press release issued by the Sound Horses, Honest Judging, Objective Inspections and Winning Fairly (SHOW) organization...

USDA plans discussion over horses (02/29/12)
The USDA will hold a "listening session" in Murfreesboro in April to get public feedback on a number of issues concerning the walking horse industry. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) Animal Care Program of the USDA will hold the session on April 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Doubletree Murfreesboro Hotel at 1850 Old Fort Parkway...

Horse show funding request rescinded (02/28/12)
Funding requests for two upcoming horse shows to Shelbyville's council have been rescinded -- due to one moving elsewhere and the other acquiring the needed money.... For the complete story, see the print edition of today's Times-Gazette.

Celebration $1.5K plea reappears (02/22/12)
A proposal to give $1,500 to the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration to help it recruit a quarter horse show will be back on the agenda of Bedford County Board of Commissioners next month. Last week, the commission failed to approve the allocation; it got 8 votes in favor, with one opposed, six abstaining and three absent. The commission's rules require a majority of the full commission -- 10 votes -- to pass a motion, regardless of how many are in attendance...

State's top trooper survives gunshot (02/21/12)
Tennessee's Trooper of the Year holds the award for the second straight year, while one of the runners-up -- the regional winner for the Lawrenceburg district -- was honored for handling an incident that started in Bedford County. Dwayne Stanford of Henderson County was cited as Trooper of the Year by the Tennessee Highway Patrol after several significant events, including the arrest of suspects involved in armed robbery, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, possible terrorism, home invasions, and possession of stolen guns and stolen vehicles.. ...

USDA official slams horse groups hard (02/16/12)
A Department of Agriculture representative who enforces the Horse Protection Act had critical comments for the local equine industry this past weekend. Dr. Chester Gipson, Deputy Administrator for Animal Care with USDA-APHIS, met Saturday with members of the Walking Horse Owners' Association (WHOA) in Murfreesboro, telling members enforcement of the Act would be no different during the 2012 show season than it was last year...

More than food: Event benefits fire department (02/16/12)
Don't worry about cooking supper on Saturday. The Wartrace Volunteer Fire Department has got you covered. The Wartrace VFD will host their second annual chili supper and auction from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Tickets for the event are $5. Like last year, the chili being served is from the late Bobby "Hoss" Cartwright's recipe -- a longtime local favorite. The chili will be prepared by Cartwright's grandson, Joel Johnson...

Trial date set in OT lawsuit (02/16/12)
A trial date in a lawsuit against the sheriff and county over unpaid overtime has been set for November. On Tuesday, members of the Bedford County Commission revised the minutes of their January meeting to reflect that a suit filed by four detectives against Sheriff Randall Boyce and the county had not been settled...

Horse show gets $2.5K from city (02/10/12)
Shelbyville's city council voted Thursday night to donate $2,500 to the upcoming Spring Showcase horse show set for next month. The show, put on by the Foundation for the Advancement and Support of the Tennessee Walking Show Horse (FAST), is to replace the void left by the departure of the National Trainer's Show from Shelbyville...

Appeals court agrees with 17-year sentence (02/10/12)
Tennessee's appeals court says a local judge made no mistake in sentencing a Bedford County man to 17 years in prison for selling crack. Larry Thomas Johnson had appealed his guilty-pleaded convictions for the sale of 0.5 grams or more of cocaine and possession with the intent to sell...

Futurity move may be costly (02/09/12)
Moving the Tennessee Walking Horse Futurity to Murfreesboro could end up costing horse owners who were hoping to qualify for the Celebration in August. On Saturday, the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association (TWHBEA) announced that this year's Futurity will be held in July in conjunction with the World Versatility Show at MTSU's Miller Coliseum...

Futurity steps away (02/07/12)
The Tennessee Walking Horse Futurity will move to Murfreesboro this year. Formerly held on the first day of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in August, the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association (TWHBEA) announced Saturday that its 2012 Futurity will be held in conjunction with the World Versatility Show, set for July 19-22 in Murfreesboro at Middle Tennessee State University's Tennessee Miller Coliseum...

State grants $52K for airport work (02/03/12)
Tennessee Department of Transportation on Thursday announced a grant of $52,200 towards $58,000 in engineering services to study taxiway repairs at Shelbyville Municipal Airport. City government will have to furnish only 10 percent of the budget, or $5,800...

Horse show rep asks council to donate $10K (02/02/12)
Shelbyville's city council will decide next week how much funding they will donate to an upcoming horse show. The Foundation for the Advancement and Support of the Tennessee Walking Show Horse (FAST) has made a request for funding help for their Spring Showcase set for March 15-17 at Calsonic Arena...

New shows seek support (01/25/12)
There are a couple of new horse shows coming to Shelbyville, and organizers are looking for support from both the city and county. The Foundation for the Advancement and Support of the Tennessee Walking Show Horse (FAST) will hold a Spring Showcase from March 15-17 at Calsonic Arena...

World-class care right here at home (01/20/12)
When it arrives, a diagnosis of cancer can be among the most devastating of news to a patient and their families. For local residents, the course of treatment has often meant weekly trips to nearby Murfreesboro or Nashville for chemotherapy. "I don't know what I would do if I had to drive to Nashville every week for treatments," said Chris Adams, who has been receiving treatment for lymphoma at Tennessee Oncology for the past four months. ...

Quake drill is critical (01/19/12)
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency is encouraging schools, families and businesses to participate in an earthquake drill next month. Registration is open for the second annual Great Central U. S. ShakeOut earthquake drill, scheduled for Feb. 7 at 10:15 a.m.. Last April, more than 3 million people in 11 states, including 250,000 Tennesseans, took part...

Hord case set; sheriff files denial to claims (01/12/12)
While one lawsuit against the sheriff and county has been settled, a trial date has been set for next year in the litigation filed by the department's former child abuse investigator. Meanwhile, the county filed documents Wednesday denying many of the allegations made against the sheriff...

Deputies to be paid OT (01/11/12)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners, after a closed attorney-client meeting, voted Tuesday night to settle overtime lawsuits brought against the county by sheriff's department employees, and to pay back wages owed to sheriff's department dispatchers...

Winning play by Titan star (01/10/12)
There's no doubt that Tennessee Titan cornerback Cortland Finnegan loves Shelbyville. And for the hundreds of fans who showed up to meet him at a local restaurant on Saturday afternoon, Finnegan is now one of their favorite players, if not their favorite...

Two local USDA agencies to shut due to cost-cutting (01/10/12)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday it will close nearly 260 offices nationwide, including the Farm Service Agency and Rural Development offices at 709 East Lane St. in Shelbyville, which serve Bedford and Moore counties. USDA's plans won praise for cutting costs but raised concerns about the possible effect on food safety...

Legislators pleased with proposed new districts (01/06/12)
Both of Bedford County's incumbent state legislators say they're happy with their proposed new districts. Proposed district maps were announced Wednesday by the Republican majorities in each chamber of the General Assembly. They won't be official until voted on by the General Assembly, which re-convenes next week...

Flanagan moves on to TCOG (01/06/12)
The Tennessee Coalition for Open Government (TCOG) has selected veteran journalist and founding board member Kent Flanagan as executive director for the non-profit organization. Flanagan has worked at the Times-Gazette since 2009 where he served in a variety of roles including editor, staff writer and photographer...

Judge to hear 2 suits vs.county (12/16/11)
A federal magistrate has determined that two suits filed against the sheriff and county are related and will not need to be assigned to a different judge. U.S. Magistrate William B. Mitchell Carter issued an order this week stating that litigation filed in August by four detectives and the lawsuit by the county's former child abuse investigator, Rebecca Hord, "is related" and that there is no need for reassignment since both cases are currently assigned to the same district judge, Harry S. ...

TWH groups form unity committee (12/15/11)
Four groups representing the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry have selected members of a new "unity committee" that is to focus on the future of the business. Two weeks ago, the boards of directors of four industry groups -- the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association (TWHBEA), Walking Horse Owners' Association (WHOA), Walking Horse Trainers' Association (WHTA) and The Celebration -- met and agreed to form the committee to discuss issues related to the future of the breed in the show ring, as well as unification within the performance horse division.. ...

Sheriff's staff will receive holiday pay (12/14/11)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday night to approve a proposal to give holiday pay to sheriff's department and juvenile detention center employees for the remainder of this fiscal year, but hopes in the next fiscal year to review and develop a standardized county-wide policy...

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