Stories from Wednesday, February 18, 2004

The proposal is out there. Now the hard work -- getting Gov. Phil Bredesen's TennCare reform implemented -- begins. The governor presented sweeping reforms to save the state $2.5 billion from projected state revenues over the next four years. Rather than cut enrollment or reduce payments to hospitals and physicians, he concentrated on reducing the cost of prescription drugs and cutting benefits to one-third of the program's enrollees...

A Tullahoma man was arrested on multiple charges after allegedly dropping a photo, described by police as "explicit in nature," in front of a store at Mane Street Centre early Tuesday night. James Michael Bond, 46, has been charged with indecent exposure, distributing obscene material and disorderly conduct...

J.R. Crews, a fixture around the Shelbyville square, turned 60 today, and celebrated the day with four birthday cakes, an estimated 30 presents and even an autographed photo of Gov. Phil Bredesen, signed "Happy Birthday to my friend J.R." in gold ink...

Fernandez Davenport of Chattanooga and Cowan will face a Coffee County jury beginning July 12. Davenport is charged with second degree murder for the shooting of Tony Hopkins of Shelbyville July 14, 2003. Davenport stands accused of shooting Hopkins in the face following a dispute outside Tullahoma nightclub. The Saturday night dispute left Davenport's friend, Dexter O'Neal Wellington of Tullahoma in critical condition from a beating at the hands of Hopkins' associates...

Keeping roosters -- or any animal that creates a neighborhood nuisance -- within the city limits of Shelbyville isn't smart. And, although the city council has refused to outlaw most types of farm animals' being kept within the city, those who crow at 4 a.m. or otherwise disturb the neighborhood can cause their owner to be summoned into city court...

Resolutions asking the state to change the way counties do business will be on next month's agenda for Bedford County Board of Commissioners. The commission's rules and legislative committee, meeting Tuesday night, placed three such model resolutions on the full commission's January agenda without making a recommendation. ...

Shelbyville (17-8, 10-2) seems to keep getting stronger down the stretch toward post-season play, with Tuesday night being no exception as they romped over Jackson County's (9-15, 4-8) visiting Blue Devils 83-37. Part of the Eagles' shooting success for the past two games has been D. J. Phelps, who scored big against the Blue Devils with 15 points...

For the second time in less than a week, Cascade has held off The Webb School. The Champions won 53-47 Tuesday in a non-district home contest which ended Webb's season. Cascade led 9-7 after the first quarter but the Feet outscored Cascade 13-6 in the second period to hold a 20-15 advantage at intermission. Cascade started the second half with a 13-2 run and outscored Webb School 19-9 in the third to lead 34-29 going into the final eight minutes...

Cascade's Lady Champions scored in double digits in each quarter to roll past The Webb School's Lady Feet 50-21 in a non-district contest at home Tuesday night. The Lady Champs (18-5) went up 13-6 at the end of the opening quarter, led 26-11 at the intermission and 36-15 after three periods...

Every member of the Community (14-9, 9-7 District 11A) basketball team gained more experience and scored in the Vikings' 49-20 victory over the Holloway Hawks in Unionville Tuesday night. "We had the best three-point shooting game we have had this year," Coach Mike Edmondson said. "We played good offense, but our defense still lacked intensity."...