Stories from Wednesday, February 25, 2004

Bedford County Board of Commissioners' budget and finance committee got a sneak peek Tuesday night at a very preliminary version of the school system's budget request for 2004-2005. The budget is very preliminary because much of the information needed to finalize it simply isn't available yet: Labor negotiations with the county's teachers are still underway, which could affect teacher salaries and benefits; and legislation which could affect school funding is still making its way through the state legislature.. ...

More than $24 million in hospital billing went out of Bedford County the first six months of 2003. Although 45 people of every 100 local residents who are hospitalized utilized Bedford County Medical Center, local billing accounted for slightly more than 27 percent of total hospital expenditures. Of the 1,337 persons treated at the medical center, 321 utilized TennCare; 147 were private pay (without insurance.)...

Bedford County Board of Commissioners' budget and finance committee on Tuesday night tabled a recommendation from the courthouse and county property committee for courthouse repairs. The courthouse committee, which met Monday night, had asked for permission to make up to $65,000 in repairs to the leaky cupola and to some rusting exterior columns at the courthouse, and wanted architect John Davis to prepare bid specifications. ...

The 50th anniversary of the Brown vs. the Board of Education ruling -- desegregation -- was the focus of the annual African-American Heritage Luncheon held earlier this month at Arnold Air Force Base. Chancellor Richard H. Dinkins was the luncheon's keynote speaker. Dinkins was appointed as chancellor to the Davidson County Chancery Court, Part IV, last September by Gov. Phil Bredesen...

For the previous seven games before Tuesday night Shelbyville sophomore point guard Dequan Twilley did well to score nine points apiece. That's something of a surprise, considering that most of the season he's consistently been in double figures. In fact, his last double-digit night had been Jan. 23, when he collected 17 points against Lincoln County...

Cascade's Champions totally dominated the boards, turned up the defensive pressure and pounded the basketball inside on the way to a 56-37 over Culleoka's Warriors in opening round action of the District 11A Tournament at Community High School in Unionville...

The Community Vikings were in a zone -- and, with four players scoring in double figures, they trampled the Richland Raiders 72-41 in first-round District 11A Tournament action Tuesday night in Unionville. Chavis Woodall and Adam Smith did most of the scoring for the Vikes in the first quarter as Community took a 15-8 lead...

Community's Viqueens waited until the last quarter of their first game of the District 11A tournament to fight, but it was too late and they ended their season with a 42-33 loss to the Huntland Lady Hornets in Unionville on Tuesday. After a 4-4 opening quarter, Huntland outscored Community 13-7 in the second quarter and led 17-11 at halftime...