Stories from Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Jane and David Johnson, long-time residents of Bell Buckle, are known for their hospitality and genuine interest in all who cross their paths. Looking at them today you might not know of their struggle with the debilitating effects of diabetes or be aware of a friend's sacrifice that gave them back their lives. Joined by her best friend and kidney donor, Carol Lester, Johnson shares her story.

Some local offices and agencies will close in observance of the Good Friday and Easter holidays, while others will remain open. Here are some schedules of broad interest: CLOSING Bedford County Courthouse and courthouse annex offices will close Friday and (where applicable) Saturday....

Shelbyville's Golden Eagle soccer team broke out of a scoring slump with a 7-0 win over Lawrence County in their home and District 8-AAA opener Tuesday night. After a pair of scoreless matches last week on the road, Shelbyville coach Neal Gordon was ready to see the Eagles put some shots in the back of the net...

A Shelbyville woman was sentenced to 8-1/2 more months in jail on drug charges stemming from a manufacturer's investigation assisted by a regional drug task force. Emily Ann Mullins, 22, White Drive, pleaded guilty of selling cocaine, selling marijuana, delivering the illegal substances and driving under the influence of an intoxicant, officials said...

Bedford County won't be able to put explanatory language in the June 3 wheel tax referendum implying that non-passage of the referendum would require an increase of 24 cents per $100 assessed value in the county property tax rate. The referendum was discussed at Tuesday night's meeting of Bedford County Board of Commissioners' budget and finance committee...

The city of Shelbyville will be looking into what the cost will be to change its early retirement provision in its existing pension plan to allow for full retirement at age 59.5 for police and fire personnel after 25 years of service. The council met in a study session Tuesday to review the complicated issues surrounding retirement plans for Shelbyville's 160 employees, examining plans for long time employees and new hires...

Harris Abernathy had 15 saves and recorded his first career shutout in Webb's 15-0 beating of host Pope John Paul II (0-5). The Feet (5-0) were led in scoring by Will Taylor and his five goals and two assists. Hap Collier had two goals four assists, Rhea Hyatt two goals and two assists, Charlie Abernathy two goals and one assist, Drew Abernathy one goal and one assist, Robert Newman one goal, Matthew Johnson one goal, Tim Chi one goal, Abhishek Singh one assist and Robert McKee one assist...

Shelbyville Central dropped their first District 8-AAA game of the season, a 5-2 loss to Coffee County's Red Raiders Tuesday evening at SCHS Field. The starting pitchers were in control, combining for 21 strikeouts. Coffee County ace Bubba Vincent fanned 11 and walked six before turning over the duties to teammate J.J. Webster after his pitch count reached 134 over five innings. Webster pitched the final two innings, retiring all six batters he faced in order...

You never know what's coming in on the news phone here at the Times-Gazette. Just the other day it was Sheena Davis calling from the University of Tennessee asking how we want to receive press releases. "In English" is a normal reply, but Sheena's soft approach didn't deserve a wisecrack, so once the preference for e-mails (easy to edit or rewrite, save a tree and cut back on solid waste) was made clear, it was time to find out why she was asking...

Graveside services for Mary Elizabeth Ratleph, 76, of Shelbyville, who died Tuesday at Bedford County Medical Center after an extended illness, will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Ron Mosby and Ken Green will officiate.

Mrs. Treva Mae Sisco Holloway, 75, of Shelbyville died Tuesday at Glen Oaks Nursing Home. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday at McCauley Funeral Home in Petersburg with the Rev. Troy Green, the Rev. Harold Bates and John Foster officiating. Burial will follow at Old Orchard Cemetery...

Memorial services for the Rev. Franklin Ray Sanders, 65, of Lake City, Fla., who died March 15 at his home following an extended illness, were held Friday at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Live Oak, Fla. Shelbyville survivors include a brother, Tom Sanders, and two sisters, Betty Sue Tipper and Joyce Elliott...