Stories from Thursday, September 14, 2006

Funeral services for Mary Ruth Craig, 87, of Venice, Calif., who died Sept. 9 at Vista Del Sol Nursing Home in Culver City, Calif., will be 4 p.m. Saturday at Gowen-Smith Chapel. Larry Hames will officiate and burial will follow in Mt. Herman Cemetery...

NASHVILLE -- Gov. Phil Bredesen outlined a four-point plan for improving the state's business climate during a speech Wednesday night at the annual Governor's Conference sponsored by Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. His plan includes an emphasis on community colleges; he would like to guarantee free tuition at community college for qualified high school students...

A man who was able to walk home after an accident Wednesday night was flown to a Nashville hospital with serious injuries a short time later. Lewis Wright Gilliam, 64, lost control of his car at a sharp curve on Warners Bridge Road near the Card Road intersection and hit a tree, State Trooper Barry Qualls said. The car struck the tree on the driver's side...

Bell Buckle imposed a 120 day moratorium on water taps for persons outside that town's city limits so that a water analysis can be completed. Last month, two requests for water taps were deferred for so the board could look at capacity and supply with the town's water system. Water manager Ronnie Lokey had said there had been a big demand on the system this summer and some residents had complained about low pressure...

NASHVILLE (AP) -- Lawyers for Tennessee death row inmate Daryl Keith Holton have filed a motion with the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to stay his execution scheduled for Tuesday. Stephen Ferrell, a federal public defender for Holton, said on Wednesday that he also appealed a ruling last week from U.S. District Judge Thomas Phillips that Holton's case didn't merit a full evidentiary hearing on his competency...

A $5,000 bond for a man accused of asking an 11-year-old girl if she "wanted to learn how to make a young 'un," was reduced to $3,000 Tuesday in Bedford County General Sessions Court. Solicitation of a minor is the charge filed by Shelbyville Police Officer Rod Stacy against Jeffrey Wayne Steele, 36, who was arrested Friday at his home in a subdivision at the northeast border of Shelbyville...

A somewhat different chain of events was told Wednesday by the ex-wife of a registered sex offender who, she says, cried when he denied soliciting sex from an 11-year-old Shelbyville girl in his neighborhood on Friday. "Nobody knows what went on and what was said other than him, the girl and God," said Janet Hall Reyes, 40, who's living in her brother's house just down the street from the 11-year-old girl, and who agreed to be named in this news story...

Bell Buckle Fire Chief Mary Lokey announced her retirement from that post Tuesday, but she will still serve as a firefighter and first responder for several more years. Lokey recommended that the council appoint the slot to her husband Ronnie, who is already deputy chief over fire suppression and also serves as Bell Buckle's water manager. He will serve as interim chief and Mayor Dennis Webb will soon get with the entire department to discuss ways to improve the volunteer department...

Two Fayetteville men in Bedford County General Sessions Court on Tuesday pleaded guilty to reduced charges, having been first accused of aggravated kidnapping. "Both entered a plea to false imprisonment ... a misdemeanor," defense attorney Robert Marlow said. "Both were sentenced to 11 months and 29 days, but all of that was suspended except for the 68 days already served."...

Private services will be held in Nashville for Michelle Anne Irion of Nashville, daughter of Jack and Judy Irion of Shelbyville. Burial will be at The Temple Cemetery in Nashville. Madison Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Leave work early if you must. Get your pom-poms and voice warmed up. Have someone save some seats if at all possible. Cascade's Region 5-A showdown with Forrest in Chapel Hill on Friday night is sure to be a barn burner that most parties involved won't soon forget. Add to it that it's homecoming and the stage won't get much brighter in Class 1A...

Community lost to Class AAA foe Lincoln County 26-24, 18-25, 25-18, 25-10 in Unionville on Thursday. It was their second loss to the visitors in a three-week period. "The first game was a tough loss, but we came right back in the second game and led the whole way," Viqueen coach Allison Layne said. ...

Mr. Jim B. Holly, Jr., 82, of Lewisburg died Monday at his home. Funeral services were held Wednesday at London Funeral Home with Tom Dumser officiating. Burial followed in Lone Oak Cemetery.

Funeral services for Jessie Elizabeth Bartle, 84, of Shelbyville, who died Tuesday at Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro, will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Horse Mountain Church of Christ. Mark Pierce will officiate and burial will follow in Hollywood Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be noon until service time on Saturday. Gowen-Smith Chapel is in charge of arrangements...