Stories from Friday, December 8, 2006

TULLAHOMA -- Changes in technology and geopolitics are gradually putting the nations of the world on more of an equal footing, and Americans must stress education and preparedness if they want to preserve employment and provide good opportunities for future generations, according to Dr. Gregory Sedrick of the University of Tennessee Space Institute...

CHAPEL HILL -- A pair of free throws by Jarius Brown gave Cascade Middle a 25-23 lead over Forrest Middle with 45.2 seconds left in the semifinals of the World Tournament on Thursday. The Champions failed to get back on defense and the Rockets made them pay as Zack Ray scored on an uncontested layup just eight seconds later to tie the game...

CHAPEL HILL -- Liberty Middle maintained a solid lead throughout and cruised to a 33-21 win over Middle Tennessee Christian Middle in Thursday's semifinals of the World Tournament. The victory pushes the Patriots' record to 9-2 and they'll play for the World title against tournament host Forrest Middle on Saturday night at 8:15...

A new siren on Eagle Boulevard will notify surrounding facilities -- including several schools -- in the event of a chlorine leak from Aleris, the aluminum recycling plant just north of Central High School. The new siren will be tested each Wednesday at noon beginning next week, according to Scott Johnson of Bedford County Emergency Management Agency. This particular siren will be used only in case of a hazardous materials leak, not for weather or any other type of emergency...

Shelbyville's planning commission approved a request for rezoning for a 255 lot subdivision Thursday, just one of many items addressed during the last meeting of the year The subdivision known as Hearthstone was approved to be changed from R-1 [Low Density Residential] to PUD [Planned Unit Development]...

Two tires left outside Bedford Farmers Co-Op, South Cannon Boulevard, were stolen Wednesday. A witness saw a man get out of a burgandy full-size pickup truck, put the tires in the bed and drive away. The tires were valued at $50 each, police said. Other thefts reported to area authorities:...

MURFREESBORO -- For the first time in the I-A era Middle Tennessee has an All-American in football. Junior Damon Nickson was voted a second-team All-American as a kick returner by SI.com to become the 33rd all-American in school history. A first-team All-Sun Belt Conference performer as a defensive back and as a kick returner, Nickson is the first All-American at Middle Tennessee since Cedric Stegall in 1998. Stegall was an Associated Press third-team pick...

Frank Yoes, 69, of Wheel died Friday in Nashville. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at Lawrence Funeral Home, Chapel Hill, with the Rev. Wayne Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Wheel Cemetery. Visitation with the family will begin 4 p.m. Sunday.

MANCHESTER -- Harris Middle's girls may be young and inexperienced, but they never quit. Trailing by as many as a dozen points in the first half, the Eaglettes bounced back to claim a 35-29 win at Coffee County Middle on Thursday night in a Central Tennessee Conference matchup...