Stories from Thursday, January 4, 2007

When the Eaglettes competed in the Greene County Bank Ladies' Classic last week, it was sort of a homecoming for coach Lynn Burkey. Burkey was born and raised in Greeneville. His mother, Josephine, still resides there. I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Burkey while in Greeneville and, along with others from Shelbyville who made the long trip, noticed the strong resemblance between coach Burkey and his mother...

The first season's in the books, the writers have spoken and Tennessee Titan quarterback Vince Young was tabbed the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year on Wednesday. A whirlwind of hype and optimism hasn't surrounded the Midstate's pro football fans like this since coming into the 2004 season...

Bedford County Animal Control officers should have more authority so they can enforce existing state laws, according to discussion among members of a study group established by the county commission's law enforcement committee. While it's been suggested that animal control officers be made reserve deputies, Animal Control Director Michael Gregory does not want his department to become a part of the sheriff's department...

In an unscientific poll, readers of the Times-Gazette web site overwhelmingly picked the regulatory dispute in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry as the top local news story of 2006. The web site poll began over the weekend, in conjunction with the Times-Gazette announcing that a poll of staff members had selected the shooting of Fermin Estrada Sr. ...

Agencies in Bedford County will be receiving a $24,622 Federal Emergency Management Agency grant to help better feed and shelter the county's hungry and homeless. FEMA awards the grants to nonprofit community and government organizations that are chosen by local boards.  Shelbyville Mayor Geneva Smith chairs the board that will administer the funds from the city to Bedford County nonprofit organizations...

The first new item of 2007 for Shelbyville's city council next week will be approving an agreement for a survey and roadway design for the widening of North Main Street. The work is to be done by the design firm of Gresham, Smith and Partners for a cost of $358,000. According to the firm, it is intended that the widening be completed on the eastern boundary of the road and handicap ramps on the western side of the road will also be updated in the project...

CHAPEL HILL -- Planning commissioners here are recommending that the town's Board of Mayor and Aldermen rezone land for 87-homes on the town's northern border. CAT Developers propose single family homes valued at about $140,000 and measuring between 1,300 to 1,600 square feet, according to Todd Warner who attended the planners Tuesday meeting for his partnership with Chris Brothers and Andy Haynes...

A memorial service for Frederick Morrison Hendricks, 79, of Bell Buckle, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at St. William's Catholic Church with the Rev. Richard Driscoll officiating. A rosary service will begin 10 a.m. Mr. Hendricks died Tuesday at his home after an extended illness. Per his request, his remains were cremated. Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Forrest Rose, 46, of Greenville, S.C., a former Shelbyville resident, will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel with Willie Rippy officiating. Burial will follow at Stokes Cemetery. Visitation with the family will begin noon Saturday. Mr. Rose died Dec. 27 at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Roscoe Shofner, 84, of Flat Creek died Wednesday at Harton Regional Medical Center in Tullahoma. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Julian Goodpasture officiating. Visitation will be 6-9 p.m. today. Higgins Funeral Home, Fayetteville, is in charge of arrangements...