Stories from Wednesday, March 28, 2007

The latest brouhaha over a specialty license plate, as reported by the Chattanooga Times Free Press, is about which organizations should receive the proceeds from a Native American-themed plate. There's a dispute between two different groups over the issue, so in the meantime neither of them will get any money, which will go instead to a senior citizens program...

Sometimes, when you wonder just what is happening to our kids these days, it may be necessary to take a look first at the adults teaching them. For whatever reason, be it religious, social or they just want a choice, more parents are deciding to either homeschool their kids or send them to a private institution. Some have said they don't like some of what is being taught in classrooms today or they think that they or a private school can do a better job than the public system...

Leaders of Bedford County and its municipalities are trying to prepare for growth by updating a 20-year growth plan, and their consultant led a discussion with nearly two dozen people last night to familiarize the public with the issues. "Over the next 10 years, you all are poised for significant growth," said Doug Tennant, a vice president with Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon's planning division in Nashville, which was hired by the Joint Economic Development Committee...

Attempts are continuing to settle a criminal charge brought against a Bedford County man who was accused in 2005 of stealing water from Bedford County Utility District. Charged in December 2005 is Sam France Minner, 65, of Warner Bridge Road who was accused by BCUD Operations Manager Willie West of having cut a lock off a meter and turning water service back on two years ago this month...

Shelbyville Central went over, around and through the Lawrence County defense en route to a 7-0 win over their District 8-AAA visitors on Tuesday night. The Golden Eagles attacked the goal at a frenzied pace early on but had little to show for it. "Almost from the first possession we had shots," Shelbyville coach Neal Gordon said. ...

Shelbyville Central's girls continued to play impressively as they rolled over Franklin County 7-0 on Tuesday to earn another road win. Combined, the Eaglettes lost only four games on the day. The boys were just as impressive, winning by an identical score though Josh Naron was taken to the limit by Tyler Henley in a narrow 9-8 singles win...

Shelbyville Central let a 3-0 lead slip away over two innings in a tough 4-3 District 8-AAA loss at Lawrence County on Tuesday afternoon. "I really liked the intensity we played with," Eaglette coach Trish Serratelli said. "We talked about that after our loss Monday night and it really showed on the field today."...

Leigha Carter notched a perfect game on the bump as Cascade took less than an hour to beat District 9-A visitor Van Buren County 21-0 in three innings. "I'm really proud of our defense; they did really good," said Carter, who struck out six. "And, our hitting...slammin'."...

The National Trainers Show drew to a close on Saturday below records of the past in the entry field, but in the division of interest, the show is still playing in conversations and thoughts of Walking Horse enthusiasts. The event, hosted by the Walking Horse Trainers Association (WHTA), has traditionally been hailed as the season opener for the competitive breed although several shows south of Shelbyville have held various competitions since February...

It was a baseball fan's dream come true as Liberty Middle and Forrest Middle combined to score 28 runs to go with 28 hits Tuesday. The visiting Rockets defeated the Patriots 17-12 to drop them to .500 for the season. The trio of Ross Taylor, Trevor Reed and Chance Martin took the mound for the home team but were unable to stem Forrest's offensive flow as they scored in five of seven frames...

Community fell 12-2 to Culleoka on the road Tuesday afternoon. Sophomore Chris West went five innings on the mound for the Vikings (2-5) and allowed seven hits while walking three and hitting two batters. Two of the Culleoka hits were round trippers...

Instead of borrowing $20.8 million for the expansion of Central High School, Bedford County may try to lock in current favorable interest rates by borrowing up to $44 million -- enough to fund the SCHS project plus a new Community High School and a new elementary school in Shelbyville....

Bedford County Financial Management Committee voted Tuesday night to recommend Robert Daniel as the county's first-ever budget director. Daniel currently serves as the school system's business manager. He was recommended to the financial management committee from among six applicants by a search committee. Former commissioner Virgil Johnson, who chaired the search committee, presented Daniel's name Tuesday night....

Webb fell 10-0 at home to University School of Nashville on Tuesday. The loss drops their record to 1-6. "We played a little better defensively," Lady Feet coach James Garcia said. "We had two really bad innings back-to-back that closed the door on us early. USN is a really experienced team, and they played really well in the field...