Stories from Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Last Saturday morning, while so many normal folks were still sleeping, I stumbled out of bed in anticipation of viewing the Strolling Jim 40 mile run in Wartrace. The race didn't begin until 7 a.m.,. but I knew that I had to first retrieve a camera from the office. I also knew traffic for such an event could be maddening...

Jeff Pennington, a fifth grade teacher at Community Elementary School, was named the local Teacher of the Year by the Shelbyville Wal-Mart Distribution Center 6062. The award, which was given as a part of Wal-Mart's 12th annual Teacher of the Year program, was presented Tuesday in honor of National Teacher's Appreciation Day on May 8...

After 44 years in the classroom, Southside Primary School teacher Nancy Barnett still loves teaching first grade. "I've taught first grade almost my whole career," Barnett said. "I taught 6th grade for half a year, and I've had the opportunity to be in administration (having received a master's degree in administration, supervision, and curriculum development) but I love teaching first grade. ...

Bedford County Financial Management Committee voted Tuesday night to use a fixed-rate 30-year bond issue to borrow the $44 million in school construction funds approved last month by Bedford County Board of Commissioners. The money will fund renovation and expansion of Central High School, which is already underway, as well as construction of a new elementary school on Learning Way in Shelbyville and a new building for Community High School which will allow Community's middle school and elementary grades to expand into the current high school facility.. ...

Several in the local towing business are not happy with proposed changes to Shelbyville's wrecker policy, which is up for a first reading Thursday. Last week, City Manager Ed Craig suggested the city bid out or contract the number of wrecker operators needed to respond to traffic accidents and then award the contract based on the prices bid by the operators...

Traffic safety was a major topic of discussion for Bell Buckle's Board of Mayor and Aldermen Tuesday as they look at ways to keep large trucks from passing through town. Citizens have been complaining about the increase in 18-wheelers traveling on Highway 82 [Webb Road] which runs through Webb School and a residential area. In February, a petition signed by around 120 Bell Buckle citizens was sent to State Sen. Jim Tracy on the matter...

Horse industry organization (HIO) representatives and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) met in Washington, DC, Monday to discuss amendments relating to the wording of the Operating Plan 2007-2009. Three proposed changes to the current wording were made. These amendments are to be discussed by the organizations within the Walking Horse industry represented at the meeting. According to sources for the Times-Gazette, the meeting was considered successful by all those in attendance...

EAGLEVILLE -- "This one was for Courtney." Community coach Allison Layne said it best as her group of young ladies took it upon themselves to take to the diamond with a heavy heart for a teammate and friend as the Viqueens battled Middle Tennessee Christian in the losers' bracket of the District 9-A tournament...

EAGLEVILLE -- For two and a half innings, it appeared as though the District 9-A winners' bracket final between Forrest and Cascade would come down to the wire and finish in a blink. The top-seeded Lady Rockets proved otherwise, making the Lady Champions pay for five errors off one batted ball in the third inning with two scores. Freshman pitcher Shelby Stinnett didn't need any more runs after that and the Chapel Hill girls earned a 9-1 victory...

WINCHESTER -- Two familiar teams will once again square off for the District 8-AAA tournament title. For the past number of years, Shelbyville Central and Tullahoma have dominated the district. Thursday night at Franklin County High at 7, the two will face one another again...

TULLAHOMA -- All aspects of Shelbyville Central's game finally came together: Good pitching, outstanding defense, excellent hitting and crafty baserunning. In perhaps their most complete effort of the season, the Eaglettes eliminated Franklin County from the District 8-AAA tournament with a 6-1 victory at Tullahoma East Middle...