Stories from Thursday, May 31, 2007

State Sen. Jim Tracy, the county's highest-ranking Republican, said Wednesday night he welcomes signs that former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson is about to enter the presidential fray. Thompson, whose possible candidacy has been a topic of speculation for months, revealed plans this week to form an exploratory committee, the first step towards a presidential campaign. He has also announced that he is leaving his role on the TV drama "Law & Order."...

Only 560 Shelbyville residents have early voted for the June 7 city election, which could be an early indicator of low turnout on Election Day. Saturday is the last day for early voting. "It's been slow," said Summer Leverette of the county election office. "It's a city election, and it's always pretty slow."...

As Kim Moses Brown and her fellow cyclists rode out of one Virginia town, they were greeted by what Brown called an "awesome sight" -- the local police officers who had helped block traffic for them in town gathered together on an overpass, standing at attention, saluting as the procession went by...

In a groundbreaking surgery for Bedford County Medical Center (BCMC), Dr. William Russell performed a less invasive endovascular abdominal aneurysm replacement on William Chester last week, saving his life and reducing his recovery time extensively...

It's a small first step, but a large beginning -- that is the thought of the day at Bedford County Medical Center, where news of machinery on the building site for the new hospital created a stir. In a memo sent by CEO Bill Macri to the staff, the news was announced, "For those of you who do not routinely travel up (U.S.) 231 North, I wanted to let you know that construction has begun in earnest...

Three vehicles left at a North Jefferson Street garage were entered overnight Tuesday. Stereo systems were taken from vehicles owned by Carlos Arroyo and Michelle Phillips and a speaker stolen from a box in Stacy Webb's vehicle, Shelbyville police said. The cars were outside a fence at Holton's Auto Repair...

The Shelbyville Sox overcame a lackluster night in the field with a dominant effort at the plate in a 13-2 run-ruled win over the Majors in LaVergne on Wednesday night. Shelbyville's Joe Long singled twice and doubled en route to driving in five runs. Joey Simmons, Matt Cook and Brad Meeks all singled twice...

Cascade officially handed the whistle commanding their girls basketball program over to Chad Spencer recently. The former Liberty Middle coach inherits but one senior off a team that finished 9-17 after losing to Middle Tennessee Christian in the first round of the District 9-A tournament...

Graveside services for Mary Pauline "Polly" Alexander Bearden, 91, of Shelbyville, who died Thursday at her home after an extended illness, will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Rose Bank Cemetery. The Rev. Brian Elliott and the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Doyle will officiate. Visitation with the family will be 4-8 p.m. Friday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel....