Stories from Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The last time someone without the last name of Parker was the head coach of Cascade baseball, the team finished with a record of 4-17. To say the program has improved since then would be a gross understatement. From David Parker to Chris Parker, the Champions advanced to become one of the top Class A programs in the state over the last 12 years...

Bedford County Financial Management Committee has recommended budgets that would keep from increasing property tax rates. "It's no time for a tax raise," County Mayor Eugene Ray said after the meeting. The finance committee approved a school system budget, and tentatively approved a county general fund budget, pending resolution of an issue about depreciation for Volunteer Fire Services Inc. Those budgets will now go to the county commission for final approval...

From junior high to senior high, from Memphis to Knoxville, they are descending upon Calsonic Arena this weekend. The Tennessee State 4-H Horse Championships are taking place today through Saturday and enthusiasts of all breeds and disciplines can find something they like at the show -- and it's all free...

As a mother, Nancy Barber couldn't stand feeling helpless any longer. "It was very sad, we were devastated," she said. "He was so young to have this occur. And it's getting worse." Barber's son, Jason, suffers from retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary retinal dystrophy that leads to progressive vision loss. While there's no cure for his condition, Barber decided the only way she could truly help her son was to become an active member of the Foundation Fighting Blindness...

How would you like to drive away with tanks full of free gas this summer? You can do it if you win the Times-Gazette's upcoming contest that will give one lucky reader a chance to win $500 worth of solid gold gasoline, compliments of the Times-Gazette and Kroger. On July 18, the Times-Gazette will publish a special "Big $500 Gas Give-Away" section in which a secret number of logos will be hidden throughout the advertising messages within the section. Readers can participate in the contest by counting all the logos throughout the publication (not including its front page) and entering the total number of logos found in an entry form to be included with the section. The form can be mailed or hand-delivered to the Times-Gazette at 323 E. Depot St., or hand-delivered to the Shelbyville Kroger at 1010 N. Main St. Boxes for entry collection will be available at both locations. No copies will be accepted. A random drawing of correct entries will be held, with the winner receiving $500 worth of gas from Kroger. All entries must be received by 5 p.m., Thursday, July 24, 2008. Readers who want to win the free gas will pay close attention to each of the advertising messages in the supplement, providing high visibility to advertisers. Advertisers who would like the opportunity to participate in "The Big $500 Gas Give-Away" can call the advertising department at (931) 684-1200. Space is limited and the advertising deadline is July 8.

It wouldn't be summertime in the South without barbecue. Sauce, dry rub, smoked, pulled, pork, chicken, beef, goat, ribs, breast and briskets ... it's the vocabulary of flavor. The South likes to claim ownership of the barbecue (especially Texans), but the fact is, the cooking style has spread across the country and around the world. Mike LeVasser of Shelbyville, whose team recently competed in the Sam Davis Home Heritage Days barbecue cook-off in Smyrna, can testify to that...

Mike Civils, 53, of Belfast, died Tuesday at Marshall Medical Center in Lewisburg. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Cornersville Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Round Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. today.

Jerry Wayne Curry, 53, of Bell Buckle, died Friday at Bedford County Medical Center. Memorial services will be held Saturday at his home, 345 Mankin Road. Hillcrest Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Lucille Driver Downey, 93, of Shelbyville died Tuesday. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Hillcrest Funeral Home with Frank Butler officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Wednesday.

Bennie Havner Jr., 61, of Shelbyville, died Tuesday at his home after an extended illness. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Doak-Howell Funeral Home with Allen Campbell officiating. Burial will follow at Willow Mount Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday.

Don't expect these grandparents to sit and whittle on a front porch. The baby boomer generation is rapidly leaving the workforce and joining the ranks of the retired, but television and webcast producer Sam Dalton doesn't see them creeping off to the Golden Acres retirement villages for shuffleboard tournaments just yet...