Stories from Tuesday, July 15, 2008

You don't write a story about Josh Hamilton. You tell the Josh Hamilton Story. Coming out of Athens Drive High in Raleigh, N.C., in 1999, he was all the rage. Tampa Bay anguished over the decision to take either him or Josh Beckett, a hard-throwing right-hander out of Spring (Texas) High, with the first overall pick of the draft...

Tennessee Department of Health announced Monday its decision to lift a 15-day admissions suspension at Bedford County Nursing Home. "I find, based upon the follow-up survey report that the deficient practices and conditions detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of the residents were corrected and the facility has returned to substantial compliance," said Susan Cooper, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health, in a letter to BCNH administrator Wayne Schumann...

Defense attorneys for Ashley Cook told jurors Monday that while she did fire the shots that killed Bill Ross on Valentine's Day last year, she should be charged with "something less than first degree murder." Meanwhile, the jury heard the 911 call reporting the shooting and extensive testimony from a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agent...

Jon Russell Cring can make a movie in record time -- but even he has to bow to the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association. Cring and his Extra/Ordinary production crew were at Cascade High School Saturday night to film scenes for his latest indie venture, "Four on the Floor." He has used Bell Buckle and Cascade before, for his political thriller "The Drive." This time, however, he hit a snag early...

The 17th Annual Great Celebration Mule and Donkey Show came to a close late Saturday night with a group of tired, but happy, exhibitors heading back to their homes across the country. The latest installment of this midsummer classic on the Celebration Grounds can be declared a success by almost all measures, according to show officials. Entries this year numbered 1,233, with approximately 400 different animals competing...

Funeral services for Betty E. Richardson, 64, of Tullahoma, who died Sunday at Life Care Center, will be held on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Gowen-Smith Chapel. Johnny Campbell will officiate, with burial at Bethany Cemetery in Normandy. Visitation will be today from 4-9 p.m.