Stories from Wednesday, August 27, 2008

We were sitting on a covered deck this weekend with some friends, just talking, playing some games, shooting some darts. When the rain started, everyone fell silent at the same time, just to listen to the sound of raindrops on a tin roof. You know those background music tapes you can buy in the New Age stores (my husband calls them the Holistic Head Shops) that have the sounds of whales singing, waves on a beach, and so forth? The idea is that these are calming, serene noises that lower your blood pressure and help you work and sleep better.. ...

A dog from Bell Buckle had a change of luck last week when a family from Lexington, Ky., welcomed him into its home. But this wasn't any ordinary dog, or adoption. "We've had a lot of adoptions take place but this one really touched my heart," said Brenda Goodrich, of Bedford County Animal Control. "He didn't have to be put down just because he was blind."...

Uniforms are a common sight on the Celebration grounds, whether it's the Boy Scouts carrying in the giant American flag or the Bedford County deputies providing assistance to the Celebration security staff. State troopers, city police and emergency medical service providers are all on hand -- as is the Shelbyville Fire Department...

A Shelbyville officer used his Taser to stop a fleeing suspect Monday night, a police report indicates. Michael Tadeoo Martinez, 31, of Shelbyville, allegedly ran from the front porch of a Bridlewood Drive home as officers exited their patrol cars, police said. Reports indicate officers had been called to remove an intoxicated person who was knocking on the front door...

With championship classes just two days away, the final preliminary classes of the 70th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration are being decided. On Tuesday night, fans were greeted with a 13-class schedule and periods of misting rain. The track conditions were still good, even though there had been just over four inches of rainfall in the previous 24 hours...

Anita Elizabeth Wyman, 75, of Palmyra, Maine, died Monday at a Pittsfield, Maine, hospital following a long illness. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Pine Grove Cemetery, Hartland, Maine, with the Rev. William Johnson officiating. No visitation will be held. She was the sister of Lita York, of Shelbyville. Brown Funeral Home, Newport, Maine, is in charge of arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.PhilipBrownFuneralHome.com.

Cecil West Jr., 74, of Shelbyville, died Tuesday at his home. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Hillcrest Funeral Home with the Rev. Jim Tedder and Todd Peoples officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will follow at Wheel Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Florence Womble Patterson, 90, of Shelbyville, died Tuesday at Sunbridge Care for Winchester. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Hillcrest Funeral Home with the Rev. Wayne Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Hermon Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday.

Edward McGee made his first Bedford County court appearance in 41 years Tuesday, as a preliminary hearing was set for the man accused of killing 9-year-old Deborah Ray in 1966. McGee's next appearance will be on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. He is accused of murdering Ray on Dec. 18, 1966, and has already served more than 40 years in the murder that same day of 8-year-old Phyllis Seibers. The girls' bodies were found in a drainage ditch...

By the time the Celebration started Tuesday evening, the day-long rain had dwindled to the occasional sprinkle, but the storm's evidence was everywhere-- especially on the gray track. Even after being scraped with a road grader, ribbons of water collected around the center ring. Would it make a difference in the horses' performances?...

Dr. Dale Hyatt, 74, of Bell Buckle, died early Tuesday morning at his home. A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at 208 Peacock St. in Bell Buckle. Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.