Stories from Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Funeral services for Ella V. Barton Smith, 95, of Shelbyville, who died Tuesday at Glen Oaks Convalescent Center, will be held at noon Monday at Gowen-Smith Chapel. The Rev. Paul Richardson will officiate and burial will follow in Haley Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 11 a.m. Monday until service time.

Both the Webb Feet and Lady Feet placed third overall at a cross country meet at Vaughn's Creek on Tuesday. Feet runner Damien Launay scorched the entire field with a time of 18 minutes, 45 seconds. Montgomery Bell Academy took first overall. Martin Luther King claimed the top spot in girls competition behind Kara Reid's time of 23:31. Harpeth Hall ran second...

Community Viqueen coach Mark Neill's team lost 7-4 to visiting Forrest on Tuesday evening but it was a lesson well learned for several members of the squad, albeit the hard way. The second-year coach fired a shot across the bow of some of his players who he said had played loose and easy with team rules regarding practice and attendance prior to the match...

Two expensive wedding rings were among items in a purse stolen overnight Sunday from the porch of a Unionville home, the Bedford County Sheriff's Department said. The rings, with a combined value over $9,500, belong to an agent with Crye-Leake Realtors, who left her purse at a Conquest Court home at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. The purse was gone when she returned Monday morning...

Fifteen people pleaded guilty to misdemeanor gambling charges Tuesday, stemming from a raid on an alleged illegal Shelbyville gaming house in August. Meanwhile, others facing charges sought pre-trial diversion, while those facing felony gambling counts were either in the process of hiring an attorney or had their next court date set...

Whether you've got a dog who's ready for the show ring or one who's simply looking to get out and socialize with some of his fellow four-legged companions, you'll find fun in Saturday's Celebration Pet Day and Dog Show. Plus, it is the perfect place to take your children, says Mary Jo Pitts, an organizer of the pet day...

Many Bedford Countians travel regularly to Murfreesboro to work, shop, dine or play, and Murfreesboro police chief Glenn Chrisman says he wants them to come and go without incident. That's one reason the city has installed red light cameras at six intersections, which have been issuing $50 citations since July 5...

Kristin Massa's goal in the 27th minute turned out to be the difference-maker for Middle Tennessee Christian as they came into Wartrace and shut out Cascade 1-0 on Tuesday afternoon. The Lady Champions had their fair share of chances. They totaled 35 shots and had a number of scoring opportunities throughout the match, including a pair of corner kicks that sailed in front of the goal with less than three minutes to play...

Page showed why they're one of the more dominant volleyball powers in Class A/AA as they defeated host Community 25-8, 25-13, 25-9 in District 11 play on Tuesday. Amy Nesius tallied three digs and three service points to pace the Viqueens (6-7, 4-3 11-A/AA). Lauren Freeman dug three balls. Megan Busbee had three blocks...

The 100 block of East Depot Street was reopened to traffic on Tuesday; it had been closed since the demolition of a condemned building on Monday. Meanwhile, a building damaged during the demolition of the condemned structure will be checked to see if it can be salvaged...

Excuse me if I refuse to believe there's a gasoline shortage. So far, and this includes a special trip Friday afternoon after seeing gas lines on TV news, I've had no trouble driving right up to Shelbyville gas pumps without waiting in line. TV news is going to pump this for all it's worth to build ratings, just like the mere threat of a snowflake sends news anchors into a you-must-go-to-the-store panic...

If there's any hard-life lesson I've had to teach my sons, it's "Be skeptical." In my job, it's not so much an occupational hazard as it is an occupational requirement (snopes.com is my first source when it comes to rumors and speculation). But everyone could benefit from a little bit of skepticism now and then...

Comer George Sr., 88, died Tuesday at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Doug Dezotell officiating. Burial will follow at Horse Mountain Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel.