Stories from Monday, January 26, 2009

Liberty Middle's girls overcame a feisty start by Webb Middle to end their season with a 43-31 victory in the consolation contest of the Bedford County Tournament in Unionville on Saturday. The Lady Feet, who took both regular-season battles, came onto the floor with a plan early on and held an 8-6 lead at the end of first-quarter play...

When it's all said and done, any team and every kid that takes the court and plays with their heart is a winner. But, at the end of the day, a tournament can only allow one champion. Community Junior High grasped the Bedford County Tournament boys crown Saturday with a vigorous 51-44 win over Cascade Middle...

Shelbyville's planning commission gave its OK Thursday for a 155,000-square-foot addition to the Sanford Distribution Center. The addition to the plant is to be a new packaging center adjacent to the current facility on Railroad Avenue, which will employ more than 125 people. The center is scheduled to be open during the time period when the manufacturing facility in Shelbyville closes, resulting in a net loss of 175 jobs...

A small church can make a big difference. That's what Dr. Kent Lewis believes. Lewis, who will be installed at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, as the licensed lay minister for Christ Lutheran Church, is eager to help his congregation thrive. "At this stage, I'm primarily listening," he said. "They want to grow."...

Bedford County Board of Education members heard Thursday that while Gov. Phil Bredesen is trying to protect basic school funding from the 20 percent cuts he's imposed on other state departments, drastic cuts are being made in other programs, such as career ladder and extended contract benefits for teachers...

As the children's hymn goes, "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine," citizens of Bedford County let their inner light shine bright in the fight against cancer Saturday night. The American Cancer Society kicked off the new year for Bedford County's Relay For Life at the Courthouse grounds...

Memorial services for Richard Daniel Mallard Jr., 60, of Shelbyville, will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Hillcrest Funeral Home with the Rev. Buddy Royston officiating. Visitation will begin at 6 p.m.

Pricilla Ann Green Potts, 68, of Shelbyville, died Sunday at Bedford County Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Donnie Jones and the Rev. Bobby McGee officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens...

Gertrude Louise Johnson Wilkerson, 88, of Fayetteville, died Friday at Sunbridge Care Center. Funeral services were held Sunday with Wayne Copeland officiating. Burial followed in Lois Cemetery. Lynchburg Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Wendy Lee Puckett Tibbs, 45, of Shelbyville, died Monday at Heritage Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Dwight Wiser officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Douglas Lee Burgess, 82, of Farmington, died Sunday. Funeral services will be held at noon Wednesday at Lawrence Funeral Home, Chapel Hill, with Cory Barnett and Bennie Burns officiating. Burial will follow at Middleview Cemetery in Marshall County. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

The fight for the Bedford County Tournament title was close throughout the entire 24 minutes Saturday night. Community Junior High managed to edge their way to a slim 22-17 victory over Cascade Middle in Unionville. With the championship plaque on the line, the encounter between the teams was too close to count until the third stanza. The Viqueens took control of the rock and outscored the Lady Champions 8-2. This provided the Purple and Gold with a generous 17-9 lead...

The hills won't be the only things rolling around Bell Buckle come November. The town, in conjunction with Webb School, will be hosting its first collegiate wheelchair basketball tournament. Carla Webb, wife of Bell Buckle Mayor Dennis Webb, is coordinating the event, which will be used to raise funds for a new basketball court at the town park...