Stories from Sunday, February 22, 2009

A bill now before the state legislature, which I learned about in a blog post by Nashville City Paper's Adam Kleinheider, would eliminate Tennessee's system of "open" primaries and require people to register as a member of a party in order to vote in that party's primary elections. Many other states require such party registration...

EAGLEVILLE -- Eagleville led from start to finish en route to claiming their second straight District 9-A tournament championship after defeating Forrest 62-48 on Friday night. The second-seeded Eagles (19-7) jumped on top 8-0 after the opening tip only to see the fifth-seeded Rockets (12-17) draw to within 12-8 as the first quarter concluded with all four baskets for the Chapel Hill boys coming from Ferris Perkins...

A second strategic planning meeting regarding the future of the Argie Cooper Public Library will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Feb. 24 at the library. This meeting will serve as a follow-up to the first planning meeting, which was held earlier this month...

You've been caught speeding and now -- aside from the financial hit you are going to take -- you are also going to have to take time out of your busy schedule to go to court. A new addition to the city of Shelbyville's website, however, may take away some of the pain of paying for a traffic infraction by allowing you to pay your ticket online...

A former Vanderbilt University instructor who faces sexually related charges was taken into custody and will not be released until he surrenders his passport. Lason Lain Watai, 48, of Nashville, faces a March 10 trial on two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, two counts of solicitation of a minor and attempted aggravated statutory rape as the result on an online sting conducted by Shelbyville police...

The Bedford County Board of Education revisited its policy Thursday night on whether students living outside the county should be allowed to attend county schools. If so, the board discussed whether those students should be charged tuition. Some students living outside the county receive waivers to attend county schools, but next year, according to the board's current policy, they won't be allowed in class...

EAGLEVILLE -- Defense was front and center when the Community Vikings and the Cascade Champions hooked up to determine third place in the District 9-A tournament on Friday night. In the end, the Vikings prevailed 44-29. Both squads' defenses played so well in the first half that it began to appear as if the first team to reach 20 points would win...

Runners and walkers -- with two legs and four -- set off from Shelbyville's square to take part in the Paws for a Cause 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk Saturday. The event benefitted the local Spay Neuter committee, and was held to coincide with national Spay Day USA, which is Tuesday...

James C. Scott, 92, of Shelbyville, died Saturday at his home after a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at 11 a..m. Tuesday at Fairlane Church of Christ with Geoff Giesemann and Russ Countess officiating. Burial will follow at Wilkes Cemetery in Culleoka. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Fairlane Church of Christ. Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.