Stories from Saturday, May 2, 2009

Pouring rains didn't stop 92 ultramarathon runners from participating in the Strolling Jim 40 Saturday, but it did add an extra mile to their route. Flooding on Cannon Road, one of the last legs of the 41.2-mile course, caused county officials to close the road to traffic, so the participants had a bit further to travel -- a little over a mile further...

John Milton Kimmins, 94, of Longview, died Saturday. Graveside services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday at Kimmins Cemetery in Longview with Charles Murphree officiating. Burial will follow in Kimmins Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Lawrence Funeral Home, Chapel Hill...

Phillip Ray Wright, 58, of Shelbyville, died Saturday after an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel with Tim Calloway officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will follow at Willow Mount Cemetery...

Consistent rainfall put several postseason tournament games on hold for Bedford County high school teams this weekend. Coaches and volunteers are hard at work trying to get playing surfaces in shape so that schedules don't fall too far behind with region tournaments scheduled to start up shortly after district action concludes...