Stories from Thursday, July 2, 2009

Like everyone else, we've been inundated with dead celebrity news over the past week. My husband was watching some of the Michael Jackson coverage, just shaking his head. "I don't get it," he said. I do. I didn't like Michael Jackson -- his music or his lifestyle -- and I'm sure not going to start claiming I do now just because his death has elevated him to rock'n'roll sainthood. I never understood the whole glove thing, or the face sculpting. Half the time, I didn't even understand the lyrics...

Marvin Sullivan Turner, 80, of Wartrace, died Wednesday at Alive Hospice at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Hillcrest Funeral Home with Raymond Ragsdale, Phillip Crawley and Frank Butler officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens...

Jennie Catherine Reid Brewer, 56, of Bryson City, N.C., formerly of Winchester, died Tuesday at her residence. A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. EDT today at Crisp Funeral Home, Bryson City, with the Rev. Dan Conseen officiating.

Josh Burrahm has stepped down as Community High School's baseball coach, ending a four-year relationship with the Viking program. Burrahm, whose team finished with a 10-15 record this season, will stay on at Community Junior High when the high and middle schools split this fall...

An estimated $8,000 bill faces the International House of Prayer, Union Street, after five windows were destroyed or damaged Monday, the church's pastor said. One window was blown out and four others have holes, pastor Bryan Nerren told the Times-Gazette...

The Shelbyville & Vicinity NANBPW Club 18th annual Founder's Day Luncheon was held Saturday at the Blue Ribbon Circle. Martha Works King, governor of the Southeast District, was the guest speaker at the luncheon. "[President] Obama, [Martin Luther] King and [Rosa] Parks all had one characteristic in common -- they all wanted a better America for us and they had the courage to make that vision a reality," she said...

Michael Watkins recently signed a letter of intent to continue his education as well as his baseball career with Motlow State. The talented recent Shelbyville Central graduate and four-year member of the Golden Eagle baseball team feels the community college in Tullahoma was the perfect fit...

Devon Ward only has one regret about being 2008's Miss Bedford County, crowned at last year's Fairest of the Fair pageant. "They didn't have a scholarship then!" she said, laughing. "I could use it!" This year, the winner of the Miss Bedford County category, young ladies between 16 and 21, will take home a $500 scholarship, as well as a crown...

The Fourth of July brings certain things every year, such as fireworks, picnics, ants, games, fun -- and increased law enforcement. Whether you're going to the events in Bell Buckle's city park or H.V. Griffin Park in Shelbyville, keep in mind that area and state law enforcement will be out, looking for drunk drivers...

Shelbyville's city council will vote next week on whether to opt out of a new state law that allows those with carry permits to lawfully possess handguns in city parks. The newly passed Public Chapter No. 428 would authorize citizens in Tennessee with handgun carry permits to be able to lawfully possess a firearm in federal, state or local parks...

Fifty years after signing an agreement with the city, the Shelbyville Housing Authority wants to give back property which contains Shelbyville's underground flume system. Hershel Thrasher, executive director, told the council that it recently came to SHA's attention that the flume, also known as pressure tubes A, B and C, was still legally titled to the Housing Authority...

James Holt "Jimmy" Farrar, of Tullahoma, died Tuesday at Specialty Select Rehabilitation Hospital in Nashville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Kilgore Funeral Home, Tullahoma, with Marty Nutter officiating. Burial will follow at Rosebank Cemetery in Flat Creek. Visitation with the family will be from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday.

Ruby Katherine Woodard, 77, of Shelbyville, died Wednesday at Alive Hospice in Nashville. Funeral services will be held at noon Monday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel with Anthony Booker officiating. Burial will follow at Willow Mount Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Monday.

Gov. Phil Bredesen has issued a writ of election to fill the vacancy in the 62nd District State House of Representatives seat created by the resignation this week of State Rep. Curt Cobb of Shelbyville. Party primaries for the seat will be held on Aug. 27, with the general election to be Oct. 13...