Stories from Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Lance Cpl. Roger Gary Michael Hager, 20, of Gibsonville, N.C., was killed in action in Afghanistan on July 8, 2009, while conducting combat operations against enemy forces. Services were held Wednesday at Lowe Funeral Home in Burlington, N.C. Brian Biggers officiated and burial with full military honors followed in Gibsonville City Cemtery...

Jonathan White is doing everything in his power to show the San Francisco Giants organization that they made a wise decision in taking him in June's First-Year Player Draft. The former Shelbyville Central and Vanderbilt outfielder/designated hitter singled twice in five at-bats while both driving in and scoring a run to help the Arizona League Giants defeat the Arizona League Brewers 5-4 Wednesday...

I'd forgotten how much the play "Romeo & Juliet" annoyed me until I saw the Tennessee Shakespeare Festival's version Friday night in Bell Buckle. Oh, don't get me wrong -- I loved it and plan on going back for more this weekend! But as a mom, I just want to toss a bucket of cold water over these over-reacting, hormone-ridden teenagers and avoid the tragedy altogether. I also wanted to jerk a knot in the good Friar Lawrence's belt for being such an enabler...

The Chamber of Commerce coffees in Wartrace have been offering something unusual lately -- live music. "At the chamber meeting before last, we had talked about the last mixer at Wet Your Whistle, and at that time Duffy (Jackson) and I played, just some background music," said Joe Peters...

Tennessee walking horses, pencils and basketball are all part of Bedford County's identity. But there's another marker, a little more subtle, that adds charm as well as beauty to this small Southern city and county. Crape myrtles, shrubs or small trees chiefly famous for their colorful and long-lasting flowers, are prevalent in Shelbyville, thanks to a project that began almost 15 years ago...

The Shelbyville Woman's Club gathered for its July meeting Wednesday at the Riverbend Country Club. Following a light and refreshing summer lunch, Mike Rittenberry, president of Peoples Bank in Shelbyville, gave a brief explanation about the nation's current economy and answered questions from members...

A man awaiting sentencing over an incident at Duck River Speedway last summer has filed a suit against the city of Shelbyville and the county, including both of their law enforcement agencies, along with a number of other entities and individuals. Marvin Parker and Parker Brothers LLC are the target of a lawsuit by plaintiffs Christopher and James Smotherman, Sr., and in papers filed June 8 in Bedford County Circuit Court, Parker filed an amended answer and countercomplaint, naming the city, county and many others as third party defendants.. ...

Bedford County Board of Commissioners voted to write off $279,782 in bad debts at Bedford County Nursing Home in preparation for leasing the nursing home to Johnson City-based Care Centers Management Consulting. Financial Management Committee chairman Joe Tillett said it's possible a few more bad debts might turn up as the county and CCMC work towards finalizing their lease agreement, which was approved in principle on June 30...

Bedford County Emergency Medical Services ended the 2008-2009 fiscal year above projected revenue and below projected expenses, although director Chad Graham told BCEMS board members Monday night that the under-spending was partly the result of personnel factors that are difficult to control from year to year...