Stories from Friday, July 24, 2009

Pauline H, Gordon, 87, of Shelbyville died Wednesday at Bedford County Nursing Home. Graveside services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Willow Mount Cemetery with Bryan Elliott officiating. Visitation will be from noon to 1:45 p.m. at Gowen-Smith Chapel.

The effects of the nation's sour economy once again have hit home as the state Department of Labor & Workforce Development announced that Bedford County's jobless rate hit 13 percent in June. That's a hike of 1.4 percent since May, according to preliminary figures released Thursday...

Two Bedford County schools on high priority status according to federal No Child Left Behind standards have shown improvement this year, officials say. The county school system as a whole has also moved into the state's "improving" status, along with Harris Middle School and Shelbyville Central High School, according to a press release issued by the Tennessee Department of Education...

The Tennessee walking horse industry has take some hard hits in recent years, but many people and businesses have continued to support it. Now, those people and businesses who want to say "Thank you" to the industry that brings an estimated $50 million a year to Middle Tennessee can do so with special yard signs...

The county fair -- no matter which county, no matter what fair -- is all about tradition. From watermelon seed spitting contests to tractor pulls, from horse shows to homemade pies, the traditions are everywhere, especially on the midway. "It makes the memories that last a lifetime," said Joanna Geren, who owns and operates Geren's Carnival with her husband, Jerry. ...

HOOVER, Ala. -- Judging from how he handles the flashbulbs, tape recorders and interrogations, it's safe to say Eric Berry is well on his way to a spectacular 2009. During SEC Media Days, Tennessee's dynamic defensive back roamed from Radio Row to tapings of TV shows to the Print/Media Room at The Wynfrey Hotel as though he was hunting for a wide receiver to lay out...

HOOVER, Ala. -- A highly-touted high school quarterback declared Thursday where he would play his college football in 2010. Once again, the choice was not Tennessee. Jesse Scroggins of Lakewood (Calif.) High School tabbed Southern California over the Volunteers and Florida, meaning he'll play roughly 20 minutes from his current home...