Stories from Friday, September 4, 2009

In a statement issued Friday evening to principals, administrators and the Times-Gazette, Bedford County School Superintendent Ed Gray said that most local classrooms will not watch President Obama's back-to-school speech live on Tuesday. Gray cited the demands of the instructional schedule and the danger of politicizing the classroom. ...

While Tennessee walking horses may be what brings thousands and thousands of visitors to the Celebration, they aren't all the event has to offer. For many of the horse lovers, their and friends and their families, it's all about getting together. "We aren't showing any," said Jim Atchinson, a retired banker, Thursday night. ...

Tennessee Walking Horse exhibitors show all year hoping to ride under the spotlight at The Celebration. On Thursday night, 10 world grand championship classes took to the ring. Owner-Amateur Youth Riders 6-17 on Walking Ponies World Grand Championship contenders went down to the big oval to work for the top prize in the division. ...

Shelbyville police are looking for a man who has not registered as a sex offender in Tennessee and is facing a number of charges. Brett Tyler Hill, whose driver's license places his residence as Woodly Court in McMinnville, is wanted for theft and forgery that he allegedly committed in Shelbyville, according to Detective Sgt. Brian Crews. He is also wanted for a probation violation...

A man arrested for his 13th charge of DUI will spend the next seven years behind bars before being eligible for parole. Phillip Ray Burns, 45, of Hopkins Bridge Road pleaded guilty to the charge Thursday before Circuit Court Judge Lee Russell, as well as charges of being a habitual traffic offender, simple possession of schedule VI, violation of implied consent and evading arrest...

The cost of getting an accident report from Shelbyville police will drop considerably once the city passes a resolution to come into line with the state's open records laws. City manager Ed Craig explained during Tuesday's study session that the state's open records law was amended in 2008, creating the Office of Open Records Council...

Myreene Gail Brown Teitsch, 54, of Shelbyville, died Wednesday at Christian Care Center of Bedford County. Per her request, her remains were cremated. There will be no services. Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements...

CROSS (Community Religious Outreach Social Services), the local homeless shelter which opened in December 2008, is in danger of losing its facility at a time when the closure of the Sanford manufacturing plant has put even more people out of work, and director and board chairman Carl Bailey is looking at both short-term and long-term solutions...

Who would have thought cozy rocking chairs being hauled off to the dump would mean that Mr. Economy is actually treating some people well? No, truckloads of old chairs being hauled away from the 61-year-old Capri Theater on Depot Street do not mean the theater is going out of business...

Webb played host to their initial cross country meet of the season Thursday by welcoming Community and Donelson Christian Academy to Bell Buckle. The Feet had the top five finishers on the boys' side with Damien Launay's time of 18 minutes, 22 seconds topping the list...

When Shelbyville Central hosts Franklin County tonight in a District 8-AAA contest it will be a matchup between two much-improved teams attempting to take their program to the next level. Kickoff is at 7. The Eagles (2-0) enter with wins over Coffee County and Warren County. The Rebels (1-0) rolled past White County in Week Zero and were idle last week...

Community Middle fell on the gridiron 20-6 to visiting Forrest Middle on Thursday evening. The Rockets found paydirt on a 42-yard pass play at the start of the second quarter. They went to the air for their second score from 28 yards away and led 12-0 at halftime...

Charles Oliver Fleenor, 79, of Wartrace died Thursday at his home after an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Hillcrest Funeral Home with the Rev. Faye Tucker and the Rev. Rattan Tucker officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Visitation will begin Sunday at noon.

Franklin Road Academy downed Webb 164-187 at River Bend Country Club on Thursday. The Panthers' Tyler Smith was medalist with a four-under par 32. Trey Brasfield shot a 43, Chris Goddard 44 and Zack Morgan 45. Blake Cocanougher and Chris Burgoon paced the Feet (2-6-1) with a 44 apiece. Ben Morris carded a 49 and Garrett King 50...

Shelbyville Central remains unbeaten and unscored on after rolling past visiting Coffee County 8-0 in a non-district soccer match Thursday night. The Golden Eaglettes (4-0) have outscored their opponents 27-0 to start the season but will be tested against some of the best teams in the state this weekend...