Stories from Thursday, September 17, 2009

To the Editor: What message is this sending the students about the President? Parents that do not agree with the President addressing their kids on the importance of education - what does that say? There was not much of a deal made when the former President Bush and Laura visited the schools and read to the kids to show the importance of reading. Is this really what this is about?...

Community, coming off its best game of the season so far, is still looking for their first win. It's been a slower week than usual, in terms of practice, going into Friday night's game in Unionville against Middle Tennessee Christian, the squads' second District 9-A clash of the season...

Eighth grader Shelbye Stacy provided the game-winning goal to ease Cascade Middle past Fayetteville City 1-0 in Wartrace on Wednesday afternoon. Courtnie Carter dished out the assist on Stacy's score. Rachel Rubalcaba totaled six saves to contribute to the Lady Champion shutout...

A member of the county's solid waste authority is once again challenging other committees to forgo the monthly payments they receive for attending meetings. Several months ago, member Bill Lewis made the suggestion that the authority stop accepting the $50 per month they receive for attending meetings to help out the county with its tight financial situation...

A Murfreesboro man accused of several sexually-related charges involving a minor and the Internet will make a court appearance next month. Oct. 14 is the second court date for Brian Allen Bell, 27, who has been charged with four counts of solicitation of a minor, sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means and distributing obscene material to a minor...

The bad news is -- in tough economic times, it can be hard for nonprofit organizations to raise money, and many people feel bad about not being able to donate. The good news is -- you don't have to donate money to help. You can also donate time. This Saturday, the First Choice Pregnancy Counseling Center is holding its Wash for Life project -- a collection of car washes taking place throughout the community...

Imagination Library board members read to students at East Side Elementary Wednesday in a quest to promote the importance of reading to young children. This week is Imagination Library Week in Tennessee. Imagination Library, started by entertainer Dolly Parton in 1996, mails students registered in the program new, age appropriate books from birth to age 5 at no cost to the family...

The debate over the debate continues. Candidates in the special election to fill the vacant 62nd District state House of Representative seat continue to fling accusations over who is and isn't interested in a debate. The campaign of Republican candidate Pat Marsh issued a news release criticizing Democratic candidate Ty Cobb II for his campaign's initial response to the Times-Gazette that he didn't have time for a debate...

The National Environmental Education Foundation, in partnership with The Weather Channel, has awarded local teacher Emily Wilson, along with 18 other high school teachers nationwide, with a grant designed to bring environmental awareness into the classroom, according to a press release issued by NEEF...

Late night brought out a thief at Walmart over the weekend, Shelbyville police said. A shoplifter took three mobile printers, a video camera and digital camera from the North Main Street store between 2 and 3 a.m. Saturday, police said Tuesday. The man entered the store with two women and purchased food before leaving alone, police said...

Jamison Morton Wheeler, age 88, a Shelbyville native and longtime resident of Warren, Mich., died Monday at St. John Macomb Hospital Center in Warren. Funeral services will be held at D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home in Warren at 10:30 a.m. EDT Friday with the Rev. Thomas Fischer officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Christian Memorial Cultural Center Cemetery in Rochester Hills, Mich...

Ruth Frances Brame Haulcy of Chicago Heights, Ill., sister of Jean Brame of Shelbyville, died recently. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Sept. 28 at Robey Mark Manor Funeral Home in Chicago Heights. Visitation with the family will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Sept. 27 and beginning at 10 a.m. Sept. 28...

Frances Simmons Davidson, 83, of Shelbyville died Tuesday at Christian Care Center (Bedford County Nursing Home). Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Hillcrest Funeral Home with Raymond Ragsdale officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until service time Friday...