Stories from Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Marijuana was found in the possession of a man who allegedly claimed he had none Saturday, police said. John Elbert Stanley Jr., 26, Unionville-Deason Road, was being patted down for weapons when Officer Jose Garza said he smelled marijuana. Stanley denied possessing drugs before Garza found a bag containing 5.94 grams of marijuana and rolling papers, the officer's report said...

Bedford County's unemployment rate for September dropped from 12.5 percent to 12.1 percent, according to figures released by Tennessee Department of Employment Security. Bedford County had a labor force of 22,460 in September, with 19,730 employed and 2,730 unemployed...

Pat Marsh was sworn in Monday as 62nd District state representative and was appointed to the House commerce and transportation committees, giving the Republican party majorities on both. Marsh is a co-founder of Big G Express, a Shelbyville-based trucking company...

Through ups and downs, the Halfway Home of Shelbyville has remained open for one year, and the number of lives it has affected over the course of that year is growing. Led by Jay Pope, many have passed through the 6-month program, which serves as a transitional home for men who want to start a new Christian-based life following incarceration. Pope had success stories to share on Friday at the home's chili and corn bread benefit lunch, held at Pope's Lighthouse Church on Church Street...

The alleged gunman in Friday night's murder of Gary LeTron Cordelle 'Tron' Thomison is in custody, authorities said today. George "G" Simpson, 24, of Murfreesboro, was arrested there about 1:30 to 1: 45 a.m. today by Murfreesboro police, Detective Sgt. Brian Crews of the Shelbyville Police Department said...

The Shelbyville/Lincoln County football game scheduled for Friday has been moved up to Thursday night at Eagle Stadium due to the possibility of severe weather forecasted for Friday. It's Senior Night with festivities scheduled for 6:30 and the kickoff to follow at 7...

Huntland Middle defended its home hardwood by handing Webb Middle a 30-22 loss Monday night. The Hornets (1-0) jumped out in front by outscoring their foes 11-0 in the first quarter and extended that lead to 15-3 by halftime behind Kiel Graham's 10 points...

Shelbyville Central senior Darrell Hardison has been selected to play for the Under Armour National baseball team. He will be competing in the Pirate City World Series in Bradenton, Fla., in late December. Hardison was asked to try out for the team after receiving a letter from Baseball Factory, a college recruitment service...

Heritage Medical Center is the title sponsor of the second annual United Way Spooktacular 5K run / walk coming Saturday. The event starts at 8:30 a.m. from Shelbyville Recreation Center at H.V. Griffin Park. CEO Dan Bucker emphasized Heritage Medical Center's continuing education of overall wellness and the role exercise plays in healthy living...

Robert Ellis Pierce, 68, of Shelbyville died Monday at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Ron Dewitt officiating. Burial will follow at Willow Mount Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Lou Fannie Carpenter, age 65, of LaVergne, formerly of Shelbyville, died Tuesday at Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro. Funeral services will be held at noon Friday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel with Herbert L. Stewart officiating. Burial will follow at Holden Cemetery. Visitation with the family will begin at 10 a.m.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Gaps are a tough thing to look past. People in the limelight like Mike Tyson, Michael Strahan, Elton John and Madonna have all embraced the divergence in their smiles. It's part of who they are and easily recognizable. In recent years, the football powerhouses in the Southeastern Conference erected a clear and present gap between themselves and Tennessee...