Stories from Thursday, December 31, 2009

Martha Sheffield Cook, 63, of Chapel Hill died Wednesday at her home after an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Chapel Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where she was a lifelong member and former elder, with the Rev. Calvin Lunn and the Rev. Joe Wiggins officiating. Burial will follow at Sheffield Cemetery near Chapel Hill. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. Friday at Lawrence Funeral Home, Chapel Hill, and at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Two recent train fires in Wartrace have led to some good things -- both for CSX Transportation and the Wartrace Volunteer Fire Department. Jim Cain, the community affairs and safety officer for the railroad company, stopped by the town hall Wednesday afternoon and brought a $7,000 grant with him...

A new state representative, and a departing city manager, are the next two entries in the Times-Gazette's annual countdown of the year's top stories. We will reveal two stories a day through Sunday. The stories already revealed: 10) Tracy, Evans seek House seat (19 points)...

State health inspectors have been busy during the last month of the year in Bedford County checking restaurants and as a result, only four eating establishments were given a score below an "80." Tennessee's Department of Health is responsible for regulation of food service establishments and the law requires that restaurants have an unannounced inspection at least once every six months to determine if they are in compliance...

Can an apple a day keep the psychiatrist away? Well, no, not if you're really clinically depressed, but studies have proven that some simple changes in your lifestyle can help combat the holiday blues. According to WebMD.com, "Dietary changes can bring about changes in your brain structure, both chemically and physiologically. Those changes can improve mood and mental outlook."...

LEBANON -- Just as Cascade was threatening to snatch the Mid-State Christmas Tournament championship, Ezell-Harding kicked it into gear with a late 13-2 run to carry the Eagles to a 51-42 win at Friendship Christian School on Wednesday night. The Lady Champions (10-3) trailed the entire game until an M.K. Potts basket with 7:44 to play capped off a 9-0 run and eased them ahead 35-34. However, that was their lone lead of the ballgame...

LEBANON -- A pair of scoring runs to close out each of the first two quarters gave Franklin Road Academy the lift it needed en route to a 58-43 win over Cascade in the Mid-State Christmas Tournament at Friendship Christian School on Wednesday night...

NASHVILLE -- Shelbyville Central has struggled from time to time this season. But, despite a 61-53 loss to talented Mt. Juliet on Wednesday afternoon in the Father Ryan Christmas Tournament, the Golden Eagles showed a resemblance to the team they were expected to be...

Shelbyville Central fought from behind and finished strong in a 42-36 win over Marshall County on Wednesday in the Hickman County Above the Rim Christmas Invitational. The Lady Tigers posted a 12-8 lead at the end of the first, held a 22-20 advantage at the intermission and were up 34-28 going into the fourth quarter...