Stories from Sunday, July 4, 2010

Dothan, Ala. made an early lead last to edge Shelbyville Senior American Legion Post 23 2-1 on Friday in the First Farmers & Merchants Independence Day Classic at Columbia. Designated hitter Santez Richards scored on a second-inning sacrifice fly by center fielder Chandler Guy off Post 23 pitcher Josh Brown, who allowed Dothan only two hits...

Jay Brinkley led the Super Late Model Class feature from start to finish en route to claiming a first-place trophy as Ducktona Speedway in Wheel celebrated the Fourth of July weekend. Brinkley, fresh off his 2009 Southern Regional Racing Series championship, showed why he is one of the best drivers around and earned every penny of the $2,000 prize. The Shelbyville resident grabbed the pole and never looked back...

Wartrace and Bell Buckle are at odds over water -- who supplies it and how much it costs. This was evident Thursday night at a special called water board hearing in Wartrace where both Wartrace Mayor Don Gallagher and Bell Buckle Mayor Dennis Webb explained their recent actions and reactions...

The state announced Thursday that Bedford County will receive nearly $100,000 in grant funds to improve energy efficiency at the county courthouse. Gov. Phil Bredesen and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber announced a total of $3.8 million in grants to 42 communities statewide; an additional $9.2 million had been awarded a few months earlier. ...

Some voters who have spoken with the Times-Gazette are unclear about the difference between the primary and general elections which will both take place on the same day in August. Here is a brief explanation: In the general election, you are helping to make the final decision about who will take office. In the primary election, you are helping to choose your party's nominee to run in the November general election for state and federal offices...

If there's anything scarier than an 11-year-old who's discovered eBay, it's an 11-year-old who's discovered the blender and the 18-year-old who's discovered a scooter and I'm dealing with both right now. I need to discover Valium. Better yet, I need to discover a gold mine for when the insurance agency discovers my children have discovered blenders and bikes...

This past weekend I went to one of my sorority sisters' weddings in Jackson. Wow, what a wedding it was. This wedding was the definition of a "dream wedding." There was nothing small about this wedding. It was absolutely beautiful. The church was picture-perfect and the people were picture-perfect...

Trips to the pool, library, zoo, park, movie theater, and more: Sounds like a fun summer. The Bedford County School Age Care Program is celebrating its 20th year of operation. Sheree Floyd, program director, has 32 years of experience with child care and has been with the Bedford County SACP for 13 years...

Today's the Fourth -- and you know what that means. It's time to make some of your favorite summer recipes. There are several staple dishes that you will find at almost any Fourth of July cookout. One of those dishes is, of course, pasta salad. Pasta salads are very versatile and most of the time, easy to make...