Stories from Sunday, September 12, 2010

A decision 21-year-old Kara Spray made on a whim turned out to be a life-changing opportunity for love, health and appreciation for America. "I woke up one day and just wasn't satisfied with where my life was going," said Spray, who joined the Army National Guard that morning. "And I wanted to lose weight. A friend took me to a recruiter and I signed that day."...

Summer is winding down and soon enough we'll be craving those hearty foods that keep us warm through the winter. So until that time comes, why not eat a little lighter and healthier, perhaps banking some calories for the comfort food to come? Actually, nowadays, there are so many interesting salads at restaurants and even fast food establishments, that you could eat salads every day and not get bored. ...

Each day, my very special aunt Jane sends out a little note of encouragement to me, and about 12 others in my extended family. It's been a tough couple of years for my family, with both of my grandparents dying, followed by the premature death of my father (their son) and my uncle, who also fiercely battled lung cancer...

This is my annual thank you letter to the man who was kind enough -- or foolish enough -- to say "I do" 23 years ago today. Thank you for the meals you have cooked for me and our boys because I was too tired, at work, too lazy, or you were simply sick of Hamburger Helper six nights a week...

Community volleyball dropped a midday match to host Cannon County 3-0 on Friday. The Lady Lions didn't allow the Viqueens (2-4) to reach the 20-point mark in any of the three games, winning 25-13, 25-17, 25-19. "We have to learn to be consistent throughout the entire match, continually hit the ball and find the holes," Community coach Allison Layne-Martin said. "We had really good rallies but just could not maintain the lead."...

A large number of items, including a truck, were stolen overnight Tuesday from a home and surrounding grounds on Liberty Pike north of Bell Buckle, according to a Bedford County Sheriff's Department report released Friday. A 1982 Chevrolet pickup truck and car hauler were taken from outside the house and shop, an estimated $4,000 worth of tools and power equipment from a shop and a flat screen television and $1,500 worth of bluegrass and country music compact discs from the home, Deputy Lindsey Puckett's report said.. ...

COLUMBIA--Startup programs such as Community's are going to experience growing pains. Sometimes they are going to be very harsh lessons, some are going to hurt because of what could have been if the ball or a break or two had bounced their way, and then there are some that simply need to trigger a very quick memory loss on a young team's part...

Shelbyville has approved joining other communities around the state in bringing charging stations to town for electric vehicles. The city council gave its approval Thursday for Mayor Wallace Cartwright to sign a letter of intent with the company ECOtality North America to participate in the EV Project, touted as the largest deployment of electric vehicles and charge infrastructure in history...

Nine years ago Saturday, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks changed the course of America's history. Most Americans will probably never forget where they were when they heard the news of the Sept. 11 attacks, but as time goes on, a new generation will need to be reminded...

More than 500 cats were euthanized at the Bedford County animal shelter last year. "To give you an idea, we pick up twice as many dogs and puppies than we do cats and kittens," said director Michael Gregory. "But the number of dogs we put down was only marginally higher than cats."...

Shelbyville Central cruised to three straight wins to open the season but ran into a huge roadblock Friday night. The Golden Eagles fell behind early on the way to a 42-14 loss to defending Class 4A state champion Giles County at Eagle Stadium. Playing without senior leader and quarterback Tre Stewart, out for the game with an injury, Shelbyville's offense struggled to find the rhythm it had in the first three games...

Rare is it that teams get fired up, pump fists and applaud being down a touchdown. When the opponent is a four-time state champion that comes in having outscored opponents 117-14 as the top-ranked team in Class 1A, it's a feat with a minimum value of a golf clap...

With no comment, Shelbyville City Council on Thursday night approved the first reading of an ordinance setting up the rules for an $11 monthly garbage fee. The council passed the ordinance by a vote of 4-2, with Lee Roy Cunningham and Al Stephenson voting no...