Stories from Sunday, September 19, 2010

Two years ago, Vivian Salas was living a pretty good life. She had a nice home, a decent vehicle, her health -- and then suddenly something vanished. Then, like the domino effect, everything else seemed to fall apart. "I became sick," Salas said. "Within six months I had lost everything, selling my belongings piece by piece. I was planning to end my life."...

Have you got a hideout? You need a place you can go when life gets a bit overwhelming, the phones seem too loud and these pesky adolescents keep insisting you really are their mother. I discovered I have lots of little places I can run to, and no, they aren't all parks in Shelbyville...

Last week, I made reference to a favorite quote of mine about setting good examples for our children. I by no means plan to bombard you each week with famous quotes that touch me -- although I could -- but there is one more that I have to cite today...

Within the next few weeks, we will offer up some -- hopefully -- unique fall recipes, probably featuring pears, pumpkins and apples. I'd like to venture beyond the apple pie and pumpkin cake this year, and cook some new dishes with the classic fall staples...

The Times-Gazette was treated last week to a delicious luncheon, catered by Loly Martone, that was topped off by an orange coconut supreme cake....

Assistant attorney general Mike Randles said he will contact Tennessee's top prosecutor about supplementing the record in regards to an overturned ruling in a probation violation case. Earlier this week, Tennessee's criminal court of appeals overturned a ruling by Circuit Court Judge Lee Russell that resulted in James Edward "Blue" Farrar Jr. serving 14 months for violating his probation after being arrested for public intoxication...

Students from The Webb School in Bell Buckle are set to showcase their acting and theater production skills overseas next year, thanks to an invitation from the American High School Theatre Festival (AHSTF). The Webb Theatre program was recently selected to participate in the 2011 Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. ...

Results from last spring's TCAP testing will go out to parents of school children throughout Tennessee over the next few weeks, and parents may not like what they see -- but state officials say it's not because children are falling behind this year but because the measuring stick has changed...

A pair of middle school rivals battled to a scoreless tie as Cascade and Community locked horns early Thursday afternoon. Lady Champion Kenzie Henke racked up 15 saves and Viqueen Jamie Demonbreum tallied seven saves to help each team preserve their respective shutouts...

MURFREESBORO -- It started with high hopes that had a shot at fruition but ended in disappointment as the Community Vikings fell to District 9-A opponent Middle Tennessee Christian 35-0 on an ideal night for football. The Cougars (2-3, 1-1 9-A) got on the board first on a Stephen Brent 1-yard run with 4:53 left in the first period...

Shelbyville Central suffered its first District 8-AAA loss of the season in a 34-3 setback by visiting Columbia Central Friday night. The Golden Eagles (3-2, 1-1 8-AAA) were able to move the ball on offense but only managed a 25-yard field goal by sophomore Andrew Thompson in the closing seconds of the first half...

Community twice held one-goal leads against District 11-A/AA rival Cascade but the Lady Champions closed the match with four unanswered goals to win 5-2 in Wartrace on Friday afternoon. Cascade (3-2-1, 1-2-1 11-A/AA) came in with just one goal over its last three matches but blistered several shots at or near the net and found a rhythm late...