Stories from Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Investigators say they're at a standstill in the search for Bobby Velen Smelcer, who was last seen on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. "We haven't received any new leads," Det. Sgt. Brian Crews of the Shelbyville Police Department said Monday. "The TBI crime lab is still processing the items recovered from his home."...

For residents of Bedford County, clouds may have obscured the total lunar eclipse that occurred early this morning. But that does not obscure the rarity of a full lunar eclipse occurring during the official beginning of winter known as the winter solstice...

You may think you've finished up your Christmas shopping, but there's one last stocking stuffer you ought to get. The United Way's annual Bedford County-related Christmas ornament is finally here, and this year it features The Fly Arts Center. "We send pictures off to the company and they create artwork out of it," said Dawn Holley, director of the Bedford County United Way. "The ornaments are 24-karat plated."...

Shelbyville Central's Eaglettes fell 58-39 to talented Moore County in the Mid-South Classic on Monday at Jackson County High School. The Eaglettes (4-8) return to tournament action this afternoon against Pigeon Forge in a 4 p.m. matchup at Cookeville High School...

A judgment in excess of $5 million against the parent company of a local assisted living facility in a wrongful death suit will be going to the Tennessee Court of Appeals after a judge overruled defense motions and approved the judgments. In April 2010, a Bedford County jury returned a verdict of more than $5.4 million against Americare Systems Inc, and Shelbyville Residential LLC, which does business as Celebration Way, and two nurses -- Dottie Hunt and Mary Ann Steelman...

Bedford County Board of Education, meeting Thursday night, approved a policy required by the state which will, starting in spring 2012, make TCAP scores count for 25 percent of a student's overall grade for particular subjects in grades 3-8. But in order for the policy to work, the state must begin making TCAP scores available more quickly; they currently don't arrive in time to be figured into final grades...

Gold River Feed Products received its first tanker shipments of molasses and steep water (water in which grain has been steeped) last week and plans to begin test runs this week, entering actual production of its livestock feed supplements after the first of the year...

Mamie Gaunt, 99, of Fayetteville died Monday at the Lincoln County Health Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Mayberry Street Church of Christ, Fayetteville. Visitation will begin at noon. Nelson & Sons Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Robert E. Fisher, age 82, died Sunday. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home, Nashville, with interment to follow in the Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens.