Stories from Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Lora Lee McGhee, 86, of Flat Creek died Jan. 31 at Lynchburg Nursing Center. Mrs. McGhee was cremated and no services are planned at this time. Lynchburg Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Family members of Bobby Smelcer, who has been missing since late November, are planning a candlelight vigil on the lawn of Bedford County Courthouse later this month. The event, termed a "Candlelight Vigil of Hope," will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19...

WINCHESTER -- Missed free throws and costly turnovers proved to be the difference in Harris Middle's 45-40 loss to host Franklin County North in opening round action of the Central Tennessee Conference Tournament on Monday night. The Eaglettes (10-10) led 12-11 at the end of the opening period but North pulled away to a 25-17 lead by halftime and took a 40-31 lead into the fourth quarter...

The town of Wartrace, which recently got a $1 million dollar Tennessee Municipal League loan to help cover expenses in renewing and rehabilitating its water system, may soon be facing another hefty bill -- rehabilitating its sewer treatment system as well...

An attorney representing the county and its trustee is asking that a federal lawsuit be dismissed with prejudice, while a possible trial date could be set in the case this week. Cynthia L. Ray, who worked in the trustee's offices for 24 years, filed a suit against Bedford County and trustee Tonya Davis at the end of 2010, claiming she had been fired for openly supporting Davis' opponent during last year's election...

Webb squandered a chance to upset East/Middle Region-leading Donelson Christian Academy by netting a total of eight second-half points to lose 38-27 on Monday night in Bell Buckle. The Feet (8-13, 4-6 East/Middle) fell behind 14-9 in the early going before rebounding to take a 19-18 edge into the break...

Recording artist Christina Aguilera has taken criticism for flubbing the words of the National Anthem before Sunday's Super Bowl, but Register of Deeds Johnny Reed, who is also a vocalist, can sympathize. Reed has sung "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Celebration, the Spring Fun Show, and other local events...

Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good. The Community Viqueens were a little bit of both on Saturday night in a 43-42 win over visiting Aaron Academy. The Purple and Gold were ahead 43-41 with 3.4 seconds left on the scoreboard and the Lady Royals' Savannah Tenut on the foul line with a chance to tie the game after her team had trailed by as many as nine points in the fourth quarter...

The Community Vikings played one of their most complete games of the season in a 75-70 overtime win over visiting Aaron Academy on Saturday night in front of a large crowd there to honor the seniors. It couldn't have come at a better time for the youngsters...