Stories from Sunday, July 10, 2011

Gas prices are definitely a hot topic right now! I recently took a trip that used to cost me $34 round trip two years ago costing $80 now. What a difference!!! Even with lower oil prices we don't instantly see a decline at the gas pump. We are told we should see a decline in gas prices by as much as $.50 a gallon by the end of the summer. Meanwhile, what's a "need it now" traveler and all around saver supposed to do? With vacation season in full swing, it pays to plan and save where you can...

I'm not a big fan of physical violence -- a good quarterback sack being the exception to the rule, as long as it's their quarterback getting sacked -- so I don't have a lot of tolerance for violent crimes. Crime and punishment are where this particular left-leaning columnist leans waaaay right...

Go into any elementary or middle school in Bedford County and you're going to find budding young artists. You will find them helping with murals to cover stucco and concrete block walls and competing for the honor of having his or her art adorn the covers of yearbooks or student agendas...

One of my dearest and oldest friends came to visit us this week. He and his wife live in Memphis, and they drove over to spend the 4th of July holiday with us. We enjoyed our time together. We talked and caught up. We laughed and laughed again. We reminisced and we prayed together. It was a real nice time...

An 18-year-old Shelbyville man and two teenagers were charged with breaking into an East Depot Street business early Thursday, police said. Jonathan Wayne Reed, Locust Street, is charged with burglary, auto burglary, theft of property and two counts of contributing to the deliquency of a minor...

A concerned resident of Robinson Addition expressed his concerns to the city council this week about speeding motorists in his neighborhood. Wesley Asherbranner, Ph.D., asked Shelbyville's council for a speed limit reduction on Moreland Avenue, which is across from Walmart on North Main Street...

While one new Shelbyville restaurant project has been delayed for a few weeks, another is slated to begin construction this fall. Demolition had been scheduled to begin this week on the home at 730 N. Main St. to make way for Waffle House, but the contractor has backed out of the project, according to Scotty Farrar of the city's codes department...

When the Shelbyville city council meets next Thursday, several of the items they will be acting on deal with two new faces at city hall. The council will act on a motion to appoint Vickie Haskins as Shelbyville's new city recorder. They will also vote to add the city's new manager, Jay Johnson, and Haskins to the city's bank accounts...

The federal case against Bedford Cheese, which was shuttered in February following a raid by the Food and Drug Administration, has been closed and the building is up for sale. A default judgment of condemnation, forfeiture and destruction for all of the food products at 111 Deery St. was signed in late June by U.S. District Judge Curtis L. Collier in the case against the Shelbyville company...

How much do you know about keeping your pet happy, healthy and safe? How much does your child know? Many times, it's the son or daughter who pleads for the puppy or kitten -- and the mom or dad who ends up taking care of it. Some education, training and incentives can change all that...

Here a squash, there a squash, everywhere a squash, squash. When the zucchini, yellow squash and patty pans start maturing in the garden, the harvest is plentiful and the question of the day is "What do I do with it all?". The good news is that these summer squashes are so versatile. They can be used in dishes from salads and appetizers to breads and desserts...