Stories from Sunday, October 16, 2011

Librarian Dona Northcutt is caretaker of a prime spot of window space near the main hallway of Harris Middle School, and she's using it to entice -- and entrance -- students to visit. Students regularly visit the library through their reading classes to select books for an assignment, however, "The true measure of a library's success is to create an inviting environment that draws the students into the media center voluntarily and for leisure reading," said Northcutt...

Why in the world do men wear ties? Where did this strange fashion accessory come from? Men gather a long piece of material and tie it in a knot around their neck and go about their business. I can understand a belt. It serves a good purpose. It holds my pants up. But a tie?...

Have you been a faithful blinkie participant? Do you send the kids down the aisle to grab that flashing blinkie discount? I am constantly amazed at the number of people who still don't know the value of the blinkie. Have you noticed there are more and more blinkies appearing in the stores? Why are we seeing this increase in "blinkie bargains?" Before I tell you why, let me do a quick recap for you of the benefit of the blinkie and how it functions:...

Nineteen years ago today, I lost a son. Bearing a child is a thing sacred in womanhood, it touches the core of who we are, links us to the women in all the generations and ages before us. Since then, nearing the end of August, I find myself entering a time of mourning in my spirit. After the first decade had passed in which I inexplicably found myself fighting to crawl out of the black hole of depression, I finally made the association: "Mum gets a little wonky nearing October."...

Bedford County could be joining the Interlocal Solid Waste Authority by next month if all goes according to plan. County mayor Eugene Ray told the local solid waste authority on Thursday that work is continuing to get the county into ISWA, saying "it's closer and might be in November, but they are really close."...

Savings and revenue from three months of recycling is enough to pay for a single month of waste disposal for the county, the solid waste authority was told Thursday. Highway Superintendant Stanley Smotherman made the observation while making his quarterly report on the county's recycling efforts...

The availability of high-speed Internet is spreading throughout the state, with 64 percent of all adults now having access to broadband service at home. Meanwhile, the use of broadband by Bedford County residents has more than doubled over the past four years...

Shelbyville Central closed regular season play with a 5-1 loss at Smyrna on Thursday evening. Lauren Warren netted the Eaglettes' goal. "All I can say is this was not one of our finest moments," Central coach Neal Gordon said. "We'll regroup and get ready for the district tournament on Monday."...

Cascade got one goal in each half in its 2-0 victory over the Forrest Lady Rockets during Friday afternoon's quarterfinal soccer match. Haley Edmondson and Alyssa Hoover each found the back of the net to help lift the Lady Champs to the next round. "I'm very pleased. Our passing was right where it needed to be. We got a little sloppy there at the end of the first half. They knew it and pulled it back together," said Cascade coach Monica Lewis...

Zach Fenner's 170 yards of total offense and two touchdowns proved to be too much for Holloway to contain during Webb's 47-28 victory on Friday afternoon. Although Fenner led the Feet, several other Feet got in on the scoring action as well. Rio Russell put the Feet on the board with when he galloped 67 yards on the opening kickoff for the first touchdown of the game...

Led by Community's Austin Lees' 257 rushing yards and Cascade's Jared Carkuff's 197 passing yards, Friday night's knockdown, dragout slugfest between the Cascade Champions and the Community Vikings saw raw emotion, big plays, and teams fighting and bleeding for a win...

Symbolizing the emotional, spiritual and mental nourishment that we all need to succeed at life, anyone who attended the Empty Bowls Luncheon Thursday filled up with much more than a bowl of potato soup. The second annual luncheon took place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church and proceeds went to the Next Step Home, a transitional home for women who want a second chance at life...

TULLAHOMA -- "One game doesn't make a season." Shelbyville Central coach Jason Hardy shared those words of encouragement with his team after a 34-21 loss to Tullahoma in a key District 8AAA matchup Friday night. Both teams entered the game ranked in the top 10 in the Associated Press Class 5A poll with a guaranteed berth in the TSSAA State Playoffs and opening round home game on the line...

1st place at scooter comp in allen texas