Stories from Thursday, February 23, 2012

To The Editor: I attended the "Understanding the Threat to America" presentation given in Murfreesboro last week by the non-profit Strategic Engagement Group. The T-G ran an AP article regarding criticism of this presentation in its Sunday edition of 2/19/12 with a byline of "Police Course Termed 'anti-Muslim' by critics." I attended both sessions of this presentation and would like to say it was extremely informative, professionally done, contained well documented material, and was very worthwhile. ...

A suspect in a White County murder said he felt more comfortable surrendering to his former Bedford County neighbors -- so he drove to Shelbyville and turned himself in early today. Sheriff Randall Boyce said the suspect's name is Jim Lackey. The suspect was met upon arrival by an acquaintance, Deputy Steven Daugherty, Sheriff Randall Boyce said. By mid-morning Lackey was talking to TBI officers, Sheriff Randall Boyce said...

"If you feel physically unattractive, you don't like the person that you are, you don't feel loved ... cross the line," said Eric Johnson to a room full of middle school students last week. Dozens of bright, attractive students -- both boys and girls -- crossed the blue line marked on the floor in the fellowship hall of First Baptist Church...

The former Shelbyville family at the center of an international adoption issue say they plan to release documents on the Internet telling their side of the story. Nancy Hansen told the T-G in an exclusive interview that within the next several weeks, "there's going to be big breaking news, and it won't be coming from Tennessee."...

A judge will decide today whether to charge Torry Hansen with contempt of court for refusing to appear Monday for a deposition in a suit over her abandonment of a Russian boy she adopted. Three weeks ago, Hansen was ordered by Circuit Court Judge Lee Russell to be deposed in the ongoing lawsuit filed against her by two adoption agencies for child support and breach of contract...

The family of a woman who sent her adopted son back to Russia in 2010 is speaking out, claiming they never wanted the press barred from court proceedings -- and blasting the attorney they fired earlier this month. In April 2010, former Shelbyville resident Torry Hansen sent her adopted Russian son back to Moscow alone on a plane with a note saying he was violent, had psychological problems and that she didn't want him anymore...

It's no secret. It's been an up and down year for the Lady Champions. But without a doubt, one of the highest points the Lady Champions have had was a near upset victory over the No. 2 single-A team in the state--Moore County. And if the cards play in Cascade's favor, the Lady Champs could get one more shot at the No. 2 team in the state if they can knock off the Houston County Fighting Irish on Friday night...

As the Region 4-AAA Tournament nears, there is one team that's clearly the one to beat -- Riverdale's Lady Warriors. They just happen to be the No. 1 team in the state. That's the team Shelbyville Central is fortunate enough to play in the quarterfinals on the road Friday night at 7...

Turkey season is just around the corner. Just this morning I saw a flock of big Toms doing a little preseason posturing. They just happened to be in the middle of a very open area and most hunters would have deemed them unapproachable birds. While in the traditional sense that might be a true statement, in today's world of modern hunting that might not be true...

It was a season of trials and tribulations for the Community Viqueens, challenged by a roster stocked with underclassmen, but coach Allison Martin's squad weathered the storm just fine and now look to apply lessons learned against District 10-A champion McEwen in the opening round of the Region 5-A tournament on Friday night...

Charles Raymond Clanton, 70, of Tullahoma died Monday, Feb. 20, 2012 at Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Tullahoma Funeral Home with Randy Alexander officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m.

Zach Youngblood picked some buttercups for his moma but he doesn't want to be in the picture! GOT-CHA!!