Stories from Wednesday, September 19, 2012

CHATTANOOGA -- A former trainer received three years' probation and a $75,000 fine Tuesday for soring Tennessee walking horses. "So this is the man I've been reading so much about," U.S. District Judge Harry S. Mattice said as Jackie McConnell, 62, stood before him...

CHATTANOOGA -- "This 'big lick" has got to go!" Those were the words of the senator who wrote the Horse Protection Act (HPA) 42 years ago. Following the sentencing hearing of Jackie McConnell, Keith Dane of the Humane Society of the United States and former senator Joseph Tydings urged lawmakers to pass an amended HPA that would make soring a felony...

A small tornado touched down approximately six miles east of Shelbyville late Monday afternoon on U.S. 41A South, a National Weather Service survey team confirmed Tuesday. "An EF-0 tornado touchdown at a residence along Highway 41A approximately one-half mile east of the Highway 41A-Normandy Road intersection," the team's preliminary report said...

Bedford County Board of Commissioners will consider a resolution asking the state to improve State Route 269 between Bell Buckle and Wartrace. Commissioners Don Gallagher and Bobby Fox asked the commission's rules and legislative committee to consider the issue, and Gallagher spoke at the rules committee and presented a draft resolution Tuesday evening...

Elizabeth Smart, now 24, will tell her tale of perseverance at Shelbyville Central High's theater at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20. Her speech, "Overcoming Adversity," will share insight to triumphing over trauma. Smart, an abduction survivor whose story was one of the most widely-followed kidnapping cases in history, is speaking in celebration of the fifth anniversary of Heritage Medical Center's Healthy Woman Program...

After a swearing in ceremony by County Clerk Kathy Prater for new Bedford County Board of Education members Mike Cook and John Boutwell, Amy Martin was unanimously selected by fellow members to serve as chairman. In accepting the vote, Martin pledged to rebuild bridges of trust within the community and between school staff, the superintendent's office and the county commission...

One of two teenagers accused in armed robberies at adjoining stores Aug, 13 has turned 18 and has been transferred to adult court. Chris Quashon Kinzer of Columbia is being held as an adult on two counts of aggravated robbery, Detective Sgt. Brian Crews of the Shelbyville Police Department said. Bond is set at $100,000...

It's a flat-pick lovin', fiddle-fiendin', boot-stomper's dream come true -- seven bluegrass bands interrupting what would be a sleepy Sunday in Bell Buckle for a day-long showcase. It's the sixth annual Dare to Be Different bluegrass benefit, and you can thank celebrated picker and singer Valerie Smith for hosting the Sunday, Sept. 23 jamboree...

A lucky biker will take home an extra $200 cash if they bring in the winning hand during the Liberty Lions Club Poker Run and Rally on Saturday, Sept. 29. There are also cash prizes for the worst hand and the biker who travels the farthest distance to join the Rally. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. At the Shelbyville VFW Hall on East Depot Street with the run starting at 10 a.m. A lunch and special drawings will be held at the VFW following the ride...

A year and a half ago, I told a story in this column about being on a family trip to the mountains. Coming back through Sevierville on the way home, there was a newly-constructed bypass, and a flashing warning sign which announced that "YOUR GPS IS WRONG" and directing you to take the bypass for the best access to I-40...

The Hoodlum Alley Claybusters recently competed in national level of competition. But the Claybusters haven't just competed, they've established a dynasty over the last few years and with the 2012 AIM (Academics, Integrity, Marksmanship) national competition in the books, they have now won their fifth national championship in four years...

WARTRACE -- Save a pair of late goals by the Page Lady Patriots, the Cascade Lady Champions (4-2, 2-1 11A/AA) battled furiously and had several chances to overcome the visitors on Tuesday night. But a 1-2 knockout punch late in the second half gave Page the 4-1 victory...

The Community Viqueens notched another key District 11A/AA victory over Summit on Tuesday night with a 3-1 victory. The Viqueens jumped on top with a pair of goals in the first half and added second-half insurance goal to coast to the win. Kristen Brothers found the back of the nylon in the first half when she finished off a back and forth play in the box to put Community up 1-0...

FAYETTEVILLE -- It was business as usual for the Community Viqueens as they picked up their second-straight three-game sweep. Per usual, Hannah Busbee provided a solid amount of offense for the Purple and Gold, but it was Katie Leverette's 20-ace performance that catapulted the Viqueens out in front...