Stories from Sunday, November 18, 2012

Tennessee has fired head football coach Derek Dooley. The announcement comes after Tennessee's 41-18 embarrassing loss at Vanderbilt on Saturday night, and is the latest in a long line of losses in the past three years. Dooley, who had four years left on his contract including a $5 million buyout, was relieved Sunday morning. Tennessee will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. est...

The Ghost of Jacob Marley (Austin Stephens) haunts Ebenezer Scrooge (Caleb Robinson--on floor) in The Smokestack Theatre Group's production of Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL. The show closed Saturday night after being seen by about 1750 students and area residents, a near record for the high school's drama department. Photo by Renee Powell...

Students at Shelbyville Central High School once again displayed their "can do" spirit this year, with a donation of almost 16,000 items to local charities. "The Great Canned Food Drive has been a tradition at Central High School for over 30 years," said Principal Don Embry. "This is a way for our students to give back to our community and help others who are in need. I am very proud of our students' willingness to help others and their participation this year."...

Saturday morning was chilly, but it was warmed with good food and fellowship with the community getting together for the Bedford County Senior Citizens annual ham breakfast. Around 700 to 800 people showed up with their appetites to get a sampling of the biscuits, ham, gravy and eggs being cranked out by community volunteers, as well as help from the Bedford County Workhouse...

Defendants in a conspiracy involving forged prescriptions passed at area pharmacies made pleas in Bedford County Circuit Court Friday. The pleas resulted in a long prison sentence for one suspect, and long stretches of probation for four others. Appearing before Circuit Court Judge Lee Russell were:...

A Florida man pleaded guilty Friday to defrauding several Shelbyville businesses with forged checks. Stephen D. Stump of Lakeland, Fla. will serve a 10-year sentence at 30 percent after pleading guilty to one count of forgery and three counts of forgery under $10,000...

A Shelbyville man accused of forging signatures on his petition to run for city councilman had his first court date set. Jimmy Neal Anderton, 44, of Highland Court, will appear on Jan. 3 before Circuit Court Judge Lee Russell following his arraignment on Friday...

A man who allegedly tossed a bag of marijuana to the ground as a police officer watched was arrested early Friday. Officer David Dye said he saw Anthony Prato throw the bag as police arrived at a Madison Street apartment complex. Prato admitted the .97 grams of marijuana and glass pipe containing marijuana residue inside the Crown Royal bag belonged to him and was charged with possession of a schedule VI drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and public intoxication...

I am always in awe of the way God set the world in motion. In nature, the trees follow His bidding, the ocean ebbs and flows, the animals instinctively know how to care for their young, and the birds follow His lead of migration. The earth continues to spin on its axis and gravity holds our feet to the ground. ...

As part of Tyson Foods' overall commitment to serve its local communities and assist with disaster relief efforts throughout the nation, four Shelbyville Team Members (Vaughn Stephens, complex manager; Tim York, maintenance manager, Leonard Locke, maintenance supervisor and Adam Davis, production supervisor) volunteered to provide assistance to the relief efforts caused by Hurricane Sandy's devastation...

Julie Culp may be down, but she's not out. She's got about 20 little rascals who keep her distracted each day during what many would consider a depressing time. In the middle of snacks, potty breaks and boo boos, these little rascals remind Julie of why life is good...

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- "He would tell us stories about Vietnam, talk about all the crazy people he's met, the things he's done, and the places he's been to. I absolutely look up to my Papa Ted."...

The holiday season is a time of year when many families and friends get together. If visiting an aging relative, be sure to notice signs that it may be time to start preparing for their future. Often, by simply observing your elderly relatives while spending time with them, you can notice if they need more help or soon will...

BELL BUCKLE -- The 54 seniors in The Webb School Class of 2013 participated in one of many traditions, Nov. 9, as they received their senior blazers. Marking the ceremony, Craig Patterson, a 1998 Webb graduate, was the keynote speaker. Patterson graduated from the Naval Academy, earned his Navy Wings and spent the next 10 years flying SH-60F and HH-60H Seahawk helicopters. He returned to Tennessee in February 2012 and accepted a job flying for Air Evac Lifeteam out of Manchester...

The 368-acre farm on Hornaday Road continues to progress steadily, positively impacting those who reside there -- young men wanting and needing a new chance at life -- as well as the community in which these men serve. Jay Pope's dream, which began about seven years ago, has indeed been fulfilled. ...

One of my favorite TV commercials shows a little boy sitting at the kitchen table with a look of anger and disgust on his face, the voice of his mother booming in the background, "You can't leave the table until you eat your vegetables!" The next frame shows him still sitting there, aged many years, with grey hair and a long beard. The vegetables are still sitting there too...

Rev. Jay and Barbara Pope of Shelbyville announce the engagement of their daughter, Laura Elizabeth Pope, to Dustin Lee Stacey of Shelbyville. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Billy and Charlene Pope, and Flossie Waterson, all of Shelbyville, and the late Charles Philpott...

Janice Elizabeth Cole and Christopher Ryan England were united in marriage on Sept. 29, 2012 at Benton Chapel in Nashville in a double ring ceremony with many guests in attendance. The bride is the daughter of Janice Jordan Cole of Shelbyville. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Cole of Shelbyville, and the late Imogene Snoddy Jordan and the late Dorman Jordan...

Alex and Norma Beristain announce the engagement of their daughter, Jessica Beristain of Shelbyville, to Arnulfo Gonzalez. The bride-elect is a 2006 graduate of Shelbyville Central High School, and was chosen as the Centro Latino Queen in 2007. She graduated from Motlow State Community College with an associate's degree in science in 2008. In 2010, she graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a bachelor's degree in business administration and finance...