Stories from Tuesday, January 15, 2013

A coalition of Tennessee legal groups has joined forces to launch a toll-free phone line offering free legal information and referrals to low-income Tennesseans. The service, known as aLEGALz, will assist Tennesseans in finding resources to deal with civil legal issues. Those who cannot afford a lawyer may call the line at 888-aLEGALz (1-888-253-4259) and leave a message at any time. Calls will be returned by a licensed Tennessee lawyer...

Doris Locke Jones, 80, of Murfreesboro died Sunday, Jan. 13, 2012 at her home after an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Hillcrest Funeral Home with the Rev. Bob Bush and the Rev. John Carpenter officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday.

Tennessee Highway Patrol is accepting applications for the spring session of its Citizens' Trooper Academy in Nashville. The first session begins Monday, March 11, 2013. Sessions will run from 6-9:00 p.m. weekly. The academy consists of approximately 24-30 hours of training. It is designed to develop a better understanding and awareness of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and its parent agency, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security...

If one of your New Year's resolutions is to jumpstart a new farming career or become more knowledgeable in your current agriculture job, the spring semester offers opportunities galore at the Middle Tennessee Education Center in Shelbyville. This month, MTEC, which is a joint project of MTSU and Motlow State Community College, will offer four agriculture classes designed for students interested in one of Tennessee's most diversified economic fields...

From September to December 2012, the Argie Cooper Public Library received donations for the memorial fund and memorial books and building fund in memory of: Alberta Cooper Armstrong by Moe Johnson, Martha and Billy Burt, Earl and Barbara Morgan, Jackie and Debra Crosslin, Rheaetta and Bo Wilson, Jamie and Tina Barnes (Huntsville, Ala.), Rayburn and Nelda Sudberry, Co-workers of Rita Hardeman (Nashville): Susan Bowerman, Donna Burns, Willie Clark, Ed Davis, Shelia Heatherly, Linda Hill, Louanne Hill, Barbara Hutchison, Cindy Joyner, John Knox, Shelia Perry, and Anne Tyrrell, June McBride, Shelbyville Garden Club, Shelbyville Central High School Faculty and Staff, James and Elaine Reed;. ...

The federally-funded Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program helps producers reduce their risk when growing food and fiber crops, specialty crops and crops for livestock feed. These benefits are only available for crops for which the catastrophic level of crop insurance is not available...

A Shelbyville woman was killed early Sunday in a single-vehicle crash on Knob Creek Road east of Wartrace. Lori J. Lovvorn, 35, died at the scene, investigators said. "She was traveling on Knob Creek Road towards Shelbyville and lost control, going off an embankment to the left and crossing back across the road into the right hand side into some trees," a report filed by State Trooper Dallas Rife said...

Drugs and weapons were confiscated from a man allegedly driving a stolen car Saturday in Wartrace. Matthew Kyle Hamlin, 21, of Fayetteville was arrested in a case handled by Sgt. Josh Tolar, Cpl. Benjamin Burris, Detective Sgt. David Sakich, Cpl. Ronnie Gault and Reserve Deputy Jason Blanton of the Bedford County Sheriff's Department...

Buttercups are blooming in Evelyn Loehle's yard on Edgeview Drive, perhaps as a result of the recent unpredictable weather. "I've never seen them bloom in January," Loehle said. "It amazed me, because it's been so cold." (T-G Photo by Jason Reynolds)

A lack of space at Bedford County Courthouse resulted in grand jury arraignments being held in a basement hallway Monday. With child support hearing on the first level, a civil trial in the second floor chambers and chancery court set for the third floor, Circuit Court Judge Robert Crigler was forced to move proceedings to the only place left available...

Tennessee General Assembly convened last week to begin a new session, doing some administrative business before taking a two-week break to allow legislators to move into their new offices or do other business. The legislature will reconvene Jan. 28 to hear Gov. Bill Haslam's "State of the State" address...

A balanced scoring attack help conference leader Harris Middle to a 55-41 victory over visiting Tullahoma West in a Central Tennessee Conference match up on Saturday. Three players scored in double figures for the Eaglettes (11-2, 11-1 CTC) to lead the way...

At one point late in the first quarter of Monday's non-district clash between the Cascade Lady Champions (12-6, 7-1 9-A) and the No. 1 ranked 2A team in the state, Cannon County (19-2, 5-1 8-AA), the Lady Lions held a 21-2 advantage over the Lady Champs and things were looking grim as far as being able to gain any momentum on offense...

With a tough week against district opponents on the schedule, the Cascade Champions (12-5, 6-2 9-A) got a chance to work on some different things against non-district foe Cannon County (9-11, 3-3 8-AA) on Monday night. Those few things the Champs worked on paid off as they picked up a 53-43 win to kick off the week's slate of games...

UNIONVILLE -- It was no contest from the very start when the Community Viqueens squared off against visiting Culleoka on Saturday night. Davie Barnes and Sarah Pierce hit a 3-pointer each, Katie Leverette netted six points and Kristin Ray pitched in with four to pace a 22-2 advantage after one period and the Viqueen were never challenged in a 54-29 non-district win at Roger K. Brothers Gym...

UNIONVILLE -- It was a tough task to ask the Community Vikings to take the floor after an emotionally charged game against arch-rival Cascade just 24 hours prior, but they were able to play through the dead legs and fatigue to post a 50-45 win over visiting Culleoka on Saturday night...

Rikio Johnson, 52, of Tullahoma, a longtime employee of Newell Rubbermaid in Shelbyville, died Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013. He wished to be cremated. No services will be held. Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home of Tullahoma is in charge of arrangements.