Stories from Sunday, January 20, 2013

I saw a sign recently that read, "Do not judge others just because they sin differently than you." Those signs that appear throughout our communities, whether they are in front of a church or a business, are there to make us think. And I have been thinking about that one a lot...

Clutter. Americans let stuff rule their lives. That's true in how much stuff we accumulate over the years, in not being able to let go of mementos and knickknacks, and that's true in how many commitments we have. Parents' lives are cluttered with activities and to-do lists: day care, after-school care, PTOs, doctor visits, band practice, choir practice, Sunday school and more. ...

Twenty-two students at a local vocational school are turning metal into artwork, and in the process are being welded into future professionals. Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville is using a computer numerical controller (CNC) system for advanced training in welding. The school bought the machine last year, welding instructor Tim Holder said...

If you want a reminder of how fast time flies, browse through some photos of a child you love. To her parents, it seems like just yesterday Alexis Chamblee was a tiny baby, but in fact, she entered the world Oct. 22, 2007, and the T-G has the documentation to prove it...

Earlier this week, the Lady Champions had struggled with their starts against Cannon County and Huntland. It stood to reason that having already played in a pair of games this week, the Lady Champs might be a little fatigued and struggle with another slow start on Friday night against Eagleville...

A man suspected in the disappearance of his ex-wife has been barred "indefinitely" from having any visitation or parenting time with their child. In a 28-page opinion, Circuit Court Judge Lee Russell gave his reasons why Tyler Mook and his mother, Kim Mook, should have not contact with the girl, who has been the center of a bitter custody dispute since Shelly Mook vanished...

In a recent postgame interview, Cascade Champion coach Mike Edmondson commented on how his team doesn't get too involved in emotions--whether those emotions be high or low--and just keeps trucking along with their game plan. That rigid mental prowess was put to the test in a 9-A clash against Eagleville on Friday night. ...

The reward fund for information on the disappearance of two children after a house fire last year has been increased to $2,000. The family of the late Leon and Mollie McClaran, along with friends and neighbors, have raised the reward for information on Chloie Leverette and Gage Daniel, last seen before a fire at the McClaran home on Kingdom Road Sept. 23, 2012...

Coach Allison Martin's team continues to roll with a dominant 64-40 win over Fayetteville City on Friday night. Jordan Huntley hit a 3-pointer and Sarah Pierce had four points as the Viqueens jumped out to a 14-4 advantage after one period. The Community defense led the way with a number of steals out of the press that led to easy transition baskets on the other end to post a 32-14 cushion at the half...

Shelbyville's police and fire departments had a busy 2012, with a marked increase in emergency responses and traffic citations. Police Chief Austin Swing and Fire Chief Ricky McConnell (see related story) briefed Shelbyville's city council Thursday about their activities during the previous year...

The Community Vikings have been knocking on the door of respectability all season long. They knocked it down on Friday night in a convincing 90-76 overtime win over visiting Fayetteville. The very talented Tigers have wreaked havoc in District 9-A and had positioned themselves to post their seventh district win in 10 tries. But the Vikings exploded for 30 points in the four-point overtime, fueled by junior Tyler Paschal's clutch 3-point shooting...

Shelbyville Fire Chief Ricky McConnell told Shelbyville City Council that his department had a busy and productive year, with 943 calls -- an increase of 43 percent from 2012. Those calls were broken down into 63 different types of incidents. For example, 456 calls were for medical assistance, helping an EMS crew, or other emergency medical calls...

FAYETTEVILLE -- After falling behind early, Shelbyville Central's Golden Eaglettes bounced back to take a commanding lead, then held on down the stretch to claim a 41-40 victory over host Lincoln County in a huge District 8-AAA matchup on Friday night...

A firefighter inspects a cargo hook on a Bell 206 helicopter at the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy. The helicopter, which belongs to the U.S. Forest Service, was at the academy Friday for training as part of the Tennessee-Kentucky Wildland Fire Academy. (T-G Photo by Jason Reynolds)

FAYETTEVILLE -- Some giveth and some taketh. As the Shelbyville Central Golden Eagles and their fans walked out of Lincoln County's gym on Friday night, they felt their first District 8-AAA win was taken away in the closing seconds of regulation in a 71-64 overtime loss...

Shelbyville firefighters were relieved to hear the cry, "Nobody's inside," while fighting a blaze that consumed a Midland Road home early Saturday. The home of Abad Petatan was totally engulfed shortly after 4 a.m. Saturday when firefighters arrived...

FAYETTEVILLE -- Friday night had its ups and downs for the Webb Feet, but after it was all said and done coach Jeff Mitchell and his players walked away with a 62-51 victory over the Riverside Christian Academy Raiders. Both teams started off slow in the first as the Raiders led the Feet 7-3 after one, but the pace soon picked up as the Raiders' leading scorer, Corey Albert, hit the lane several times, scoring seven second-quarter points...