Stories from Thursday, May 2, 2013

After a great deal of hard work and collaboration, this year's session of the 108th General Assembly finally came to a conclusion on April 19, 2013. Not only did the House and the Senate pass many pieces of important legislation, but more importantly we passed a balanced budget for the State of Tennessee. ...

Representatives of the Next Step Home say that Frances Edwards has become the program's first college graduate. Edwards came to the home in November 2009. "As most of our residents are, she came to us badly broken and beaten up spiritually and emotionally from her addiction," according to a news release. ...

With two outs and bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, Jami Johnson ripped a game-winning line drive base hit into the right-center field gap, scoring Morgan Ward as Shelbyville Central claimed a 4-3 victory over visiting Forrest on Wednesday night...

From time to time we as sports writers have the opportunity to cover a "lighter" side of sports. Something that goes far beyond the final score of a game. I had one of those experiences on Tuesday night when long-time Shelbyville Central Golden Eagle soccer coach Neal Gordon coached his final regular season home game as the boys' coach...

Tickets remain on sale for the May 14 "Symphony at the Celebration" concert featuring the Grammy Award-winning Nashville Symphony at Calsonic Arena on the Celebration grounds in Shelbyville. Resident Conductor Albert-George Schram will conduct a program of classical and popular favorites...

The city council may choose to spend funds to create a marketing plan for Shelbyville's airport. However, the money for the plan could come out of the city's annual contribution to the Chamber of Commerce. City manager Jay Johnson reported that the city's Airport Authority had a "lively" discussion on promoting the facility...

Shelbyville City Council will extend the contract of the city's airport manager, with discussion of making him a city employee in the future. Hank Williamson has been under a contract for the last 15 years, with renewals every five years, and recently submitted a letter asking for a two-year extension. But city manager Jay Johnson proposed a single year extension with a one-year renewal option...

During budget hearings Tuesday night, Bedford County Emergency Medical Services director Chad Graham asked the county's Financial Management Committee for a salary adjustment for his employees -- separate from whatever county-wide pay increase is considered by the county commission -- in order to recruit and retain paramedics...

With parts of Middle Tennessee suffering flooding this past weekend, heavy rains filled Normandy Reservoir to a little more than a foot away from the top of the dam's gate - causing TVA to release ten times the normal amount into the Duck River. In Shelbyville, the level of the river peaked at 15.3 feet Sunday morning, but quickly began to drop to normal levels. But boaters putting in their vessels Tuesday couldn't use this dock behind the dam, where the water is still four and half feet above summer pool. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely)

Educators want parents to know of pending changes to some of the mandatory tests students take at the end of every school year. In 2014-2015, two school years from now, Tennessee third- to 11th-graders in math and English and language arts classes will test to the Common Core State Standards instead of TCAP, said Janice Womble, supervisor of secondary education in Bedford County. ...

Martha Wilson Cooksey Dismukes, 92, of Vero Beach, Fla., mother of Bradley Stanton Dismukes of Wartrace, died Tuesday, April 30, 2013. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 6 at Crestlawn Cemetery in Vero Beach with Dr. Fred Foy officiating. Strunk Funeral Home of Vero Beach is in charge of arrangements.

Christian Care Center of Bedford County has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission's national standards for health care quality and safety in long term care. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 10,600 hospitals and more than 6,600 other health care organizations that provide long term care, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services.. ...