Stories from Tuesday, August 20, 2013

A caller claiming to be representing a loan company scammed a Shelbyville woman out of $555 Friday, police said. The caller claimed he represented Fast Cash and was calling from Los Angeles. He told her if she wired $475 the company would loan her $3,000...

A Blount County judge dismissed a felony animal cruelty charge against a Tennessee Walking Horse trainer Thursday on a technicality following two days of testimony. Larry Wheelon, 68, was accused of using caustic chemicals to "sore" the legs of horses to ensure they adopt the exaggerated gait for which Tennessee Walking Horses are known. Authorities seized 19 horses from Wheelon's Blount County property in April...

An iPad reported stolen from a Landers Street home Saturday morning was found in the back yard of a home on Locust Street approximately eight hours later, police said. The owner said he had electronically tracked the iPad to a Burt Street home during early afternoon. The residents allowed officers to search the home; the iPad was not found...

The Webb School is lightening the load for students this year. The school is phasing in the use of e-textbooks this fall semester which begins Monday, said Raymond Pryor, director of technology. Parents can still buy traditional printed books. Webb will attempt to continue to offer print versions as long as publishers make those available...

The American flag flies at half staff at Shelbyville Municipal Airport in honor of Shanda Carney Fanning, a former employee who died in a plane crash last Wednesday in Birmingham, Ala. (T-G Photo by Hugh Jones)

So what would make anyone in their right mind decide to compete in an Ironman triathlon competition? The average person just don't walk around thinking about swimming 2.4 miles in rough water, followed by a 112-mile bicycle ride on a hilly course, capped off with a 26.2-mile run to the finish line in hot and humid weather...

Bill Tipps is serving as interim Bedford County Veterans Service officer, according to County Mayor Eugene Ray, pending Bedford County Board of Commissioners' final decision on the position. "He's doing a good job," said Ray last week. Ray said Tipps started in the position about a month ago. He had been the driver for the office for six or seven years...

The SHOW Horse Industry Organization (HIO) announced Monday they would adopt the minimum penalty protocol proposed in a rule last year by the USDA. These penalties will be effective immediately and will be in force at this year's Celebration starting Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013 and at all subsequent SHOW affiliated horse shows...

A drug dealer's claim that he involuntarily pleaded guilty to charges has been rejected by a state appeals court. In 2011, Ernest N. Bowen pleaded guilty to three counts of sale of a schedule II controlled substance and one charge of possession of the drug for resale, resulting in a sentence of 15 years at 45 percent...

Two Bedford County schools received high marks from the state Monday, while certain student groups were identified as needing more attention by educators. The Tennessee Department of Education gave Community Elementary School the Progress designation and Thomas Magnet School the Performance designation...

Michael Moreno places a brick while remodeling the barn being used by 4 His Glory Farm on the Celebration Grounds Friday. The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration begins Wednesday morning, with evening classes getting underway Thursday night. (T-G Photo by David Melson)

Horses can wait. For one night, barbecue was the star of the show at the Celebration grounds. Steve Murphree, chaplain of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration and pastor of New Beginnings Baptist Church, welcomed exhibitors and fans with the first-year event Monday night...

Willie Dickens "Buddy" Hayes Jr. died Sunday, July 21, 2013. A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 22 at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel with Father Peter Whalen officiating. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m.

The three-way Republican primary race for the 4th District U.S. House of Representatives seat is now a two-way race. Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais had been facing two challengers from within his own party -- State Sen. Jim Tracy of Shelbyville and State Rep. Joe Carr of Lascassas...

Earl Lemuel Manier, 95, of Bunker Hill community died Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013 after an extended illness. A celebration of life service, with military honors, will be held at noon Saturday, Aug. 24 at Lawrence Funeral Home in Chapel Hill with the Rev. David Wall officiating. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m.