Stories from Friday, November 29, 2013

Bedford County was recently praised by Tennessee Comptroller Justin P. Wilson for its financial management, and the county's annual audit was released Friday by the state. The audit covers the 2012-2013 fiscal year which ended June 30. "It's outstanding," said County Mayor Eugene Ray. "We have worked real hard, and the staff has worked real hard, to have the books the way they should be."...

More than 100 smoke detectors have been distributed to Bedford County residents -- just in time for this week's cold snap. It's the time of year when home heaters are being cranked up for the first time in a while, with accumulated dust potentially sparking blazes...

Randy Carroll has announced his candidacy for Bedford County mayor in the May 6, 2014, Democratic primary. Carroll has lived in Bedford County most of his life, attending elementary and high school here and graduating in 1968. He has honors degrees in both business administration and management/human relations. ...

A new grant program will provide funds to protect Civil War and Underground Railroad sites in Tennessee. The Tennessee Wars Commission and the Tennessee Historical Commission announced this week that applications for the grant program will be available Dec. 1...

Skies were just dark enough to see the colorful lights on one of the Christmas displays on the Celebration grounds. (T-G Photo by Jim Davis) Wayne Sudberry of Shelbyville Power, Water & Sewerage System checks bulbs on a Christmas decoration as a crew places ornaments on poles along North Main Street. (T-G Photo by Jim Davis)...

The Bedford County FFA chapter of Shelbyville Central High School has had a successful fall semester. The team competed in the State FFA Horse Evaluation, Regional Land Evaluation, and State 4H Land Evaluation. On Sept. 10, the chapter traveled to Murfreesboro to compete in the Tennessee FFA Horse Evaluation CDE. The team placed 25th out of 70 teams. Molly Chicoine was the 14th high individual in the competition. Team members were: Molly Chicoine; Brianna Gearlds; Zach Seibers and Isaac McGee...

One of Christian Care Center's annual holiday traditions supports the facility's residents and helps kick off the Christmas season in Shelbyville. Lights for Love is sponsored by the Bedford County Medical Association Alliance, a non-profit volunteer organization of physician spouses dedicated to promoting good health to all Tennesseans and supporting the medical community...

Dr. Ed Perryman spoke to the Shelbyville Lions Club recently about bees and the necessary roles they play in the daily world, including how important their pollination is to provide the daily foods we consume such as vegetables and fruits. He spoke of the wide variety of bees in our country but noted most bees are of European descent as they were brought over on ships years ago. ...

Marijuana was found in a vehicle after it struck two barriers at a Madison Street convenience store, police said. Benjamin David Vannatta told police he fell asleep and his car rolled into the barriers early Wednesday, a report filed by officer Bruce Davis said...

Years of dedication and hard work in the classroom, as well as on the softball field, have paid off for Shelbyville Central senior third baseman/power hitter Tiana Sanders. Sanders signed a letter of intent to continue her education -- as well as softball career -- at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, a NCAA Division I school in the Southwest Atlantic Conference...

CHAPEL HILL -- The Community Viqueens couldn't find an answer for Rachel Bell as they dropped a tough 50-47 decision to Creek Wood Wednesday afternoon in a battle of unbeatens at the Forrest Thanksgiving Classic. Bell scored 32 points in a nip-and-tuck game which saw neither team gain more than a five-point advantage...

Shelbyville Central soccer players received awards at their annual banquet. From left are Keely Smith (Freshman of the Year), Courtney Hornaday (Defensive Player of the Year), Savannah O'Neal (Eaglette Award), Savannah Odeneal (MVP),Tiana Sanders (Offensive Player of the Year) and Sydney Shortridge (Leadership Award).

The Times-Gazette donated a portion of its newspaper rack sales during the month of October (breast cancer awareness) to the American Cancer Society. T-G staff writer Jason Reynolds and business manager Becky McBee, both of whom are part of the newspaper's "Press Power" team in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, present a check to Sharon Wachala and Jennifer Smith, co-chairs of the local Relay event. The "Press Power" team also held a bake sale on Wednesday, raising $381 for the American Cancer Society. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney)

Margaret June Lowe, 82, of Wartrace died Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Hillcrest Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Saturday.