Stories from Friday, January 3, 2014

Craig & Wheeler is a sponsor of the 2014 Habitat For Humanity Ball. From left are: Ball committee members Debbie Donegan and Diane Whitwell, and Belinda and David Craig of Craig & Wheeler. (Submitted photo)

Most kids dream about getting their driver's license when they turn 16, but the son of country star-slash-pilot Aaron Tippin had loftier pursuits. And Ted Tippin fulfilled them this past Sunday, Dec. 15, when he completed his first solo flight. Making the milestone even more special was who signed his logbook upon landing, making the solo flight official: dad Aaron...

A new IRS policy on tips could dip into restaurant servers' pockets by possibly causing customers to skimp on gratuities. The IRS approved a policy on tips in 2012, but delayed enforcement until this year. The policy states that any tips collected automatically -- meaning the customer doesn't have a choice of whether to pay -- must be treated as wages, not tips, for tax purposes. Some restaurants, for example, add an automatic gratuity to parties more than a certain number...

This season more tablets, smartphones and computers were sold than any other year. So now what should you do to protect your investment and what is the best software for your new digital device? First you should load Prey Project on your device. Prey, a free tracking program allows you to not only track your lost or stolen computer, phone or tablet but to remotely erase your sensitive data. ( preyproject.com )...

We all have our resolutions and goals for the new year So does the city of Shelbyville. For the past few years, each department has submitted goals to the city manager for the next 365 days. A new list has been prepared for 2014...

Army Pvt. Victoria M. Brown has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.. ...

A cat's intuition alerted its owner to another in the wave of vehicle thefts in eastern Shelbyville early Monday. Two unlocked vehicles were entered at Horse Mountain Road homes near the Ledgemere Drive intersection during the overnight hours, police said...

Participants in a non-scientific poll on the Times-Gazette web site are divided -- but leaning towards the positive -- about their personal prospects for 2014 as compared to 2013. The question was "How do you think 2014 will compare to 2013 for you personally?" 41 percent, the largest single group, believe the new year will be better for them than the old year was. ...

The 2013 year in sports provided some of the best moments in recent memory for local athletes, teams, coaches and fans. With a wide-ranging of accomplishments being met throughout the year, the Times-Gazette sports staff compiled a list of the top five moments from 2013:...

Edwin Levoy McGee, age 74, of Lynchburg, died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Jennings-Moore-Cortner Funeral Home in Lynchburg with Mike Awalt officiating. Burial will follow at Flat Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Friday.

Velma Maxwell Cooper Cartwright, 95, of Unionville died Thursday, Jan. 2 in Shelbyville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lawrence Funeral Home in Chapel Hill with Dustin Lambert officiating. Burial will follow at Unionville Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Friday.