Stories from Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Shelbyville Central High School Health Science Education (HOSA) students recently competed in a regional competition at Middle Tennessee State University. They are eligible to compete at the state level in March. In front row: Kristie Gibson, Katie Dunn, Jordan Barnett, Kayleigh Caldwell, Ashlyn Richardson and Sally Oliver. In back row: Alisha Tillman, Hailey Puckett, Jake Hinson, Adam Williams and Olivia Calvert. (Submitted photo)

Volunteer Garden Club sponsored the 2014 Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl poster contest at Eakin Elementary School. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service and the National Garden Clubs Inc. gave students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of wildfire prevention and basic environmental conservation principles through original drawings of Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl...

First degree murder charges were bought against a Jackson man for the beating death of a Shelbyville resident. The Bedford County grand jury indicted Ronnie Dwayne Osler, 46, for the murder of Jonathan Cody Minnick, 23, of Vandy Avenue. According to testimony from TBI Special Agent Caleb Utterback last week, Osler allegedly admitted to killing Minnick with a brick...

Tennessee fourth-graders have shown some of the best overall improvements in reading but also have a large gap between high- and low-income students, child advocates say. The Annie E. Casey Foundation KIDS COUNT Program released a report today analyzing 10 years' worth of education data. "KIDS COUNT Data Snapshot: Fourth Grade Reading Proficiency in the United States" is the title...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is expanding its "StrikeForce" initiative into Tennessee and three other states, and Bedford County is one of 53 Tennessee counties that has been targeted. "The StrikeForce strategy of partnering public resources with local expertise is helping to grow rural economies and create jobs in persistent poverty communities," said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in a news release last week. ...

SMYRNA -- The Shelbyville Central Golden Eagles couldn't have provided any closer of a match up at Smyrna on Monday night. The two non-district foes squared off on Monday night, battling nearly point for point throughout regulation. After forcing an overtime period, Smyrna was able to get just enough to escape a tenacious Eagle team that had won five of its last six games prior to Monday...

There have been many sets of teeth chattering through this year's enduring cold snap, but the animals at the city shelter are not among them. The T-G received a tip last week about no heat at Shelbyville's Animal Control building "where the animals are housed and animals are on the cold concrete."...

SMYRNA -- The Shelbyville Central Golden Eaglettes led for three quarters at non-district opponent Smyrna on Monday night. But riding the momentum after a 10-point fourth quarter that sent the game into overtime, the Lady Bulldogs put the game away with six points in the extra period to survive a hard-fought effort by the Eaglettes...

Economic development requires planning and cooperation, community leaders were told Monday night, but the payoff can be an improved standard of living. Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce hosted a presentation entitled "Economic Development 101" by Jessica Breaux of Tennessee Valley Authority. Various elected officials and other community leaders were invited to hear Breaux discuss the best ways to encourage job creation...

ERIN -- The Community Viqueens led after three quarters, but a strong fourth quarter powered the Houston County Lady Irish to a 63-55 win Saturday night in a game pitting district leaders. The Viqueens (17-4, 10-1 9-A) and Lady Irish (22-1, 10-0 10-A) both started the game in tough man-to-man defenses...

ERIN -- The Community Vikings raced out to a big lead and defeated the Houston County Fighting Irish 47-37 in non-district play Saturday night. The Vikings (16-7, 9-2 9-A) used their height advantage to gain the upper hand in the first quarter. A 15-0 run, punctuated by an alley-oop dunk from Luke Primm to Tanner Simmons, gave Community a 17-2 lead...

The Webb School Lady Feet dominated on defense Saturday as they defeated the Battle Ground Academy Lady Wildcats 41-35. The Lady Feet completely dominated BGA on defense during the first half, holding them to eright points -- all in the first quarter...

The Webb School Feet came into Saturday's game against the Battle Ground Academy Wildcats looking for a major upset. The Feet, without coach Jeff Mitchell, played hard all game, but a sluggish third quarter aided the Wildcats in a 63-29 victory Girls coach Adam Feldbruegge stepped in for Mitchell, looking to help the Feet pull the upset against a strong BGA team with only one loss...

MANCHESTER -- Harris Middle School's bid for the Central Tennessee Conference Tournament championship is now one step closer after a 42-2 win over Tullahoma East in opening round action at Coffee County Middle School on Monday evening. The Eaglettes have now defeated East three times this season by a combined score of 177-5...

Expensive items were stolen in and near the downtown Shelbyville area over the weekend, Shelbyville police said Monday. A skid loader valued at $13,000 and the flatbed trailer it was on were taken from behind a Deery Street storage building behind Friday and Monday, police said...

Danny Wayne Smotherman, 64, of Murfreesboro died Monday, Jan. 27, 2014. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Murfreesboro Funeral Home with Owen Ivery and Dorris Young officiating. Burial will follow at Smotherman Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday.

Ilah Burkhead Miller, 86, of Shelbyville died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014 Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Ron Payne and the Rev. Doug Dezotell officiating. Burial will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. visitation will begin at 2 p.m.

Evan Malletts Gramma thinks he could do a good job being the President of the United States. He is very smart for being 3 yrs old.

Virginia Ruth Moore, 98, of Lawrenceville, Ga., formerly of Shelbyville, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2014. A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Tom M. Wages Funeral Home Lawrenceville Chapel with the Rev. Bobby Moore officiating. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday and noon-2 p.m. Friday. Burial will follow at 1 p.m. Saturday at Willow Mount Cemetery in Shelbyville.