Stories from Thursday, March 6, 2014

Workers from S&W of Murfreesboro were busy Tuesday drilling where a traffic signal is tbe placed at the Depot Street-Bethany Lane-Coney Island Road intersection. Speed limits were lowered last August at the accident-prone intersection. The work is being paid for with state surface transportation funding. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely)

Applications for Tennessee Downtowns, a competitive education and training program for communities seeking to revitalize traditional commercial districts, are now being accepted by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. The program is open to communities with downtown commercial districts established at least 50 years ago and whose citizens are ready to organize efforts for downtown revitalization...

The Tennessee Water Well Association is joining the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) in urging citizens to take care of their water wells and, what is arguably the most important natural resource, groundwater, during National Groundwater Awareness Week March 9-15...

The spring quarter meeting of the Bedford County Historical Society will be held at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall on Monday evening, March 17. A pot luck supper will be at 6:30 p.m, followed by the business meeting at 7:15 and then the evening's program...

Shelbyville's police department had another busy year in 2013, according to the annual report from Chief Austin Swing. Swing reported a total of 12,829 calls, with the force issuing 4,236 citations and making 1,419 arrests. A total of 824 accidents were reported within the city limits, followed by 1,532 incidents that were checked, as well as 537 domestic cases looked into...

The first of three workforce readiness classes organized by the 2013-2014 class of Leadership Bedford wraps up this evening, while the next one will start Tuesday night. "We had a good turnout with the first class," said Lt. Jason Williams of Shelbyville Police Department, a Leadership Bedford class member who has worked with the workforce readiness class...

Upgrades to Shelbyville Recreation Center are more than halfway complete, with more work to be done. Crews were busy Wednesday removing old equipment and hauling a 200-ton chiller and other parts to the roof for the indoor pool, which resulted in the center being closed the entire day...

The Webb School girls lacrosse team overcame frigid conditions on Wednesday afternoon and coasted off a hot start to a 15-10 win over visiting Father Ryan. Webb took a commanding 10-2 lead by the half. With an eight-goal lead at the half, Father Ryan battled back, but couldn't overcome a strong effort by the Lady Feet offense...

A five-run, fourth proved to be the difference in Harris Middle School's 8-5 win over host Warren County in a Central Tennessee Conference match up on Wednesday. Trip Hardison turned in a fine performance on the mound, pitching six strong innings while scattering six hits with seven strikeouts. Tyler Mcbay come on in relief in the seventh frame...

Two district championships. A region title. Two second-place district finishes. A runner-up region finish. And two sub-state appearances. It's been quite the year for Bedford County basketball. On Tuesday night, the last team standing finished the incredible season in the Class AA sub-state match up featuring the Cascade Champions and East Nashville Eagles...

Organizers of this year's South Central TN Triple C Competition (Chili, Chicken or Chocolate Cook-off) were banking on just the right weather for the event, and Saturday's moderate temperatures did not disappoint. "We had our first event like this in the summer," said event chairman Cliff Hirst. "It is too hot for chili in the summer, and chocolate melts, so we decided on this time of the year."...

Bedford County 4-H recently held its public speaking contest. In the high school level, first place winners are eligible to compete at the regional level. In grades 4-8, the top two winners may go on to a sub-regional competition. Front row (from left): Sarah Parker, 4th, homeschool (first at county), and Ben Renegar, 4th, Cascade Elementary School (second at county). Middle row (from left): Hunter Palmer, 6th, Cascade (first at county); Nadiana Jesch, 6th, Cascade (second at county); Seth Countess, 5th, Cascade (first at county, and fourth at sub-regional); Jessica Osterhaus, 5th, Victory Baptist Academy (second at county); and Abby Parker, 7th, homeschool (second at county, and fifth at sub-regional). Back row (from left): Godwin Murillo, 11th, Cascade; Jon Osterhaus, 9th, homeschool; Timothy Martin, 8th, homeschool; and Cody Hodge, 7th, Cascade (first at Ccunty, and sixth at sub-regional). (Submitted photo)

Naomi Ruth Furr Kesner, 94, of Murfreesboro died Monday, March 3, 2014. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Southeast Baptist Church in Murfreesboro with Joe Vinson officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Shelbyville. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the church. Woodfin Memorial Chapel of Murfreesboro is in charge of arrangements.

Louie Garland George, 72, of Shelbyville died Wednesday, March 5, 2014. There will be no services. Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.

Earlene F. Cunningham, 86, of Shelbyville died Thursday, March 6, 2014, at Centennial Hospital in Nashville. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Hillcrest Funeral Home with the Rev. Jimmy Gray officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Saturday.