Stories from Thursday, March 20, 2014

While their high school counterparts were doing battle a mere 15 miles away, Community Middle and Forrest Middle met on the softball diamond in Unionville. Unfortunately for the Viqueens, however, Community fell to the Lady Rockets 8-3. Community took a brief lead in the first inning when Karla Pena safely reached base on an error and drove Kaitlin Leverette in for the score...

CHAPEL HILL -- There's a reason the Forrest Lady Rockets are a perennial softball powerhouse. On Wednesday evening, the Lady Rockets flexed their offensive might and defeated the Viqueens 10-0 in five innings. Offensively, it was all Forrest. The Lady Rockets hammered out 10 runs on eight hits in the district contest...

Shelbyville Central's Golden Eagles fell 6-0 at Coffee County in a District 8AAA matchup on Wednesday night. The Red Raiders scored once in the first frame, two in the third and pushed across six in the sixth. Jacob Davidson collected a pair of singles to pace the Eagles at the plate...

It could have a bigger margin of victory, but nevertheless, the Cascade Champions were able to capitalize on enough opportunities to finish off the Lancaster Christian Knights in Wednesday's make up game, 4-1. "It was kind of lackluster today. I don't know if it was the two-run lead in the first or what. It's always good to get the win. That's what we were talking about after the game--coming to play the game every day," said Champion coach Brandon Bassham...

In a matchup of the teams in last year's District 8-AAA Tournament championship game, Shelbyville Central rolled to a 10-0 shutout over visiting Tullahoma on Wednesday night. It was a complete win for the Golden Eaglettes (6-3, 2-0 8-AAA) as they excelled in all aspects of the game...

Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, has announced the launch of a new disability process to expedite disability claims filed by veterans with a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation rating of 100 percent Permanent & Total (P&T). Under the new process, Social Security will treat these veterans' applications as high priority and issue expedited decisions, similar to the way the agency currently handles disability claims from Wounded Warriors...

National Day of Prayer planning committee met on Tuesday to work on preparations for the community-wide, interdenominational annual luncheon, which will be held May 1 at First Baptist Church on Depot Street. Front row, from left: Pat Hastings, Dena Landers, Rhonda Nerren, Traci Roberts and Marilyn Massengale. Back row: Donna Stearns Smith, Susan McGee, Bedford County Mayor Eugene Ray, Ron DeWitt, Johnny Reed, Roger Eyman, John T. Bobo, Cindy Whitaker and Debra Reid. Other committee members include Marshall Lile, Jody Lambert, Barbara Blanton, Ardis Caffey, Jay Davis, David Feldhaus, Don Gallagher, Wilbert Nelson, Kevin Minchey, Jeff Rasnick, Lee Russell and Thomas Smith. (T-G Photo by Jim Davis)

Tim York, left, Leonard Locke and Robert Solano of Tyson Foods prepare wings Wednesday night outside the Boys & Girls Club of Bedford County. Wings were sold to benefit the club. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney)

MURFREESBORO -- The Beatles and their producer, George Martin, used innovative recording and mixing techniques to push the boundaries of what was possible in popular music, and two speakers Wednesday night at Middle Tennessee State University -- one of whom had first-hand experience -- broke down the Fab Four's recording process...

A rodeo in the Mexican style is expected to draw visitors to Calsonic Arena from throughout Middle Tennessee, and as far away as Chattanooga, on Sunday, according to Anna Maria Bonanno, one of the organizers, and it could become a monthly event. The Jaripeo de Primavera, or Spring Rodeo, features Mexican bull-riding, in which the rider attempts to stay on the animal as long as possible, not just eight seconds as in American-style rodeos. ...

Three local financial institutions helped to support Eakin Elementary School's "Bucks for Bell to Bell" program. In order for a student to be entered into the drawing they must have been present every day all year, and they must have no tardies nor early checkouts. The drawing winners received a $10 savings account from one of the local financial institutions.

John Owens has announced his candidacy for Bedford County Sheriff in the May 6 Democratic primary. Owens is a former supervisor of training with Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy. He supervises nine full-time instructors and 22 guest instructors. He also organizes training for new and experienced officers for city, county and state agencies, and works with police chiefs, sheriffs and department heads statewide. ...

Georgia Mae Cartwright Smith, 90, of Shelbyville died Thursday, March 20, 2014, at Glen Oaks Health and Rehab Center. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel with the Rev. David Adams officiating. Burial will follow at Willow Mount Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 PM Saturday.

James R. Greene, 75, of Wartrace died Wednesday, March 19, 2014, at Harton Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m.

Bernice Alexander Gregory Jr., 88, of Southhaven, Miss., formerly of Shelbyville, died Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at Trinity Mission in Byhalia, Miss. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Willow Mount Cemetery with Dewey Smith officiating. Doak-Howell Funeral Home is handling arrangements.