Stories from Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Tawny Spinelli, having survived a parade of foster homes as a child and then homelessness as an adult, served on a committee with other former foster children while a student at Vanderbilt University. She knew her own story, but she asked the others how they managed to beat the odds and rise above challenging, often tragic, circumstances. After all, only half of all foster children graduate from high school and only 5 percent of foster children go on to earn college degrees...

Manda and nolan allison spend time at the beach

Ashley and her daughters payzlei and ella enjoying time at the beach

Nolan, payzlei & ella allison are enjoying their beach vacation!

James Coley Rippy, 62, of Shelbyville died Tuesday, April 29, 2014. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at First Assembly of God with the Rev. Glenn Forsee officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will follow at Rosebank Cemetery in Flat Creek. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the church.

Bill Reed, 86, of Midland, Texas, formerly of Tennessee, died Monday, April 28, 2014. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Resthaven Memorial Park in Midland with the Rev. Larry L. Long officiating. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland.

Name: Tyler Wood Do you have a nickname: Do not have one Where do you go to school: Cascade High School Favorite subject in school: Music Least liked subject in school: Science Favorite food: Pizza Least liked food: Meatloaf Favorite dessert: Brownies...

Two Shelbyville residents were killed in out-of-town car crashes Monday. Debbie C. Atashzay, 63, died on State Route 840 in Williamson County on Monday afternoon, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Atashzay was riding in a Cadillac CTS operated by her daughter, Amber M. Atashzay, 26, also of Shelbyville, about 1:30 p.m...

A change in state law dealing with the mixed drink tax will result in some decrease in revenue for Shelbyville. It does not mean that taxes will be going up, instead, cuts will have to be made to the budget, the city manger said. In the early 1980s, a state law provided that mixed drink tax proceeds collected where liquor by the drink is allowed would be distributed 50 percent to the city or county and the other half to local schools...

Earlier this week, storms and tornados ravaged the southeast with communities across Tennessee beginning to recover and repair the damage. Tennessee's Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak offers recovery and repair tips for individuals affected by destructive weather...

Although the Aereo case heard last week by the U.S. Supreme Court doesn't affect us directly in Bedford County -- Aereo is available right now only in a limited number of big cities -- the legal issues it raises could have a much bigger impact in the future...

The cause of "extremely high" electricity bills plaguing a West Lane Street resident came as a surprise. She "went exploring" Monday, police said, and discovered an underground water line and electric lines buried in her yard. Shelbyville Power representatives said the lines were tied in to her residence and someone else was stealing her electricity...

The Shelbyville Garden Club held its April meeting at Farm Bureau, with 17 members present. Janie Burke and Pat Martin served as hostesses. Freda Head read two lovely poems about Easter as the devotion. President Amy Wells presided over the meeting, advising members of revisions in the club's program booklet. Wells also encouraged members to review the standard rules in the booklet, reminding members they are expected to bring a minimum of four flower arrangements during the year...

AT&T has upgraded its mobile data service in Shelbyville to LTE, the latest generation of wireless network technology. The company claims to have the nation's most reliable 4G LTE network. The company says its LTE technology has several benefits, including...

Gary King and Southern Energy Company's invite you to be their guest! They are hosting a fish fry and burger luncheon on Friday, May 2 beginning at 11:00 am. Come and enjoy the company of your neighbors. See you there! ...

Athena Broadband, one of Middle Tennessee's most dynamic fixed wireless network operators, announced Tuesday that the company acquired Surfmore.net, a Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) located in Pulaski. The acquisition of Surfmore.net extends Athena Broadband's fixed wireless footprint which covers Shelbyville, Lewisburg, Cornersville, and Chapel Hill, to include the Pulaski city limits, Lynnville, Goodsprings, Campbellsville, and Minor Hill, just to name a few...

On Tuesday evening, the Cascade Champions had just enough time to honor its seniors before the rains came, ending the Champs' game against the Community Vikings. With a last minute cancellation against Perry County due to the threat of more wet weather, the Vikings made the trip across the county for the Champs' night...

MURFREESBORO -- The Shelbyville Wrestling Kids Club took part in the Tennessee Pride Iron Man tournament over the weekend, held at Blackman High School. The tournament crowns a folkstyle division, which is high school and collegiate wrestling, as well as Olympic styles freestyle and Greco-Roman divisions...