Stories from Sunday, May 25, 2014

The Tennessee Department of Education reversed course late Friday and released TCAP scores for thousands of students across the state. The department had previously said last Tuesday -- at the last minute -- that it would take 10 additional days to release the results. ...

Deanna Jean Ray, 65, of Manchester, formerly of Shelbyville, died Saturday, May 24, 2014. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Doak-Howell Funeral Home with Randall Harmon officiating. Burial will follow at Willow Mount Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday.

Eva Jean Neeley Smith, 83, of Shelbyville died Sunday, May 25, 2014 at Christian Care Center of Shelbyville. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens with Mark Pierce officiating. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. at Hillcrest Funeral Home.

Dylan Hendon drives a hole for the memorial cross held by Franklin Smith as part of preparations for a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday. Scouts from several different troops assisted in placing crosses, and the crosses themselves were also made by scouts. (T-G Photos by John I. Carney)...

Competitors in the Owner-Amateur Youth Riders on Country Pleasure Horses class opened Friday night's Spring Fun Show. Due to the 6 p.m. start time, there weren't many in the stands for the first class, but spectators continued to arrive. Competitors in the Owner-Amateur Youth Country Pleasure class wait in the lineup for the judges' results...

For over a decade, they kept the faith that it would be done. As of Tuesday afternoon, the dream of a new Argie Cooper Public Library for Bedford County will have finally passed a critical point in coming true. Official groundbreaking is set for 2 p.m. at the building site on South Brittain Street across from the old city cemetery...

One minute that can't be rewound. Many minutes of safety instruction that have taught local children to protect themselves near water. Tiffany Woods must deal with the fact her son Matt drowned in that moment. She does so -- and finds some degree of comfort -- in Matt's death resulting in a water safety course honoring his memory...

Tad Craig of Shelbyville is a member of the 2014 Gattis Leadership graduating class. Gattis Leadership held its third graduation ceremony May 13 at the Gault Fine Arts Center on the campus of Martin Methodist College in Pulaski. Fourteen graduates, representing 10 of the 13 counties involved in the year-long regional leadership program, received certificates and a Gattis lighthouse pin...

Here's our weekly look back at the past seven days in local news. Choose the best answer for each question. 1) What was the dollar value of capital improvements removed from the City of Shelbyville's proposed budget? A. $500,000 B. $1.3 million C. $2.2 million...

Vietnam. Iraq. Afghanistan. Italy. France. Japan. The Pacific Ocean. Korea. 1918. 1942. 1968. 1991. 2004. Today. Bravery. Dedication. Giving it all -- literally. America's heroes. Bedford County's heroes. Are they remembered? Do you remember? Almost all of us celebrate Memorial Day in ways ranging from hoisting a cold one to sizzling under the sun...

Friday night was all about legendary former Cascade High football coach Kenny Parker. After 18 successful years leading the Champion football program, Parker retired as head football coach recently and is ready to start a new chapter in his life. A large number of family, friends and supporters gathered to honor Parker at a fish and chicken dinner at the school Friday night...

Christie Tran is a recent graduate of Shelbyville Central High School. She is very excited to be attending The University of Memphis this fall, where she will major in biology. She plans to attend dental school in Memphis after graduating with her undergraduate degree...

Teams and individuals have been preparing for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life for months now -- but if only those registered participants show up, the event won't be a success. That's because the Relay For Life is as much a festival as it is a charity walk. Participating teams will offer food and attractions from their tents, and organizers need the public to come out and be a part of the event...

Robert F. Parsons of Shelbyville was one of 50 World War II and Korean War veterans and their escorts who went to Washington, D.C., on May 10 to visit the war memorials and to observe the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery...

Memorial Day celebrations were always special for my family when I was little. We would travel to my mother's hometown of Pekin, North Dakota to take part in the festivities. Families would gather in the local cemetery to honor those men who had served in the various wars. The veterans' graves would be decorated with little American flags, and all the graves would be decorated with colorful spring flowers...

Well, this column makes number 52. It is hard to believe that it has been a year since I started my first column. I had no idea when I showed up at the paper on a whim and asked to speak with the editor that I would end up doing what I do now. Sometimes it pays to be spontaneous. I definitely didn't realize it would be a continuous thing--not sure the editor did either. Nevertheless, a year later and this ball is still rolling...

One devotional is offering readers "food for the soul." "Nourishments: Food for the Soul" is a new title by Deborah Buckingham, a Bible study teacher. The name was inspired by notes, called "nourishments," that she slipped into her children's lunches. The nourishments contained a Bible verse and a short encouragement. In high school, her son's friends asked to see the nourishments for themselves...

Taylor Blake Leverette and Steven Kyle Adcock, both of Bell Buckle, are engaged. The bride-elect is the daughter of Tim and Keisha Leverette of Bell Buckle, and Kerry and Teresa Yoes of Lewisburg. She graduated as the valedictorian of Victory Baptist Academy Class of 2011 and is attending Middle Tennessee State University...