Stories from Friday, October 3, 2014

This 68-inch by 82-inch Berkley Square quilt, made by Sue Bragg, will be given away at a chili supper and country store which will be held 5-7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Shiloh United Methodist Church in Wheel, sponsored by the United Methodist Women at both Shiloh UMC and Mt. Lebanon UMC. The event will include all-you-can-eat chili, and the country store will have homemade items, baked goods and homemade candy. (Submitted photo)

A large chicken barn -- fortunately, empty at the time -- ignited and burned to the ground at the home of Rafael Roda, Longview Road, late Monday morning. Bedford County firefighters were able to save another adjoining barn. The cause of the fire hasn't been determined, the BCSD said. Two dogs kept next to the chicken barn escaped injury. (T-G Photo by David Melson)

Sentencing for a former Bedford County youth minister charged with possessing child pornography has been delayed until November. Joseph Todd Neill, 38, has had his case moved to Nov. 6 following a problem with paperwork to have him transported to Bedford County...

State Sen. Jim Tracy says a drug abuse summit held earlier this week in Murfreesboro was an eye-opener. "What hit me," he said, "is how big a problem that abuse of prescription drugs has gotten in Tennessee." He knew there was a problem, he said, but the statistics presented in a report produced by Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services drove home just how severe the situation has become...

One church ceremony on Saturday will be for the dogs -- and cats. Episcopal Church of the Redeemer holds a free pet blessing ceremony each year to commemorate the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. The feast day is always on Oct. 4...

NASHVILLE -- Self-inflicted wounds or simple mistakes. Whatever the label, the Tennessee Titans have been hurting themselves far too often, and it's why they have been embarrassed in three straight losses. Wide receiver Nate Washington has a little advice for his teammates: Relax. Have some fun...

McMINNVILLE -- Hoping to avenge a loss earlier this season to Covenant Academy, the Webb Lady Feet volleyball team traveled to McMinnville on Thursday afternoon. Although Webb came out flat in the first set, the Lady Feet rallied in the second but ultimately fell 3-2...

The Community Middle School Vikings trounced the Moore County Raiders on Thursday night en route to a 28-0 victory. The Vikings, in the season's last home game, jumped on the Raiders early when they took back the opening kickoff. A successful two-point conversion put the Vikings up 8-0...

Times-Gazette Circulation Director Olene Standfield helps Chamber President Tonya Davis, left, find the merchant coupon in her newspaper Thursday during Business After Hours hosted by Shelbyville Automotive with Bedford Cancer Foundation. The Times-Gazette collected donations for the foundation through the use of its Pink Rack; people bought a newspaper from the rack by making a donation to the foundation. Local merchants had donated gift cards, which were placed in the newspapers...

The Cascade Middle Champions closed the 2014 season on a high note. On eighth-grade night, the Champions (5-3) raced out to an early lead and coasted to a 32-6 blowout over visiting Fayetteville. The Champions found the end zone three times in the first quarter and successfully converted each two-point conversion for a commanding 24-0 lead...

My husband Larry and I live and work in Shelbyville and enjoy small town life. We have three children and two grandsons. We are fortunate that several years ago our youngest son, Jonathan, moved from Washington, D.C., back to Shelbyville to work with his Dad...

Debbie Snell is a fighter. She was diagnosed with Stage II HER2-positive breast cancer in May 2012. The breast cancer survivor reached the lowest of low points early during chemotherapy when she was continuously sick. "I begged to die. I begged God to take me," she said. She made the prayer while lying in bed, experiencing extreme pain and nausea that would not go away...

At the halfway point of the regular season, Shelbyville Central is poised and ready to make a run at defending its District 8-AAA championship with five district games left to play. That run starts tonight when the Golden Eagles (3-2, 1-0 8-AAA) entertain Franklin County (2-3, 1-1 8-AAA)...

LYNCHBURG (AP) - Jack Daniel Distillery is asking the U.S. Postal Service to issue a stamp honoring its founder as the distillery prepares for its 150th anniversary. Included with its petition is a letter signed by every member of Tennessee's congressional delegation supporting the request...

If you are a gearhead, or just love cars and everything about them, then stop by the Bedford County Agricultural Center while out and about this Saturday, a day which offers tons of things for families to do (see calendar of events on page 4). The Celebration City Region Car Club is holding its automotive swap meet and Christmas/crafts village from 7 a.m.-4 p.m...

The owner of a chicken barn that burned Thursday on Longview Road was charged after remnants of marijuana were found by firefighters in the remains. Arturo Ravelo, 33, was in Bedford County Jail on $300,000 bond Friday, charged with manufacture of a schedule VI substance (marijuana)...

Charlie Franklin "Frank" Haynes Jr., 92, of Wheel died Friday, Oct. 3, 2014. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Hillcrest Funeral Home with James Edward Haynes officiating. Burial will follow at Hopper Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life will be held from 6 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2015 to 6 a.m. Saturday, June 6 at Bedford County Agriculture and Education Center on Midland Road. But for some Relay teams, the event lasts a lot longer than 12 hours...

To the Editor: On behalf of Bedford County Imagination Library, we would like to thank the following community members who helped make the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library / Governor's Books from Birth Foundation Bus Tour a success. We were able to provide free Bedford County bags with a free book and goodies from funds donated by Dr. Linda Gentle and Jason Scales, pastor of Believers Faith and Fellowship Church...

Some people groan when they see Christmas decorations in the stores too early, but there are some holiday preparations that can't wait until after Thanksgiving. Ashley Sand of Lynchburg is again conducting her "Christmas For The Soldiers" drive, in memory of Pfc. Tommy L. Curd...