Stories from Thursday, October 23, 2014

Gracie Louise Hale Bowen, 83, of Shelbyville died Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 at Community Care of Rutherford County in Murfreesboro. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Gowen-Smith Chapel with Randy Tinker officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Murfreesboro. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Friday.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- It's a story about an American hero, one that's hit national news over the last few months, and the story has Bedford County roots -- deep roots. As cold temperatures moved in and rain began to fall Wednesday afternoon in the nation's capitol, the family of Pfc. Cecil E. Harris gathered to, finally, welcome their loved one home...

Words can hardly describe what it's like for an editor like myself to attend a ceremony such as the one held at Arlington National Cemetery Wednesday, memorializing the homecoming of Cecil Harris (see related story). It was surreal, and leaves me speechless, an appropriate parallel to how the family probably felt as their loved one was honored yesterday...

Earlier this week, in a story about today's partial solar eclipse, the Times-Gazette quoted local educator Billy Hix as saying that Bedford County would be in the path of a total solar eclipse in 2017. That was, in fact, an overstatement. We got an e-mail from Mark Egan on Tuesday pointing out that Bedford County is in the near-total coverage band, but not the total coverage area -- and it's only with total coverage that observers are able to view the spectacular corona surrounding the sun...

It's been nearly a month since the Cascade Champions claimed their last victory. With just two weeks left in the 2014 season, the Champions need to knock off the Jo Byrns Red Devils on Friday night in order to keep their playoff chances alive. "It's huge for playoffs and for the kids' morale. If we win Friday it puts us in a position to make the playoffs," said Champion coach Jake Tyre...

The Community Vikings will be looking to have their offense on the field early and often Friday night as they entertain the Huntland Hornets in a District 9-A clash. The Vikings (0-8, 0-4 9A) were stifled in the first half against Moore County last Friday as the Raiders controlled time of possession, leaving the Community offense on the sidelines for most of the half...

United Way of Bedford County will hold its annual Spooktacular 5K and its annual Child Safety Day this Saturday. Child Safety Day will take place 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday at H.V. Griffin Park. It will include public service and emergency response agencies on scene, with fire trucks and other emergency vehicles for kids to view up-close...

A Shelbyville man was indicted Monday on multiple counts of possession of child pornography. Rodger Lee Mader, 33, of Oak Street is being held under $235,000 bond after he was indicted by direct presentment on 47 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor...

With some of the season's first frost warnings happening this week, you should be more aware of fire safety. According to the State Fire Marshal's Office, when the first cold snap of the fall season occurs, a wave of home fires usually follows. That's why State Fire Marshal Gary West is urging Tennesseans to take fire safety precautions now in preparation for the colder nights making way into the state...

With Ebola in the news, the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) announced three new information resources for Tennesseans: l Tennesseans with questions about the disease may call a toll-free number to obtain accurate, timely information: 1-877-857-2945. This number will be active starting Oct. 22, 2014...

Bedford County residents can be screened to reduce their risk of having a stroke or bone fracture. Bedford County Farm Bureau, 323 Bethany Lane, will host a Life Line Screening event on Tuesday. Mary Davis of Oliver Springs attended a Life Line Screening and said, "I want to thank you very much because this screening saved my life."...

4-H is amazing! I am very involved in the 4-H dog project; as well as other areas in 4-H. You may be wondering "Well, what is the 4-H dog project?" The Dog project brings 4-H'ers from across the county to learn how to train their dogs in obedience and agility. ...

I am 13 years old and I am a member of the livestock judging, photography, and embroidery groups. I am also in the sheep project. We raise two breeds of sheep and we have about 40 on our farm. I go to the regional and state level competitions. I also learn health and maintenance for my animals. My next project is livestock judging. We start in February and practice until April. We judge sheep, goats, cattle and swine. We go the Tennessee Beef Agribition and the regional 4-H contests...

4-H offers tomorrow's leaders several opportunities to develop leadership, citizenship, and public speaking skills. One of the most fun and exciting skills that I have learned through the program this year is how to run for office. 4-H's biggest event in Tennessee is State Roundup - where youth from all over the state compete in various project portfolio competitions. ...

4-H Honor Club is the first club that I was initiated in entering my middle school and high school years. Becoming an Honor Club member, was something I had to earn. The 4-H advisors, Mrs. Emily and Mrs. Raegan, at the time, started to visit our 4th grade class and introduced 4-H to us. There on, I started to participate in 4-H activities such as: speech contests, demonstration contests, and geo caching. I kept my involvement until I reached enough points to be initiated into the club...

This year in 4-H I enjoyed many fun and educational events. I am a member of the Bedford County 4-H Honor Club as part of that we do a thing called exchange. Exchange is a two-year commitment. The first year we host the 4-H club from another state and then the next year we travel to that state. ...

I can't believe that I am a senior and my 4-H years are coming to an end. 4-H has been an extremely important part of my life. I have enjoyed the many projects in which I have participated, the friends I have made and the fun I have had. Recently I attended the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. ...

Over the past two summers, the 4-H groups from Tennessee counties of Bedford and Lincoln participated in an event known as exchange with the California county of Stanislaus. 4-H Exchange is an amazing experience where each state takes turns hosting the other state, teaching the local agriculture, industry and entertaining each other with several festivities. Each member is paired with a 4-H member from the other state's 4-H group...

I can't believe my time in 4-H is almost over. As I reflect back on the years of 4-H I can't help but smile and remember the friends I have made the experiences that I would not have otherwise gotten to do and the amazing opportunities to help others...