Stories from Thursday, July 2, 2015

To the editor: I would like to thank the Times-Gazette for printing the column by Jason Stanford, "It's time for the south to finally surrender." I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments expressed in the article. It is long past time that we as a nation put the hatred and bitterness of the civil war behind us, and move toward acceptance of all races and creeds...

It never fails. Some nut does something deadly and stupid, and the progressive pants-wetting brigade go on a Soviet-style purge of inanimate objects. By now, we all know that a racist loser shot up a church in Charleston, South Carolina, killing nine. It's a horrific, reprehensible crime, and there is no doubt the young vermin responsible will get what's coming to him...

I'm back -- did you miss me? Don't answer that. For about two and a half months, from the second week in April until about the third week in June, I spent my days helping out in the newsroom at the Times-Gazette's sister newspaper, the Marshall County Tribune in Lewisburg. The Tribune was temporarily short-handed and so I went over there to work each day...

There are a few things in this life that are uniquely American: apple pie, baseball, fireworks on the Fourth of July, and hotdogs. It should come as no surprise that the majority of those things go together, namely the Fourth of July and hotdogs--particularly Nathan's Famous Hotdog eating competition, held on Coney Island, New York...

Shelby Chapter DAR officers for the 2015-216 term were installed. They are: regent, Dixie Parker; first vice regent, Marilyn Lewis; chaplin, Joan Graham; recording secretary, Marie Parsons; treasurer, Martha Watt; registrar, Cynthia Ferrell; historian, Alene Hall; and librarian, Gay Mixson. (Submitted photo)

On June 26, the Shelby Chapter DAR met at the new Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library with Rita Allen, director. They presented the two volume collection from DAR members throughout Tennessee about their great-great grandmothers who lived in pioneer Tennessee. ...

Taken outside of Vancouver.

Two men were stopped for allegedly racing their Ford Mustangs at extremely high speeds on U.S. 231 North late Tuesday night, police said. A Mustang driven by Nicholas Guarnieri was clocked at 105 mph and one driven by James Timberlake at 98 mph by Sgt, Gregg Loyd, according to his report...

The old cracked concrete sidewalk beside the Capri Theatre is being replaced with a new brick walkway by employees of Curl Construction and David Robinson Concrete, It's just one section of Phase I of rehab for downtown Shelbyville's sidewalks. Next week, work will begin on Depot Street, and the project will also include Brittain and Holland streets on the east side of downtown, with crosswalk and accessibility improvements to be made at four intersections within the area. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely)

Allen McBee holds up the "Duck Commander Faith and Family Bible" he won during a raffle last month to benefit Relay For Life. The Times-Gazette Press Power Relay team raffled the Bibles for charity after the books were donated by Thomas Nelson Publishers. (Submitted photo)

Only a handful of computer networks were affected by "leap second" Tuesday night, although some prominent websites and some users of Android smartphones reported problems. The atomic clocks which are now used as the standard for official time were adjusted by a second at midnight Tuesday, to account for a slight difference between the earth's rotation -- which is slowing down over time -- and the time as measured by advanced scientific devices...

Failing to wear your seat belt or to have the proper car insurance has just gotten more expensive, according to Circuit Court Clerk Michelle Murray. New laws which took effect July 1 raise the fines for seat belt offenses from $10 for a first offense and $20 for a second or later offense to $25 for a first offense and $50 for second or later offenses. That's more than double...

Volunteers are being sought for a statewide program that provides free and objective counseling to people about Medicare and related health insurance. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) / Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) answers questions about original Medicare; Advantage plans; prescription drug plans; supplements; Medicare fraud and abuse; Medicare Covered Preventive Services; being under 65 and having Medicare; financial assistance with Medicare premiums, deductibles and copays; and much more.. ...

The Independence Day holiday weekend means fireworks -- lots of fireworks. And that can mean trouble for pet owners. Jack Cooper, director of Bedford County Animal Control, says that there's a measurable increase in runaway pets around the holiday, as normally-homebound pets frightened and disoriented by the noise of fireworks go missing...

Saturday was a muddy day for brothers Angel and Anthony Silva as the two found themselves in over their heads -- almost. Venturing down to Duck River through one of the river accesses on U.S. 41-A South, Angel Silva decided to drive his Jeep down one of the side roads. Due to Friday's heavy rains, the standing water was a little deeper than Angel anticipated. Fortunately, after a little help from his brother Anthony, Angel was able to make his way from the watery pit, motor still running...

Local veterans were treated to a free barbecue lunch Wednesday at Calvary Baptist Church. The church held its annual lunch for veterans prior to the parade and rally Wednesday evening. Veterans received a free hat and lapel pin. David Coffey delivered a prayer before the meal. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Then, the Rev. Tom Henry, pastor of Calvary Baptist, welcomed the crowd...

Next Thursday, Shelbyville council members will vote on a possible property tax increase to $1.81 per $100 of assessed value. The current rate is $1.65. The public will also get to have its say about the proposed increase during a public hearing set for 6 p.m. in the courtroom at the Shelbyville police department...

One after another, speakers at Wednesday night's God and Country rally urged listeners to firmly stand up for traditional beliefs -- but do so with kindness. "The suppression of truth and the oppression of lies" is spreading across America, said keynote speaker Jason Daughdrill of Gateway Church...

Layton O'Brien Hart was stillborn Thursday, July 2, 2015. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Willow Mount Cemetery with the Rev. Micah Hayes officiating. Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.

Christine H. Johnson, 84, of Unionville died Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at Heritage Medical Center. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Hillcrest Funeral Home with H.A. Beasley and Bill Hunter officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m.

Rickey L. "Rick" Chambless, 67, of Shelbyville died Thursday, July 2, 2015 at St. Thomas-Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro. Funeral services will be at 6 p.m. Sunday at Hillcrest Funeral Home with the Rev. Bobby McGee officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m.

Taken in south Texas. Notice on the right, the ants are trying to get the next seed.

Taken in Texas

look carefully- you'll see an ant taking away a seed.

William J. "W.J." Crowell, age 94, died Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at Heritage Medical Center. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 8 at Doak-Howell Funeral Home with Susan Springer officiating. Burial will follow at Crowell's Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday.

Ruth A. Maxwell, 80, of Shelbyville died Thursday, July 2, 2015. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel with the Rev. John Brown as eulogist. Burial will follow at Willow Mount Cemetery. Visitation will begin at noon. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to service Monday at the funeral home.