Stories from Sunday, July 12, 2015

The decorations at many of the booths in this weekend's International Chili Society-sanctioned cook-offs show a sense of humor -- like this cook, who would appreciate it if you didn't laugh at his chili. "I've had to point to that a few times in the past," he said. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney)...

Dixie Parker's friends say they miss her and that her death is a loss to Bedford County. Parker died at home of natural causes Friday morning. She was a life-long Bell Buckle resident, was serving a third term on the Bedford County Board of Education for District 1 and was active in the Daughters of the American Revolution, Shelby Chapter...

It's one of the most-anticipated new book releases in decades, with fans here in Bedford County and across the world anxiously awaiting their pre-ordered copies. Only it's not a "new" book at all. "Go Set A Watchman," being released on Tuesday by HarperCollins, was written in the 1950s, and introduced the character of Scout Finch as an adult. It includes a few short flackbacks to Finch's childhood...

Drivers will be seeing construction at the Normandy rail crossing soon as CSX works on a tie replacement project. A number of closings were announced by CSX this week, including four crossings in Tullahoma and five in Franklin County. The work will replace the wood ties and asphalt...

It's that time once again. The public works department will be holding its summer cleanup Monday through Thursday, with pickups on residents' regular garbage days. Anything to be hauled off should be placed in ditches or roadsides, public works director Mark Clanton said...

Bedford County Democratic Party will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday, July 27, at 6 p.m. at Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce. The executive meeting will last from until 7 p.m. and then the special guest speaker will be Amos Powers, chair of Putnam County Democratic Party and vice chair of Tennessee Democratic Party County Chairs Association. Powers ran against U.S. Rep. Diane Black in 2014...

Here's our look back at the past seven days in local news. Choose the best answer for each question. 1) What new job will Cascade High School graduate Warren Wells assume in August? A. Legislative director for Gov. Bill Haslam B. Communications director for U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais...

This week's escape of a prisoner from the Bedford County courthouse points to a continuing security problem that must be addressed. A repeat offender due for sentencing on drugs and weapon charges apparently planned ahead and managed to slip through the fingers of sheriff's deputies while being transported to the jail, located only a block away...

Bedford County's convenience centers have been spruced up -- and it's now easier to know where your junk goes. Diane Forbes, who runs the county's solid waste department, said that all convenience centers around Bedford County have been painted and bins marked so that there will be no confusion as to where various types of trash go...

Five Bedford County educators recently completed the MTSU Aerospace Workshop. Jana Anderson and Nakisha Williams-Bey, who teach ESL at Learning Way, Amy Townsend, a teacher at Shelbyville Central High, Kim Pierce-Wilder, who teaches algebra at Community and Carl Keating, a music teacher at Thomas Magnet, attended...

Dawn Holley is all smiles as she walks into her new office. "Don't look too closely, I'm still getting settled," she hastens to say. "That desk is going to move, and I haven't gotten any pictures hung or anything." It's the second day of her new position as human resources Director for the City of Shelbyville, and Holley sits behind her new desk to discuss her career past and thoughts about her future...

T-G: You've spent your entire career working in the library. What do you love about working in a library, and what do you think would surprise people about libraries today? Petty: What's not to love about working in a library!? I have always loved books and reading, but after being here for 20 years, I think my favorite part of working here is getting to know our patrons....

As the summer heat permeates Bedford County, one local resident is now offering a "cool" place to beat the heat. Yessenia Ibarra has always wanted to open her own business. Recently, she took the risk and opened Paleteria Y Neveria La Monita, an ice cream and popsicle shoppe on Madison Street. A Bedford County resident for around a year now, Ibarra is excited about finally owning her own business...

Kelsey Grace Petty of Murfreesboro and Alden James Kelley of Thompson Station announce their engagement. The bride-elect is the daughter of Tim and Crystal O'Neal of Shelbyville, and Jeff Petty of Tullahoma. She is the granddaughter of Joyce O'Neal and the late Don O'Neal, Adriana Prince, Sheri and the late Lewis T. Prince Jr., and the late Modena Petty, all of Shelbyville...

Being a "transplant" to Tennessee from my native state of New York, there's about only one thing that's become traditional for me over the course of the past 13 years when it comes to holidays. There's nothing traditional! I sometimes get frustrated by locals who complain about their many family functions and parties and picnics that make them all crazy on any given holiday. I've seen the other side, and it can be lonely. However, there's always a plus-side to any situation...

I have often wondered what percentage of popular fiction is made up of mysteries. The whole world seems to love a puzzle and there are literally thousands of great mysteries out there from which to choose. Detectives and other law enforcement types are prevalent in the murder mystery genre. ...

One entrepreneur argues in a new book that businesses must begin to value people before profits. Dale Partridge is an entrepreneur and founder of Sevenly.org, an e-commerce website that promotes charities and donates a portion of its proceeds to various causes. And in "People Over Profit," Partridge discusses his philosophies of philanthropy. Nelson Books is the publisher of the title that was released on May 5. Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS Shoes, wrote the foreword...

I realized yesterday that a Buddhist monk would be hard pressed to mow a yard. One of the five Buddhist precepts: Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami. In the common tongue, I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures. I fail at this miserably, at least once a week. In fact, if one were a keeper of Buddhist principles, you would be ashamed to learn that I've killed thousands of helpless creatures. Sometimes intentional; most times not...

It happens every year. Whether you plant one summer squash plant or 30, there always seems to be an over-abundance of squash. Summer squashes like zucchini, yellow crookneck and pattypan produce all summer and so there is always squash around. The popular question is what to do with it all...

You may be surprised by the stories of Bedford County's homeless population. You may think they chose that lifestyle or got in that condition due to drugs...

The C.R.O.S.S. Shelter has gone through some personnel changes but is still open to serve the area's homeless population, its directors say. Founding director and well-known community member Dr. Carl Bailey retired to Florida last year, they said. President and Managing Director Dixie Sullivan died in March...

I enjoy watching people. I guess you could call me a people watcher. I like watching people when I go shopping, whether it be at the grocery store or the supercenter or the mall. When I go to the store here in Shelbyville, I like to watch the folks that are there shopping around me...

Cascade High School and Cascade Middle School had four of the 10 Middle Tennessee winners in the International Aviation Art Contest, including Middle Tennessee senior division winner Rose Espino, according to art teacher Jojo Bills. Mallory Houchin (honorable mention, intermediate division), Tori Hull (second place, intermediate division) and Sara Rodriguez (third place, senior division) were the other winners. All received plaques and ribbons...