Stories from Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Wallace L. "Bob" Ragan, age 91, of Shelbyville, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2015. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Steve Murphree officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Pressgrove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday.

Bedford County teachers getting ready for back-to-school received a pep talk Monday from the person at the top -- the state education commissioner. Candice McQueen, Tennessee's education commissioner, visited teachers during the start of their two-day in-service. Superintendent Don Embry said it was the first time the state's top educator has visited, to the best of his knowledge...

The county's bookmobile has only been gone five days, yet citizens are already stepping up to replace what was lost. Last Thursday, an overheated engine led to a blaze that destroyed the 1986 van and its contents, including books distributed to Bedford County's day care centers...

A possible review of "greenbelt property" by Bedford County could be important for Shelbyville as well. An audit of those properties was recently recommended by The University of Tennessee's County Technical Assistance Service. Bedford County Board of Commissioners could have approved the audit earlier this month but decided to postpone action so they could study the idea further...

A year ago, the Cascade Champions graduated 11 players and were left with several question marks moving into the offseason. One of the biggest losses was Ivan Spencer, who was the Champions' most versatile player. Between punt returning, lining up at receiver and leading the Cascade backfield, Champion coach Jake Tyre was tasked with replacing his top-producing player from last season...

An appellate court has upheld the conviction of a man convicted for promotion of the manufacture of meth. John Wesley Couch has appealed his four-year sentence, claiming that there wasn't enough evidence to convict him and that his punishment was excessive...

"You have messed up now! I'm the one keeping ISIS out of Shelbyville," a DUI suspect allegedly told police while being taken to Bedford County Jail Friday night. Lawson Howard Jr., 52, of Shelbyville was "screaming and kicking" in the back seat of officer Ronnie Blankenship's patrol car, then continued "his yelling about ISIS" at the judicial commissioner's office, the report said...

The Motlow College Foundation is now offering scholarship opportunities for students enrolled in the Accelerated College Express (ACE) program at Motlow College. Eligibility for the scholarship requires students to meet all requirements for admission to Motlow and the ACE program, to be in good standing with Motlow, to have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or better if prior college experience applies, to be full-time under the ACE program guidelines and not a "drop-in" and to have financial need as evidenced by FAFSA.. ...

Many people were craning their necks Monday to see the tall crane used during work on a cell phone tower on Delray Street in Shelbyville. (T-G Photo by David Melson)

A gorgeous grandma contest was held at the Senior Citizens Center. Front row, from left: Annie Bailey, third place; Elinor McHale, first place; and Barbara Jackson. Back row; Carolyn Ouellette; Dorothy Campbell and Sandra Locke, who tied for second place. (Submitted photo)

Sarah Morgan Brock, daughter of Jon and Donna Brock, recently donated hair to the Locks of Love organization. Stylist Patsy Taylor of Brass Shears cut Sarah Morgan's hair. Locks of Love provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss. (Submitted photos)

Luke & Kailey pose for a quick picture before dinner during family vacation on the beach!