Stories from Friday, October 30, 2015

Smokestack Theatre Group at Community High School will present William Inge's drama "Picnic" 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6 and 7, at the school. The story centers around a drifter, Hal, who shows up in a small Kansas town, almost immediately drawing the suspicion of several of the local residents. One, however ("Madge"), sees something in him. But is she right?...

Fourteen grams of pot were found in what Shelbyville police describe as a "half pint jar full of marijuana" confiscated from a Tanner Circle home Wednesday. Officers had ordered Joseph Stephen Bates, 24, to hand over the marijuana after its odor was apparent during a non-related call to the home, officer Darrell Birdsong's report said...

The Tennessee Historical Commission will begin accepting grant applications for historic preservation projects on Nov. 1. These federally funded grants will be available after Congress passes the federal budget. The exact amount of funds available for grants is not known but it is expected to be in the range of $250,000. ...

The Cascade Champion Marching Band recently traveled to Antioch for the Glencliff Colt Classic. The band placed 2nd in field commander, guard, percussion, and band. Out of 20 bands in the competition they placed second overall. They will travel to Stewarts Creek High School Nov. 7th for the Division II State Marching Band Championship. Pictured are: Lauren-Taylor Nash, Grant Curtis, Maison Bucka Bea Barnett, Keauna Hiles, Gabe Gibson, Peyton Cartwright, Matthew Baldwin, Joseph Patton, Katelyn Smotherman, Samantha Blanche, Tanner Craig, Faith Lollis, Katherine Smotherman, Anna Holcombe, Autumn Stone, Taylor Clark, Jessi Woodard, Gavin McCurry, MaryGrace Dennis and Conrad Golden. (Submitted photo)

The Shelbyville-Bedford County Senior Citizens Center held a Halloween costume contest Thursday. (T-G Photos by Jason Reynolds)

CHAPEL HILL -- In what proved to be a thrilling finish, the Community Vikings couldn't withstand a strong second half effort by the Forrest Middle Rockets on Thursday night and suffered a 44-41 defeat on the road. The Rockets made their living on the free throw line in the fourth quarter with Ryley McClaran hitting 6 of 6 attempts...

CHAPEL HILL -- The Community Middle Viqueens never got the offense in gear in a 34-19 loss at Forrest on Thursday night. Though hanging with the Lady Rockets through the first quarter, Forrest began to pull away in the second and carried an 18-9 lead into the half...

It was a struggle on the offensive end of the floor for the Cascade Middle Lady Champions on Thursday night against Huntland. The Lady Hornets proved stout on defense and held Cascade to single digits in a 46-20 in Wartrace. Huntland's McKenzie Edwards led the way in a 20-point first quarter effort...

It was another dominating win for the Cascade Middle Champions on Thursday night. Cascade doubled up the Hornets in the first quarter and cruised to a 52-16 win. Thursday's game marked the third-straight win by double figures for the Champions this week...

EAGLEVILLE -- Liberty's one-two punch of Kaylee Adams and Mary Alice Shavers was more than Eagleville could handle on Thursday night. The Lady Patriot pair combined for 32 points and guided the Lady Patriots to a huge, 42-34 road victory. It was a slow grind starting for Liberty, falling behind 19-18 at the half...

A strong fourth-quarter effort helped net the Liberty Patriots a 66-58 road victory at Eagleville on Thursday night. In a highly-competitive game that wasn't decided until the final minutes, Keon Johnson dominated in the game, leading all scorers with 35 points...

To say a lot is on the line when Shelbyville Central travels to Franklin County in a Region 5-5A matchup this evening in the final game of the season would be a huge understatement. There are a number of playoff scenarios that remain in the region, one being a Golden Eagle win and a loss by either La Vergne or Lincoln County will assure a playoff berth for Shelbyville Central...

Annual vision and hearing checks for Liberty School students only take a couple of minutes, but can go a long way in preventing problems students could develop in the future. The Liberty Lions Club dropped by Tuesday for their annual round of tests...

Andrea Key reads a story to a group of children at the School Age Care Program this week. (T-G Photo by Jim Davis)

Allen Pitner, CEO of Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, told members of Middle Tennessee Business Network on Thursday that he has high hopes for the new industrial park. Later in the day, Shelbyville and Bedford County governments closed the sale of the property on Frank Martin Road. The park is being purchased and developed using money from the city and county along with a grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority...

A Shelbyville man was killed after opening fire on police officers following a home burglary Thursday night in Hohenwald, investigators said. Allen Quintez Swader, 18, was shot after firing on a Hohenwald police officer and Lewis County deputy as they neared the scene, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Swader had allegedly stabbed a man after breaking into his home moments earlier...

John Homer Simmons, 87, of Bedford County died Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015 at Lynchburg Nursing Home after an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Doak-Howell Funeral Home with the Rev. Lanita Monroe officiating. Burial will follow at Willow Mount Cemetery, Visitation will begin at 1 p.m.