Stories from Friday, July 1, 2016

The meeting lasted a mere 20 minutes, with no debate, little discussion, no raised voices and a series of unanimous votes. And yet, Thursday night's special called meeting of Bedford County Board of Commissioners was a milestone, paving the way for a new jail, a new justice center and a new Cascade High School, and paying for it with a hefty tax increase after holding the line on county property tax rates for more than a decade...

Demolition has begun on the back portion of James Farrar's building. The city and businessman recently reached an agreement for the demolition of a portion of his building, which he said was damaged when the flume collapsed. Demolition supervisor Jack Ray said the roof should be taken down in two days. The demolition should be completed in about a week. The front portion of the building will remain...

The city of Shelbyville is moving forward with sidewalk and landscape enhancements on and around the square with approval of a $799,888 state grant. City Manager Jay Johnson informed city council members and city department heads of the news in an email Thursday...

Tuesday is the last day to register to vote and be eligible to participate in the Aug. 4 general and primary elections. Early voting will run from July 15-30. If you are not sure of your current voter registration status, you can check it at tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup...

Marijuana was discovered in a vehicle stopped because one headlight was out early Thursday, the Bedford County Sheriff's Office said. Approximately 1.8 grams of marijuana was found in a bag in the center console after Michael Jay Couch, 43, of Greer Road was told by Deputy Ramon Castillo the vehicle would be searched because he smelled marijuana...

The Rev. Laurie Raulston has been appointed by Bishop Bill McAlilly to serve Normandy United Methodist Church. Raulston's first service at the church will be 11 a.m. Sunday. Raulston, a former mortgage loan officer, received the call to ministry while attending Tullahoma First UMC. She has been granted the status of licensed local pastor as she continues her studies through Emory University's Candler School of Theology in Atlanta...

The Clayton-Glass Library on the Moore County campus of Motlow State Community College recently added four stationary bikes to enable students to get a little exercise while they study or work on a laptop or tablet. The bikes, called Fit Desks, were added at the suggestion of library director Stuart Gaetjens. Giving the bikes a test ride are, from front to back, library staff member Bob Shine, Gaetjens, and recent Motlow graduate Lucas Crismond of Manchester. (Motlow College photo)

Columbia State Community College was recently recognized by the Center for Digital Education as a top 10 winner of their 2015-2016 Digital Community Colleges Survey, an award honoring community colleges for their efforts using technology to deliver curriculum and improve services offered...

Shelbyville Central head boys basketball coach Stan Eggleston resigned on Thursday morning. Eggleston has been the Golden Eagles' head coach the past four years after serving one season as an assistant. "This was a really tough decision for me but it's a decision I made because it allows me to spend more time with my wife and two daughters," Eggleston said...

The Shelbyville Sharks added a win in a make-up meet on Thursday evening at Shelbyville Recreation Center, defeating the LaWave 422-174. The Sharks got off to another hot start, taking four of the five mixed medley relay races to begin the meet. The Sharks then followed with eight straight freestyle wins, capped off by a first-place finish by Cole McBee, who won the Boys 11-12 50 Meter Freestyle in 34.21...