Stories from Wednesday, March 22, 2017

From Allen Pitner's perch at the Chamber of Commerce, Shelbyville and Bedford County are in the catbird seat in Middle Tennessee, ready to attract industrial growth. The city-county 86 1/2-acre industrial park is open and shovel-ready for new businesses...

Bedford County Board of Commissioners' rules and legislative committee, meeting Tuesday night, deferred action for another month on a proposal to change the county's beer laws. But County Mayor Eugene Ray said they eventually need to pass the measure on to the full county commission for a vote, even if committee members themselves oppose it...

Have you ever wanted to meet an author? If you have, you can talk to eight of them Saturday at a book signing in Shelbyville. The Shelbyville Spring Multi-Author Book Signing will be Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at New Covenant Christian Bookstore, 800 N. Main St. Light refreshments will be served. Books will be for sale and may be autographed...

The 49th annual National Walking Horse Trainers' Show will be held Thursday through Saturday in Calsonic Arena on the Celebration grounds, and Walking Horse Trainers Association president Bill Young said he's expecting the best show in seven or eight years...

Jennifer Carden of Heritage South Credit Union dressed as a clown for the annual Celebrity Waiter Luncheon, benefitting Bedford County Relay for Life, on Tuesday at First Baptist Church. “Waiters” donned costumes to raise money for the fight against cancer. (T-G Photo by David Melson)

Shay Luna of Shelbyville was one of the winners of the “Count The Basketballs” contest in last week’s “Bracket Bucks” advertising section. Luna was randomly selected from among those who correctly counted 39 basketballs appearing throughout the section. She won a $50 Visa gift card from The Russell Center for Vein and Vascular Care. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney)

Titan Transfer Inc. has announced the addition of eight drivers to its prestigious One-Million Safe Miles Driver group. The announcement was made at the company's annual Safety Awards Dinner at River Bend Country Club....

Change isn’t always a bad thing. Then again, it isn’t always a good thing, either. Starting this season, high school and middle school baseball coaches throughout the state have now been given a new way of monitoring pitches for student-athletes. In years past, pitchers were monitored for their number of innings pitched...

COLUMBIA — The Shelbyville Central notched an impressive District 8-AAA win on Monday afternoon, sweeping Columbia Central, 7-0. The Eaglettes put forth a convincing effort in singles, earning convincing wins throughout the lineup. No. 1 seed Keely Smith knocked off Macy Andrews, 8-2, while Priscila Morales defeated Maggie Willis, 8-1...

Cody Hodge, a sophomore at Cascade High School, placed first in the annual Tennessee Association of Conservation Districts’ 2016 poster contest. The theme of this year’s contest was “We All Need Trees” with a first place prize of $50. The winners of the state contest go on to the National Association of Conservation Districts contest competing against other students from across the nation. Cody placed second in the national contest earning an additional $150. The Bedford County Soil Conservation District board members want to congratulate Cody on his achievements. All posters must be turned in to the Bedford County Soil Conservation District office by Oct. 15 each year. Winners will be chosen in each age category, (K-1st), (2nd-3rd), (4th-6th), (7th-9th), (10th-12th) and sent on to the state competition. The 2017 poster contest’s theme for 2017 is “Healthy Soils are Full of Life”. Contact the office at 931-684-1441 for more information and contest details. (Submitted photo)

Members of Shelbyville Central High School’s National Honor Society recently read to all of the classes at Learning Way Elementary for Read Across America to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday. (Submitted photo)

A second vehicle has been stolen from Look Away Farms on County Line Road. A 1999 Volvo semi-truck, left unlocked with the key in the ignition, was stolen between 2:30 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 a.m. Monday, according to a Bedford County Sheriff's Office report...

Monday was the first day of spring, and for students of Bedford County, Friday will begin their spring break from school. What does your family have planned? While Disney World is a popular travel destination and is called the "Happiest Place on Earth," the wallets of its patrons may not be so happy. Last month ticket prices and parking rates increased. Single day ticket prices have increased approximately $2 to $5 per single day tickets and parking has gone from $35 to $40...

What if you could ... ... be a pirate aboard the Southern Belle Riverboat in Chattanooga? Walk the plank and join the captains to explore the mighty Tennessee River. As you're perched on the highest platform of the boat in the Pilot House, you can keep an eye on other boaters and wildlife along the river...

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is hosting seven public meetings across the country this spring to discuss animal disease traceability (ADT) in the cattle and bison sectors. The meetings are in collaboration with state animal health officials...

A free legal clinic will be held Saturday, April 1, at Scott United Methodist Church, 940 Morton Street, sponsored by the Tennessee Faith and Justice Alliance. Hours are 9 a.m. until noon. Attorneys will be able to assist with non-criminal issues such as...

Family Nurse Practitioner Marie Carter RN has joined the office of Dr. Frank Jayakody at 1701 North Main St., Suite C, and is now accepting patients. A family nurse practitioner works with patients to improve or maintain their health in collaboration with a physician...

April Finch CTA of Celebration Travel in Shelbyville, recently earned the distinguished Certified Travel Associate designation from the Travel Institute, the travel industry's premier education organization. The Certified Travel Associate designation is awarded to travel professionals who complete a comprehensive exam based training program. ...

Shelbyville Garden Club held its annual spring luncheon March 15 at Riverbend Country Club. There were 19 members and one guest present. President Donna Simmons welcomed everyone and recognized hostesses Nancy Hulan and Helen Garner for decorations and planning the lunch. Guest speaker was Muriel Robinson, a judge for the Fourth Circuit Court in Davidson County...