Stories from Sunday, July 9, 2017

My family and I had a real nice Independence Day celebration this week. My granddaughters had several of their friends join us too. We ate pizza and then we set off fireworks. The girls loved the loud bangs and booms, and all of the bright colors and lights...

Trinity Paige Harrison of Easley, South Carolina and Michael Scott Perry announce their engagement. The bride-elect is the daughter of Troy and Jennifer Harrison of Easley. She is the granddaughter of Ron and Jan Harrison of Unionville, and Dottie Adcock Mershon of Shelbyville...

I baked biscuits last Sunday on a whim, and while they didn't stack up against leading restaurants' fare, they weren't too shabby either. I began baking bread in the spring as a hobby. I tend to overanalyze many decisions when it comes to spending my time and money, both of which are in short supply. That includes baking...

Two very valuable members of the Library Board of Trustees retired recently after six years of dedicated service to our community and to your library. Amy Mitchell and Monty Thomas were board members who were among those who were instrumental in helping to get the new library built. ...

Not to dampen the moment of the holiday spirit, but this past Fourth of July had to be one of the strangest and worst I can recall. It seemed to be literally and figuratively a muddy mess. Anyone who knows me knows I'm not big on holidays. Thanksgiving seems to be okay, but I've not been a fan of Christmas in many years. It's not that I dislike the Fourth of July, but it doesn't really excite me that much either...

My name is Ashley, and I have the pleasure of interning with Bedford County Extension this summer. I am about half way through my internship, and I am having a blast so far. I have learned so many new things and gained countless new experiences. Just last week, we went peach picking at Forgie's Fruit Farm located just outside of Lewisburg. ...

Members of the Bedford Cancer Foundation cleaned up a stretch of U.S. 231 near the airport on Saturday, June 24. Pictured (from left) are: Barbara Pate; Cathy Mercer; Rebecca Jones; Maddie Jones; Karen Inman; Connie Allen; and Ralph Allen. (Submitted photo)

When you have a home named Heavenward, blessed with a truly beautiful view of the countryside of Bedford County, it is hard to believe you want to ever leave home. But Floyd Cole of Normandy has left home many times: in the service, visiting relatives and friends and just being a tourist with his wife, Mary. This past month he visited Vermont, completing his task of visiting all 50 states...

The Tennessee Titans have been building for a long time. After not having qualified for the playoffs since 2008, the Titans are finally poised for a return. The Titans’ rebuild took a major boost with the drafting Marcus Mariota, yet in his first season, Mariota didn’t have a ton of help around him...

A drug suspect is being held on $145,000 bond after his arrest Thursday. James Donald McBride, 26, of Turning Leaf Court allegedly sold approximately two grams of ICE methamphetamine to an informant working with the 17th Judicial Drug Task Force, court documents indicate...

Circle 7 of The First United Methodist Church women’s group held a meeting recently at the home of Margaret Hicks with Wilma Bean co-hosting. Barbara Pate, vice president of loan administration at First Community Bank, was the program chair. Lauren Warren Smith, electronic banking representative and Kayla Warren, marketing assistant of First Community Bank, presented a program on identity theft and ways to help protect yourself...

Those emotionally touched by the drowning death of Dreyton Sims will have another chance to show support for his family Sunday. Red balloons — Dreyton’s favorite color — will be launched at 3 p.m. at Fishermen’s Park, site of the drowning, to mark his 10th birthday...

Charles Ray Rickets has a penchant for stealing Ford pickups. Rickets, 40, was arrested in his hometown of Gardendale, Alabama seven years ago. Two of his cohorts were in Bedford County Circuit Court Thursday to plead guilty to theft charges in connection with an incident on Nov. 7, 2016 when they attempted to steal two Ford pickups from Shelbyville Auto Sales. Rickets has not reappeared for court and is believed to be hiding out in Alabama...

Twenty-nine people have applied for the Shelbyville city manager job, including at least one that is familiar to city hall. The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service, which is the city’s consultant in the search, released the list of names Friday afternoon. The list includes former city recorder Shanna Boyette...

Editor’s Note: This is part of an ongoing series looking at poverty, including the challenges and efforts to address the problem. Next week, the T-G will address the expense of health care and profile local families who are struggling with medical bills...

Beautiful sunset in Bell Buckle, TN