Stories from Thursday, October 19, 2017

Several thefts or attempted thefts were reported around Bedford County recently, authorities said Tuesday. The following were charged since Tuesday by the Bedford County Sheriff's Office, Shelbyville Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol or 17th Judicial District Drug Task Force. They are only charged; guilt or innocence will be determined by the courts...

Editor’s note: The following letter was written by Jack McElroy, Editor of the Knoxville News Sentinel, who serves on the Tennessee Press Association’s Advisory Committee on Open Government. October 17, 2017 Mr. Lee Pope Office of Open Records Counsel...

The First Amendment to the Constitution protects all kinds of speech, and if you want it to protect your own speech you must allow it to protect speech you detest, said David L. Hudson, an ombudsman for the Newseum Institute's First Amendment Center in Nashville, during a speech at The Webb School in Bell Buckle...

The City of Shelbyville on Wednesday announced updates on traffic and parking for the Oct. 28 rallies.

Site preparation is moving forward with the new Cascade High School. Bedford County architect John Davis updated the Board of Education on the project at its monthly meeting Tuesday. "It's been a challenge this year to get that site on grade," Davis said, referring to how frequent rainfalls have delayed site grading. "It looks like a good week this week."...

After a tough two-game road trip, The Community Vikings returned home last Friday night and clicked on offense, defense, and special teams in their 40-18 win over Loretto. Coach Chris Grooms of the Vikings is hoping for a repeat performance this Friday as Community (3-5, 1-3) hosts Summertown...

There’s nothing like a rivalry week. While it hasn’t been the season Cascade or Forrest wanted, the two programs are building excitement towards Friday night’s rendition of the old rivalry. Following a tough loss last week at tradition-rich Trousdale County, Champion coach Jake Tyre says his team’s spirits are high and are ready to go for the Rockets...

A 1932 Model B Ford cruises through downtown Wartrace last week. A group of Model Bs chuckled through apparently on a tour. (T-G Photo by Terence Corrigan)

The Cascade Marching Band participated in the Middle Tennessee Small Band Competition at Forrest High School in Chapel Hill last Saturday. They received all superior ratings, including the following: Guard, 1st in class; Percussion, 2nd in class; Field Commander, 2nd in class; Best in Class Band Award, 1st place; Best of the Best Award for Guard; Division I champs; and Middle Tennessee Small Bands Grand Champions. (Submitted photo)

City Recorder Anna Mai swears in new Shelbyville firefighters Jared Speirs, Eric Haworth and Philip Prince on Thursday, Oct. 12. (Submitted photo)

Thanks to the local 4-H club members who shared some of their stories and photos with us.

The 41st annual Webb School Art and Craft Festival will take place 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sunday on Maple Street in Bell Buckle. There will also be a downtown arts and crafts festival at the performance stage behind the railroad storefronts, and additional vendors on private property throughout town. The annual event brings tens of thousands of visitors to Bell Buckle each day...

One of my favorite times with 4-H this year was helping with the Bedford County Fair. I was at the fair almost every day of the week. My sister, Bethany Cothran, was on the Junior Fair Board, and I decided that I wanted to go with her to help. The first night I volunteered, I helped put together ribbons for the mule show, and I gave out some of those ribbons. ...

My 4-H project is Poultry. I picked this project in 6th grade. I started out with the 4-H Chick-Chain. The Chick-Chain is an activity where the 4-Her receives 18 chickens and raises them. I have participated in this activity for 7 years. Through participating in the Chick-Chain I have learned a lot about chickens. ...

In 4-H I have done many things. I've been to Academic Conference, 4-H Camp, Line and Design Camp, and Interior Design Camp. Aside from camps, I have participated in several clubs in 4-H. I am a member of the 4-H Honor Club, and I've also done dairy judging, embroidery club, photography club, life skills, and Fun with Fashions. ...

I began 4H as a 4th grader in the County-wide club. In this club, I have performed speeches about Gravity, Farmers, and Nicola Tesla. As a fourth grader, I did a demonstration about making mac and cheese. Last Spring, I participated in an interactive exhibit about the characteristics of a good leader. All these presentations help prepare me for leadership and speaking in front of a crowd...

4-H... When you hear the word, 4-H, what do you think of? When I hear 4-H I think of service projects, camps, judging teams, fashion and lots of other fun activities! Some of my favorite activities in 4-H are the camps. I attended Junior 4-H camp for three years, Academic Conference for two years, Line and Design Camp for two years, and Family and Consumer Science Behind the Scenes camp in Atlanta for one year. ...

"Get more with Milk" was this past June's theme for June Dairy Month, of which I was Bedford County's Chairman. During June I toured dairy farms, gave demonstrations and presentations at community events, such as the Chambers Ice Cream Social, the Farm Bureau Coffee, the Boys and Girls Club and many other dairy events. ...

What does 4-H mean to me? As a 2nd generation 4-Her, 4-H means that I am able to do what I love. My 4-H career started because of my love for goats, but I have come to realize that 4-H is more than goats. I have the opportunity to do and learn so much more than just showing goats. Let me tell you a little about that...

This summer I had the opportunity to attend and compete at Tennessee 4-H State Roundup. Roundup is an event for high schoolers interested in a particular area of 4-H. It is held at the University of Tennessee at Martin or Knoxville. Those competing at Roundup create record books of all that they have done in their project area, and then they are judged in an interview. The highest scoring individuals in each project area are awarded with a sizable scholarship...

Scott DesJarlais, a Republican from South Pittsburg, announced on Tuesday that he is a candidate for re-election to his 4th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The GOP primary will take place in August 2018 with the general election in November...

How does one completely reflect on a good thing? Honestly, I do not think I can mentally, much less physically, recollect all of the amazing things that have happened to me on my 4-H journey. Probably if you ask any 4-H senior they would tell you the same. There are, however, a few things in particular that have made a significant impact on me. Likewise, they have contoured me into the leadership capable individual I am today...

Hi, my name is Robert Cook. I am in 4th grade at Cascade school. I show goats and love chickens. My big sister, Kimber, has always been a big help with the goats and even showing them. She gives me good advice on showing goats too. I love showing goats, they are very fun. ...

I love 4-H! There are so many opportunities to do community service, learn leadership skills, and participate in many special groups. Community service is just what it sounds like; you serve your community. Our 4-H has done so much. This year, I served on the Youth Fair Board. ...

The Youth Leadership Bedford Class of 2017-2018 visited destinations last month that included The Webb School (pictured here), where they participated in team building skills. Other stops included the Shelbyville Municipal Airport, where they received a Young Eagles Certificate. (Submitted photo)