Stories from Sunday, December 24, 2017

First of all, Merry Christmas Eve! I hope it's a day of peace and joy and fun to all, especially those choosing to start their day by reading the newspaper! I wrote last week about the new tradition I've experienced this year of advent. It's been 25 days of small gift giving leading up to Christmas. Each day starting Dec. 1, I write a little riddle and the kids go and find a little prize...

More than 5,000 Facebook “likes” were cast in this year’s Adorable Christmas Kids photo contest, which was won by Amanda Marie Dye of Shelbyville. Kacey Smith Oliver, last year’s winner, came in second. In the end, it was a two-entry race, with Dye’s photo receiving approximately 1,400 likes and Oliver’s photo about 1,200. Facebook estimates the number of likes once it passes a certain threshold, so we don’t have exact figures. But no one else got more than 250 likes...

Colleen McGee Embry has announced her candidacy for Bedford County Register of Deeds in the May 2018 Republican Primary. A graduate of Shelbyville Central High School, Embry is a lifelong resident of Bedford County and has served in many professional and civic capacities throughout her career. ...

POINTS NORTH — There’s a hill, just a short distance away from Christmas Village, that makes a fine observation point for looking down at the complex, which seems to twinkle with a bright blue light. “Which direction are we from there?” I asked Santa. He chuckled a little at my mistake...

Free dinner is yours for the asking on Christmas day. Urban Plantation restaurant will host a free meal from 3-6 p.m. on Christmas. The meal is for “all of those who are hungry, lonely or in need,” according to a flyer. “It’s such a good cause,” said volunteer Nakai Waynick, who is helping with publicity and cooking...

A Bedford County Jail inmate said he fell and knocked himself out during a fight after two other inmates made demands during an alleged shakedown attempt Thursday night, the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office said. Roberto Orellana, armed with a shank, and Napoleon Person allegedly came into a cell before night lockdown and demanded they “put all of your commissary in the bag,” deputy John Fabera’s report said. ...

MURFREESBORO – The Community Vikings came back from a 13-point halftime deficit to take the lead against the Lincoln County Falcons, but a late Falcon trey spoiled the comeback as the Vikings lost a 69-60 overtime decision in the Blackman Classic on Friday...

We’ve reached that glorious point of the college football season when it’s time to put it all on the line. Not without controversy, the College Football Playoff Final Four have been announced and are set to clash on New Year’s Day. And though the official bowl schedule began on December 16, the best is yet to come. List below are our top five bowls on the horizon, along with one honorable mention...

'Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist ... The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see ...' The magic of Christmas comes in many shapes and forms. ...

Long before the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration grounds and H.V. Griffin Park were decorated with lights for Christmas, locals drove to Skyview Terrace to view the story of the birth of Jesus through intricate dioramas created and painted by the late Dr. Carl Rogers...

I want to invite you to join the people of Cannon United Methodist Church this evening at 6 p.m. as we worship the Lord Jesus Christ in our annual Candlelight Communion Service. We welcome everyone to join us for this casual celebration of the birth of our Savior...

It is Christmas Eve at last and your librarians are enjoying a long holiday break with friends and family. We will be back at work and the library will open again on Wednesday, Dec. 27, at 9 a.m. We will be open through the rest of the week for our regular hours. We will also be closed on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, for the New Year's Day holiday. On Jan. 2, it is back to business as usual...

Andrea Kaitlyn Sweeney and Casey Joseph VanHise, both of Wartrace, were united in marriage on the afternoon of Sept. 16 at Farrar Hill Farms in Manchester. The bride is the daughter of Ben and Krissy Hart of Shelbyville, and Rickey and Peggy Sweeney of Shelbyville...

Brandi Michelle Ferrell of Shelbyville and Caleb Jean Parsons announce their engagement. The bride-elect is the daughter of Jason and Kim Ferrell of Shelbyville. She is the granddaughter of Walter and Patricia Hill, and the late Ricky "Slim" and Novella Adcock, all of Shelbyville...

Strait, a 3-year-old Cavalier King Charles, belongs to Fay Womble. Strait loves his pals Odie, Max, Sassy, and Ellie. He also loves going to the farm. (Submitted photo)