Stories from Sunday, March 4, 2018

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” - C.S. Lewis I’m proud to announce that the application process is officially open for adults to enroll tuition-free this fall at a community or technical college through Tennessee Reconnect. ...

Calsonic Kansei North America is in discussions to move its corporate headquarters away from Shelbyville, and made a pitch to the Shelbyville Industrial Development Board on Friday asking for an $8 million property tax break, spread over the next eight years, as an incentive for the company to make improvements and keep its headquarters in Shelbyville...

Members of Bedford County Election Commission and other county officials talked to architect John Davis Friday morning about a plan to use the entire basement of Bedford County Courthouse Annex — the county-owned former bank building on the west side of the square — for the county election office...

Shelbyville city government’s annual audit is in compliance. Patrick R. Lile, a certified public accountant with Winnett Associates PLLC, shared the results of the annual audit last Tuesday with the City Council during a study session. The period in question covers July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017...

A man who allegedly struck his girlfriend in the head so hard it caused hearing loss was charged with domestic assault Thursday. Juan Carlos Cebrero, 28, of Lewis Avenue hit the woman in her left ear as she prepared to go to work, police said. “She stated he smacked her so hard in the left ear she heard a popping noise causing her hearing loss,” officer Russ Grubbs’ report said. She also suffered a small abrasion behind her ear...

Jones Allison and Kelty Shroyer, seniors at The Webb School, were recently named National Merit Scholarship finalists. Allison of Bell Buckle and Shroyer of Lino Lakes, Minnessota, were among the top 1 percent of 2018 U.S. high school seniors to achieve semifinalist distinction in September 2017. ...

I got a call from my gastroenterologist’s office a week or two ago saying it was time for me to have a colonoscopy. I had my first colonoscopy in 2012, the year of my 50th birthday. It’s recommended for adults turning 50. That colonoscopy turned up two benign polyps, which were removed immediately, during the procedure. ...

Middle Tennessee Spay and Neuter Clinic performed free feral, stray and outdoor community cat spays and neuters for Spay Day on Tuesday. The clinic fixed 23 cats Tuesday, said MTSNC executive director Kimberly Warren. The work with cats was made possible because of a grant from Maddie's Fund. The work was done on Spay Day, which the city and county governments had proclaimed to match the state Spay Day...

A Shelbyville native has returned home after a decades-long career on the road performing music. Thomas Allison, who goes by "Tumust" on the stage, is home to care for his ailing father, World War II veteran Clifford Allison. The younger Allison plays multiple instruments, including the saxophone, in such genres as jazz, country and the blues...

The Cascade FFA chapter chose to celebrate National FFA Week by giving back to the schools and community that has supported them this year. On Feb. 20, five members attended the Tennessee FFA Legislative Breakfast at War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville. While there they met with State Rep. Pat Marsh and listened to a speech by U.S. Sen. Bob Corker. After the breakfast the members toured the Capital building and finished the day by touring the Tennessee State Museum...

Many, many, years ago, there was a little girl named Rita who lived on a farm in Montana. One day, when she was about 4 years old, she told Mommy that she was going to walk out to see Daddy, who was working on the field going round and round on the tractor. ...

I'm a reader. I thoroughly enjoy reading the newspaper, magazines, a good mystery or action thriller, and the news items that scroll across the bottom of the screen on CNN or HLN or Fox News. I assume you are a reader too. After all, you're reading my column right now...

While getting my hair done last week I overheard a conversation at the salon about protein bars. Since I need some myself, the conversation caught my attention. One of the stylists there was telling someone she gets all her protein bars and shakes, in addition to bunches of other pantry items, from Amazon. Though I love Amazon and order office supplies, books and Christmas presents there, I still hadn't gotten into the habit of ordering anything else from there...

Caroline Christine Dodd of Nauvoo, Alabama and Jackson Trevor McAnally of Shelbyville announce their engagement. The bride-elect is the daughter of Donny Dodd of Nauvoo, and Debra and Terry Sims of Northport, Alabama. She is the granddaughter of the late Carolyn and Doug Dodd of Nauvoo, and the late Christine and J.P. Harris of Sipsey, Alabama...