Stories from Friday, March 9, 2018

Frederick F. Smith Sr., 67, of Unionville died Wednesday, March 7, 2018. Funeral services 1 p.m. Tuesday at Gowen-Smith Chapel, pastor Ron DeWitt officiating. Burial in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Visitation 5-8 p.m. Tuesday and beginning 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Annie Bell Sims Hampton, 76, died Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at her home. Funeral Services 12 noon Wednesday at Bird Street Church of Christ. Lie-in-state 2-6 p.m. Tuesday at Nelson & Sons Chapel-Murfreesboro, visitation begins 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial at Sims Cemetery.

Early estimates are that buying new flume piping will cost between $250,000 to $300,000, Shelbyville officials say, but those figures are far from the final price. The estimate includes laying of the pipe but does not include factors such as inspections or the costs of a general contractor, said City Manager Shanna Boyette and Public Works Director Eric Pierce. The general contractor will excavate the old pipe and cover the new pipe, among other tasks, they said...

A total of 1,391 Bedford County voters participated in the early vote period for Tuesday’s special election to fill the 14th District State Senate seat vacated by Jim Tracy last year. “It is low for an election, but this is a special election,” said Bedford County administrator of elections Summer Leverette...

Clients with two Centerstone programs visited Clearview Horse Farm in Shelbyville Thursday to commune with the horses, mules and dogs. The group of 29 was at the farm as part of the Peer Support Services and Psychosocial Recovery programs. Both programs are designed to help the clients improve their quality of life through social interactions and community involvement...

A 51-year-old man allegedly seeking sex with a teenager has been arrested by authorities. Christopher S. Smith of Warners Bridge Road was arrested Thursday by the Shelbyville Police Department and Bedford County Sheriff’s Office in a joint operation...

A motorcycle constructed of Harley Davidson and Triumph parts has been reported stolen from an East Cedar Street home. The non-running bike, valued at $500, was loaded into a vehicle and taken away without permission as two men discussed purchase with the owner, Shelbyville police said. The buyer was to pay $200 up front and $500 when picking up the motorcycle later, but took it when making the first payment...

The first Fire Officer IV (FOIV) certification class, the highest level of fire officer training available to Tennessee firefighters, was held this year at the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy on Unionville Deason Road, with graduation on March 2. Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Kaye Jernigan became the first woman in Tennessee history to achieve the FOIV certification...

Most high school kids spend countless hours visiting college campuses in order to determine the perfect fit for the next four years of their lives. While he didn’t get to set foot on campus yet, Community Viking senior Jon Quick recently signed his letter of intent to play football at Lawrence Tech in Southfield, Michigan...

Helen Grace Dark Shearon, 98, of Spring Hill, formerly of Shelbyville, died Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Arbors of Willow Springs. Funeral services 1 p.m. Saturday at Doak-Howell Funeral Home, Jeff Smith officiating. Burial in Bethlehem Cemetery in Marshall County. Visitation begins at 11 a.m.

To the Editor: I almost never write letters to the Editor, but your 3-7-18 article entitled: “Arming teachers isn’t best for schools: Police” has ‘pushed my buttons.’ Of the four police officers mentioned, three of them (Sheriff Swing, Shelbyville Police Chief Phillips, and Shelbyville Detective Chief Crews), according to the news story, basically have the same position on this issue as I have...