Stories from Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Mary Francis Claxton Smotherman died Tuesday, May 22, 2018 in Johnson City. Funeral 10 a.m. Saturday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel, Rev. Greg Salyer and Rev. Jim West officiating. Burial at Willow Mount Cemetery. Visitation 4-8 p.m. Friday. Celebration of Life 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 30 at Southwestern Baptist Church, Johnson City.

Dorothy Bowers Clift, 85, of Shelbyville, died Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at her residence. Graveside service 2 p.m. Friday at Short Cemetery in Marshall County. No public visitation is scheduled. Arrangements: London Funeral Home, Lewisburg.

Adell Crosslin Love, 90, of Shelbyville died Sunday, May 20, 2018 at Tennova Healthcare-Shelbyville. Funeral 11 a.m. Thursday at Gowen-Smith Chapel, Carroll Crosslin officiating. Burial in Willow Mount Cemetery. Visitation 5-8 p.m. Wednesday.

Ernest Wayne Sawyer, 60, of Shelbyville died Monday, May 21, 2018 at The Waters of Shelbyville. Funeral services 2 p.m. Thursday at Hillcrest Funeral Home, Randy Teal officiating. Burial at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Visitation begins at 12 noon.

Gov. Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced last week that the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have approved Tennessee's nomination of 176 Opportunity Zones, including an area in the northeastern quadrant of Shelbyville and extending to the north of the city to the airport. The zone is all on the east side of U.S. 231 and north of Railroad Avenue...

Bedford County Health Department is transitioning to electronic medical records this month. To prepare for the transition, the health department transitioned to an appointment-only policy in January. Citizens seeking health department services are warned that there may be longer wait times and fewer available appointment times during this month's transition to electronic record-keeping...

NASHVILLE -- Some government agencies in Tennessee are making it difficult for citizens to access public records and, in some instances, violating state law, a newly released audit shows. Open records advocates had hoped that a state law that passed in 2016 would make it easier for people to access information that should be publicly available to citizens...

A kayak was stolen from the bed of a parked truck Sunday afternoon at the Shelbyville Walmart, police were told. Surveillance video shows a man and woman in a red four-door truck taking the kayak. Police were unable to see the license plate or determine the make of the truck...

Heart of the Home FCE Club met at the University of Tennessee/Tennessee State University Extension office on April 23. Marie Spence called the meeting to order. The household hint was to have a frozen prepared meal in case you need to take food to someone on last minute's notice. ...

This dual-rotor U.S. Army CH-47 helicopter stopped Monday at Shelbyville Municipal Airport for refueling. At the time the Times-Gazette made this photo, the crew had left to grab a quick lunch before departing, so no other details were immediately available. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney)

Southside School recently held a drawing for students who participated in the candy bar fundraiser. Peyton Farrar and Douglas Crosslin won bicycles donated by Tyson Foods. Tyson representative Brent Osborne and Southside principal Reita Vaughn stand with the winners. (T-G Photo by Andrea Nix)

Motlow State Community College recently held a pinning ceremony recognizing the 2018 nursing graduates. Seated, from left, are Moore County campus graduates Amy Evans, Lori Todd, Stephanie Godinez, Kayla Matlock, Jessica Joslyn and Megan Walker. Second row: Tricia Hiers, Jessica Blankenship, Alexa Wright, Dana Gearlds, Ashley Morris, Holly Hinkle and Jennifer Alonso. Third row: Lori Nash, Brook Joines, Riley Sartin, Jeff Cates, Joleigh Johnson, Kimberly Taylor and Lisa Isley. (Motlow College photo)

The Girl Scouts of Bedford County used funds from their recent cookie sales to attend a Camporee in April. A total of 80 girls took a step back in time to learn about life in the days of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Girl Scouts were also able to donate 320 boxes of cookies to the Haven Of Hope, a local program addressing the problem of domestic violence. From left: Allison of Haven of Hope with Girl Scouts Hope Dennis, Emily Yates and Hailey Holder. (Submitted photo)