Stories from Friday, December 7, 2018

Boys & Girls Club of Bedford County presented a $150 check to Tim Estes of Defenders of Freedom and Liberty, which sponsors the local Wreaths Across America observance. The club had a goal of raising $75, in order to sponsor five wreaths for the graves of veterans at Willow Mount Cemtery, but the children were able to double that amount through bake sales and a “penny war” competition. Club members will also assist with placing the wreaths. The Wreaths Across America observance will be held Dec. 15; an 11 a.m. opening ceremony at New Beginnings Baptist Church will be followed at 1 p.m. by the placement of 1,300 wreaths on the graves of veterans at Willow Mount. (Submitted photo)

Board members of Caregiver Relief Program pack Christmas bags for the families served by the program. From left: Dennis Young, Fay Clanton, Melds Sudberry, Janelle Douglas, Ed Hillehass Jr., and president Charlie Williams. The program provides respite care to assist those caring for people with dementia. (Submitted photo)

Bedford County Register of Deeds Johnny Reed entertained the Bedford County Retired Teachers group on Wednesday. Reed performed songs from the past and Christmas music. (Submitted photo)

Claude Dean, a Pearl Harbor survivor, died Sept. 14 at his home in Shelbyville, at age 98. Dean was a boatswain’s mate second class serving on the U.S.S. Helena, a light cruiser, at the time of the Japanese attack, Dec. 7, 1941, which President Franklin Roosevelt called “a day that will live in infamy.” The Japanese attackers originally confused the Helena for the battleship Pennsylvania, one of their targets, and began bombing it. They broke off the attack when they realized they had the wrong ship, but not before killing 34 and wounding 69. Dean served for the duration of the war, returning to Tennessee after his discharge in 1946. A native of Marshall County, he was a retired employee of American National Can in Shelbyville, now Cebal Americas. (T-G File Photo by Jason Reynolds)

Bedford County Moments & Memories, a magazine supplement included with today's print editions of the Times-Gazette, includes fun holiday tips and information, a feature about a Bedford County teenager trying to make Christmas better for sick children, a calendar of local holiday events -- and your chance to win a basket full of prizes from participating merchants...

Liberty School librarian Sarah Gammon might be considered a literacy "super hero" since being selected by the Literacy Association of Tennessee as Librarian of the Year. "It was a complete and utter surprise," she says of her award, presented on Monday in Murfreesboro. "I'm just honored and thankful to have been chosen."...

Just as Tennessee Department of Education rolls out new policies to heighten school counseling, Liberty School educator Jordan Tatom has been honored by his peers as state “counselor of the year.” Tatom received this special recognition during the recent annual conference of the Tennessee School Counselors Association in Nashville. It’s a high honor just to be asked to attend, much less win the top honor...

UNIONVILLE — The Cascade Middle Champions pulled away from a close game at halftime with a big second half and went on to beat the Community Vikings 53-31 in a DRVC basketball contest Thursday night. Lucas Clanton led five different scorers with four points in the opening quarter as the Champions raced to an 11-3 lead before the Vikings got hot...

UNIONVILLE — The Community Middle Viqueens rode a big first half and withstood a Cascade Lady Champion third quarter comeback as the Viqueens defeated the Lady Champs 34-21 in a DRVC basketball contest Thursday night. Defense took the forefront in the opening quarter as the game remained scoreless for the first three minutes. With the Lady Champions packing their defense in the paint, the Viqueens had trouble breaking the ice before two transition layups put Community on the scoreboard...

TULLAHOMA – Shelbyville Central’s Golden Eagles dropped a 49-35 decision to host Tullahoma in a District 8-AAA matchup on Thursday night. The Wildcats led 9-8 at the end of the first quarter and took a 21-16 lead into the half. Tullahoma was in control 33-26 after three periods and pulled away in the final eight minutes...

TULLAHOMA — A strong second quarter effort paved the way for Shelbyville Central’s Golden Eaglettes 60-45 victory over winless Tullahoma in a District 8-AAA contest on Thursday evening. After posting an 11-9 advantage at the close of the opening frame, the Eaglettes (2-8, 1-1) outscored their opponent 21-7 in the second stanza, with Aliyah Singleton pitching in 11 of her game-high 16 points to lead the way...

NASHVILLE — It seems only fitting on the weekend the NCAA christens a new Heisman winner that a former winner put forth a Heisman-caliber performance in the prime time NFL spotlight. Derrick Henry had himself a game under the lights on Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars...