Stories from Friday, March 1, 2019

The Community Action Committee of Rutherford County, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service in Atlanta, will conduct a free forum on "Protecting Places of Worship" from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, at Tucker Theatre on the Middle Tennessee State University campus in Murfreesboro...

A wallet containing a $9,000 tax refund check was stolen from a counter at a convenience store Wednesday morning, a Bedford County Sheriff’s Office report said. The wallet was accidentally left at Whiteside Market, U.S. 231 North, shortly after 11 a.m. The victim’s mother watched as a woman “palmed” the wallet while then concealing it — and threats to call law enforcement didn’t stop her from walking away...

Although the American Cancer Society Relay For Life doesn't take place until May 31-June 1, preparations and related activities are well underway, and organizers are encouraging teams and individuals to sign up for the event. Relay For Life events are the American Cancer Society's primary grass-roots fundraiser, and ACS has licensed the concept to other cancer societies around the world. ...

Two suspects have been charged in connection with the theft of tools from a Shelbyville home, and police said Thursday a third arrest is pending. Tools and other items were reported stolen earlier this month from a home on Shelbyville Mills Road. During the investigation detective Nathan Everhart developed leads that led to the arrest of Sierra Nikole Haggerty, 18, of Highland Court...

A Shelbyville man accused of kidnapping his infant child in Smyrna was forced into submission by tear gas and a taser shot Wednesday afternoon, police said. Shelbyville officers were informed Beau Beecham, 28, was at a Morton Street home. Detective Cody Swift and officer Clint Adams saw Beecham on the front porch moments later...

As in the past, two competing bills have been introduced in Congress concerning the Horse Protection Act and the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, whose district includes Bedford County, has reintroduced H.R. 1157, which DesJarlais told the Walking Horse Report would make the horse inspection process less subjective and rely more on science-based techniques...

Something that really accelerates 13-year-old Janie Thornton's heart is that she will become a licensed pilot even before she hits the road with her Tennessee driver's license. "I'm okay with that," she says...

Mrs. Mildred Ann Walsh Burns, age 96, of Shelbyville, a native of Nashville, passed away Thursday, February 28, 2019. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at the Cathedral of Incarnation in Nashville. This is the church in which Milanne was baptized, made her first communion, and was married. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Nashville...

Mrs. Frances Gordon Robertson, age 94, of Shelbyville, passed away Thursday, February 28, 2019. Funeral services will be 12 noon Thursday, March 7, 2019, at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel. Bob Mason will officiate, with burial to follow in Holden Cemetery...

Silvia Catherine Harris Pugh, 88, of Shelbyville died Friday, March 1, 2019, at her daughter’s home after an extended illness. Funeral services 2 p.m. Wednesday at Doak-Howell Funeral Home, Brother Scott Reed officiating. Burial in Willow Mount Cemetery. Visitation begins at 11 a.m.