Stories from Thursday, April 2, 2020

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued an “Executive Order” March 31 that is a request, asking Tennesseans to cooperate in the effort to slow down the spread of COVID-19. The order states that “all persons in Tennessee are ‘urged’ to stay at home, except for when engaging in Essential Activity or Essential Services as defined by this Order.” The order took effect at Midnight Tuesday (March 31). It will remain in effect for 14 days, until midnight April 14...

It only took a global pandemic, but it finally appears the NCAA is starting to make rational decisions that affect the landscape of collegiate athletics. So many times in recent years the NCAA has had opportunities to enforce a stiff penalty or allow a student to transfer which would ordinarily violate regulations...

This is a rare time for sports. At no point in the recent history has there been such an extensive effort to combat a pandemic that resulted in a complete halt of live sports action at every level of every competition for seemingly every sport. During the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the staff of the Times-Gazette will revisit local games from the past and relive the greatest Bedford County athletics moments through new reporting...

There perhaps has been no greater local pitching rivalry among high school athletes than between Jared Carkuff of Cascade and Bryan Smith of Eagleville. The pair graduated back in 2012, but were electric on the mound. Both, Cascade and Eagleville eventually earned state tournament bids and Eagleville eventually played for the state championship...

Patricia Overby Batson, 85, of Unionville, formerly of Antioch, died Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Saturday April 4, 2020 at 2 p.m. at Dotsonville Church of Christ Cemetery, Clarksville, with Mike McPherson officiating. Woodbine Woodbine Funeral Home, Hickory Chapel, is handling arrangements.

Joseph Puckett, 90, of Rockvale died Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at his residence. A private graveside service will be held. No visitation will be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Online tributes may be made at lawrencefuneral.net. Lawrence Funeral Home, Chapel Hill, is handling arrangements.

Marvin Gentry, 81, of Shelbyville died Tuesday, March 31, 2020 in Murfreesboro. Due to the coronavirus health crisis, there will be no visitation and a private family graveside service will be held with burial to follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery near Chapel Hill. Online tributes through Lawrence Funeral Home’s website (www.lawrencefuneral.net) are equally appreciated. Memorial donations may be made to Community Lions Club or Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, both at 451 Manire Road, Chapel Hill, TN 37034.