Stories from Saturday, May 9, 2020

The first words that come to mind are “uh, oh. They’re here.” We are back; well, sort of. Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library is now open for Non-contact Curbside Pickup at three different times during the week to help you get some new goodies to read. Hours for curbside pickup are: Mondays 3-7 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and Fridays 2-5 p.m. We hope at least one of these shifts will be helpful for you...

Murder hornets. (Not to be confused with their close relatives: accessory-to-murder hornets, involuntary-manslaughter hornets, justifiable-homicide hornets and turning-state’s-evidence hornets.) Killer hornets. Asian giant hornets. Or the more politically correct Continent Which Must Not Be Named giant hornets...

“Life happens,” is a statement that I make quite often when things don’t go the way that I think they should. “Oh, well! Life happens!” When Asaph, the psalm writer, felt overwhelmed, he comforted himself with God’s “songs in the night.” Psalm 77:1-9 says:...

Michaela Brooke Jones of Unionville and Andrew Michael Ball of Spring Hill repeated their wedding vows on March 28 at North Fork Baptist Church in Unionville. Jonathan Tolbert, pastor of Maxwell Chapel in Unionville, officiated the afternoon ceremony before a large guest company — most of which attended via Facebook live video, due to the coronavirus...

It really is the thought that counts, but why not impress the special woman in your life this weekend with a special virtual celebration. Mother’s Day is Sunday and if you must social distance due to COVID-19, why not opt for a virtual-online-gathering. Create your event on Zoom video conferencing, upload toasts to Mom on Facebook (alcoholic or non alcoholic ones) or use some other virtual way of broadcasting your love for that special celebration with family and friends...

Shelbyville Parks and Recreation areas are still closed to organized public events until further notice. But aren't the irises pretty right now surrounding the nearby sign. Park officials hope that all recreation areas will be back up and running soon, but much is dependent on continued COVID-19 cases.

Ethan Jolley and Kayla Fults are the 2020 recipients of the FFA leadership and FFA New Horizon scholarships. Both students are 4-year members and officers of Community High School FFA. Ethan and Kayla will receive their FFA state degrees later this month at a virtual ceremony. The state FFA degree is awarded to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to the association and made significant accomplishments in their supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs.)

Kinley and Brantley Watts, children of Blake and Sandy Watts, demonstrate how wonderful the Community School feed program is for the local children. Lots of volunteers have helped since March 17 to make this a very significant school program all over the county. The federally-funded food service program began on a once-a-week pick up schedule on April 15, due to pandemic. Now, each Wednesday, parents line up in their vehicles at their respective school for breakfast and lunch items.

Karrie Brandon, Garrett Gunn and Shyan Brandon are all set for a special Mother’s Day celebration. (This photo was accidentally left out of Tuesday's Mother's Day Section. We wish all a happy Mother's Day.)

For the last 21 years, Steven and Ceal Flippo’s hearts have been tuned in perfect harmony. Yes, and even now, in the midst of a pandemic, they’re still singing Godly music. The two say social distancing, since COVID-19 crept into the community, has likely deepened their love and appreciation for their Christian music. Set songs like “Amazing Grace” to the backdrop of “beautiful Bedford County” and Steven says it’s a match certainly made in heaven...

A pandemic in no way has hindered the plans of AB Stretch, now known as Five Points Film, to undergo its planned re-branding process. The company celebrated earlier this week with a cook-out for its employees. With new ownership from American Holdings Co., Right Lane Industries, the company is excited about its outlook as it begins business under the name Five Points Film, which officially began May 4...

Karen Steele stands in front of some of the colorful new kayaks her company Float-A-Boat has purchased for this year’s fun on the Duck River. Float-A-Boat opens for the season on May 16. Float-A-Boat is located at 103 Front Street in Normandy. They can be reached at (931) 619-6959 or online at www.FABonTheDuck.com. A full day rental of a single person kayak costs $35 or a canoe or two person kayak costs $50. They have implemented safe distancing restrictions such as requiring people to stay with their groups and wear masks on the transport bus.

To the editor, I have been an ardent follower of politics most of my life, ever since my father and I watched the Watergate hearings and Richard Nixon's subsequent downfall and resignation in disgrace in the 70's. I have seen good leaders, bad leaders, watched their minions fall by the wayside in both political parties, as the nation always survived and marched into the future. ...

To the editor, In response to the writer regarding me, Bobby Fanning gripes too much. I see now she goes to the depths of her concern with my personal feeling when in reality she likewise does the same in her love and admiration for a president who has been impeached, lies, and shows how he will act f anyone disagrees with him in any matter. I need not go into the depths of this we all know how he acts...

Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, Bedford County Administrator of Elections Summer Leverette expects that more Bedford County voters than usual will be interested in voting absentee in the Aug. 6 general and primary elections. Voters who would like to cast absentee ballots can submit the official absentee ballot request form. More information about voting absentee, as well as downloadable forms, can be found at https://bedfordcountytn.org/election-absentee.html...

Fire damage was confined to the interior of a home on Ritchview Drive on Thursday afternoon. The fire was caused by an “electrical issue,” according to the Shelbyville Fire Department,

A fire at around 2:30 a.m. last Saturday destroyed a garage on Division Street in Normandy. Bedford County Fire Department and the Normandy Volunteer Fire Department responded to the incident. The town of Normandy has been after the property owner to clean up the property. According to Bedford County Fire Chief Mark Thomas, no cause has yet been established. The incident will be investigated by a state fire marshal.

Jacqueline Hoskins, a resident of White Street, and her neighbors now have an official posted 30 mph speed limit sign. They hope the sign will deter motorists tempted to speed past their homes. The Times-Gazette recently published an article about how the residents of White Street were in need of a speed limit sign, particularly following a hit-and-run event on one neighbor’s mailbox. The residents expressed how for a while, they’ve expressed their concerns to the city...

Chris Fritz has been a lifelong soccer fan. His passion of the game eventually came full circle, leading him back to his alma mater to coach both the boys and girls soccer teams at Shelbyville Central. Recently, Fritz took some time to talk about his background, soccer and life under the current pandemic...

The driver in a long pursuit by Shelbyville police early Friday got away after smashing through two fences and a basketball goal. Officer Tracy Teal began pursuing the Jeep Liberty, which bore a stolen license plate, after attempting to notify the driver that her lights were off as they drove on South Cannon Boulevard around 12:30 a.m. ...