Stories from Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Parks in Shelbyville recently welcomed new realtor Christy Rogers Brown. Brown holds a bachelor of science degree in animal science and secondary education from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, as well as a master’s degree in agriculture education and leadership from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville...

MAY 1890 SHELBYVILLE – The city folks went to the country last Sunday. Every livery vehicle in town that had wheels under it was out. UNIONVILLE – This past week has been a busy week with the farmers. There has been a great deal of corn planted in our vicinity...

To the editor, Many thanks for all the many cards, calls and personal contact in interest of the Field of Heroes 2020. In mid February beginning early planning preparation for program for the event there were many obstacles that tested my faith to continue. Then COVID-19 added to my struggle to continue. I then decided to just give in and not honor this day as I have for seven years...

Middle Tennessee Beef Producers give scholarships each year to local high school seniors and college students. The three scholarship winners for 2020 are Karley Simmons, Callie Gregory and Lawson Lemmon. Each will receive a $500 dollar scholarship to be used in the agriculture field. From left, board member Nathan Hale, board member Tyler Ray, Karley, Callie, Lawson and board member Charles Cartwright.

I had two calls about this slime mess in the past month. I’ve had one or two over the years before, so I think this must have been a perfect year for this stuff. I’ve got a picture attached. This black slimy stuff is called nostoc commune, the proper name, but others refer to is as nasty nostoc. It is actually a cyanobacterium, meaning it is a form of bacteria. It is considered a blue-green algae...

A red-bellied woodpecker takes issue with a cowbird’s rights to a bird feeder.

A Shelbyville man has been charged with taking a truck from a Patton Drive home and wrecking it in Sparta. Luke Barton allegedly asked to borrow his girlfriend’s truck Saturday and was denied permission, a Bedford County deputy said. Barton took it anyway and was next seen after the Sparta crash as he and three other of six occupants ran away, Sparta police said...

When it comes to budget drafts, Bedford County Board of Education isn’t currently having to fight one huge elephant in the room — a 15 percent budget cut as recently proposed by a Bedford County commissioner. Board members are putting the final touches on a $73 million package in expected 2020-2021 expenditures, which includes at least $2.6 million in electricity costs...

A 15-year-old Manchester girl kayaking on the Duck River with her parents Sunday afternoon died when the kayak capsized in high water and was swept under a tree, officials said. Her parents tried to rescue her but were unable due to the swiftly-flowing water, Sheriff Austin Swing said...

Based on the latest statistics released from Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Bedford County’s unemployment rate for April was 18.7 percent —  a 15.5 percent spike since March. While not the highest rate spike in the state, compared to neighboring Coffee County at 19.8, Bedford County’s unemployment numbers were still high, due mainly to the coronavirus. Out of labor force of 21,741 recorded by the state for Bedford County, 4,068 were recorded as unemployed in April...

Just 16 months into his tenure as Bedford County Mayor, Chad Graham faced a challenge no one could have predicted: COVID-19. The coronavirus landed in the United States in January 2019 and was first detected in a Tennessean on March 5 when a 44-year-old Williamson County man tested positive for the viral infection...

There’s been a term used in the media and business advertisements over the last several weeks—“The New Normal.” I didn’t think much of it, but after hearing the phrase said in several different advertisements and media reports, it started weighing on me...

Anthony Patrick Tapley, 60, of Shelbyville died Friday, May 29, 2020 after an extended illness. A memorial service is scheduled at a later date.

Jackie Deane Glover, 84, of Shelbyville died Monday, June 1, 2020. A private family Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. Hillcrest Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Curtis Mitchell Walker, age 36, of Shelbyville, passed away May 30, 2020. A Celebration of Life Service will be 4 PM Saturday, June 6, 2020, at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel. The family will receive visitors 2 PM until service time Saturday at the funeral home.

This is my grandchildren’s second chalk art creation. The first was a cross featured in the Times Gazette. Their challenge this time was to honor our 2020 graduates. Pictures are from left to right: Leah, Ike, and Caden Landers