Stories from Tuesday, June 30, 2020

It’s growing. The season finally has worked with our vendors, and the garden ‘stuff’ is coming in. It’s been an up-hill battle, with the early cold weather on into spring, the extremely wet conditions during all of that, and we have had some battles with plant diseases along with having to replant over a few times...

What makes Subida Coffee any different from the other coffees available in grocery stores? Well, for one, 100% of the profits go to charity, according to Subida officials. Shelbyville Piggy Wiggly managers confirmed Monday morning the local store stocks the coffee brand...

The Motlow State Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program cleared a significant hurdle in April when it earned full accreditation with the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). The accreditation comes as the second MLT graduating class completes its requirements...

MURFREESBORO —  Small business owners across the state unclear about the process for applying for emergency assistance from the federal government are encouraged to seek free counseling assistance through the Tennessee Small Business Development Centers across the state. ...

A recent study from the Business and Economic Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro examines ways to strengthen the workforce of professionals in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The newly published research from BERC is part of a larger economic development project, “STEM Workforce Dynamics in the Tennessee Valley Corridor,” sponsored by the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, or TSBDC. ...

Candidates like Doug Meyer, conservative Republican running for U.S. Congress in the 4th district, which includes Bedford County, are beginning to hit the sidewalks in anticipation of the Thursday, Aug. 6, election which includes the state primary and the county general. Deadline to register to vote in the August election is July 7. The Tuesday, Nov. 3, election will not include those candidates vying for county offices on the August ballot but will include those running for office within the City of Shelbyville, Normandy and Wartrace, according to Bedford County administrator of elections, Summer Leverette. Bedford County early voting for the upcoming August election runs from July 17 to Aug. 1.

Vietnam Era Veterans’ June event was their 10th Anniversary celebration. Waiters at the restaurant surprised all in attendance by singing “Happy Birthday” in Spanish and English.  Veteran Jimmy Gray talks about being drafted during the Vietnam war. Most of the group Gray trained with went to Vietnam but he was sennt to Germany. Veteran Russell Hubbell while listening, looks through the group’s scrapbook full of pictures and stories of past events. Gray reflected about the POW/MIA flag’s meaning, stating that missing soldiers remains are still being discovered even from World War II. Gray gave each person there license plates with the soldier's cross (some gave all) and the cross of Jesus (One gave All). The group meets the second Thursday of each month. 

Two participants in the Celebration’s Fun Show told police horse equipment was stolen from their trailers while they were in the show ring Saturday night. Five bridles were taken from one trailer and two saddles and a bridle from another between 8:45-9:15 p.m. as the riders were showing in the same class, Officer Joseph Cleek’s report said...

A pair of does dance on a cool spring morning as they cross a field outside Bell Buckle.

NASHVILLE — Tennessee health officials on Friday again reported the biggest one-day jump in people testing positive for COVID-19, the second time that’s happened within a week. The record was reported not long before Nashville joined Memphis in moving this week to require people to wear face masks in many public settings. Nashville’s health board voted to have staffers draw up the details of an order by Sunday evening...

For nearly three decades, Hershel Thrasher has witnessed a great number of Shelbyville Housing Authority families, when provided with the proper resources, move on to “better things,” like home ownership. Affectionately known as “Mr. Thrasher,” the jovial gray-haired friend to many on Tillman and other Shelbyville Housing Authority neighborhood streets, officially said goodbye on Friday...

Trainer Jimmy McConnell took his first step in his “drive for five” guiding Jose’s Cold Chills to the championship in the 50th annual Celebration Spring Fun Show. McConnell, whose Formac Stables is based in Bedford County, won Saturday night in front of an estimated crowd of 2,000 in Maverick Arena on the Celebration Grounds...

A Bedford County deputy has been charged with aggravated rape in connection with an alleged incident in 2019. Joseph Guthrie, 31, is accused of sexually assaulting an adult female in October 2019 at a home in Bedford County, according to a press release from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation...

Mr. Stanley J. Burger, age 67, of Bell Buckle, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2020. There will be no services. Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.

The Highway 41 Toy Convoy has been rolling for 24 years to help brighten Christmas for the kids of Coffee and Bedford Counties.  The Gene Taylor and Steve Graves Christmas Foundation, Manchester Police Department and  Wartrace Fire Department will be sharing the toys with the kids in their area...