Stories from Saturday, October 24, 2020

Sunday is shaping up to be the best day of the weekend across Middle Tennessee with partly sunny skies and 79 degrees expected. Scattered showers may return to the picture Monday and Tuesday followed by much cooler air from the 27th through the 31st...

Black cats are symbolic of Halloween, appearing in decorations as well as subjects for spook night folklore. Sadly, our dark, furry friends often get a bad rap, due to superstitions which abound during trick-or-treat time. Many cultures harbor superstitions about black cats, feeling they represent either good or bad luck. Black cats have been connected to witches, with various tales indicating that black cats are witches’ familiars...

From the most popular commercial cookie, the Oreo, to the most popular homemade cookie, the Chocolate Chipper, Americans consumer over 2 billion cookies a year – that’s about 300 per person per year or 35,000 cookies over a lifetime. So as you bring out the flour, butter, eggs and baking soda this fall, keep these helpful tips in mind as you bake up these “little cakes”. ...

Amelia Jefferson, who is new to this area, and her poodle/Bichon Frise, “Max,” enjoyed Monday’s pleasant weather during a trip to H.V. Griffin Park.

A few months prior to his passing in 2018, Henry Marvin Peacock received an official letter from the president of Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, which confirmed he and another former classmate were the school’s first African-American graduates. Proud of that accomplishment, Peacock’s family recently discussed the life of the man they knew and loved as “Henry.”...

I was trying to clear the cobwebs from my mind, and all I could find was random thoughts about Halloween (a.k.a. Hallowe’en, a.k.a. Allhalloween, a.k.a. All Hallow’s Eve, a.k.a. All Saints’ Eve, a.k.a. the Holiday That Is Bankrupting the Federal Witness Protection Program)...

Shelbyville residents know all too well, particularly right now during the pandemic, that sometimes life necessitates a road trip to the mountains. That’s what Dianne and Victor Ratley of Shelbyville decided to do last weekend; they witnessed the beginnings of fall colors within about 100 miles from Bedford County...

I like fall weather. I like it a lot. I like the cooler temperatures, and the changing colors of the leaves on the trees. And I like all the wonderful tastes associated with fall weather as well. Pumpkin comes to mind. I like all things pumpkin flavored...

Author Bruce McIntyre once said in a prayer that caregivers are often “unknown and unnoticed, but a hero, none-the-less.” He also said, “even in weakness, a caregiver gives life to their beloved.” Lee Ann Hyatt, RN, the new Bedford County Caregiver Relief director, said for such reasons, those caring for Alzheimer’s Disease patients should be recognized. It was in 1983, when President Ronald Reagan designated November as “Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.”...

Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC) is warning members about recent phone scams impacting several communities, in which the caller demands immediate payment be rendered to avoid disconnection of services. The phone calls are reported to be from the 615-area code and the callers identify themselves as DREMC personnel. The cooperative reminds members that all calls coming from a legitimate DREMC office will have a 931-area code...

A bluebird enjoys a late afternoon bath.

Tennessee reported its highest number of new COVID-19 cases in a single day Tuesday. The 3,317 new reported cases on Oct. 20, bested the previous high (July 13) by just three. July was the only other month since the pandemic began when some daily new cases exceeded 3,000: July 13, 3,314; July 26, 3,140 and July 31, 3,088...

As of early Friday morning, 9,266 Bedford County residents had already used their right to vote in the 2020 general election, according to election office administrator Summer Leverette. Early voting, by paper ballot or in person at the election office, will continue through Thursday...

Despite COVID-19, the Cross Homeless Shelter of Shelbyville will host the annual Empty Bowls Luncheon on Tuesday at First Baptist Church, 304 East Depot St. Because of the virus, the event will have to be a drive-through event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meal, provided by Legends Steakhouse, will include the restaurant’s signature potato soup, roll, dessert and drink...

MCEWEN – The Community Vikings battled tooth-and-nail with the McEwen Warriors, but mistakes and ill-fated penalties turned the tables as the Warriors defeated the Vikings 36-16 in a non-region football contest Thursday night. The Vikings had several opportunities to gain control but could not get over the hump against the Warriors...

UNIONVILLE — It's never an easy task facing the defending state champions—even on your own turf. On Thursday night, the previously unbeaten Community Viqueens ran into a buzz saw against the defending Class A state champions, Signal Mountain. In the Region 3-A championship, Signal Mountain utilized its crisp passing, electric speed and physical style of play to put the Viqueens on their heels and handed Community its first loss of the season, a 5-0 defeat...

It was an ending to the game no one would have imagined. Leading 43-10 with 3:34 left to play in the third quarter, a Shelbyville Central offensive lineman had his helmet ripped off by Franklin County which led to an unfortunate turn of events. The situation became chaotic with officials determining to end the game at that point with a total of seven ejections, four from Franklin County and three from Shelbyville Central...