Stories from Thursday, March 4, 2021

A Walmart employee has been charged with stealing money from the store on seven different occasions, Shelbyville police said Tuesday. Andrea Leigh Peterson, 40, of Earnhart Street allegedly took the money between Jan. 2 and Sunday. Store security records show Peterson took in more than $260 from five transactions involving 32 items and more than $171 from 11 fraudulent returns and two gift cards, according to police. ...

Tennessee Housing Development Agency has opened an online portal that will allow renters and landlords to apply for up to 12 months of cumulative rent and/or utility payments through its new COVID-19 Rent Relief Program. The program was developed to support renters who are, or have been, struggling to pay rent, utilities or other home energy costs due to loss of income resulting from the coronavirus pandemic...

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton said that the Legislature continues to work on passing a constitutional carry bill. Sexton spoke with reporters and editors in a Zoom call Tuesday hosted by the Tennessee Press Association. He said that in addition to constitutional carry, current legislative bills include independent health boards as well as barring transgender middle and high school students from participating in sports under their selected gender, which passed the Senate on Monday night. ...

Bedford County school board members unanimously approved a three-year contract for new superintendent Tammy Garrett on Monday during a special called meeting. Garrett, who is currently saying her goodbyes to Murfreesboro City School System, has agreed to settle into the Central Office on Monday, March 8...

Roofers worked Monday on the roof at the Shelbyville-Bedford County Senior Citizens Center. While the center is still closed, due to the pandemic, the center board is scheduled this week to make a decision on whether it is the appropriate time to open the doors for activities again. Meals on wheels and transportation are still available.

The Webb School’s Lady Feet stopped University School of Jackson 48-43 in the semifinals of the TSSAA Division II Class A State Tournament on Thursday afternoon in Cookeville. Webb will play again at 11 a.m. Saturday.