10) Standardized School Attire proposed

9) Celebration runs smoothly, but numbers down

Today, we look at the eighth and seventh most-newsworthy stories. But which is which? Actually, both are ranked seventh, because of a tie:

7 - tie) Bedford County observes Bicentennial (38 points, 1 first-place vote)

Johnny Reed, left, who co-chaired the Bicentennial's activities committee, and County Mayor Eugene Ray displayed a Bicentennial flag during opening ceremonies for this year's Bedford County Fair. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Click to enlarge]

Bedford County was chartered on Dec. 3, 1807, and the county's 200th year was celebrated with a variety of events and tributes. Highlights included the "Bicentennial Fair on the Square" in May, the "Celebration of Christmas Past" on the square on Dec. 1 and the official Bicentennial observance on Dec. 3 at Blue Ribbon Circle. Other already-scheduled events, from civic club meetings to the annual Bedford County Fair, paid tribute to the Bicentennial as well.

Gov. Phil Bredesen proclaimed "Bedford County Day" in Tennessee, and both the Tennessee General Assembly and the U.S. Congressional Record noted the event as well.

The official Bicentennial Organizing Committee published an official history book, written by county historians Tim and Helen Marsh along with Garland King. So did the Times-Gazette; ours was written by René A. Capley and included numerous photos submitted by readers.

The two activities on the town square proved popular, and there has been some call for an annual event of some sort that would be similar.

7 - tie) SCHS renovation and expansion / $44M borrowed for school projects (38 points, 1 first-place vote)

SCHS's new two-story classroom and administration building is scheduled to open when classes resume after the holiday break. The expansion and renovation project also includes a new theater, visible at left, and a new lobby for the SCHS gym. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Click to enlarge]

When Central High School students return to class after the holiday break, they will begin using a new two-story classroom and administration building, part of a $20 million renovation and expansion project designed to relieve overcrowding problems such as the school's long-cramped cafeteria. An expansion to the gymnasium lobby was completed last month, just in time for basketball season. Renovations to the existing SCHS classroom building will be completed during summer 2008.

When county commissioners were asked to borrow money for the SCHS project, they decided to lock in low interest rates by borowing a total of $44 million, enough to also fund a new elementary school on Learning Way and a new building for Community High School. Community's elementary and middle school grades would expand into what is now the high school space once the high school has been relocated.

Both of those projects are in the planning stages. The new elementary school was put out for bids, but turned out to cost more than expected, so it is now being redesigned to cut costs.

Top story suggestions were solicited from the T-G news staff. A ballot containing 22 story possibilities was circulated to 10 different T-G staffers, each of whom selected his or her top 10 choices. Ten points were awarded for a first place vote, nine for a second place vote and so on.

FRIDAY: A change at City Hall