Shelbyville Times-Gazette: News : Charity and social services

Charity and social services

Club asks to share city gym (11/08/09)
Members of the Boys and Girls Club will need to speak to the county commission for permission to use Central Memorial Gym, known to many in the county as the old Harris Middle School or the old Central High School gym. Kelly Rollins and Dan Jernigan have been looking into the possibility of starting a chapter in Shelbyville and they asked the city council Tuesday if they could share the facility with the parks and recreation department...

Riding Hawgs for the Dawgs (11/08/09)

CASA stands by troubled children (11/05/09)
When a child's safety comes into question, several agencies move to protect him. Police officers investigate and protect. Schools observe, counsel and protect. Social workers with the Department of Children's Services work with the Juvenile Court system to save and protect...

Spooktacular 5K coming up Saturday (10/27/09)
Heritage Medical Center is the title sponsor of the second annual United Way Spooktacular 5K run / walk coming Saturday. The event starts at 8:30 a.m. from Shelbyville Recreation Center at H.V. Griffin Park. CEO Dan Bucker emphasized Heritage Medical Center's continuing education of overall wellness and the role exercise plays in healthy living...

Halfway home marks first year (10/27/09)
Through ups and downs, the Halfway Home of Shelbyville has remained open for one year, and the number of lives it has affected over the course of that year is growing. Led by Jay Pope, many have passed through the 6-month program, which serves as a transitional home for men who want to start a new Christian-based life following incarceration. Pope had success stories to share on Friday at the home's chili and corn bread benefit lunch, held at Pope's Lighthouse Church on Church Street...

Relay for Life campaign begins Monday (10/25/09)
Area volunteers are gearing up for the 2010 American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Bedford County campaign, beginning with a birthday kickoff Monday, Oct. 26 from 5:30 to 6:30. The party will be held at the Blue Ribbon Circle on the Celebration Grounds...

Arrowhead ranch hopes to point boys in the right direction (10/25/09)
Preston and Jeffrey Sweeney said they felt "lucky" to have found their 200 acre plot of land in Normandy on the day it went up for sale. That may be true, if you consider that luck is really when preparation meets opportunity. The Sweeneys' lifelong dream of opening a ranch for boys in need of a safe place to live is about to become a reality in Arrowhead Ranch, the once large Normandy dairy farm of Randall Banks. ...

Boys ranch to hold open house (10/23/09)
A new 200-acre ranch for boys in need of a safe place to live will be unveiled to the public Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. Arrowhead Ranch, 239 Cortner Mill Road in Normandy near Cortner Mill restaurant, will take in boys from surrounding counties in Middle Tennessee who have gone through hardships, such as losing their parents...

Golf tourney to benefit Community Clinic (10/23/09)
On an October morning a year ago, about 25 people called the Community Clinic for appointments, but Inda Browning, who does administrative work there, had to answer with bad news. "We don't have a doctor on tonight," she said, last October. "We only have doctors signed up for five nights in October ... Hard times are hitting us."...

TEN program to bring volunteers to city (10/22/09)
A new non-profit agency hopes to bring 18-to-25-year-olds from outside Bedford County to spend 10 months here doing volunteer work for agencies such as Shelbyville Housing Authority, the Senior Citizens Center and Shelbyville Parks and Recreation. TEN, named for the 10-month commitment required of participants, is the brainchild of the Rev. Bobby Scott, pastor of Gateway Church on Madison Street. Scott said the program's tagline will be "What can you change in ten months?"...

Toys For Tots needs storage space (10/22/09)
Halloween is next week, Thanksgiving is next month, and before you know it, Christmas will be here. No one knows how the time will fly between then and now more than USMC retired Col. Ken Crowell, who heads up the area's Toys for Tots campaign. U.S. Marines work with local firefighters to collect new toys to give to underprivileged children who might not otherwise have Christmas presents, but before the toy drive has even begun, the organizers need some help...

Local helpers celebrate a granted wish (10/20/09)
When folks at Atmos Energy heard about Payton Templeton-White, 3, they knew she was special. So special, they wanted to make her dream of going to Disney World a reality through the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Middle Tennessee. What the people at Atmos didn't know at the time was they'd have a chance to celebrate with the special young lady again, months after her wish was granted...

City Outreach Ministries in dire need of food donations (10/18/09)
In little more than a month, on Nov. 21, City Outreach Ministries will open its doors for their annual Thanksgiving dinner. Those who come for the community meal usually leave with boxes full of more food for their own Thanksgiving dinner the next week, including hams or turkeys...

Good Samaritan needs more than just food (10/15/09)
In these hard times, Good Samaritan has had its hands full trying to help out those in the community who need it the most. While they always accept donations of food, there are needs in other areas as well. Food drives that have already taken place have kept the shelves stocked at the non-profit organization, thanks to recent mentions in the Times-Gazette, as well as a lot of cash on hand to buy more foodstuffs when needed, according to director Cathy Miller....

New cancer charity plans benefit horse show Saturday (10/14/09)
A new foundation has been formed to help local cancer patients, and its concept is different from the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. All money raised through the Bedford Cancer Foundation, formed last month, will directly benefit local cancer patients. Starting with Saturday night's Walking For Cancer Horse Show, the foundation will have two large benefits each year, said Jon' Jenné, board member of the foundation...

Like father, like son: Smiths prepare for first 5K (10/11/09)
At 46, Doug Smith has taken on a new hobby, and the message he's sharing is based on what that new hobby has taught him. "You're never too old to get started," Doug said. After a nearly 20-year lapse in exercise, Doug has started a fitness routine mostly consisting of running, and he plans to run in his very first road race at the end of the month, the United Way Spooktacular 5K. ...

Chili, knives and fun for a cause in Normandy (10/08/09)
Larry and Sandy Terrell don't believe in burying their talents. "The Lord gave us these talents," said Sandy. "It's our duty to share them with others." Sandy is an artist. Largely self-taught, she works in acrylics and oils to create country still lifes -- wooden decoys in front of quilts and barn wood...

Jostens Fall Festival to benefit United Way (10/08/09)
Jostens, 1401 Union St. in Shelbyville, is holding its first annual Fall Festival on Saturday. A guitar autographed by music icon Taylor Swift, just one highlight of the day, will be raffled off during the festival. The event will feature a wide array of fun activities for children, adults and pets to enjoy, and all proceeds benefit United Way of Bedford County...

Adoption tour cyclists to make stop in Bell Buckle (10/07/09)
Anyone who goes to Bell Buckle for a little shopping and dining is used to seeing motorcycles parked at the curb, their riders enjoying their own shopping and dining. But Thursday, there will be different sorts of bikes filling the parking lot. About 85 bicycles will be parked outside while their riders gather for a meal -- and a celebration. It is just one stop on the Adoption Tour, a state-crossing ride to raise awareness about adoption...

Celebration Pet Day benefits local humane work (09/23/09)
Come Saturday, there will be a lot of four-legged athletes strutting their stuff in front of judges at a celebration. No, it's not the Celebration, and it won't be horses taking the spotlight at the Bedford County Agricultural Center. The fifth annual Celebration Pet Day kicks off at 10:30 a.m. ...

Good Samaritan shelves are stocked but cash box needs help (09/18/09)
For once, the food pantry at Good Samaritan Association isn't in dire need -- but the coffers are. "We've got plenty of food right now," said Musa Alexander, who has been helping out at the local charity for many years now. "But it's going very fast. We do have a lot of fresh vegetables -- the people here in Shelbyville are so generous. When they find out through your paper that we need stuff, they come with bags and baskets -- and checks in their hands."...

Car wash for a cause (09/17/09)
The bad news is -- in tough economic times, it can be hard for nonprofit organizations to raise money, and many people feel bad about not being able to donate. The good news is -- you don't have to donate money to help. You can also donate time. This Saturday, the First Choice Pregnancy Counseling Center is holding its Wash for Life project -- a collection of car washes taking place throughout the community...

Imagine kids reading: book program keeps turning the pages (09/17/09)
Imagination Library board members read to students at East Side Elementary Wednesday in a quest to promote the importance of reading to young children. This week is Imagination Library Week in Tennessee. Imagination Library, started by entertainer Dolly Parton in 1996, mails students registered in the program new, age appropriate books from birth to age 5 at no cost to the family...

United Way steps genly into '09 fundraising (09/11/09)
United Way of Bedford County kicked off its fall fund-raising campaign Thursday with a low-key "appreciation luncheon" held at H.V. Griffin Park. There was no organized program, and the non-profit -- which distributes funds to health and human service agencies serving Bedford County -- is not announcing a fund-raising goal as in the past. ...

Shelter faces loss of current facility (09/04/09)
CROSS (Community Religious Outreach Social Services), the local homeless shelter which opened in December 2008, is in danger of losing its facility at a time when the closure of the Sanford manufacturing plant has put even more people out of work, and director and board chairman Carl Bailey is looking at both short-term and long-term solutions...

Boys' and Girls' Club proposed for Shelbyville (08/23/09)
A newly formed advisory board is trying to open a Boys & Girls Club in Bedford County to serve children in need of adult supervision and guidance during after school hours and summers. Supporters say too many children in Shelbyville go home to empty houses after school and have little guidance, thus turning to unhealthy outlets and in turn getting into trouble...

Benefit planned for Leverettes (08/21/09)
A benefit barbecue, auction and gospel singing for Betty Jo and F.R. Leverette will be held Saturday, Aug. 22, at 4 p.m., at the Unionville Volunteer Fire Hall. Given by their daughters, Trish Follis and Brenda Kimmins, the event will raise funds to modify the couple's home because Betty Jo lost her leg earlier this year to artery disease...

'Celebrity waiter' luncheon benefits Relay For Life (08/13/09)
Nearly 300 people attended the Celebrity Waiter Luncheon Tuesday at the Blue Ribbon Circle to benefit Relay For Life of Bedford County. This was the first event of its kind in many years, said organizer Judi Burton. "We threw this together in a very short amount of time," said Burton, who said she was thrilled with the high turnout. "The people are loving it."...

Family Fun Day helps sustain Halfway Home (08/12/09)
With the smoky scent of barbecue lingering in the air and gospel and country music playing in the background, folks entering the grounds of Clearview Farm Saturday could find an array of activities in which to participate. But the food came first. "I built every bit of it from the junk yard," said Bryant Dunn to a man inquiring about his smoker as he slow-cooked pork for the hundreds of people expected to attend the event by the end of the day...

Lemonade stand for a cause (08/07/09)

Family Fun Weekend to benefit Halfway Home (08/05/09)
The Benefit Family Fun Weekend for the Halfway Home of Shelbyville will be held Saturday at Clearview Farm, 2291 U.S. 231 South, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The event will feature live bluegrass and country music, barbecue, crafts, fishing, pony rides, and a silent auction...

Stimulus funds available for low income citizens (07/29/09)
The South Central Human Resources Agency (SCHRA) received nearly $1.3 million in federal stimulus funding to help low income citizens weather the tough economic times. On Tuesday, Gov. Phil Bredesen announced the approval of $19.5 million in funding for Tennessee made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program...

Pleasant weather benefits 'Stuff the School Bus' (07/19/09)
Saturday's perfect weather may have contributed to the success of the "Stuff the School Bus" day at Wal-Mart. The welcome relief from the recent blazing heat brought many shoppers out for the weekend and that probably meant more donations to help students in the county get ready for school, which begins in just a few short weeks...

Stuff the School Bus on Saturday (07/16/09)
When you run out to Walmart Saturday, grab a few extra items to throw in the shopping cart. Then, as you are walking out the door -- give them away. They don't have to be expensive things: a box of crayons, a book bag, even just a pack of notebook paper. ...

Good Samaritan Association cupboard near bare (07/12/09)
Cathy Miller didn't think things could get any worse for Good Samaritan than last year, but the dwindling economy has left more families than ever seeking help from the agency -- and Miller is concerned they're going to run out of food. "We are feeding about 930 people a month," said Miller, director of the local Good Samaritan. "We are lower (in food) now than we were last year at this time."...

Families seek shelter; homeless advocate says relief is needed (07/07/09)
Where will the families go? Homeless advocate Dr. Carl Bailey has been asking -- and is swiftly running out of answers. With Bedford County's unemployment rate pushing 12 percent, more and more families are being forced into the streets, Bailey said...

Time again to 'Stuff the School Bus' (06/30/09)
It's never too soon to start thinking about school supplies. For some people, however, the added costs of paper, notebooks, pencils and more can be overwhelming -- especially in today's economy and with the many job losses in Bedford County. That's where the United Way's "Stuff the School Bus" program comes in. Volunteers, lead by chairman Connie Boutwell, gather new donated supplies, or purchase school supplies with donated money, and literally "stuff" a school bus...

Filling the gap: summer food program serves and teaches (06/28/09)
For lots of children, summer means sports, friends, swimming, vacations and all things fun. But not every child in Bedford County is that lucky. While the lucky ones can't get enough homemade goodies provided by a parent who's able to stay home, some children are more worried about satisfying their hunger during the summer months than they are about typical youthful concerns, such as what movie they're going to see next...

Water safety event called successful (06/24/09)
The first water safety weekend event, one of three safety initiatives planned by the United Way Safety Committee, took place Saturday at Shelbyville Recreation Center. The event was held in memory of Matthew Woods, who drowned last year at age 2, and was sponsored by the Shelbyville Fire Department, the Shelbyville Parks and Recreation Center, and United Way of Bedford County...

Habitat receives THDA grant (06/23/09)
Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity received almost $17,000 from the state to go toward the building of a Habitat home this year. The Tennessee Housing Development Agency awarded 20 affiliates with the grant funds. "This is the first time we've received the THDA grant in Bedford County," said Pam Birtcil, director of Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity. Birtcil said the $16,725 will go directly toward the completion of a local Habitat home...

Unity Day observed at H.V. Griffin Park (06/14/09)
Ruth Wendling was singing, and Kati O'Grady was accompanying her on the banjo while folks around them ate fried chicken and tamales, played horseshoes and bocce. The song Ruth was singing summed it all up. "V-A-R-I-E-T-Y spices up our day. When we get together...

Water safety event to honor drowning victim (06/14/09)
Tears streamed down Tiffany Young's cheeks as she recounted the horror of the day her son died. Two-year-old Matthew G. Woods drowned on Aug. 2, 2008, in a relative's pool in Chapel Hill. "I still don't know what happened," Young said. "I took his life jacket off when he went to the bathroom and was done swimming, and in a matter of minutes he was gone...

Fish fry funds First Choice (06/02/09)
Nearly a thousand supporters attended the annual fish fry and auction to benefit First Choice Pregnancy Counseling Center at Walnut Ridge Farms Saturday, according to organizers. "It went great," said Pam Cooper, co-director of the center, on Monday. "We were very pleased (with the turnout) and very thankful for the weather. It was beautiful and we think everyone had a good time."...

Tears, celebration, hope at Walk for Life (05/31/09)
Tears, celebration, and hope brought hundreds together Friday night for Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society's nationwide signature fundraising event, held in Bedford County at the agricultural center. Opening ceremonies began at 6 p.m., with an emotional survivor lap walked by those who have won the battle against cancer. This was followed by a caregiver lap, to honor family members struggling through the disease with loved ones and also to remember those who've lost the fight...

Relay for Life raises funds, celebrates hope (05/29/09)
The annual Relay for Life, which is the American Cancer Society's signature fundraising event, will be held from 6 p.m. tonight until 6 a.m. Saturday at the Bedford County Agriculture and Education Center. Twenty-two teams have signed up for the event thus far, according to Wendy Stacy, co-chair...

Economy adds to mental stress (05/27/09)
May is National Mental Health Month and the professionals in that field are trying to get the word out. This year, because of the downturn in the economy and so many lost jobs -- especially in Bedford County -- it has become even more important to recognize the signs of mental distress and treat them -- and prevent them...

Clinic board feeds Tyson workers after donation (05/17/09)
At about noon on Thursday, Wally Taylor was about halfway through grilling 1,250 pieces of chicken for his employees at Tyson. Tyson employees weren't the only ones reaping the benefits of Taylor's master technique on the grill. Last week, Tyson pledged $25,000 to the Community Clinic of Bedford County over the next five years, reported the clinic's board chairman Kay Adcock...

Senior Citizens' choir performs ageless songs (05/12/09)
For more than 20 years, a group of dedicated senior citizens have been traveling to area nursing homes to sing gospel songs to residents. "We call ourselves the 'Senior Citizen Singers'," said Ike Farrar, who serves as the group's MC. The singers started with Sarah Sanders, who was the music teacher at the old Pleasant Grove School. After her death, B.C. Boyce took over...

Relay for Life preparations continue (05/07/09)
Twenty-two teams have signed up to participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life walk to be held May 29 at the Bedford County Agriculture and Education Center. "We have a couple of other teams that may come on," said organizer Wendy Stacy. "People can join any time. We hold sign-ups year round."...

Mail carriers hope to 'Stamp Out Hunger' with canned food drive (05/06/09)
The annual "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive conducted by the National Association of Letter Carriers will take place Saturday; local collections of non-perishable food items will be distributed to the needy by Good Samaritan Association. Food items can be left in your mail box or in a bag next to your mail box and will be picked up by carriers as they make their normal rounds. Items can also be brought to the lobby of the U.S. Post Office in Shelbyville...

SHA officials say 'technicality' led to bad score (04/30/09)
Officials with the Shelbyville Housing Authority were surprised to learn that a recent article in USA TODAY identified SHA as one of 61 agencies across the country that was "faulted by auditors for mishandling government aid, but still receives federal stimulus money."...

Stimulus funds upgrade for South Maple Apartments (04/30/09)
Over three quarters of a million dollars in federal stimulus money is planned to be used for improvements to South Maple Apartments by the Shelbyville Housing Authority. It's part of $4 billion that is being used in an effort to create jobs by fixing up public housing projects across the nation. Shelbyville's cut of that money is $829,593...

Bikers hit the streets for autistic kids (04/28/09)
In one corner of H.V. Griffin Park, children -- most of them autistic -- were playing in an inflatable bounce room. A few feet away, leather-clad bikers with tattoos and pony tails were playing poker. Did someone need to call the law? "Oh, they all know," said Leta Frame, laughing, in a rare moment of peace Saturday morning. "We told them they were coming!"...

Helping hands unite for Next Step Home (04/19/09)
With sirens blaring and gospel music playing, men, women and even little girls in ballerina costumes joined hands to show support for the Next Step Home, a transitional home for women who have been in rehabilitation or jail. Linda Vannatta, one of the organizers of the event, counted nearly 150 people holding hands across the public square, including County Mayor Eugene Ray, Pastor Drew Hayes, Chain Gang organizer Nancy June Brandon, and many others...

Tyson provides chicken to homeless shelter (04/19/09)
Feeding the homeless at the CROSS (Community Religious Outreach Social Services) shelter may get a little bit easier, thanks to the local Tyson Foods facility. The nation's meat producing giant has filled freezers with chicken and has promised more when needed for Bedford County's homeless...

Deadbeat dads leave moms, children scrambling for shelter (04/19/09)
Since the beginning of the year, the county's CROSS shelter has been taking in folks that don't have a roof over their heads and is currently at full capacity. But two incidents over the past week have organizer Dr. Carl Bailey looking at getting with authorities about cracking down on deadbeat dads -- because their irresponsibility has resulted in three children sleeping at the shelter just in the past week...

Red Cross Murfreesboro relief update (04/13/09)
Red Cross continues providing relief to local tornado victims following Friday's devastating tornado that carved a path through Murfreesboro. Volunteers are continually traveling through all affected communities to distribute water, meals, snacks, comfort kits and clean-up kits to tornado victims who working to pick up the pieces left of their homes. ...

SCHS students fund wishes for foundation (04/12/09)
As he walked to the center of the gymnasium, Josh Kelley could see the tea cups that were made especially for him by the students. He could hear the famous Disney theme song, "When You Wish Upon a Star," playing in the background. He could feel the energy and support of the 2000 students who cheered and shouted for him...

'Chain Gang' to help women rebuild lives (04/12/09)
The culmination of more than a year's work will come alive at noon on Saturday, April 18, when hundreds of local women join hands around the Square. The "Woman to Woman" campaign -- an effort that supports women living in the Next Step who are giving life a second shot -- will form a "Chain-Gang" around the public square...

Venue change boosts Hee Haw & Howdy (04/10/09)
Moving back into a school auditorium made a big difference in the turnout for Hee Haw & Howdy, a longtime town favorite and fundraiser for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life of Bedford County. The difference was a good one as the production, which is filled with lots of dancing, singing, and laughter, brought in nearly full houses during its four performances March 27 and 28 and April 3 and 4...

United Way campaign down by $30,000 (04/09/09)
United Way of Bedford County's fall fundraising campaign raised $175,000 -- a drop of $30,000 from the previous year -- but executive director Dawn Holley tried to put a positive face on the situation. "We're still pleased with what we have," said Holley...

Pancake supper funds Caregiver Relief Program (04/02/09)
When people are in need, many folks in Bedford County are there to help in any way they can. Provide those helpers with pancakes, and they might even go the extra mile. The Caregiver Relief Program of Bedford County's annual pancake supper, held Tuesday in the First United Methodist Church fellowship hall, proved this...

Cornpone fun for a good cause (03/31/09)
Cast members as well as attendees put on their dancing shoes for the 32nd Annual Hee Haw N Howdy production of Bedford County held Friday and Saturday nights. "It was great to see the audience get into it as well," said director Wendy Stacy. The show is scheduled to be performed again at 7 p.m. this Friday and Saturday at Harris Middle School...

DeMolay's benefits touted at ham breakfast (03/31/09)
The Shelbyville Masons had a special visitor at their ham breakfast Saturday morning. Shane Uselton, the state master counselor for DeMolay Tennessee, was on hand during the breakfast to speak to teenagers and young men about membership in DeMolay. DeMolay describes itself as an organization dedicated to preparing young men to lead successful, happy and productive lives, according to literature from the group...

One in 10 out of work locally (03/27/09)
Bedford County's unemployment rate has nearly doubled in the past year, according to preliminary figures released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The jobless rate for February is currently at 10.8 percent, a hike of 1.1 percent points since January and 83 percent higher than the unemployment rate of 5.9 percent at this time last year...

Former Bedford resident has new book, ministry (03/26/09)
Former Bedford County resident Phil Baker, now of Arab, Ala., has recently completed a book called "Lessons in the Rearview Mirror," a collection of his past writings. "They are broken into topical categories," he said. "They are stories I recall while I was growing up. As an adult, I found Biblical principles in them that I didn't recognize at the time."...

New vision revives BCAES (03/25/09)
A local organization that has worked for the benefit of exceptional students in Bedford County for decades is being revitalized -- and refocused. "We have a new vision, a new mission," said Leta Frame, the new president of the Bedford County Association for Exceptional Students. "We're no longer just for special education students."...

Leadership Bedford builds a garden (03/24/09)
The members of the 2008-09 class of Leadership Bedford have an ideal warm-up program for a chilly spring morning. Saturday, with temperatures barely above freezing, the men and women of the group gathered, along with friends and family they could recruit, in the back yard of Next Step Home to build a prayer garden. The Next Step Home opened last December as a place for women who have been incarcerated or rehabilitated to live and begin their second chance at life...

Strongman performance designed to motivate (03/24/09)
Strongman Mike "The Machine" Bruce told Harris Middle School students on Monday about his childhood of abuse, urging them to find a way out of their own personal struggles by making wise choices. Bruce performed Monday at Harris and at Central High School, and will perform tonight at Community High School and Wednesday night at Cascade High School. ...

Hee Haw & Howdy: a tradition of charity and fun (03/22/09)
The cast of Hee Haw and Howdy got together Thursday night for dress rehearsal in preparation for the group's opening performance Friday night. The show is scheduled to be performed at 7 p.m. this Friday and Saturday, and next Friday and Saturday, April 3-4, at Harris Middle School...

Officer to take Taser shot at performance (03/22/09)
School Resource Officer Tim Fox has decided to suck up the pain and do a Taser demonstration at Cascade High School during the strong man performance he is organizing by Mike "The Machine" Bruce. The performance also includes a motivational speech. "I've been asking the students at Cascade for a while, 'If I got shot with a Taser and the money went to charity, would you come?'," he said. "The answer is always yes, so I've kind of backed myself into a corner here."...

Habitat ball sets record for giving (03/20/09)
Committee members delivered the largest check in the Habitat Ball fundraiser's 11-year history to Bedford Builds Habitat For Humanity Wednesday. Pam Birtcil proudly accepted the $45,000 donation, which will be used to build a new home for a working family in need this year...

Support group formed for cancer survivors (03/18/09)
When Pat Peller learned of the grim diagnosis two years ago, he felt -- naturally -- scared. But Peller could deal with being scared -- scared of the treatments, the loss of work, and potentially the loss of his own life. What was most difficult about being diagnosed with Leukemia, Peller said, was the lack of local support from people with whom he could relate...

'Wheelbillies' dress up for cancer fundraiser (03/17/09)
Cindi Lauper once sang, "Girls just want to have fu-un ..." Well, a few local men and boys were no exception as they donned high heels and lipstick to raise money for a good cause Saturday night. The Wheelbilly's of Bedford County Miss Wheelbilly Pageant, held at Liberty School, raised funds for the Relay For Life Cancer Walk of Bedford County...

CalsonicKansei building Habitat home (03/12/09)
Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity has received major support from a local industry, according to Pam Birtcil, director of the organization that provides new homes for working families in need. CalsonicKansei of Shelbyville and Lewisburg is fully sponsoring a Habitat home, one that will be ready for its new owner this summer...

Child struck by rare brain disease (03/08/09)
In driving up to East Side Elementary School, it is evident that Eddy Ramirez has a lot of little friends pulling for him. "Pray for Eddy," reads a sign in front of the school's main entrance. "We love you, Eddy," could be read 100 times over on a poster inside the school made by East Side students...

Chicken dinner benefits Halfway Home (03/08/09)
Nearly 200 supported Halfway Home's chicken and dumplings lunch Friday afternoon, estimated Jay Pope, pastor of Lighthouse Church and director of the home. The Halfway Home opened last October and serves as a spiritually-based transitional home for men who've been incarcerated...

Bailey seeks North Main site for child care (03/05/09)
A local homeless advocate is asking the Shelbyville City Council Tuesday for the use of the old Child Development Center on North Main Street again -- this time, to use as a child care facility. But some council members want to sell the property in question and put it on the tax rolls...

Cancer benefit is anything but a 'drag' (03/04/09)
What do all these men -- truckers, farmers, businessmen, sons, fathers and husbands -- have in common? They look divine in Dior. Okay, maybe "divine" is stretching it a bit, almost as much as the Dior gets stretched. What these men, contestants in the Wheelbillys Relay For Life Womanless Pageant, have in common is they aren't afraid to sacrifice their dignity for a good cause -- and a lot of laughs. ...

Caregivers reminded that they also need support (03/02/09)
The Center for Family Development hosted a "Caring for the Caregiver" retreat Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Shelbyville. More than 50 volunteers attended the program, which was presented by Catherine Self, senior vice president of Baptist Healing Trust...

Local Angel Food not affected by investigation (02/27/09)
An FBI investigation into Angel Food Ministries' founding family, Joe and Linda Wingo, won't affect those who use the service here in Bedford County, said local director John Holland. "I've had some people concerned," he said. "But most people know anything I'm involved in has to be done right."...

Economic downturn hits local charities (02/24/09)
It's one of those bitter life ironies -- the more people need assistance, the less there is to give. Because of the recent economic difficulties, donations to several charitable and nonprofit organizations of Bedford County have decreased dramatically...

Area to benefit from homelessness-fighting grants (02/20/09)
A record level of $1.6 billion in grants for homeless assistance was announced Thursday by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. That's in addition to $1.5 billion in funding for homeless prevention in the controversial stimulus bill that was signed into law by President Obama this week, for a total of $3.1 billion dollars to help the homeless...

Women work on 'Chain Gang' (02/19/09)
The planning committee for Next Step Home's Women-to-Women planning committee met Wednesday afternoon at the WRL Market on the Shelbyville square's east side. Committee members are in the beginning stages of planning the Women-to-Women Chain Gang, an event to honor women living in the Next Step home, as well as future residents...

'Paws for a Cause' 5K run approaches (02/18/09)
The Paws For A Cause 5K run and 1 mile fun walk, which benefits the local Spay Neuter Committee, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Spay Day USA. It will start and end at the Bedford County Courthouse. Pre-registration ended today. However, runners and walkers may register from 8 to 9:45 a.m. race day. Registration is $20...

Habitat ball raises over $40,000 (02/17/09)
When you think about building a Habitat for Humanity home, you usually think about hammers and nails, drywall mud and sweat equity. But for one night, at least, the "builders" were wearing evening gowns and tuxedos and the supplies were good food and good music. It takes more than hammers, nails, drywall and hard labor to make affordable homes for the working underprivileged -- it also takes money...

Luncheon attendees 'Go Red for Women' (02/09/09)
Friday, which was officially National Go Red for Women Day, was a day of awareness for heart disease, a condition that is the number one killer of American men and women. Women are just as prone to the disease as men are -- and its effects are just as devastating...

Central High students make wishes come true (02/06/09)
Shelbyville Central High School's Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraising campaign came to a close Tuesday evening with the crowning of Mr. Wishful 2009. In only its second year holding a Mr. Wishful competition, the SCHS Student Council raised $16,132.20, triple the amount from last year...

Ward prints of old First Baptist building to benefit missions (02/05/09)
A few years ago, Warren Landers commissioned artist Jerry Ward to paint a picture of the former First Baptist Church building as a way to pay tribute to the church and its members. Now, prints are being sold of that painting, and proceeds will benefit the church's mission projects, both locally and worldwide...

Habitat sponsors, patrons enjoy pre-Ball festivities (02/02/09)
Each year, a couple weeks prior to the Habitat for Humanity Ball, sponsors and patrons gather for a more intimate evening of celebration as a way for committee members to thank supporters of the ball. Held at a different home each year, the party is always elegant -- without losing the fun factor -- and everyone enjoys delicious food and homemade desserts coupled with comfortable camaraderie...

Shelter official looks at expansion options (01/29/09)
The C.R.O.S.S. (Community Religious Outreach Social Service) shelter is already nearly at full capacity since opening one month ago. And now, the facility's chief organizer says that twice that number can be given a temporary roof over their heads with the addition of bunk beds...

County residents 'shine light' on cancer (01/26/09)
As the children's hymn goes, "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine," citizens of Bedford County let their inner light shine bright in the fight against cancer Saturday night. The American Cancer Society kicked off the new year for Bedford County's Relay For Life at the Courthouse grounds...

Relay for Life kickoff to be a show of hope (01/22/09)
As people begin to think ahead toward the all-night Relay For Life walk in May, local organizers are holding a Show Us Your Hope kickoff Saturday night, Jan. 24, on the Courthouse Lawn. "Instead of our normal kickoff we decided to invite the whole community to the square and tell them a little about Relay For Life and let them help us celebrate the 25th year for Relay," said Wendy Stacy, local Relay For Life chair...

Ward donates portrait, brightens Habitat outlook (01/18/09)
Renowned local artist Jerry Ward gave Habitat Ball Committee members something to smile about Thursday morning when he unveiled "A Tranquil Habitat," a work he painted with Habitat for Humanity specifically in mind. Ward has donated the painting to the Habitat Ball live auction; the minimum bid has been set at $2,000 -- a third of the painting's retail value, Ward said...

Ketchum if you can (01/15/09)
Grand Ole Opry star Hal Ketchum will headline a United Way benefit concert Saturday evening at the Calsonic Arena, along with two area artists selected as opening acts. Ketchum, who released his new album, 'Father Time,' in September, is enthusiastic about doing the concert for United Way of the Highland Rim, in association with United Way...

Dancers raise the roof -- and money, too (01/13/09)
Nearly 150 spectators cheered on six couples Saturday night at "Dancing With the Center," held at The Fly Arts Center. The event benefited The Center for Family Development, a non-profit organization located on the Shelbyville square's east side, which serves 12 counties with prevention and support services for families and children...

Dancers to hit floor in fundraising event (01/08/09)
If you and your significant other think you can dance, Saturday evening will be your chance to prove it at the second annual Dancing with the Center competition, to be held at The Fly Cultural Arts Center from 7 to 11 p.m. And if you know you can't dance, you're still invited to come cheer on your favorites and simply enjoy an entertaining evening filled with not only dancing, but tasty hors d'oeuvres, drinks, music and more...

Christy's Cuddlies leave a trail of smiles (01/06/09)
What began as a tool to get Grandma Clera to take her medicine has become a joyous occasion experienced each year by hundreds of residents at Bedford County Nursing Home and Glen Oaks Convalescent Center. "She had dementia," Christy Warren said of her late grandmother, Clera Gordon. "Whenever she wouldn't take her medicine they would call me and I would have to come in and give the medicine to the baby doll. She loved that baby doll. She would then take her medicine."...

Faithful support, open hearts can preserve shelter (01/04/09)
The last part of 2008 saw generous citizens and the support of area churches bring about the creation of a homeless shelter for Bedford County. But now that it is up and running, ongoing support will be needed to keep it functioning through 2009. All of the start-up expenses for C.R.O.S.S. ...

Tony Rice Center offers hope to substance abusers (12/30/08)
EDITOR'S NOTE -- The Times-Gazette has been presenting a weekly spotlight on the local health and human service agencies supported by United Way of Bedford County. This is the last in the series. A special United Way section will be published in the Times-Gazette Thursday, Jan. 15....

City Outreach, volunteers spread Christmas hope (12/22/08)
Saturday, Santa came early. From Toys for Tots to City Outreach Ministries, underprivileged children and their families received toys, food, and a message from the community. It cares. "I feel grateful that the community cares and he does it for us," said Verina Hinojosa, referring to pastor Scott Horn of City Outreach. "With all the job losses this year… We're very thankful."...

Lights shine for love at nursing home (12/17/08)
Tuesday morning proved to be special for Bedford County Nursing Home resident Winston Cason, who kicked off the Lights For Love program by lighting the nursing home's Christmas tree. For the past five years, Shelbyville's noon Rotary Club has hosted Lights For Love, a fundraising campaign where proceeds go toward purchasing something special for the nursing home. ...

Yes, they 'can': SCHS students donate to food drive (12/16/08)
Shelbyville Central High School students came through for Good Samaritan once again this year, collecting more than 33,000 items as a result of the school's annual Great Canned Food Drive. "I'm so proud to have a community full of young people who care," local Good Sam director Cathy Miller told a gymnasium full of students on Monday. "You are our main source and you are our biggest source ... I thank you from the bottom of my heart."...

Community Clinic offers helping hand with medical needs (12/16/08)
EDITOR'S NOTE -- As United Way of Bedford County conducts its fall fundraising campaign, the Times-Gazette is presenting a weekly spotlight on the local health and human service agencies it supports. With the economy less than perfect, many people are feeling the pinch and are left with questions such as "How are we going to make payments?" and "Can we continue buying our medications?"...

Next Step Home up and running (12/14/08)
Representatives of the Next Step Home announced last week that four women have moved in and are working toward completing the first phase of the program. The Next Step Home is a transitional home for women who have recently gotten out of jail or rehabilitation programs. Once accepted into the program, residents will learn job, life and parenting skills, attend Alcoholics Anonymous or related programs, and work with counselors to get to the root of their problems...

Local leaders create homeless shelter (12/11/08)
"We're not leaving this room until we find Dr. Bailey a shelter." That's what County Mayor Eugene Ray said last week as Carl Bailey, of Bedford County Emergency Management Agency, and other local leaders gathered at the courthouse to do something about the souls who have no place to go...

Remembering service members at the holidays (12/09/08)
Hard economic times have left almost everyone needing more, and the community has responded with gifts of toys, food and money to families in need. But there's another group that has been overlooked this holiday season and The Blockade Runner's Phillip Smith has decided to do something about it...

Alzheimer's steals minds, creates burdens (12/09/08)
Imagine what life would be like if your brain began to gradually shut down, with no reason as to why. Living with an incurable disease provides many challenges affecting everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease is no exception....

'Christmas with Santa' also helps the needy (12/05/08)
Saturday, Dec. 20 will mark the second year of "Christmas with Santa," an evening of fun and festivities for children -- and an evening of giving back to those in need. Last year, Toni Boss decided to give up the gift giving within her own family so she could fulfill her dream of providing local children with an evening of fun at her home, located at 108 Cottonwood Dr...

Warmer response sought as cold hits homeless (11/30/08)
Winter weather is in the forecast for Monday, and while kids in the area are probably looking forward to it, for Bedford County's homeless, it's bad news all the way around. That's why an advocate for those without shelter is urging that someone -- the city, county, a private citizen or organization -- come forward and provide a warm place for them to stay...

7-year-old Kailey off to a running start (11/30/08)
Runners of all levels will take over the streets of Shelbyville Dec. 6 for First Choice Pregnancy Center's 5K run, called "Run for their Lives," which will lead the annual Christmas parade. Kailey Snell, of Shelbyville, will be a sure standout. Why?...

Committee prepares for 2009 Habitat Ball (11/25/08)
Several members of the Habitat Ball committee gathered for lunch Monday to discuss details of the upcoming event, which benefits Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity. This marks the 11th year for the Habitat Ball, which will be held Feb. 14 at the Blue Ribbon Club on the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration grounds...

Epilepsy Foundation works to improve sufferers' lives (11/25/08)
November is a time for giving thanks, but it is also National Epilepsy Awareness Month -- a time to raise awareness for a currently incurable disease. State and federal legislation was passed this year to improve the quality of life and rights of people with epilepsy...

Scouts, ministries, volunteers help feed the hungry (11/23/08)
As soon as the buses pulled away from Liberty School Friday, a lone pick-up truck took up the parking space. Seconds later, Girl Scouts from troops 2811, 741 and 2879 began loading the bed of the truck with food for Shelbyville's Good Samaritan. The girls have been leading a food drive since last week to help fill the pantry of that organization. Good Sam has recently been running low on food due to great demand...

Toys for Tots keeps alive kids' Christmas hopes (11/20/08)
For years, the firefighters of Shelbyville and the surrounding communities and members of the U.S. Marine Corps have been gathering toys for children in need. The Toys for Tots drop boxes can be found around town, from the fire halls themselves to banks, stores and newspaper offices...

'All this' feeds the hungry (11/19/08)
Scott Horn's having a few folks over for a Thanksgiving dinner this Saturday -- if you call 500 a few. "It all started with a loaf of bread," said the pastor of City Outreach Church, which operates City Outreach Ministries. "God spoke to me and told me to go to Kroger and get their day-old bread. I started getting it, and we went from a loaf of bread, in my garage, to all this, in a warehouse."...

Program gives caregivers a break (11/18/08)
EDITOR'S NOTE -- As United Way of Bedford County conducts its fall fundraising campaign, the Times-Gazette is presenting a weekly spotlight on the local health and human service agencies it supports. The Caregiver Relief Program of Bedford County is a non-profit program dedicated to providing support, education, health assessments, respite, and referral sources to caregivers of persons with memory impairment, such as patients with Alzheimer's Disease...

First Presbyterian offers gifts that give back (11/17/08)
Thanksgiving is coming up and some folks still have Halloween decorations in their yard, but Christmas is "bustin' out all over." Not just the decorations and special sales, either. The Christmas spirit is also showing up early this year. At the Gifts from the Heart market held Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, the tables held more than holiday decorations and unique gift items for that hard-to-shop-for person. Each booth offered information -- and a chance to help...

Safe harbor: Men get second chance at life in Halfway Home (11/16/08)
The three homes are not fancy by any means -- they don't even have heat -- but for Matt Mason and Kenneth Stegg, the Halfway Home houses serve as a sanctuary. They are one part of the equation that has given the men a second chance at life. "My room is still a work in progress, but this is the best thing that's ever happened to me," said Stegg, a recovering alcoholic who was homeless six weeks ago prior to meeting Pastor Jay Pope, the man who is now helping him get his life back on track...

Good Sam cupboard nearly bare (11/11/08)
How much do you like canned corn and green beans? Enough to eat it every day, day after day? That was the menu facing several people who went to Good Samaritan last week, needing help to feed their families. "That's all we had left," said Musa Alexander, one of the volunteers at the charitable organization at 201 E. Highland Ave. "Corn and green beans. There were some peas."...

5K run to raise funds for First Choice (11/11/08)
EDITOR'S NOTE -- As United Way of Bedford County conducts its fall fundraising campaign, the Times-Gazette is presenting a weekly spotlight on the local health and human service agencies it supports. First Choice Pregnancy Counseling Center is hosting a 5K run, called Run For Their Life, in conjunction with the city's Christmas parade on Dec. 6...

Fun, 4-H combine with United Way's help (11/06/08)
EDITOR'S NOTE -- As United Way of Bedford County conducts its fall fundraising campaign, the Times-Gazette is presenting a weekly spotlight on the local health and human service agencies it supports. It's that time again for 4-H lovers in Bedford County -- the kickoff of the school 4-H season where kids can participate in a variety of 4-H events...

Red Cross provides disaster relief (10/28/08)
"Blood, military, and disasters -- that's what we do," said Greg King, of the American Red Cross Heart of Tennessee chapter, which is based in Murfreesboro and which includes Bedford County in its service area. The chapter, a United Way member agency, is a humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance and disaster relief....

Child's play is serious business at safety day (10/26/08)
There were fire engines, police cars, a Vanderbilt LifeFlight helicopter, and ambulances everywhere. Children ran around screaming and people snapped pictures of everything they could. A major disaster? On the contrary -- the United Way Child Safety Day was an overwhelming success...

Health Fair, Child Safety Day join Spooktacular (10/16/08)
Bedford County Health Council's Health Fair will be held Saturday, Oct. 25, in conjunction with United Way of Bedford County's Spooktacular 5k run and Child Safety Day. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Child Safety Day and the Health Fair will take place at H.V. Griffin Park and Shelbyville Recreation Center...

Haven of Hope helps domestic violence victims (10/14/08)
EDITOR'S NOTE -- As United Way of Bedford County conducts its fall fundraising campaign, the Times-Gazette is presenting a weekly spotlight on the local health and human services agencies the United Way supports. October may be a time for hayrides, cool weather, and Halloween festivities, but it is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Bedford County...

Community Clinic aids the working poor (10/07/08)

Community Closet to celebrate re-opening (10/02/08)
The Community Closet is ready to reopen its doors and is inviting the public to an open house on Saturday. The open house and ribbon cutting is set to kick off at 9 a.m. at the new location, 1745 U.S. 41-A North, and last until 2 p.m. Hamburgers and hot-dogs are to be served...

United Way Spooktacular 5K Run (10/01/08)
The United Way Spooktacular 5K Run will be held Saturday beginning at Eakin Primary School and ending at H.V. Griffin Park. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with race time at 9. There will be a one-mile family fun walk/run at 10:30 a.m. Registration will be $25...

Great Strides program is fun, theraputic (09/30/08)
EDITOR'S NOTE: As United Way's 2008 fundraising campaign continues, the Times-Gazette is presenting a weekly spotlight on the local health and human service agencies it supports. What started out as an idea that would allow a few physically challenged children to ride has become a nationally-accredited therapeutic riding program that serves about 35 children each year in Shelbyville...

First Choice cleans up: $2.8K from Wash for Life (09/25/08)
Seven Bedford County churches united to raise more than $2,800 Sept. 12 for First Choice Pregnancy Counseling Center. Each church held a car wash; 217 locals had their cars cleaned and shined by 113 volunteers. "We are ecstatic and very grateful to all of the participating churches and also to all of those who had their cars washed or made donations," said Melanie Lambert, the center's director. ...

Center for Family Development changes lives (09/23/08)
The Center for Family Development may occupy a small office on a corner of the east side of the square in Shelbyville, but it is making a world of difference in the lives of those who need it most. The center provides prevention and support services for families and children. ...

Contact Lifeline needs volunteers for crisis line (09/16/08)
Contact Life Line of the Highland Rim, which operates a free, 24-hour crisis line in Bedford and three other counties, will hold a volunteer training class beginning Sept. 23. Classes will run each Tuesday and Thursday evening from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. through Oct. 9 at First Christian Church in Tullahoma. Topics covered will include mental illness, domestic violence, divorce, grief, suicide, active and reflective listening, and how to handle a crisis...

Foster mom to face hearing on sex charges (09/12/08)
A foster mother accused of having sex with the boy in her care will appear in court later this month -- either to make a plea, or be to bound over to the next session of the Bedford County grand jury. Jennifer Renee McWhirter, 33, of Mountain View Road, Bell Buckle, is scheduled to appear on Friday, Sept. 26 at 8 a.m., according to court officials...

'Wash for Life' to benefit local crisis pregnancy center (09/12/08)
Mark your calendar for this Saturday, because the "Wash for Life" car wash will be held with participants from churches across the Shelbyville area to benefit First Choice Pregnancy Counseling Center. First Choice offers free pregnancy tests, "Earn While You Learn" parenting classes, abstinence-only education, life-affirming alternatives to abortion and compassionate counsel, care and support to those who face pregnancy and abortion-related issues...

Barbecue opens United Way campaign (09/11/08)
United Way of Bedford County kicked off its 2008 fund-raising campaign on Tuesday with a barbecue at H.V. Griffin Park. "You are the United Way," campaign chair Tonya Davis told those in attendance. "You are making a difference in the people that we serve."...

September marks suicide awareness (09/09/08)
Bedford County jumped on board with the nation's campaign of suicide prevention last week when County Mayor Eugene Ray and City Mayor Wallace Cartwright signed a proclamation declaring September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. "We all are aware that the national rate of suicide is increasing," said Cissy Gilbert, a health council facilitator for the Tennessee Department of Health. "And suicide is preventable ... if we're aware, we can prevent this from happening to our loved ones."...

Civic clubs assess Celebration business (09/09/08)
The weather at this year's Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration did more than create mud puddles and contribute to a few colds. Because rain kept visitors away last month, many of the civic groups operating concession stands will have a slightly reduced budget to work with this year....

United Way to kick off fundraising (09/04/08)
United Way of Bedford County is now preparing for its fall fundraising campaign; campaign coordinators from participating companies are receiving pledge cards and literature, and many will attend a kickoff event Tuesday night at H.V. Griffin Park. This year, instead of a breakfast kickoff as in the past, the event will be a cookout, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., with hamburgers, hot dogs, and live music...

Area steps up Gustav relief (09/03/08)
Scott Johnson, of Bedford County Emergency Management Agency, assisted on Sunday in processing Hurricane Gustav evacuees at Berry Field/Nashville International Airport. "The evacuees came in on military transport aircraft such as C-130s and C-17s as well as commercial charter aircraft," wrote Johnson in an e-mail to the Times-Gazette. "Our operation was set up in an Air Force hangar at the airport. I believe our group at the airport processed approximately 1,300 evacuees...

Ladder truck takes firefighters to new heights (09/02/08)
Shelbyville's fire department was busy Friday getting familiar with its newest piece of equipment -- a 75-foot ladder truck. Fire Chief John Habel said the addition of the new truck to the fleet, which arrived Thursday, would result in more credit for the city's ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating...

Abused animals helped by United Way funds (09/02/08)
EDITOR'S NOTE -- As United Way of Bedford County prepares to kick off its fall fundraising campaign, the Times-Gazette is presenting a weekly spotlight on the local health and human service agencies it supports. When we come home from a long day at work, there is usually a stack of bills to pay, dishes piled high in the sink, and a load of clothes in the washing machine; that doesn't sound as tranquil as one might think a home should be...

Center enriches lives of senior citizens (08/26/08)
Senior citizens play a vital role in our community in many ways, but also need our help in certain situations. The Shelbyville-Bedford County Senior Citizens Center, located on J.G. Helton Drive, helps seniors to use their potential in serving our community while providing assistance that they may need themselves...

Under Birtcil, Habitat gives hand up (08/19/08)
EDITOR'S NOTE -- As United Way of Bedford County prepares to kick off its fall fundraising campaign, the Times-Gazette will present a weekly spotlight on the local health and human service agencies it supports. Pam Birtcil sat in her office Monday afternoon with a large poster board stretched across her desk. On the poster board read several different informational and inspirational bits and pieces of information about the agency which she's become so passionate about...

Community Closet finds new home (08/17/08)
The Community Closet has a new home and the organization is now looking for start-up funds and volunteers to get back on its feet. Melissa Huebener, of the Center for Family Development, said Monday that the Closet is now at 1745 Nowlin Road in the El Bethel area...

Homeless shelter, child care center proposed (08/13/08)
Shelbyville's city council is being asked for a zoning change and permission to use a building on North Main Street for a volunteer-run homeless shelter and child care center. Dr. Carl Bailey, who spearheads the county's Emergency Management Agency Avian Flu preparedness program and its shelter program, asked the council for the zoning change so that four trailers can be placed behind a house at 262 North Main St., which is owned jointly by the city and county...

United Way decisions are made locally (08/12/08)
As United Way of Bedford County prepares to kick off its fall fund-raising campaign, the Times-Gazette will present a weekly spotlight on United Way and the local health and human service agencies it supports. We begin this week with an overview of the United Way program itself....

Desana seeks more help in helping others (08/05/08)
In only Desana Inc.'s second year as a charity, Shelbyville residents George and Kathy Houk will have raised nearly $30,000 this year alone to enrich the lives of impoverished children throughout the world. Desana Inc., the 501(c)3 charity the Houks founded in March 2007, is operated by fewer than 10 people, but the efforts of the small group have paid off big time...

Relay boosters sing out to fight cancer (08/05/08)
The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life got an early boost with a benefit gospel concert Saturday. The late summer evening started out, as one would expect, hot and muggy. Even under the shade of the Farmers' Market Pavilion at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration grounds, one could not escape the heat...

CASA in need of volunteers (07/30/08)
Throughout Bedford County and the surrounding region, many children need someone to look out for their best interests. The Center for Family Development's CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program is looking for volunteers. A welcome session is set for Thursday, Aug. 7, at 6 p.m. at the Center for Family Development, located at 100 East Side Square in Shelbyville...

New senior, disabled communities previewed (07/28/08)
Two dozen Bedford countians made a trip to Buffalo Valley Drive Thursday morning to see the unveiling of two new housing communities that will open soon. "This will benefit both the city and the county," said Jim Bailey, property manager for Buffalo Valley, Inc. properties, the sponsoring agent. "I am looking forward to extending our facilities for the elderly in this area. We're very proud."...

Lesson in caring: Citizens 'stuff the bus' (07/28/08)
The parking lot at Wal-Mart was packed to capacity Saturday and in the aisles with the school supplies, it was elbow-to-elbow with shoppers. The shelves thinned and the shopping carts filled, but not all those school supplies made it home....

'Next Step Home' to open soon (07/24/08)
Organizers say the Next Step Home, a transitional home for women who've served time in jail or rehabilitation, is days away from opening its doors. The Next Step Home houses, located on Union Street, were finished this spring, through combined efforts of local churches and schools. All that's needed before residents are selected and move in is a house manager...

Race Unity Day held (06/09/08)

One foster mother pleads guilty, another charged (06/06/08)
One foster mother pleaded guilty to sex-related charges Thursday, while another foster mother -- who is the foster care coordinator for the Center for Family Development -- is facing similar charges involving the same underage victim. The detective in both cases blasted the Tennessee Department of Children's Services, claiming the state kept the victim in the foster home despite her warnings...

Report: Poverty among issues for Bedford youth (05/31/08)
An annual report on Tennessee's youth reveals that poverty, with its impact on health and learning, is still a problem in Bedford County and across the Volunteer State. The report, Kids Count: State of the Child, was recently released by The Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth...

Relay for Life begins tonight (05/30/08)
The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life kicks off this evening at the Bedford County Agriculture and Education Center and will run until 6 a.m. Satuday. The opening ceremonies will start at 6 p.m. with the National Anthem, prayer, and a welcome from this year's chairperson, Wendy Stacy. A Survivor's Walk will start at 6:20 for participants who have been afflicted with the disease, and the parade of teams will start at 6:45...

Survivor gets her special space (05/30/08)
After months of anticipation, Hailee Green can finally take comfort in a new bedroom designed especially for her. And, like any 9-year-old child, she'll take great pleasure in the entertainment that will be provided by the 42-inch flat screen television that now hangs on her bedroom wall...

Cancer survivor lives life to the full (05/28/08)
Pat Peller has learned to look at life in a totally different way since he found out he had cancer. He was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small cell Non-Hodgkins lymphoma in August 2006. It's in his bone marrow and affects his immune system...

Life Path class challenges 20-somethings' faith (05/24/08)
"Twenty-somethings are searching for truth," said the Rev. Trevin Wax, associate pastor at First Baptist Church. "They want to know why Christianity is true, why it matters, and whether it's really good." Wax believes that church should be a place where people can ask questions. Since he started his twenty-somethings Life Path Class in February 2007 he's tried to answer life questions for the folks to which he ministers...

Welcoming Tennessee event planned Saturday (05/23/08)
The Center for Family Development is hosting an event this weekend where residents of Shelbyville can learn about local immigrants. The "Welcoming Tennessee Presentation" is described as "an overview of immigrants and immigration in Tennessee." The event is scheduled to take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at 100 East Side Square...

Friends of Scouting lend their support (05/19/08)
Life Scout Bronson Friedman stood at the podium and told the audience he had been hoodwinked into joining the Boy Scouts. "I was tricked," he said. "I was told I would have fun. "I was really being trained to be a leader." Friedman spoke at a Friends of Scouting breakfast held Thursday morning at Richard's Cafeteria in Shelbyville...

Health, safety festival planned for October (05/09/08)
United Way of Bedford County will partner with Bedford County Health Council to turn its annual child safety day into a health and safety festival including a health fair and a 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) run. The plan was discussed at the United Way Board of Directors meeting Wednesday...

Couple raises autistic grandson (05/08/08)
Life changed considerably for Ed and Tina Ruth when Ed's job brought him from Lebanon to Shelbyville. They had barely settled into their new home when their 5-year-old granddaughter, Eileen, came to live with them a month later. Soon Eileen was joined by her brother, Aidan, 8, who had been diagnosed with autism...

'Stamp Out Hunger' with postal-affiliated food drive (05/06/08)
On Saturday, the National Association of Letter Carriers, Campbell Soup Company, the U.S. Postal Service and United Way of Bedford County will partner again to sponsor "Stamp Out Hunger," which according to organizers is the nation's largest single-day food drive...

Teen pregnancy problems discussed (05/06/08)
Bedford County Health Department is joining other areas Wednesday in recognizing the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. The health observance was established in 2002 to focus the attention of teens on the importance of avoiding pregnancy, parenthood and other serious consequences of sex...

Musical fund-raiser set for Cataldos (05/05/08)
Several bands will gather Friday to help raise funds to offset medical expenses for local family Benjamin and Irene Cataldo and their new son Arthur. The event will take place at Wartrace Park and will cost $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under...

Foster mother accused of statutory rape (05/03/08)
A Shelbyville foster mother has been indicted by the Bedford County grand jury for allegedly having sex with a foster child she had access to. Alea Rhea Rippy, 25, has been charged with eight counts of statutory rape by an authority figure, according to true bills issued by the grand jury on April 21...

Community Closet needs new building (04/24/08)
For much of the past year, the Community Closet at 405 Depot St. has been helping out the less fortunate by feeding and clothing those in dire straits. Now, the organization itself needs the community's help. The building used by the Closet's volunteers has been sold and they have to be out by the first of July...

VIDEO: Tyler gets his wish, SCHS gets a concert (04/23/08)
Leukemia patient Tyler Craig was surprised by the Make-A-Wish foundation Wednesday morning during an assembly at Central High School, where students had raised $6,500 to help grant his wish. Tyler was surprised with a trip to Hawaii, and a concert by RCA Nashville recording artist Chris Young...

Red Hatters help salute moms (04/21/08)
If all of the women wandering the square Saturday in their red and pink hats and purple and lavender outfits don't remind you Mother's Day is coming up, then one of the non-profit booths will. The Next Step Home will have a booth at Red Hat Day on the square, which marks the 10th anniversary celebration of The Red Hat Society. ...

Legendary sheriff's daughter to speak (04/17/08)
Friday evening's "It's in the Bag" fundraiser, which benefits Community Clinic of Bedford County, will feature special guest speaker Dwana Pusser. The event will feature a silent auction at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. Dress is casual. Community Clinic of Bedford County serves the working uninsured...

Standing up for the children (04/10/08)
It's a heartbreaking job, but somebody has to do it. And that's what Capt. Becky Hord of the Bedford County Sheriff's Department does - investigate child abuse and neglect cases. There have been success and failures as well, but the 49-year-old Hord keeps at it to try to end the vicious cycle of abuse and give children a new chance at life...

Coalition hopes to encourage dialogue (04/09/08)
New billboards at the entrances to Shelbyville are intended to educate the community about immigrants and their contributions. The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) kicked off its Welcoming Tennessee Initiative in Shelbyville by placing the billboards and is planning other events in the next few months to help bridge the wide gap that exists between the community and newcomers of different nationalities...

Clinic fund-raiser to feature Pusser's daughter (04/07/08)
Community Clinic of Bedford County has gone country! The clinic, which provides medical care to the working uninsured, announced its annual fundraiser event, "It's In The Bag (Goes Country)," will be held April 18 at the Blue Ribbon Circle. Dwana Pusser-Garrison, daughter of the late McNairy County sheriff, Buford Pusser, will be the guest speaker...

Fundraiser to ease Cataldos' financial burden (04/05/08)
While others gathered to celebrate life and resurrection on Easter morning, Ben and Irene Cataldo of Wartrace gathered by their tiny twin sons and said good-bye to one of them. Isaac was little more than a month old when he died at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital...

Missionaries visit Shelbyville friends (04/03/08)
Volunteers from First Presbyterian Church in Shelbyville have made the long journey to Central America to minister with Emerson and Martina Wilson of Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship in Esteli, Nicaragua, where the Wilsons serve as missionaries. Now the Wilsons have made the trip to Shelbyville to reacquaint themselves with the friends they've made in the past...

Caregiver relief supper boasts large turnout (04/03/08)
First United Methodist Church's fellowship hall was filled with a large turnout of Bedford County residents in support of the Caregiver Relief Program Tuesday evening. A delicious pancake supper was the payoff. For $3, supporters were able to purchase tickets to the pancake supper Tuesday evening with proceeds benefiting Caregiver Relief Program of Bedford County (CGRBC), which has been active in the county for the last 14 years...

Learn CPR; you could save a life (03/26/08)
On Saturday, you have a chance to learn a skill that could save someone's life. The Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold "Save a Life Saturday," with free CPR training this weekend at five locations including Shelbyville Recreation Center. The training will be from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday at each location...

'I just want to have a normal life,' says teen on dialysis (03/22/08)
Shana Mosavi is like any 17-year-old girl. She loves to talk on the phone with her friends, dreams of going to college and would love to get married and have a family one day. But unlike most teenage girls, Shana was born with a rare physical disorder, Vater Syndrome -- and doctors didn't expect her to live beyond age 5...

Two churches step up for disaster relief (03/20/08)
Last year, Bedford County Emergency Management Agency began working with area churches to provide short-term shelter locations where people could ride out a severe storm in safety. But those shelters are only meant for a few hours, until severe weather has passed. What happens in the event of a major disaster, like the tornadoes that struck Tennessee in February, when a substantial number of people lose their homes all at once?...

Red Cross begins fund-raising campaign (03/18/08)
The Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross, which serves Bedford, Rutherford and Cannon County residents, began the Bedford County portion of its annual fund-raising campaign last week. The campaign is entitled "Join the Heart of Tennessee Chapter 2008." The goal for the overall campaign is $200,000 and Bedford County volunteers are working to reach a goal of $9,000, up from $5,000 last year...

Type 'O' donors needed during blood drive (03/10/08)
Blood donors are desperately needed -- especially those with type O -- according to the American Red Cross, which will hold a blood drive Tuesday from noon until 6 p.m. at the Regions Bank location on Elm Street (at the corner of Elm, Madison and Main)...

Next Step Home adds Life Skills program (03/08/08)
The Next Step Home is starting a program in the coming weeks designed to equip men and women with basic life skills, enabling them to live a more productive life and contribute to Bedford County. Even though Life Skills is part of The Next Step Home, which, when it opens in the upcoming weeks, will be limited to women who've been incarcerated or have gone through rehabilitation, the Life Skills program is geared toward both men and women who desire to learn simple skills such as how to search for a job.. ...

DHS clarifies comments on food stamp program (03/04/08)
Tennessee Department of Human Services claims that figures given by a field supervisor concering food stamp distribution in Bedford County are inaccurate. DHS Field Supervisor Lisa Cowell stated during a town hall meeting Friday with State Sen. Jim Tracy that that 9,000 families in Bedford County were on food stamps at an annual cost of $8 million...

Students take action (03/01/08)

Center will benefit from golf tourney (02/26/08)
Get ready to hit the links for a good cause. The Exchange Club of Bedford County has announced its first major fund raiser, Puttin' for Prevention, to be held April 19 at Blackberry Ridge. All proceeds will benefit The Center for Family Development...

Looking for, and finding, goodwill (02/16/08)
Several years ago, a single panel cartoon in a magazine showed a young boy looking at their TV set along with his father. The boy asked: "Has there ever been any good news?" That's what Pat Price, who was born with spina bifida, and his father Scott, both of Nashville, hit the open road to find out...

Chamber honors four for community service (02/12/08)
Helen Garner, James Elkins, Johnny Reed and Dawn Holley were honored by Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce during the chamber's annual membership meeting and awards banquet Monday night at the Blue Ribbon Circle. Commissioner James Neeley of Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the scheduled keynote speaker, was unable to attend due to pneumonia; instead, Joe B. Brandon of the department spoke...

Donations on their way to tornado victims (02/12/08)
"This truck is just overflowing with kindness." That's how Public Fire Education Officer/Inspector Brian Nicholson of the Shelbyville Fire Department described a Big G trailer full of goods parked next to the city's main station on Monday. The loaded tractor-trailer left this morning at 7 for tornado-stricken Macon County packed with needed supplies. A twister ripped a path through the rural county last week, killing 13 people and leaving many without a roof over their heads...

Tornado relief items sought (02/07/08)

Grant announced during sponsors' party (01/29/08)
State Sen. Jim Tracy put smiles on the faces of 14 very appreciative ladies Saturday evening when he surprised them with $5,000 in grant funds to Habitat For Humanity. The Habitat For Humanity Ball Committee had no idea Tracy planned to present the check to them at Saturday evening's sponsors' and patrons' party, which was held at the Shelbyville home of Mary Ann and John Davis...

1997 deal covers CDC maintenance (01/26/08)
A 1997 agreement between the Child Development Center / Community Development Center, Bedford County and the City of Shelbyville does make the city and county responsible for exterior maintenance at CDC's site on Eaglette Way, according to director Sarah Hunt...

A special space for Hailee (01/25/08)
Hailee Green is in for a real treat thanks to Special Spaces, a Knoxville-based charitable organization that's giving the 8-year-old Shelbyville girl a palace all her own. A palace in the form of a special bedroom, that is, decorated to perfection based on Hailee's needs and wants...

Committee defers action on CDC work (01/23/08)
Bedford County Financial Management Committee deferred action Tuesday night on paying for exterior maintenance costs at the Community Development Center on Eaglette Way. The site is jointly owned by the city and county. CDC failed to budget for or to get advance approval for sealing its parking lot, pressure washing its sidewalks, and mowing its lawn, and is now asking the city and county to cover those costs. The total cost is $7,162, which would be $3,581 each from the city and county...

Young cancer patient to appear on TV (01/19/08)

Autism support group being organized (01/18/08)
Christina Moore felt alienated and alone as a parent of an autistic child -- until she met Leta Frame. Frame understood the loneliness and frustration Moore was feeling, because she too is the mother of an autistic child. Frame is also the Bedford County representative of the Autism Society of Middle Tennessee...

Shelbyville-based Desana aids children worldwide (01/10/08)
Kathy Houk of Shelbyville spent a lot of time watching the Travel Channel when she had cancer; she was undergoing chemotherapy and was too sick to do much of anything else. While it was a difficult time in her life, she felt the need to travel as a result of watching the network's various shows and booked a trip to Peru that would ultimately change her life forever...

Grant allows Tony Rice Center to add counselor (01/07/08)
The Tony Rice Center of Shelbyville will hire an additional substance abuse counselor for its women's program as the result of a grant. A $76,119 grant was awarded by the Baptist Healing Trust, which was created when Baptist Hospital of Nashville was sold to Ascension Health of St. Louis...

CFD loses 10 percent of funding (01/04/08)
Cuts in federal funding have resulted in the Center for Family Development losing 10 percent of its operating funds for the next year. As a result, the Center, which already has a fundraiser slated for next Saturday, is in dire need of financial help...

Tony Rice women's program expands (12/29/07)
The Tony Rice Center has helped men overcome their problems associated with drugs and alcohol since 1990, and they've recently expanded their program to include help for chemically dependent women. "The Tony Rice Center for Women is designed for the specific needs of women in the grips of addiction," according to the center's Web site...

Somali refugees find a haven in Shelbyville (12/22/07)
For a rural Tennessee town like Shelbyville, the public square typically displays a cross-section of the entire community. People are on their way to the county courthouse. Perhaps folks are there to shop or to drop by one of the banks to conduct important business....

Nursing home gift drive needs volunteers (12/18/07)
Volunteers are needed for the packaging and delivery of hundreds of gifts which are headed for nursing home residents in Bedford County this Saturday. According to organizer Lindsey Sudberry, the annual Linda Hayes Nursing Home Gift Drive is "going great," with just a few days left before the Thursday deadline to get those gifts donated...

Saving Chloe's heart (12/15/07)
Since birth, Chloe Taylor has fought her way through 27 bouts of pneumonia, three open heart surgeries, 15 catheterizations and 15 artery dilations. She's only three. "We're still looking at several more surgeries," said Sandra Taylor, Chloe's mother, who hopes doctors will someday be able to correct her daughter's serious heart defects...

United Way pledges show falloff (12/11/07)
Changes in local industry have had a major negative impact on United Way of Bedford County pledges over the past several years, and early results from this year's campaign have proven troubling. One major industry has already turned in the results of its fund-raising campaign with figures showing about half the donations and pledges that same company brought in last year...

Red Cross seeks cards for injured service personnel (12/08/07)
America's wounded service members are always grateful for supportive cards and notes----especially during the holiday season. This holiday season, communities across America are invited to mail cards along with personal messages of support to wounded service members at military hospitals around the country, through a partnership between the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc...

Local woman shares true meaning of Christmas (12/04/07)
Christmas is all about caring, and sharing, according to Toni Boss, who has decided to pull off something she's always wanted to do in place of giving an overabundance of gifts to her family this year. She and her friend Barb Stull are hosting "Christmas with Santa" at Boss' home, located at 108 Cottonwood Dr., Dec. 22 at 6 p.m...

Donations sought for nursing home patients (12/04/07)
The annual Linda Hayes Nursing Home Gift Drive is now in full swing, with donations and gifts coming in, not to mention volunteers donating their time for the effort. Organizer Lindsey Sudberry said the drive was going well but that not many gifts have come in yet. However, she expects donations to begin pouring in over the next two weeks...

Tyson gives to Second Harvest (11/28/07)
Tyson Foods in Shelbyville donated a truckload -- 37,520 pounds -- of protein products Tuesday to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, which serves 46 counties. The company also made a cash donation of $4,213 to the Learning Tree Head Start program...

Ornament benefits United Way (11/21/07)
Last year, United Way of Bedford County began a tradition of annual Christmas ornaments depicting local landmarks. Last year's ornament was the Bedford County Courthouse; this year's, seen here, depicts the iconic metal arches over the entrance to the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. ...

Nursing home gift drive enters second year (11/15/07)
Last year, Lindsey Sudberry and Kecia Johnson came up with an idea to provide Christmas gifts to residents of Bedford County's nursing homes. It went far better than they ever imagined, with over 1,900 gifts donated, far beyond the 237 that had been requested...

'Gifts From The Heart' offers a holiday alternative (11/14/07)
The Missions and Outreach Committee at First Presbyterian Church has developed a unique alternative to traditional commercial gift giving for the holidays, and is set to hold the third annual Gifts From The Heart Fair at the church this Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m...

Centerstone opens new high-tech facility (11/09/07)
A state-of-the-art behavioral health care facility serving Bedford County was formally introduced to the community Thursday morning. Centerstone's offices on South Wall Street off Madison Street in Shelbyville serve as a prototype for future facilities, officials emphasized...

Toys for Tots drive kicks off Monday (11/03/07)
It's the time of year to start making our Christmas lists. While doing so, remember that many less fortunate kids may not be getting a visit from Santa. Starting Monday, you can help by making a contribution to Toys for Tots at Shelbyville's U.S. Bank office on the public square...

Car seat safety check planned (10/30/07)
Brian Nicholson of Shelbyville Fire Department estimates that a majority -- a majority -- of all of the child safety seats in use are being used incorrectly. It could be the wrong size seat for a particular child's age and weight. Differences in each car's interior can make a difference in how a car seat should be installed and positioned. Straps must be used properly, with the right amount of tension...

Leadership class chooses two projects (10/26/07)
Leadership Bedford recently selected two community projects to pursue this year. The 12-member class of 2007-2008 chose the county's new pre-kindergarten program as the first project they'll focus on, and that will be followed up with the implementation of a mentoring program for middle school students...

Tracy honored by Heart Association (10/26/07)
State Sen. Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) was recently named "Tennessee Advocate of the Year" by the American Heart Association for his efforts to help limit the harmful effects of second hand smoke in Tennessee. "Because of Senator Tracy's leadership, Tennessee had a new dawn on Oct. 1," said Nathan James, Advocacy Director for the American Heart Association. Tennessee became the first â€tobacco state' to put the health of its citizens first."...

Center for Family Development serves in many ways (10/24/07)
On the east side of the Shelbyville public square is a building much like any other you would see in a small town, but a lot of good comes out of this structure. This building houses the Center for Family Development, which provides invaluable services to 12 counties in the Middle Tennessee area, Bedford, Coffee, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry and Wayne. The Center is a licensed Child Abuse Prevention and Child Placement Agency...

Habitat will remove controversial deck (10/23/07)
The board of directors of Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity on Monday night voted to remove a second deck attached to one of its homes because of questions over construction quality and issues over the handicap ramp being too steep and the prospective owner having been repeatedly asked not to attach it...

Yoes grateful for life, supportive of Heart Walk (10/18/07)
It was two days after Thanksgiving in 1999, and Jeff Yoes had just finished watching the Tennessee college football game on TV. He went out to sweep the driveway and it wasn't long until he started feeling sick. The more he swept, the worse he started feeling...

Dispute erupts over deck on Habitat home (10/17/07)
A Shelbyville woman who's moved into a Habitat for Humanity house before closing on the mortgage added a front deck and has since been told it should be removed, she and a Habitat official said Wednesday afternoon. Donna Crow was notified by a letter left at her McBride Lane home off Shelbyville Mills Road that the deck should be gone before Thursday and Habitat Executive Director Bill Parks says enforcement might become a decision for the charity's board...

Heart Walk a personal journey for family (10/09/07)
Taking part in the American Heart Association's annual Heart Walk holds special meaning to Donna Stearns, proprietor of Merle Norman Cosmetics on the Shelbyville square. She lost her husband, her brother-in-law, and both her in-laws to heart disease and knows first hand how devastating heart disease can be for just one family...

Riders fight MS (10/08/07)
Over 800 bikers took to the road on Saturday to raise money and awareness for the fight against Multiple Sclerosis (MS). They stopped for lunch at the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy on Unionville Deason Road before heading towards Motlow State Community College, where they camped overnight. ...

Shrine Circus heading for Shelbyville (10/06/07)
The 2007 Al Menah Shrine Circus will be at Calsonic Arena in Shelbyville on Oct. 23 for two shows, at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. The Shrine Club of Shelbyville receives 50 percent of all advance ticket sales, according to members Thomas Smith and Ralph Allen. All of those local proceeds will benefit the Shrine Children's Home...

United Way to sponsor child safety events (10/05/07)
United Way of Bedford County will sponsor its second annual Child Safety Day Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at H.V. Griffin Park, with child identification kits, fire safety information, fun activities and concessions. In addition, United Way will sponsor a child car seat safety check Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Wal-Mart parking lot in Shelbyville...

Habitat will dedicate homes, cul-de-sac (10/05/07)
Thanks to the generous gifts and hard work of a large and diverse group of people from across Bedford County, three families have new homes to call their own on McBride Lane. These homes, built by Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity, and the cul-de-sac, named in memory of late Habitat director Jim McBride, will be dedicated in a ceremony beginning 10 a.m. Saturday...

Shelter pets waiting for adoption (10/04/07)
With October designated as National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, Bedford County Animal Control director Michael Gregory and his staff are hoping people around the county will find it in their heart to adopt one of the many dogs they have in their care...

Heart Walk planned Oct. 28 (10/02/07)
Whether making deals or cutting costs, businesses know that what happens today can shape tomorrow. That's why local companies will take steps toward stronger, healthier lives at the American Heart Association's annual Heart Walk at 1 p.m. on Oct. 28 at the Fly Arts Center on South Main Street...

AEDC honors health and service agencies (09/27/07)
ARNOLD AFB -- When Col. Arthur Huber decided to revive the "Evening At Arnold" program, which invites guests to Arnold Engineering Development Center for a tour and a reception, he decided to start by honoring the health and human services agencies which serve Arnold's region...

Horse show to benefit Relay for Life (09/26/07)
A new horse show in town announced its judge and title sponsorship Monday. The Ellie Jackson Charity Horse Show will be held Oct. 13 at Bedford County Agriculture and Education Center on Midland Road and Don Milligan will mark the cards. All proceeds from the new show benefit the American Cancer Society...

Special event will promote safety (09/24/07)
October is National Safety Month and community organizations and local public safety departments are getting together to educate the public on this important topic. Wal-Mart Supercenter will host a safety event Oct. 13 starting 10 a.m. Participating will be Volunteer Fire Services Inc., Shelbyville Fire Department, the Shelbyville Police Department and Bedford County Sheriff's Department, Tennessee State Trooopers, Bedford County Emergency Medical Services, the Community Resource Center, the Humane Society, and the Haven of Hope.. ...

Responsible Fatherhood program offered (09/20/07)
The Center for Family Development will provide a support group with a focus on new fathers. In partnership with the Circle of Parents and Conscious Fathering, the Center for Family Development has been awarded a grant that will provide first time fathers a support group and actual instructional information on child development. The Center is one of ten sites chosen nationwide to pilot this program...

United Way kicks off campaign (09/12/07)
United Way of Bedford County announced its $250,000 campaign goal for this fall, showcased two of the agencies that benefit from United Way funding, and recognized some of the top performers from last year's campaign during a kickoff breakfast Tuesday at the Blue Ribbon Circle...

United Way campaign to kick off Tuesday (09/06/07)
United Way of Bedford County will hold a campaign kickoff breakfast Tuesday morning to mark the ceremonial start of the fall fund-raising campaign. The breakfast will begin 7:30 a.m. at the Blue Ribbon Circle on the Celebration grounds, with a brief program at 7:50. Representatives of two United Way-supported agencies will speak, and the fund-raising goal for this fall's campaign will be announced...

The pause that refreshes horse show visitors (08/27/07)
Concessions come in all shapes, sizes, tastes and caloric intake at the 69h annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Those working behind the stands, often behind the scene, are faces of Bedford County neighbors, willing to lend a hand. At the end of the day, when proceeds are counted and bills are paid, according to Roy Bartlette of the American Legion booth, the fun really begins...

Red Cross readies for disaster (08/22/07)
As Hurricane Dean lashed out at the Yucatan Peninsula, memories of Hurricane Katrina rushed to the forefront of many Tennessee minds. Following the storm of 2005, many New Orleans' residents moved to the middle Tennessee area to establish homes and reconnect lives. They know first-hand what preparing for a storm is all about and what happens when there is no plan ready to launch in a crisis...

Benefit battles breast cancer (08/17/07)
Sunday afternoon is for reclining, reflecting and basically catching up for the week ahead. "This Sunday afternoon," said Tamara Smith, the co-hostess of the event, "is for awareness, education and spreading hometown support to those with cancer." The Horizons of Hope is an annual event in Bedford County. ...

County will lease houses to The Next Step Home (08/16/07)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners voted in principle Tuesday night to lease two vacant homes on Union Street to The Next Step Home, a transitional program for women who have been incarcerated or in substance abuse rehabilitation. County Mayor Eugene Ray and County Attorney John T. Bobo were directed to negotiate a lease agreement and bring it back to the commission for final approval...

Trainers donate food for abandoned horses (08/10/07)
Food is on the way to 16 horses rescued on a Lewisburg farm earlier this week thanks to the efforts of the Walking Horse Trainers' Association (WHTA). The horses, whose breeding is not known, were moved by the members of a local rescue shelter to Gallatin's Volunteer Equine Advocates...

Blood donations fall short (08/10/07)
"We don't know where our donors have gone," said Linda Decker. Decker works with the blood services department of the American Red Cross's Tennessee Valley Region. Over the past year, Shelbyville's support of American Red Cross blood drives has plummeted from 50 units of blood each month to fewer than 30. Some months, as few as 15 units have been collected...

Take hot weather precautions (07/30/07)
The dog days of summer have arrived and with the heat index soaring, folks need to take precautions to avoid trouble. According to forecasters, temperatures for this week are expected to stay in the mid 90s with a very little chance for thunderstorm activity. The heat index may rise to 100 degrees and above since the dew point expected to rise through the upper 60s to low 70s this week...

Community Closet will meet needs (07/28/07)
Although many of us don't think about it every day, there are people in Bedford County who are in dire straits and need our help. With that in mind, there's a small yellow building with red trim at 405 Depot Street that has been seeing a lot of activity recently, with volunteers getting it ready to serve those who need it most...

Savage leaves Senior Center board after long service (07/27/07)
After serving faithfully for 26 years on the Senior Citizens Center Board of Directors, June Savage said it was time for her to step down and let someone younger fill her spot. She retired from the board earlier this month. Eleven years of her tenure were spent as chairman of the board...

Taking women ex-cons to the next step (07/20/07)
A delicious dessert buffet brought Bedford countians together last night at the Fly for the community unveiling of a program designed to provide a transitional home for women taking the step back into everyday life after serving jail, prison or drug/alcohol rehabilitation time...

Delk joins CASA; volunteers needed (07/11/07)
Denise Hobbs, executive director for The Center for Family Development, Lynne Farrar, associate director, and Sue Fletcher, program director for Healthy Families, announced the hiring of Bonny D. Delk of Bell Buckle as the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer Coordinator and the Healthy Families' Program Supervisor...

'Next Step Home' helps women return to the real world (06/27/07)
It began with Bible studies held at the jail and the Tony Rice Center, showing women the steps to making a successful comeback in life after having served jail time or rehabilitation. "This is the next step," said Linda Vannatta, member of a group working diligently to create a program for women who are ready for a transition into back into the world...

'Stuff the School Bus' charity drive set (06/26/07)
School may be out right now, but that doesn't mean you can't "Stuff the School Bus" in the meantime. "Stuff the School Bus" is a new initiative for the 2007 school year. United Way of Bedford County is partnering with Wal-Mart and the Bedford County School system to collect and distribute school supplies to needy children in the county...

Fund-raiser will benefit Golczynski (06/22/07)
Though nothing can replace his father, people of middle Tennessee are doing something to provide for Christian Golczynski, son of the late Marine Staff Sgt. Marc Golczynski, who lost his life in combat with Iraqi insurgents on March 27. He was laid to rest in Bedford County with a hero's funeral in Wheel...

Liberty Lions horse show called a success (06/18/07)
Storm clouds loomed on the horizon Friday night, but the 8th annual Liberty Lions Club Walking Horse Show at the Agricultural Extension Center was a dazzling success. Despite the uncertain forecast, about 1,000 fans turned out Friday night to watch 250 entries compete in 32 classes...

Blood supply is critically low (06/07/07)
The Tennessee Valley Region of the American Red Cross, along with other Red Cross blood programs across the nation, has a "critically low" blood supply, with less than one day's supply on hand, compared to the 72-hour supply which is considered a desired minimum level...

DCS creates advisory board (06/07/07)
The Tennessee Department of Children Services [DCS] is developing a new system for dealing with the horrid crime of child abuse that includes involvement from the local community. About 50 people involved with Bedford County's children participated in a community forum Wednesday at the Duck River Electric Membership Corporation auditorium. The effort is part of a system reform of DCS, which has faced criticism in recent years over children who slipped through the cracks...

Mission Possible teaches service (06/06/07)
Youth and adults from churches around Bedford County will join forces for some practical missions work as they take part in Mission Possible 2007 during the week of June 17-22. The mission involves teams of youth and adults helping people in the area who are struggling to make ends meet, by doing light construction and home repairs, painting, landscaping and cleaning up the yard...

Wine tasting helps SBCHA (06/04/07)
Summer Lights was the theme of Saturday night's benefit for the Shelbyville-Bedford County Humane Association (SBCHA). The popular event raised around $5,500 benefiting the utilities and repair of the animal shelter as well as veterinarian bills for the non-profit organization...

A year in China (05/22/07)
Shawn Malone of Shelbyville is seeking support for a 10-month-long trip to China during which he would teach business to English-speaking students and then share his faith when opportunities present themselves. Malone will leave in September and return in June, working with Teach Overseas (teachoverseas.org), an interdenominational, Arcadia, Calif.-based ministry which places mission-oriented teachers into a dozen different countries. ...

United Way allocations suffer (05/03/07)
United Way of Bedford County board of directors voted Wednesday to approve agency allocations for the fiscal year which will begin July 1, but declining contributions to United Way mean the consolidated giving program has less to pass along to its member agencies...

Civic clubs lean heavily on horse show income (04/14/07)
Editor's note: First in a series of stories studying the walking horse industry and its significance to this community. This series will review the industry's impact in Bedford County and all of Middle Tennessee and the steps leaders are taking in seeking solutions to problems within the industry....

Sales tax holiday returns this month (04/12/07)
Tennessee will have a sales tax holiday beginning at 12:01 a.m. April 27 and continuing through 11:59 p.m. April 29. The holiday will be similar to the back-to-school holiday held last August; the items which will be tax-exempt were chosen to benefit families with school-age children, but even those families or individuals without children can realize some savings...

Orr addresses 'In The Bag' audience (04/04/07)
"It's In The Bag," the third annual springtime fund-raiser sponsored by the Community Clinic of Shelbyville & Bedford County, took place with a festive flair Tuesday evening at Blue Ribbon Circle. In keeping with the event theme, handbags and related items were available for silent bidding as the evening began...

Garretson's brave struggle inspires Community (04/02/07)
Unionville native Taylor Garretson is a typical junior high teenager. He loves anything to do with the outdoors, specifically hunting, fishing, baseball and swimming. A popular member of the Community Junior High School student body, this engaging 13-year-old with infectious smile has been battling a valiant fight over the past several months...

Couple avoids jail time for TennCare fraud (03/26/07)
A Shelbyville couple charged with TennCare fraud pleaded guilty on Friday when a jail sentence was converted to probation and restitution ordered. Barbara Jean and David Michael Westmoreland of Robinson Lane were sentenced on two counts of fraud each and placed on probation for two years and six months...

'It's In The Bag' supports clinic (03/23/07)
Following two successful luncheon programs, the third annual fund-raiser for the Community Clinic of Shelbyville & Bedford County, "It's In The Bag," is making a change. Instead of a lunch, this year's event will be a dinner program. The silent auction, featuring a wide assortment of donated handbags or related items, and dinner program will be held Tuesday, April 3. The auction will begin at 5 p.m., followed with dinner at 6. Taking place again at Blue Ribbon Circle, tickets are $10 each...

Clinic meets local need with local support (03/23/07)
Its astounding success can be attributed to two essential factors: ingenuous need and overwhelming support. The Community Clinic of Shelbyville and Bedford County, now in its fourth year providing free health services for working uninsured residents, served 1,390 patients in 2006...

Pancakes for a good cause (03/19/07)
Despite some unease regarding serving time delays, last year's pancake supper sponsored by the Caregiver Relief Program of Bedford County proved a tremendous success -- both for the customer and the fund-raising effort. Caregiver board members have ironed out those delay issues and anticipate even greater success for the second annual pancake supper at First United Methodist Church, coming up Tuesday, April 10...

Relay hopes for $90K this year (03/14/07)
The overwhelming success of last year's local Relay for Life Campaign has primed Judi Burton's ambitions for an even higher goal this year. After surpassing her $60,000 goal by $21,000 in 2006, Burton has set this year's fund-raising goal at $90,000...

Grant will benefit public transportation here (03/13/07)
A portion of a federal U.S. Department of Transportation grant will help South Central Tennessee Development District provide transportation for Bedford County residents who need it, U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon announced. "The Bus and Bus-Related Facilities program provides funding for new and replacement buses and related equipment and facilities," Gordon said. "South Central Tennessee Development District will use the funds to replace vans and upgrade equipment."...

Riding for those who died (03/13/07)
The school resource officer at Harris Middle School is raising money for her bike ride this spring with the Police Unity Tour in Virginia to Washington, D.C., because she remembers a fellow officer killed in the line of duty. Bedford County Sheriff's Deputy Kim Moses Brown was a campus police officer at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, patrolling on a bicycle during the overnight shift when she met Kay Rogers, a motorcycle officer with the Murfreesboro Police Department...

Healthy Woman program kicks off (02/22/07)
A new Healthy Woman program, sponsored by Bedford County Medical Center, kicked-off Tuesday night at Calsonic Arena's Hall of Fame Club with a free health and vendor fair. The fair was followed with a dinner program at Blue Ribbon Circle with Dr. Suzanne Metzger as keynote speaker...

Fighting a brave battle (02/21/07)
Mommy, my head hurts ... Kristy and Chad Napper never imagined the gravity of those words until a few days later when they were told that their beautiful little red-haired daughter had brain cancer. On Jan. 7, Caitlyn Napper celebrated her fifth birthday at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital where she had undergone surgery to remove the cancerous mass from the base of her neck...

Program helps pregnant Hispanic women (02/17/07)
Help is on the way for Hispanic women who are expecting a child through a new program to be offered by The Center for Family Development. The Center is one of seven agencies to recently receive the March of Dimes Chapter Community Grant Award. It will be used to implement the Comenzando bien curriculum, described as a bilingual culturally appropriate, prenatal education curriculum for Hispanic women...

Women's health fair planned (01/31/07)
A "Women's Expo and Health Fair," focusing on women's health issues, will be held Tuesday, Feb. 20, at Blue Ribbon Circle. A dinner program, featuring a guest speaker and special music, will immediately follow. Open to the public, this community event will kick off a new Bedford County Medical Center program called "Healthy Woman."...

Max reaches out to a new world (01/17/07)
A whole new world has recently opened up for 16-year-old Max Michel, thanks to the efforts of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Middle Tennessee's Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives. With the hard work and dedication of hundreds of volunteers and supporters, more than 480 wishes have been granted in Middle Tennessee since the chapter was founded in 2000...

Habitat reviews subdivision plan (01/16/07)
Installation of utilities, locating rights of way and other development decisions were considered Monday night by the Board of Directors of Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity for a subdivision in Shelbyville. That's in addition to scheduling construction of the Christian group's next home, anticipated in early March, according to Habitat President Jim Hill and the organization's new executive director, Bill Parks, who's returned to serve since he's been off the board a couple of years...

Deadline nears for Habitat program (01/16/07)
The deadline for applications for participation in the Habitat for Humanity home construction program is growing less than six weeks from now. Applications are received at any time of the year from people who want to participate in the low income housing project, but applications are processed in January and through February...