News

Emily Osterhaus was told at a young age she’d likely never bear children. Fast forward to 2021, when she and her husband, Jonathan, occasionally tool around in an older model bus/camper — one which bunks 11. “It looks like a tour bus for a singing group or [we’re] trying to hide out a famous country music singer,” says Emily. “When we go places we get looks!”...

Harris Middle Principal Neil Watson will take his final walk down the hallways soon. After four-plus years at the helm, he’s accepted the position of human resources director for Bedford County School System. Superintendent Tammy Garrett recently announced the appointment, which is effective July 1. The superintendent said the open HMS principal position is posted and the announcement of Watson’s replacement should be made by May 17...

A rainbow’s beauty shines above downtown Shelbyville after a strong storm brought more high winds to Bedford County early Thursday night.

Let the good times roll. United Way of Bedford County’s annual Mardi Gras/shrimp and crawfish boil kicks into action 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 21, at the Blue Ribbon Circle on the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration grounds. Come join in the fun, organizers advise. Those wanting to wear a Mardi Gras mask will be able to make one at the all-you-can-eat and drink event...

A portion of the metal roof of Quality Auto Sales and Body Shop, at the corner of East Depot and Thompson Streets in the building known to many as Model Laundry for years, was peeled back and thrown into the adjoining property of Daniel’s Paint & Body Shop by high wind during a thunderstorm Thursday night.

A woman who thought she had become a Facebook friend of country music singer Jamey Johnson narrowly escaped being defrauded of thousands of dollars, Shelbyville police said. The victim said she started receiving messages on Facebook shortly after accepting what she thought was a friend request from Johnson. ...

Criminal Justice III student, Kaylee Ruth, uses forensic finger printing techniques to locate and lift fingerprints from glass. A senior, she plans to attend college and study forensic science upon graduating from SCHS.

I’m afraid it’s not a very good looking forecast that I bring you this week as we are going to see showers for the weekend, about 40% on Saturday, but they are likely on Sunday and the chance will even continue on Monday and Tuesday. High temperatures for the early part of next week look to only be in the upper 60s. We should see temperatures start to get back around 80 degrees from May 15-19...

It’s official: Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville’s new campus has been funded. The state’s 2021-22 budget included $42.4 million in funds for the new campus, to be built in 231 North Business Park. TCAT-Shelbyville currently has a waiting list of 550 students, primarily because of space limitations at its flagship facility on Madison Street in Shelbyville. ...

A swath of strong winds left a narrow path of damage across portions of northwestern and north central Bedford County around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday. The heaviest damage occurred at Gilmore Livestock on U.S. 231 North near the Bedford County line. Owner Mike Gilmore said he didn’t hear anything out of the ordinary, wind-wise, as the storm blew apart a metal hay barn and took a portion of the roof off another nearby barn. Tin from the barn could be seen scattered in an eastbound direction...

A man stopped for driving on a suspended license was arrested on a drug charge Monday, according to an arrest warrant. Mykiah Calvin Simon, 24, of Murfreesboro had 6.05 grams of crystal methamphetamine in his possession, Detective Nathan Everhart said in the charging document. Simon was charged with possession of a schedule II drug for resale and second offense driving on a suspended license...

A swath of high wind swept a portion of north central Bedford County early this (Tuesday) morning, leaving a trail of damage from Anderton Road to Big Springs Road to U.S. 231 north of Deason. Residents said they heard the wind suddenly become loud but no one saw a funnel cloud. A severe thunderstorm warning had been issued for the area by the National Weather Service...

The county is working to secure a grant which will serve to reroof the old historical jail, Bedford County Commissioner Linda Bomar Yockey recently told Shelby Chapter DAR members. She likes the rock building, because of the historical presence it represents for Bedford County. But she told DAR members it’s the “stuff” associated with the old place of incarceration and other historic areas, now owned by the county, which remain an eyesore...

“Soup” and now, a COVID-19 shot — two things Shelbyville Community Soup Kitchen volunteers are trying to offer free to its guests during the pandemic. The local soup kitchen, which hands out meals every Tuesday afternoon, has tossed around recently the idea of offering free COVID-19 vaccines to its clients...

The Town of Wartrace will hold its annual strawberry festival Saturday, May 15 — a day of celebrating spring and all things strawberry in historic downtown Wartrace. The event promises to include arts and crafts, baked goods, a strawberry parade and bake-off contest from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be fresh strawberries, as long as they last...

A suspect driving a stolen truck is accused of trying to outrun — by vehicle and foot — a Bedford County deputy early Sunday night. Bedford County Deputy Josh Nave was looking for a reported abandoned truck and found it with Katie Marie Ivey, 29, of Woodbury at the wheel on Leeann Drive in the Thompson Creek area shortly after 6 p.m. Ivey allegedly tried to strike Nave with the truck as she sped off...

A suspect failed to self-scan $465 worth of items at Walmart on Saturday, Shelbyville police were told by a loss prevention specialist. Bessie Mae Anderson, 40, of Fairfield Pike was charged with shoplifting and posted $1,500 bond. Two other shoplifting incidents were reported to area authorities over the weekend...

The driver of this vehicle is removed by Shelbyville Fire & Rescue and Bedford County Emergency Medical Service personnel after being pinned in Friday morning after a collision with a three-quarter-ton truck at the Madison Street-Celebration Drive intersection. The victim's name and condition were not available at press time Friday. The truck sustained far less damage.

Lynn Hulan was guest speaker at the April meeting of Shelby Chapter DAR. Regent Ardis Rittenberry-Caffey introduced Hulan as someone having a green thumb and artistic, and added, “The thing that impressed me the most, after her children were out of the home, [was how] she went back to MTSU and got her degree in historic preservation.”...

Bedford Cancer Foundation will host its annual Walking for Cancer horse show 5 p.m. Saturday, May 8, at Champions Arena on the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration grounds. Each year, the show is dedicated to the memory of an individual in the community and for 2021, the foundation has selected the late Martha Loraine Davis Sutton...

A group of Community Middle School students got an unexpected lesson in drug laws when school resource officer Cam Ferrell received a report of a seventh grade classroom smelling like marijuana. “Upon entering the classroom I did smell a strong odor of burnt marijuana,” Ferrell said in his report...

The weekend will start out with sunshine and 70s on Saturday but enjoy, because we have to put a chance of showers in the forecast for Sunday with an increase in clouds and that will begin an unsettled weather pattern that will bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms all the way through Wednesday...

An estimated 2,000 K-12 Bedford County students are expected to attend the school system’s free summer learning camp, which is planned for May 25 through June 18, at respective school sites, according to Becky Miller, coordinator. Bedford County Board of Education members said recently how they couldn’t be happier that this many students, out of a population around 8,700, are taking advantage of this free, academic opportunity. ...

The Webb School is embarking on several capital projects and improvements to enable the school to grow, school officials said this week. The school reports there are presently 90 Bedford County students enrolled at the private school. Projects planned during the next several years are focused on augmenting the school’s domestic and international boarding program, increasing the overall day and boarding student body, and enhancing facilities and programming for the entire Webb community.  ...

Bedford County deputies investigating a report of a man swinging a machete Monday found Kyle Randall Witt, 35, who allegedly claimed he was looking for lost keys and using the weapon to cut high grass along Cedar Grove Road. Witt, who deputies said is “homeless,” told them he’d had a helicopter helping them search and had taken Xanax...

On the eve of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April), a former Bedford County sheriff’s deputy who was originally charged with aggravated rape took a plea deal March 26 that will have him serving three years of supervised probation with no prison time, no fines and he will not have to register as a sex offender...

While COVID-19 has caused a lot of difficulty in the community, and in particular within the school system, internet sales are attributed for current increased sales tax collections-those which in turn will help the school system. Bedford County Finance Director Robert Daniel recently reported to school board members that sales tax collections are running at $334,000 ahead of same time last year. The internet sales trend has certainly helped this year with revenues, according to Daniel...

Ashlyn Brannon and Mary Gay Burton, owners of the new North Main Marketplace at Merchants Walk on North Main Street, said while they had marketed their recent store preview as a “soft opening,” the overwhelming presence of over 200 people likely changed that premise...

A driver struck two utility poles early Sunday, suffering injuries severe enough to require airlift to a Nashville hospital after the second crash on Lane Parkway, Shelbyville police said. Officer Chris Vest found the first crash site on Madison Street as Officer Dylan Bliss was investigating the second...

Expect a wet start to your weekend with rain and a few thundershowers for Middle Tennessee on Saturday. We get a clearing trend on Sunday so it will definitely be the best day of the weekend. A huge warming trend is coming early next week and you’re going to love it with high temperatures getting above 80 degrees for Monday and Tuesday with sunshine!...

English churchman Robert South once said, “If there be any truer measure of a man than by what he does, it must be by what he gives.” In honor of National Volunteer Week, we’re highlighting three local non profits which recently reached out to help ‘the least of these.’...

First Community Bank (FCB) has added Keith Canter to its Board of Directors. Canter is CEO of First Community Mortgage, and one of the 19-year-old organization’s founders. “Keith already has a close working relationship with the bank and with so many people in our community that his joining First Community Bank’s board is a natural,” says Scott Cocanougher, CEO of the bank, who also is a board member. ...

A man who told police he is an employee of a Nashville hemp store was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute following a traffic stop Wednesday night. William Cody Seals was clocked at 66 mph in a 50 mph zone, Officer Dylan Bliss said in a report...

It’s amazing how life can change in the blink of an eye. The events life sends our way can raise the question of “why me?” Shelbyville Central High School junior Cayden Puckett is a testament to these statements. The talented football player and coach’s son has experienced the highest of highs and now the lowest of lows — all in a matter of two years...

The question of exactly who owns the land where a gate is blocking a Duck River access point on Warners Bridge Road remains up in the air following Bedford County Commission committee meetings Tuesday. But the question’s answer may not matter if the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has its way, said Commissioner P.T. “Biff” Farrar to the Rules & Legislative Committee...

Davis Stokes Collaborative, which has overseen school projects in Bedford County for over 20 years, was approved Tuesday by the school board to finally complete a long-awaited Community High classroom wing. However, based on discussions, it is likely the architectural firm has placed its last major school building plan on the boardroom table, at least for the immediate future...

A man who admitted to police he wanted to start a fight with his ex-girlfriend’s new friend was arrested after allegedly running him off Jennings Lane on Monday afternoon. Michael Shane Christie, 47, of Saddlewood Drive told police he thought the victim had threatened him and his family and “wanted to settle the disagreement like men.”...

A driver found by city firefighters passed out in his vehicle at a traffic signal was charged with DUI and possession of marijuana Monday night. Caleb Maddox Sawyers, 20, of Petersburg was at the Belmont Avenue-Deery Street intersection shortly before 10 p.m., police said...

Bill Johns of Bell Buckle was quite elated recently to discover his tiny railroad town was featured in an article in a regional magazine this month. Bell Buckle was highlighted as the deep South’s mecca for hosting every third Saturday in June the long-running RC and Moon Pie Festival...

Caring for bees and tress is said to be a year-round endeavor in The Town of Bell Buckle. So Mackenzie Mckillip said recently that she decided to paint about it. The backdrop for her recent mural is the town fire hall.“The town wanted to have a mural related to the Bee City and Tree City USA status, so I wanted to do something colorful and fun. I personally really like insects, and especially bees, so I wanted to make the mural friendly and cute.”...

Community High School held its annual Truck and Tractor Day on Friday. Zach Bowlin drove his great-grandfather’s (Wallace Jones) tractor to school for the event. The antique tractor is a 1975 Ford 5600. Zach was so excited to get to drive the tractor to school, a family member said. 

Bedford County Board of Education has several agenda items to discuss tonight at 5:30, when it meets in regular session at the Cascade High School auditorium. One of those items is the architectural contract for the 24,000 square-foot classroom addition at Community High School...

A suspect was “swept and placed on the ground,” according to a Bedford County deputy’s report, after allegedly resisting handcuff attempts Friday. Rachel Gregory Gotham, 29, of Tollgate Road appeared to be on a stimulant when Deputy Willie Castleman arrived at her home in response to a domestic assault call, his report said...

Shelbyville Woman’s Club held its last meeting of the 2020-2021 service year on Wednesday. Outgoing president Lila Beasley said it has been a tumultuous year for gatherings, but for the club it was still one filled with lots of promise and service. “Not one complaint was voiced to me. ...

It’s OK to clap your hands and express praise during the upcoming gospel Spring Song Fest, being sponsored by Caregiver Relief of Bedford County on Saturday, April 24, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the H.V. Griffin Park Lions Pavilion. Organizers said they wouldn’t have it any other way, as they’re celebrating life...

The City of Shelbyville approved during its recent business meeting to move $100,000 from the general budget fund balance to the industrial development fund for 231 North Business Park-related expenses. The current project is being partially funded by a state grant...

While Shelbyville City Council voted against a motion to approve a solid waste collection fee at its recent business meeting, staff on Friday placed an educational piece on the City website in an effort to help the public understand more about what it deems benefits of an Enterprise Fund...

Within each great nonprofit lies the need to have additional fundraising these days. The Arrowhead Ranch in Normandy is no exception and organizers note they’re grateful to the support of the community each year. Arrowhead Ranch in Normandy opened in October of 2008-a dream of the Sweeney family which became a reality with the purchase 179 acres...

This press release was issued Thursday by Bedford County officials. In the next few days, Bedford County property owners will begin receiving reappraisal notices. Property values in the county have risen in the five years since the last reappraisal, and it’s common for owners who get their notice (and who aren’t looking to sell their property) to become alarmed, thinking a higher property value automatically leads to a higher tax bill...