News

As of Thursday, the local Wreaths Across America program had received only enough donations to place 373 Christmas wreaths at the graves of veterans, and a Dec. 2 deadline is looming. This year, the program is expanding to a total of six cemeteries, instead of just Willow Mount Cemetery. ...

With a record number of Tennessee students applying for TN Promise, tnAchieves, the partnering organization that administers the TN Promise locally, needs 2,600 additional volunteer mentors — including 20 in Bedford County — to ensure each student has a local support system...

Shelbyville Central head coach Justin Palmer talks to sideline reporter Terra Reeves of MyTV30 during last Friday night’s second round 20-17 Class 5A playoff win over top-ranked and previously undefeated Beech. The matchup was the Friday Night Rivals game of the week. The Eagles (11-1) host Summit on Friday night.

Daryl Graham, right, accepts the title to a Ford Mustang convertible from past commander and past adjutant Dave Plumley of American Legion Post #23. Graham won the car in n a raffle conducted by the Legion. Graham and his parents, Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham and Denise Graham, bought three tickets — one in each of their names — at the Bedford County Fair over the summer, and Daryl Graham’s name was drawn as the winner on Sunday, at the conclusion of Bedford County Veterans Day Parade. Plumley, who chaired the raffle, said the Legion considered the raffle to have been a success and noted that it was supported by members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans as well. The Legion will use the funds towards its mission of providing assistance to veterans.

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville will hold a graduation ceremony at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 in the Shelbyville Central High School Auditorium. A total of 214 students met graduation requirements throughout the 2019 year and approximately 85 of these graduates from 13 programs are scheduled to participate in the ceremony. This will be the institution's sixth formal graduation ceremony since beginning the tradition in 2014...

Tickets are now on sale for Songs for Service, a concert organized by country music star Rodney Atkins for Sept. 11, 2020, to benefit MTSU's Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center and Operation Song. Set for MTSU's historic Murphy Center Complex in Murfreesboro, the event was announced earlier this week during Operation Song's Veterans Day performance at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and the website, SongsForService.org, is now available to process ticket sales and share event updates.. ...

A suspect who allegedly pulled out a lighter that resembles a gun in front of a Shelbyville police officer Saturday was charged with aggravated assault on an officer. Nathan Devall Ringer, 31, of Madison Street allegedly began raising the lighter toward Sgt. Jody Shelton with his left hand before dropping it. Ringer then allegedly pointed the fingers of his right hand, held in the shape of a gun, at Shelton before being charged and tackled...

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is calling on all fifth graders from across the state to participate in the 2020 National Missing Children’s Day poster contest. The annual contest, sponsored by the United States Department of Justice, strives to demonstrate America’s united effort to bring missing children home safely, while highlighting the importance of proactive education programs. ...

Assistant Commissioner Travis Murphy, right, of Tennessee Department of Veterans Services spoke Thursday night to the Vietnam Era Veterans about the capabilities his department has to help resolve Veterans Administration medical compensation claims. At left is Brooke C. Grubb, a retired and disabled Army veteran who discussed his own experiences with the VA. For more information about Vietnam Era Veterans, call Tom Taylor, 931-684-2557.

The weekend is looking partly sunny as there will be a few passing clouds from time to time but dry with high temperatures around 55 and lows near 32. Another front is coming late in the week and it will bring showers and a little cooler temperatures for a couple of days but I think it will warm back up toward the 50s by Thanksgiving. ...

Bell Buckle Town Hall will be dedicated 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, to, and named for, the late Eugene F. "Gene" Strobel, a former mayor credited with supporting the rebuild of the town's business district during the late 1970s and 80s. The public event will start with a short ceremony. Town officials will then affix a plaque in memory of their former beloved mayor to the front of the building, right in the heart of the business district, which Strobel loved to stroll...

A request to Shelbyville's state legislative delegation to allow changes to the city charter allowing proceeds from a city hotel-motel tax to be funneled to the city rather than Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce was passed 6-0 by Shelbyville City Council on Thursday night. The city will use the proceeds to fund a new industrial development program which it and Bedford County are working together to create...

For Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, the annual holiday mixer is a fund-raiser but also a chance for members, and even prospective members, to network and enjoy themselves. "It's just a good event," said Chamber CEO Allen Pitner. "We always have a really good crowd, good food." There's no formmal program, just a chance to mix and mingle, to catch up with other local leaders, merchants...

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville has expanded the offerings in its Spring 2020 Supplemental Schedule. The schedule, soon to be released on the college's website, will include additional offerings of anatomy and physiology, and "Math for Meds," which are pre-requisites for entry into the practical nursing program. The courses will now be offered not only in Shelbyville but in Lincoln County and Franklin County...

A man was charged with aggravated burglary and assault after allegedly threatening his father Thursday night at a Regent Drive home. David Phillip Mullins Jr., 49, allegedly threatened to attack and kill his father after entering the home despite being told he was unwelcome. ...

The following people recently were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines: l Elizabeth Murphy of Bell Buckle, at Middle Tennessee State University...

Shelbyville Central High School Class of 1959 held a 60-year reunion. Front row, from left: Sylvia Curtis Warren, Mary Margaret Green Leach, Jerry Freeman, Jim Martin, Mary Ann Himes Shackleford. Second row: Pat Barton Finney, Carolyn Clanton Woodfin, Freda Curbow Alford, Dorothy Cates Williams, Barbara Smith Coop, Judy Parker Spain, Sarah Lee Russell Myracle, Meredith Gordon Earnest, Betty Tucker Thackston. Third row: Wanda Taylor Sleeth, Louise Troxler McEldowney, Judy Spurlock Higgins, Wanda Giles Grissom, Venita Foster McGee, Marie Koonce Parks, Martha Reed Deason, Becky Bowman, Sue Faulkner Cates, Marie Moulder Cartwright. Fourth row: Gary Patton, Gail Luna, Alvis Turrentine, Don Williams, Roger Arnold, Joe Alcorn, Andrew Lane. Fifth row: James Justice, William Woods, Ronald Wright, Buddy Chapman, Don Harrison, Alan Haynes, David Parks, Reagor Branch, Jim Stone, Jim Bomar. Not pictured: Anne Bramblett King, John Templeton.

The Liberty Honor Club hosted “Socktober” during the month of October. Each grade level was asked to bring in socks to donate to Clothe Our Kids of Bedford County. The grade levels competed for a spooky Halloween treat. The club collected over 1,300 pairs of socks. Students had one themed day each week of October. Club members are pictured with Kenzie Miller, vice president of Clothe Our Kids of Bedford County. Not pictured is Whitley Kratz, president of Clothe Our Kids of Bedford County.

Signup dates for the Toys For Tots program will be 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 19-21, at the Chamber of Commerce auditorium on North Cannon Boulevard. Those signing up to receive toys for their family must bring: • Proof of residency (mail with the applicant’s name and address)...

Bedford County schools held events Monday in honor of Veterans Day. At Southside Elementary, seen here, several scouts were on hand to lead the Pledge of Allegiance and present the colors.

Both of Tennessee’s U.S. Senators are sponsors of the Stadiums Operating under New Guidance (SONG) Act, which gives the Federal Aviation Administration the authority to issue temporary flight restrictions for concerts and other events held at outdoor stadiums...

Bedford County Board of Commissioners, meeting Tuesday night, tabled consideration of a resolution in support of Second Amendment gun rights. Commissioner Brent Smith had proposed the resolution. His first version, similar to those passed by several other Tennessee counties, would have declared Bedford County to be a Second Amendment sanctuary county. ...

Author Katy O. Ishee of Normandy will hold a book signing for her new book, “The Village That Saves The Toy Convoy,” Saturday, and again Nov. 30, from 1-5 p.m. at The Iron Horse Pizza in Wartrace. The book was inspired by true events. Ishee is an organizer of the Highway 41 Toy Convoy & Show, which took place Nov. ...

Shelbyville is one of several homes to the Flagship Detroit, a restored DC-3 which tours around the country, and local members of the Flagship Detroit Foundation presented a signed photo of the historic airplane to Shelbyville Municipal Airport to recognize it for its hospitality. From left are Kyle Dennis; airport manater Paul Perry; Flagship Detroit Foundation executive director George Dennis; Jim Ikard and Finny Edwards. Not pitctured: Blake Butler. The plane will be back in Shelbyville in April, giving rides to foundation members and traveling the air show circuit. For more information about the airplane, and the foundation which operates it, go to http://www.flagshipdetroit.org.

Whosoever Will Let Him Come church will hold an appreciation celebration for its senior pastor, Elder C. Charles Griffin, on Sunday on the occasion of his three years of service. John Perkins of Vessels Unto Honor church will speak in the morning service, while Robert L. Pearson of Jackson Street Missionary Baptist Church will speak at the 3 p.m. service. Griffin has been a minister for 23 years and was ordained at the Whosoever Will Let Come Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Lawson B. Howard. He is a 2002 graduate of The American Baptist Theological Seminary and has worked toward his master’s at Vanderbilt University. He has three children and two grandchildren.

Drugs including four ecstasy pills, part of a Xanax pill, 1.99 grams of marijuana and six marijuana roaches were found in a car stopped after its driver allegedly sped from Lentz Street after a reported fight over the weekend, police said. Shelbyville Officer Darrian Lanier said he smelled pot in the car driven by Alexia Nichelle Lott, 22, of Ritchview Drive and called for drug dog Ranger and handler Officer Ramon Castillo. Ranger alerted at a door and Lanier found the drugs, the report said...

Rotary Club of Shelbyville had a program Wednesday from First Choice Pregnancy Counseling Center about the services it offers in the community. From left are Jeff Haynes, Angela Rasnick, and Anita Teague.

Shelbyville City Council has placed on Thursday night's agenda new consideration of a zoning change which failed to win approval in September. The first reading ordinance, if approved, will rezone 12.59 acres east of Trinity Road from R-1 to R-2. Both zones are considered low density residential...

New Beginnings Baptist Church on Madison Street will be one of 5,000 U.S. drop-off locations for Operation Christmas Child during its national collection week, Nov. 18-25. Donors put together shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items. ...

The Shelby Chapter DAR held its October Meeting recently at River Bend Country Club with 18 members and two guests present. Regent Muriel Robinson called the meeting to order and led in the DAR rituals. Sherry Sorrells presented the devotion. The speaker was Helen Moore, who is a Kate Duncan Smith DAR School graduate. ...

There's a specialized program at Middle Tennessee State University that is preparing educators to learn more deeply about ... learning. It's the Specialist in Education, or Ed.S., degree in curriculum and instruction that explores cultural diversity, mental processes, and cognitive neuroscience and their impact on the exciting world of teaching and learning...

Will you be the one whose True Blue blood donation Nov. 18-20 at MTSU can help save three neighbors' lives? MTSU is celebrating nearly a decade of friendly competition with Conference USA rival Western Kentucky University by preparing to "Bleed Blue, Beat WKU" at its annual three-day drive in the Campus Recreation Center, 1848 Blue Raider Drive...

What are you thankful for? The Times-Gazette is planning a special feature for our Wednesday, November 27 issue — the day before Thanksgiving — and we need your help. Grab either a piece of posterboard or the largest sheet of paper you can find, and write what you’re thankful for. ...

Cascade Middle School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) recently partnered with Shelbyville Central High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) in an effort to provide hundreds of coats to help keep Bedford County kids warm. With freezing temps predicted for the coming week, the groups couldn’t have better timing...

A Tullahoma man lost his life in a single-vehicle accident late Tuesday night on Hilltop Road near Flat Creek, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said. Dayne Short, 20, was eastbound on Hilltop Road and lost control of his vehicle on a curve, according to the report. Short’s vehicle crossed the center line, ran off the road and struck several trees and overturning in the middle of the Hilltop Road-Bottle Hollow Road intersection...

A prayer service for detained pastor Bryan Nerren will be held 6 p.m. Sunday at International House of Prayer Ministries on Union Street, the church Nerren pastors. Nerren is currently in India, staying at a hotel under a form of house arrest, unable to travel or return to the U.S. He was arrested by Indian officials on a customs charge while he and two other pastors were on their way to minister to Nepalese families living in India...

Expect a sunny weekend with highs in the 50s, but a real blast of Arctic air comes late Monday and Tuesday with the coldest air of the season. As the cold air pours in Monday night and Tuesday morning there could be a few snow showers. Look for a high temperature on Tuesday only in the 30s and we could drop as low as 19 degrees Tuesday night. I see a gradual warming Trend starting Wednesday and there are no more Arctic blasts for us through November 20...

A Bedford County man was shot by pursuing Georgia deputies as he allegedly drove toward them Tuesday night in Marion County, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said. Grandell Massengale, 24, of Big Springs Road allegedly refused to stop for a deputy in Dade County, Georgia. ...

Christian Singles Group #2 met Tuesday at River Bend Country Club. The speaker was Mary Casey; she and her husband resided in Alaska for over 17 years. They now have chosen Shelbyville as their permanent home. Casey spoke about their experiences in Alaska including weather, housing, transportation, cost of living and health services. Seated, from left: Casey, Wanda Nottingham. Back row: Marie Parsons, Jane Bartlette, Roxanna Francesconi, Myrtle Shields, Pat Hastings, Billie Crowell and Westelle Giles. Present but not pictured: Nancy June Brandon, Rachel Dunagan, Polly Frazier, Rhoda Gunter, Shannon Keele, Ruby Morgan, Peggy Overcast, Christine Rogers and Evelyn Waggoner.

A prayer service for detained pastor Bryan Nerren will be held 6 p.m. Sunday at International House of Prayer Ministries on Union Street, the church Nerren pastors. Nerren is currently in India, staying at a hotel under a form of house arrest, unable to travel or return to the U.S. ...

Prior to Halloween, Cascade High FFA and Health Occupations Students of America members covered themselves in fake blood. This wasn't for trick-or-treat purposes, but rather for a teen driving crash simulation. Texting and driving and ATV safety were the main focus of a recent teen motor vehicle safety program held on the grounds of the new high school on Fairfield Pike...

Shelbyville City Council is slated to consider at its Thursday, Nov. 14, meeting a resolution asking Tennessee General Assembly to amend the private act in the city's charter which currently directs local hotel-motel tax dollars to Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce...

Organizer Tim Estes says he believes Sunday's Veterans Day parade will be another good one, with all three local high school bands, floats, military vehicles, and local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts scheduled to participate. The parade will begin 4 p.m. ...

J Jordan Boutique, on the square Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. each day Talk of the Town Boutique, on the square Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. McGee's Prescription Shop, Union Street Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Flowers For Keeps, Union Street...

Trash tossed out an SUV's window led to two occupants of an SUV being arrested on drug charges Tuesday. Sabrina Elizabeth Rhodes, 24, of Church Street allegedly threw a cigarette butt and paper out the window in sight of Shelbyville Officer Ramon Castillo on U.S. 231 North. Castillo charged Rhodes with littering, smelled marijuana and found a still-burning joint, grinder and pipe in the console, his report said...

Bedford County Sheriff Austin Swing spoke this week to Shelbyville Rotary Club, updating the club on the progress of the new jail and justice center. Swing, left, is seen with club member Ivan Jones.

Tennessee Lions District Governor Katie Guthrie-Shearin presented Sheriff Austin Swing with a box of stuffed animals to distribute to his deputies. These will be used to give to children involved in incidents to help comfort them during trying times. the toys were collected from Lions at a recent meeting.

It’s not a secret. Family farms nationwide are squeezed from all sides by the big companies that sell them equipment, seeds, tools and supplies and by the companies that buy their crops. The viability of smaller family farms is also threatened by corporate-owned mega-farms, who, with their dominance in the marketplace, are driving down prices paid to producers...

Porsches, new and classic, took over the south side of the Shelbyville square Saturday as members of the Musik-Stadt car club gathered for breakfast before a two-hour club drive of scenic area backroads ending in Manchester. John T. Bobo of Shelbyville plannned the drive. Shown here are several modern models including the Boxster and iconic 911.

Two suspects face drug charges after a traffic stop Wednesday on Unionville-Deason Road, according to court documents. Bedford County Deputy Jared Featherstone found a loaded 9mm pistol, a cup containing crystal meth, two jars containing about a half-pound of marijuana in individual packages, Xanax pills in a container and plastic bags in the car...