News

A ribbon cutting was held on Thursday for the new Wallace B. Cartwright Bedford Early Head Start facility, located at 515 Rock St. This is just one of four Head Start facilities in Bedford County, according to Laure Hopper, Head Start program director...

Two area businesses and two county fairs will receive a combined $100,622 in state funding to encourage economic development and promote agriculture in Bedford and Lincoln counties, State Rep. Pat Marsh (R-Shelbyville) said Friday. “I was proud to support these investments to further economic development and agricultural interests in our community,” Marsh said. ...

A solar energy farm near the city-county industrial park on Frank Martin could cause problems in addition to benefitting Bedford County, Planning & Zoning Director Chris White told Bedford County Commission’s Rules and Legislative Committee on Tuesday...

Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association (TWHBEA) hosted its Summer Sizzler at Calsonic Arena on Thursday. The event featured a halter show, with Judge Newton Parks, and an evening show with 39 classes presented and judged by Jamie Bradshaw...

A Bedford County deputy was injured while in foot pursuit of a suspect Wednesday. Deputy Teddy Taylor was chasing Tyler Womack after stopping his truck for nonfunctioning taillights at 1:41 a.m. on East Lane Street. Womack, 25, of Shelbyville Mills Road, was last seen running toward the former Dixie Grain complex when Taylor suffered a leg injury, as described in the police report. Sheriff Austin Swing described it as a hamstring injury...

Warren Wells, left, new chief executive officer (CEO) of Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration (TWHNC), was recently guest speaker for Shelbyville Rotary Club. Mark McGee was program facilitator.

Shiloh United Methodist Church members in the Wheel community said recently that they’re praying for yet another successful homecoming, which is set this year for Sunday, Aug. 1. Kevin Williams and Charlotte Ritchie are this year’s special guests. The small, white pristine UMC, which is always filled with lots of song and worship and preaching by pastor Jon Bell, is located at 2574 Highway 64 West...

I think we will see pop-up thunderstorms starting again this weekend but they will be scattered and much of the day we will just be partly cloudy and hot with high temperatures near 90 degrees. It is looking like this hot weather will carry into the first week of August at least and I would not be surprised If late next week we are getting into the mid-to-upper 90s across our area...

Bedford County Board of Education covered a lot of school policies Tuesday during its regular business meeting — some small changes and other completely new directives handed down to the grassroots level by the state. Director of Schools Tammy Garrett led each of the state law descriptions and local policy revisions during the meeting...

Adam Thomas of Shelbyville was introduced by outgoing District 6 Bedford County Commissioner Chasity Gunn as her potential replacement during Tuesday’s meeting of the commission’s Rules and Legislative Committee. Gunn is marrying soon and will be moving from the district. ...

The 23rd annual Bedford County Fair truly has something to offer everyone at the Ag Center on Midland Road. On Friday at 7 p.m., a mini pull will be held. The competition includes V-8 mini rods, outlaws and garden tractors. The class is dedicated to the memory of Chris Bussell...

Schedule from Community Clinic, Dover Street July 30—1st Dosage (Back To School Event) 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. *H.V. Griffin Park—pavillion next to playground, 220 Tulip Tree Road Aug. 3—1st dosage—200 Dover St. Suite 202 Aug. 19—2nd dosage—200 Dover St. Suite 202...

The best part of the restaurant business for Brett MacDonald, 41, was the buildout. While living in his hometown of Birmingham, Ala., MacDonald built three different restaurants: Fuego Cantina, a late-night, live-music venue; Metroprime, a steakhouse; and, The Grape, a wine bar franchise...

The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration has selected Chris Bobo, Derek Bonner, Brent Grider, David Sisk and Dale Watts to judge its 83rd Annual Celebration, the premier event on the Tennessee Walking Horse industry’s calendar. The panel will include a newcomer Watts to center ring and include judges from Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina and Mississippi...

Bedford County Board of Education meets in regular session 5:30 p.m. today at the Central Office on Madison Street. Action items include policies for school visitors and interscholastic athletics. Other policies to be discussed include teacher tenure, alternative education and attendance...

Several large thefts have been reported to area law enforcement over the past few days. •A small, portable safe containing $17,000 was stolen within the past two weeks from a home on Lane Parkway, police were told. The safe had been inside a bedroom closet...

It was a busy weekend in Shelbyville and Bedford County. Volunteers with two worthy non profits were working hard in the summer heat. United Way of Bedford County held its annual “Stuff the Bus” Day Saturday at the Walmart Supercenter. Despite the overcast skies the response was outstanding with people donating much needed school supplies for county students in need as well as making cash donations...

A suspect was charged with aggravated assault following an alleged road rage incident Saturday morning on U.S. 231 North just inside the Bedford County line. William Colton Cantrell, 24, of Tullahoma and another driver were southbound shortly after 8 a.m., a Bedford County Sheriff’s Office report said...

Floridian Lacey Deeds has been selected to serve as chief executive officer at Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce. Also referred to as the director, Deeds advised she is already waking up at 2 a.m., writing in her notebook about tourism potentials which come to her mind for this community...

City Manager Joshua Ray met with County Mayor Chad Graham and new Chamber of Commerce CEO Lacey Deeds about the roles between the City’s new Tourism Advisory Board and the Chamber. Ray explained the Chamber is looking to help the City and County with tourism-based projects, such as the Duck River Corridor expansion and downtown Shelbyville improvement projects...

“It will be fully business as usual in Bedford County schools next year,” Director of Schools Dr. Tammy Garrett told Bedford County Commission at its Tuesday night meeting. “The state has said COVID protocols will be left up to the districts. So we will be pre-COVID, we are going back to what we were before,” Garrett said. “If parents don’t want their children in school that will be their choice.”...

While intently coloring a picture pink with markers, 4-year-old Alyvia “Punkin” Shipley recalls calling her mom’s friend on the phone recently, because her mother was sick. She may not quite fathom yet how that call likely saved her mother’s life. In the heat of a medical emergency, Alyvia managed to get past her mother’s passcode on her phone. That is something neither of them can currently remember transpiring...

A teenager who claimed to be a gang member waved a pistol while threatening a skateboarder Wednesday afternoon at H.V. Griffin Park, then displayed the weapon to a police officer a few minutes later, according to a Shelbyville Police Department report...

Multiple charges were filed against a woman who allegedly broke into an acquaintance’s home and vehicle, taking money and keys. The victim was hiding after a family member received a call asking if he was at home and watched Stacey Louise Dudeck, 43, shake the front door, enter and depart the Shelbyview Drive residence, Shelbyville police said. Vehicle and house keys, his cellphone, wallet and $8 were gone when she left, the victim told police...

Looks like quite a bit of rain is coming our way for the weekend and the period from Saturday through Monday could bring us several inches. We may hear some Thunder but mostly it is a rain system. Up till now July has been below normal on temperatures in Bedford County but it looks like that is going to be changing pretty soon. ...

Perseverance is the word of the month for the Shelbyville Woman’s Club. And it's the ideal word to represent the Shining Stars club, a program that helps students with special needs. The dining room at River Bend Country Club was certainly “shining” as the woman’s club hosted two young speakers from Shining Stars at their monthly meeting Wednesday...

Bedford Cancer Foundation’s Walking for Cancer Horse Show was a success. The nonprofit was able to raise over $20,000 at its annual Walking for Cancer Horse Show. After the 2020 show was canceled due to COVID, organizers said they were unsure how the 2021 show would go...

Professional beekeeper Ed Holcombe stopped by Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library recently to present a beekeeping 101 class.

Lynfield Gardens in Bell Buckle specializes in pick-your-own flower bouquets but also blackberries. Try blackberry pops for a refreshing July treat. See story on the gardens in the July 31 Bedford Life magazine.

Two Bedford County veterans were recognized recently at the DAV meeting for their military service with Quilts of Valor. Amy Martin, QOV representative, honorably wrapped veterans—Larry Edward Cornett, who served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1968 and Charles William Heier, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1974...

Bedford County Commission voted Tuesday night to purchase 33 acres of land on U.S. 231 North for expansion of the city-county industrial park during its monthly meeting. Commissioners voted 13-1-1 in favor of the land buy, which supporters say will provide much-needed direct access to U.S. 231 as urged by industrial recruitment experts...

Shelbyville-Bedford County Economic Advisory Committee met Monday to discuss tourism and workforce development updates. However, since City Council established a seven-person Tourism Advisory Board in May, there’s been confusion over the roles of the Chamber of Commerce...

A woman who allegedly claimed she saw boxes of severed heads alongside Madison Street was arrested early Tuesday after attempting to force her way into an East Depot Street home, according to Shelbyville police. Patricia Leeann May, 27, who police said is homeless, was charged with public intoxication. May told police she heard children crying inside the home and wanted to help them. A companion told officers he heard no crying...

Jake Ozburn of Bedford County exhibited seventh overall ($3,000) in market steer at the 2021 Tennessee Junior Beef Expo in Lebanon earlier this month. The steer was donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee through the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association (TCA) Second Harvest Initiative. A total of nearly 3,000 pounds of beef was donated from the event. Jake said his win was very special but bottom line, it was more rewarding knowing the steer was going to be used to feed hungry families.

H.V. Griffin Park’s playground is currently off-limits to visitors. Shelbyville Parks and Recreation Director Mike Alsup said, “We will be moving the deteriorated mulch off the site and then filling with compacted soil to level the site in preparation of the installation of the new playground, before the installation team arrives mid-August. The new playground will take about 6 weeks to construct.” The park received a grant this year from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee to build a new Celebration Station. The City’s Never Rest Park and Purdy Court are still available for public use this summer.

Bedford County Republican Party hosted a community forum Monday night with Shelbyville-Bedford County Economic Director Shane Hooper. In his speech, Hooper emphasized the importance of bringing more job opportunities to Bedford County. And when daddies can be daddies, they can have great wives. And great wives can make great mothers. And when you have a great mom and a great dad, you’re going to have great children. And when you have great families, you have great communities,” he said...

Misti Appleby’s family started The Fruity Lemon food truck in 2017, after her son, Christian, tasted her new fruit tea recipe and said, ‘Mom, you need to sell this!’ The rest of Shelbyville and the surrounding area apparently loves Misti’s fruit tea as much as Christian. That’s pretty true, judging from the number of followers on their Facebook page...

“Stuff the Bus” day is planned for Saturday at the Walmart Supercenter from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Board members will have tables set up to collect supplies. Thanks to local donations, Newell Brands and the Shelbyville Optimist Club, UWBC Director Mark McGee said records have been set for supplies collected and distributed each of the past three years...

A reception was held last Friday afternoon for Ronette Tillman (seated) who is retiring from Bedford County Clerk's office after 30 years of service. She received numerous cards, flowers and gifts from well-wishers.

Dicky Thorpe of Shelbyville won 1st Place in “People’s Choice” both days and therefore won The Tennessee Chili 3 Star Championship during the First Square Fair Cookoff, held Friday and Saturday on the historic public square. See more photos and winner announcements in Saturday’s Life and Leisure.

Bedford County Board of Zoning Appeals approved the construction of a solar farm off of Frank Martin and Eady roads in a special-called meeting in early June. The project is estimated to cost $20 million and will not be funded by the county but by the multiple companies involved in the construction, according to Chris White, director of Bedford County planning and zoning...

Bedford County Fair organizers note they’re glad the famous Ferris wheel will be turning again July 19-24, following a hiatus last season during the pandemic. After all, it’s a “Hometown Tradition,” which is by the way, this year’s event theme. The fair is held at the Bedford County Agriculture Center on Midland Road. ...

Cheryl Daniel isn’t giving up hope. The mother of Chloie Leverette and Gage Daniel, last seen moments before a blaze consumed their home near Unionville on Sept. 23, 2012, held a joint birthday party for them Sunday. Chloie would be 18 today, Gage 16...

A man who allegedly hit his mother in the face, pushed her to the ground and threw a baseball bat at her Friday was being held on $100,500 bond Monday, a Bedford County Sheriff’s Office report said. Shannon Lee Maxwell Jr., 23, of Maxwell Chapel Road was allegedly arguing with his mother and grandmother at an El Bethel Road home. His mother got between Maxwell and his grandmother with the bat after he allegedly began running toward her, the report said...

Shelbyville’s City Council and Mayor voted to pass the motion to set the new property tax rate at $1.59 in Thursday evening’s meeting. The vote was split again, with council members Henry Feldhaus, Stephanie Isaacs and Rick Overcast voting yes on the motion, and council members Marilyn Ewing, Gary Haile, and William Christie voting no and instead for the state certified rate of $1.36...

During the past two Shelbyville City Council meetings, residents have spoken out against the new proposed tax rate of $1.59 per $100 of assessed value. Councilman Henry Feldhaus has voted in favor. When originally introduced by Feldhaus, and approved for discussion by the other council members, the proposed tax rate was $1.69. The June 1 study session lowered that to $1.59...

Shelbyville’s First Choice Pregnancy Center will host its 15th annual fish fry on Saturday, July 17, at Walnut Ridge Farm, 1198 Whiteside Hill Road, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event will feature freshly fried fish and chicken as well as a live auction, blow-ups, “hair” painting for kids, and even a zipline. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the pregnancy center on Madison Street for $10 or at the door for $15. Kids 12 and under eat free...

These guys have been through thick and thin together as Vietnam veterans. Receiving Quilts of Valor recently were, from left, Kenneth Price, Jim Hester, Ron Cooper, Curtis Posey and Andrew Lane. They served together in Vietnam from 1967-1968.

Calvary Baptist Church recently held its annual God and Country program. Several Quilts of Valor were presented by Rhonda Styer. Receiving the quilts were Judy West, David Ward, James Davidson, Tony Thibodeaux, Donnie Porter, Matthew Cooper and William Crews. Those receiving quilts, but not available for photos, were Michael Ruess, Savannah Jones and Tony Little...

Crystal Moore snapped this picture recently of her daughter enjoying the Fourth of July and all its glory at her Bell Buckle home.