News

The county’s new jail and justice center is on track to open Sept. 15 on Hart’s Chapel Road, but county commissioners are still addressing unexpected expenses, and the challenge of keeping the jail properly staffed. Several issues related to the facility were discussed Tuesday night during the meetings of Bedford County Board of Commissioners’ standing committees...

As Learning Way Elementary students pick up their final report cards today, most are probably thinking of fun stuff, rather than the construction about to begin at their school. Bedford County Board of Education members talked about it and shouldered the concern at the board’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday night at Harris Middle School. Over $1 million in school funds, already placed in a restricted account, will need to be spent to complete this new project...

The Times-Gazette is looking for your photos and memories of Dad for our annual Father’s Day section. If sending a photo by itself, we’d prefer photos of Dad with the kids or family. Please identify everyone in the photo and, if applicable, tell us about the occasion...

As of Tuesday, only nine people had registered for the free dental clinic for senior citizens scheduled June 26-27 at Community Clinic of Shelbyville and Bedford County. According to executive director Fredia Lusk, 30 people must be registered by the deadline in order to qualify for the two-day program. ...

A group of high school students will stage a public rally at 11 a.m. Friday at Legislative Plaza in Nashville to protest U.S. warfare in the Middle East. Anna Allison of Bell Buckle, a junior at The Webb School, said she had to take action to help stop what she calls “the unnecessary and inexcusable killing that has gone on for almost 20 years now.” She recruited fellow students and says she hopes the protest will send a strong message...

Burglaries have been reported at three Bedford County homes early this week, according to authorities. •A television, jewelry and prescription drugs were stolen from an unlocked home in the 1000 block of East Depot Street between 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Shelbyville police said...

Bedford County Courthouse was briefly evacuated this (Tuesday) morning after a bomb threat was received on a busy court day. The caller gave no specifics on where the bomb was supposedly located or when it would supposedly detonate, Sheriff Austin Swing said...

It is called the Celebration Spring Fun Show, but don't be fooled by the name. For trainers and riders, this is a major litmus test of what might happen in August at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. It is serious competition in every class...

A grand celebration was held at Cascade Elementary last week when it was announced that students read over 36,000 books this school year through the Accelerated Reading program. Amidst the confetti, signs read: “Readers are Leaders!” This is the newest slogan for the reading program...

The state veterinarian's office is investigating an outbreak of Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) in a group of racing Quarter Horses in Middle Tennessee. Twenty-two horses have tested positive for EP in five locations within Bedford, Rutherford, and Williamson Counties. The horses are all under quarantine and being treated...

A suspect in a vehicle theft at a North Jefferson Street wrecker service was arrested Saturday morning, Shelbyville police said. Jeffrey Brandon Utz, 27, of Petersburg allegedly drove a 2006 Nissan Sentra through and over a fence after taking a CD player and key fob from two other vehicles at Mike’s Towing and Recovery. Video surveillance showed Utz committing the acts around 4 to 5 a.m., police were told...

Bedford County Assessor of Property Ronda Clanton breaks down a cardboard box on Thursday at her new offices on the third floor of Bedford County Courthouse Annex, the white former bank building on the west side of the square. Clanton’s old office in the US Bank building was closed last week, and she plans to be open on Monday in the new location. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney)

Readers of all ages will explore all things space this summer as Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library presents “A Universe of Stories” during its summer reading program. Activities will include a trip to Mars, meeting a Solar System Ambassador, hands-on activities, space-related crafts, art projects, science and engineering experiments, and more...

The heat is on across Middle Tennessee this week with high temperatures climbing from the mid-80s on Monday to the low 90s by Thursday and Friday. After we get some scattered thunderstorms on Sunday, chances drop to 20% from Monday to Wednesday and then mostly hot and dry from Thursday through Saturday...

Marijuana was found on a Shelbyville Central High School student during an active shooter lockdown drill Wednesday, according to a school resource officer’s report. School administrators smelled marijuana near four students in the front lobby and detained them in an office until the drill’s conclusion...

Columbia State Community College has announced 553 students named to the dean’s list for earning academic honors during the spring semester. Local students include Abigail Stroud, Savana Tucker and Carlee Ward, all of Shelbyville. “We are so proud of the students who made dean’s list this semester,” said Dr. Mary Lou D’Allegro, Columbia State vice president for academic affairs. “The academic talent and perseverance of these students are remarkable.”...

Calsonic Kansei is getting a new name, Marelli. CK Holdings, Calsonic Kansei's parent company, has completed its acquisition of Magneti Marelli from Fiat Chrysler, and has decided to combine both companies under the name Marelli. "We selected Marelli after a great deal of analysis," said Calsonic Kansei, now Marelli, CEO Beda Bolzenius. ...

Rec Center kitchen upgraded Generous donation funds new equipment, decorParks and Recreation director Mike Alsup told Shelbyville City Council recently he was happily surprised to learn a special monetary donation was going to be made in order to provide Shelbyville Recreation Center with a full-size functioning kitchen...

Most years, about this time of year, Tennessee Valley Authority would be in the process of trying to bring its reservoirs up to their summer pool level. This year, some of them -- such as Normandy Reservoir -- are already above their summer level, and a few even need to be dropped...

More charges have been filed against several Mulberry women accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart with help from a clerk. Angela Hitchcock and Cassandra Jerina allegedly shoplifted items May 4 and 5 and took them to the checkout line of clerk Shieann Sanders, who scanned only a few of the items in the women's carts. They were arrested last Saturday after being caught in a similar attempt, police said...

One of Bedford County's most iconic locally-owned businesses, Gallagher Guitar Company in Wartrace, will cease production after completing work on a small number of outstanding orders. The closure of the business has been discussed for some time on social media, with the company acknowledging the closure, but the company did not release an official public statement until Wednesday. No specific reason was given for the closure...

Shelbyville City Council is tightening up portions of the permitted fireworks stand ordinance to bring it in line with state standards before annual Independence Day sales begin. This ordinance change was recently approved by council on first reading. A public hearing will be opened June 18 during council's regular monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Council has moved from its usual second Thursday meeting date in June for new fiscal year budget purposes...

Bedford County Board of Commissioners received copies Tuesday night of a proposed new county zoning manual, which they will study and consider next month. Planning and zoning director Chris White said the new manual was "the culmination of a couple of years of work." This would be the 10th time the county's zoning rules have been amended since they were first passed in 1997...

Police checking a man who fell asleep in his vehicle Tuesday night at a North Main Street convenience store allegedly found crystal meth in his clothing. Frankie Dale Blanton, 55, of Unionville-Deason Road admitted buying the drug from a supplier he refused to name, police said. Bags containing digital scales and items containing a white residue were allegedly found in Blanton's vehicle...

Vietnam veteran Curtis Posey was part of an Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee trip to Washington on May 1. Honor flights are designed to give veterans the chance to see the war memorials in Washington and honor them for their service. Posey was drafted in 1966, at age 19. ...

More than 100 Columbia State Community College students were recently honored for excellence in academics, leadership and service at the 53rd Annual Student Honors Convocation. Savana Tucker of Bell Buckle received the Academic Disipline Award in philosophy and was recognized for her efforts as a peer leader. (Submitted photo)

Bedford County Board of Commissioners, meeting Tuesday night, approved asking the state's top expert on courtroom security to look at plans for the county's new judicial building. General Sessions Judge Charles Rich appeared before the commission to report on a recent meeting of the county's courtroom security committee...

The National Association of Letter Carriers’ “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive on Saturday collected 2,425 pounds of non-perishable food items for the Good Samaritan Association. (Submitted photos)

Bell Buckle Chamber of Commerce has announced that country singer T. Graham Brown and his wife, Sheila Brown, will serve as king and queen of the 25th annual RC Cola-Moon Pie Festival, June 15 in Bell Buckle. T. Graham Brown has had multiple chart hits including the number one hits "Hell and High Water," "Don't Go To Strangers" and "Darlene," all from the 1980s. ...

Two men were charged with aggravated assault Monday night after an alleged attack on a Shelbyville man sent him to Vanderbilt Medical Center with a head injury. David Fitzgerald Smith, 52, and his son Austin Lee Smith, 28, both of Minkslide Road, each posted $10,000 bonds...

Members of Beta Iota Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha held their May meeting at the home of Janie Burke with Linda Nichols serving as co-hostess. Officers for the 2019-2020 year were installed by outgoing president Sharon Lowery. New business was discussed including programs for the upcoming year. From left are Andrea Sublett, president; Rebecca Jones, vice president; Brenda Knight, secretary; Janie Burke, treasurer; Lucille Sorrells and Barbara Smith, educational directors; and Lowery. The June meeting will be hosted by Sublett and Jones. (Submitted photo)

Incoming officers for Shelbyville Woman’s Club for 2019-2020 are: seated, Geneva Melson, president; back, left to right, Lila Beasley, first vice president; Frances Baucom, secretary; Gay Ervin, outgoing president and yearbook co-chair; Judy Sliger, treasurer; and Mary Ann Davis, second vice president and program chair. (T-G Photo by Dawn Hankins)

The joint city-county Economic Recruitment and Tourism Development Committee, meeting Monday, recommended that city and county governments each contribute $100,000 to hire a new industrial recruiter, to begin work in the 2019-2020 fiscal year which begins July 1...

Community High School held a signing day ceremony for its most recent military recruits, similar to the ceremonies held when an athlete signs with a college. “I believe the true heroes that protect this great country deserve a signing day and recognition,” said Chris Grooms, Community’s head football coach. Front row, from left: Tyler McBride, son of Crystal McBride and Mike McBride, signed a four-year commitment to serve in the infantry of the U.S. Marine Corps; Jayden Moody, son of Chrissy and Greg Conway, signed a four-year commitment to serve in the U.S. Army as an airborne infantry ranger; Nathan Derting, son of Wendy Derting, signed a four-year commitment to serve in the U.S. Army in satellite communications; and Zac Monroe, son of Debbie Monroe and Mike Monroe, signed a four-year commitment to serve in the U.S. Navy in aviation ordnance. Back row: Luke Bowling of Community, Mike Martin of the U.S. Navy, Staff Sgt. Lloyd of the U.S. Army (first name unavailable), and Grooms. (Submitted photo)

A clerk at the Shelbyville Walmart was charged with helping three friends attempt to shoplift hundreds of dollars’ worth of merchandise from the store Saturday afternoon, police said. All four suspects are from Mulberry, according to officer Chris Vest’s report...

Russ Uselton discussed the beef industry in a presentation to Bedford County Farm Bureau Women at their May meeting. Uselton explained that Tennessee is a cow-calf production state, ranking 12th in the nation. The main export market for U.S. beef is Japan, and U.S. beef is preferred by most export nations. He said women play key ledership roles in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Tennessee Beef Industry Council. Jennifer Houston of Sweetwater is the current president of National Cattlement’s Beef Association. (Submitted photo)

This year’s American Cancer Society Relay For Life, planned for May 31 at Bedford County Agriculture and Education Center, looks to be one of the most active in recent memory, with new additions such as a midnight concert by the band Double Shot, tug-of-war and cornhole tournaments, and optional arts, crafts and exercise activities...

A photo of Emory and Erin Feldhaus, submitted by father and husband David Feldhaus, was chosen as the winner of the Times-Gazette’s “Mommy & Me” photo contest, sponsored by Talk Of The Town Children’s Boutique on the square, with DSC Sanitation and Domino’s on Madison Street as additional sponsors...

Ray Wiser will push his wife, Dian, or “Grammy” as she’s better known, into church this Mother’s Day in a wheelchair. However, there is no sadness at the Sunday dinner table of celebration as by month’s end, they hope to be dancing together again. Dian lost her left foot recently due to an illness. For this couple who’ve performed for years at benefits for other people, the community is paying it forward...

Chase Clanton of Shelbyville has accepted an offer of lifetime membership in The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the nation’s preeminent certified honor society for high-achieving first-and-second year college students. “NSCS is more than just a symbol of academic achievement; it is a distinction of honor,” said Stephen S. ...

The bank account of a Shelbyville woman has been completely depleted since January by a scammer who convinced her she’d 2on $150,000, Shelbyville police said Friday. Calls began coming in January to the woman’s cellphone. She was told to send $2,000 to FedEx to receive the money. That request was followed by demands for more money...

Community Clinic of Shelbyville and Bedford County has served 1,027 adults since the state/county fiscal year began last July, according to a recent news release. Of those, 152 patients received free pap smears and mammograms through the Tennessee Breast and Cervical Screening Program. This program allowed the clinic to receive $6,603 from the Federal Government...