News

According to a report from the University of Tennessee's County Technical Assistance Service, it will take 61 people to staff the new Bedford County Jail once it opens this fall, as compared to the current 41 people working at the current jail and workhouse locations on Lane Parkway...

The brother and sister of Keri King have sued driver Edgar Omar Torres-Rangel, who is still at large, and the owners and operators of the event facility on Anderton Road over the Oct. 21, 2018 motor vehicle accident that killed King. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Bedford County Circuit Court, seeks $7.5 million in compensatory damages and $15 million in punitive damages. They also seek an order of abatement prohibiting further use of the property by any of its partners or principals...

The late 1800s in Bedford County were lively times due to a public hanging and a $12,000 school. Tax collection was just as significant, according to historian Carolyn Smotherman, who recently donated an important revenue book to Bedford County Archives...

A driver suffered a serious head injury Tuesday in a crash on Landers Street, Shelbyville police said. Ernest Campbell was transported to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. "He was bleeding very heavily from the head," officer David Dye's report said...

Spring has sprung but the cooler weather has teased flower buds a bit. Temperatures are expected to be mild through the weekend so pops of color are on the horizon. (T-G Photos by Dawn Hankins)

Bedford County School Board held its monthly meeting Tuesday night amidst snow cones and other activities as host Thomas Magnet School conducted its "Family Night." "Our parental support is beyond belief," Principal Tracy Watson said. Watson was a guest presenter at the school board meeting, held in the school's STEM classroom. She said this was a first for her to host the school board and welcomed them to the excitement...

Josh Lynch of United Communications told Bedford County Board of Commissioners' rules and legislative committee Tuesday night that United is constantly evaluating in which new areas to offer broadband service. Commissioner Greg Vick had asked Lynch to appear before the committee, and asked what it would take to provide gigabyte Internet service to Bedford County...

Two people are in custody after Shelbyville police found them at the scene of an alleged burglary in progress Monday afternoon on Bates Street. Jason Gram Barber, 28, of Warners Bridge Road and Vada Pickett were at the home's back door with items stacked next to a SUV, officer Brock Horner's report said...

Very few of us can say we've met even one U.S. president, but Arnold Engineering Development Complex Test Operations and Sustainment contractor John Washer has met two -- President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. He met them when he started working with Air Force One, the president's airplane...

The City of Shelbyville hopes within the next three years to reel in nearly $450,000 of grant money from the Tennessee Department of Health for enhancing recreation at Fisherman’s Park on the Duck. Council approved Thursday a resolution which will allow the city to submit a grant application with Project Diabetes. The financial good news for the city is that TDH is not asking for any matching funds...

State Sen. Shane Reeves said during a Chamber of Commerce event on Friday that while he does not favor recreational marijuana use, he would favor making marijuana-based medical products -- not cigarettes -- available to patients who might benefit from them...

During last week’s Shelbyville Parks and Recreation Board meeting, the family of the late Rusty Reed was presented with the Lifetime Volunteer Service Award in honor of all of Rusty’s contributions. From left, assistant parks director Pam Henry; council member Marilyn Ewing; Reed Dickens, nephew; Mary Lynn Dickens, sister; Anita Reed, wife; Jax Reed, son; council member Mark Clanton; and Shelbyville Parks and Recreation Director Mike Alsup....

In 2017, Fawn Weaver helped reveal a story that reshaped the history of Tennessee's official sippin' whiskey. Weaver discovered Nathan "Nearest" Green, a former slave, was the first master distiller and mentor of a young man named Jack Daniel. After her revelation, in July 2017, Uncle Nearest, Inc., created a whiskey honoring the legacy of Nearest Green. ...

A man clad only in red underwear and a clear trash bag told police early Friday he had been living on the second floor of Heritage Medical Plaza for two days. The man, identified as Kenneth Michael Stanhope, 26, was arrested after a passerby saw him inside at 3:27 a.m...

Tennessee Highway Patrol will offer youths who have an interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement the opportunity to attend THP's Youth and Junior Academy this summer. The Junior Academy, designed for middle school students in grades 5-8, will take place June 24-28. The Youth Academy, designed for high school students in grades 9-12, will take place July 7-12...

Syngenta is now accepting applications for its 2019 Agricultural Scholarship program. Totalling $20,000, scholarships will be awarded to select promising college students. As future leaders of the industry, applicants are asked to share how they aspire to inspire future generations of agricultural students...

These young babes, seen near Flat Creek, give us beautiful examples that spring officially starts this week. Newborns stay close to their mother in the afternoon sun. Goats, sheep and cattle all have delivered young ones in recent weeks. (T-G Photos by Dawn Hankins)

State Sen. Shane Reeves and State Rep. Pat Marsh gave an update on state issues ranging from education to medical marijuana at the third in a series of informational "Chamber Connections" coffees held at Shebyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce...

Most simply put, Carolyn Simmons Matusek is considered in Shelbyville to be a life-long fashion matriarch. To show their appreciation, Shelbyville Woman's Club members paid homage to Matusek on Wednesday by presenting her with a lifetime membership award. The room full of women showed the local clothier and hometown lady their appreciation with a standing ovation...

Once again, competitors in the Kincaid Service Company/Times-Gazette Bracket Bucks contest will have the opportunity to win an LG big-screen TV or a Holland Companion Grill -- or, if they're the national contest winner, up to $25,000 in cash. The contest asks players to fill out a bracket for the NCAA men's basketball tournament. Tournament pairings will be announced today, and the official entry form will be published Tuesday and Wednesday in print editions of the Times-Gazette...

Spring arrives this week on Wednesday March 20th at 4:58 p.m. And that happens to be the day we start a warming trend. The week starts out cool with highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s Monday through Wednesday. Low-to-mid 60s return by the end of the week, and it looks like they will stick around for a while...

A Normandy woman attempted to obtain drugs prescribed to a now-deceased woman Thursday at a Shelbyville pharmacy, police were told. The date and quantity of Lortab pills listed on the prescription had been modified, a pharmacist said. Tiffany Dawn Anderson, 35, of Center Street in Normandy told officer Sam Campbell her boyfriend, who has the same last name as the woman on the prescription, sent her to the pharmacy. ...

Shelbyville City Council approved during its monthly business meeting Thursday night to restart the bid process for full signalization near the hospital and airport on U.S. 231 North. This business item, which has been on city meeting agendas for a couple of years, was placed back on council's to-do list by city manager Shanna Boyette. She and Lori Saddler, purchasing director, were given the green light to let bids...

Former Wartrace Fire Chief Robert Dye has defended himself against comments made by Mayor Vickie Smith at a special meeting Wednesday night. Wednesday night's special called meeting of Wartrace Board of Mayor and Aldermen was to discuss the town's fire protection with Bedford County Fire Chief Mark Thomas. But Smith opened the meeting by defending the decision to fire Dye, which had caused a vocal response on social media...

Bell Buckle will hold its 42nd annual Daffodil Day observance Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., with seminars, book signings, a daffodil flower show, tree seedling giveaways, vendors and more. For more information, go to http://bellbucklechamber.com. (T-G File Photo by Jim Davis)

Approximately 100 families recently attended Cascade Elementary’s Pizza with Parents Literacy Night, which promotes the importance of reading and family involvement in education. Following the pizza party, students had the opportunity to read with their parents and participate in Accelerated Reader Program activities. Principal Sherry Crawford said Cascade Elementary’s staff is dedicated to encouraging an excitement for reading beginning at a young age. She was thankful and pleased with the parental attendance. (Submitted photos)

A suspect being pursued by a 17th Judicial District Drug Task Force agent crashed into another vehicle at the East Lane Street-Madison Street intersection Wednesday afternoon. The suspect -- identified by police as Cleon Van Stone -- was westbound on East Lane Street, police said. No one was injured in the vehicle that was struck...

In a couple of months, Shelbyville Police Department will welcome a new brother-in-arms named Trigger who's of European descent and trained to possess little fear when it comes to nailing criminals in their tracks. Shelbyville City Council is scheduled to approve on Thursday night a proprietary purchase of $14,300 out of Shelbyville Police Department's drug fund for the new police canine. ...

Bedford County Schools will dismiss two hours early today due to the threat of severe weather, School Superintendent Don Embry announced this morning....

Wartrace Board of Mayor and Aldermen discussed fire protection with Bedford County Fire Chief Mark Thomas on Wednesday night, in the wake of the town's dismissal of fire chief Robert Dye. Dye's firing had caused a firestorm on social media, and there were calls by some townspeople to show support for Dye by attending the special called meeting on Wednesday. ...

Scammers are attempting to take advantage of recipients of new Medicare cards being issued. "I received a call from someone who addressed me by my full name this morning," a Shelbyville-area woman told the Times-Gazette on Wednesday. "He asked me, 'Did you get one of the new cards without your Social Security number on it?"...

Bedford County Republican Party held its organizational convention on Monday. Brent Smith was elected chairman, with Jenny Graham as vice chair, Maleah Claxton as secretary, Andrea Anderson as treasurer and Brian Brenton as vice-treasurer. Board members at large are Julie Sanders, Danny Robbins and Philip Frisby. Barbara Blanton represents Bedford County Republican Women...

A St. Baldrick's Foundation signature head-shaving event to raise funds for lifesaving childhood cancer research will be held Friday in Murfreesboro. With a goal of raising $50,000, more than 60 local volunteers have registered to shave their head to support the Foundation's mission to fund the best research to find cures and better treatments for kids with cancer...

A man carrying marijuana in his clothing showed up on the front porch of a home on Highway 130 West seeking help Tuesday night, a Bedford County Sheriff’s Office report said. Dakota Hunter Johnston, 24, of Patriot Circle allegedly gave a false name to a deputy. A search revealed a small container allegedly containing the marijuana, the BCSO said,...

Discussions turned a bit "fowl" during Shelbyville City Council's recent study session with the result being a motion to re-think whether roosters and chickens should be allowed inside Shelbyville. The business of enforcing antiquated ordinances can be unhealthy at best, council was informed. For this reason, city manager Shanna Boyette placed the fowl discussion on the special agenda...

Pyro Shows of LaFollette will again dazzle Shelbyville's night-time skies with its July 4 fireworks display at H.V. Griffin Park. The bid award was officially presented and approved during the February Shelbyville City Council meeting. Pyro Shows Inc., agreed to renew its contract for 2019 (year 2 of a 3-year option, reviewed annually) with no price increase, according to Lori Sadler, city purchasing and IT director...

Drivers of both vehicles were injured in a crash Tuesday morning at the accident-plagued intersection of U.S. 231 and State Highway 82 in Deason. Names of the injured were unavailable at press time. (T-G Photos by David Melson)

Legitimate copies of Social Security cards are not sold online. That was news to a Shelbyville woman who sent $38 to a website Friday for a card for her son. She notified police Monday after not receiving the card despite her bank account showing the transaction...

Mars has become habitable, and the first group of colonists are on their way to establish settlements on the Red Planet. To prepare for the settlers, teams of engineers have been assembled and tasked with terraforming the fourth planet from the sun by designing and constructing robots capable of traversing the hills and mountains making up the Martian surface. ...

Bedford County Emergency Medical Services held graduation exercises for its latest Youth Responder class last Friday. From left are Lt. Peggy Woodard, India Bailey, Kateland Anthony, Destiny Young, Tulsy Patel, instructor Johnatan Parker, Kirsten Upton, Ridwan Barre, Cassie Smith, Dylan Woods, Abigail Parker, Micah Fenandez, Mackenzie Reeves, Mathew Stacy, Breanna Wilson, Meagan Barnett and Capt. Brian Bruce. (Submitted photo)

The annual Engineer for a Day event took place at Arnold Air Force Base on Feb. 20. This event, which coincided with National Engineers Week, provided the opportunity for area high school students to meet with engineers and learn about the wide range of engineering careers at Arnold...

Fourteen East Side Elementary Invention Club students recently competed with 800 other young inventors during the 27th Invention Convention at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. The club returned home with three awarded inventors heading to nationals...

Shelbyville Municipal Airport was recently tapped to receive a $6.3 million aeronautics grant to use for Bomar Field runway reconstruction and safety improvements, according to airport director Paul Perry. City manager Shanna Boyette and Perry received the news while attending a meeting last Tuesday with Tennessee Aeronautics Commission. Perry informed Shelbyville City Council Tuesday night during its study session of the special appropriations...

NASHVILLE (AP) -- Tennessee's state veterinarian is warning horse owners to take precautions after the equine influenza virus was diagnosed in several horses returning from out-of-state events. According to the state Agriculture Department, equine influenza is highly contagious. The virus is spread by contaminated stable equipment and infected, coughing horses...

Local greenhouse operator Lorraine Sutton shared her expertise with Bedford County Retired Teachers at a recent meeting. She shared several ideas for container gardens. Her sun plants are seen here. (Submitted photo)

Charges of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated domestic assault were filed against a Shelbyville man who allegedly chased a woman as she fled his presence early Saturday. The victim was able to catch a ride in a passing truck and get away, Shelbyville police detective Cody Swift said...

Chris Simonsen, a former actor/singer/dancer in many musical theater productions who later transitioned to television production for music concerts, is the next guest in The Webb School Follin Speaker Series. Simonsen’s musical performance is set for March 18 at 2:20 p.m. in the Follin Chapel. He will be accompanied by pianist Russ Davis. The event is open to the public...

Your final opportunity to Strike Out Cancer with Cascade pitcher Brooke Sudduth starts Monday in the home game vs. Brentwood. The Lady Champions senior pitcher is starting the second and final year of her campaign to raise money for Bedford Cancer Foundation. People may pledge either an amount per strikeout, or a one-time amount. The email address for more information is brookesudduthsoftball@gmail.com...

This past week we had to put up with temperatures that felt like the middle of winter, and now the coming week is going to bring a hint of spring. Well, that is March for you. Now that we go back on Daylight Saving Time, sunrise will be later — 7:02 a.m. ...

A bill sponsored by State Sen. Shane Reeves to raise the amount of supplemental pay received by professional fire fighters and police officers advanced in the Tennessee Senate this week. Senate Bill 793 raises the annual supplement for the successful completion of at least 40 hours of in-service training from $600 to $800...