News

New Destiny Dog Rescue operates an “indoor yard sale” at 202 East Highland St., Thursdays through Saturday. A late Saturday storm caused some pretty extensive damage to the building, according to Kasey Cartwright. With the back storage area roof damaged, several women volunteers scrambled Saturday evening to clean up debris. Cartwright said they literally saved the day and a lot of nice items. All proceeds go to the dog rescue.

Back in the 1930s, Bedford County sought to electrify homes and businesses as a new wave of modern living swept across the state. Today, that contemporary need has switched to broadband. Broadband, essentially, allows for thousands of messages to be sent simultaneously—a necessary function as schools continue virtual learning and increase in overall internet use...

•This is the first of three articles in a series about the grand opening of the new free dental clinic in Bedford County. It’s something local residents might want to sink their teeth into — poor dental health which abounds in this county. A large number of Bedford County residents are suffering from untreated oral health problems, basically unable to afford to go to dentists, said Community Clinic staff...

As life begins to return to normal this summer, kayakers return to the Duck River-one of the most adventuresome and bio-diverse waterways in North America. It’s important to know what to do, and what not to do. Bedford County hosts kayakers from many surrounding counties, and officials say paying attention to river conditions saves lives...

Innocent bystanders were allegedly sprayed with pepper spray by private security guards when a fight broke out at horse races Saturday on Anderton Road, according to a Bedford County Sheriff’s Office report. A security guard told Deputy Donald Perdue two people began fighting so the guards began pepper spraying everyone in the area...

Community Clinic Director Fredia Lusk and Board Chair Richard Dugger grasp the ceremonial scissors during a public ribbon cutting ceremony at the new dental office on Friday. See next week’s Times-Gazette for the full story.

Shelbyville City Council voted on several agenda items Thursday. Everything listed was unanimously voted through with the exception of an ordinance establishing the municipal property tax rate at $1.69. Council split 3-3, after member Marilyn Ewing, Ward 2, made the motion to lower the tax rate to the state’s minimum of $1.35...

Bedford County deputies attempting to stop a domestic assault suspect determined not to return to prison were forced to wrestle him to the ground after a high-speed chase at midday Tuesday. James Bradley Lynch, 30, of Rockvale allegedly drove at speeds up to 90 mph on Fairfield Pike before being boxed in by deputies, at one point colliding with a patrol car...

Bedford County Board of Education has included on its monthly meeting agenda for 5:30 p.m., Tuesday the approval of its 2021-2022 budget. Requests include more competitive non certified staff wages, athletic field improvements, a new school wing; it’s all in there, for now, and then some...

The 22nd annual Liberty Lions Club Walking Horse Show will kick into action 6 p.m., Friday, June 18, at the Bedford County Agriculture Center on Midland Road. The show is the club’s main fundraiser. It’s a traditional show, too, one that hasn’t changed much in the over two decades since Paul Gambill has been managing it...

Community Preservation Partners (CPP Housing), a national affordable housing developer, has announced the acquisition of Bedford Manor Apartments for $6.1 million, marking its first community in Shelbyville. A $12.3 million restoration of the 108-unit community will begin this month and is expected to finish in January 2022, said company representatives...

The American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society have teamed up this June to encourage people across the country to “Give Blood to Give Time” and help ensure loved ones have the strength and support they need as they undergo cancer treatment. According to the American Cancer Society, many patient visits and procedures were forced to delay or cancel early in the pandemic to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19...

Bedford County commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday night to acknowledge an option to purchase approximately 33 acres of land off U.S. 231 North adjoining 231 North Business Park has been offered. County Mayor Chad Graham and several commissioners made it clear no purchase, or commitment to purchase, the land has been made. Discussion and an eventual vote by the commission must take place before any money is spent...

East Side Elementary summer learning camp students were able to check out the turnout gear during a special visit recently from Shelbyville Fire and Rescue.

Bedford County fire and health departments are partnering to make sure everyone has the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Bedford County Health Department plans to offer the COVID-19 vaccine at volunteer fire stations throughout the month...

When tourists travel the public square, they will see welcoming door decor like that shown at Templeton & Associates Insurance.

Tyson recently spruced up its hiring center at the corner of North Main and Holland Street right off the public square.

The former office of the late State Rep. Clarence “Pete” Phillips on the east side of the historic public square is being renovated and should be available in the future, according to owner Jon English.

Business starts early at I Love Donuts, 601C North Main St. At 5:30 a.m., hot glazed donuts and donut holes come out fresh from the fryers while the second round comes out about 7:00 a.m. — for those who need to sleep in a little. But the fryers went cold last February, only just heating up again three weeks ago when the shop reopened after three months of closure due to a shift in ownership...

Bedford County commissioners will vote Tuesday night on an option to purchase land between the current industrial park on Frank Martin Road and U.S. 231 North. The vote is on potentially buying the land and not to actually make the purchase at this time, County Mayor Chad Graham said Monday. The option also requires approval by the Shelbyville City Council since the park is jointly owned...

Bedford Listening Project organizers made their point known on the historic Shelbyville square Saturday. Several groups joined them during the Renters’ Block Party, which included speakers, music, free food and information.

When the first school bell rings Aug. 2, Patrick Hasty will be walking the halls at Harris Middle School as principal. “We are excited to have Mr. Hasty serving again in Bedford County after gaining experience as assistant principal in Rutherford County at Christiana Middle School,” commented Bedford County School Superintendent Tammy Garrett. ...

Several hundred fans gathered to officially christen the Rick Insell Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon at Shelbyville Central High School. The gym was actually renamed — and legendary coach Insell’s name added to the playing floor and front of the building at the beginning of the 2020-21 basketball season — but the dedication ceremony was postponed due to COVID-19...

A man frequently seen in the North Main Street area has been charged with criminal trespassing. John Lee “John John” Turrentine, 56, of North Main Street was taken for medical treatment Saturday after being found with a bleeding leg in front of Baskin Robbins...

A Lewisburg woman survived a gunshot wound to the head early Sunday, and the suspect has been captured and jailed. Gulberto Olascoaga, 22, of Lewisburg allegedly fired several gunshots into a vehicle occupied by the victim, 21, a man and her two small children on Whittaker Road near Wheel, Detective Lt. Scott Jones of the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office said...

Nearest Green Distillery, 3125 U.S. 231 North, will host its reopening event on Saturday, June 19, beginning at 9 a.m. The distillery temporarily closed March 2020 as a precautionary measure for the pandemic. The reopening will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by self-paced tours — and tastings, of course. Future tours and tastings can be booked at the distillery website. However, tickets for June 19 and 20 are sold out...

Quoting one of her favorite role models, Eakin fifth grade teacher Kari Tisma believes every child needs a champion. As her school’s 2020-2021 reigning “Teacher of the Year,” that’s something she strives for in her classroom each day. “That’s something I try to remember, even on the hard days. Every child needs a champion. And not even knowingly, you may be the champion for that child.”...

All Bedford County employees — including school system staff — will receive 1 percent step raises if the proposed 2021-22 county budget, set to go into effect July 1, is approved. Tune-ups to the original proposal were explained to Bedford County Commission’s financial committee at a special called meeting Tuesday. The full commission must approve the budget. That is expected to occur at a special called meeting in late June...

A man driving a vehicle reported as stolen was arrested Tuesday after a short pursuit, Shelbyville police said.. Officer Michael Taylor said he saw Jason Graham Barber, 30, of Adams Hollow Road driving the stolen Acura NSX in downtown Shelbyville. Barber allegedly parked in a North Main Street parking lot and ran across through the street and through the yards of several residences, ending up hiding in a hedge behind an East Franklin Street home. ...

At 5:30 a.m., hot glazed donuts and donut holes come out fresh at I Love Donuts.

The weekend is looking much better with fair to partly sunny skies and high temperatures in the mid-to-upper 80s, great for outdoor activities! The chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms will go back up to 40% from Monday through Wednesday. We received some much needed rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday as a front moved through...

Shelbyville City Council held a study session Tuesday to discuss plans for the new tax rate for the fiscal year, the 231 Business Park Expansion land purchase, and amendment requests to multiple ordinances. The study session focused on approving discussion items requests for next Thursday’s City Council Meeting to be held at 6 p.m. at the Shelbyville Recreation Center on Tulip Tree Road...

While it might seem City property taxes are going to be lower this year ($1.69 from $1.77 per assessed value in 2020) some concerned citizens say, ‘think again.’ “My property assessment for 2021 went up 43.76% from 2016,” said Jason Ferrell. “This is not unexpected given the way that real estate prices in Bedford County have skyrocketed in the last 5 years. My 2020 city taxes were $521.”...

Loud braying mules and all their history are coming back to the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration grounds Sept. 13-18 for the inaugural American Mule and Bluegrass Festival. The idea originated with Marty Gordon, who wanted to create a fun festival and provide funds for five worthy non profits-Shelbyville Soup Kitchen, The Boys and Girls Club of Bedford County, Habitat for Humanity, the Center for Family Development and Horse Play of Coffee County, which sponsors a therapeutic riding program.. ...

Local resident Pat Naron likes to fish; he goes to Normandy Dam and spends much of his time at the Duck River dam, trying to land a great catch. But he told the Times-Gazette recently that he’s getting tired of being the unofficial county garbage man...

A man suspected to be homeless is stealing lawn equipment from yards in eastern Shelbyville, according to two residents who talked to police. The thief was described as a “very skinny” white male in his 40s with several teeth missing and is thought to be living in the wooded area around Barksdale Lane, Industrial Parkway and Hawkins Drive. He has thrown rocks and shot BBs at passing vehicles, police were told...

How do you make a credit union annual meeting fun during a pandemic-one that requires you to be socially distanced? Team members put their heads together and chose a drive-in theatre theme for 2021. To cast their yes votes, members honked their horns. Organizers note that was celebratory...

There’s few things better served on the third Saturday in June in Bell Buckle than a gooey Moon Pie and refreshing RC Cola. Bell Buckle is keeping its 26-year tradition alive with the annual RC & MoonPie Festival scheduled for Saturday, June 19. Bell Buckle still prides itself on being a trend-setter, said Jenny Hunt, public relations coordinator for Bell Buckle Chamber of Commerce, which is sponsor of the annual festival...

Shelbyville resident Layne Leverette and his dog earned first place in a prestigious Coonhound hunt in Shelburn, Ind., the weekend of May 23, beating 31 other dogs and winning a total of $100,000. It was the largest prize ever won by a Coonhound, according to Layne’s wife Mandy...

Tennessee turns 225 years old today, and the state is celebrating through their year-long initiative “Untold Tennessee.” Gov. Bill Lee will kick off a 95-county tour and year of celebration by visiting Bicentennial Mall in Nashville and the Blount Mansion in Knoxville today, according to the Tennessee website...

If there’s a group which takes the time to pay homage to fallen soldiers, it would likely be Shelby Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR.) During a special memorial service Wednesday at Rosebank Cemetery in Flat Creek, members stopped by, in observance of Memorial Day, the grave of PFC Daniel B. McClenney, who died in the line of duty in Afghanistan on June 24, 2004, at the age of 20. He was decorated posthumously with silver and purple hearts from his service in the U.S. Marine Corps. His parents are Randy McClenney and the late Veda McClenney.

The locked gate is gone from the Warners Bridge Road boat ramp and Duck River is again accessible west of Shelbyville. The gate had been erected in March after uncertainty arose over ownership of nearby land and several instances of trash, including drug users’ needles, being dumped nearby.

Robert Drawdy, owner of Truth and Nails Technical Center, is a Renaissance man with a thirst for sharing the Gospels. There was very little time for Drawdy to doubt God’s calling when he opened his nonprofit in February 2013, just a month after he retired from 20 years of service in the U.S. Army...

As May comes to a close and motorcyclists hit the road for Memorial Day weekend, highway safety offices across the country wrap up Motorcycle Awareness Month. And the initiative here in Tennessee is twofold, according to Lt. Chris Dye, Tennessee Highway Patrol Public Information Officer for District 7...

There are only 25 active COVID-19 cases in Bedford County and for about the first time in a year, no new cases reported by the state early Friday. While it would seem the talks of virtual learning then would be over, that’s not exactly the case, as superintendent Tammy Garrett recently discussed...

A check for $110 was stolen from a drop box at Edgemont Baptist Church, Fairfield Pike, police were told Wednesday. Security video shows a white male on a bicycle appearing to be tampering with the box and putting something in his pocket around 11-11:30 p.m. Tuesday. He was last seen riding toward North Main Street...

The Celebration's Spring Fun Show is in progress through Saturday at Maverick Arena on the Celebration Grounds. Admission is $5. http://twhnc.com/content/spring-fun-show-information/

It is going to be much cooler for the Memorial Day weekend with highs in the upper 60s on Saturday and lows could go down to the upper 40s to low 50s which is quite a change from the near 90 degree readings of this week. Next week we expect to warm back into the 80s but I do expect the chance of storms to be going up again for June 2-9...

The 231 North Business Park Committee met in a special called meeting Tuesday to discuss expansion of the business park through a potential $2.1 million land purchase.  The committee body itself has no authority to purchase the property, but it will submit the proposal to Shelbyville City Council as a recommendation, according to City Manager Joshua Ray. The proposal will be presented in a City Council study session 6 p.m. Tuesday...