News

We have a threat of rain hanging over the start of your weekend. Light rain is expected Friday night and Saturday along with breezy and cool temperatures. Arctic air will cover the area Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. We will see several nights in the teens and the high temperature Monday afternoon probably won’t get above freezing...

Tennessee Department of Transportation has installed traffic signals at Palmer Drive near Chili’s and Dunkin on North Main Street. The signals, all currently flashing yellow caution lights, will be reset to full stop-and-go status Tuesday.

Joe Evans, director of aging and disability with South Central Tennessee Development District, told about 50 potential MyRide volunteers on Thursday at First United Methodist Church how he once witnessed an elderly man driving his car in the gutter; his first thought was how his driving days were surely over. The man driving recklessly was his father...

Some residents and business owners from Bell Buckle have for three years been stridently opposing the plans Chris and Stephanie Sarsfield have to use their 20 acre farm as a wedding venue. The Sarsfields have also planted fruit trees and blackberries with the intent to operate a pick-your-own farm, one where the public pays to harvest their own produce...

When Chris and Stephanie Sarsfield bought their 22-acre property just outside of Bell Buckle in July 2016, they planned to grow fruit trees for a pick-your-own operation and establish a special events venue: weddings, showers, reunions, receptions and other such occasions. ...

National Pen Corp. has announced a restructuring that will affect 59 positions in Shelbyville. The teams affected will be Contact Center Inbound Sales & Customer Care, according to a company news release. The company says that the transition period will start in March. National Pen's Telesales team and other teams based in Shelbyville will not be impacted by this change...

Dr. Manny Sethi, a Republican candidate running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Lamar Alexander, stopped in Shelbyville on Thursday and said Republican primary voters "don't want Mitt Romney 2.0" and are looking for a conservative outsider...

Southside Elementary faculty, staff and students wore their Tennessee Titans gear on Friday to support the team, which is playing in the AFC championship this weekend in hopes of making it to the Super Bowl.

On Jan. 11, six students from Cascade Middle School and Cascade High School performed at the 2020 All Middle Tennessee Honor Ensemble at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. Back row, from left: middle schoolers Ella Jefferson (silver band), Mikey Lucich (gold band), Emma Kwapinski (gold band) and Macy Howell (gold band). Front row: Chloe Delease (gold band) and Connor Prim (gold band).

Allison from Haven of Hope accepts a donation from Celebration City Car Club, represented by Roger Huffman. Haven of Hope provides a safe place for victims of domestic abuse.

The second late-night business burglary in two days occurred early Thursday at Legends, North Main Street. Officers responding to a burglary alarm at 12:46 a.m. found broken glass in a front door. A manager discovered a sizeable amount of money was taken, police said...

At a special called city council meeting Monday night, Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce officials presented a proposal under which the Chamber would keep 75 percent of hotel-motel tax revenues and would continue to operate programs such as tourism promotion and workforce development, even as the City of Shelbyville takes over the specific task of industrial recruitment...

Bedford County Board of Commissioners, meeting Tuesday night, approved changes in the fee structure for zoning and codes enforcement which it's estimated will add $70 to the cost of an average home. Several commissioners objected to the increase, saying they'd heard feedback from small builders and real estate agents...

After getting "blistered" following a state inspection of its wastewater treatment system, Bell Buckle's Board of Mayor and Aldermen agreed Tuesday to spend around $122,328. Of that amount, $40,000 will be spent on replacement equipment, a new meter and a truck used to vacuum sewer lines. The balance, $81,928, will be matching funds for a $481,928 federal grant...

Four days after the sudden resignation of Wartrace Mayor Vickie Smith and the immediate resignation of the town's water and wastewater manager, the Wartrace wastewater system seems to be righted, from E. coli releases over twice the legal limit in December to releases last weekend that were just 6 percent of what's allowed...

The Times-Gazette and Shelbyville City Hall have received questions about the buzzard roost at the cell tower off East Depot Street. “The city has contacted the owner of the property and the property owner has to work with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency on a plan to remove the vultures since they are a protected species,” City Manager Shanna Boyette said Wednesday. “It is my understanding that a meeting with TWRA is scheduled for this week. We are following up with them and are looking to set up a meeting after the current issue is mitigated to discuss potential long-term solutions.” The birds were also gathering atop the Gunter Building and the former Sav-A-Lot store Tuesday.

Abbigaile Hunsucker, Miss Bedford County Fairest of the Fair 2019, will compete in state pageant competition Friday night in Murfreesboro as part of the annual Tennessee Association of Fairs convention honoring all respective hometown fair queens from across the state. Abbigaile is currently a student at Mississippi State University in Starkville. While there is no talent portion required Friday night, Bedford County’s Fairest will have interviews that morning and pageantry begins later in the evening. Abbigaile will attend a queens’ party Saturday night, followed by an awards banquet to accept any awards on behalf of Bedford County.

Middle Tennessee State University is partnering with Motlow State Community College to host a "Finish Your Degree" Q&A event Thursday, Feb. 6. at the D.W. Wilson Community Center in Tullahoma. The come-and-go event will run from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the center, located at 501 N. Collins St...

Youth Leadership Bedford participated in Education Day on Jan. 8. The class visited Bedford County Board of Education, Bedford County Schools Maintenance Department, Thomas Magnet School, and Tennessee College of Applied Technology—Shelbyville.

Austin Peay State University has recognized nearly 2,400 students who were on the Dean's List during the Fall 2019 semester. They include: Alyssa Amos of Bell Buckle Brandon Azar of Bell Buckle Wade Conley of Chapel Hill Lauren Nash of Shelbyville Jasmin Navarro of Shelbyville...

A masked man stole a large amount of cash from D & T Market, Madison Street, after breaking the front door glass early Monday, Shelbyville police said. An alarm sounded around 12:55 a.m. Arriving officers found tracks behind the building leading toward Anthony Lane...

Volunteers are needed for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)/Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). SHIP/SMP is a statewide program that provides free and objective counseling and assistance to people with questions or problems regarding Medicare and other related health insurance...

Bell Buckle Chamber of Commerce has announced the town's schedule of events for 2020. For more information, go to www.BellBuckleChamber.com. Events are sponsored by the Chamber except for the chili cookoff and the 4th of July observance. Bell Buckle Volunteer Fire Department will hold its annual chili cook off. Entries must be submitted by 5 p.m., with the public invited to dine (and judge) beginning at 6 p.m...

MOORE COUNTY — Motlow State Community College president Michael Torrence, Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville president Laura Monks, and Kimberly McCormick, vice chancellor for external affairs of Tennessee Board of Regents outlined educational achievements and needs during Motlow’s annual legislative briefing, held Friday at Motlow’s Moore County campus...

Approximately 200 inmates were moved to the new Bedford County Jail over the weekend. The transfer process went smoothly with no problems, Sheriff Austin Swing said Monday. “We had the lowest inmate count since I’ve been at the sheriff’s department, so we were blessed,” Swing said...

A friend is accused of taking a blue 2004 Pontiac Vibe from a Shelbyville woman. She told police the suspect had borrowed the car in the past and always returned it, but this time he took it last Monday and made excuses all week before it was reported stolen Friday...

In honor of The Webb School's 150th Anniversary, the Follin Speaker Series will continue hosting special guests throughout the 2019-2020 school year. Dr. John McCardell, 16th vice chancellor of The University of the South at Sewanee, a historian and a national leader in liberal arts education, will be the first speaker of the spring semester. ...

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency received a report on Jan. 10 that a silver carp was captured on Chickamauga Lake in October. The angler, Dustin Hinkle, said the invasive fish "jumped into the boat as I deployed my trolling motor." Hinkle encountered the fish near the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, and stated he "saw 15-20 more fish near the surface" exhibiting a feeding behavior...

Thursday Night the Vietnam Veterans group met and had a guest speaker from the US Census bureau. Tia Zanghi spoke about the process of getting everyone in Bedford County counted. She elaborate that a single person not counted could equate to over $10,000 in lost support from state and federal governments; over 10 years this would amount to well over $100,000 per person.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation on Monday announced a precautionary fish consumption advisory due to mercury on Normandy Reservoir on the Duck River in Bedford and Coffee counties. In a 2006 statewide screening of Tennessee rivers and lakes, Normandy Reservoir was identified as a waterbody where mercury levels in fish were elevated, but not over the trigger used to issue advisories. ...

Wartrace Mayor Vickie Smith resigned Friday night. She had announced her decision to leave office Wednesday following a third tumultuous meeting since December 19. The aldermen accepted Smith’s resignation letter one year and seven days after she was sworn into office...

Some local businesspersons with interests connected to Shelbyville Municipal Airport claim that from their vantage point, which most days is about 13,000 feet altitude, the “jewel” from which they operate remains one of Shelbyville’s best kept secrets...

Following the announcement Wednesday that Wartrace Mayor Vickie Smith would resign at a meeting Friday night, the balance of power in an ongoing dispute among town employees took a significant shift. The official notice that Smith was going to resign came the day after another contentious meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen...

Cheryl Douglas, Donald M Lambert, Justin Stanley, Phyllis Miles and Shannon Infante each received $200 Exxon/Mobil gas cards as the winners in the Times-Gazette’s latest $1,000 Big Event Gas Giveaway. Their names were randomly drawn from among all of the entries that correctly counted 10 contest logos in the special section published on New Year’s Eve...

A wild start to the weekend in Middle Tennessee weather is expected, with rain and thunderstorms today along with gusty winds over 40 miles an hour and a few severe thunderstorms, especially in the southern locations near the Alabama border, so keep up with the latest information...

The black images on this cell phone tower right off the Shelbyville Public Square are about 100 black birds roosting. On Wednesday evening, the site was almost reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 thriller, “The Birds.” Despite their own fowl reasons for congregating there, the birds are also making quite a mess on the sidewalks nearby leading into local businesses and parking areas.

A suspect who allegedly threatened to kill a Shelbyville woman is being held without bond. Shannon Lee Maxwell, 22, of Shelbyville was arrested Wednesday morning after alllegedly showing up at the workplace of the victim, who has an order of protection against him. He was arrested a short distance away...

Wartrace town attorney Ginger Shofner announced just as the newspaper was going to press that a special called meeting of Wartrace Board of Mayor and Aldermen will be held 5:30 p.m. Friday at the town hall, to consider the resignation of Mayor Vickie Smith and discuss the procedure for filling her unexpired term...

Shelbyville City Council's meeting scheduled for Thursday evening has been cancelled. Due to a mistake by the Times-Gazette, the required public notice of this month's meeting was not published, and city officials elected not to hold the meeting until proper public notice could be given....

On Dec. 19, the former operator of Wartrace's wastewater treatment plant terminated his $1,000 a month consulting contract with the town, refusing to allow sewer operations to continue under his license. But, if allegations by the town's recently hired public utilities and works manager, Luca Marin, are true, the town may be better off. ...

This is the first installment of two articles on "business as usual" at Shelbyville Municipal Airport. Reflecting on their years of experience as licensed pilots, Joe and Linda Roberts both say it's still safer to fly a plane than to drive an automobile...

In 2008, Judge Muriel Robinson decided it was time to retire from the bench in which she had effectively served in Davidson County. She later chose Bedford County as her "paradise" in which to live. "We feel like we're Bedford countians," she said of she and husband, Irby Simpkins, former publisher of the Nashville Banner ...

Bailey Ledbetter of Shelbyville has been named to the Fall 2019 Dean's List for Volunteer State Community College. The Dean's List recognition is awarded to students who have completed a minimum of twelve collegiate-level hours with at least a 3.75 grade point average during the awarding term...

Monica Lewis, center, of Friends of Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library spoke to Shelbyville Rotary Club this week. From left are club member Janolyn King; Lewis; and club president Jeff Haynes.

Boy Scout Troop 370 held its annual Christmas Court of Honor on Dec. 16. Scouts and family members were present for the award ceremonies. Scouts who were awarded merit badges and ranks in their scouting activities included, from left, Aiden Warren, Scout rank; Xander Sullivan, Scout rank, Tenderfoot rank, merit badges (Space Exploration, Leather Work, Wood Carving, First Aid); Christian Arnold, Scout rank; Carson Smith, Scout rank; Tyler Rowe, Scout rank; and Alexander Beene, Scout rank, Tenderfoot rank.

A suspect was tased by a Shelbyville police officer Monday after allegedly refusing repeated orders to drop a knife. Marijuana and Xanax were found in a subsequent search of Joseph Lee Adcock's car, a report filed by Officer Chris Vest said. Adcock, 42, of Union Street, was being sought on a charge of failure to appear. Police were told Adcock was at a Madison Street restaurant...

School Superintendent Don Embry recently told Bedford County Board of Education the district has made great strides toward improving its state ranking for equitable teacher pay. “We’re doing good,” he said during his December report. Based on state rankings for 2018-2019 teacher salaries, provided to districts annually by Tennessee Education Association, Bedford County is quite competitive with its neighboring counties within the South Central Tennessee Development District...

February 3 is the deadline for registered voters to be eligible to vote in the March 3 presidential primary. In presidential election years, the presidential primary also takes place at the same time as local primaries for highway superintendent and assessor of property. ...

Commissioner Charlie Hatcher has announced the appointment of Kacey Troup as a business consultant for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Troup will be responsible for cultivating business opportunities for agritourism farms, including corn mazes, pumpkin patches, pick-your-own facilities, Christmas tree farms, and on-farm retail stores. She will be TDA’s point of contact for the Tennessee Agritourism Association and the Tennessee Christmas Tree Growers Association...

A charge of possession of marijuana was filed against a suspect based on discovery of a substance containing THC inside a vape pen, Shelbyville police said. Officer Ramon Castillo said he noticed a marijuana odor while checking a car parked outside a North Main Street restaurant at 9:30 Sunday morning...