News

One of two men charged with robbing a Madison Street convenience store early Monday is a convicted murderer, Shelbyville police said. Leslie Lamont Coleman, 51, and Deontre Farris, 18, who share a Landers Street apartment, were arrested Wednesday by Detective Lt. Charles "Chucky" Merlo and Detective Cody Swift of the Shelbyville Police Department. The suspects allegedly robbed the Circle K convenience store, Madison Street and Wartrace Pike, at knifepoint around 1 a.m. Monday...

The Complete Count Committee for the 2020 U.S. Census in Bedford County held a training session Wednesday at Shelbyville Recreation Center. Chris Conklin, a partnership specialist for the Census Bureau, conducted the training. The local committee, chaired by Sylvia Pinson, is made up of volunteers and tasked with helping make the community aware of the Census and encouraging universal participation. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney)

Bedford County Board of Commissioners' rules and legislative committee gave its blessing to new county beer regulations Tuesday night, sending them on to the full commission for approval. "This is just common sense," said Commissioner Brent Smith. "These are some common sense changes."...

State Rep. Pat Marsh will serve as chairman of the subcommittee on utilities of the House Commerce Committee, and will continue to serve on the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and the Fiscal Review Committee in the new session of Tennessee General Assembly; State Sen. ...

Hundreds of worthless motion picture "dollars" were found on a man stopped due to driving after being declared a habitual motor vehicle offender, Shelbyville police said Wednesday. Officer Jon Cooke saw Jeffrey Jonathan Flora, 39, of Anthony Lane driving on Depot Street Tuesday afternoon. A handgun was next to Flora's seat and $660 in fake bills were in a pocket, Cooke's report said...

NASHVILLE – The state veterinarian is advising horse owners of four cases of equine infectious anemia (EIA) in Middle Tennessee. Staff at the C.E. Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory tested blood samples and determined that four horses stabled at a farm in Rutherford County were positive for EIA. Those horses were euthanized. Six other horses at the same farm tested negative, but will remain in quarantine until they can be tested a second time...

Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Shelbyville will hold a SkillsUSA Open House Monday, Feb. 4 from 3-6 p.m. at the main campus in Shelbyville will include demonstrations, pizza refreshments, and special giveaways. The event is free and open to the public...

The Criminal Justice I students from Shelbyville Central High School recently visited Tennessee Department of Corrections, where they were informed of possible careers with the realm of Criminal Justice. Students where instructed on the requirements, educational standards and physical standards that are mandated through the Tennessee Department of Corrections. Students were also allowed to experience real life simulation training which made them aware of the stress and responsibility that comes with this type of career. (Submitted photo)

Bedford Countians' reaction to an earthquake east of Shelbyville at mid-evening Tuesday varied widely. Some described what they heard as a "rumbling." Others thought they'd heard an explosion. Many felt their homes shaking. Authorities say the quake was centered in the area of Bill Russell Road near Normandy, eight miles east-southeast of Shelbyville. Law enforcement inspected that area and found no damage. No damage reports were received from any other areas...

Students are often lectured on various aspects of the workforce they’re about to enter. Through Partners in Education, students receive more hands-on opportunities to experience the importance of a skilled local work environment, according to Kelly North, director of workforce development of Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce...

"I don't want to hurt you but I still have to make a living," one of two men who held up a Shelbyville convenience store early Wednesday told a clerk. The men, brandishing knives and clad in bandanas, arrived at the Circle K store, Madison Street and Wartrace Pike, as the clerk stood outside smoking shortly before 1 a.m...

Tennessee has two programs for alleviating the burden of property tax on low-income senior citizens. Property tax relief is funded by the state, and available statewide. But the state also allows local governments to adopt a property tax freeze program, which freezes a senior citizen's property tax bill at its current level in situations where a reappraisal or a tax rate increase would normally raise it...

A man driving a stolen truck led Shelbyville police on a high-speed chase through the downtown area early Monday night, eluding pursuing officers near Flat Creek. The suspect was clocked at 116 mph at one point on Highway 82 South by officer Matt Sharp before a decision was made to terminate the pursuit...

This utility pole stands for progress and electricity availability. Yet, this sunset also indicates that nature is the root of invention. (T-G Photo by Dawn Hankins)

The man accused of robbing two loan company employees at gunpoint in December attempted to escape Bedford County Jail by climbing through the roof Monday, authorities said. Michael Blondin, 31, of Unionville apologized for his actions shortly after a jailer noticed him missing, saw a hole in the ceiling of his cell and climbed up to retrieve him, Sheriff Austin Swing said...

John Freeman of Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewerage System says the parts of the system that would be affected by a proposed state grant aren't currently suffering any water quality problems; the grant would, however, greatly improve the way that SPWSS ensures that...

Duck River Electric Membership Corporation is urging members to be on guard after an electric payment scam hit a customer over the weekend. The customer, a business, was told to pay a specific amount due or electric service would be disconnected. DREMC's Shelbyville district phone number, 931-684-4621, was spoofed so that the call appeared to be coming from that number...

Central High students work together to feed hungry Shelbyville Central High School students collected more than 22,000 cans of food in this school year's Great Canned Food Drive held Nov. 12-19. The food was donated to Good Samaritan Food Bank, First Choice Pregnancy Center, New Destiny Dog Rescue and many area church food banks...

Katie Thomas, who was Bedford County Fairest of the Fair in 2018, will compete against other county fair pageant queens Friday night at the Tennessee Association of Fairs convention in Nashville. Katie, the daughter of Sharon and Clay Thomas, is a freshman at Motlow State Community College, where she is a team captain on the basketball team. For the “Tennessee Fairest Of The Fairs” contest, she will participate in interviews Friday morning and the pageant Friday night. Pageant contestants must also decorate a shoe for a contest. (Submitted photo)

Rodney Davis, who poured lighter fluid on his girlfriend and set her ablaze last March, entered a guilty plea Thursday in Bedford County Circuit Court to one count of attempted first degree murder. Davis, 58, who had an earlier record of domestic violence, will serve 22 years at 85 percent, consecutive to any other sentence. His second count of arson was dismissed as part of his plea agreement...

A shoplifting suspect couldn’t outrun pursuing law enforcement officers Saturday afternoon. Lizandro Estevan Martinez, 31, of McAllen, Texas, was captured behind Victory Baptist Church after a foot chase from Walmart, North Main Street. Martinez was being walked to the loss and prevention office by officer Darrell Birdsong and a Walmart security officer when he allegedly suddenly bolted and ran for an exit...

A 45-foot customized bus will bring the exciting worlds of politics and mass communication to MTSU as C-SPAN's "Southern Swing" makes a stop in Murfreesboro. The bus and its interactive exhibits will be accessible from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building. Access to the bus is free and open to the public...

A donation shortfall over the winter holidays is prompting the American Red Cross to issue an emergency call for blood and platelet donors to give now to prevent a blood shortage from continuing throughout winter and affecting patient care. The next local blood drive will be 11 a.m-4 p.m. Jan. 29 at Elite Physical Therapy, 1116 North Main St...

Take a close look at those bills in your purse or wallet. They may be fake. “With money be happy,” is printed on the back of the “motion picture use bills. But Shelbyville and Bedford County merchants aren’t happy about the bills showing up this week...

Bedford County will likely team up with Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewerage System to apply for a Community Development Block Grant to assist with problems in the former Flat Creek Water Cooperative. Last year, Shelbyville Power acquired Flat Creek Water Cooperative, which is now part of the SPWSS system. ...

After a rainy weekend I am expecting better weather to return for Tuesday and Wednesday with highs in the upper 40s to low 50s at that time. I am expecting another weather system next weekend and this one could bring a turn towards some winter weather and much colder temperatures. There have been indications that the jet stream would begin to drop down and allow colder air to move in around Jan. 20 and that system is now in sight. We have been very lucky so far with mostly mild temperatures...

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is alerting SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients of a very important deadline imposed by the USDA. Individuals who are renewing their benefits or filing a 6-month simplified report form need to have any required paperwork in by the end of business Monday, Jan. 14. Meeting this deadline is an important step to ensure February benefits are available to those who qualify during the government shutdown...

Shelbyville City Council, meeting Thursday night, rejected an offer for a city-owned lot on Blue Ribbon Parkway. Discussions began during this month's council study session when City Manager Shanna Boyette said Joseph Forsee of EnterSource had asked to buy 1.07 acres of city property adjacent to his company at 710 Blue Ribbon Parkway. ...

A Shelbyville Public Works bucket truck crew removes Christmas garland from the east side of Bedford County Courthouse on Thursday afternoon. The doors visible in the background were welded shut several years ago because the room on the other side is used as an inmate holding cell, so the balcony can only be accessed from the outside. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney)

A backpack containing $3,200 of a pizza delivery driver's tip money was stolen from a Shelbyville pizza delivery driver's home Wednesday morning. The victim, who told Shelbyville police he always locks his Cedar Glades Circle home, said a visiting friend may have accidentally left a door unlocked...

For the most part, January, though about to top out with some cold temperatures, has supplied the area with plenty of rain and sunshine to boot. Such weather conditions make farm scenes like this one in Flat Creek come to life. (T-G Photos by Dawn Hankins)

Bedford County Board of Commissioners approved a seven-year, $1 million capital outlay note Tuesday night to pay for the ongoing renovation of a former bank building as Bedford County Courthouse Annex. But some commissioners made it clear they weren't happy about the situation and blamed previous county officials for putting them into the position of having to approve it...

With the help of Bedford County Criminal Court Judge Forest Durard, leniency was recently granted to a 3-year-old black and white pit bull mix named "Hank." The dog has resided with Shelbyville Animal Control for 340 days, according to animal control officer Rhonda Lefler. She said upon their meeting last fall, it didn't take Durard and Hank long to connect...

Shelbyville-based Duck River Electric Membership Corp. announced Wednesday that its board had accepted a retirement request from president and CEO Michael Watson. Watson’s retirement will be effective Friday, and he will serve in an advisory role with DREMC until June 30. Former DREMC member services director Charles McDonald will serve as interim CEO while the cooperative searches for a replacement...

Openly-fake movie prop “bills” legitimately released to the public bear the statement “for motion picture use purposes.” Those “purposes” don’t include movie rentals, but a customer at Family Video, Madison Street, was able to do just that. A customer used six $10 fake $10 bills and six fake $5 bills to buy seven adult movies, candy and a drink and rent six movies Saturday, police were told. ...

The Webb School in Bell Buckle will open its campus on Jan. 21 for Visitors' Day to host prospective students and their families. The daylong event begins at 9 a.m. with registration and breakfast and concludes at 3 p.m. The schedule includes the daily chapel program and also a tour of the 150-acre campus, led by a current Webb student. ...

Sheriff Austin Swing and Chief Deputy Jason Williams, during Tuesday night’s meeting of Bedford County Board of Commissioners, recognized officers for their response to an active shooter incident in November. The officers were from the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, Shelbyville Police Department and Tennessee Highway Patrol...

Bedford County Board of Commissioners, meeting Tuesday night, approved an increase in the Adequate Facilities Tax on new residential construction, from $1 to $1.33 per square foot, which did not sit well with some real estate agents and builders attending the meeting...

Friday is the deadline for nominations for Shelbyville-Bedford county Chamber of Commerce's annual awards. The awards will be presented during the chamber's annual meeting and luncheon on Feb. 5. There are five awards: Deery Eakin Volunteer of the Year Award...

Bedford County Courthouse and the Russ Faxon sculpture at Bedford County Veterans Memorial Plaza watch over the Shelbyville square on an overcast, but unseasonably warm, Monday afternoon. The square was still sporting its Christmas decorations on the lampposts. (T-G Photos by John I. Carney)

A house fire is one of the most horrific events a family can experience. Shelbyville Fire Department is exploring ways to help victims receive help in the aftermath. On Thursday night's Shelbyville City Council agenda, SFD Chief Matt Doak is requesting 1-800 BOARDUP be considered as a group which would serve as a liaison to help mitigate with local homeowners following a fire. ...

Local residents have enjoyed the past two days of mild and rain-free weather; for example, Monday was a lovely day to walk to Riverbottom Park and look down at the historic, but dilapidated, powerhouse. But colder, more January-like temperatures are on the way for the rest of the week. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney)

One or two unknown attackers knocked out a man as he walked along Anthony Lane late Sunday, Shelbyville police said. The victim had two black eyes, blood coming from both ears and lacerations on his face when officer Jerry Draine talked with him. Police said the victim was able to walk to Madison Street near North Main Street before seeking medical attention...

MOORE COUNTY — Four Tennessee Board of Regents schools, including Motlow State Community College and Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Shelbyville, discussed their plans and achievements during the annual legislative breakfast held Friday morning on Motlow’s Moore County campus...

Most likely one of the most endearing parts of next Thursday night’s Shelbyville City Council meeting will be when Julie, of Shelbyville Police Department’s K-9 unit, is officially retired. Deputy Police Chief Brian Crews presented a recommendation during last Thursday’s council study session that the 8-year-old narcotics dog, who is suffering with some health issues, be retired. An official resolution will be read before Julie and Sgt. Jody Shelton, her handler...

The winners have been announced in the Times-Gazette’s Big Event $1,000 Gas Give-Away, sponsored by Gary King, Southern Energy Company Inc. and Serv-N-Go Markets. They are: •William Burks •Allison Johnson •Christine Peach •Cheri Andrews •Hannah Burks...

2018 was a very wet year in Bedford County as well as most of Tennessee. A rain gauge 10 miles south of Shelbyville recorded over 71 inches of rain for the year; other rain gauges around the county generally ranged from 64 to 68 inches. We have been in this weather pattern with moisture streaming in from the Pacific Ocean and bringing it across the country into Tennessee. ...

A purse containing $120 was stolen from a cart at Goodwill, Lane Parkway, as the victim was loading items into her vehicle Thursday afternoon. The victim told Shelbyville police she saw two possible suspects running toward Regent Drive. Also reported to area authorities:...