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The White House Coronavirus Task Force issues weekly reports for each state. Through a public records request, the Times-Gazette obtained the Tennessee reports for Sept. 6 through Oct. 25. Note: Each report covers the week prior to the report date. The story that follows provides only highlights from the weekly reports...

Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library is closed through Saturday, Dec. 12 due to possible staff exposure to COVID-19. The library will reopen Monday, Dec. 14 with all current Phase III protocols in place. Hours through the rest of the year will be Monday-Friday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., and closed on weekends due to limited staff because of current conditions...

The incubation period, the time it takes after exposure for symptoms of COVID-19 to show, is thought to be three to 14 days but the most common time for the infection to make itself known is within four to five days. So, when this story was written on Monday morning, it’s unlikely the full impact, if any, of Thanksgiving gatherings was evident. But, leading up to the holiday it was apparent that the spread of coronavirus was out of control in Bedford County...

Nelson & Sons Memorial Chapel of Shelbyville was fined $14,000 on Oct. 6 in a ruling by the Tennessee Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. Also sanctioned in the case was Saddler Funeral Home and Crematory Services of Lebanon which was fined $15,000...

The best way to lose the COVID blues is a walk in the park. Old Stone Fort was not crowded on Saturday so it was easy to maintain social distancing.

Kidnapping and assault charges were filed against a man who allegedly attacked and robbed his girlfriend last Wednesday. Fillip Beau Kiser, 23, of Elizabeth Street forced his way into the woman’s Warners Bridge Road home, grabbed a knife from the kitchen and held her at knifepoint, Detective Lt. Scott Jones of the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office said...

State Rep. Pat Marsh was presented an award at the Bedford County Courthouse for his efforts to help 911 in Tennessee. The award was presented on behalf of TN911, an association of Tennessee 911 districts, by Bedford County Emergency Communications Director Phillip Noel...

Bedford County Board of Education will meet in a special called session at 5 p.m. today (Monday, Nov. 30) in the board room of the central office at 500 Madison St. in Shelbyville. Two items are on the agenda: the position of interim superintendent and Budget Amendment No. 2...

The 10th annual wine walk on the Shelbyville public square will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11. So get ready to “Sip, Shop and Stroll,” local organizers note. Business owners/organizers say, especially right now, this will be a good time to “wine less, shop more!” So this holiday event certainly fits the bill for our present time...

Bedford County Board of Education recently approved a proposal to dedicate Cascade Middle School’s gym floor in memory of the late James Franklin “Coach” Cotham — a long-time educator and school athletic director. The official dedication will be held Tuesday, Feb. 9, at the school...

Sharon Shelton McDonald still lives in her childhood home in Bedford County. After 70 years, the memories there are still so vivid, she was inspired to write her own memoirs, which she most recently titled, “Precious Memories.” “Record everything that you can recall, while you can still remember,” says McDonald, a retired Eakin Elementary first grade teacher...

Police should be harder on drug dealers than users, a Shelbyville man arrested for possession of a schedule II drug and paraphernalia said Tuesday. Officers investigating a report of an overdose victim said they found Joseph Allen Barrett, 23, of Hoover Street on his bed with a loaded needle and bag of a white powder substance which field tested positive for cocaine. Barrett allegedly told police the substance was heroin...

The Fairview FEC Club met Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at the UT/TSU Extension Office in Shelbyville. President Pat Hastings opened the meeting and led the members in bicep curls. Ann Cannady read the call to order, and Betty Brown read a lesson on giving thanks by Sarah Young...

The Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting at Planet Fitness Shelbyville, 108 Lane Parkway. Victor and Lynne Brick, co-founders of Planet Fitness, hold the ceremonial scissors.

The Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting at Kingdom Acres, 1705 Kingdom Rd Store owners Ron and Malinda Tuggle hold the ceremonial scissors. 

Things no doubt were a little different at the Shelbyville home of George and Gloria Rowe this Thanksgiving, due to the pandemic. Still, with a song in her heart, and a love for preparing delicious foods for others, Gloria isn’t planning to let any evil spirits put a damper on her holiday...

Ronald Fritz was recognized at Longview Baptist Church recently for his military service and was wrapped in a Quilt of Valor. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1967. A few years back, Billy Coop Smith, Jr., had kidney transplant and an aneurysm in his brain and didn't think he would ever survive. He has served in the past as a Bedford County deputy and now serves as a Judicial Commissioner. He served in the U.S. Navy SeaBees from 1973 to 1977...

The weekend gets off to a pretty good start but then things go downhill with a chance of rain developing Sunday afternoon — and then we bring the S word into the forecast for the first time this year with snow mixing in Sunday night and Monday. The high temperature on Monday afternoon will probably not get out of the 30s and drop to near 22 degrees by Tuesday morning. If you have any questions about this weather system or any other you can always reach me at weather1@charter.net...

With “Small Business Saturday” going on today and Christmas quickly approaching, Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber launched Monday the first of many campaigns to encourage local spending. The ‘Holiday Shop Local’ contest, going on through Dec. 18, is also designed to encourage and reward one lucky ‘local’ shopper with a $200 cash prize. ...

Bedford County Schools Superintendent Don Embry said Tuesday that Harris Middle School will remain all virtual until Monday, Dec. 7, due to the high number of COVID related issues with faculty and staff that will still be under quarantine.  All others schools in Bedford County will return to in-person learning on Monday, Nov. 30...

Public health experts look at increases in the number of cases to gauge how severe the outbreak of COVID-19 is. But another number they pay particular attention to is the positivity rate. (See sidebar “Positivity rates”) The positivity rate is the percentage of all tests that come back positive. The positivity rate is important because it lets public officials know if there is enough testing taking place to know how many people are infected and how widespread the infection is...

The percent positive is exactly what it sounds like: the percentage of all coronavirus tests performed that are actually positive. The percent positive (sometimes called the “percent positive rate” or “positivity rate”) helps public health officials answer questions such as:...

More than 1 million Americans a day packed airports and planes over the weekend even as coronavirus deaths surged across the U.S. and public health experts begged people to stay home and avoid big Thanksgiving gatherings. And the crowds are only expected to grow. Next Sunday is likely to be the busiest day of the holiday period...

Most Americans probably don’t realize that we have a very limited understanding of the first Thanksgiving, which took place in 1621 in Massachusetts. Indeed, few of our present-day traditions resemble what happened almost 400 years ago, and there’s only one original account of the feast...

The University of Tennessee has honored Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham as a Certified Public Administrator. Graham completed the requirements of the certification in August; Melisa Kelton, county government consultant with UT’s County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS), visited with Graham on Monday and presented him with the designation of Certified Public Administrator. ...

Two suspects have been charged with the theft of an SUV Sunday from a home near Unionville. Shelbyville police officers had earlier pursued the Ford Expedition through Shelbyville, reaching a speed of 80 mph on South Cannon Boulevard before discontinuing the chase due to high speed on a narrow two-lane roadway...

The annual fall consignment sale of farm equipment will be held at the Bedford County Ag Center by Tradition Auctions on Saturday, November 28, at 9:00 AM. Consignments will be received on Wednesday November 25 and Friday November 27 from 8 am to 5.00 pm. They’ll be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday...

First light of the day at Normandy Lake illuminates the last colors of autumn Monday.

Phase III of the reopening of Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library is about to commence on Monday, according to assistant library director Margaret Petty. Since last spring, when COVID-19 first hit Bedford County, library patrons have been unable to browse book shelves. After the pandemic began to settle a bit, patrons were finally able to pick up library books (ordered by phone or online) curbside...

Four men nominated to fill the remaining two years of the late Jimmy Patterson’s District 3 County Commission seat made their sales pitches last Tuesday. All commissioners were invited to question the prospects as the commission’s rules and legislative committee met...

Bedford County Board of Education member Andrea Anderson was recently honored by her peers at the state level by being selected as one of five outstanding school board members. She’s a very busy board member, representing District 6, as well, a wife, parent and local veterinarian-all wrapped into one. ...

A Shelbyville man was wounded by his brother during a melee outside a Quarry Street restaurant late Sunday afternoon, according to Shelbyville police. Agusto Tomas Hernandez suffered a deep facial cut and fractured jaw, police said. His brother, Miguel Tomas Hernandez, 28, of Quarry Street was charged with aggravated domestic assault, public intoxication, resisting arrest and violation of probation. He is being held on $29,000 bond...

Work on the huge gambrel-roofed barn at Sand Creek Farms is well underway. What used to stable horses will now celebrate three essentials of Tennessee culture: fine Whiskey, Tennessee Walking Horses and music. When the barn is completed, to be called Heritage Hall, it will serve as the visitors center for the Nearest Green Distillery...

The spread of COVID-19 in Bedford County is progressing much faster than in Tennessee as a whole. In just seven days, Bedford County reported 257 newly confirmed cases, more new cases in a week than during entire month of September, when there were 246 newly confirmed cases in 30 days...

A Shelbyville woman lost her life in a head-on wreck on South Cannon Boulevard just north of the Shelbyville armory Thursday afternoon, police said. Deborah Warren, 62, was northbound when she crossed the center line into the path of a tractor-trailer driven by Justin Dycus of Alabama, Officer Chris Vest said...

State and local elected officials joined members of the Tennessee Fire Service on Friday, Nov. 13, to preside over the grand opening of the newly completed 19,330 square foot conference center on the campus of the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy (TFACA)...

An intoxicated woman accused of walking into a stranger’s home and going to sleep in a bedroom allegedly attempted to pull away when arrested Tuesday night, Shelbyville police said. Lashanda Shenice Sales, 32, of South Cannon Boulevard didn’t want to get up and was pulled to her feet by Officers Dylan Bliss and Matt Sharp, then tried to pull away from Officer Brandi Merlo, a police report said...

The United Methodist Men of First United Methodist Church in Shelbyville have raised funds to thank personnel of the Shelbyville Police Department and Bedford County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work and sacrifices. Each of the 50 Bedford County deputies will receive a box lunch prepared by River Bend Country Club. The 59 members of the Shelbyville Police Department will each receive a $35 gift certificate through the Police Benevolent Association...

We have had a great run of weather this week in Bedford County but after the weekend gets off to a good start I think we will see the clouds increasing on Sunday with a chance of scattered showers beginning Sunday night. Right now showers are looking to be a possibility from Monday through Wednesday...

While some kids aren’t cozy with having their hair cut, Grasyn Hinds seems happy with his trip to Yoes Brothers Barber Shop on Tuesday. Barber Jeremy Yoes does the honors. See Saturday’s Life and Leisure section for a story about a special toy box located at the Madison Street shop.

Many public health professionals and politicians are urging or requiring citizens to wear face masks to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Some Americans have refused, wrongly claiming mask decrees violate the Constitution. An internet search turns up dozens of examples...

Shelbyville Fire Department will conduct its annual toy drive signups through Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, 100 North Cannon Boulevard. A photo I.D. , child’s social security card and proof of local residence are items needed to sign up for the Christmas toy program-one which benefitted over 600 children throughout the county in 2019...

Drunk drivers and alleged illegal activity stemming from horse races and concerts at an Anderton Road farm continue to concern several commissioners. Commissioner Bill Anderson, during Tuesday’s law enforcement committee meeting, said there were “125 calls to 911” during an Oct. 31 horse race and concert yet no record of Bedford County deputies ticketing anyone. Anderson asked Sheriff Austin Swing why, noting state troopers had made several arrests...

Study groups will be formed to look into the possible sale of two county-owned buildings following discussion Tuesday night in Bedford County Commission’s courthouse and property committee. Cooper Steel has expressed interest in buying Bedford County Emergency Management Agency’s building on Railroad Avenue. The property adjoins the rear portion of Cooper Steel’s headquarters on North Hillcrest Drive...

COVID-19 won’t stop Shelbyville’s Christmas Parade. The parade will go on as scheduled Saturday, Dec. 5 at 4 p.m., Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce officials told Bedford County Emergency Management Director Scott Johnson. But entries are “way down,” Johnson told Commissioner Mark Thomas in response to a question at a meeting of Bedford County Commission’s law enforcement committee Tuesday...

A mask mandate may be implemented in Bedford County if COVID-19 cases continue rising, County Mayor Chad Graham said Tuesday morning. “I remain confident that the people of Bedford County can do the right thing because it is the right thing,” Graham said in a press release...

A mask mandate may be implemented in Bedford County if COVID-19 cases continue rising, Mayor Chad Graham said Tuesday morning. “I remain confident that the people of Bedford County can do the right thing because it is the right thing,” Graham said in a press release...

Several months ago, Virginia Parrish contacted Amy Martin, local Quilt of Valor representative, asking her to have husband, Dan, placed on the award list. She did so, but was contacted again soon after by Virginia; she requested the presentation soon as Dan had terminal cancer. ...

The State Health Department reported that Bedford County had 316 active cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, the highest number since the first case of the coronavirus was recorded in the county on March 25. Sunday’s number broke the previous record of 280 which was set just six days earlier, Nov. 9...

Shelbyville City Council took action Thursday on submitting a state grant proposal, which if awarded, could pump in thousands of dollars toward the upgrade of traffic light signals at two prominent intersections on the east side of town. Each signal upgrade, which would include video cameras, is estimated to cost $69,000...