Raymond A. Smith of Shelbyville awaits his murder sentence after a jury found him guilty last week of first-degree murder of Sarah Angelina Johnson. more

After a week on hold, followed by 2 hours of discussion, a teacher gun-carry in public schools proposal has passed the Tennessee House of Representatives. After a week on hold, followed by two hours of discussion, a teacher gun-carry in public schools proposal has passed the Tennessee House of Representatives. The measure was substituted for the Senate companion version of the bill on Tuesday when it carried the House by a vote of 68 in favor and 28 against. Two representatives, Clay Doggett (R-70) of Pulaski and Kirk Haston (R-72) of Lobelville, opted to be recorded as “present, but not voting” on the bill. Both representatives cast a vote against every Democratic-proposed amendment to the legislation prior to the final vote. Senate Bill 1325 passed the Senate Chamber on its third and final consideration April 9. The Senate version was sponsored by Sen. Paul Bailey (R-15) of Sparta. Tennessee Senate District 15 comprises Cumberland, Jackson, Putnam, Smith, Van Buren and White counties. Sen. Shane Reeves (R-14), who represents Bedford, Cannon, Moore and Rutherford counties, supported the measure. Locally, State Rep. Pat Marsh (R-62) of Shelbyville and representing Bedford, Moore and part of Lincoln counties, voted in favor of the bill Tuesday. HB 1202 sponsor, Rep. Ryan Williams (R-42) of Cookeville, requested to hold the proposal on the clerk’s desk last week citing an effort of bipartisanship to allow for more time to discuss the measure. Under the legislation, a faculty or staff member of a school is allowed to carry a concealed weapon on school grounds as long as it does not violate Federal laws, the staff member obtains an enhanced handgun carry permit and completes 40 hours of POST training annually. Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) is the state standard in police training The hands-on POST training was an additional requirement of the Senate version, according to Williams. The bill also requires the staff member who wants to carry adhere to a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation background check, as well as a mental health background check. In addition, information pertaining to employees of a school district who do carry a concealed weapon on school grounds is confidential. Williams explained to his colleagues that the language of the bill allows counties and Local Education Agencies (school districts) to opt out of the measure. Apparently the costs for liability insurance for those who wish to carry are covered through that individual’s insurance policy as an enhanced concealed-carry permit holder. During floor discussion, Williams reminded House members that a similar bill was passed by the Tennessee legislature in 2016 allowing teachers to conceal carry handguns at schools in the 13 counties considered economically distressed in the state. In 2017, Williams said, the Tennessee General Assembly passed a bill allowing faculty and staff members in higher education to conceal carry handguns. Williams claimed crime on Tennessee campuses was reduced by 20 percent, according to a TBI report. He said 3.133 percent of faculty and staff carry handguns on university campuses. He noted that 32 other states, “red, blue and purple,” already have similar legislation pertaining to teacher gun carry. Williams said he has worked for many years on the legislation, with the idea of protecting those who are trapped and creating a deterrent for school shootings. The legislation mandates a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between a school’s principal, local law enforcement in that jurisdiction and the director of schools to allow teachers and staff to conceal carry. Prior to the final vote in the Tennessee House, several representatives spoke out in favor of the measure and against the measure, all falling in line with their respective political parties, with the majority of Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed to the bill. Rep. Caleb Hemmer (D-59) of Nashville announced polling of 1,000 people, 49 percent who were firearm owners, by Vanderbilt showed only 37 percent felt their children would be safer with teachers carrying guns on campus. Rep. Bo Mitchell (D-50) of Nashville quoted his colleague from Knox County, who stated in a previous session, “The teacher who wants a gun in the classroom is exactly the one I don’t want to have a gun in the classroom.” Mitchell reminded House members that this was the first piece of legislation surrounding firearms since the Covenant School shooting last year in Nashville. On March 27, 2023, a shooter entered the elementary school and killed six people, three of whom were students. He argued throwing guns at schools was not going to keep students safe. Rep. Brock Martin (R-79) of Huntingdon spoke in favor of the legislation, noting that he trusted his LEO and school districts. “If they think it will help with safety, I will support this,” Martin said. Under the measure, teachers and other staff members who are approved to conceal carry are not allowed to bring their weapon into gymnasiums, auditoriums or stadiums during school-sponsored events. Williams said as they must carry the weapon on them, they would not be allowed to attend events such as school-wide pep rallies under the legislation. The bill was sent to Gov. Bill Lee for his signature. Lee has 10 days, with the exception of Sundays, to sign or veto the measure. He has not vetoed any legislation during the 113th Tennessee General Assembly session. If he takes no action on the bill, it becomes law without his signature. Sabrina Bates, sabrina@richardsonmediagroup.net more

A lot of expansions and renovations are going on around the historic square in Shelbyville. Please continue to support your local businesses. more

Growth is here and coming full speed. Discussions at the Bedford County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday night all came back full circle to the growth of Bedford County. more

A ribbon cutting was held recently for Tennessee Flight Training Academy at Shelbyville Municipal Airport. more

Warmth and exercise more

Friends of the Historic Bell Buckle School (FHBBS) are on a mission to restore the remaining structure and turn it into a community center/recreational facility for the local town. more

Jared Carkuff was announced as the new Cascade Head Football Coach on Wednesday. more

The final rounds of the Arenacross Championships at Cooper Steel Arena in Shelbyville are set to begin on March 8th and 9th. We talked to Tristar MX owner Bobby Snyder on how the sport has grown here already. more

In a shocking move, Shelbyville Central Golden Eaglettes’ Basketball head coach Kyle Turnham has announced that he has resigned from his position in a statement released by Bedford County … more

The back of a building (next to Bocelli's and across from the Capri Theatre) collapsed on Friday. Shelbyville Police have streets blocked surrounding the structure. SPD urges residents to stay away from the area as it potentially dangerous. Update: The structure was taken down on Friday night. more

A new, local, Opioid Settlement committee has been organized to distribute funds which Bedford County and many other counties will receive as a result of a national civil suit against several major pharma companies. OPIOID GRANT APPLICATION INFORMATION MEETING ABOUT THE OPIOID GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS MARCH 11, 2024 - 10:00 AM CONFERENCE ROOM 100 200 DOVER STREET SHELBYVILLE, TN 37160 To request an application or ask any questions, Contact the Opioid Contract Administrator at the email address: bedford-opioid@shelbyvilleclinic.org. more

Bedford County Commission prepared held an attorney-client privilege meeting Tuesday night at the Courthouse. Following this closed meeting, Commission reconvened its monthly meeting and moved to file legal action against the City if it pursues declaratory judgment to gain local option sales tax revenue. more

Bedford County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Tammy Garrett, has announced Wednesday that Malcolm Martin has been named assistant principal of Cartwright Elementary School. more

A member of the Shelbyville Central Golden Eagles basketball team that collapsed in the halftime locker room during Tuesday’s game at Lincoln County is now reportedly in stable condition. more

COUNTY MAYOR CHAD GRAHAM RESPONDS TO CITY LAWSUIT more

Bedford County Opioid Settlement Board held its first meeting Monday and was complimented at the outset by a state consultant for its organization. more

Bedford County Board of Education voted recently to join other school systems across the state and country in a class action lawsuit against social media companies like Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram. more

United Communications announces free fiber internet installation at Flat Creek Fire Station. more