Stories from Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Each year on April 22, people across the world celebrate Earth Day. This day is set aside to promote awareness of environmental issues. Earth Day teaches people that they can help the pollution in the air and water, they can conserve water and electricity, and they can control the litter on the streets and in the landfills. ...

'This was one of his best games of the season. He was hitting his spots with all four of his pitches. ' -- Kristian Albarran Forrest Senior Backstop

'After the first inning the game was basically over with.' -- Cornersville Head Coach, Spencer Mitchell

"Over on Highway 244 you're in the modern world, but here you go back 100 years," says Lindsey Payne, who works at the Crossroads Market in Delina. Actually, the market has everything you would want in a convenience store, housed in a very picturesque 1892 building with the original counters, shelves and hardwood floor inside...

The wait is over. The 2008 Miss Chapel Hill is Megan Porter. Pictured above with Megan are the other members of her court. Also pictured are the 2008 Junior Miss Chapel Hill, Ashlee Kritz, and her court as well as Little Miss and Little Mr. Chapel Hill, Kayla Gillespie and Sam Johnson. This year's pageant was organized by the Forrest High School cheerleaders...

The Westvue Church of Christ is pleased to announce their new minister, Rick Rolin. Rolin, a native of Minor Hill, has preached for the past 24 years, the last 18 of them in Hurricane Mills, where he served the Wildwood Valley congregation. He has a bachelor's degree from the International Bible College in Florence, Ala., and a master's degree from Lipscomb University in Nashville. ...

Michael and RoseMary Heaton of Chapel Hill announce the birth of their son, Earlen Brenke Heaton. He was born March 26, 2008, and weighed 9 pounds 4 ounces.

Mr. and Mrs. John Eapen of Concord, N.C., are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Ria Sara Eapen, to Nathaniel Long Reynolds, son of Dr. and Mrs. Rembert Neal Reynolds of Columbia, S.C. The wedding is planned for September 20, 2008, at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, Belmont, N.C...

CHATTANOOGA -- In a cool spring-fed Tennessee stream, flashes of color dance in the sunlight as dozens of Barrens topminnows dart just below the surface. "If you live in the area, when you walk up to the creek these are the first fish that you see," said Matt Hamilton, senior aquarist at the Tennessee Aquarium. "The males have a brilliant iridescent blue that's beautiful and eye-catching."...

With one eye on the current drought and the other eye on future flooding, the Tennessee Duck River Development Agency will soon be requesting feasibility studies for solutions -- one of which could be raising the pool level at Normandy Dam 5 feet -- which would mean construction work to raise the actual dam and replace the spillway gates...

Former County Commissioner Jimmy Wolaver was appointed Monday to return to the panel as Sam Smith's successor since the Cornersville farmer resigned to avoid a conflict of interest over plans to sell property for a landfill. Wolaver was appointed by a vote of 11-5 against Cornersville Planning Commissioner Georgann Blackburn, the only other candidate considered by the County Commission during its regular monthly meeting in the Courthouse Annex...

COLUMBIA -- On April 17, Maury Regional Hospital held a celebration for the first group of patients to complete pulmonary rehabilitation since the program began in September 2007. Dr. Jon Freels, the program's medical director and a specialist in pulmonary and critical care medicine, addressed the group during the luncheon and discussed the different types of lung diseases and long-term treatment options available...

NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Agricultural Museum was recently recognized for its accomplishments at the annual Tennessee Association of Museums Conference in Jackson, Tenn. "This is a great accomplishment for the museum," said Tennessee Department of Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens. "We're proud of the work the museum is doing everyday by educating students and citizens about importance of Tennessee's agricultural past and present."...

NASHVILLE -- Vanderbilt University Medical Center is one of three clinical sites testing new products to replace burned skin as part of a massive federal grant program announced Thursday. The collaborative effort is expected to boost treatment options for soldiers injured in war zones...

NASHVILLE -- Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be one of the hardest times in a person's life. It is also a time when people can become very vulnerable and scam artists are taking advantage of that. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, reports of an identity-theft scam related to death certificates have surfaced in Indiana. Scam artists are scanning obituaries and contacting the families of the deceased...

First Commerce Bank is pleased to announce the hiring of Jeff Whitmore as its new senior vice president. Whitmore, who resides in Fayetteville, graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a bachelor of business administration in finance. He also attended the Graduate School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State Univer-sity and the Tennessee School of Banking at Vanderbilt University...

Last week Anthony Garza of Lewisburg got the phone call he was hoping for but never really expected to get: someone had found his wallet.

William Roy Newsom Mr. William Roy "Bill" Newsom, 53, of the Wheel Community of Bedford County, died Monday, April 28, 2008, at Alive Hospice at St. Thomas Hospital.

Ralph Calvin Thompson Mr. Ralph Calvin Thompson, 79, of Lewisburg, died Monday, April 28, 2008, at Maury Regional Hospital.

Hubert Allen Haynes Mr. Hubert Allen Haynes, 71, of Shelbyville, died Friday, April 25, 2008, at Bedford County Medical Center, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Rita Faye Stewart Ms. Rita Faye Stewart, 51, died Friday, April 25, 2008, at Marshall Medical Center, after an extended illness.

James Tucker Mr. James "Jimmy" Tucker, 47, of Petersburg, died Thursday, April 24, 2008, at Maury Regional Hospital. Mr. Tucker was a native of Coffee County. Prior to his illness, he was a welder for Calsonic.

The Marshall County Extension Service will hold a Master Meat Goat Producer certification in eight evening sessions during the month of May. Pre-registration is required. Participation is limited to the first 30 people registered. For information call 359-1929...

There could be a $135 annual user fee per residential dwelling in the county.

'They are not going to take an application from Waste Management without a vote by Cornersville.' -- J. Andrew Goddard Attorney

'Ninety-nine percent of us blacks have been through hell.' -- Willie Mitchell Former Lewisburg City Councilman

Transplanted Okie finds a home here