Stories from Friday, October 2, 2009

According to London's Daily Telegraph, American scientist/futurist Ray Kurzweil thinks you may soon be bouncing a little Terminator-like cyborg on your knee. Kurzweil believes that within a mere 20 years our understanding of genetics and computer technology could turn us all into superhumans. ...

Are we ever going to learn? The recent rash of terrorist arrests around the country is a jolting reminder of just how lax our borders are and how we're still too eager not to offend when it comes to allowing visitors into this country. Hosam Maher Husein Smadi is an illegal immigrant from Jordon. ...

A Monday night meeting may decide the future of Marshall County's director of schools. At the school board's regular monthly meeting on Sept. 23, vice chairman Craig Michael made the motion to hold a special called meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, to discuss the terms of schools director Stan Curtis' contract, and the possibility of a "buy out."...

General Motors' announcement Wednesday that its Saturn brand will be discontinued was seen as another blow to Marshall County residents who've produced those cars and parts for them. Still, there were signs of hope among philosophical comments from Lewisburg and Marshall County leaders who on Thursday morning reflected on the disintegration of a deal with Penske Automotive Group...

Fannie B. Turner, 89, died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, at her home in Shelbyville. She was baptized in the Church of God and later moved her membership to the Greater First Baptist Church in Lewisburg. She was preceded in death by her parents, Della Nance Turner and William Bill Turner, granddaughter Jacquelia Benita O'Neal, one granddaughter and a nephew...

There's been sort of a standoff between Marshall County commissioners and a member of the local school board over their agreement to have him mow grass for the county. The county says Denton Lawn Service of Spring Place Road needs workers compensation insurance. Curt Denton says the mowing contract hasn't been approved and he's not been paid for the mowing he's already done...

The 3rd Annual Lewisburg Rotary Club State Championship Barbecue Cook Off, sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, returns to the Goats, Music and More Festival on Saturday, Oct. 10. Professional and backyard/shade tree cookers from across the Southeast will be putting their best sauces and spices on the grill competing for up to $6,000 in cash prizes in five categories: chicken, pork ribs, pork, brisket (beef) and "Goat with Anything But," serving as the State Championship Goat Cook Off.. ...

Mr. Henry Freeman Butler, age 78 of Columbus, Ohio, died Monday, September 21, 2009 at his residence. Mr. Butler was a native of Dayton, Ohio and son of the late Clifford P. and Viola Harrod Butler. He was a retired Bank Security Guard. One sister, Dorothy Grubb and brother, Ralph Butler both of Lewisburg, survive him...

Doug Cathey, 70, of Columbia, died Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, in Nashville. Mr. Cathey was a native of Williamson County. He was a retired autoworker. He was preceded in death by his parents, Buford Allen Cathey and Annie Irene Wiley Chunn. He is survived by his daughters, Jamie Stephens of Columbia, Lori Ann Holt of Lewisburg, and Carla Clayton of Lawrenceburg; son, Brian Douglas Cathey of Columbia; brothers, Marshall Chunn and Jimmy Skinner of the Caney Spring Community of Marshall County; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.. ...

Mary Elizabeth Perry Neese, 91, of Shelbyville, died Monday, Sept. 28, 2009. Mrs. Neese was born in Montgomery County. She was a homemaker and retired seamstress from Fly Manufacturing Co. of Shelbyville. Mrs. Neese was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Shelbyville...

Mrs. Vanessa L. Gold-Rush, age 46 of Lewisburg, died Monday, September 28, 2009 in Marshall Medical Center. Vanessa was a native of Marshall County, Tennessee and daughter of Bill E. Gold of Lewisburg and Kathy London Palka, also, of Lewisburg. She was a member of East Commerce Baptist Church...

CHAPEL HILL - A couple of hours after he accepted the job as the town's first full-time, paid fire chief, Kenneth Runk was at the scene of another emergency. And when Runk was responding to that call, he left his wife and kids at the fire hall. They were there to celebrate his new job in an institution that's something of a family tradition...

Firefighters from several volunteer departments went to the Marshall County Commission meeting Monday night to protest the reduction of matching grants to their departments. Last year, county commissioners appropriated $4,500 for each volunteer fire department that raised that much money on its own. This year, the appropriation is to be $1,500 - a $3,000 reduction...

The "Lynnville Fair on the Square" turned out to be a good day even if it was pouring rain. There were a lot of entries in the fair in all divisions. Next week there will be a listing of the winners in this column. We thank everyone who participated. Also, the bean dinner was a success. There were not many vendors because of the rain, but that was understandable. We thank those who came and sold their wares...

Members of the grand jury, as well as the circuit court judge, had a busy day at the Marshall County Courthouse last week. The sentencing of convicted child rapist Paul Alexander Montgomery III to 50 years' incarceration was reported last week. The indictment of former animal control officer Neal Owens was reported in Wednesday's Tribune...

A former chairman of the Marshall County Planning Commission has been appointed by the County Commission to the Board of Directors of the county-owned water utility district. Matt Collins succeeds Mike Waggoner whose term expired. His last meeting was Aug. 18. County Mayor Joe Boyd Liggett has the responsibility to nominate directors of the Marshall County Board of Public Utilities...

Fall arrived officially a couple of weeks ago, but it has waited to show its cool temperatures. The leaves on trees have started to change, but we haven't seen their "true colors" quite yet. On Oct. 17 the Forrest Alumni Association will sponsor its 2nd Annual Trivia Night at the Family Life Center at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church. ...