Stories from Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Tennessee Army National Guardsmen who deployed to Iraq in February from Camp Shelby, Miss. - by way of the Lewisburg Armory - are returning to Tennessee on Saturday morning, the Guard's spokesman said Tuesday. "Part of the 278th is returning" in time for Independence Day, guard spokesman Nate Crawford said, noting the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, with troops from Lewisburg, has a total of 3,400 soldiers. "Approximately 265 are returning Saturday...

NASHVILLE - Marshall County's unemployment rate went down again, according to month after month figures released last week, but the rate remained second highest in the state. With a workforce of 12,170, Marshall County's unemployment rate was 16.7 percent in May, down from 17.3 percent in April. Scott County had the state's highest unemployment rate at 19.8 percent, down from 20.2 percent...

Julia Tate McDaniel left this world on Friday, June 25, 2010, to be with her heavenly Father. Mrs. McDaniel has been an active member of Union Presbyterian Church in Belfast since a very young age, rarely missing a worship service or church activity. She has lived in Brentwood at Brighton Gardens Assisted Living for the last one and a half years...

Lula Mae Crane, 80, of Cornersville, died Thursday, June 24, 2010, at her residence. Mrs. Crane was a native of Athens, Ala., and daughter of the late Willie and Maudie Bell Lock. She was a homemaker and member of the Baptist Church. In addition to parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Lorene Wilson...

Some school board members agreed to disagree with their attorney about whether the two deputy director positions are "new" or "re-titled" jobs, but by a vote of 5-4 they approved the job descriptions so that the vacancies can be posted. Also at the special called meeting Tuesday, the board agreed to cut staff at the Alternative School from three teachers to two, saving about $53,000 per year...

Herschel R. Hobbs, 70, of Lewisburg, died Saturday, June 26, 2010, at his residence. A native of Bedford County, he was the son of the late Annie Riddle Hobbs and Oscar Hobbs. He enjoyed boating and was retired from Trott Group Trucking as a truck driver and was a member of East Commerce Baptist Church of Lewisburg...

Marie Smith, 74, of Lewisburg, died Friday, June 25, 2010, in Maury Regional Hospital. Ms. Smith was a native of Giles County, and daughter of the late Charles and Ola Mai Walls Crumley. She retired from Teledyne and was a member of the Church of God...

The Marshall County Farmers Market in Lewisburg's Rock Creek Park opened a week early this summer because there was produce available. "We did start early this year," Market Chairman Tommy Woodard said. "We had a boy who had a little extra. There weren't but three of us last week, but there are usually about eight there."...

The Marshall County Chamber of Commerce is holding a political forum during its Independence Day celebration at Lewisburg's Recreation Center where candidates for county and state offices may speak to area residents. Saturday at 3 p.m. is when the forum starts in the vicinity of the picnic pavilion and where the annual contest for Little Miss Marshall County is conducted. ...

Lewisburg's councilmen want to move their elections from May to August or November to save $12,000 every other year because city elections would be held with other elections funded by the county. Changing the city's election schedule will require an act of the Tennessee General Assembly because the Lewisburg Charter would have to be amended, according to discussion during a council meeting last week...

A Lewisburg man was indicted by the grand jury this month on charges of rape and aggravated kidnapping. Owen Presley, 66, of 2nd Avenue North, allegedly forced a woman into his house and kept her there against her will, raping her repeatedly, according to arrest warrants sworn out by Lewisburg Police Detective Sgt. David Henley...

A Lewisburg man's trial, during which he faced attempted murder charges, had already started Monday morning when he decided to plead guilty. Testimony and other information about to be presented against the man included his daughter's statements to police at the crime scene that he was drunk and covered with blood...

Webb senior Sarah Steely and sixth-grader Ashlyn Avent, both of Lewisburg, made the A Honor Roll for the fourth quarter of the 2010 spring semester at The Webb School, Bell Buckle. Lewisburg Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring their annual Independence Day 5K Run & Walk, starting with registration at 6 a.m. Saturday, July 3. Race time is 7 a.m...

Shriners, TV personalities and Dune Buggy the clown are scheduled to parade west on Commerce Street from The Acres to Lewisburg's Recreation Center during the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce's Independence Day Weekend Celebration. In addition to traditional festivities at the Rec Center, such as the beauty pageants, games and food, there's a candidates' forum on Saturday afternoon for every political office that's on the Aug. ...

A suit seeking compensatory damages of $500,000, as well as punitive damages and costs, has been filed against Cornersville by a former employee. Jason D. Lee's attorney, Clay Parker of Shelbyville, filed the civil suit last week. In addition to the city and its police department, the suit names Mayor Amos Davis, Town Administrator Taylor Brandon and Police Chief Todd Bone in their official roles and as individuals...