Stories from Friday, April 18, 2014

Staff ace David Looney helped Cornersville move closer to claiming the District 11-A regular season title on Wednesday afternoon, as he tossed a two-hit shutout to lead the first place Bulldogs to a 6-0 win over the Richland Raiders at home. Cornersville (12-8, 8-1 District) held a just a 1-0 lead through the first five innings of play, but busted the game wide open by crossing home plate five times in the bottom of the sixth en route to claiming their second straight win over Richland (10-12, 6-5 District).

The Forrest Lady Rockets continued their longtime dominance over Cascade on the softball diamond, beating the Lady Champions 7-1 Wednesday night at the Field of Dreams in Chapel Hill for their 40th win in 41 tries over the Wartrace girls, dating back to 2002. Forrest had a little bit of early rust as they gave up an unearned run in the first inning before exploding at the plate in the bottom of the frame when Forrest starting hurler Katie Warrick and Samantha King belted two-out, back-to-back home runs.

Because of unplayable field conditions in Fayetteville, the Tigers agreed to play the second game of the home and away series with Forrest in Chapel Hill Tuesday night and the Rockets continued their torrid offensive output, run-ruling Fayetteville 12-1 in six innings. "We have been hitting the ball lately and we continued to do so," said Forrest head coach Chris Parker. "Fayetteville has some good athletes, we just put the bat on it a few more times than they did."

On Wednesday night, the Marshall County Tigers missed a chance to move into a tie for the top spot in the District 12-AA standings when they lost 17-6 in six innings to the first place Spring Hill Raiders at home. The Tigers (14-6, 4-4 District) held a 3-1 lead through the first four innings of play, but fell apart down the stretch, as the Raiders (13-10, 6-2 District) outscored MCHS 16-3 over the next two frames to salvage a split in the season series.

Murrey E. "Coach" Holton, 66, of Chapel Hill, died Tuesday, April 15, 2014. A native of Maury County, Mr. Holton was a son of the late Murrey Earl Holton and Lillie Sue Blalock Holton. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving as a military policeman during the Vietnam War. ...

Marion Ruth Brown McConnell of Chattanooga, departed this life on Tuesday, April 15, 2014. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 18, at the East Brainerd Church of Christ, 7745 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga. Friends and family may visit two hours prior to the funeral...

Margie Thomason Fowler, 78, of Cornersville, died Thursday, April 10, 2014, in NHC Lewisburg. Ms. Fowler was a native of Marshall County, and daughter of the late Raymond and Allie Ray Thomason. She was a homemaker and member of the Cornersville First Baptist Church...

Gregory Madison Joyce, 57, of Columbia, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2014, at Vanderbilt Medical Center after an extended illness. Gregory was born Oct. 21, 1956, in Columbia, to the late Melvin Joyce and Barbara Jean Gordon Joyce. After graduation, Gregory was employed by Columbia Power and Water System where he worked for 30 years as a foreman. ...

Ruby Earlene Gipson, 81, of Belfast, passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2014, in NHC Healthcare-Lewisburg. A native of Franklin, Mrs. Gipson was the daughter of the late Marvin G. Burrow Sr. and Minnie E. Pyland Burrow. She was a homemaker and a member of Parkview Baptist Church...

By Roy "Bam" Haislip Energy Specialist While the world celebrates Earth Day on April 22, Marshall County School District faculty, staff and students can participate as well, each one with a strong sense of satisfaction at having done his or her part to control energy use...

By Karen Hall Editor Saturday's weather was perfect for a display of Model T and Model A Fords at Henry Horton State Park, in conjunction with the first ever Spring Festival. Twenty-two cars showed up, and park officials have already asked if they will come back in the fall for the Step Back in Time Festival...

By Karen Hall Editor Would you believe your friends and neighbors, the people you see every day, could put on a really famous musical? With almost continuous singing and dancing, and a set that has totally transformed the old Dixie stage? Well, they can, and they have...