Okay, I'm a big softie and a purveyor of false advertising. Quite often these columns are too warm and cuddly and fail to qualify as actual tirades in the strictest sense. But having just marked my 49th birthday, I feel energized to unleash my inner curmudgeon and rant about a few pet peeves... more

Lewisburg's police chief sought and we yielded to his request for a private report to the city's Police Advisory Board on Thursday last week when he advised the panel there was a police investigation into the conduct of an officer who subsequently decided to retire... more

The Rock Creek Bible Society will meet at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2, 2009, at the Bethbirei Presbyterian Church, 2025 Bethbirei Road, Lewisburg. This will be the 195th meeting of this historic society. The service will feature special music by Alva Cavnar of Lewisburg, who has a beautiful voice. Cavnar teaches at Marshall County High School and is known for her work with the Community Theater. She was the director of this month's production of "High School Musical."... more

PETERSBURG - Planning commissioners here are recommending that the home and immediately adjacent property of an appointed town alderman be annexed by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Alderman Ricky Wright was appointed by the Board on Dec. 15 to succeed Alderman Tony Nichols, although it's been revealed that the town line goes through Wright's property and his home is beyond the boundary... more

A white tailed deer broke the display window of a store front at Lewisburg's public square on Monday morning, apparently prompting the building's owner to proceed with restoration work starting with interior excavation. The demolition crew has been gutting the building at the corner of Commerce Street and First Avenue South this week where job foreman Les Hargrove of Belfast said he and his men got "no venison, just blood" from the wild animal that escaped... more

Complaints Thefts Drug Overdose Marshall County Sheriff's Deputy Layne Worsham was called to the scene of a possible drug overdose at about 3 a.m. April 18. David C. Orr, 51, of Culleoka, was found unconscious, with "a very light pulse and was taking a breath about every 15 seconds," according to Worsham's report. Orr was flown to Vanderbilt Medical Center by the Air Evac Lifeteam, and a hospital spokeswoman said he was discharged the next day... more

The man charged in a Cornersville shooting death was indicted Wednesday by the Marshall County Grand Jury on a charge of voluntary manslaughter in connection with the Feb. 15 death of his stepson. "Donnie Sullivan was indicted," District Attorney Chuck Crawford said Wednesday afternoon when he explained Sullivan had been arrested on a charge of felony homicide. That covers all aspects of murder except justifiable homicide... more

Additional requirements would be created for new landfilling operations in Marshall County if the County Commission adopts a resolution that's subject to a public hearing Monday night in the Courthouse Annex on Lewisburg's public square. Public hearings on changes to the county's zoning resolution as it relates to landfills and another resolution on recycling facilities are to start at 5:30 p.m. ... more

Marshall County's Beer Board this week voted to permit beer sales at the Henry Horton State Park golf course pro shop snack bar, a step that was seen as a "formality" by a county commissioner. If an applicant meets all the criteria for a permit, then the Beer Board's responsibility is to be sure that's so and then issue the permit, according to Beer Board discussion with County Attorney Ginger Shofner... more

BRIEFS FOR 22 APRIL Registration for Pre-Kindergarten is at the Marshall County Board of Education, 700 Jones Circle, Lewisburg, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 23. Income and age qualifications must be met, and documentation must be provided. For more information, call 359-1581... more

A unique opportunity to help your neighbors, or help yourself, is happening in Lewisburg on Saturday, April 25. Inspired by stories of people using the County's convenience centers to dispose of perfectly good furniture, tools, and other things, the Lewisburg Rotary came up with the idea of a re-use event. People are being urged to donate any re-usable items, from large or small appliances, furniture, and tools to household linens and accessories... more

Negotiations on next year's contract between the Marshall County Education Association, representing the teachers, and the Board of Education are delayed until next month. Most of the school board members were at a work session Monday night, and budget director Janet Wiles took the opportunity to report on her conversations with the school system's attorney, Chuck Cagle. ... more

CRIME ROUND UP By Karen Hall Staff Writer Arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse, reckless endangerment, and driving on suspended Arrested and charged with child abuse and neglect Arrested and charged with aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, and simple assault... more

A Marshall County jury on Friday convicted a Lewisburg man as charged in the May 11 shooting of another Lewisburg man at the Soul Train Bar & Grill, a weekend night spot where First and Second avenues intersect with Verona Avenue. Jonathan Doran Tears, also known as John John Tears, 30, of Seventh Avenue North, was found guilty of attempted second degree murder and five related charges in the shooting of Gary Dejuan O'Neal, 27, 1380 Monrow St., who was shot through the chest with the bullet leaving an exit wound on his right side.. ... more

By declaring Friday this year's Arbor Day in Lewisburg, the City Council has taken another step toward being designated a Tree City USA under the auspices of the Arbor Day Foundation. "It's easier to get grants if your town is a Tree City," Mayor Bob Phillips said during the City Council meeting in City Hall where City Manager Eddie Fuller asked, apparently in jest, if it would be a holiday for city employees... more

A Lewisburg Police officer decided to retire last week after nearly 27 years with the force and his decision was made amid circumstances that reflect the higher standard of conduct for people in law enforcement, almost regardless of human frailties... more

The ladder bows and almost seems to bounce a bit, but it's been carefully placed. It's leaning against glass. Jose Galnban steps up and down with his window washing squeegee, rags and cleaning fluids. He has an elevated view of Lewisburg's public square, but pays attention t his job... more

Lewisburg will be refinancing its troubled sewer bonds soon, and while some city leaders are concerned they may face additional fees for allegedly breaking a contract, there's a Philadelphia lawyer offering to sue the company that insured the bonds for the city... more

Registration for Pre-Kindergarten is at the Marshall County Board of Education, 700 Jones Circle, Lewisburg, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 23. Income and age qualifications must be met, and documentation must be provided. For more information, call 359-1581... more

Events have coincided with machine-like timing. Just as my son Gideon was discovering Dr. Smith and the Robot on DVDs of the 1960s TV series "Lost In Space," Reuters news service reported that Aberystwyth University in Wales has built and tested a revolutionary robot named Adam. Adam is the first robot in history to come up with a hypothesis, plan experiments, reason about his results, and plan the next steps... more