by Amanda E. West | Apr 17, 2025 | Shelbyville, Stories
“I SAW MYSELF as a teacher, in a bank, as a doctor — never prisoner number 00660725 at the Bedford County Correctional Complex,” wrote Shawna Barrier. “My pathway to becoming a habitual offender began after a major car accident. I began abusing prescription...
by Amanda E. West | Apr 17, 2025 | Shelbyville, Stories
DURING HIS formative years in Maryland, Kasey Kesselring’s mother and three siblings gathered around the dinner table each evening, taking turns reading from the devotional “Our Daily Bread.” Despite being a promising athlete who did well in public school,...
by Amanda E. West | Apr 17, 2025 | Shelbyville, Stories
NINETY-YEAR-OLD MARY Sadler’s eyes twinkle as she studies the eager faces around the kindergarten classroom at Cascade Elementary School. Every morning, she lovingly delivers the bags of hot breakfast items to the students, and it’s the highlight of her day. With each...
by Amanda E. West | Mar 26, 2025 | Shelbyville, Stories
SOMEONE IS unresponsive and has quit breathing. A loved one is struggling to breathe or appears to be experiencing a heart attack. A child is choking on a grape. Any one of us could find ourselves alone in the midst of these situations and others like them. Would we...
by Amanda E. West | Mar 26, 2025 | Shelbyville, Stories
THE SKY blushed with shades of peach and coral above the metal bleachers of Shelbyville Central High School (SCHS). Wild honeysuckles sweetened the slight summer breeze. One by one, the stadium lights flickered overhead, casting a fluorescent glow over the soccer...
by Amanda E. West | Mar 26, 2025 | Shelbyville, Stories
AFTER DAYS of nonstop chemo infusions, Ezralee Swing was much too weak to open his eyes. Above the metal headboard of his hospital bed, a machine beeped. Had he finally completed his seventh day of treatment? Would the leukemia be in remission soon? His spine ached...
