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Frame The Importance of

Commercial Truck Insurance in Shelbyville, TN

  • Let's face it - truckers in America have always been the backbone of our great country. They still are in modern times. On any given day, thousands of trucks traverse our highways and local roads, delivering goods and products on time so that businesses and consumers have what they need to live life. And while commercial trucking can be an incredibly lucrative way to make a living and put food on the table, it can also be risky and expensive.
  • Whether you're the owner of a fleet, an independent trucker, or have a business that uses big rigs to transport goods, you need commercial trucking insurance to protect you and your client's investments, shield you from liability, and more.
  • That's where working with a reliable truck insurance agency comes into play. Unfortunately, for many commercial truck insurance providers, serving the needs of truckers is low on the proverbial totem pole. At Independence Insurance Agency, nothing could be further from the truth.

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percent The Commercial Truck

Insurance Agency in Shelbyville, TN You Can Trust

Much like you pride yourself on running a successful trucking business, Independence Insurance Agency prides itself on its years of experience providing truck insurance for hardworking men and women across the country. And in our experience, insurance rates for truckers are just too high - so high, in fact, that they eat away at their bottom line, making it more difficult to run a business and make a profit. Fortunately, at Independence Insurance Agency, we provide truckers the freedom they need from astronomically high insurance rates so they can stay on the road and keep driving America forward.

As one of the most trusted commercial trucking insurance agencies in the U.S., we understand the challenges that you face daily as a trucker. We also know how important it is to protect your business. That's why we go above and beyond to find you the best-priced coverage available, whether you're an operator, own a small fleet, a large fleet, or something in between.

Commercial Truck Insurance Shelbyville, TN

We Put Truckers First Because Others Don't

 Truck Insurance Shelbyville, TN

Truckers across the country choose to work with Independence Insurance Agency because we put their needs first before anything else. As experts in transportation insurance, we proudly offer a range of quality insurance products that are both practical and affordable for them. Our industry-leading carriers provide coverage that caters to the unique challenges faced by the trucking industry, ensuring that your business is protected at all times.

At our core, we are committed to finding the best possible price for your coverage without compromising the quality of service you deserve. The truth is, we understand how essential truckers are to the United States and take pride in making their insurance experience more streamlined and affordable.

One way we do so is by simplifying the insurance process. Our transportation specialists take the time to understand your specific needs and budget to tailor a comprehensive plan that works for you. You won't ever have to worry about cookie-cutter plans or uninterested agents when you work with our commercial trucking insurance agency. We take an educational approach to ensure that the entire big rig insurance process is quick, painless, and easy to understand. If there's something you don't understand, we're happy to take the time to explain. After all, the success and safety of your business are on the line.

Looking to the future, we are committed to providing innovative new products that cater to the ever-changing needs of truck drivers. As your one-stop shop for commercial trucking insurance, we are dedicated to your success, one policy at a time.

If you're a commercial trucker looking to ensure your rig, you can rest easy knowing that Independence Insurance Agency provides:

  • Affordable Trucking Insurance Plans for Any Budget
  • Exemplary Customer Service
  • Seasoned Transportation Specialists Who Customize Plans to Your Needs
  • A+ Carriers Across the Country
  • Simple, Easy Quote and Bind Process
  • Multiple Insurance Carriers Quoted to Find You the Best Rates
  • Truck Insurance for New Ventures

Call us or send us a message today to learn more about the best 18-wheeler insurance options for your trucking business.

chart The Commercial Truck

Common Types of Big Rig Truck Insurance in Shelbyville, TN

At Independence Insurance Agency, we offer several types of insurance coverage for local, intermediate, and long-haul trucking needs. Here are just a few categories of trucking insurance coverage that our agency offers.

As the foundation of your insurance policy, liability coverage is required by law in most states in the U.S. It provides coverage for damage or injuries caused to properties or other people if your 18-wheeler is responsible for the crash. Without liability coverage, it's almost impossible to drive a truck or run a trucking business without major legal consequences.

Having physical damage coverage is an essential component that shouldn't be overlooked. This insurance is responsible for covering the expenses related to repairing or replacing your truck in situations such as accidents, theft, vandalism, and other damaging events. By having this coverage, you can rest assured that your business won't be affected significantly by unexpected incidents, and you can continue running your operations smoothly even in challenging times.

For trucking companies, the goods they transport are crucial to their operations. To protect these goods from damage, loss, or theft while in transit, cargo insurance is essential. This coverage provides much-needed peace of mind for both you and your clients, allowing you to reimburse clients for any losses sustained while protecting your reputation and brand identity.

Non-Trucking Liability Insurance is designed to cover property damage or bodily injury that may occur during personal time when the driver/truck is not under dispatch. This coverage can be applied with or without a trailer and is added to a commercial policy as an endorsement.

While Independence Insurance Agency has built a reputation of excellence in serving the needs of truckers, we also offer general liability. Also known as Truckers General Liability, this coverage insures for bodily injuries or property damage that happen due to business activities that are NOT the cause of operating a truck. It covers accidents that occur in parking lots, rest stops, also while loading or unloading. General liability can also cover losses related to theft and vandalism. Most brokers and shippers will require this coverage to work with you.

Bobtail insurance is a type of coverage that is comparable to non-trucking liability, which is designed to offer protection when driving a truck without a trailer attached. This is commonly referred to as "bobtailing." With bobtail insurance, the tractor is covered at all times, even when it is not attached to a trailer, regardless of whether or not the truck is under dispatch.

Trailer interchange insurance is a must-have if you're involved in a trailer interchange agreement. This essential coverage offers protection for trailers owned by other parties that you're using under a contractual agreement. It covers damages caused by collisions, fire, theft, and vandalism, providing assurance to all parties involved.

Curious whether our commercial truck insurance agency in cityname, state offers additional coverage? The following options can be bound in your insurance policy:

  • Business Interruption Insurance
  • Reefer Breakdown Insurance
  • Occupational Accident with Contract Liability Insurance
  • Rental Reimbursement Insurance
  • Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist Insurance
  • Towing Insurance
  • Electronics Insurance
  • Much More

Three plus 3 Safe Driving Tips to

Lower the Cost of Truck Insurance in Shelbyville, TN

Keeping your drivers safe on the road is crucial not only for their own well-being but also for the safety of other motorists and the financial stability of your business. The Department of Labor has identified the trucking industry as one of the most hazardous sectors in the U.S. In fact, trucking and logistics fleets are known for their high injury and fatality rates. By improving how safely your truckers drive, you can help reduce expenses related to claim payouts, accidents, and insurance premium hikes.

Whether you own a large fleet or you're the owner and operator of a single rig, keep these safe driving tips in mind to help lower your insurance costs.

Implement Preventative Maintenance Plans

Ensuring the safety of your drivers begins with the safety of their vehicles. Trucks and tractor-trailers that do not receive regular maintenance, such as oil and brake pad changes, are more likely to experience breakdowns while on the road. Telematics devices provide real-time insight into engine and odometer data, including fault codes.

This information enables your mechanics to create comprehensive preventative maintenance schedules based on mileage, history of previous breakdowns, days, and more. Additionally, they can receive immediate notifications for critical fault codes. By implementing routine maintenance and proactive repair schedules, you can ensure that your vehicles are in top condition, minimizing the likelihood of breakdowns, which can help reduce the cost of trucker insurance.

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 Trucking Insurance Shelbyville, TN

Practice Defensive Driving

This approach aims to mitigate the risk of fatal crashes and injuries by proactively identifying and responding to potentially dangerous situations and making informed decisions while driving. By adopting defensive driving techniques, drivers can reduce their likelihood of accidents, thereby minimizing the need for expensive repairs, claim payouts, and increased insurance premiums.

Some of the easiest ways for you or your drivers to practice safe driving include:

  • Be Wary of Blind Spots: Operating a reefer or tractor-trailer means driving high off of the ground, which can make visibility limited, especially in blind spots. To check your blind spot, look over your shoulder and out of your windows while changing lanes.
  • Be Ready for Emergencies on the Road: It's important for drivers to be ready for unexpected situations when driving, especially during long trips. They should be equipped to handle emergencies such as poor driving conditions or big rig breakdowns.
  • Use the Three-Second Rule: Truck drivers should try to maintain a three-second gap between their vehicle and the car in front of them. This means that the truck driver should reach a certain point on the road three seconds after the car in front of them has passed that same point.
  • Always Use Right and Left Turn Indicators: It's important for drivers to always use their turn signals when changing lanes or exiting highways, even if they don't see any other cars around. This is not only required by law, but it also reduces the chances of accidents occurring on the road.
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 Commercial Liability Insurance For Truckers Shelbyville, TN

Find Ways to Prevent Distracted Driving

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), distracted driving is the primary reason behind truck driver accidents. Any activity that takes a driver's attention away from the road or the steering wheel is considered distracted driving. Distractions can come in various forms, such as eating while driving or gazing at a billboard outside the window. However, the most frequent form of distracted driving is the use of cellphones, specifically texting while driving.

Assuming you or your driver's rigs are equipped with dual-facing cameras, try reviewing footage of an unsafe driving incident. Coach your drivers on ways to correct their unsafe behaviors or look up ways to do so yourself if you're the one operating the big rig. The bottom line is that when your drivers aren't distracted, they drive safer. And when they drive safer, the cost of 18-wheeler insurance in cityname, state can be reduced.

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 Commercial Truck Insurance Quote Shelbyville, TN

Ensuring the safety of your drivers begins with the safety of their vehicles. Trucks and tractor-trailers that do not receive regular maintenance, such as oil and brake pad changes, are more likely to experience breakdowns while on the road. Telematics devices provide real-time insight into engine and odometer data, including fault codes.

This information enables your mechanics to create comprehensive preventative maintenance schedules based on mileage, history of previous breakdowns, days, and more. Additionally, they can receive immediate notifications for critical fault codes. By implementing routine maintenance and proactive repair schedules, you can ensure that your vehicles are in top condition, minimizing the likelihood of breakdowns, which can help reduce the cost of trucker insurance.

 Low Priced Commercial Truck Insurance Shelbyville, TN phone Call Now

This approach aims to mitigate the risk of fatal crashes and injuries by proactively identifying and responding to potentially dangerous situations and making informed decisions while driving. By adopting defensive driving techniques, drivers can reduce their likelihood of accidents, thereby minimizing the need for expensive repairs, claim payouts, and increased insurance premiums.

Some of the easiest ways for you or your drivers to practice safe driving include:

  • Be Wary of Blind Spots: Operating a reefer or tractor-trailer means driving high off of the ground, which can make visibility limited, especially in blind spots. To check your blind spot, look over your shoulder and out of your windows while changing lanes.
  • Be Ready for Emergencies on the Road: It's important for drivers to be ready for unexpected situations when driving, especially during long trips. They should be equipped to handle emergencies such as poor driving conditions or big rig breakdowns.
  • Use the Three-Second Rule: Truck drivers should try to maintain a three-second gap between their vehicle and the car in front of them. This means that the truck driver should reach a certain point on the road three seconds after the car in front of them has passed that same point.
  • Always Use Right and Left Turn Indicators: It's important for drivers to always use their turn signals when changing lanes or exiting highways, even if they don't see any other cars around. This is not only required by law, but it also reduces the chances of accidents occurring on the road.
Commercial Truck Insurance Shelbyville, TN phone Call Now

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), distracted driving is the primary reason behind truck driver accidents. Any activity that takes a driver's attention away from the road or the steering wheel is considered distracted driving. Distractions can come in various forms, such as eating while driving or gazing at a billboard outside the window. However, the most frequent form of distracted driving is the use of cellphones, specifically texting while driving.

Assuming you or your driver's rigs are equipped with dual-facing cameras, try reviewing footage of an unsafe driving incident. Coach your drivers on ways to correct their unsafe behaviors or look up ways to do so yourself if you're the one operating the big rig. The bottom line is that when your drivers aren't distracted, they drive safer. And when they drive safer, the cost of 18-wheeler insurance in cityname, state can be reduced.

 Truck Insurance Shelbyville, TN phone Call Now

check light FAQs About

Independence Insurance Agency

If you're looking for a commercial trucking insurance agency for your business, chances are you have some questions - and we've got answers. Keep reading to learn more about some of the most commonly asked questions we hear from truckers like you.

Why go with a "jack of all trades" when you can work with specialists who focus exclusively on transportation insurance? We have excellent relationships with major trucking insurance carriers and, as such, can provide the best assistance and reasonable rates.

Typically, companies will look at claims that date back three years or less.

We proudly work with more than 20 carriers to provide our clients with the most advantageous options at competitive prices, catering to the needs of owner-operators and big fleets alike.

Permit filings are typically done by insurance companies on the next business day. Federal (FMCSA) filings are completed online and updated immediately, while some states may take up to three weeks to process.

Independence Insurance Agency: Committed to the Trucking Industry

There's no question about it - you've got to protect your staff, your rig, and your trucking business with insurance. But choosing the right insurance partner isn't always easy. Thankfully, with Independence Insurance Agency by your side, you can rest easy knowing you're covered no matter where the road takes you. If you're in need of a commercial truck insurance agency in Shelbyville, TN that caters to truckers like you, pick up the phone and contact one of our transportation specialists today. That way, you can get back on the road with confidence tomorrow.

 Trucking Insurance Shelbyville, TN

Latest News in Shelbyville, TN

Governor helps mark ‘defining moment’ as MTSU Aerospace campus shifts to Shelbyville

Shelbyville, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee State University's Aerospace Department is entering a new era as it prepares to move to a new state-of-the-art campus in Shelbyville. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee joined university officials, local leaders, and hundreds of attendees at the announcement event on September 21, 2023.The event, held at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport, featured MTSU Aerospace-branded planes flanking the stage where Governor Lee and MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee delivered their remarks. The program was livestreamed o...

Shelbyville, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee State University's Aerospace Department is entering a new era as it prepares to move to a new state-of-the-art campus in Shelbyville. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee joined university officials, local leaders, and hundreds of attendees at the announcement event on September 21, 2023.

The event, held at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport, featured MTSU Aerospace-branded planes flanking the stage where Governor Lee and MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee delivered their remarks. The program was livestreamed on MTSU True Blue TV.

Governor Lee expressed his excitement for the new campus, stating, "We've been advocating for this, and MTSU and Shelbyville have created an environment for this to work. This is money well spent. This is one of the leading aviation programs in the nation, and we need to invest in it."

President McPhee highlighted the significance of the move, stating that it marked a new beginning for aviation education in Tennessee and the United States. He emphasized the university's commitment to providing educational opportunities for future pilots and those seeking careers in aviation services.

The plans for the new MTSU Aerospace-Shelbyville campus have been in the works for months due to Aerospace's rapid growth. The program requires expansion and a departure from its current location at Murfreesboro Airport. The move is being funded with a combined $62.2 million from the state and the university.

The temporary facilities will be ready by the end of the spring semester in 2024, and around 10 to 20 aircraft will be relocated to Shelbyville next spring. The groundbreaking for the new campus is scheduled for the summer or fall of 2024, with the eventual relocation to Shelbyville expected by the summer or fall of 2026.

The new campus will include facilities for Flight Operations, aircraft, simulators, and fleet maintenance. It will also offer lab spaces, classrooms, and equipment for the maintenance management concentration.

Mayor Randy Carroll of Shelbyville expressed his support for the move, stating, "We look forward to the future and being a partner with MTSU by offering careers in aviation to the students of the Aerospace Program."

MTSU Board of Trustees Chairman Steve Smith and other university officials also shared their excitement about the project. Chaminda Prelis, Aerospace Chair, called it "an unprecedented opportunity" that would set MTSU apart from other collegiate aviation institutions.

The Department of Aerospace received support from various partners, including airlines Delta and Southwest, aircraft suppliers Diamond Aircraft Canada and Piper Aircraft, and scholarship supporters. Prelis also acknowledged the dedication and hard work of the faculty and staff who will play a crucial role in the transition to the new campus.

MTSU Aerospace, established in 1942, has become one of the most respected aerospace programs in the nation. With over 1,000 students and a team of experienced faculty members and flight instructors, the program attracts students from across the United States and internationally. Aerospace graduates hold prominent positions in companies worldwide.

The move to the new campus in Shelbyville represents a significant milestone for MTSU's Aerospace Department and reinforces its position as a leading institution for aviation education. It is a testament to the state's investment in the future of aerospace education and the opportunities it brings to Tennessee.

Country rapper Smo to open plant-based food truck in Shelbyville

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Middle Tennessee singer and rapper has been the star of his own TV series. Today, he's sharing a different story: one that changed his life. He's about to launch something to help other people change too."This is where I was raised," said country rapper Smo, speaking about his land in Bedford County. "This has been in my family since the 1800s. My cousin operates the cattle farm attached to my property. This is Barbertown is what they call it."The family land includes an o...

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Middle Tennessee singer and rapper has been the star of his own TV series. Today, he's sharing a different story: one that changed his life. He's about to launch something to help other people change too.

"This is where I was raised," said country rapper Smo, speaking about his land in Bedford County. "This has been in my family since the 1800s. My cousin operates the cattle farm attached to my property. This is Barbertown is what they call it."

The family land includes an old store.

"My great-grandfather John Benton Barber, he was so good at selling eggs. He extended the building and opened up the General Store called JB Barber and Sons," Smo said.

It was that store where he began recording the music that would launch a career of touring and being the star of a series on A&E, "Big Smo." Smo said everything was moving so fast he didn't consider the way he was living until he felt a heavy pressure on his chest.

"I was right at 400 pounds," he said. "I had to have open heart surgery on that tour, quadruple bypass. It was alcohol. It was bar food. It was a lack of exercise. It was a culmination of bad habits and addictions I had since I was 10, 12 years old."

Smo began a true transformation, beginning with changing his diet, and then extending to exercise. He's just released a new single, "Somethin' Bout Love." He no longer records under the name Big Smo.

"When I dropped the 225 pounds, I dropped the 'big.' I earned that," he explained.

Smo is bringing to his home of Bedford County something new.

"I know everything that's in here," Smo said, standing in a mobile kitchen. "This is my vegan burger wrap. The burger part of this is made with beets, oats, and mushrooms."

In April, Smo is launching a food truck in Shelbyville at 401 N Cannon Blvd.

"Smolicious Mobile Eatery," he said. "It's a plant-based, whole food, oil-free, gluten-free menu that we're offering, and you can't get a menu like that anywhere."

Smo's planning to serve up smoothies, soups, salads, and more.

"And these are the mud tires!" he said, motioning to a plate of cake donuts. "Gluten-free, oil-free."

Smo's hope is he can help someone from his home to live out the same sort of transformation he did.

"My hometown has been my reason for success," Smo said. "I've always had my hometown support me from day one. I want to offer my hometown an option I didn't have. I want to save lives. It's homegrown, grassroots. The change starts here."

Rhori recommends:

“One of the great things about working at NewsChannel 5 is learning about the remarkable history of the station itself. The names: Bob Lobertini…Chris Clark…Hope Hines…and, of course, Oprah. The newscasts, of course. But also: Night Train…Hee Haw…and TALK OF THE TOWN, which is now one of the longest-running locally produced talk shows in the country marking 40 years on the air. Our storyteller-in-chief Forrest Sanders offers this entertaining and nostalgic look back at the popular program we here refer to as…simply…‘TOTT’. Enjoy!”

-Rhori Johnston

Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Shelbyville during the Civil War

By ZOË WATKINS - zwatkins@t-g.comDid you know that during the American Civil War, Shelbyville was dubbed “Little Boston”?Bedford County archivist Carol Roberts said this was not necessarily the case in Bedford County but in the city where a business district was just beginning to boom.“There was tremendous Union sympathy in the citizens. In fact, when there were elections related to secession, it went through two or three state-level elections and referendums of voting,” said Roberts. Tenness...

By ZOË WATKINS - zwatkins@t-g.com

Did you know that during the American Civil War, Shelbyville was dubbed “Little Boston”?

Bedford County archivist Carol Roberts said this was not necessarily the case in Bedford County but in the city where a business district was just beginning to boom.

“There was tremendous Union sympathy in the citizens. In fact, when there were elections related to secession, it went through two or three state-level elections and referendums of voting,” said Roberts. Tennessee’s governor at the time, Isham Harris, wanted to push the State to secede, but Shelbyville voted not to, according to Roberts.

Shelbyville in the mid-19th century consisted mostly of business owners, who “were thrilled the Union troops were coming this way” during the march to Chattanooga.

“The citizens, though they were Union sympathizers, just went about their business, kind of like today with political conflicts,” Roberts explained.

From Murfreesboro to Chattanooga

But Shelbyville saw its share of the battles. In fact, the anniversary of one of Tennessee's major cavalry clashes was last Tuesday, June 27—and it happened in Shelbyville.

According to Roberts, Shelbyville was posed as the ideal location as a crossroads town between the cities of Murfreesboro and Chattanooga. The nearby railroad, turnpike, and river systems brought both Union and Confederate forces through the Square as well.

The Courthouse was used as a high point. From the top, you could see Horse Mountain where the Signal Corps. would have been stationed.

“And the river protected it. You couldn’t just cross this river back here and sneak up on anybody. So, it was a good point to guard,” Roberts said.

According to the article, “The Battle of Shelbyville” by Sean Michael Chick, “One of the most dramatic and decisive cavalry clashes of the American Civil War occurred at Shelbyville on Sunday, June 27, 1863.” The battle was part of Union Major General William Rosecrans’ Tullahoma offensive.

Roberts explained that after the Battle of Stones River, around early January in 1863, the Confederate army retreated, their fortifications and people encamped in Shelbyville, a town that Confederate General Braxton Bragg had fortified over the winter.

But the Union troops under Rosecrans had been assigned from Murfreesboro to Chattanooga—and needed to pass through Shelbyville.

To the west, Rosecrans sent two divisions to threaten Shelbyville and attack Bragg’s right flank. However, Rosecrans’ entire offensive was slowed down by a great rainstorm that began on June 24 and did not abate stop until July 4, according to Chick.

But when Union forces began striking a division of Major General Joseph Wheeler’s cavalry corps, the Confederates were out of position. That is, Wheeler’s two divisions were stretched thin, according to Chick.

Bragg heard that the position at Hoover’s Gap in Beechgrove had collapsed. He ordered General Leonidas Polk of the infantry division to give up Shelbyville, and in the early morning, on June 27, the Confederates abandoned Shelbyville.

That same day, Union forces were told to “dislodge” the enemy from Guy’s Gap, just north of Shelbyville.

Marshall Thatcher of the 2nd Michigan Cavalry, who witnessed the clash, wrote: “The sun burst through the heavy clouds and shone full in the faces of 10,000 cavalry, in two lines, division fronts; banners flying, bands playing and the command marching in as perfect lines as if on a parade. Such a sight was rare in the history of the war.”

All these skirmishes in the various gaps throughout the region were meant to hold back the Union headed to Chattanooga.

According to Roberts, Union troops turned around and used these same barricades of entrenchments by Bragg for their fortification. During the construction of the 437 Bypass, an archaeological dig was conducted and determined some of the placement of trenches, according to Roberts.

Then, when Shelbyville was captured by Union forces, many City residents were proud to have the Stars and Stripes flying above the courthouse once again.

Bushwhackers

There were plenty of vendettas, as well. The article “Bushwhackers Terrorize the City” reports how bushwhackers and guerillas went back and forth with each other on both the Union and Confederate sides.

If you were Confederate, you terrorized the Union sympathizers, according to Roberts. “Hung them, even,” she added.

There’s one story about Jacob Moulder, an older fellow from the Unionville area, who went off to join the Union Army. But his poor health sent him home. Upon making it home safely, Confederate sympathizers hung him in his front yard, according to Roberts.

Skull Camp Bridge

The story of Major General Wheeler’s cavalry corps. jumping off Skull Camp Bridge—that is, Memorial Bridge off of Belmont Avenue—is probably mostly legend.

However, the events surrounding it, after Shelbyville’s major cavalry skirmish were real.

“Put out of your mind interstates and four-lane highways. That turnpike from Murfreesboro to Shelbyville is the largest open road, but there was a narrow gap. So only a few horses and wagons could get through,” Roberts said.

Wheeler was sent to the area to aggravate Union troops. When they were close to being surrounded and captured, Wheeler had to escape to Tullahoma and Chattanooga via what is now U.S. 130. General Nathan Bedford Forrest’s calvary was coming from the west, in Columbia, but wasn’t coming on time, Roberts explained.

“As it happens, that year was the rainiest, wettest, muddiest year. There was mud and trouble, and something blocked the bridge. But he was determined not to get caught. So, he jumped his horse and numerous others of his cavalry and they escaped by fording the river,” Roberts said.

Considering there are no high bluffs on the Duck near the bridge, that last part is probably an exaggeration. But it has been depicted in Harper’s Weekly magazine and become one of the many legends of America’s Civil War.

Motorist Strikes a Massive Black Bear in Shelbyville, TN

SHELBYVILLE, TN - A little over 20-miles south of the Murfreesboro City Limits along Highway 231 South, in Shelbyville, Tennessee, a motorist crashed into a 450 to 500-pound animal. After the accident, the driver had to call a tow truck due to the extensive damage on the front end of the vehicle.ADVERTISEMENT The animal that caused the crash is one that few encounter with their car... the animal was a BLACK BEAR that weighed up to 500-pounds, according to a TWRA estimate. From nose to tail, the bear was 78-inches long and its...

SHELBYVILLE, TN - A little over 20-miles south of the Murfreesboro City Limits along Highway 231 South, in Shelbyville, Tennessee, a motorist crashed into a 450 to 500-pound animal. After the accident, the driver had to call a tow truck due to the extensive damage on the front end of the vehicle.

ADVERTISEMENT

The animal that caused the crash is one that few encounter with their car... the animal was a BLACK BEAR that weighed up to 500-pounds, according to a TWRA estimate. From nose to tail, the bear was 78-inches long and its paws appeared to be about 7 or 8-inches wide.

Tad Craig of Craig & Wheeler Realty & Auction, told WGNS, “...we were all very sad to see him dead, but even more shocked to even see a black bear in Bedford County.” The incident occurred in front of Mr. Craig's home.

Evidently, the bear versus car accident happened on Saturday night about 400-yards from the Shelbyville City Limits. Bedford County Sheriff's deputies worked the accident and the Highway Patrol showed up to assist. According to the homeowner, he was alerted to the wreck when a Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper called him to say a dead bear was in his front yard, which Mr. Craig thought was a joke. After he made his way to the road this past Saturday night (11/11/2023), he quickly realized the Trooper was serious.

After the wrecked car was towed away, something had to be done with the bear. A tractor with a scoop on the front was used to pick the bear up, due to its girth. The deceased animal was then loaded into the bed of a TWRA Game Warden’s truck.

Craig told WGNS News that he has hunted in Alaska and has hiked the Great Smoky Mountains for years and has seen lots of black bears, but this was one of the largest black bears that he has ever seen. Keep in mind that this bear was not in the Smoky Mountains, it was in Bedford County, just 400-yards from the Shelbyville City Limits.

After reviewing past news stories that originated in the area of Shelbyville and Bedford County, this looks to be the very first confirmed black bear sightings in Bedford County, TN.

Click the photo above this article to see more pictures. To see larger photos, click one of our three extended view pictures – Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3.

Eddie Vedder, Post Malone Team Up At Tennessee Benefit

Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and Post Malone teamed last night (Feb. 17) at the second Reportin’ for Duty benefit concert at the 250-capacity Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tn., to perform Pearl Jam’s “Better Man,” the late Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” and a cover of the ’60s song “Last Kiss,” whic...

Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and Post Malone teamed last night (Feb. 17) at the second Reportin’ for Duty benefit concert at the 250-capacity Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tn., to perform Pearl Jam’s “Better Man,” the late Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” and a cover of the ’60s song “Last Kiss,” which became an improbable massive hit for Pearl Jam in 1999.

Earlier in the evening, Vedder covered another Petty song, “Keep Me in Your Heart,” solo acoustic and also played solo and Pearl Jam material such as “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town,” “Far Behind” and “Porch.” Other performers included Jelly Roll, the War and Treaty, Ruby Amanfu and Jake Wesley Rogers. Proceeds from the event will support EB Research Partnership (EBRP), which works to identify treatments and cures for the debilitating skin disease Epidermolysis Bullosa.

In 2010, Vedder and his wife Jill co-founded the organization, which hosted a similar event last year at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry also held in memory of late actor and EBRP champion Leslie Jordan.

Malone is a longtime Pearl Jam fan who previously covered the band’s version of “Last Kiss” at a 2022 Rome Show. He also tackled “Better Man” during an appearance on The Howard Stern Show earlier that year. During the latter, Malone credited his brother Jordan, a Marine, for introducing him to Pearl Jam and recalled listening to “Better Man” repeatedly while on a trip to visit him in Hawaii when he was 12 or 13 years old. “He introduced me to Pearl Jam in a big fuckin’ way,” Malone said.

Pearl Jam Blast Back On Punky Single ‘Running’

For Vedder, the concert came ahead of Pearl Jam’s upcoming 12th album Dark Matter, due April 19, and world tour, which begins May 4 in Vancouver. He will also lend a hand at Roger Daltrey’s Teenage Cancer trust benefit shows, which descend upon London’s Royal Albert Hall from March 18-24.

Fresh off performing “America the Beautiful” at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, Malone has a handful of festival appearances on tap this year, including Rolling Loud in Los Angeles on March 16, Stagecoach in Indio, Ca., on April 27 and Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tn., on June 14.

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