By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard BOB BONNER After a full school year under the 45-15 alternative calendar, Bobby Ray Elementary principal Bob Bonner said the benefits of the calendar exceeded all expectations.“I felt we were more focused and received more quality instructional days for students than with the old calendar.…

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard McMinnville’s first fire substation will be officially open for business after Friday’s planned public celebration and open house – all after more than 30 years of gridlock.Officials are planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony set for 2 p.m. Friday, followed by an open house for the general…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard ZAHN The first Thomas Zahn Poker Run will be held in McMinnville this Saturday. The event is being sponsored by TN Cycles, Dan’s Harley Davidson Service, Larry’s ATV and Cycle Repair, and Parkway South Market.All proceeds benefit Vanderbilt Children’s Hos-pital to fund meningitis research.The…

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard Jaylen Smith, 21 months, says he “loves nanas” and enjoys eating one at the fairgrounds ballpark. He is the son of J.B. and Sherri Smith. (Margaret Hobbs photo) Want to kick off the official start of summer with a free banana split? Then stop by the…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard MC GEE Citing her selflessness service to the community, the McMinnville Evening Exchange Club bestowed the coveted Book of Golden Deeds Award to Mrs. June McGee during ceremonies Tuesday night at McMinnville Country Club.“When you begin naming the accomplishments of this lady, the list seems…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard BLACK Controversy was averted Tuesday when the Election Commission announced write-in voting will be conducted on the county’s new MicroVote machines which do not require voters to ask for a write-in ballot.The issue was brought up Tuesday when sheriff’s candidate Mason Black, who is conducting…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Wade Sparkman of WastAway shows Health and Welfare Committee members a sample of their product as Commissioner David Vandagriff looks on. (Charles W. Johnson photo) County government officials are currently discussing a waste disposal deal with WastAway, a local company that has developed a…

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard JIMMY BONNER McMinnville water users could soon be looking at another water rate increase.If city officials follow through with plans to build a new water storage tank, repair the downtown one and update sewage treatment techniques, it’s anticipated a rate increase will be required to…

By Duane Sherrill / Columnist OK, let me get this straight. A guy from jolly, ol’ England comes in here, holds a few meetings, shows us some drawings, throws up a few awnings and blows town and he gets an entire day named after him. Am I about right so far?Meanwhile, I, a native Warren…

Our Viewpoint The Standard is left calling once again for state lawmakers to do the right thing and free Tennessee from the financial noose around its next when they resume budget talks today in Nashville.The options on the table are an income tax, a so-called DOGS budget, which would slash some $945 million in state…