By James Clark / Columnist Say it ain’t so. After years of providing playground pleasure, the game of dodge ball has come under fire from some educators and recreation experts who say the game has no place in our school system.This is news I have found difficult to believe. And, as an American society, it…

Dixie Juanita Cooke, Laton Earl Cunningham, Delbert Baker, Dorothy Paulette Reece Landers Dixie Juanita Cooke, 89Centertown community resident and Bedford County native Dixie Juanita Cooke, 89, died June 20 at her home after an extended illness.A retired factory worker where she lobbied with the Teamsters in Washington D.C. for better jobs with the late Jimmy…

To the Editor: The society we live in doesn’t allow us to pay to the one and only true and living God in our schools or most public gatherings. We are not even allowed to talk about the one who died in our place that we might have everlasting life. On the other hand, our…

To the Editor: I recently attended the ground breaking for the new city pool, “The Gilley Pool.” I am so pleased that the city officials have decided to honor the Gilleys in this way. I have been honored to work with Bill and Jean as a part of the Red Cross Swim Program for almost…

By Chris Matthews / Columnist WASHINGTON — The statues keep moving in the hall of recent American presidents. John F. Kennedy retains the paramount place of honor. No recent U.S. leader commands a higher approval rating — JFK’s remains in orbit at 83 percent — or lower disapproval than his ground-level 7 percent.But three other…

By Ed Kimbrell / Columnist As more and more investigative reporting hits our front pages and television news shows, it’s not difficult to understand why the stock market, our ultra-sensitive barometer of the next six months, waffles back and forth, back and forth, as sensitive as reeds are to the winds.For nearly a decade, the…

By Charlie Johnson / Columnist Most of us love the summer months because that’s when we get to indulge in all the traditional hot weather activities like boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, all the various summer sports and my favorites, picnics and cooking out on the grill.Nope, you can’t beat summer for fun and the…

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Union Planters Bank slipped by Sundrop 5-3 last week, as action wound down in the 13-14 Babe Ruth League. Justin Armes picked up the win, recording eight strikeouts and giving up only two hits. Wes Williams and Martin Scott had two hits each. Andrew King…

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard The Junior League Girls’ Machine-pitch softball league wrapped up its regular season this week, with several high-scoring affairs.Taco Bell came away with the regular-season championship, finishing 13-1 with a 27-15 victory over second-place Smarty Pants Day Care. Toye Majors hit a pair of home runs…

By Rob Nunley / Columnist No, your eyes do not deceive you.For the second issue in a row, you’re getting a healthy dose of “Robservations.”And what, you might ask, is the reason for such a surprising Sunday treat?Your guess is as good as mine.Anyway, 17 inches of white space along the side of this page…