By Mike Vinson / Columnist Just the other day, I read an article titled “The nine lives of ousted corporate fat cat,” which added yet more revelation to the undeniable prophecy that America is going to hell in a hand basket – and heading there at mercurial speed!The insightfully disturbing article talked about how “former…

Our Viewpoint Since last week’s editorial column stressing the need for all of the county executive candidates to participate in a debate, there have been several comments made about the Standard’s slanted opinion.To those comments we say, of course our opinion is slanted. Is there any way to have an opinion which is not slanted?An…

By Bernard Smith / Columnist SMITH This and that in NASCAR…Kevin Harvick was told to stay on the track while most of the other leaders pitted, and that earned him a victory Sunday in the Tropicana 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.His victory wasn’t popular with everyone. Jeff Gordon, who also stayed on the track during the…

Jalen Boyd slaps a single up the middle for NHC during his team’s game against Woodcarver in the Boys Training League tournament Thursday night. Boyd and his NHC teammates advanced to the winners’ bracket finals, defeating Woodcarver 16-12. In the boys training league Thursday night, No. 1 seed NHC slipped past Woodcarver 16-12 as time…

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard ROBBINS Mary Robbins believes in reading.As a library manager, it’s expected she should. However, she also believes, at times, children who want to read don’t always get that chance.With the assistance of a grant-funded program designed to target underprivileged children, a cooperative effort between Magness…

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard STAFFORD With new sliding glass doors in place at McMinnville City Hall, officials are planning more changes there beginning this week.An extensive renovation effort to the front entry stairs is scheduled to begin Tuesday or Wednesday. Complete with solid oak balusters and a new, oak…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard The man accused of strangling a 57-year-old auto dealer to death this May was bound over to the grand jury Tuesday on criminal homicide charges.The suspect, Jody Lee McCormick, 28, waived his right to a preliminary hearing in General Sessions Court Tuesday and was bound…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard A 74-person docket was heard Tuesday by Judge Larry Ross in General Sessions Court.Included in court action:• Crystal Turner was bound over to the grand jury on 12 counts of forgery and two counts of theft.• Barbara Wagoner was bound over to the grand jury…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Van Buren County Circuit Court Clerk Teresa Simmons Delong has announced her candidacy for re-election.Delong has served as circuit clerk for Van Buren County for eight years, during which time audits have showed all funds accounted for in an office which annually handles about $500,000.“A…

By Jim Glenn / Columnist When it comes to Social Security, a lack of basic knowledge can put you at a disadvantage. Every day I talk with people who take Social Security for granted. What they don’t know can make a difference in time and money and in their future.Here’s my list of the five…