By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard A $13,698 federal grant awarded recently to Viola Volunteer Fire Department will increase the safety of the organization’s operation by 150 percent, chief Kevin Lawrence said.The money will be used to purchase updated communication equipment. The portable radios currently used by the department were purchased…

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard If there was any question local residents would get to decide on two special referendums this fall, it’s official.Elections Administrator Donna Yates reported the election commission will add two referendum issues to the ballot for the November election.Yates said election officials considered requests on Friday…

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Julie Beechum is one inmate at Warren County Jail who doesn’t mind having her picture taken.Beechum, along with fellow prisoners Jamie Wray and Shannon Thomas, were able to shed the confines of jail living to get outside and work Friday in what city leaders billed…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard PERRON The man accused of shooting at his wife and then opening fire on deputies this summer has been indicted by the Warren County grand jury.The defendant, Brett Perron, 34, was indicted on charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. He remains…

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard CHRISAWN Saying it’s time to give back to the community, Michael Chrisawn has announced his candidacy for city alderman.A resident of the area for the past 13 years, Chrisawn said he wants to make the commitment to improving the quality of life in McMinnville and…

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard(McMinnville, Tenn.) Second-grader and diabetic Aprile Paz, 7, checks her blood sugar by pricking her finger as classmate Rachael Tieman, background, watches. During the school day, Aprile has to check her blood sugar at least three times. (Will Stewart photo) Judging by appearances, 7-year-old Aprile Paz…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard HAMBY Whoever is ultimately hired to be the county’s next industrial recruiter will now answer solely to the Industrial Development Board.The industrial recruiter will also sport a new job title, officially being called director of economic development.Those were just two of the significant changes…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard POTTER Jury selection is set to begin Monday in the state’s case against District Attorney General Dale Potter, who is charged with extortion and criminal misconduct.The trial, to be held at Warren County Courthouse, will begin immediately after a jury and jury alternates are selected.…

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard Warren County High School football coach Gerald Tidwell steps in at quarterback during offensive drills earlier this week at the WCHS practice field. Tidwell and the Pioneers hit the road tonight. (Rob Nunley photo) With the sting of last Friday’s 54-0 spanking by Lincoln County…

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard If you’ve stopped by McMinnville Civic Center to work out in the weight room recently, chances are you haven’t had much luck.That’s because the weight room is currently undergoing renovations designed to enlarge the space. Construction, including knocking down the wall that encased the entrance…