By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard CHILD The teamwork and dedication she learned playing basketball under coach Joe Stewart made a lasting impact on former McMinnville resident and current Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Betsy Child.Though she only lived here three years during her school days, she said McMinnville…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard OTTO Battling health care giants, HCA and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, announced yesterday they are willing to accept a third-party mediator to remedy stalled contract negotiations between the two.Bill Steverson, director of communications for Blue Cross, told the Standard that Blue Cross…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Murder suspect Doreen Jones listens alongside her attorney, Assistant Public Defender Scott Grissom, as a pathologist testifies Fletcher Anderson died from malnutrition as the result of neglect. (Duane Sherrill photo) Describing Fletcher B. Anderson as the “most starved patient he had ever seen,” an intensive…

Donnie Ray Martin, 45McMinnville resident and Warren County native Donnie Ray Martin, 45, died suddenly Feb. 25 at River Park Hospital.A member of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, he was preceded in death by his father, Mort B. Martin; brother, Ricky Martin; and sister Joanne Nelson.He is survived by his mother, Willie Lucille Martin of McMinnville;…

By Dandy Dave I think it is great that Booker T will take on HHH at “WrestleMania” next month.Booker is one of the hardest workers in pro wrestling, and the story of him getting started is a tale of strong work ethics and family loyalty leading to success.Booker T. Huffman was working for American Mini-Storage…

By Rob Nunley / Columnist It’s Pig day, as I’m sure by now you’ve gathered.It’s that one day a year when you, gentle reader, get to strain your eyes — and your brain — and count all the times in today’s edition of your Southern Standard where the words “pig,” “pigs,” “hog” or “hogs” are…

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard WATERTOWN — In District 8-A tournament action Wednesday night the Lady Commanders of Friendship Christian rolled over the Lady Broncos of Boyd Christian 97-34 as they advanced to the semifinals.Boyd came out slow in the first period, and had a hard time matching up with…

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tenn.) MURFREESBORO — Warren County High School’s girls faced a daunting task Wednesday night, when they faced defending 7-AAA champion Riverdale in district tournament action.And although the Lady Pioneers never backed down from the challenge, they fell short in their quest for an upset,…

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard DELORES MOORE After her daughter graduated from college, Delores Moore decided she might like to earn a degree as well. Several years later, she did and is now a fifth-year teacher at Dibrell Elementary.“Teaching was a mid-life career change for me, and to be honest,…

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Little Gracie Hubbard can respond much better to sound now that her hearing loss has been properly assessed. Mom Dusti Hubbard is hoping area mothers will take advantage of a new program to screen newborns. (Amy Satterwhite photo) Dusti Hubbard never imagined she would become…