By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tenn.) Corporal Betty Scott is not too pleased to hear the driver’s license center in McMinnville will be closed if Gov. Phil Bredesen’s proposed budget is approved. (James Clark photo) A visit to the driver’s license center may soon become a road trip for Warren…

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Warren County was not included among Tennessee’s lowest paying school districts poised to be part of a $26.7 million effort to equalize teacher pay across the state.On the heels of a court order mandating equalization of teacher pay, Gov. Phil Bredesen on Wednesday released a…

Bettie Ruch Collins, 84McMinnville resident and Cleveland, Ohio native Bettie Ruch Collins, 84, died March 9 at Raintree Manor after an extended illness.A switchboard operator for Ohio Bell Telephone, she was the daughter of Carl and Elizabeth Ruch, and was preceded in death by her husband, Arley D. Collins.She is survived by son, Robert Smith…

By Mike Vinson / Columnist Sexual harassment, we hear and read about it almost every day. Somebody, somewhere alleges that he/she has been the victim of some form of sexual misconduct and files a complaint. I particularly enjoy the high-profile ones you see on shows like “Celebrity Justice,” where it shows a female plaintiff walking…

By Hope Hines / Columnist Sleeping with dogs, and my wife Pat (at the same time). I’ve been doing it for 25 years. Ask Pat, and she no doubt will tell you, there have been certain nights, in that quarter century, she found herself sleeping with two dogs – the other being me. And on…

By Duane Sherrill / Columnist When I’m laid to rest, I strongly suspect there will be an inscription of my tombstone reading “Here lies Duane Sherrill, a man who never did dig up those bushes.”If there’s a resounding theme in my life it’s the constant command “to dig up those bushes.” I relish the coming…

Our Viewpoint Last week’s emphasis on reading during Read Across America Week is one which should be remembered throughout the year — not just for one week.Unfortunately reading is often an afterthought in a society where short attention spans have replaced curling up to a good book. More and more, our children are watching mindless…

Our Viewpoint The Standard applauds Gov. Phil Bredesen for having the courage to propose a state budget unlike any other during the last decade. That’s because, for the first time in 10 years, the proposed budget actually reduces government spending.Why that’s so vital to Tennesseans is it means no new taxes. And we’re confident that’s…

On March 15, historic Belmont Mansion celebrates the 186th birthday of its mistress, Adelicia Acklen. The public is invited to Belmont to enjoy a day of special activities surrounding one of Tennessee’s most intriguing historical figures. The festivities will be included in the regular tour.The Ladies’ Soldiers Friends Society, a living history re-enactment group, will…

The fourth annual Warren County Princess Pageant will be an event of April 26 at the Warren County Middle School Auditorium, beginning at 7 p.m. The competition is being presented by the WCHS Junior Varsity Pioneerettes Dance Team.McKenna Rhea, daughter of Ted and Alpha Rhea, is the reigning Warren County Princess. She will make award…