By AMBER McDOWELL / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE — A Senate committee on Tuesday voted to hold Tennessee’s 2004 presidential preference primary in February, about a month earlier than scheduled, to give the state more of a voice in picking the party nominees.The Senate State and Local Government Committee voted unanimously to move the primary…

By AMBER McDOWELL / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE — Legislation defining how scholarships from lottery proceeds would be distributed cleared its final major House committee Tuesday, clearing the way for a vote by the full chamber by the end of the week.The House Finance Committee approved the bill by an unanimous voice vote after more…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Tickets are being written at a record rate in regard to the city’s noise ordinance in an attempt by police to quiet booming car stereo systems.According to McMinnville Police Captain Bryan Denton, there were 24 citations issued during the month of April in connection with…

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tenn.) School resource officer Bobby Pennington is seen here with the bicycle he uses to patrol Warren County High School. Pennington recently became the county’s first certified bike patrol officer. (Will Stewart photo) Nimble enough to dart through a congested parking lot, silent enough…

By DENNIS STANLEY / Publisher/Editor of the Smithville Review Two DeKalb County Jail correctional officers have been placed on administrative leave, with pay, pending the outcome of a TBI investigation into Friday morning’s escape of inmate Karen Lovell.Sheriff Lloyd Emmons announced Saturday correctional officers Julia Rodriguez and John Washer are off duty pending the results…

By DENNIS STANLEY / Publisher/Editor for the Smithville Review Captain Mark Collins is pictured with the 3-year-old boy he saved Friday. (Dennis Stanley photo) DeKalb County Sheriff Lloyd Emmons said repeated efforts were made to convince escaped prisoner Karen Lovell to release her child and surrender before she was shot Friday afternoon by Captain Mark…

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tenn.) RIGSBY Carrier is in the process of evaluating all 84 of its plants world wide with the idea some of the plants will be shut down to maximize efficiency.“It’s all about efficiency and lower costs,” said company spokesman John Shaw. “Carrier is currently reviewing…

The Standard gave the community a touching tribute to married couples with our 50-year anniversary book entitled “Love Stories.” Now the Tennessee Press Association is giving something back to the Standard.During an advertising convention Thursday in Nashville, the Standard claimed the highest honor in the state when the newspaper won the Jack Freeman Memorial Award…

SMITHVILLE (AP) — A sheriff’s deputy who shot a jail escapee holding her 3-year-old son during a dramatic standoff was justified in firing, DeKalb County Sheriff Lloyd Emmons said Monday. Karen Lynn Lovell, 28, remained hospitalized in Chattanooga in serious but stable condition Monday with a massive head wound, Emmons said. “I understand she’s expected…

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tenn.) SMARTT A Warren County Commission resolution to fund the retirement contributions of county employees has had unforeseen financial implications for the school system which could result in layoffs or a tax increase.“This is something of a surprise to all of us,” said Budget…