By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Sarah Hoyle was this area’s top lightning bug collector. She netted 197 grams of lightning bugs and was paid $66 for her efforts. Warren County bug collectors have contributed their fair share to science, netting a 4 percent increase in lightning bug collections over the…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard The Warren County Humane Society continued with its enterprising program to encourage and aid local pet owners to have their pets spayed or neutered this past weekend by sponsoring a visit from Rural Area Veterinary Services. The organization, known as RAVS, provides spay and…

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Department of Children’s Services case manager Peggy Bratcher, pictured in the interviewing room at the new Children’s Advocacy Center, said it’s important to be on a child’s level during abuse investigations. (Amy Satterwhite photo) When the new Children’s Advocacy Center officially opens today, Department of…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard BOWDOIN Two local men face a quarter century or more behind bars after entering guilty pleas this week to child molestation.The defendants, Bobby Northcutt and Randy Bowdoin, entered guilty pleas this week before Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley to separate incidents of child rape. They…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard A Morrison man faces numerous charges after he was able to escape from a patrol car, still in handcuffs, minutes after he was stunned with a Taser gun in a fight with deputies.The suspect, Marc Edward Barnes, 44, is charged with aggravated assault, domestic assault,…

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard(McMinnville, Tenn.) OTTO River Park Hospital is far from needing a financial respirator, but CEO Steve Otto did say his hospital has felt the impact of the new same-day surgery center now open in McMinnville.“They just opened a few weeks ago so it’s too early to get…

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard HALE After a slightly shorter summer vacation than in recent years, students return to class today as Warren County schools begin the 2003-2004 school year.“So far, everything is proceeding well,” Director of Schools Dr. Jerry Hale said after the completion of yesterday’s countywide registration. “We’ve…

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard An attempt to negotiate a garbage deal between the city of McMinnville and the recycling company known as WastAway has city officials taking a second look at costs associated with household waste.Members of the Streets and Sanitation Committee met with company officials Monday to discuss…

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tenn.) The already heated rivalry between Cookeville and Warren County’s high school athletic teams might be a little hotter this year.Charlie Hardee, who resigned as the Pioneers’ head soccer coach at the end of last season, was announced earlier this week as the Cavaliers’…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard A sleeping driver awoke to find himself slamming into the rear of a stopped vehicle in front of Country Club Market Monday afternoon.The driver, John N. Devoe, 65, of Brentwood told investigators he became tired after driving for a long distance and must have fallen…