By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard REED A former beauty queen faces up to 30 years in prison after she entered a guilty plea to charges she embezzled money from Union Planters Bank while she was employed by the financial institution.The defendant, Shannon Reed, 32, will face sentencing before U.S. District…

The board of directors of First National Bank yesterday announced the resignation of its president, John W. Perdue. The resignation was effective Aug. 5.Perdue cited family considerations as the reason for his resignation. He and his family had been residents of Athens, Tenn., for over 25 years before moving to McMinnville. Since moving here, his…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard It’s that time of year again for Viola residents and friends, a time of celebration and homecoming. The 2003 Viola Valley Homecoming will be held this Friday and Saturday and will feature a variety of activities that have made the annual observance one of…

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tenn.) Warren County Livestock manager D.M. Simpson looks over a load of calves in preparation for today’s livestock sale. Around 3,000 head of cattle are expected to exchange hands at the local sale. (James Clark photo) David Buford has simple advice when it comes to…

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tenn.) Mildred Duke examines a homemade doll that’s available in the silent auction portion of the annual Astro Auction. The Astro Auction takes place every morning this week before ending Friday at 10 a.m. (James Clark photo) If you want to help in the fight…

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard When asked what they did at school today, many kids are not so talkative, often answering only with the words “nothing” or “stuff.” Starting this school year, however, parents will be able to get easy answers to this question.With the aim of further increasing communication…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Margie Farley cries on the stand during her trial in June. Calling her a professional criminal, the court threw the book at Margie Farley for her role in the May 2000 beating death and robbery of Old Smithville Road resident Louie Johnson.Farley, 32, was issued…

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard DAVENPORT Progress is inching along in the effort to create a volunteer supplement to the city’s police and other emergency units, city officials indicated Monday.Mayor Royce Davenport said less than a dozen people have applied to become members of the city’s newly-proposed Public Safety Unit,…

By Janice M. Howard / Style Editor for the Southern Standard Brayden Neal gets some assistance from Tanya Bess while learning water exploration skills. (Amy Satterwhite photo) Splish, splash! It’s all wet fun and games now that over 500 individuals have improved their swimming abilities through a well-planned lesson program.The American Red Cross Learn to…

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard Local fishing pro Tommy Stiles missed the cut after the second round of last weekend’s CITGO Bassmaster Classic, but didn’t miss out on a healthy payday.Stiles, who found himself in 45th place after last Friday’s first round of the three day event, dropped a couple…