Main Street McMinnville is proud to announce several new incentives for groups, organizations, families and businesses to become a part of the new downtown street and sidewalks. Now your organization, group of friends or family, can purchase commemorative items and receive a discount.Here is how it works:Buy 10 or more of any commemorative items including…

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard In an effort to better align Bobby Ray Elementary with the rest of the school system, the school board approved a move from a 45-15 to a 45-10 calendar for the 2004-2005 school year.The move will shorten the school’s fall and spring breaks from three…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard Leap year birthday lady Gina Butcher, shown here with daughter Haile, 5, and son Hunter, 10, will turn 9 today, in leap years anyway. (Charles W. Johnson photo) As most people know, there’s something special about 2004. Something that only comes around every four…

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Morrison student Kelsey Nowlin, right, is one fifth-grader who enjoyed playing basketball this year. (Dale Stubblefield photo) Wanting the same opportunities for their children that are offered to fifth-graders outside McMinnville, parents of city students appealed to the school board Thursday night to create basketball…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard ROGERS A rapid response team consisting of representatives from nine major federal departments will be sent to Warren County to help in the transition of Carrier’s departure.“This will help workers get back on their feet,” said Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) of the initiative.…

MTSU Media Relations JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — MTSU’s John Williams worked seven scoreless innings, with Brett Carroll collecting four hits and Marcus Taylor driving in three runs, as the Blue Raiders evened their three-game series against Jacksonville State with an 8-2 victory Saturday afternoon at Rudy Abbott Field.The Blue Raiders scored three times in the first…

KNOXVILLE (AP) — Tennessee’s athletic department raised $4.3 million more than its goal of $44.25 million in a four-year fund-raising campaign to pay for new facilities.Tennessee began its first-ever capital campaign in 2000 and announced on Saturday it has raised $48.61 million from more than 870 donors.The campaign is receiving $20 million from increased ticket…

KNOXVILLE (AP) — Tennessee could have folded after its best inside player was ejected and Auburn went ahead by six points. Instead, the Volunteers found a way to win.Scooter McFadgon made a 3-pointer and six free throws in the final 1:19 and Tennessee held on to beat Auburn 75-69 Saturday night.‘Our guys showed a sign…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Rick Stansbury and his Mississippi State Bulldogs have their sights set on a Southeastern Conference regular-season title, and nothing less will do.Lawrence Roberts scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, and No. 7 Mississippi State held off Vanderbilt 72-69 Saturday night to remain perfect away from home this season and a game…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Only one number mattered to the Nashville Predators on Saturday, and it wasn’t the difference between the league’s lowest payroll and the NHL’s biggest spenders — the New York Rangers.Andrew Hutchinson scored a power-play goal 3:50 into overtime, and the Predators beat the Rangers 2-1 for their fifth victory in six games…