By TOM SHARP / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — Significant changes in Tennessee’s specialty license plate law are in the offing on Capitol Hill after last year’s divisive issuance of a “Choose Life” plate. The House Transportation Committee on Wednesday reviewed a bill that would shift responsibility for vetting specialty license plate applications to…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Sheriffs across the state, particularly in Davidson and Hamilton counties, are concerned about a proposed lowering of state payments to overcrowded local jails that house state prisoners. Tennessee currently pays $32 per day for each state inmate housed in a county jail above its certified capacity. In his proposed 2004-05 budget, Gov.…

By TOM SHARP / Associated Press Writer Rep. Charles Curtiss, D-Sparta, attends a committee meeting Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2004, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo) NASHVILLE (AP) — Bills requiring sprinklers in the state’s nursing homes by the end of 2005 advanced Wednesday after lawmakers heard testimony from the relatives of victims of a fatal fire…

Two customer service representatives from McMinnville’s Carquest Auto Parts store have received national training certificates.The two employees are Larry DeLong and Christopher Cowan. To qualify for the recognition, the two completed a 12-hour training course. The training focuses on professional procedures for automotive refinishing and critical safety issues surrounding the procedures. The program is the…

Owner — Pearl Bess FultzPhone — 473-5825 Location — 209 E. Main St. Hours — 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Thurs.; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri. and Sat. At a glanceServing McMinnville for 48 years with unique children and ladies clothing. The shop offers the ultimate in customer service, always striving to fill the customer’s needs. They offer…

By MELISSA STOVER / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Randy Mullican of McBride Window Service cleans the glass outside the Southern Standard office. Mullican helped the Standard get all cleaned up for customer appreciation day this Friday. Ah, spring is in the air. Warmer weather, flowers in bloom and spring cleaning, yuk! But wait,…

By TODD HERZOG Do you recognize that natural gas does not require another energy to create it, as do other energy forms? Do you recognize that natural gas is the “clean burning” energy? Perhaps most important for this competitive energy source is the fact that the United States is not dependent on foreign lands for…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard Above, Beth Jacobs and sons Matthew, 12, and Nathan, 8, pose with a sample of the many types of plants available at Mary’s Greenhouse. At front, the boys provide a close-up look at some of the colorful blooms. (Charles W. Johnson photos) Some people…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Editor’s note: This is the second in a three-part series being published in conjunction with Tennessee Severe Weather Awareness Week. With the ability to sweep away automobiles, houses and people in a blink of an eye, flash floods are generally regarded as one of the…

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard SAVAGE Promoting children’s health and cultural awareness is the goal of Kids Around the World, a half-day program to be held at Three Star Mall on Saturday.Sponsored by the McMinnville and Boyd Interact clubs, as well as the McMinnville Youthact club, the event will feature…