By DUNCAN MANSFIELD / Associated Press Writer U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., left, talks with Beaumont Elementary Magnet School principal Janet Franklin, right, as Jerry Hodges, executive director of Project GRAD, listens Wednesday in Knoxville. (AP Photo) KNOXVILLE (AP) — In Knox County’s poorest inner-city school, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist on Wednesday…

KNOXVILLE (AP) — Some of the state’s congressional delegation has lined up to support a Constitutional ban on gay marriage, while others say such a move isn’t necessary. The issue has started to gain steam following San Francisco’s decision to issue marriage licenses to gays and lesbians. That followed a decision by the highest court…

By TOM SHARP / Associated Press Writer JOHNSON CITY (AP) — Gov. Phil Bredesen began hearing suggestions Wednesday from doctors, nurses and other health professionals on how to fine-tune his proposed reform of TennCare at the Quillen School of Medicine. While the care providers were generally positive and pleased that somebody is trying to revamp…

By Janice M. Howard / Style Editor for the Southern Standard Table manners and proper etiquette was the main focus when Morrison School second-graders were accompanied by their teachers, April Farless, Wanda Gann and Judy Sullivan on a unique outing.The Morrison Ruritan building was decorated for the occasion with hearts and garlands. Candy hearts and…

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Warren County High School softball coach David Upton and his Lady Pioneers had plans of starting spring practice with a little twist this year, but mother nature had a little say-so in the Lady Pioneers’ schedule.With the official start of spring practice to begin Feb.…

By Dale Stubblefield / Columnist As weekends go, some are better than others.And for the sports-minded person, this past weekend wasn’t too bad — depending on what side of the fence you’re standing on.If all you guys pulled all the right strings on Valentine’s Day, which I did for once in my life, then Sunday…

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tenn.) Warren County’s boys tried to catch a tiger by the tail in their final home game Saturday night, but ended up getting skinned in a 65-55 Senior Night loss.Prior to the game, Pioneer seniors Kyle Thompson, Reese Bishop, Jeremiah Hodges, Ross Marlowe, and…

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tenn.) Senior Night is always an emotional game, but the Lady Pioneers’ 2004 version of the event included a little drama in the mix.Visiting DeKalb County bounced back from a double-digit deficit Saturday to cut the Warren County’s lead to a slim five points,…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Eighteen people were sentenced last week by Judge Bart Stanley in Circuit Court.Included in court action:• Oscar Castenda was ordered to serve 15 years on two counts of burglary. His lengthy sentence comes after he burglarized the same nursery company on two different occasions. He…