Peggy Ann Johnstone, 50McMinnville resident and Trenton, N.J., native Peggy Ann Johnstone, 50, died Feb. 14 at River Park Hospital.A homemaker and member of the Catholic Church, she was the daughter of the late James and Delores Sexton Dewey.She is survived by her husband, James Charles Johnstone; daughters, Sarah Rembiszewski and Kimberly Johnstone, both of…

By SCOTT REEVES / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — The executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention voted Tuesday to withdraw from the Baptist World Alliance, saying it has become too liberal and advocates “aberrant and dangerous theologies.” The recommendation will be presented in June to about 12,000 delegates at the convention’s annual meeting…

NASHVILLE (AP) — A measure to amend the state Constitution to allow casino gambling in Shelby County passed a House subcommittee Tuesday. The resolution is sponsored by Rep. Larry Miller, D-Memphis, chairman of the State Government subcommittee that passed it. Voters removed a prohibition against lotteries from the state Constitution by referendum 15 months ago,…

CHATTANOOGA (AP) — Motorists who fail to move over and leave an open lane between themselves and emergency vehicles on Tennessee roadsides will be subject to $50 fines starting July 1. Highway Patrol officers say too many drivers ignore emergency vehicles on the sides of highways and interstates. “We’ve always had a problem with drivers…

By AMBER McDOWELL / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — A push in the Legislature to amend the Tennessee Constitution by limiting abortion rights is an “attack on the most precious document in our state,” an opponent of the change told a Senate committee Tuesday. Mary Frances Lyle, a lobbyist for the Tennessee Women’s Political…

By TOM SHARP / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — A subcommittee of the state House on Tuesday passed a resolution acknowledging God and the exercise of religious freedom as “the foundation of our national and state heritage.” The resolution passed the House State Government subcommittee on a voice vote with no discussion and was…

By TOM SHARP / Associated Press Writer Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen speaks to a joint session of the Legislature about his plans for TennCare, the state’s expanded Medicaid program, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2004, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Phil Bredesen proposed cutting benefits to a third of TennCare’s enrollees, saving the…

Pamela rifled through her purse Thursday morning at the counter in Room 168 of San Francisco’s city hall.“Sixty-two dollars?’ she asked the clerk.She and her boyfriend, Oscar, had filled out the one-page form for their marriage license. No blood test required. Just picture ID’s and $62.It all seemed so mundane and DMVish that it was…

By Duane Sherrill / Columnist How difficult is it to ask for identification when you’re selling beer and liquor?Obviously it was too big of a task for several local stores who sold beer to an undercover agent last week. Come on folks, if someone looks under 30, just ask for an ID. This isn’t rocket…

Our Viewpoint The soaring costs of health care must be considered one of the top priorities — if not the top priority — in this presidential election.All across the United States, the price of prescriptions are climbing, insurance deductibles are rising, and the out-of-pocket expenses Americans are paying for health care is at all-time highs.Tennesseans…