By SCOTT REEVES / Associated Press Writer Mary Smithson Craighead, right, works with Unikquia Stone, 6, foreground, as her sister Sister Sandra Smithson works with Hannah Craighead, 4, a reading program that they developed for children at their charter school in Nashville. (AP Photo) NASHVILLE (AP) — Children growing up in poverty often arrive at…

CHATTANOOGA (AP) — State lawmakers are surprised by the number of Tennessee Lottery employees who have received bonuses totaling nearly $700,000 since the launch of the games in January. Lottery CEO Rebecca Paul has earned $245,000 in bonuses for beginning scratchoff games ahead of schedule and starting the lottery online by March 20. The other…

By AMBER McDOWELL / Associated Press Writer BRENTWOOD (AP) — In the three months since lottery sales began in Tennessee, Paul Cressend has yet to buy a ticket in his home state. Instead, the health insurance salesman tries his luck in Georgia, Florida and Kentucky. That’s because all three participate in either Mega Millions or…

MT Media Relations MURFREESBORO — Nate Jaggers’ RBI single in the seventh broke atie and Middle Tennessee added an insurance run in the eighth to take a 6-4 victory and win the series over Arkansas State Sunday afternoon at Reese Smith Field. The Blue Raiders (23-13, 6-6 SBC) scored four runs in the fourth to…

By COLIN FLY / Associated Press Writer Kenny Green watches his tee shot on the eighth hole of the Stones River Country Club in Murfreesboro. (AP Photo/John Russell) MURFREESBORO (AP) — Kenny Green had just won his second national golf championship and knew he was about to be delayed at the airport. But it wouldn’t…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Just the fax could cost advertisers big money under a new tougher state law which seeks to fine companies who send unwanted facsimiles.Like the state’s better known do-not-call list which took aim at telemarketers, the do-not-fax law aims to help fax owners from putting up…

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard BRATCHER Long known for her academic and civic excellence, McMinnville native Lara Bratcher was awarded the highest undergraduate honor at the University of South Carolina last week.Known as the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, the honor is given each year to one male and one female…

Will Stewart photo Jeremy DeArmond, left, and Jacob Wanamaker concentrate on the finish line as they run the 50-yard dash during yesterday’s McMinnville Jaycees-sponsored Spring Olympics.

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard The Warren County Commission will examine evidence against Country Club Market Monday evening in considering whether to impose a 90-day license suspension for illegal beer sales to minors.“It irks me when places are selling beer to minors without even asking for an identification,” said County…

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tenn.) When country music superstar Toby Keith performs Wednesday for the CMT Flameworthy Awards, Warren County High School senior Lakelyn Foutch will be one of his six backup dancers. (Photo courtesy Toby Keith) Lakelyn Foutch has picked quite a way to break into the world…