NASHVILLE (AP) — The cause of a fatal nursing home fire in September will, at least for now, remain a mystery, fire officials said. The investigation is being closed with the cause listed as “undetermined” and “unintentional,” said Charles Scott, Nashville’s deputy fire marshal and chief investigator for the fire at NHC HealthCare Center of…

By DUNCAN MANSFIELD / Associated Press Writer KNOXVILLE (AP) — After three days of interviews, the pool of candidates to become the next University of Tennessee president was cut to six on Thursday. The contenders include five higher education administrators and the director of a federal research institute. One of the six is a sitting…

By Rob Nunley It’s rained on spring sports programs around the state all week, but nothing like the way it’s rained down on the head of Blackman baseball coach Doug Greene and his program.If you’ve missed it, Greene is currently suspended by school officials, while they contemplate his fate following accusations by his players of…

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard Josh Bratcher fires the ball home to retire a Lebanon baserunner during Thursday night’s game at Patrick Ramsey Field. Bratcher won the game Thursday, coming all the way around to score after connecting for a hit to left. (Rob Nunley photo) The Pioneers salvaged a…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard A 42-person docket was heard Tuesday by Judge Larry Ross in General Sessions Court.Included in court action:• Paul Hutson was bound over to the grand jury on charges of aggravated burglary, theft over $1,000 and four counts of theft.• Don Edward Baker was bound over…

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Additional changes to Chancery Street between Morford and Colville streets are planned for phase one of the Main Street McMinnville downtown revitalization effort, project officials have announced.Work at two intersections at Chancery and Morford and Colville streets, as well as Chancery Street between those intersections,…

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Registration for all county children entering kindergarten in the fall will be held next Thursday and Friday at the Civic Center.As in recent years, registration for all upcoming kindergartners will take place at a central location so school system personnel can screen the future students…

RONE A pre-dawn lightning strike Tuesday caused extensive damage to electronic equipment at Warren County’s public radio station WCPI, forcing the non-profit broadcaster off the air until mid-morning Wednesday.“We apparently took a direct hit,” said WCPI program director Gloria Grissom. The electrical surge destroyed more than $5,000 worth of essential equipment, including the main broadcast…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Amidst a growing epidemic, Gov. Phil Bredesen has formed a special task force to study the methamphetamine problem in Tennessee.The task force, to be made up of 20 members, mostly consisting of representatives from various state departments and agencies, along with 12 advisors, will investigate…

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Ellouise Neal, left, receives honors Tuesday for 21 years of service to the Retired Senior Volunteer Program from director Sue Jones. (Amy Satterwhite photo) Ellouise Neal signed on to the Retired Senior Volunteer Program 21 years ago and never thought about numbers.So when others ask…