CHATTANOOGA (AP) — Flat federal funding and increased costs have forced Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park to reduce staff, trim maintenance work and leave vacant ranger positions unfilled, officials said. Park Superintendent Pat Reed says the park’s financial troubles are the result of no funding increases since 1998. In fact, the park’s $2.2 million…

By BILL POOVEY / Associated Press Writer CHATTANOOGA (AP) — Disabled Tennesseans whose lawsuit prompted a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision about access to courts are not entitled to damages from the state, Attorney General Paul Summers said in a court filing Tuesday. The court filing by S. Elizabeth Martin, senior counsel in the state…

By AMBER McDOWELL / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — As part of an effort by the Department of Children’s Services to have the “best-trained public child work force in the nation,” the agency will soon begin paying for employees to receive advanced degrees in social work. DCS Commissioner Viola Miller presented legislators Tuesday with…

NASHVILLE (AP) — If advocates for TennCare enrollees are able to use the court system to block Gov. Phil Bredesen’s cost-saving plan to overhaul the program, about 260,000 people would become ineligible for benefits, state officials said. The prospect caused some lawmakers Wednesday to say they would rather return to a traditional Medicaid program than…

By AMBER McDOWELL / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — Tougher penalties for abuse of the elderly and tighter driver’s licensing requirements for immigrants became laws with Gov. Phil Bredesen’s signature. The so-called “Elder Tennesseans’ Protection Act of 2004” was hailed with a special Capitol Hill ceremony Wednesday, along with another bill designating several segments…

By KARIN MILLER / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — One in four young adult Tennesseans lives in poverty and prospects for many don’t look good, according to an annual study of children’s well-being that ranks the state near the bottom of the nation. Tennessee has a higher percentage of “disconnected” young adults— those ages…

NASHVILLE (AP) — State transportation officials say they are taking steps to keep traffic moving on Interstate 24 during the Bonnaroo music festival in Manchester next week. Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Jerry Nicely said assistance trucks and maintenance units will be posted in the area, message signs will warn drivers of delays, and road…

Singer Gary McSpadden will be presented in concert June 6 at First Baptist Church. The congregation welcomes those in the community to join them at 6 p.m. for the special evening of music.McSpadden has been at the forefront of contemporary Christian music for many years – from the Oak Ridge Boys, the Imperials, the Bill…

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard The fight against cancer took a big step forward Friday night as Warren County’s second annual Relay for Life raised over $90,000 to combat the dreaded disease.The signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life is the largest cancer-fighting event in the…

In last week’s story on the 2004 Lady Pioneer soccer team filling its roster, Allison Maxwell’s name was inadvertently left off the list of team members. The Standard regrets the error.