By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard McMinnville officials and volunteer groups are planning a full day of events July 5 in celebration of Independence Day.While the holiday falls on a Sunday this year, organizers for city events have decided to hold festivities on Monday. And as in previous years, festivities get…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Twenty-two people were sentenced this week by Judge Bart Stanley in circuit court.Included in circuit court action:• Eugene Grayson was ordered to serve 12 years in prison and make restitution for burglary, forgery and theft.• John Daniel Clark was directed to serve 144 days of…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Citing her tireless service to the community, the McMinnville Noon Exchange Club honored Bettye Hallum with the Humanitarian of the Year Award Tuesday evening.“Ms. Hallum exemplifies what this award is all about,” said Exchange president Bryan Denton. “She has not sought out recognition or publicity…

Banana splits are a great motivational tool, especially when they’re free.That’s why Standard employees are expecting nothing short of a packed house at the newspaper office today for free banana splits from 2 to 4 p.m.Our annual Banana Day has become a popular way for the Standard to say thanks to Warren County residents for…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard Local artist Steve Davis poses with the carousel he and his wife Bonnie, along with fellow artist William Dentzel III, designed and built, including all the carousel animals. (Charles W. Johnson photo) Most folks probably wouldn’t think of masonry as being a major medium…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard PRATER A move to close Old Highway 8, which failed in February, has resurfaced in light of a fatality on the 1.9-mile stretch of abandoned county road.The death of Eli Todd Brown, 27, earlier this month prompted the Highway and Bridge Committee to call…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard McMinnville Police Lt. Investigator Derwin Adcock searches a vehicle at the scene of a shooting outside Cotten Apartments Wednesday evening. Miguel Espanol was shot in the leg following a fistfight outside the apartment complex. (Duane Sherrill photo) Shots rang out at Cotten Apartments Wednesday evening,…

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard CANTRELL When he signed on for an additional three years in the National Guard in November, Staff Sgt. Brad Cantrell didn’t think there was much of a chance his unit might be mobilized for duty in Iraq.“I didn’t figure they’d need the 278th and all…

Open wide! Bethany Busic, left, gives Lacresha Seals a nibble of a Baskin-Robbins new Donkey Gone Bananas Sundae. This Friday from 2 to 4 p.m., the Standard will be giving away free banana splits at our office on College Street. (Margaret Hobbs photo) Monday was the first official day of summer which means one thing…

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard PRATER Phillip Prater resigned as the county’s Emergency Management Agency director Monday night, saying he believes the part-time job should be made into a full-time position.Prater then said he doesn’t want to be the one to fill the full-time position.“I appreciate the opportunity to serve as…