By Joan Ryan As free elections loom in Iraq — a proud piece of the U.S. mission to spread democracy across the globe — it might be instructive to be reminded how it is faring here. The Jose Padilla story offers a case study.Stanford law Professor Jenny Martinez has been on the small team of…

By Ingrid Canterbury A lot can be accomplished with $40 million. You don’t need to pay a CPA to tell you that. For instance, we could hold an inauguration.For yesterday’s minute, that’s right minute, of inauguration, private sources donated approximately $40 million. Some of those private donors are listed along with the size of their…

Our Viewpoint Not having money to pay for a car repair or a utility bill is a distressing plight. To help remedy this predicament, payday advance and title loan companies have money to lend. These businesses are popping up around every corner with over 1,100 in Tennessee and close to a dozen in Warren County.According…

Madesta Smedley, reigning Fairest of the Fair, will be representing Warren County on the state level at the upcoming pageant in Nashville. The newspaper retracts a recent error stating that Emily Hobbs, who was first runner-up in the Warren County pageant, is the current Fairest title holder. We regret any complications this may have caused.

BABY GIRLTrent and Heather Gilley are the parents of their first child, Anna Grace Gilley. She was born Nov. 1 at Baptist Women’s Pavilion, MTMC, Murfreesboro, weighing 8 pounds, 8 ounces and measuring 21-1/4 inches in length.The grandparents are Steve and Beverly Pedigo, Beverly Gilley, all of McMinnville, David and Donna Gilley of Woodbury.Her great-grandparents…

County finals of the 4-H Public Speaking Contest was held recently at Warren County Middle School. There were 71 4-H members in grades four through 12 who participated.The 4-H members earned the right to compete in this contest by winning their class competition during the November club meeting. A total of 654 4-H’ers cross Warren…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard Emily Newman, 10, left, and Coly Richardson, 9, of local Girl Scout Troop 1744 show off some of the great cookies for sale during the organization’s annual cookie drive. (Charles W. Johnson photo) It’s that season again. Nope, it’s not cold and dreary winter…

Sign-ups for Warren County Youth Baseball and Softball will be Feb. 18 and 25 from 5-8:30 p.m., and February 19 and 26 from 9 a.m.-3p.m. at the McMinnville Civic Center. Parents should bring a copy of the child’s birth certificate. For more information you can go to the WCYB website at www.wcyb.org. Volleyball TournamentThe McMinnville…

By Rob Nunley Siegel’s boys basketball team might have been ranked No. 1 in Class AAA when they hit the court last Friday against Warren County, but it was the team’s student fans who were the real “Stars” of the night.For the second straight season, the Pioneers and Lady Pioneers made the trip to Murfreesboro…

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Warren County wrestler Aaron Thomas controls his opponent during Tuesday night’s home tri-match. WCHS beat both CPA and Marshall County by lopsided margins. (Dale Stubblefield photo) Tuesday night was very productive for the Warren County High School wrestling team, as the Pioneers picked up two…