NASHVILLE (AP) — A state bill sponsored by Sen. John Ford could benefit the Memphis funeral home run by his family, according to some consumer advocates. The funeral bill, written by the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association, requires establishments to have adequate visitation space, restrooms and parking spots; places for religious or meditative observance; an area…

NASHVILLE (AP) — State Sen. John Ford, embroiled in an ethics probe by the Senate Ethics Committee, has apparently established a legal defense fund and discussed it with at least one registered lobbyist. Ford, a Democrat from Memphis, declined comment Tuesday on the matter. Also Tuesday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed it has opened…

By LUCAS L. JOHNSON II / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE (AP) — TennCare Director J.D. Hickey testified in federal court Tuesday that the state has exhausted all attempts to prevent disenrollment of 323,000 adults from the health insurance program. “Frankly, the number one thing working against us is time,” Hickey told U.S. District Court Judge…

By Cokie & Steven Roberts / Columnists We’re spending a few days in San Francisco baby-sitting three grandsons — 3-year-old twins and a newborn — while their parents attend a wedding and enjoy a well-deserved break in Hawaii. Earlier this month, Steve visited his 86-year-old mother in Florida for the last time, before she packs…

By DENNIS STANLEY / Publisher & Editor for the Smithville Review A one-year property dispute came to a tragic end Tuesday morning when a man shot his neighbors and then later turned the gun on himself.The incident occurred on Aunt Helen Road off Clemons Ridge Road in northern DeKalb County near Silver Point. Dead are…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard Hospital Corporation of America, the nation’s largest investor-owned hospital chain, announced Monday it will be selling 10 of its facilities, including Warren County’s River Park Hospital.Citing higher costs and increased patient volume for its decision to divest itself of the units, which are spread…

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard Warren County resident and soldier Jimmy Breedlove is pictured with a 6-year-old Iraqi girl he has befriended. Breedlove found the girl and her family living in a public bathroom. Some of us might not be completely happy with the place we call home. We might want…

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard Having had his personal life spread throughout the media during recent months, Warren County head basketball coach Chris Turner decided this weekend he wouldn’t continue to let off-the-court issues take away from his on-the-court responsibilities.Turner stepped down from his post with the Pioneers, announcing his…

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Monday afternoon the Pioneer soccer team traveled to Ooltewah to take on the Owls.The game was played on Ooltewah’s football field, and the rain made things very muddy for the two teams. The Owls came away with a 3-0 victory as the Pioneers evened their…

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Alex Higgins, right, of the Boyd middle school soccer team, fights to keep a Riverside Christian player from taking control of the ball during Monday’s game at Boyd. (Dale Stubblefield photo) Boyd’s middle school soccer team hit the field Monday for its second game of…