From the editors of Consumer Reports Despite years of dire warnings from some economists that the housing boom is about to end, it hasn’t. Indeed, last year prices rose even higher — about 11 percent nationally, according to government figures.That may prove a burden for buyers, but for sellers, it can mean a bonanza.Yet there…

By JAMES CLARK Few things can surpass the unrelenting joy of the Standard’s annual Kite Day. It’s a day when kids from across the county gather to watch their parents try to fly a kite with varying degrees of success.For the most part, I’ve failed miserably at this task. One thing is for sure: They…

Rock Island resident and Davidson County native Virginia Sue Gibbs, 63, died April 22 at River Park Hospital.A retired receptionist with Hi-Lex Corporation and former owner of Classy Lady Music Productions and Fieldstone Recording Studio, she was a member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church.The daughter of the late Ulys Clarence and Mary Ann Goforth Cooper,…

Lebanon resident Louise Driver, 86, died April 21 at her home.A homemaker and a member of New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church, she was preceded in death by her father, Johnnie D. Malone; birth mother, Letitia Merritt Malone; stepmother, Laura Malone; husband, Jim Daniel Driver; son, Glenn Driver; sister, Janie Fuson.She is survived by sons and…

Van Buren County native and Spencer resident Enzy Mae Guy Baker, 89, died April 23 at her home after an extended illness.A homemaker and a member of Spencer First Baptist Church, she was the daughter of the late David Crockett and Margaret Ann Forsythe Guy. She was also preceded in death by sisters Mary Mosley,…

McMinnville resident and Warren County native Denise (Neesee) Wanamaker Underhill, 42, died April 22 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville from injuries sustained in an accident.A line technician with Yorozu Automotive and a member of the Baptist Church, she was the daughter of Bill and Brenda Wanamaker of McMinnville and is also survived by…

Rock Island resident and Van Buren County native Betty June Greeno, 68, died April 21 at River Park Hospital after a brief illness.A homemaker, she was the daughter of Walter Alton and Malcolm Ruth Cummings Bouldin; and was preceded in death by son, Preston Eugene Greeno in 1965.She is survived by her husband, Leonard (Bob)…

WASHINGTON (AP) — The new national intelligence director, John Negroponte, told the thousands of employees at the nation’s spy agencies Friday that the government will pioneer new ways of organizing itself to face “a new order of threats to national security.” In a message to the intelligence community in his first day on the job,…

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — When regular services are over Sunday night, the Rev. Kevin Ezell will turn his pulpit over to preachers with a political message, a move that has prompted an outcry from other religious leaders. Ezell’s Highview Baptist Church is hosting “Justice Sunday,” featuring a videotaped speech from Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist,…

SEN. FRIST WASHINGTON (AP) — It may seem like Sen. Bill Frist has found religion in recent weeks. At least, that’s what critics say about the Senate majority leader’s recent alignment with social conservative groups on high-profile issues. Their charge is that Frist is playing to religious groups to gather support for political issues —…