GOODLETTSVILLE (AP) — Dollar General recalled about 80,000 heart-shaped pendants on Thursday because the items contain high levels of lead. Goodlettsville-based Dollar General agreed with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall the pendants, which are silver-colored, ribbed on the front, hollow on the back and hangs on a pink suede cord with a…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Close to 400 state workers rallied lawmakers on Wednesday to increase their salaries and retool the current pay scale. The Tennessee State Employees Association wants to change the way employees are classified in order to allow them to move more quickly out of entry-level compensation. Association president Zoyle Jones said the group…

NASHVILLE (AP) — A sales tax holiday in Tennessee took another step forward Wednesday with the House approving a bill to create the financial break. The bill, approved 95-1, creates a sales tax holiday for the period between the first Friday in August until that Sunday. It applies to clothing and school supplies with a…

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Senate endorsed the governor’s $25 million planned expansion of the state’s voluntary preschool program Thursday. The initiative has been at the top of Gov. Phil Bredesen’s agenda, with supporters touting it as a way to give Tennessee’s students a head start for school. Under the plan, $25 million in lottery money…

By Jim Mullen / Columnist The weather’s getting better every day, summer is just around the corner, and we’ve got a gang of people coming up from the city to spend the weekend with us. We’ve bought the food, we’ve aired out the extra bedrooms, and we’ve picked up all the bigger dust bunnies. The…

By Morton Kondracke / Columnist Before the religious wars of Washington become any more incendiary, I recommend that everyone involved — politicians, pundits and activists — pause to read last year’s beautiful Pulitzer Prize novel, “Gilead” (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) a tale of forgiveness and redemption.In fact, I’d love to see someone widely respected —…

By James Clark / Columnist It was about 10 or 15 minutes ago when I checked my e-mail and what I received wasn’t the least bit startling. What popped up on my screen could best be described as a scantily clad woman, in a very seductive pose, urging me to click on the address below…

Our Viewpoint Congratulations to the graduating class of 2005, whose members will walk across the stage in grand fashion tonight.Seniors, you have reached one of your first major milestones. From this point forward, you must begin the process of shaping your futures and determining what to make of your life after high school.Some of you…

A younger Paul Crabtree directs children in “Pinocchio,” the first musical he presented in Crossville. The entire story of his life is displayed in the 40th anniversary show called “Trust Your Dreams: A Musical of Small Town Dreams and Big City Lights.” Most people who live in and around Cumberland County know the story of…

The wedding plans of Kimberly Anne Myers and Andrew Reed are being revealed. The couple will wed May 29. (Photo provided) Plans for the forthcoming marriage of Kimberly Anne Myers and Andrew Reed of Woodbury are being revealed.The betrothed couple will exchange nuptial vows May 29.The bride-elect is the daughter of Tony and Olivia Myers…