By ROSE FRENCH / Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE — United Steelworkers at seven of Bridgestone Firestone’s U.S. plants ratified a new contract that provides a wage increase and promises job security for at least a year, officials said Thursday. The master contract — which runs through July 23, 2006 — covers about 5,000 workers at…

Our Viewpoint Instead of clearing the water, the Supreme Court only created more questions about the permissibility of Ten Commandment displays.By a 5-4 ruling handed down Monday, the Supreme Court said some Ten Commandment displays are OK, while others needed to be removed. The distinction between legal and illegal is whether the Commandments are shown…

By Steve C. Stubblefield / CFSA Director Recent disease outbreaks that have been reported around the globe over the past decade have greatly intensified public interest in developing a national animal identification program for purposes of protecting animal health as well as the safety of the nation’s food supply.Estimates of the nation’s livestock numbers include…

Cody Walker exhibited both the Grand Champion and Reserve Champion Polled Hereford Heifers at the county 4-H show. He is being presented his award from the official ‘ribbon girl,’ Dana Smith. The Warren County 4-H livestock show was recently held at the Warren County Fairgrounds, with 4-H members exhibiting their beef cattle and sheep in…

By Mark A. Halcomb / UT Area Nursery Specialist Tennessee’s statewide nursery association, The Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association, will celebrate its 100-year anniversary in Knoxville July 7 at 5:30 p.m. during a two-hour reception in the UT Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Attendance will be free for the first 300 pre-registered by July 1.…

DALLAS (AP) — Walking briskly along a tree-lined university avenue, a group of fourth- and fifth-grade girls have a lively conversation about food while exercising with their college-age mentors. “What did y’all eat for breakfast?” asks Elizabeth Chappell, a 20-year-old Southern Methodist University student. “Cheese toast,” shouts one girl. “Waffle sticks,” comes another reply. “What…

By Margo Howard / Columnist Dear Prudie: I met a guy about four months ago, and we hit it off wonderfully. I like everything about him (so far), except for the fact that he is still married. He’s separated for sure (I checked with mutual friends), but I consider that still married and not available…

Descendants of William M. and Mary E. Milstead Simpson gathered at Ryan’s Restaurant for a family reunion. Photography, registration and visitation began at 11 a.m.Coming from out of town were Ralph and Susan Thompson, Wayne and Jeney Williams, Jacob and Caroline, all of Hixson, Donna and Katie Harris of Lenoir City, Ernest and Pauline Simpson…

LaKeisha Mae Barkes and Cory Glen Tobitt were wed May 21 in a ceremony at the Tobitts’ Morrison home. Kenneth Kirby officiated at the double-ring ceremony. The marriage vows of Miss LaKeisha Mae Barkes and Cory Glen Tobitt were solemnized May 21 in a ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Tobitts’ Morrison residence. Kenneth Kirby…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Marcus Strode slides down the slide in the fun house as his friends watch from above during JuneTeenth festivities. The first of what organizers hope will be an annual community event drew hundreds of visitors as JuneTeenth was held Saturday afternoon at Rocket Park.“We’ve had…