NASHVILLE (AP) — The good news for the Tennessee Titans when it comes to improving their punt returns is that they have no where else to go but up. Nobody in the NFL was worse than the Titans returning punts in 2004, and only two teams were better when it came to kickoff returns. They…

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard A team representing McMinnville Country Club won the state’s Buick Scramble for the fourth straight year Monday. Pictured, from left, are Steve Biles, Alan Lynn, Hank Patton, Gene Ritz and Brad Brock. (Photo provided) A McMinnville Country Club golf team has successfully defended its championship…

By ELIZABETH A. DAVIS / AP Sports Writer Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge drops back to pass as he looks for a receiver during practice Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2005 in Knoxville, Tenn.(AP Photo/Wade Payne) KNOXVILLE — Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer figures his role in picking a starting quarterback this year will be simple. Unlike a year…

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard Director of Schools Dr. Jerry Hale and new Bobby Ray Elementary principal Beverly Ramsey talk about educational issues on the radio show “Focus.” The 30-minute show will be broadcast today at 5:30 p.m. on WCPI, 91.3 FM. (James Clark photo) The value of a four-year college…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard (see photo info below) Evening Exchange Club member Randy England has made the trip to the organization’s national conventions for three years. Initially invited for his skills as an old-time country auctioneer, he has always been willing to offer his services to help auction…

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard The sound of locally written contemporary Christian music will fill the air Friday night as two bands are scheduled to perform in the Main Street Live concert series.The two bands, Praise Hym and Good Noise, are both affiliated with First United Methodist Church. Praise Hym is…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee National Guard officials Monday unveiled proposed sweeping changes to the state’s units in the biggest reorganization since World War II. The transitions will “change the face of the Tennessee Army National Guard as we now know it,” said Maj. Gen. Gus Hargett, guard commander. The changes are designed to meet today’s…

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Regulatory Authority on Monday approved 8-1-1 as the number to call to check for underground utilities prior to demolition or excavation work. TRA officials said Tennessee became the first state to adopt the use of such a special number. The Federal Communications Commission decided in March to assign the 8-1-1…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Ninety state legislators, hoping to keep a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage on next year’s ballot, have asked to join a lawsuit that seeks to block the vote. The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, the Tennessee Equality Project, three state legislators and several individuals filed a lawsuit in Davidson…

SPARTA (AP) — Teenagers who can’t spell well, not devil worshippers, shattered windows and spray-painted a church, weeks after fires at two other churches in this small town, an investigator said Monday. Detective Chris Isom said some of the spray-painted messages “misspelled Satan … as Santin, on one of the walls.” He said an investigation…