LEWIS Q: Do you think that the school system should have a strict dress code? Sandra MadewellYes there should be a dress code because it helps protect us. Sherry MorrisI completely disagree with a strict dress code. Even though there is a line we must draw, I still feel we need to have a sense…

A local man faces extortion charges after he allegedly blackmailed his ex-wife, threatening to put her in jail if she did not rework their divorce agreement.The defendant, Ricarte Bernardo was indicted recently on one count of extortion by the same grand jurors who found no basis for the charges he had brought against his ex-wife,…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Citing news coverage of their request to be let out of their plea bargains for the burning death of a local woman, halfbrothers Franklin De la Cruz and Luiz Gomez want a change of venue for their future hearings. The men, who entered guilty pleas…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard Brothers Branden and Chayten Wright braved the summer heat to accompany their parents, Shanee and Braylen, to the Heart Walk which started out at City Hall last weekend. (Photo provided) The American Heart Association (AHA) had another successful year here in Warren County with…

By AMY FOSTER / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard The Main Street Live Concert Series wraps up Friday night with the tunes of O.J. Cummins’ Big Band Sound on the West Lawn of Security Federal at 7 p.m.The Big Band Sound is a 21-piece swing band. The group plays an average of 18 private…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard Do you have room in your hearts, and your homes, for a healthy, well-adjusted and socialized puppy or adult dog? Would you like to help out in the effort to find homes for abandoned or homeless animals? Would you like to make a difference…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard Morrison students Autumn Brindley, left, and Haley Wright walk hand in hand as part of their school’s participation in the Blue Cross sponsored WalkingWorks for Schools program which is aimed at K-4 students. (Charles W. Johnson photo) How soon should you start encouraging kids…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Crime and calls for service both continued an upward trend during the most recent quarter according to statistics released recently by the McMinnville Police Department.The second quarter numbers revealed an all-time high in the number of calls answered by police with 3,707 calls received during…

By BILL ZECHMAN / Special to the Southern Standard Do you believe there is an absolute, unchanging standard for the moral choices people make, a source of moral truth that does not depend on the circumstances or your own feelings?If you believe that, you’re in the minority among your fellow Americans. The Barna Group, a…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard Joshua Stephens cools off in the crystal clear waters of Gilley Pool during the Kids of the Community Swim Party sponsored by the Noon Exchange Club. (Charles W. Johnson photo) A happy group of around 90 to 100 local kids found a great way…