NASHVILLE (AP) — Promotions for Tennessee Highway Patrol lieutenants and sergeants have been suspended indefinitely after news reports of allegations of favoritism to two officers who testified to help a THP “honorary captain” get his drunken driving case dismissed. Safety Commissioner Fred Phillips made the move on Monday, a day after The Tennessean questioned the…

COOKEVILLE (AP) — Federal officials arrested eight people, including four current or former law enforcement officers, on drug and money laundering charges after a three-year undercover sting operation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday that undercover agents had posed as members of a Chicago-based drug ring in an operation code-named “Tarnished Shield.” The operation started…

MARYVILLE (AP) — The parents of three students at William Blount High School claim that school officials have fostered a “racially charged atmosphere” for black students in a lawsuit they filed against Blount County schools. The suit claims that school officials, including the director of schools, Alvin Hord, and the high school’s former prinicipal, Christy…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee officials moved Tuesday to return an inmate and his wife from Ohio to face murder charges in last week’s bloody escape at the Roane County Courthouse. Gov. Phil Bredesen and Secretary of State Riley Darnell signed warrants Tuesday to extradite inmate George Hyatte and Jennifer Hyatte, a former prison nurse who…

By MARGARET HOBBS / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Visitors are greeted to the Turner residence, build in 1961 by J.D. Mullican. (Margaret Hobbs photos) When you enter the double gates and start down the long driveway to Turner’s Farms, one almost immediately experiences a peaceful feeling. Towering pine trees, bradford pears, spruce, cypress…

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard FISHER The Warren County High School volleyball season starts next week, but the Lady Pioneers have already been busy on the court with several scrimmages and play-days.This past weekend Warren County went to the Chattanooga Choo Choo play-day with five games on tap. The Lady…

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Molly Willmore of the WCMS soccer team moves the ball upfield during Monday afternoon’s game against Manchester Westwood. Willmore scored twice in the Lady Pioneers’ 3-1 victory. (Dale Stubblefield photo) After a disappointing season opener to Franklin County last week, the Warren County Middle School…

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta’s tourism officials revved their engines Tuesday, treating NASCAR executives to a helicopter tour and downtown rally in hopes of winning a stock car racing hall of fame that could mean millions of dollars to the area’s economy. About 15 NASCAR executives were the guests of honor as everyone from civic leaders…

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Nashville Predators announced Tuesday that they have re-signed forward Steve Sullivan and defenseman Dan Hamhuis. Sullivan, 31, had 73 points in 80 games with Nashville and Chicago in 2003-04. The Ontario native has scored more than 20 goals in each of his last six seasons and tied for ninth in NHL…

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard Warren County football fans will get their first chance to see action under the Nunley Stadium lights tonight.The Pioneer freshman kick off their 2005 campaign tonight, facing off against Coffee County at 6 p.m.New head coach Darek Elrod’s squad opens a three-game homestand with the…