WASHINGTON (AP) — Calling the president “weak and uncertain,” U.S. Rep. Harold Ford blasted President Bush’s handling of Hurricane Katrina on Thursday. A lack of coordination has left the poor in critical danger, the Tennessee Democrat said. “There are all these poor people with no place to go, and the president’s answer is ‘hang in…

By ROSE FRENCH / Associated Press Writer BRENTWOOD — Gasoline prices surged past the $3 per gallon mark Thursday in much of Tennessee, with shortages causing some gas stations to close temporarily as one of the nation’s busiest travel weekends approached. Gas retailers in Tennessee have not been overrun with long lines of panicked motorists…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Phil Bredesen has requested a federal emergency declaration for Tennessee in order to assist thousands of refugees who came to the state from devastated areas in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. “I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the…

By Jim Mullen / Columnist “How much is enough? Fifty dollars? A hundred?” The Fergusons were debating how much to give their 13-year-old daughter Cartier for her weekly allowance.A hundred dollars? I was trying to remember what my allowance was when I was 13 — was it a quarter or 50 cents? It must have…

By George Plagenz / Columnist Life for a church editor consists of more than listening to a sermon on The Beatitudes and singing “Onward, Christian Soldiers” with the congregation. It can also mean chicken and dumplings and homemade cheesecake and, if you live in a German neighborhood, a heaping platter full of sauerkraut and roast…

By Ron Fournier / Columnist At every turn, political leaders failed Katrina’s victims. They didn’t strengthen the levees. They ceded the streets to marauding looters. They left dead bodies to rot or bloat. Thousands suffered or died for lack of water, food and hope. Who’s at fault?There’s plenty of blame to go around — the…

By JAMES CLARK / Columnist I consider myself an optimist rather than a pessimist. I choose to believe people are filled with kindness more than they are with hatred.I think the powers of good will eventually prevail over the forces of evil, and that Batman will always triumph in a fight against The Joker.But when…

Birth Annoucements Baby BoyWyatt Lynn Brewer was born to Shayna and Timothy Brewer July 20. He arrived at River Park Hospital weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces. He is joined by sister Molly Brewer. His grandparents are Tim and Sherry Medley and Jerry and Brenda Foster. Baby BoyBrittany and Newman Ford announce the birth of their…

The 65th annual McGee reunion was held August 28 at Shellsford Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. The exact date of John McGee settling in Warren County indicates he was here before May 1, 1805. The group is celebrating 200 years of McGee’s residing in this county. The new Shellsford pastor, Steve Morse, gave the blessing for…

The engagement of Kim Vo and Toby McGiboney is being announced. They will wed Oct. 1 at Troup Square in Savannah, Ga. Kim Vo and Toby McGiboney are pleased to announce their engagement. The couple will be married Oct. 1 at Troup Square in Savannah, Ga.The bride-to-be is the daughter of Julia Blake and Ba…