WASHINGTON (AP) — Construction of new homes slipped for a second month in August, providing fresh evidence that the nation’s housing boom may be cooling. The Commerce Department reported that construction of new homes and apartments dropped 1.3 percent last month after a decline of 1.5 percent in July. It marked the first back-to-back declines…

Amy Meredith Smith and Rick Douglas Gillentine will marry in a ceremony held in Smyrna on Oct. 6. (Photo provided) Mr. and Mrs. Burl M. Smith of Cookeville, announce the engagement of their daughter Amy Meredith Smith to Rick Douglas Gillentine of Smyrna. The wedding will be held Oct. 6 in Smyrna.The bride-elect graduated from…

By Margaret Hobbs / Columnist In 1977 fair officials added to their schedule of events a day to honor senior citizens. Tuesday of fair week has been designated as Senior Citizen Day and all persons over 60 years of age are invited to attend as special guests and to participate in a round of activities…

By MARGARET HOBBS / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard MORGAN Most of us have early memories of our trips to a county fair. If you are from our area, you definitely have recollections of the Warren County A&L Fair. We have just completed a successful 53rd fair, but from talking to some of the…

By MARGARET HOBBS / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard The Mini Standard’s Bonnie Bear visits with Raintree Manor resident Lucille Rains. The 85-year-old enjoys visiting the fair, especially the senior citizen activities. A wonderful day was had for all who attended the Senior Citizen Day Tuesday at the Warren County A&L Fair. The event…

By TIM DAHLBERG / AP Sports Columnist There’s not much television doesn’t show the sports fan this time of year. Spend one weekend on the couch and you can feel the tension of baseball pennant races, savor the majesty of college football and enjoy the brilliance of the NFL. Of all the images, though, here’s…

By Dale Stubblefield / Columnist Sporting events are played all over the world. And whether it’s soccer in Brazil, hockey in Canada, golf in Japan or baseball in America, they bring people together with one common bond.But something I just can’t go along with is tennis in China or any other major sporting event.Before Monday…

By ARNIE STAPLETON / AP Sports Writer GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Reggie White’s No. 92 was retired at halftime Sunday, and the next 30 minutes revealed why Brett Favre’s No. 4 might be added to the rafters sooner than the Green Bay Packers and their fans would like. Favre topped 50,000 yards passing and…

By RALPH D. RUSSO / AP Sports Writer The Sugar Bowl will be played in either Baton Rouge, La., or Atlanta after being forced out of the Superdome in New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. Sugar Bowl officials said Tuesday they will know in about three weeks whether Louisiana has recovered sufficiently to keep the game…

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard Cookeville’s Tyler Wolf hauls in a pass despite being surrounded by Pioneer defenders Chase Officer (15), Ethan Womack (19) and Jacob Bratcher during last Friday’s game. (Dale Stubblefield photo) As the Pioneer football team reaches the halfway point of its 2005 season, there are several…