The latest unemployment figures were released by the state Thursday and Warren County had a significant jump.The county unemployment rate was at 8.7 percent for September, up from 6.9 percent in August. It’s the highest I can remember the unemployment rate being in the years I’ve covered business news, although I’ve heard old-timers talk about…

Junior Pennington and his mother, Carolyn, have been operating Pennington’s Restaurant for the past 18 years. They say they don’t foresee any tough times ahead because of Tennessee Screw Machine’s announced shutdown at the end of the year. Whenever there is a major development in the business world, I always think about the broader impact.…

WILSON There’s been so much depressing job-related news surrounding Warren County, I’m pleased to announce Morrison Tool & Fab has officially closed on a low-interest loan for its $3.5 million expansion. The company, owned by Ron Wilson, has been one of the few local employers to steadily increase its workforce in recent years.The Tennessee Department…

Can you say $9.98 oil change? Dalton Fletcher at Quality Automotive and Diesel sure can. As a grand opening special he’s offering $9.98 oil changes this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. (James Clark photo) Dalton Fletcher has an idea that just might work. He has set up his new auto repair shop on Main Street, called…

It’s creeping up on two years since Lowe’s opened its doors in McMinnville and Cumberland Plaza still has two empty stores. That means it’s time to officially admit my prediction was wrong.When Lowe’s first came to town, I said it would take no time at all to fill the vacant shopping center space. But those…

By James Clark / Columnist My favorite aspect of Halloween is the fact it’s perfectly acceptable to dress up like a monster and scare people half to death. My question is who dreamed up this holiday? And furthermore, how did they ever get anybody else to go along with it?If I had to guess, I’d…

Birth Announcements Baby BoyVictor Angel Austin, son of Lisa McBride and Jesus Reglado, was born Sept. 19 at River Park Hospital. He weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces. He is joined by brothers, Jordan Wray and Mycah Dallas Ezechiel.His grandparents are Jimmy and Beverly McBride and Jerry Crutcher. Baby BoyAlberta and Gabriel Hernandez are the parents…

By Jim Miller / Columnist Dear Savvy SeniorI was a victim of identity theft several years ago and have some real concerns about this new Medicare drug benefit I’ve been bombarded with over the last month. Are all these companies who are mailing packets and calling me legitimate? How can I know who to trust?…

By Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar / Columnists Dear Annie: My first wife died at the age of 36, and I remarried two years later. The day my son, “Andy,” turned 18, he moved out of our home and in with my 70-year-old widowed mother. He also talked Mom into giving him $30,000, for which…

NASHVILLE — TPAC Education invites the public to “Fiesta Mexicana,” a lively concert featuring the music of Sones de M?xico Ensemble on Sun., November 13, at 3 p.m. in Andrew Jackson Hall at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, with activities in the lobby beginning at 2 p.m. Seats will be available that day on a…