DALLAS Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. ? The Toronto Blue Jays emerged as baseball’s big new spender, agreeing to a $55 million, five-year contract with pitcher A.J. Burnett on Tuesday. One week after giving reliever B.J. Ryan a $47 million, five-year deal,…

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. ? Coach Bruce Pearl’s system is working so far at Tennessee. The Volunteers (5-0) held off Appalachian State 89-81 Tuesday night in their best start since 2000-01, Jerry Green’s final season, when they began 9-0.…

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard The Lady Pioneers’ Macy Broom draws a close double-team from a pair of White County defenders during Monday night’s game at WCHS. (Dale Stubblefield photo) The home floor wasn’t much of an advantage for the Lady Pioneer freshman basketball team Monday night against White County.Six…

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. ? The Nashville Predators show no signs of cooling off. The small market team that may have benefited the most from the NHL’s new labor deal promises complacency won’t be a problem. “It’s great to…

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Warren County’s Kyrie Harris (45) gets tangled up with the White County’s Matt Mitchell. (Dale Stubblefield photo) The Warren County High School freshman boys basketball team went toe-to-toe with White County Monday night in the Charlie Dalton Gym. But a 21-point fourth period gave the…

By LISA CHAPMAN / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Sometimes people just can’t help but feel down during what is supposed to be the happiest time of the year because one of their family members or a friend is an alcoholic. For over 50 years, Al-Anon Family Groups have been providing help and hope…

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard Warren County High School teacher Cappi Jones enjoys the spread of food provided by Pioneer PRIDE, a parent organization looking to get more involved in school. Warren County High School teachers have long wanted parents to be involved in their child’s education. As it turns out,…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Probation was granted to a gasoline thief caught in the act siphoning gas from vehicles outside a local apartment complex Saturday night.The defendant, Charles R. Aldridge, 33, was granted a judicial diversion Tuesday by General Sessions Judge Larry Ross given the fact the suspect had…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard Local band Chasing Fallen Stars will be performing this Thursday, Dec. 8 at The Muse on 4th Avenue in Nashville. The group is, from left, Travis Powers, brothers Steve and Greg Martenson, and Mark Turner. (Charles W. Johnson photo) The tide of musical talent…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard State trooper Mike Tanner investigates the Tuesday night wreck on Bethany Road which resulted in Alex McClear being airlifted from the scene. (Duane Sherrill photo) A local man was in critical condition at press time after he was thrown from his car as it rolled…