NASHVILLE, Tenn. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. – While the General Assembly goes into a special session next month to consider stronger state ethics laws, some lawmakers are quick to point out that, beginning this week, they must disclose more than ever…

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. – A disagreement over elements of a proposed ethics bill could erode bipartisan support as the General Assembly prepares for a special session next month. House Minority Leader Bill Dunn has declined to sign on…

TO THE EDITOR: With the Chinese coming to Middle Tennessee, will the jobs be a blessing or our downfall?With the article in Sunday’s paper looking to do business in Warren County and mentioning recycling old tires, what will they be used for? Will they be cut up and used for roofing or will they be…

TO THE EDITOR: The guest editorial in the Dec. 9 edition of the Southern Standard is somewhat confusing to me. The writer states, “What schools and communities need to remember is the First Amendment separates church from state.”My copy of the Constitution does not state this. This fallacy of separation of church and state is…

By Jim Mullen / Columnist Years before Sept. 11, years before we moved to a farm in the middle of nowhere in the mountains, Sue and I lived in Manhattan. It was where young people came from all over the world to make a name for themselves, to make money, to disappear, to become famous,…

By George Plagenz / Columnist People often speak of the magic of Christmas. This celebration of Christ’s birth is a beautiful holiday filled with family traditions, joyful music, warmth, love and sharing. But it raises some issues, too — like what do you tell your children when they ask you why Santa Claus always leaves…

By James Clark / Columnist The average U.S. citizen doesn’t know the intricate details of the Patriot Act. At the risk of sounding average, I don’t either.But the basic premise I’ve been able to grasp is the Patriot Act gives our government great leeway to investigate our lives without our knowledge. The Patriot Act gives…

Charles W. Johnson photo Anna Ruth Henry, left greets Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Moose Lodge Pacesetters’ Christmas Dinner Tuesday. The rosy-cheeked couple are also known as Dorothy Childress and Don Griffin.

Bonner FCEC met Dec. 9 at the home of Vita Gulley. She conducted the meeting for the club. Freda Bouldin read “Christmas” by Virginia Grimmey, a prayer and the group sang “Silent Night.”Gulley reported about the trip and meetings of the state convention she attended. Upcoming events include the council meeting and Santa’s Workshop. Gulley…

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard Lauren Patterson ties up the ball during Monday night’s game against Greenbrier. (Rob Nunley photo) After ending a four-game losing streak, the Lady Pioneer basketball team didn’t have much time to celebrate, as they were right back in action Tuesday at the Sumner Sports Medicine…