Charles W. Johnson photo The Kids of the Community luau gave local children a chance to learn a couple of Hawaiian-themed activities, like the limbo and hula dance. These guys weren?t all that keen on being photographed in hula skirts, but gamely posed anyway. Pictured are, from left, Eddie Campos, 8, Mario Hernandez, 10, and…

By LISA HOBBS Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard With the temperature climbing, so are the number of residents calling McMinnville Fire Department to report illegal burning. ?It?s beginning to be a problem,? said Fire Chief Kevin Lawrence about illegal burning. ?I?ve already had to go out and put out more than one illegal fire.…

By LISA HOBBS Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard McMinnville Fire Department will soon receive a much-needed thermal imaging camera. After sending out for bids, the Safety Committee accepted the lowest bid of $8,450 which is somewhat below the $10,000 set aside in the department?s budget. The new camera will be used to help see…

Margaret Hobbs photo Magness Library held a ?Sesame Street? party yesterday to celebrate the grand opening of Main Street McMinnville. Children were treated to activities, refreshments and a visit from Big Bird. Sandy Banning holds her grandson, Dyson McBride, up for a closer look at the ?Sesame Street? icon.

By DUANE SHERRILL Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Over $100,000 and counting has been spent on local campaigns with candidates eliminated by Tuesday?s primary now being replaced by a throng of independents and Republicans. Leading the way in all races was the three-way battle for the Democratic nomination for district attorney, won narrowly this…

Two stone insets have been placed on a corner of Court Square to commemorate Staff Sgt. Asbury F. Hawn II, of Lebanon. He was a member of the 278th National Guard killed in Iraq on Aug. 14, 2005. Mayor Royce Davenport gives Jonathan Hawn, son of Staff Sgt. Hawn, a hand in placing a stone.…

The first exit poll ever published by the Southern Standard was on the mark as the Sherrill Poll successfully forecast all five races, hitting on or near the actual percentages. ?I conducted four samples outside early voting, polling a total of 170 people who had just voted,? said Standard reporter Duane Sherrill. ?In addition to…

By DUANE SHERRILL Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard An emotional Glenn McKenzie of Grace Temple said it?s a shame this area is known more for meth than for spreading the word of God. McKenzie spoke yesterday during National Day of Prayer ceremonies. In what has become a long-standing tradition, about 100 people assembled together…

Pre-registration for those students entering the ninth grade in the 2006-2007 school year has been scheduled for this coming Tuesday and Thursday. Warren County High School principal James Bennett will lead a team from the high school that will provide information and assistance to this year?s eighth-graders and their parents in pre-registering for the ninth…

The Commercial Appeal (Memphis) Attempts to shield Tennessee consumers from unethical lending practices have languished in the General Assembly for five years. This week, the logjam could break if agreement can be reached on legislation targeting loan company tricks that rob borrowers of their homes. Most Tennesseans have nothing to fear from most lenders who…