What began as a vision to invigorate a dying downtown district has officially completed its first phase. Yesterday?s ribbon-cutting ceremony on Court Square brought a formal end to a project that began with construction in August 2004, and started with planning many years before that. There were stumbling blocks along the way, the most problematic…

Farm Scene By the Associated Press A controversial move to save an endangered fish by artificially raising water levels on the Missouri River will go forward despite a lawsuit to halt it, the Army Corps of Engineers announced. Attorney General Jay Nixon filed suit Friday to stop the release of water from reservoirs along the…

Mark Halcomb UT Nursery Specialist I am beginning my 21st year here working with nurseries in six counties. We have witnessed greater use of Hispanic labor, tree digging spades, wire baskets and air blast sprayers; more fall planting with potted liners, wider spacing, the Enviromist, local propagation of Forest Pansy redbud, pot in pot, more…

J. Dale Beaty Extension Leader Master Gardeners and Master Gardener Interns gathered for a short community cleanup for the Great American Cleanup Campaign this past weekend. Pictured, from left, are Martha Bell, Betty Grissom, Tina Smock, McCain Smock, Warren Co. Litter Program coordinator Mary Lou Ward, Rebecca Jaco, Warren County Master Gardener President Deb Savchuk…

Steve C. Stubblefield CFSA Director Warren County livestock and crop producers have two different reporting deadlines coming up in the near future. Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers farm commodity programs and emergency related programs approved by Congress or the Secretary of Agriculture to assist those producers who have suffered losses due to natural disasters or…

Baby Boy James Anthony Aiden Brown was born at Middle Tennessee Medical Center on Jan. 30. The infant is the first child for Jamie and Renee Brown of Smithville. He weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces and was 21 inches in length. His grandparents are Anthony and Jimmie Templeton of Rock Island and Wayne Brown and…

Margo Howard Dear Margo: I am soon to be a mother-in-law. I love my son, but I think I have gotten off to a bad start with my future daughter-in-law. After a weekend visit from them, I spoke to my son about a few things I had noticed. My son’s fiancee seemed to be jealous…

Summer is fast approaching which is a sure sign that 4-H Camp is not far behind. Application forms were handed out in 4-H club meetings but if you were absent or lost yours, the applications are available at the Extension Office. Junior High 4-H Camp is held May 30 -June 2 in Crossville with a…

All aboard! The 2006 Railroad Rendezvous SpringFest is pulling into the depot in Cookeville on May 6. Named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society, the family-fun festival features a round trip train excursion and the official Tennessee State Resonator Guitar Championship ? “DobrosTM at the Depot.” Admission to Railroad Rendezvous SpringFest, which…

Stephanie Russell and Tyler Grandstaff pose for a formal picture at McMinnville Civic Center during prom night.