By Bill Zechman Special to the Southern Standard Standing near a heap of rubble in front of Chalmette Church of Christ near New Orleans are, from left, Chalmette deacon Wayne Schulz and Central Church of Christ volunteers Robert Centracchio, Bruce Carr and Nick Bouldin. Other Central workers not pictured are Michael Hardcastle and Paul Mitchell.…

By LISA HOBBS Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard AUSTIN John Austin wants to get a bike club started in McMinnville and his first ride is scheduled for this Thursday at 5:30 p.m. ?I?ve been riding since I was a kid,? said Austin. ?I like to ride in groups but we don?t have one around…

By DENNIS STANLEY Publisher/Editor for the Smithville Review Thanks to a $3 million government grant, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas Utility District can finish a 33-mile pipeline to improve service and lower costs for customers. USDA rural development state director Ruth Tackett announced the $3 million funding plan at a ceremony at the utility district?s Smithville…

By DUANE SHERRILL Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard STEWART McMinnville?s Exchange Club presented its prestigious Book of Golden Deeds Award to local businessman Nestor Stewart at its awards banquet last night at McMinnville Country Club, recognizing his many years of dedicated service to the citizens of our community. Stewart was born in DeKalb County,…

Charles W. Johnson photo Russell Womack of Little Big Bang Black Cat Fireworks, is ready to rocket into the Fourth of July rush. Womack?s stand is located on Beersheba Street across from Dairy Hill. ? Darrell Austin talks about his years of selling fireworks, see Business Monthly inside today?s edition ? Now that fireworks sales…

Does the idea of eating a banana split sound appealing? Does that idea sound even better if the banana split is free? If so, the Southern Standard office is where you need to be this Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. The newspaper is holding its annual Banana Day bash to celebrate the official beginning…

James Clark photo Jaylan Smith, 5, knows it?s easier to ride on the back of Megen Robison?s shoulders with two bundles of bananas.

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON News Editor for the Southern Standard SMARTT County commissioners voted against giving themselves a pay raise by a 16-6 margin Monday night in a move many didn?t find surprising, considering the possible political repercussions, despite the fact the county?s governing body hasn?t seen a pay increase for 17 years. Budget and…

By DUANE SHERRILL Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Police cars are parked outside Citizens Tri-County Bank in Plaza Shopping Center following a Monday afternoon robbery. As of press time last night, police say they don?t have any firm leads as to the identity of the robber. A fleeing bank robber was nearly run down…