Duane Sherrill photo Jennifer Boyd, center, accepts the Evening Exchange Club Exchangite of the Year Award from past president Harold Jones and presenter Jewel Walker.

By DUANE SHERRILL Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Two copper thieves were arrested this week after they allegedly broke into the Caney Fork Electric Cooperative yard and made off with 300 pounds of the valuable metal. The suspects, James Hill and an unidentified 16-year-old juvenile, have both been charged with theft and vandalism over…

Charles W. Johnson photo Based on 2005 TCAP scores, Centertown Elementary scored in the top 10 percent of all schools in Tennessee on both reading and language arts, and mathematics for the 2004-2005 school year. In addition, the school has made average year progress (AYP) for the last two years. School board chairperson Dr. Deborah…

By LISA HOBBS Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard The residents of McMinnville will see a much-needed brush truck scooting along the streets of McMinnville within a very short time. The old one will still be used too, but its days could be numbered. After realizing the need was coming for a new brush truck,…

Charles W. Johnson photo Justin Rochon, left, and little Jonathan Dyson enjoy being sprinkled by the cool water from one of the play features set up at Morrison Library?s Summer Reading Program titled Jungle Tales: Hiss, Rumble & Roar. Tuesday?s segment had the kids getting wet in a crocodile swim party.

By LISA HOBBS Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard The final cost for the first phase of the Main Street revitalization project is $5.17 million, with the city of McMinnville paying nearly 70 percent of that amount, according to documents released by the city Wednesday. Project costs were estimated at $4.8 million in the planning…

City of McMinnville The city of McMinnville?s Fourth of July celebration is Tuesday, July 4 on Court Square. This year?s celebration is an all-star salute to World War II veterans on the 61st anniversary. The schedule is as follows: ? 7-10 a.m. ? Breakfast: pancakes, bacon, and choice of juice or milk ($4 per plate)…

By JAMES CLARK Editor for the Southern Standard Warren County residents could pay less for their electricity come October. Tennessee Valley Authority, which provides electricity for all of Tennessee, announced Wednesday plans for its first rate decrease since 1988. The suggested rate reduction is 3.5 to 5 percent ? amounting to $350 million to $500…

By LISA HOBBS Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Downtown McMinnville is now a wireless Internet zone. The service has been recently made available by Main Street McMinnville and Ben Lomand Communications. Enjoying the new service is Main Street McMinnville director Chris Wilson and Ben Lomand representative Sherri McGinnis. Just when you thought downtown McMinnville…

By JAMES CLARK Editor for the Southern Standard BIGBEE When it comes to local volunteer work, there?s not much Pat Bigbee hasn?t done. From the Warren County band boosters, to Junior Auxiliary, to Magness Library, she has made an effort to make this community a better place. That?s why McMinnville?s Breakfast Rotary Club honored Bigbee…