Eugenia Grace Gaffin LaFontaine, 88 of McMinnville died Thursday, Dec. 28 at Raintree Manor Nursing Center. Born on Aug. 27, 1918 in Warren County, she was a retired educator and received her B.S. degree from Tennessee College for Women in Murfreesboro in 1942 and her M.A. degree from George Peabody College in Nashville in 1957.…

AKRON, Ohio (AP) ? The union representing about 14,000 striking Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. workers approved a new contract that includes plans to close a Texas tire factory and creates a $1 billion health care fund for retirees, the United Steelworkers said early Friday. USW union members from 12 plants in 10 states, including…

PLANO, Texas (AP) ? Department-store operator JCPenney Co. said Thursday it fired its chief operating officer but gave no reason for the move. Catherine West, 47, who also held the title of executive vice president, had been COO since July. She had no retail experience, according to the biography Penney issued at the time. A…

NEW YORK (AP) ? Consumer confidence improved to its strongest in eight months in December after lackluster performance through the fall, but a private research group said Thursday it was too soon to determine if its reading was signaling genuine improvement. The Conference Board said that its Consumer Confidence Index rose to 109.0 in December…

Nissan is investing an estimated $17 million to move its headquarters from Gardena, Calif., to Franklin, Tenn. The move creates about 1,300 jobs in Middle Tennessee. (AP) ? Key events in Tennessee business in 2006: HCA Inc. shareholders overwhelmingly approved a $21.3 billion leveraged buyout ? the second largest ever in the U.S. ? that…

Not-so-friendly neighbors – Nothing says warmth like plywood over the front of a business. OK, maybe not. That?s what Monty Wanamaker has to deal with at his Main Street store, Southern Museum and Gallery of Photography.

By James Clark Charles Bogle, pictured with his wife, Rosene, during his swearing in ceremony as McMinnville postmaster, is retiring Wednesday. A day-long party in his honor has been scheduled. While I?m all for the idea of people trying to better themselves, I don?t generally endorse the concept of New Year?s resolutions. My logic is…

Baby Boy Candy Miller and Michael Muncey of Rock Island, are the parents on a son, Payton Thomas Muncey. He arrived Nov. 17 at River Park Hospital weighing 6 pounds, 15 ounces. He is the brother of Terri Lynn Myers, Kandace Shyann Muncey, Alena Sue Ann Muncey, Jeramiah Dewayne Muncey and Matthew Dewayne Muncey. His…

By Roger Cook Well, here we are, about to step over the threshold into another new year. To a lot of people, the marking of a new year is a grand occasion. Celebrations with parades, parties and firework displays are held virtually all over the globe. I am not sure what these celebrations are for…

Southern Standard readers are invited to extend happy birthday and anniversary best wishes to friends and loved ones through this weekly column. Please submit your messages by our noon deadline each Thursday. No more that three wishes to any individual, please. Happy Birthday Wishes: Dec. 25 ? Happy belated birthday Jeff Myers. Love, your Cuz…