Letters to the Editor TO THE EDITOR: For the people not old enough to remember, Main Street McMinnville at one time was the center of trade in Warren County. Main Street merchants did not want to open on Sundays and this started residents going to Cookeville, Murfreesboro and Nashville to shop at this time. With…

Thomas Vaughn In the aftermath of dramatic Democratic victories in both Houses of Congress last month, bipartisanship seems to breaking out all over. First came the Senate confirmation of Robert M. Gates for Secretary of Defense.? The Senate Armed Services Committee gave him a unanimous vote of confidence last Tuesday, followed by a resounding vote…

Margaret Hobbs Let me say this right up front ? I?m not a trucking mama; or whatever women are called when they accompany truck drivers on trips. I have gone with my husband, Michael, recently on a few trips delivering nursery stock to surrounding states. I prefer the not-so-long trips and ideally the area needs…

A direct line to Santa?s elves, made possible by Ben Lomand Telephone, is a popular place for children, front row, from left, Jocelyn Jones, Alexis Rhea, Emilee Hale and Brianna Cooke. Back row, Shelby Comer, Angela Cobb, Sarah Panter and Martin Grissom.

McMinnville resident and Warren County native Willie Frances Elrod Davenport, 94, was born Dec. 10, 1911 and died Dec. 8 at NHC Healthcare McMinnville following a lingering illness. A homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ for 83 years, she was the daughter of the late Charley and Bertha Watson Elrod. She was…

William A. (Bill) Goolsby, 73, of the Wesley Chapel community died Friday, Dec. 8, 2006 at his residence. Born on Dec. 26, 1932 in Clay County, he was a livestock dealer and farmer, served his country in the U.S. Navy, and was affiliated with the Baptist faith. Mr. Goolsby was preceded in death by his…

McMinnville resident and Warren County native Theresa Dianne Ross, 45, was born Nov. 5, 1961 and died Dec. 8 at her residence following a sudden illness. A restaurant manager and a member of the Pentecostal Church, she was the daughter of Patricia Vaughn Sweeton of McMinnville and the late Wesley Ross. In addition to her…

Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants moved closer to reaching an agreement Thursday night, with the sides hoping to complete a deal that would keep the controversial slugger in the Bay Area. ?We met with the Giants today and made significant progress,? Bonds? agent, Jeff Borris, said from the baseball winter meetings in Lake…

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Baseball?s winter meetings ended with a thud Thursday, wrapping up after just one major trade and only a handful of free-agent signings during the week. Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants were still apart, Barry Zito wasn?t close to signing and Manny Ramirez remained with the Boston Red Sox.…

Rob Nunley For the last several weeks, one of the hot-button topics in McMinnville has been what to do to honor Jamie ?Cat? Walker. As you?ve read on page 1 of today?s edition, a special celebration is scheduled for Dec. 19, at which time Walker will be applauded for his pro baseball accomplishments, and particularly…