Photo provided The 2006-2007 Fireman of the Year Award was presented to Kevin Spicer, right, by the McMinnville Evening Exchange Club. Spicer has worked for McMinnville Fire Department since 1997. He has also been a volunteer fireman for the Rock Island Fire Department for the past 25 years. Pictured is Dennis Taylor presenting the award…

Eastside principal Michael Trevathan is releasing the school?s honor rolls for the second six weeks grading period: FIRST HONOR ROLL Fourth Grade ? Danice George, Bailey Barnes, Guillermo Cabrera, Dylan George, Katelyn Glenn, Kennedy Mart, Jacob Moore, Seth Walker; Fifth Grade ? Mindy King, Landon Lopez, Kateland Moore, Amber Parson, Jennifer Puentes, Jonathan Reed, Abbi…

By JAMES CLARK Editor for the Southern Standard Manchester Arts Center, located at 900 Hillsboro Boulevard, was destroyed by fire Sunday night. Performances of ?Charlotte?s Web? will still take place this weekend at Westwood Elementary School. Manchester Arts Center was destroyed by fire Sunday night just hours after a live performance of the children?s classic…

By DUANE SHERRILL Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard A high school junior has been suspended after he brought a handgun onto school property, something the teen said was an innocent accident ? not a sinister plot. The youth, identified only as a 16-year-old Warren County High School junior by authorities, was granted probation Monday…

By JAMES CLARK Editor for the Southern Standard TACKETT Grand opening ceremonies were held in Morrison last week for the first low-income government housing complex in Tennessee designed specifically for Hispanic farm workers. The complex, called Beacon Light Apartments, features 24 units that are either two- or three-bedroom apartments. Of the 24 apartments, 14 are…

By DUANE SHERRILL Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Firemen prepare to take Candice Zweifel to an awaiting helicopter after she pulled into the path of an oncoming motorist Sunday night on Smithville Highway in front of Delores? Market. The other driver, Patrick Lee, was arrested for drunk driving although the wreck was not his…

By DUANE SHERRILL Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard McGEE JR. The founder of Pioneer Building Supply and his son, who is a school board member, were bound to the grand jury Tuesday on charges stemming from a fight at Furniture Depot which ended with the father pulling a gun on the owners. ?Oh my…

Kathryn Lopez Like many, I celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God, my Savior this month. I know what it’s about. My family knows what it’s about. I want to get out of work early and set up a cr?che. And I sure as heck don’t want to have a political debate…

Jim Mullen ‘Tis the season for Christmas television specials. What better way to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus than by watching “A WWF Christmas Smackdown?” What could possibly say “Peace on Earth, Goodwill To Men” more than a “Britney Spears Goes a-Caroling Buck Naked” special? How about this for spirituality — “Survivor: Bethlehem!”…

Guest Editorial: By Paul K. McMasters In a legal battle pitting the good of our children – the essence of innocence – against the threat of porn and smut, one would think the outcome would be sure and simple. Not quite. Instead, the legal challenge to the Child Online Protection Act (COPA) now unfolding in…