Southern Standard It?s easy to get cheap applause by arguing to reduce the tax on anything. Unfortunately, when talking about making ends meet in a state budget, it?s not that simple. It was well documented some six years ago that Tennesseans do not want a state income tax. That issue alone soured residents to then-Gov.…

Tennesseans for Fair Taxation Tennessee has the highest state and local sales tax in the nation, as well as the nation’s highest combined food tax. This weekend, however, shoppers across the state got a brief, three-day?reprieve from Tennessee’s high sales tax.? This weekend’s temporary holiday is in addition to the permanent three-day holiday that now…

By Lisa Hobbs Good Samaritans are people who voluntarily offer help or offer sympathy in times of trouble. This definition is courtesy of Webster?s. In my opinion, the definition of a truly good Samaritan is someone who voluntarily offers help or sympathy in times of trouble and expects nothing in return and wants nothing in…

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Sales of existing homes plunged in March by the largest amount in 18 years, reflecting in part rising troubles in the subprime mortgage market. Analysts cautioned that tougher approval standards by lenders in response to the increase in mortgage delinquencies will depress sales further in coming months. They said a rebound in…

Pensacola, Fla., resident, formerly of Rock Island, Willie B. Poss Moore, 67, died April 22. A homemaker and member of Mt. Elim Baptist Church, she was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Mason Poss of Smithville and Fred Moore Sr. of Rock Island. She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, David and Mary Poss…

Doyle resident and White County native Reba Elise Franks Carter, 72, died April 24 at her home. A factory worker, she was the daughter of the late Doughty Lee and Mattie Luna Franks; and was preceded in death by son, Ricky Haston; sisters, Martha Ralston and Rilda Hudson; and brothers, Jimmy Dale Franks and Terry…

Beersheba Springs resident James A. King, 60, died April 25 at his home. A member of the Methodist faith, he was preceded in death by his father, Newton King; brother, Dewey King; sister, Patsy Nelson; and son, Houston King. He is survived by his wife, Linda Norris King; mother, Rosa Lee King of Woodbury; sons…

Hubert Hale, 59, of Spencer passed from this life Wednesday, April 25. Mr. Hale was born on Sept. 25, 1947 in Van Buren County, was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy, and was a factory worker. He was preceded in death by his father, Clifton A. Hale; sister, Betty Jewell Hale; brother,…

McMinnville resident and Warren County native Eugene Clifford Jones, 91, was born May 26, 1915 and died April 27 at River Park Hospital following an extended illness. A retired auto mechanic and retired chief gunnersmate in the United States Navy during WWII and Korea, he was a member of Bybee Branch Church of Christ. He…

Billie Baldwin Brandon, 86, passed away Thursday, April 26 at WillowBrooke Court in Gainesville, Ga., surrounded by her loving family. Born, May 8, 1920, Billie and her brother, Bob lived on a farm in Warren County until their teenage years. She graduated from Central High School in McMinnville in 1937 as valedictorian in a class…