By DUANE SHERRILL Saying seven-term county trustee Joy Slatton should not be excused for being able to cover her alleged crime for years, special prosecutor Glenn Funk resisted a defense move Monday to have charges dismissed against Slatton and her daughter, Gaye Lentz, after their hope of pre-trial diversions were overruled. ?Mrs. Slatton treated the…

MURFREESBORO (AP) ? An assistant principal and teacher who staged a fake gun attack on a group of students during a field trip have been suspended, school officials said Monday. During the last night of a weeklong trip to Fall Creek Falls, staff members convinced 69 sixth-grade students from Scales Elementary School that there was…

NASHVILLE (AP) ? The state shut down a rural day care center after an unannounced inspection found three crying infants hidden behind a closed door in a room that contained hot water heaters and electrical boxes. When an inspector visited Paulette?s Group Day Care Home in Lafayette on Friday, there was only one worker minding…

By William Rusher As regular readers know, I seldom review books in these columns, preferring to leave that important job to professional reviewers. But every once in a while a book comes along that illuminates a major political problem so effectively that I cannot resist calling it to the attention of thoughtful readers. That is…

Supposed leaders — such as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid — declare that the war is lost. Thus, we have a video from Al Qaeda’s No. 2 nut, Ayman al-Zawahiri, rejoicing. We’ve got them now, al-Zawahiri figures. And I’d think the same if I were a jihadist. Maybe we can chalk this Democratic rhetoric up…

Baby Girl Tamara and Daniel Dodson of Smithville are the parents of their first child, Trinity Hope Dodson. She arrived March 30 at River Park Hospital. Her grandparents are Sharon Young and Glenn Young of Smithville, Tina Dodson and Jack Pitman. Great-grandparents are Orthana Young and Betty Dodson. Baby Girl Kaylyn Cheyenne Roberts, daughter of…

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: May 9 ? Jeff McGee, happy belated 38th birthday. Love, Mother…

By Margaret Hobbs Wavie Stacy celebrated another milestone April 29, as she observed her 95th birthday. A celebration was held in her honor at the Fairview Community Center with approximately 100 family, friends and neighbors attending. The gala affair was organized and decorated in a pink and white motif by neighbor Joyce Hillis. A few…

By Margaret Hobbs First Baptist Church is presenting The Anchored Quartet in concert Sunday, May 20. The 6 p.m. concert is part of the congregation?s senior citizen celebration, and everyone is welcome to attend. The gospel group, comprised of four men from Warren and White counties, recently brought home top honors at the Gospel Music…

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Oliver Bratcher are revealing plans for the forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Lara Frances Bratcher, to Kevin Creed Harvey. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Patricia and the late Bruce Harvey. The couple will exchange nuptial vows on July 7 at First United Methodist Church. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of…