NASHVILLE (AP) ? Police have arrested a high school student who they accused of carrying a rifle onto a city bus a day after getting into an argument with a peer. Police said 15-year-old Benjamin Mitchell admitted to carrying an unloaded .22 caliber semiautomatic rifle onto a bus, saying he did it to protect himself…

NASHVILLE (AP) ? The extent of Gov. Phil Bredesen?s plan to enhance education spending in Tennessee will largely depend on by how much state revenues are projected to grow in the upcoming budget year. Bredesen said ?it?s no secret? that revenues are expected to grow significantly in the budget year beginning in July. The growth…

NASHVILLE (AP) ? The House on Thursday passed a proposal to eliminate the state’s driver certificate program for non-U.S. citizens. The measure carried by Rep. Mike Turner, D-Old Hickory, would create temporary driver’s licenses for legal residents for the duration of their visas. The House passed the bill on an 86-8 vote. House Transportation Chairman…

By Jim Mullen My home office needed repainting. OK, it didn’t need repainting so much as it needed a good, long sandblasting. But my thinking was that painting it would be cheaper and faster than cleaning it. That turned out to be wrong on both counts. It seems you just can’t paint over spaghetti on…

The first President Bush was exultant after driving Saddam Hussein’s forces out of Kuwait in 1991. “By God,” he exclaimed, “we’ve kicked the Vietnam syndrome once and for all.” He was half right. America had clearly overcome its fear of using military force to fight evil. But now, the second President Bush has spawned the…

Letter to the Editor TO THE EDITOR: I am writing in regard to the Mary Winkler case. It irritates me this woman gets off scot-free. I was a victim of domestic violence. I lived through torment and pain but I had the courage to walk away. These people who feel sorry for her are not…

Letter to the Editor TO THE EDITOR: After reading another article in the Southern Standard about a death that was caused from speeding, I wanted to give my opinion about speeding in hopes that it may save someone?s life or at least make people abide by the speed limit signs. Highway 70 divides our property…

By James Clark Our beloved city of McMinnville is once again under the guidance of a city administrator after David Rutherford assumed his job duties Monday. Chances are, it didn?t take long for Rutherford to start looking for a hat and magic wand. He better find an ample supply of rabbits because he?s going to…

Bedford County will host a 200 year celebration in the making, ?Fair on the Square.? The historic courthouse will be the centerpiece of the festival of live entertainment, games and a costume parade. Join the Bedford County Bicentennial celebration or a day of fun for young and old alike. The ?Fair on the Square? is…

By Margaret Hobbs Rock Island resident Leslie Karen Moulton became the 2007 Southern Star Junior Queen in the 11-year-old division. The pageant was held on April 21 in Tullahoma. Leslie wore a Precious Angels pink floor-length gown embroidered with turquoise flowers. She is a fifth-grade student at West Elementary and a member of Paula?s Youth…