By LISA HOBBS Although the directional signs that popped up all over town haven?t caused much of a stir themselves, the location of some and the wording on others has caused controversy and confusion in a jiffy. When the idea first originated, Jack Qualls, city planner at that time, wanted to direct traffic from the…

By DUANE SHERRILL Eleven people were sentenced recently by Judge Bart Stanley in Circuit Court criminal division. Included in circuit action: ? Tony D. Walls was directed to serve 210 days of a 10-year sentence, pay $2,000 plus costs and perform 16 hours public service work for initiation of the process to manufacture meth and…

The Warren County Association for the Education of Young Children recently held its 10th anniversary celebration at New York Grill. Pictured front row, from left, are Megan Starkey, Tabitha Hall, Gayla Owen, Anne Buckner, Pati Hardy, Winona Boyd and Leslie Hamlett. Second row, Brenda Brock, Janice Broyles, Diane Williamson, Myra Overall, Jennifer Grove, Karen M.…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON The road improvement project at Mountain View Industrial Park is now complete. The project was made possible by a matching funds state grant from Economic and Community Development secured by Warren County?s Industrial Development Board. The road project is one of a series of improvements planned for the industrial park as…

NASHVILLE (AP) ? State Sen. Jerry Cooper was slated to undergo surgery Tuesday related to injuries suffered in an accident earlier this year, a Democratic colleague said. Cooper, D-Morrison, returned to the Senate last month for the first time since his Feb. 7 accident in which his SUV overturned several times on Interstate 24 in…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON It?s that time of year again ? the time when Warren County?s streets, highways and byways are filled with helmeted speedsters on high-tech two-wheelers as the community plays host to one of the Southeast?s premier bicycle races. The Chamber of Commerce, city of McMinnville and Dr Pepper/Sundrop are proud to announce…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON Flight Deck Specialists focuses on seats and other interior design features for aircraft. The second new industry in two weeks has announced plans to locate in McMinnville. Flight Deck Specialists Inc., from Miami, Fla., will occupy the former Cookeville Tool and Die building located at 1288 Belmont Drive. Former owners and…

By JAMES CLARK Mary Winkler escaped first-degree murder charges in court last month. Now she?s looking to have her criminal record completely erased. Winkler?s attorneys have filed paperwork asking for a judicial diversion, according to a report from Memphis TV station WHBQ. Anyone convicted of a class C felony or less is eligible to apply…

By DUANE SHERRILL McKinley A Viola man was killed and his teen-age stepson gravely injured Sunday night in a high-speed crash on Viola Highway. The driver of the vehicle, Robert L. McKinley, 46, died at the scene. His stepson and front-seat passenger, Courtney D. Blevins, 17, was airlifted from the scene by LifeForce helicopter and…