By CHARLES W. JOHNSON Oster is expanding its existing Warren County operation and has signed a long-term lease to occupy the former WastAway plant, also known as the old Aquatech building, on Belmont Drive. The company plans to move its shampoo line, along with its distribution and customer service operations and some warehousing, into the…

By DUANE SHERRILL Thirteen people were sentenced this past week by Judge Bart Stanley in Circuit Court criminal division. Included in circuit sentencing: ‘ Michael O. Bly was issued a six-year probationary sentence and must make $700 restitution for forgery and theft. ‘ Du-Ana Johnson was directed to serve 240 days of a four-year sentence…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON The 2007 Main Street Fourth of July celebration is panning out to be another great event where local residents and visitors can enjoy the beauty of the renovated downtown and Court Square. This theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Race for the 4th’ in honor of The Great Race pit stop…

By DUANE SHERRILL A woman living a double life will be living some of that life behind bars after entering a guilty plea to a string of burglaries she committed to help fund her false identity. The defendant, Nickey R. Davidson, 26, entered a guilty plea to charges of aggravated burglary and theft and was…

By JAMES CLARK After much anticipation, The Great Race will be cruising into downtown McMinnville this Monday. Classic cars are expected to begin pouring onto Main Street around 2 p.m. and stay until around 4 p.m. The cars are traveling from Sparta to McMinnville. Cars will be entering downtown from Spring Street. Each car is…

By JAMES CLARK City administrator David Rutherford recommended merging McMinnville’s Department of Urban Forestry with its Public Works Department during regular board meetings Tuesday night. ‘Right now I can’t recommend a separate Department of Urban Forestry,’ said Rutherford. ‘If anything, it’s an extension of Public Works. You’ll have to continue to decide what you want…

By DUANE SHERRILL A 74-person docket was heard Thursday by Judge Larry Ross in General Sessions Traffic Court. Included in court action: ‘ Antanacio Garcia and Donald Phillips were both instructed to serve seven days of an 11-29 sentence, pay $350 plus costs and lose their driver’s licenses for one year for DUI. ‘ Joshua…

By DUANE SHERRILL People who burn substances which contaminate the environment may not only face fines ‘ they may also serve jail time. That’s what happened to a local man, who continued to defy environmental officers and burn tires on his property. ‘It’s important for the public to understand there are items it is illegal…