The side of the SUV driven by Cynthia R. Baer was ripped away Monday when she swerved into the oncoming lane of traffic to avoid hitting a turning motorist in the rear only to slam into an oncoming Hillis Trucking vehicle driven by Michael W. Hillis in the construction zone at Newtown. Baer suffered non-critical…

By LISA HOBBS McMinnville Parks and Recreation will be losing its activities programmer. Jen Barnes will be leaving the small-town life of McMinnville for the fast-paced living of Nashville. Almost one year ago, Barnes followed her heart to McMinnville because becoming the city’s activities programmer gave her the chance to dance, something she missed doing…

By DUANE SHERRILL Two children narrowly escaped being slashed by an irate Skyline man when he thrust a butcher knife through the family’s window Sunday. The suspect, Jesus A. Cota, 29, is charged with reckless endangerment and resisting arrest and was the only one who suffered injury in the incident, first hurting himself when he…

By LISA HOBBS From the Country Club to the city, Hank Patton will be McMinnville’s first landscape manager. He is scheduled to begin work Aug. 13. As most will remember, this isn’t the first time Patton has applied for the top position in the Urban Forestry Department. ‘I’m glad we are where we are at…

By DUANE SHERRILL Surgery has forced another continuance in the case against former county Trustee Joy Slatton, charged with misappropriating tens of thousands in county dollars while she was in office. The surgery which forced the delay was not performed on the seven-term county trustee, but instead her lead counsel, Michael Galligan, who underwent knee…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON Travis Swann performs in the popular On the Road Again Show. For a Viola Valley Homecoming schedule, see page 5-A It’s time to head for the valley, Viola Valley that is. The 21st annual Viola Valley Homecoming celebration is set for this Friday and Saturday, Aug. 10-11, and it’s a perfect…

By DUANE SHERRILL In a recent interview with the Standard, Tommy Carney said his first memories of playing in the Silver and Gold Band included standing on an apple crate so he could reach the drum. Known as an undertaker with a sense of humor, longtime High Funeral Home director Tommy Carney died Monday evening…

By JAMES CLARK The expansion that will more than double the size of Motlow College’s campus in McMinnville will take place at the front of the facility. State Sen. Jerry Cooper said he would like to see the nearby water tower and driver testing center moved. The expansion project that will more than double the…

With temperatures expected to approach 100 degrees thru Thursday, here are tips to avoid heat-related illness: ‘ Drink plenty of liquids, even if you’re not thirsty. ‘ Dress in light-weight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. ‘ Avoid midday heat and do not engage in vigorous activity during the hottest part of the day, between noon and 4…

By DUANE SHERRILL Three McMinnville policemen were injured Monday evening after they chased down an escaped mental patient who flew into a rage and violently attacked them before being taken into custody. The suspect, Timothy Shelton, 39, of Cleveland is under observation at Moccasin Bend mental facility and will face a battery of criminal charges…