Rock Island resident and Calumet, Mich., native Kenneth Heimo Mikkola, 73, was born Aug. 3, 1934 and died suddenly Sept. 19 at River Park Hospital. A retired mechanic at General Motors, he was the son of the late Emil John and Edna Marie Ravela Mikkola. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death…

By LISA HOBBS The facelift is almost complete. Perhaps the ugliest building on Main Street has been transformed to a life-like storefront that adds charm to downtown instead of serving as an eyesore. ‘My kids have worked hard on this,’ said Warren County teacher and freelance artist Carol Neal referring to the almost finished Lively…

By LISA HOBBS The city has plans to resurface the parking lot around the Farmers Market and officials hope business owners will spruce up their buildings to make the area an attractive place to park. Windows and parking, oh my! The Historic Ad Hoc Committee met Wednesday to discuss more hot issues concerning Historic District…

By DUANE SHERRILL A local couple faces counterfeiting charges after they were caught allegedly passing computer-generated $50 bills. Charged with four counts of criminal simulation is Deidra Kester, while her partner in crime, Joshua Lee Roark, is charged with one count of criminal simulation. They will face preliminary hearing Oct. 9 before General Sessions Judge…

By TONYA SMITH-KING Cleaners Express employee Paul Pillow and Mary Winkler are co-workers at the local dry cleaners. Paul’s brother Darrell says he has dated Winkler, according to a story in The Jackson Sun. Darrell Pillow of Paris, Tenn., says he was Mary Winkler’s boyfriend for several months until she broke it off. He said…

With the Dottie West Music Fest two weeks away, the names of the talent contest semifinalists are being released by talent coordinator Thomas B. Vaughn. Advancing to the semifinals are: Nolan Campbell, Jeremy Dodson, Kelcie Fearing, Dana Holland, Patricia Isom, Stefanie Jewell, Bobby Leck, Dwayne Leck, Heidi Leck, Lia Lorance, Greg Mangum, Stacy McCoy, Josh…

The Autumn Street Fair is set to pack the streets of downtown McMinnville on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last year’s Autumn Street Fair was a huge success, according to organizers, attracting almost 15,000 people with 124 booth spaces taken. This year Leadership McMinnville is pleased to offer its vendors a…

By LISA HOBBS Seeing Tennessee the fun way. Pictured are Rick and Debbie Archer who take in the sights from the seats of their Tandem Santana. The two were in McMinnville as part of Bike Ride Across Tennessee. McMinnville Civic Center has looked like McMinnville Campground for the past two days. That’s because hundreds of…

By JAMES CLARK The Warren County High School football team is looking to break a six-game losing streak to Coffee County. Perhaps this afternoon’s Homecoming Parade will provide the enthusiasm needed to push the Pioneers to victory. The parade leaves the Civic Center today at 12:15 p.m. and follows the traditional parade route. It will…

By DUANE SHERRILL SCOTT As he sat bleeding from a gunshot wound to his stomach, words from his friend telling him he had ‘messed up’ proved prophetic for Joe Hale. A jury convicted Hale on Wednesday of second-degree murder for the gunfight which claimed the life of Van Buren County Commissioner John Scott. Hale, who…