WASHINGTON (AP) ‘ President Bush on Friday announced a set of modest proposals to deal with an alarming rise in mortgage defaults that have contributed to turbulent financial markets over recent weeks. Housing analysts said it was highly likely the limited steps Bush outlined will be expanded in coming weeks by a Democrat-controlled Congress intent…

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WASHINGTON (AP) ‘ Most Americans say the United States itself bears at least some blame for the rash of unsafe products from China, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll. With the tally of Chinese goods bearing high levels of chemicals and toxins growing almost daily, people in the survey reserved the bulk of their ire…

KNOXVILLE (AP) ‘ Two regional hospital groups based in Knoxville have announced plans to merge their operations. The deal would bring together St. Mary’s Health System and Baptist Health System. ‘If, after due diligence, both parties agree to move forward, we believe that the residents of East Tennessee will greatly benefit from the merger of…

The Toyota Tundra and Chevrolet Silverado placed first and second in Consumer Reports’ recent comparison of large, half-ton pickups. Full-sized pickups with four doors and crew cabs are often seen as alternatives to SUVs. They provide seating for five or six passengers, allowing these trucks to do double duty hauling families and towing a big…

CLINTON, Tenn. (AP) ‘ Aisin Automotive Casting Tennessee, Inc. announced Friday a $67 million expansion of its Clinton plant that will add 160 new jobs. ‘We’re glad they’re here,’ Clinton Mayor Winfred ‘Wimp’ Shoopman said. ‘What a good company they are, and how great they are to work with.’ The auto parts plant now employs…

By James Clark For a building that might look small from the outside, Busy B’s Furniture packs a wide variety of merchandise inside. Forget the rambling introduction. Leave the silliness at the door. The information everyone wants to know is what’s happening at the corner of Spring Street and the bypass. So I’ll get right…

Members of the Vinson’s Crossroads FCEC met on Aug. 16 in the Magnolia Room for their meeting. President Lois Self conducted the meeting, with Sandra Blair and Naomi Smith serving as hostesses. Smith gave a prayer, and the devotional from II Corinthians 9:6-7, emphasizing you are blessed by the more you give. The pledge to…

McMinnville Central High School class of 1947 met for their reunion recently. Those attending are, first row from left, Helen Parsley Holland, Ella Dodson Midgett, Lois Smith Holland, Peggy Christian Harris, James Harris, Jackie Leatherwood Shields, Louise Haston Willis, Sammie Green Ward, Sepal Markum Mooneyham, Dot Hall Molloy. Second row, Blanche Danielson Cook, Lucille Crimm…

By Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Dear Annie: I am a divorced 45-year-old woman with a 12-year-old son. “Philip” gets straight A’s and is involved in sports and music, but I don’t want Philip to grow up to be a “mama’s boy.” I’ve noticed he’s very sensitive (which I think he’s learned by observing me).…